Worst Cupid Ever

Jealous?

"The day I'll let you pick a life partner for me will never come," Raymond's voice came out calm despite the black rage cooking in him. He was on edge—so close to damning everything and giving up.

Dayo sniggered. "Is that how little you value my judgement? You seem to have forgotten who pulled you from the wastrel life you were living."

"And I'm grateful for your help," Raymond said. Eternally grateful even. His father's harsh reprimand had done a splendid job at jolting him back to responsible living, and being offered shares in Dominic and Dimes in exchange for working for at least a year had been a bonus—an unexpected kindness. But dealing with this man's meddling tendencies and misogyny... "My gratitude doesn't mean I'll let you run my life or insult my girlfriend."

"You disappoint me, Raymond," Dayo said as he scrolled through his phone. "Have you forgotten so soon? A woman destroyed you the last time. It's safer to remove love from the equation when dealing with them."

"How profound." Raymond released a mirthless laugh despite the stab at his heart.

"Know your weaknesses and nip them before your enemies take notice," Dayo continued without taking his focus off his phone. "You barely survived the last crucible, and now you're diving into another fire. You disappoint me."

Instead of giving in to the burning urge to spew a scathing reply, Raymond bore it all down. In less than six months, this will be over. It would be foolish to throw away a beneficial opportunity because of hurt emotions.

And Raymond had something he was certain would shut his father up.

"Did Mike tell you?" Raymond asked casually.

"Tell me what?"

"Mum is getting married."

The shock on his face. Raymond wished he could take a picture. The spiteful man never stopped boasting about how their mother could never do better than him and would take every opportunity to attribute any perceived flaw in them to their mother.

"I'll be travelling for her wedding in two days."

At last, blissful silence. And it remained so until the end of the ride.

***

Haruto enveloped Ada in a tight hug and swayed from side to side. "Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!"

Ada giggled and hugged him back. "Nah, it was nothing."

"Don't say that." Haruto leaned away and grinned so big that Ada's heart squeezed. "Still can't believe this is real. So overwhelming." His eyes were so bright with happiness that hers grew wet with tears.

Gosh, it felt so good to succeed at something—to pursue what seemed impossible until it became possible.

Suddenly flustered, Ada looked away and released an awkward laugh. "Glad to help. I should continue... that." She gestured at the wall at the division garden.

The trial had ended about an hour ago. Ada had snuck out to continue her graffiti project and think while at it. First, Teddy found her and sat on the bench. He wouldn't stop talking about the One Up High's visit. Haruto just joined them.

The trial was wrapped up pretty quickly after the One Up High appeared. When Luke reappeared five minutes later without the One Up High, the Helmets, Retired and Amil had a short discussion.

As easy as that, the head retired announced that the trial had been cancelled and Haruto was free to return as a cupid after he was done with his current rifter assignment.

"You're a superstar now," Teddy said as he ruffled Ada's hair. Too emotionally exhausted to push away his hand, she allowed him to ruffle away. "Still feels like a dream, though," he continued. "Do you know the One Up High's image didn't reflect in the videos and photos the cupids took?"