Not long after, the police arrived because the café workers had reported the fight.
They got arrested, but before Shin was taken away, he held that girl's hand and returned her candy.
"Don't thank me. I only did it because of the candy, so don't feel guilty." Then, he was hauled off to the lockup.
"Ahhh, it's been a while since I last ended up in a lockup—back when I fought with my dad."
The man from the fight was in the same cell as Shin. He looked terrified, his face bruised from Shin's powerful kick. Luckily, he wasn't dead.
Shin simply lay down and slept. Before long, the man's representative arrived—his family, it seemed. They were furious and demanded Shin be prosecuted, ensuring he'd rot in jail.
With his family backing him, the man grew bolder.
"You're done for, idiot! My father will make sure you never see the outside again! Blah... blah... blah..."
The more he ranted, the louder he got, like a yapping dog, disturbing Shin's sleep. Annoyed, Shin sat up and motioned for him to come closer. The man foolishly approached the cell bars.
The moment he was within reach, Shin grabbed him and slammed his head against the bars—thud, thud! The man crumpled to the floor, scrambling away in panic.
"ARGHHHH, MY SON!!!" his mother shrieked.
The officers tried calming her down, but in the end, they couldn't file charges against Shin.
That's why I never worried about being thrown in a lockup. The officers always got a call, and I'd be released right after the "victim" left the station. There's something about my bloodline I still don't fully understand.
And the victim's family? They'd receive a thick envelope of cash, and the case would vanish. Once they were gone, if I counted—**1... 2... 3...
"MY SON!!!"
"WAAAHHHH!!" She'd burst into tears like a little kid.
Yep, that tiny, adorable girl—my mother—would show up.
She'd make this grand, dramatic entrance (even though her acting was terrible). The officers would then let me out, and my mom would cling to me, forcing me to carry her all the way outside. Once I put her down...
"Mom, did I cause you trouble again? But... thanks."
She'd start rubbing my thigh (not in a weird way—she just couldn't reach my head). So I'd lift her up, and she'd pat my hair.
"It's fine, son! That's what the world's greatest mom is for!"
"So, we heading home now?"
She'd hug me like a koala the whole way. But before going home, I'd take her to her favorite East Asian restaurant.
As soon as we entered, I spotted that girl in the wheelchair happily eating ramen. A quick glance confirmed she was in better spirits—good, at least she wasn't upset anymore. I ignored her and focused on ordering for my mom.
While waiting, we sat by the window.
But "normal" isn't in my mom's vocabulary. Instead of sitting across from me, she plopped on the table right in front of my seat, squishing my cheeks and hunting for blackheads as I scrolled through my phone.
A soft voice spoke beside me, but with my music playing, I didn't hear it. My mom turned my head and pointed.
There she was—the wheelchair girl from earlier, right next to me. I pulled out an earbud.
"Did you need something? Sorry, I had music on."
She shook her head slightly. It's okay.
"I... I wanted to thank you again. You helped me twice today... even got arrested because of me. I—I was so scared you'd be stuck in there, so I waited here until you got out."
This girl... really goes all out, even though she's... never mind. I just gave her a quick 👌 and put my earbud back in.
Shin's mom, amused by her son's indifference, smirked and hugged him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder as she eyed the girl.
"He's my boyfriend, so scram, kid."
The girl's face turned bright red. She quickly wheeled herself backward and hurried out of the restaurant.
Shin, oblivious, just shrugged and kept eating. After their food arrived, they took it to-go and headed home.
Back at the house, they collapsed on the living room floor, exhausted. Both sighed in unison. Shin glanced at his mom.
"Mom... you're not gonna ask why I got arrested?"
She shook her head.
"My son would never do anything bad. And even if he had to, I'd stand by him. Wouldn't it be awesome if we were villains together?"
Touched, Shin kissed her forehead before heading to his room to sleep.
In the quiet living room, lit only by a dim lamp, his mom covered her face with her hands—but beneath them, her cheeks were as red as roses.
"How can I ever let you go when you keep making my heart race like this...?"
---
Next Morning (Saturday)
Outside the House
"Bye! Take care, see you later!"
I waved and headed to the train station for my guild meetup. Why? Because last night...
She spammed my phone nonstop, demanding I come. I ignored her at first, but she kept messaging until I finally gave in. And now, here I was.
While waiting at the station, the train arrived. As I stepped inside, the window reflected someone behind me—the wheelchair girl from yesterday, struggling to board.
Our eyes met in the reflection. Awkward.
"Do you... need help?"