"'Youth'? Please, even boys should learn to protect themselves!"
Although Yuffie knew that probably wasn't what was going on, it didn't stop her from throwing a few judgmental looks his way.
"What's going through your head?" Luke sighed. Was "fujoshi culture" really a thing this early?
"Then explain it."
"You know when people start feeling old?"
Before Yuffie could respond, Luke continued:
"Aging isn't just about how old you are. It's when your life becomes completely set in stone—when there's no more room for change or possibilities—that's when you're truly old."
Seeing her confusion, he explained further:
"When we're young, standing in the school hallway, staring out the window, we dream about where we'll go to college, what career we'll have, who we'll fall in love with, who we'll spend our lives with…"
"All of it's unknown—like a deck of cards we haven't flipped over yet."
"That's youth. When nothing's decided, and the future still holds infinite possibilities."
"But as time passes, we study, work, get married, have kids… one card after another gets turned over. Our lives take shape."
"When all the big things are already set, when your future has no more surprises and you can see exactly where it ends—that's when you're truly old."
"That helpless feeling—that's the real weight of aging. It hurts way more than physical decline."
"Mr. Eisen's situation is just like that. He's made all the money he'll ever need."
"The reason he stopped investing in movies these past few years isn't because he failed—it's because success or failure doesn't change his life anymore."
"He has nothing left to look forward to."
"I wrote him a letter a few days ago, telling him there are still endless possibilities in life. That there are still new challenges worth taking on."
"For example, creating—by his own hands—an unprecedented, legendary action star. To leave a lasting mark in film history."
"He actually believed that?"
Yuffie now understood how Luke managed to win Eisen over.
That sense of rekindled purpose, of facing a brand-new challenge—that's what makes people feel young again.
"Not completely," Luke admitted, "but I think he's willing to give it a try."
Of course, convincing Mr. Eisen hadn't been easy.
Without the action footage Luke had sent along with his letter, Eisen would've never believed in something as crazy as "creating the greatest action star in history."
Even after meeting today, Luke had only earned initial trust. He'd still have to prove himself over time with real results if he wanted lasting support.
"You're still young," Yuffie said, narrowing her eyes. "How do you understand old men so well?"
How could he answer that?
He couldn't exactly say, Because I've actually been old before.
In his past life, even though he was only forty-two, he was already a dying man—he knew what it felt like when life had run out of possibilities.
That crushing helplessness.
When no matter how hard you struggle, your life is what it is—no second chances.
When you're young, you think: I control my destiny.
But when you hit middle age, you start thinking: My fate's already been decided.
Youth really is a blessing. Luke silently thanked the heavens for giving him a second one.
Facing the "heavenly fairy's" curious gaze, he just smiled. "Maybe I just had a sudden epiphany?"
"You've really changed," Yuffie said softly. "Not only are you more articulate, you understand people better now."
"That's because I have to grow up faster," Luke replied earnestly, "so I can protect the people I want to protect."
He didn't say who that was—but the warmth in his eyes said enough.
Yuffie didn't blush or look away, nor did she answer. They both understood, though—they were still young. Some things could wait until they were ready.
"By the way," she suddenly said, "didn't Director Cohen say your new plan only needed an extra $10 million? Why did you ask for fifteen?"
"Because ten wouldn't be enough. We need a buffer."
"Huh?"
"What if a key prop breaks? Or an actor gets injured and we have to pay compensation?" Luke explained.
Yuffie nodded. "Cohen knows that too. But ten million was already his limit. If he added the buffer, he'd have to walk away from the project entirely."
"With just ten million, the risk's too high," Luke said. "Any accident could sink the whole thing. I can't gamble with Cohen's entire life savings. That money's everything he's worked for."
"You're glowing," Yuffie said with a smile.
Luke grinned. "Good-looking people are usually confident, so they notice other people's light more easily."
"I'm 'other people' now?"
"Of course not," he said quickly, backpedaling.
"Then take this," she said, pulling a bank card from her coat pocket and handing it to him. "The PIN's my birthday. You're going to need cash for personal expenses. Eisen's money is for production—it can't be touched privately."
Luke frowned. "You're still a student. I can't spend your allowance."
"There's $300,000 on it," she said, pushing the card back into his hand.
"What?!" Luke's eyes went wide. "Where'd you get that kind of money?"
"I saved about $60,000 over the past few years. Then, before the dot-com bubble burst, I invested it. Turned it into $300,000."
Luke was speechless.
She'd saved sixty thousand in pocket money—and turned it into three hundred grand as a student?
Especially considering the year 2000 was when the U.S. dot-com crash bankrupted millions.
She hadn't just avoided losing money—she'd cashed out at the top. Unreal.
And now, without hesitation, she was handing it all over to him.
It reminded Luke of his past life—how, when he was bedridden and broke, Yuffie had also offered him money, no strings attached.
Back then, out of pride, he refused—and even cut off contact.
Now, in this life, she was doing it again.
Her sincerity made his heart tremble.
Should he take it this time?
She was right—he really did need the money—but the idea of taking a woman's cash still made him uncomfortable.
Yuffie must've sensed his hesitation. "The Luke I know is open-minded," she said firmly. "If he's still clinging to macho pride, I'll be disappointed in him."
"You said it yourself—I'm not 'other people,' remember?"
Well, that shut him up completely.
She's got me cornered, he thought.
He took a deep breath, smiling helplessly. "Didn't think I'd live long enough to be spoiled by a rich girl. Rich girl, sweet meal, sweet life!"
"That's more like it! But what do you mean rich girl? I'm still a teenager!"
"The key word was sweet," Luke said with a wink.
Their laughter filled the room—bright and carefree.
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