Busboy Return

Lessons from Hunter Master

"So, what is it that you want to say?"

While putting up Jimmy knocked out on the ground and watching the bustling scene, Hector asked with a slightly puzzled expression.

"I wanted to propose a bet. Man to man, and family to family, you know."

"You mean to bet on something... Are you talking about Bus Boy there?"

At times like this, it's more remarkable to just grin.

"Then, family to family? Which family are you referring to?"

"Of course, the Borgota family and the Robinson family."

"Robinson family?"

Before Mr. Robinson could fully grasp what was being said, a sound of frustration escaped him.

"Mike, what on earth are you talking about?"

"Mr. Robinson. So, are you going to send these kids away like this? Are you going to send Danny away?"

Mr. Robinson's troubled expression became evident.

"What about the kids here? Are you going to keep taking them away like this? Freeman Group Home can't become a drug cartel's farm, you know?"

Since the 1960s, the United States replaced the concept of orphanages with the Foster Care system for nurturing abandoned children without parents, unlike traditional orphanages that provided group living until the children grew up, the new Foster Care system aimed to help children find new homes with foster parents as quickly as possible.

Hence, the duration of stay for children in foster care was not long. However, even this seemingly perfect and benevolent system couldn't assist children who were left behind—those who were not chosen. These were children who were older, of different races, less physically attractive, less eloquent, disabled, and various other reasons.

Freeman Group Home was a haven for such children, and it existed thanks to the support from the Robinson family. Without their sponsorship, this post-care organization would have disappeared long ago.

"If that's the case, then it's not you, it's me. I, Robinson, James F. Robinson, will take care of it personally."

Mr. Robinson raised his voice.

'Oh! Robinson. It seemed like it would turn out this way... It's probably for the best. I should make sure of it now.'

"Thank you for saying that, Mr. Robinson. However, you can't do it that way."

Contradicting something so obvious, Mr. Robinson's face looked puzzled as he stared at me.

"What do you mean? I'm saying I'll represent my family. Can't I do that? Am I not capable enough?"

Clack!

An unfamiliar sound came from his tightly closed teeth, but I couldn't stop now.

"Listen to me. If by some rare chance, something happens to you, have you considered what would happen afterward?"

To persuade him, I needed a more dramatic setting.

"Maintaining Freeman Group Home without a sponsor would be difficult. In that case, the kids would be sent to different places, scattered around, or they might end up joining criminal organizations that need obedient and easily controlled lackeys."

Gulp!

I swallowed a mouthful of saliva that I hadn't been able to swallow while talking, making the sound of gulping down a beer.

"And most importantly, what about the Robinson family? You haven't forgotten about the upkeep of your father, have you?"

As if trying to take unauthorized action but being restrained, Mr. Robinson's body stiffened.