Tsugi No Level

Chapter 7: First Step

Ten called in sick from work and has decided to go visit his mother instead. Before seeing her he decided to buy her some flowers. As he comes out of the flower shop after buying a bouquet a man and a woman in suits cross his path. They are talking about their jobs.

"Yeah, I just started so it's..."

He can't hear the rest of the conversation because they are walking at a rather brisk pace. Ten stands still and watches the two people walk away from him. Seeing a man in a suit like that, talking about his job made Ten remember his father.

In the memory, his father wore a suit similar to the one he just saw and he took Ten to see a friend of his. He remembers the two men sitting in the living room at the dining table as Ten watched TV. Ten remembered parts of the conversation between his father and his friend.

His father was just hired for a new job and he seemed a bit nervous.

"I'll be honest, I don't know if I can do this. I didn't lie to get the job, but you know..."

"Hey, it is what it is man, just do what you can. You'll figure it out."

"Nah man, this level of think tank is different. They gave me some stuff to read as like homework and ..."

Ten remembers looking back and seeing his father shake his head with a frowned look on his face as if to signal that it was extremely difficult. Tens father's friend was smiling at his father's insecurity as he replied with a slightly amused tone of voice.

"You were always nervous before tests, but you were the smartest in our class for a reason. You got this."

"Nah man, seriously, this stuff they got me reading and working on ... I don't know."

"You haven't even started yet, let it happen first and then worry about you being able or unable. For now, just be happy you got the job."

"You right, you right."

Tens father then looks at Ten watching TV.

"T!"

Ten looks back at his father who has a gentle smile on his face.

"You want some ice cream?"

Ten excited at the prospect of ice cream jumps up and answers a resounding YES. The two then left the friend's house hand in hand and went for ice cream. This was the end of the memory and it was able to put a small smile on Ten's face.

Ten turns and continues on his journey to see his mother. As he walks down the street the sun is up high and the sunlight blinds his eyes a little, and in a room in a gym the sunlight comes through the window as Demo is in the middle of a special training with Li-On. Demo spent the night at the gym in a room that was made for special guests. Demo is now sitting at the table with Li-On his eyes are closed and he is focusing on creating a visual image of a diamond.

In his mind's eye, he can see a diamond floating in space. He hears Li-On giving him instructions.

"Imagine going into the diamond. Then take a look around you, and try to see all the small pieces in the diamond"

Demo nods, and in his imagination, he goes into the diamond and visualizes the diamond being a collection of small pieces that stick together to make a diamond.

"Open your eyes. I don't know how strong the image is in your head, but you say you've got it down right?"

"Yes."

Li-On smiles as he picks up the diamond on the table and places it in Demo's hand.

"Ok, then let's check. Look at the diamond, focus on it. Then close your eyes and keep the image of the diamond in your hand."