"The decision is final, Jean. Nothing can and will change it. All you must do is wait—I personally assure you the privilege of 'taking care' of him when the time comes."
***
BAM!
The wall crumbled under the heavy hit of a hard punch. Flesh tore and fresh blood dripped down a pale knuckle, staining the wall crimson.
A person's head was lowered, and only the dark green of their locks and fluffy ears could be seen, yet the pressure emitted was formidable.
Their eyes flashed lightly, a volcanic red boiling with madness.
"Jack Johnson…," he growled, a sharp pair of fangs peeking from his lips, "I will murder you."
***
"Jack! Jack! Jack!" Jerry shouted while incessantly shaking the sleeping male, who groaned in displeasure.
His eyes parted slightly, and what came into view was a cheerful face beaming with eagerness.
He looked at Jerry's beaming eyes, mildly shielded by the natural pink highlights that accentuated his hair's whiteness, then at his attire, and groaned grievously.
"I don't feel like it…" he murmured, his face stuffed into the pillow.
Jerry grinned menacingly, then in one swift move, stripped him of his blanket, leaving him bare and vulnerable.
Jerry: That's an exaggeration.
"Jack, don't forget you agreed to this. Not keeping your word is a terrible behavior," Jerry criticized while folding the long, thick blanket with a calm expression.
'Forcing people into what they don't wanna do is also a bad habit—but you don't see me complaining about it, do you!?'
But of course, he couldn't bring himself to retort so harshly. One thing he had learned about Jerry was how petty the seemingly chill dude could get.
One example was when it came to getting the last word in. He was excellent at countering every argument thrown at him, and even when he "let you have it," he'd make sure you knew it by rubbing it in your face.
Beneath the supposed benevolence was actually a very petty individual!
Having lost his blanket, it didn't take much effort to convince the unwilling teen to get out of bed. After taking a few minutes to change his outfit, the two left.
***
"Isn't this just nice, Jack? The fresh morning breeze, the rustling sounds, and just watching Mother Nature rise in general?" Jerry ran up to the seated teen, who gave him an unimpressed gaze as his answer.
They had barely run three laps before Jack gave up—not out of tiredness, but pure laziness. Jerry was left speechless in the face of the teen's utter laziness and could only run up to him at the end of each lap to bug him.
Sadly, all he got in response was being blatantly ignored—until now! Though a brief gaze wasn't exactly...
Jerry sighed. Ah, kids. So stubborn!
He shook his head in disapproval, then ran off once more.
Jack watched the fading silhouette until the figure had completely vanished. After confirming he was finally gone, Jack brought out his phone and continued playing the game he had earlier paused.
He felt guilty but couldn't help it. He had randomly stumbled upon this game at midnight on an online forum, and all he wanted to do was play.
And play he did—until he fell asleep midway. Even when he awoke, the only thing that hung parasitically on his mind was the damn game. It was just too good!
Just then, a shoe came right at his phone, causing him to instinctively let go in a fluster.
The phone was knocked down and smashed to pieces by the shoe's attack, and just as he looked up in anger, it faded as soon as it accumulated.
Before him stood a dark-haired male with red eyes, glaring with a wicked look. Jack's countenance fell, and he shivered in trepidation.
Jean smiled. "Hello, brother."
***
The decision had been firmly decided on despite his pleas and realistic arguments—that thing was to hold the title despite his inferior existence, simply because the relatives were paranoid enough to believe that "there was still hope."
His mother and father naturally aligned with their sentiment, not because they equally believed such claims, but because it was the majority's vote and they had nothing to lose by agreeing.
He was treated with utter disregard.
And although he was promised future appeasement, he still couldn't stop his itchiness and decided to "visit" his "lovely brother."
Hit after hit fell onto Jack, who desperately shielded himself with his nearly broken hands due to Jean's heavy punches.
A kick landed at the corner of his ribs, knocking the air out of him, but before he could gasp, he was sent flying with another kick to his other side.
He skidded through the grass, its usually dull blades slashing through his skin due to the powerful friction his body slid with.
Jack bent over and coughed before staggering upwards with an unsteady gait. His vision was withering, along with his consciousness.
He knew he had to run. Jean rarely assaulted him, but when he did, for some reason, Jack felt he wouldn't mind driving him to death—and it scared him thoroughly.
He was used to pain. But death... he didn't want to die! He had barely lived! Of course, he didn't want to die!
Soulless laughter came from behind him. And despite knowing it was futile, he still ran… He had to… Get inside quickly and shut the door!
He had barely advanced when a kick to his back sent him stumbling, and his eyes were nearly blinded by the force of his fall.
Despite that, he still crawled forward, his forehead bleeding and gaze blank with horror, in an attempt to escape.
Laughter returned, and a hard stomp followed, causing his screams—formerly suppressed due to the spontaneous nature of the beating—to echo throughout the environment.
Tears streamed down his face as he felt the male's knee dig into his back, leaving him choking with pain.
"Is this the so-called successor of ours? Just a light beating, and you're down to this pathetic state?"
Jean smirked evilly. "They say you're a late bloomer, but it's not just about being pretty—there should be another parameter! So why don't we try it out?"
"Pures can easily heal a broken limb or two within hours. But since you're not yet awakened… Why don't we give you 24 hours instead?"
"I—ugh…," Jack struggled to look up to the towering male with pleading eyes, "I'm not… I'm a Normal. Please have mercy… I'm so sorry… Please! Please!"
The pair of red eyes was as cold as ice, leaving Jack trembling with terror as tears streamed down his face.
He won't listen. Forget breaking his entire limbs—he'll also kill him!
Jack struggled desperately, broken cries falling from his lips. "Please… Please… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…!"
His tormentor merely smiled, slowly exerting force on Jack's hand as if to fully savor the terror in his eyes.
And just as Jack felt darkness eclipse his world, a shout was heard, catching both off guard.
"Jack!!!"
Up ahead was a swift figure dashing madly toward the intertwined figures of the tormented and the tormentor.
Frozen from shock, Jean was unable to articulate the sudden turn of events when the fast-moving body slammed into him, propelling both himself and the intruder far away from Jack, who quickly distanced himself as soon as he got the chance.
The back of his head slammed into the ground, and on opening his eyes, he was met with a pair of bedazzled pink eyes and an insanely pretty face that held a subtle frown.
The slender male sat cradled on his waist, and with pale hands placed on his chest, propped himself up in a bid to gather his rattled self.
Jean froze in shock as he stared at the alluring sight, which stripped him of all words.
Jerry mumbled a curse under his breath and, silently swallowing, spoke with a shaky grin.
"Young master, pick me instead. Aren't I more repulsive?" He pouted his lips in exaggeration. "I'm a Normal, and yet I'm this pretty!"