Echoes of Legacy

"Rescue in the Shadows."

Jack walked into the high court beside Ren, both dressed impeccably for the business matter at hand. As they took their seats, Jack's eyes fell on the opposing party-a dark-skinned, overweight man who seemed to be sweating profusely in his suit. Internally, Jack wanted to burst out laughing, but he kept his face calm and serious, knowing this was not the place for such a display. He maintained his composure, listening carefully to the legal proceedings, his eyes occasionally glancing at Ren, who gave him a stern nod of approval.

The case dragged on for hours, but Jack stayed focused, keeping his inner amusement at bay. When the judge finally ruled in their favor, Jack allowed himself a small, satisfied smile. But as soon as they were outside the court, he couldn't hold it in anymore. He laughed, walking up to the man and teasing him with a smirk, "Better luck next time, champ."

Ren immediately scolded him, his voice sharp. "Jack, this is not how you handle things. Show some respect." But even Ren struggled to maintain his composure, and eventually, he cracked a grin too. They both laughed, though Ren tried to suppress it.

Later that day, Jack joined Norio and Mayumi at a nearby park, where the mood shifted completely. Jack was no longer the calm, serious young man from the courtroom. He was carefree, fun, and full of energy. He had been drinking, and it showed-he was loud, playful, and completely uninhibited. Norio and Mayumi tried to keep up with his antics, but soon, Jack's behavior started to get out of hand.

It began when Norio got into a heated argument with another boy, around his age, who was simply minding his business in the park. The argument escalated, and soon fists were flying. Jack, already drunk and in a wild mood, jumped into the fight without hesitation. He brutally attacked the boy, delivering punches and kicks with little regard for anyone's safety.

An elderly shopkeeper rushed over, trying to break up the fight. "Hey, stop it! That's enough!" the old man shouted, but Jack wasn't having it. Without thinking, Jack shouted back, his face red with rage, and slapped the shopkeeper across the face. The sound of the slap echoed through the park, stunning everyone around.

Mayumi, realizing the situation had spiraled out of control, rushed over and grabbed Jack and Norio, pulling them both back toward the car. "That's enough of this nonsense for today! If our parents find out what happened, we're finished!" she warned, her voice shaking with a mix of anger and fear.

As they drove off, the chaos of the park faded into the distance, but the consequences of the day lingered heavy in the air. Jack, still slightly drunk, stared out the window, wondering how things had gone so wrong, while Norio sat silently, still fuming from the fight. Mayumi kept her eyes on the road, hoping they could keep this disaster from reaching their parents.

That night, Norio stayed over at Jack's room for a sleepover. They were sprawled out on the floor, surrounded by snacks and video game controllers, but the energy was winding down. Norio, looking up at the ceiling, broke the silence with a grin, "You're so cool, Jack. I mean, you really know how to handle stuff."

Jack smiled faintly, though his thoughts were miles away. He knew this wasn't his real life-not fully. "This," he thought, "is just 10% of my life. The rest is pressure, control, and expectations." He nodded at Norio but said nothing, knowing the weight of his reality couldn't be shared so easily.

Just then, Jack's phone buzzed. It was a message from his father, Kevin:
*"Coming to your room. Be ready. I'm coming with Ayumu."*

Jack's heart sank. He was frustrated, his expression tightening. Norio noticed and asked, "Is it always like this?"

Jack sighed, "Yeah. My dad never gives me personal space."

Within minutes, Kevin arrived, followed by Ayumu. They walked in like they owned the place, settling down on the sofa as if they had no regard for Jack's feelings. Ayumu, his usual cold and calculating self, looked at Kevin and asked, "How should we handle Jack's payments?"