Gate Hunters

Following the events at the Gate, the city gradually began to rebuild itself, simultaneously garnering media attention throughout the process.

I was hesitant to go out today due to the concern that I might end up being recorded on camera.

I was watching TV in the living room to find out what additional information they would relay to us.

Ruby went to the supermarket with Amber because she wanted to make us supper.

Which meant that Ken and I were alone today.

He was actually sitting with me in living room on the arm chair. While on his phone chatting with someone.

There was a long uncomfortable silence between us with the occasional sneak glance at each other.

"Krist." For the first time, he actually called me by my name.

Instantly rising from the couch, I directed my full attention toward him and asked, "Yes, Ken. Is there something you need?"

He rose from the armchair, clutching his phone with an incredibly annoyed look. "Mom wants us to hang out. And if we don't, she'll cancel my live subscription. So, let's play games in my room," he said.

Okay so he has no choice at the moment. I don't know whatever I like this or not.

Yet, the chance to bond with him was still valuable. "Sure, would you like any snacks or maybe a drink to quench your thirst?" I inquired. As he walked away with his hands in his pockets heading to the upstairs bedroom, he replied, "Just make a cup of coffee."

Okay, it's just coffee. It's something you've made hundreds of times and can confidently say you've mastered.

Once I was in the kitchen, I made it my life mission to brew the best cup of coffee in existence. Till it hit me, what type of coffee does he like?

Does he prefer it dark? Perhaps he likes it with milk? How many teaspoons of sugar should I add? Or is there a particular ingredient he likes in his coffee?

I immediately grabbed my phone, dial Ruby's number, and waited for her to pick up.

"Yes, love, do you need anything?" she said.

"What type of coffee does Ken like?" I asked.

"I usually prepare his coffee in a specific way: two teaspoons of coffee, three teaspoons of brown sugar, and a full tablespoon of cream," she said, already measuring and adding the ingredients.

The kettle was already finished boiling and all that was left was to pour.

"Okay, thank you for arranging this. However, could you please avoid using his gaming stuff as a threat? I would like our relationship to improve gradually over time," I said.

"Sure thing and sorry about that. I bet you'll probably excited when you wanted to hang out with you. Anyways we can continue this chat once we get home because Amber over here won't stop nagging for her favourite cereal, so I'm going to be quite busy." She said.

With soft giggled I responded, "Okay, see you later." I hanged up and looked at the perfect brew of coffee.

He is definitely going to love this.

I quickly went upstairs and knocked three times against his door.

Before entering where he was already setting up his console.

Two controllers lay next to him: one black and appearing brand new, the other white and visibly more worn. "Take the white one, and you'll have to figure it out as you go," he said.

I handed him the cup of coffee with a gentle smile. "Okay, I hope you like it," I said.

With a single glance at the cup, he remarked, "Luckily, mom taught you the right way to make coffee, or else I wouldn't even consider drinking this." He then took a sip and nodded in satisfaction.

The white controller was wired and required me to sit on the floor up close.

"We're playing a 2v2 shooter. Good luck," he said. It didn't fully register until it clicked in my mind.

I never played on a console before.

Alright, I might as well learn while I play.

I'm a fast learner. I dealt with worst situations.

As the game began, I was sniped mid-air, leaving Ken utterly shocked.

Wise men once said, the game was rigged by the start.

The first problem was that the opponents shot was always on point even when we were free falling from the ground.

Next was that they were taunting us in the matches chat board. Saying 'easy dub', 'bro can't aim', 'lil bro polly crying'. I swear they can't even type in English.

And the last problem was that they were using nukes every five minutes.

Ken was only one with points while I had absolutely nothing.

The game ended.

"Sorry that—" I began, attempting to offer my best apology for our loss, but he simply burst into laughter.

"Now that was fun, anyways. They were hacking so were going to lose either way but I have to admit your reaction were pretty funny. That was honestly the best of this entire experience. So listen, Page, don't even bother claiming the role has my father because, at this moment, you're nothing more than a freeloader to me. Please leave my room," he said.

Confused and relief by what just happened. I simply left the room with that paranoia rush in my body.

For some reason, this has quickly become one of my top five toughest challenges I had to endure. I need to be cautious around that child.