Taoreta's POV

  The Meeting Area

  And so, we all went inside to start—or, I should say, we interrupted the meeting since we were already te to it anyway.

  But I didn't personally care about any of that.

  Not that it wasn't important or anything. There were things that could be very important, that could very much help us with the journey at hand.

  But what I would not accept was having it be the priority over Kishi's health. I didn't care how important it was; if Kishi was sick or unable to move for some unknown reason, then I would pick him over whatever information I was supposed to take. The only reason why I was taking part in this meeting was to not get Kishi in trouble and to see if I could get anything that might help speed things up for his future as well.

  That, and I wanted to be a better person.

  As far as I could tell, I was still iffy with people if it wasn't David, Riley, and of course, Kishi. Then again, I was starting to warm up to Kuma and the others. It was baby steps, but it was something.

  There I was, sitting next to Kuma and the other supernaturals.

  Kuma was sitting to the left where Kishi would normally sit, and Kujira was to my right side. Yosei was sitting right next to Kuma. As for David and Riley, they were standing next to Emily, who was questioning their whereabouts and something about extending their punishment for being tardy or something along those lines.

  As for The Founder and the other adults, well, they were in the exact spot as before. The Founders were in the middle of the table, looking all "scary" or whatever.

  As far as I was concerned, The Founder could be the ruler of this pnet; I would not back down ever again. Not when it would cause the exact opposite of the results that I wanted.

  I didn't pay the rest of the adults any mind, so I couldn't have cared less about their seating.

  But for Mato, I could see him standing next to The Founder himself.

  "...Unbelievable. You are all te to the meeting. And for what? Someone hitting their head? Happens all the time," The Founder coldly states.

  That... That almost made me stand up. I almost wanted to walk up to The Founder and strangle him for talking about Kishi like he was some kind of prop that he could repair when it was broken. The nerve of that man.

  "If you don't have anything else to say, then I shall take my leave," I announce with my eyes closed and start to stand up.

  "And where do you think you're headed?" The Founder's voice sounds deep and cold when he asks me that.

  "I'm going to see Kishi. Excuse me." I open my eyes, give a quick bow, and start to head to the door.

  "I didn't give you permission to move, Taoreta." The Founder's voice deepens even further.

  "I suppose you didn't. Oh well," I simply shrug it off and continue to walk.

  "I see," The Founder sounds defeated.

  I shake my head and nearly make it to the doorway when I hear something—

  "Then, I suppose you don't want to find out more about The Grim Reaper and how it can possibly destroy that boy whom you deeply care for." The Founder states.

  That makes me stop in my tracks. I slowly turn around with a serious expression. I see The Founder smirk at the sight of that. The reason for that is because he knows that I care about Kishi so much that even mentioning something that could possibly harm him brings me to attention.

  "What's wrong? Aren't you leaving, Taoreta? Don't you need to check up on that sleeping boy of yours?" The Founder mocks me.

  This makes me narrow my eyes at The Founder. Part of me wants to shout at him for bringing such a low blow. But I know better than that. If I try to do anything more than may piss him off some more, I could REALLY cause trouble for Kishi. I sigh deeply and close my eyes.

  "....I understand. Please excuse me for my rudeness, Founder." I lightly bow at The Founder, and I can hear him ughing in a sinister way.

  "As things should be. You may have a seat, Taoreta..." The Founder suggests. Well, I think that, but it's mostly a demand than anything.

  If it were just me then I would happily challenge him.

  But it isn't about me. Plus, there's a time and pce for everything. If David and Riley can behave like they are supposed to, then I should, too.

  I peacefully head back to my seat with my eyes closed.

  To be honest, I really wanted to check up on Kishi. I know that I'm repeating myself, but I don't really care about the meeting at all. As, I must endure like Kishi.

  "But... I'm surprised that the rest of the people in here didn't stop her. If not, the supernaturals. Surely, you knew that this meeting reveals many things that will help you on your journey among the seven yers." The Founder tries to sound as "modest" as possible, but he's obviously failing to do so. I could tell that the others realize this too, but decide not to bring that topic up for the same exact reason.

  "Well, it's not like anything any of us say would stop her in the first pce." Yosei comments while closing her eyes and her mouth makes an oval shape.

  The Founder raises his left brow.

  "I don't understand your logic, Yosei. As leaders, we must do what we can to bring order."

  "Very true. We need order to bring civilization. However!" Yosei narrows her eyes at The Founder. "Kibishi and Taoreta have been friends ever since childhood. At this point, they're practically so close that if one is sick, the other will surely rush by their side. Of course, she'll leave if the meeting isn't in her interest, Founder."

  The Founder blinks.

  He then leans forward with his hands together. "Young people have such high hormones that it clouds their judgment. They can do whatever they want during their downtime and out of my organization, but when it's my time, I want absolute respect. I don't have time for games."

  Kuma suddenly stands up as she sms her hands on the table.

  "Hormones have NOTHING to do with it, Founder. Please take that back!" Kuma narrows her eyes at The Founder in disappointment.

  "I agree. It is kind of rude to say just because they're the opposite sex from one another. Not even I would say that..." Kujira looks disappointed at The Founder.

  Mato nods in agreement.

  "Founder, I think that's enough. You can't just say that to someone who views someone else's life as precious to them. That's like saying that you want to keep this organization running but you couldn't care less about everyone in it."

  That's EXACTLY what he thinks, honestly...

  "Hmph." The Founder looks at Emily. "Emily, do you agree with them?"

  "Um, with all due respect, Founder... I do agree with the girls. A guy and a girl can care for each other without thinking about it sexually. And... It's like harassment if you word it like that for both parties involved. No offense..." Emily smiles nervously, but seems to stand firm on that statement of hers. The Founder looks at David and Riley.

  "Bro, you DON'T want me to speak my mind. For my respect for Kibishi, my BROTHER from another mother, I will hold my tongue. And just say... not cool, bro." David states with some hand gestures before folding his arms.

  "I, too, will hold my thoughts in pce." Riley deeply sighs and pces her left hand on her hips.

  The Founder finally looks at the adults, but none of them seems to be able to speak up. He sighs and shakes his head. "And I'm sure that if Kevin wasn't busy tonight as well, making the technology for the whole city and the supernaturals, then he would've agreed as well..."

  The Founder adjusts his tie.

  "Very well. Mato, fire half the adults in here for not speaking their mind when I'm wrong. Oh, and have the bill for being fired as well. I need those for records when the human race is finally free from these monsters."

  "R-right. After the meeting...." Mato deeply sighs as the adults seem to be trembling.

  Huh.

  Well, I still didn't like The Founder personally, but at least he knew when he was defeated or even wrong. That being said, I didn't think he was sorry for what he said to me and Kishi. More like, he accepted that it was wrong to say it out loud. Not within the context itself.

  Well, I guessed that was something...

  "Now, that's settled. It's time that we get back to the 'swing of things', as you young folks say it." The Founder says... which was honestly weird.

  "..." David, Riley, Emily, Yosei, Kuma, Kujira, and I look at each other as a reaction to The Founder's statement. We then all take a breath in and close our eyes.

  "... No." David, Riley, Emily, Yosei, Kuma, Kujira, and I say in unison.