In the northern part of Grimoir City, tucked among old apartments, stood a small building with a strange sign: "All You Can Eat."
It was a tiny restaurant tucked away amid the harbour's noisy streets. The name "Julius Photocopy" was clearly displayed on a signboard outside, identifying the place as a restaurant that also served as a photocopy shop.
Or maybe not? Nobody really knew what this place actually was.
Inside, a man in a full suit with a unique butterfly-patterned tie sat gazing at the shop's door, lost in thought. He had been waiting for a customer for a while, but it seemed that no one was coming.
Thus, he leaned back and continued to yawn aimlessly while the ceiling fan above became the focus of his daydreams.
"Ugh... it's so quiet," the man said suddenly.
His words drew the attention of the other three inside.
"What can we do? This place is not strategic for a copy shop," one of them replied.
Although they knew the place was quiet, they did nothing to change the situation. Their boss, Julius Richard, was still lazing around. Despite pushing forty and still unmarried, he looked surprisingly young. He was tall and always dressed in his usual office suit- no matter the occasion.
His two employees, Aldi, who was rather chubby, and Pedro, a curly-haired young man, were busy playing games on their console. They looked older than their age because they were already in their final semesters at university. There was also a man, Hendri Mahoni, who has been typing silently on his laptop.
"Maybe you should open a shop near schools or universities, boss," Aldi suggested.
"The rent is cheap here, and it's also safe," Julius replied.
"At least, why don't we remove the 'All You Can Eat' sign outside? Yesterday, we had people coming in just to order food."
"That sign is permanently attached to the glass. Besides, I don't want to buy a new one," he let out a sigh. "It's too much trouble to remove it."
"But… it's confusing for customers."
"I've already put up a sign for the copy shop from the start," Julius added.
"Come on, boss… we barely get any customers anyway," Pedro chimed in. "Can't we just move somewhere else?"
Julius clicked his tongue. "I told you already, it's safer here. We won't have debt collectors chasing us like back when we were still in the city center."
"Safer? This is the port. There are thugs all over the place."
"Exactly. That's why we're safe," Julius replied, giving him a quick wink.
"Huh? What kind of logic is that…" Pedro scratched his head.
That was precisely why Julius chose this place. Because the thugs around here… wouldn't actually bother them. If anything, they helped keep the area in check.
Even the bar next door was a hotspot for fights. But none of it ever spilled into this shop.
Not even once.
For one simple reason: Zeyn.
"Anyway, do you have any plans on expanding the business in a certain direction?" Pedro asked again.
"Huh? Don't we already have one? Electronic repair services," Julius replied.
"Well, yeah- but why isn't there any sign for it out front?"
"Hmm… I did think about putting one up. But unfortunately, the 'technician' himself wasn't a fan."
"Why?"
"Zeyn hates extra work. But honestly, if he just put in a little effort, he could be raking in cash."
Pedro and Aldi just chuckled. Zeyn was a lazy genius, and the boss's adopted son, after all.
*Klinkk...
Suddenly, the doorbell rang softly and the front door was opened by someone from outside. The sound of rusty hinges accompanied the appearance of a young man with red eyes.
"I'm home."
"Hey there," greeted Aldi.
Upon seeing who had arrived, Julius's lazy face transformed into a cheerful one and he seemed to regain his energy.
He got up and approached him. "You're finally home. How was your day at university?"
Zeyn didn't respond to Julius's greeting and instead walked casually towards a pile of documents near the paper cutter. It looked like he was searching for something.
Pedro and Aldi looked at each other, confused.
After a while, he grabbed the object he was looking for and immediately put it on. They were his glasses.
"Nothing, I just forgot to bring my glasses," Zeyn said casually. "I have to head back out. I've got another lecture at 2:30 pm."
"But it's already 1:50," Julius replied.
Without another word, his son walked past him.
"Wait… don't tell me you're planning to get there the fast way," he said, his voice slowing as his expression turned flat.
Zeyn stopped in his tracks.
"Don't tell me… you're going to use your powers again," Julius added, his voice dropping lower.
"Well, what can I do? Holding back is pointless anyway," Zeyn replied nonchalantly.
Julius clenched his fists and stepped toward his son. His jaw tightened, like he was holding something back.
*Grab!!
"Did you use your powers again today? How many times do I have to tell you? Don't use them in public!" Julius snapped.
"I only used it for a moment," Zeyn tried to pull away, but for some reason, he couldn't break free from the man's grip. "Besides, it's not like I go around showing it to people!"
"Are you trying to go back to that time again? Do you want to use your powers for violence again?!"
"No- I only use it for daily stuff!"
"Do you even understand what you're doing? What if people find out who you really are?" Julius shot back. "Your red eyes alone are enough to give you away."
"But holding back when it actually matters is just stupid, Dad!"
"What- " Julius tightened his grip on Zeyn's collar.
The tension in the room spiked. Pedro was about to step in, but Mr. Hendri signaled him to stay out of it.
"How many times do I have to tell you, Zeyn? You can't afford to mess this up—not in this world. Have you forgotten your goal? You wanted a normal life," Julius continued.
Zeyn fell silent, regret creeping in. It was hard to argue with the man he saw as his father- he never could.
"Yes, sir… I'm sorry."
The tension slowly faded. Julius loosened his grip, then straightened Zeyn's messed-up uniform, trying to steady himself.
"That's enough. I'm sorry, but it's for your own good. And I hope you understand," Julius added.
Zeyn chose to remain silent and didn't want to comment. He felt annoyed, and he no longer wanted to take advice from anyone. He was tired of being treated like a child.
Ignoring his father, he wanted to leave the room immediately.
"Stop using your powers recklessly! And for God's sake, wear your glasses!" Julius warned. "I know your eyesight isn't great. What's the point of me buying them if you don't even wear them?"
Zeyn said nothing.
"Be careful on the road, son," he added.
"I know. Just shut up already."
*Bam!
The door slammed shut.
Pedro and Aldi exchanged glances, unsure what to do next. Neither of them said anything. After all, it was a family matter.
Meanwhile, Julius let out a heavy sigh.
"Kids these days… always think they know better. Maybe it's just a rebellious phase. Heh… what a pain."
"Boss?"
"Yes?"
"Are you okay?" Aldi asked, concern evident in his voice.
Julius took a deep breath, clearing his mind and letting it all go. His anger faded, replaced by a faint sense of guilt.
After all, this was for the boy's own good. It was frustrating how such simple advice, something he had repeated time and time again- was always deliberately ignored.
"Never mind. Let's get back to work."
"Uhh… okay then."
* * * *