LOGINI'm halfway finished with my bottled water when Dashiell spoke, "Cheers to you for clearing this phase."
It took me seconds to register what he said. When it did, I squealed in delight. Dashiell chuckles at my reaction and resumes, "I get it, you're happy but don't squeal like that especially when you're sitting next to someone; you'll blast their eardrums."
"Sorry."
"It's okay. Just don't do it next time."
"Got that."
"Anyway, you did well in all the tests. Good job!"
"Yay! I did it! Thank you, Dashiell."
"Haha, thank yourself instead, and don't get too elated just yet as this is only the first phase. There are still two more."
"I know but still I can't help but be happy knowing that I have the potential to succeed. It's like I feel more motivated now to continue with this. That being said, please continue guiding me."
Dashiell titters and ruffles my hair, saying, "Yeah, okay."
"Hey, stop that! You're messing my hair up!"
"Sorry, your expression just amused me."
"Sheesh, Dashiell, you're so mean."
"Why, thanks for reminding me."
I pouted while he burst out laughing. The next minute, I'm glaring at him for making fun of my sincere expression. Dashiell, in turn, lightly pinches my cheek, apologizing, "Sorry, I'm only messing around. Don't take it seriously, okay?"
I nod and reply, "Okay but you know, I was serious back there."
"Yeah, I get it so don't sulk anymore, okay?"
I nod again in response then asks, "So, are we going to start with the second phase today?"
"Haha, no. We still have time to do an afternoon session but that's not appropriate this time. What you need to do now is rest to avoid a burn-out."
"Oh, I remember; I might experience a burn-out. By the way, what's the rating of your stats?"
"Oh, that? It still stands fine for someone who's acting as a trainer."
I want to press on to it but I thought it's better to leave it at that. I decided to open a new topic instead.
"Since we finished rather early today, do you have other plans?"
"Plans?"
"Plans, like visiting Pillow or going out shopping, you know, stuff like that."
"Yeah, you got those two right."
Hearing that he gets to go out while I can't, cloud my expression. Still, I forced myself to respond with a smile, "I see. Take care then."
Dashiell seemed to have noticed though since he sighs then says, "Sorry that you can't go out."
I don't want to trouble Dashiell anymore so I cheer myself up and smile as genuinely as I can then reassure him that it's okay and I understand the situation fully well. Then unexpectedly, Dashiell asked me if there's something that I want him to buy for me. I insist, "There's nothing in particular that I want to buy at the moment and the thing is I am just bored because I can't casually go out the way I used to."
"Okay. Well, there's still lunch so until then you can tell me if you have something you want to buy."
"Thanks, Dashiell. Going back, when will the start of the second phase? Is it going to be tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow I'll only explain how we'll go about it and we'll do some light to moderate exercises."
"Alright! So, I guess we're done here?"
"Yeah, let's have lunch."
We left the training room for lunch. The food for lunch is nice as usual so I eat to my heart's content, so does everyone else.
Lunchtime went by quickly and Dashiell already left. Although, the results of my tests thrilled me, being unable to go shopping with him frustrates me a bit. It can't be helped though due to safety reasons. I sigh in defeat and start walking to my room.
Inside my room, I decided it's best to practice my piano skills to crush my boredom. I start by massaging my fingers the way Dashiell taught me how. Without delay, I begin my practice right after finishing the massage. I start with doing chord progressions which lead to me playing some classical songs. With this, I thought nothing beats playing the piano in soothing my mood. From Minuet to Moonlight Sonata then from Canon to Liebestraume, I merrily play the piano. As I'm playing, thoughts about Dashiell invades my mind, causing my fingers to go off the keys. Then suddenly, I heard a soft knock on my door. I announced it's open and they may enter. To my surprise, the person who I thought is out shopping came into my room.
I'm halfway finished with my bottled water when Dashiell spoke, "Cheers to you for clearing this phase."It took me seconds to register what he said. When it did, I squealed in delight. Dashiell chuckles at my reaction and resumes, "I get it, you're happy but don't squeal like that especially when you're sitting next to someone; you'll blast their eardrums.""Sorry.""It's okay. Just don't do it next time.""Got that.""Anyway, you did well in all the tests. Good job!""Yay! I did it! Thank you, Dashiell.""Haha, thank yourself instead, and don't get too elated just yet as this is only the first phase. There are still two more.""I know but still I can't help but be happy knowing that I have the potential to succeed. It's like I feel more motivated now to continue with this. That being said, please continue guiding me."Dashiell titters and ruffles my hair, saying, "Yeah, okay.""Hey, stop that! You're messing my
Arriving at the training room, I noticed that several gym equipment had been set up. When I asked what those equipment are doing inside, Dashiell said that he will test if I'm fit enough to clear this phase and move onto the next one. With that, I started warming-up by doing some breathing exercises, stretching, and light cardio exercises.When I finished warming-up, Dashiell explained that between each test, there's a five-minute interval in which I could take a little rest. Then, without further ado, he started testing me. Beginning with a speed test, I underwent a flying 30m sprint test, 40m Cycling Sprint Test, and a Plate Tapping Test. My punching speed was also tested.Moving on, my power was put on a test. In that test, my punching power was measured. I did bench presses too as well as basketball throws in a seated position. Following such, I had the vertical jump test, drop jump test, standing broad jump test, and a power clean repet
Before I could ask my first question, Dashiell supplied that he was the one who named Pillow. He explained, "When I first brought Pillow home, I observed that she likes sleeping on pillows so one day I thought out loud that I will name her Pillow which she seemed to had liked since she purred right then."After that, Dashiell didn't speak for a minute so I thought I could start with my first question. "So, when and where-"And just like that, Dashiell interrupts me and steals the rest of the words out of my mouth, saying, "When and where did I get Pillow from, huh? I got her two years ago when I was going back to the bunker from my tiring work.""You mean, Pillow was once a stray kitten?""Ah, no. I got her from an animal shelter. She-"This time it's me who interrupts him. "Awesome! You adopted her then?""Geez! Let me finish, will you?" responded a seemingly annoyed Dashiell"Oops, sorry! I got excited, " was my shy reply.Da
The sound of my phone's alarm woke me up. I jolted out of my bed to wash my face and brush my teeth. Afterwhich, I left my room to proceed to the aisle leading to our common exit. I tried to hide as I await for Dashiell to pass by. I opted to do it that way because I have no way of checking if Dashiell is already on his way to visit his "beloved one" unless I checked him in his room which is something that I'm scared to attempt.A few minutes had elapsed and I'm feeling a bit drowsy. Please Dashiell, just show up already. And just like an answered prayer, Dashiell appeared seconds after. He is carrying a backpack which I assume, contains some food. Less than a minute after he went past the spot where I stand, I followed him from behind. I walked as stealthily as I could; however, Dashiell's senses are so sharp that he noticed that someone's following him. He demanded that I reveal myself. I revealed myself and I felt mortified for being discovered which is why w
Right now, I'm lying on my bed thinking about what's happened since my talk with Dashiell. It's been two days since our talk in the living room. The next day after our talk I tried waking up as early as four in the morning, but I didn't manage to get up even after setting up an alarm time. It's not surprising though considering the time I slept, and well, my personality. I've always been like this; a heavy sleeper. Gosh! I missed out on seeing Dashiell before he left. Mr. Thomas said he left for an errand and to visit his beloved one. That "beloved one" thing always gets me. Ever since I heard about it, I can't stop wondering who that "beloved one" is. Even though Dashiell said it's not his girlfriend, I can't help but think it's his girlfriend that he visits a lot, like come on who would wake up earlier than five in the morning then later after training, rush out of this bunker just to meet someone. It's not like I'm trying to stalk Dashiell, I only want to know who he meets with.
Dashiell opened the light snacks he got for us and offered me to eat them with him. I reluctantly agreed albeit I don't feel like eating at this hour when I am supposed to be sleeping. I thought if I don't accept Dashiell's offer, he would get offended which I don't want to happen.In between Dashiell's munching on our snacks, he begins, "My dad asked help from his friend, uncle Ray, who we discovered as the owner of the inn where our common entrance is located. I don't know if I should call this fate or coincidence, but uncle Ray happened to be an acquaintance of your uncle Bob. He said that your uncle Bob once saved him from a hospital debt. Your uncle Bob paid more than half of his hospital bills. Back to uncle Ray, he registered himself as my legal guardian. As you might expect, we lied that dad had disappeared without my knowledge, leaving me orphaned. Naturally, my registered address was changed into that of uncle Ray's that's why I was able to finish my studies without