Defensive Gardening (5)

"I apologize for the delay. Alexei told me you'll be staying here for the next couple of days. Unfortunately, I only have one other room set up for you guys to share. Is that okay?"

Cyril sat at his desk in the hallway, holding some generic legal hotel papers and his Life Energy Coin ATM as he stared at Mathew, his sister, and his parents.

"Cyril…aren't we friends? You would charge us even though we came to help? Can't you give us a deal? For the sake of our friendship? I mean, CiCi is young, and this situation is scary for her."

Cyril blinked before responding in an even a tone as he could manage.

"Friendship is friendship, and business is business. The cost is 200 life energy coins for two days in a private room. If you don't want to pay, I can give you a general room for free, but I can't guarantee privacy as I plan on taking more people off the street if they want to come here. I can guarantee individual bedding, but the sleeping space and bathroom are shared, and there will be no favorable treatment. If that's acceptable, let's proceed, okay?"

"…what about Alexei?" Mathew bit his lips before softly asking.

"What about Alexei? I charged him for a private room, and he paid with no complaints."

Unlike you.

Although Cyrill didn't say it aloud, he was sure his expression said it all.

"…He gets his own room and bathroom. Without sharing with anyone else."

"Well, of course, when Alexei booked, it was completely empty, and as far as I know, he's a single man with no family. It's nobody's fault that he booked first and is by himself. If Alexei brings a guest and there's no room available, they'll stay with him or stay in the general sleeping area free of charge. Same as I'm offering you."

Cyril stared at Mathew in growing irritation and confusion.

Each time Alexei's name was mentioned, Mathew looked as if he was going to bite through his lips in anger. He knew there was some tension between the two since they worked together, and Alexei was annoying to work with, but this was kind of crazy.

Why the hell was Alexei being brought up here? Just book the room or don't.

"What if I pay double what Alexei is offering? Can we have his room with a built-in bathroom? Are you really going to make my sister use a hallway bathroom with a bunch of strangers? I thought we were closer than that, Cyril."

"The room and bathroom you'll be using are a pair. Nobody but those assigned to your room can use it. If Cecilia wants her own private room and bathroom, it's not possible right now as I don't have the space. Well, if you can transfer 300,000 coins at once for each person, then I would consider it."

"Did Alexei do that?"

"What does this have to do with Alexei? Why do you keep mentioning him?"

Mathews's face fluctuated between red and white at Cyril's flippant response.

He was being completely embarrassed in front of his family after bragging that he wouldn't have to pay what Alexei had told him when he insisted on bringing them over.

Because he was closer to Cyril, who always called Alexei a bastard and told him to drop dead each time he saw him.

But what was this?

To be honest, he was upset.

He hadn't even known Alexei was also working with the military and was at an even higher level than him. Without Alexei, he would have gone on the mission tonight, and his family would have been left alone and would maybe have died. And he had found Cyril before him, getting a sweet hookup to food that was being rationed by the military.

At the thought of owing Alexei something else, Mathew couldn't help but grit his teeth.

"Brother, let's just do it! Why are you making a fuss over such a small amount of coins? It's just a bathroom. I don't mind, especially because I finally get to spend the night at Cyril's place." Cecilia, not being able to read the room, chimed in why, staring with complete infatuation at Cyril's face.

But Mathew couldn't let it go.

"You've changed, Cyril. You never cared about money like this before." Mathew tried to appeal once more to Cyril's laid-back side, which seemed to not value money or family name or influence, simply treating those he was close to well.

Unfortunately, the person he was trying to convince was completely uninterested in what he was saying from the beginning to the end.

He even yawned in boredom because he wanted to go back to his farming endeavors and prepare for the battle at the waystation.

"Times have changed. Will you be paying for a private room? Will you stay in the general room in sleeping bags, or will you be getting out? If you can't afford it, just ask Alexei for a loan." Cyril asked, looking at each of them blankly. This was honestly a waste of his time.

After a moment, Mathew spit out the words, "200 life energy coins, right? I'll pay. Easy."

"Thank you. Please sign here, here, and here. Initial here. Oh, tap your wrist against this. Thank you. Here's your copy. Please keep it carefully."

Within minutes, the numerous papers were signed, and Cyril tucked them and the atm machine into the white desk and then locked it so only he could open it.

As Matthew's eyes followed the little machine with strange letters written on it that had been used to remove his life energy coins, he made a note of it before turning away and following behind his parents and excited sister, who kept on trying to grab Cyril's hand as he quickly dashed up the steps.

"Feel free to tell me about the sleeping arrangements you want. I can provide 2 king beds, 4 twin beds, or a combination of the two options. Do you have a preference?"

"Honey, how about a king bed and two twin beds?" Mathew's mom spoke in a tight voice, exchanging glances with her son while her oblivious husband and daughter chattered happily.

"Sure."

"I want the window bed, Dad! The window!"

"Excellent choice." Cyril smiled politely before leading them into the room, which had expanded and changed from how Cyril decorated it for himself.

The room, which was decorated in the marine colors of navy and white, had a neat appearance and was clearly separated into sleeping and recreational areas, like a suite.

The king bed was placed against one wall, and twin beds were placed on the opposite side in one section with a hidden door leading to a walking closet.

In the other section, a loveseat and two armchairs surrounded a coffee table with a radio on top. Large windows took up one wall, looked down on the red flowers that took over the front of the waystation, and had a tiny glimpse at the lake and well.

Comfortable rugs decorated the floor, and everything looked tasteful and chic, like a high-class hotel or a large apartment.

A pleasant smell filled the room, like the bloom of exquisite flowers.

"Here's the room, and the bathroom is right across the hall. Nobody but your family can enter the room or bathroom. The toiletries will be replaced each time you go to the bathroom, and things like temperature and lighting can be spoken out loud and adjusted at will. I provide a general breakfast and dinner with water for free. If you want anything specific, you can ask me to make it and pay for it with life energy coins. Questions, comments, concerns?"

As the family of four shook their head, Cyril stepped out of the room with a sigh.

How annoying. He truly didn't want to do this at all.

A barrage of curses was suddenly sent toward H.E.L.P. Apocalypse Co. as Cyril began wishing for the company's death.

Let a meteor shower strike the CEO down. If there are stocks, let them sink straight to the 99th level of hell. Let the headquarters spontaneously combust, and every high-level executive disintegrates.

As he wanted to head down the steps, a voice softly called his name.

"Cyril."

It was Matthew, staring at him with a disappointed expression. Seeing it, Cyril could feel a vein begin throbbing in annoyance.

Truly, he wasn't made for customer service.

Still, this was an acquaintance who had done him a favor once and came to help out so he would be polite.

"Yes?"

"Really, I can't believe that you would treat my family like this." As the whiny tone began, Cyril's resolution immediately flew out the window, and he began cursing Alexei, who brought this person here.

Had he always been this annoying? He rarely dealt with him one-on-one and was used to others being there to diffuse Mathew in group settings. No no. Let's be polite. Maybe I'm hallucinating?

"How did I treat them?"

"My parents and sister all came to do their part to help all of us survive. This includes you. And yet, not only are you charging us, you're being inconsiderate. How many doors did we pass in this large place, and yet you can only shove my family, which has been nothing but kind to you, inside one tiny room? Is this how you really are? Is this what Alexei has turned you into?"

Cyril: ಠ_ಠ

Was this guy crazy? And why was he involving Alexei even now? Were the two of them fighting over a girl or something? The hatred between them was on another level.

Cyril swallowed what he actually wanted to say and asked Mathew a simple question.

"Are you sure you're talking to me?"

"Yes. Are you really this selfish and uncaring? When people come to help you, your only concern is money. Money that comes from human lives? Is that who you are deep inside? Selfish and self-serving like your dad? Would your mother be proud of this behavior? Didn't she spend her life going around preventing situations like this? And yet you're acting like this? Was I wrong about you, Cyril? "

Snap.

"Clearly"

"Obviously."

Two voices, one cold and one fuming sounded out in complete agreement.

"Wha-?"

"Actually, since you don't know me at all, you can get the fu-"

"If you don't like the terms you agreed to before you were brought here, then get out. Don't put someone in a tough spot in the name of friendship. Especially when you would be running around like a lost little rat with a dead family if you hadn't received help." Before Cyril could begin cursing from anger, Alexei walked forward, slinging his arm around Cyril's neck and dragging him backward with a hand over his mouth.

Feeling teeth dig into his hand, Alexei laughed before forcefully clamping Cyril's mouth shut and lifting him off the ground as he struggled to get free.

He even had to activate his Prowess ability as Cyril was actually trying to free himself, every muscle in his body straining.

Alexei could only be thankful that a portal hadn't been opened that would dump Mathew into the lake.

This beastly kid was really angry.

He knew exactly what would come out if this brat opened his mouth: a mountain full of curse words, a mouth full of broken teeth, and the end of his lineage would be the bare minimum.

As much fun as it would be to see, Cyril's safety was first, and Mathew was decent to have around in a fight, especially from a distance.

Once this situation was done, he would let Cyril run free, but first….

"Let's watch our mouths and not say things we'll regret later, Sasha. Calm down."

"Mmmm mmm mm mmm mmm!!!!"

"Yes, yes, let's commit murder after this is all done, yeah? Deep breath, deep breath. Count to 100 and calm down tomato boy. You look like a TNT bomb."

With a practiced motion that had been repeated numerous times since he was little, Alexei plugged Cyril's nose while waiting for him to run out of breath and stop struggling to free himself.

At the same time, he wrapped a chain around Cyril's torso and squeezed it, forcing a bit of air out of his lungs, and began to wait it out.

Either Cyril would pass out, or he would stop biting his hand so he could breathe.

Once the choice was made, his brain would cool down.

And… as expected, Alexei could feel a deep breath huff against his palm as his arm was patted twice for release.

"Calm?"

"Ya." The words were slurred as if he had bitten his tongue.

"Are you?"

"Huff yeah."

Seeing the steam emanating from Alexei, Cyril glanced up. The golden hair was still dripping water as if he hadn't toweled off and just rushed out. He was even wearing loose grey sweats rather than his usual clothes, and watermarks were everywhere.

"My fault." It was a faint apology.

"I was already coming out, but then I suddenly heard nonsense and had to join in. Regardless, I'm hungry, so my order is a burger and fries triple order, along with some alcohol. Also, concerning your friend Mathew, who's trying to guilt trip you to avoid paying," Alexei leaned over and whispered something in his ears.

"Oh really? Wow. Ohhhh. I can't believe Mathew would do that. It's all making sense."

As Cyril glanced down at the silver pinky ring on his finger while speaking with a deadpan voice, Mathews's face turned bright red, and he began sputtering.

"I may have gone too far mentioning your mother, but whatever he's saying, he's lying!"

"I've never lied a day in my life." Alexei boldly announced.

"You're lying right now!"

"Prove it. I'm as innocent as a newborn baby. I distinctly remember being baptized and the priest calling me an angel. Lies have never grazed these lips."

As Mathew sputtered angrily, Cyril laughed lightly before shoving Alexei away, disgusted at the water dripping onto him. "Stop dripping water on my floor."

"It cleans itself, so it's fine. Where's your puppy?"

"Dunno. He doesn't like to be called that, so don't let him hear you." Cyril responded as he went down the steps.

"He can bite me if he has a problem. Should I help you cook this once?"

"If you had any conscience, you absolutely would."

"Considering you chomped on my hand like a dog, I don't think you should be talking about conscience when you're making me cook. But hey, at least I pay without complaining. 100% tip, too, despite our friendship of 20 years, unlike a certain somebody."

"Cyril. I'm really sorry. I'm under a lot of stress, and I lost my cool, and I was trying to save. Please forgive me." Mathew slightly bowed his head in apology.

Cyril stared at him silently before nodding slowly.

"It's fine."

At the words, Mathew's expression brightened and he shot a triumphant expression at Alexei.

"As you heard, I'm making burgers so you and your family can come down and eat without paying if you want…for friendship's sake. And…after the government says things are good, let's go our separate ways and become acquaintances. I don't think we're a good match friendshipwise." It was the same voice and scowl that he was used to seeing, for some reason it felt so cold.

Mathew could only stare at the pale white face that passed by without looking at him.

Alexei gave Mathew a sardonic smile as he passed him.

"Cyril…"

BOOM!

The sound of thunder sounded out in the background as it began to rain.

Before Mathew could say anything more, the slender figure dressed in white was completely hidden by Alexei, who turned around, gave him a thumbs up, and whispered, "Good job," before turning away.

The kitchen was dead silent except for the sounds of thunder, knives hitting a cutting board, and hot oil crisping food.

Although there was no tension, Alexei glanced at the white-haired boy, who silently stood there for a moment before busying himself.

"Sasha."

"I'm fine. I'm just hungry."

Rather than doing the intensive labor himself, Cyril grilled buns and fried potatoes as Alexei minced the meat using his transformed multi-tool and a regular knife. The meat grinder didn't work, so it had to be done manually.

As yet another blade from a regular knife went flying toward his head, Cyril didn't even look up, instead tasting the dressing he had made from berries and mixing it with the salad.

According to his calculations, if he treated it properly, it would be sweet and tangy, and if not, his nervous system would be destroyed by the toxin, and he would die once his five senses reached their peak performance. Or the broken blade would pierce his brain, and he would die.

After losing his temper like a little brat and having to deal with Alexei akwardly trying to cheer him up, it would be a win-win-win in his book.

Unfortunately, his efforts paid off. The dressing was delicious, and the knife blade was caught, so he lived to survive another minute.

BANG——

Thunder sounded before lightning flashed.

Thunk!

A knife slammed into a cutting board, which was then shoved into his face, almost smearing it with red meat.

"Is this enough mincing?"

Cyril: ಠ_ಠ

Do your eyes not work? Has age finally caught up with you?

"It's your burger. Does it look minced enough?"

"I think it's unfair that I had to do this manually while you got to use a machine for the fries."

"So what I'm hearing is that you don't want fries and want to eat meat chunks instead of minced meat in your burger? Fine by me. Bring it here, I'll add it to the bread."

"….."

"……"

"No? Then get to chopping blondie. Use those muscles you like to brag about."

"Better to have muscles than to look like…"

"Don't you dare finish that sentence!"

"A toothpick? Oops?" Alexei smiled in a mocking manner.

Cyril: ಠ_ಠ

Cyril: (╯°□°）╯︵ ┻━┻

"Let me hit you once, Alexei!"

"Yeah, yeah. Stop playing around; there's hot oil. It might turn those thin arms of yours into fries if it spills."

"You bastard! Just die!"

"Ohhh, how fierce."

As Alexei restrained him with black chains, Cyril vowed to find a cook sooner rather than later so his suffering would be over.

He was someone who enjoyed cooking for fun, not for necessity, and having to do it while being mocked by Alexei pissed him off.

BANG BANG BANG!

Somebody began banging on the front door.

Trudging over to open it, Cyril saw a crowd of people standing and holding metal sheets and car doors over their heads, and red rain came pouring down.

Attached to their wrists were bags holding canned foods, drinks, and other foods.

The man standing in front of them was Clock, the old homeless man with two different-sized hands.

"Is the offer of food and other services still good? We don't want no trouble we've just been listening to the news all day and remembered your words. We brought food, information, and supplies to exchange and some of us have those life coins and are willing to work for a warm, dry place to spend the night. This is one of the only places with electricity that's still standing on this side of town."

After blinking slowly at the numerous people, Cyril nodded while mentally rearranging the waystation, making everything bigger and broader.

"Please come in. I'll get you all some towels and a hot meal. We can discuss it then."