If You Want It Done Right, Do It Yourself

It was Friday, and Neo walked through the halls of the school, observing the busy students preparing for the big party that would take place the next day.

He felt a mixture of excitement and curiosity about the event, but he also began to feel desperate because he still hadn't found what he was looking for. Takeshi's words continued to echo in his mind, tormenting him.

The gym was filled with people, all of them carrying various decorations, most of them members of the student council. Neo was curious to see how the place was changing. Some flowers and ornaments already adorned the walls, but the room still seemed incomplete, preventing him from imagining the fully decorated gym.

The council members seemed somewhat overwhelmed and stressed by the amount of work ahead of them and the limited time available. Neo began to feel sympathy for them. Two of them approached a boy with guilt on their faces.

"Richard, we have a problem," one of them said.

Richard, a muscular young man slightly shorter than Neo with short blond hair, recognized him as the one who had caught his attention in chemistry class and told him to go to the infirmary. Neo had finally figured out his name.

"Sarah! Leonard! You know we can't have any problems, we're running out of time," Richard reprimanded.

"Unfortunately, the sound system isn't working. We've tried everything, but we can't get it back up," Sarah explained.

"How did that happen?" Richard asked, frustrated.

"We're not sure," Leonard replied.

"How can you not be sure? You're in charge of the sound. Can't you do anything right?" Richard shouted in anger.

"Richard, there's no need to yell. It's not our fault," Sarah defended.

Richard took a deep breath as he thought of a solution to this new problem. "Call Apolo, he should know how to fix it."

The two hurriedly left, avoiding further anger from Richard. Neo continued to watch the boy as he argued with various members of the organization scattered throughout the gymnasium. Each time he spoke to a different person, he discovered a new problem, and his anger grew, turning him into a runaway train, running over anyone in his path and venting his rage on several people.

In the end, Richard was left alone with the task of hanging the welcome banner in a high place. But without someone to hold the ladder, it could be dangerous. Neo thought about helping, but hesitated for a moment, fearing that his assistance might not be well received.

Richard clumsily climbed the ladder holding the large banner, and it was only a matter of time before he had an accident. Neo could not leave the boy alone. He decided to confront his anger.

"Hey, Richard! Need a hand?" Neo called in a friendly tone as he cautiously approached.

Surprised by the offer of help, Richard turned around and was even more surprised when he realized who was offering help. Reluctantly, he realized that he needed additional help.

"Could you hold the ladder while I climb up?" Richard asked in a more friendly tone.

"Sure, I can," Neo replied.

As Richard climbed the ladder to hang the banner, Neo watched as the other Council members fixed everything Richard had complained about. When Richard descended, he let out a relieved sigh and surveyed the work done so far. He was pleased.

"Thanks for helping, Neo," Richard said, seeming to relax.

"You're welcome," Neo replied, though a feeling of unease remained. "But isn't it unfair that you're here facing so many difficulties while other students are relaxing at home? Maybe if you had more people, it would be easier to finish."

Richard stared at him, a mixture of indignation and reflection in his eyes. "We chose to be here, Neo. It's not a problem."

"Why?" the confused boy asked.

"I couldn't leave this to anyone else. I've had too many experiences of letting others do things for me and getting sloppy or unsatisfactory work in return. One day you'll understand."

As Neo pondered Richard's words, he realized he hadn't considered the effort everyone there had put into the school.

"Well, when it's all finished, I'm sure the end result will be worth it. I need to talk to the Council members; you reminded me of something."

He tapped Neo lightly on the shoulder, turned and walked towards a group of students.

Almost forgetting his main objective, Neo raised his voice a bit to ask, "Richard, I almost forgot, do you have a formal outfit for rent? Or do you know someone who does?"

Without turning to Neo, he raised his hand and waved it. "Ask Erick, he'll help you."

Neo was incredulous. "True! Erick!" he thought as he hurried to find him.

Neo didn't see what happened in the gym after he left, but Richard apologized to everyone after their conversation. He realized that even though he was right to criticize the mistakes, it wasn't right to take out his anger on them.

The counselor's office was quietly closed, but muffled sounds leaked out, revealing the ongoing conversation inside.

"You understand that these concerns aren't just a product of your imagination, right?" the voice sounded like Erick's.

"Yes, Erick, I understand," came a distraught voice. Neo couldn't tell whose it was, but he imagined it was a student.

Erick continued in a serious tone, telling a personal story: "A close friend told me repeatedly that if someone really loves us, that person usually comes back to us. They always come back. Let me ask you: If you let your girlfriend go, do you think she'd come back for you?"

"Yes, of course. She loves me," came the confident answer.

"Then why not put that to the test?" Erick challenged.

As the dialog continued, Neo knocked on the door, eager to address the issue that was troubling him.

"You can come in," Erick invited.

Neo entered the room to find a visibly disturbed boy. His black hair was disheveled, as if he didn't want to tidy it up. Neo greeted them both and asked, "Erick, are you busy?"

"Yes, I am busy."

"I just wanted to ask a question."

Erick thought he could spare the time if it was quick, so he turned to the boy sitting on the couch and asked, "Would you mind waiting a little, Lenner?"

"Okay. Sure."

Erick stood up and handed Lenner a glass of water.

"Have some, it'll calm you down for now."

"Thanks," the boy replied as he took the glass of water.

Erick left the room, closing the door behind him. Neo felt a mixture of curiosity and concern as he tried to decipher the earlier conversation.

"Well?" Erick asked, gesturing for Neo to state his purpose.

"Do you have any formal attire to lend?"

"Are you asking about the party tomorrow? Why didn't you talk to me before?"

"I didn't think of it."

Erick looked at Neo with a hint of sadness, almost disappointed that Neo did not consider him a reliable person. But these thoughts faded when he realized that sooner or later, Neo would come looking for him.

"Lucky for you, I have one. I used to wear it when I was younger. It might be a little old, but I can fix it up so it looks like new. I'll do it when I get home and bring it to your room."

"Thanks Erick, you're a lifesaver."

Neo was ready for the party.