"Don't ask too many questions, Alfie, you're distracting me," Lucy said from the kitchen, her voice sharp but calm as the sound of chopping echoed faintly.
"Okay, Master, I'm off to bed. I ate on my way home," Alfie replied, stretching his arms as he walked toward his room.
Lucy suddenly appeared in front of him, her eyes narrowed. "You ate without me? Or any of us?"
Alfie jumped slightly, startled at how fast she moved. "Calm down, Master! I went to give Jackson our favorite ramen from that cool guy at the shop. I didn't eat alone!"
He blinked nervously as Lucy leaned close, staring directly into his eyes. His face twitched under her gaze until she finally straightened her back. "…Alright. You're dismissed."
Relieved, Alfie nodded and hurried into his room. He flopped onto his bed, exhaling loudly before sinking into sleep.
---
After a long night's rest, the sun rose, spilling golden light into their apartment. Lucy, Sasaki, and Alfie walked together toward the hospital. The streets were still waking—merchants opening stalls, Shinra guards patrolling with tired eyes.
"Hold on, Master! I want to get something for Jackson," Alfie said as they passed the ramen shop.
The same shopkeeper from yesterday greeted him with a nod, still wearing the same grease-stained clothes. Alfie ordered with excitement and clutched the warm package as if it were treasure.
Inside the hospital, Jackson sat upright in his bed, leg bandaged tightly, his posture stiff but proud. "You guys came this morning?" he said with a weak smile.
"Shut it, Jack," Alfie snapped, stepping closer. "You're supposed to greet Master and Mr. Reaper first before saying anything !"
Lucy raised a hand to stop him. "There's no need to correct him, Alfie. I already have something special prepared for Jackson when he recovers in the next two weeks." Her lips curved into a smile that somehow felt scarier than a threat.
Jackson paled. "I—I was just surprised, Master. I didn't mean anything. I'm sorry."
"There's nothing to be sorry about, Jack," Sasaki yawned, his voice lazy. "It's too early to be walking to hospitals anyway. I get your point."
Lucy marched over and tugged Sasaki's ear sharply. "Of course, I expected this from you. A grown man who sleeps until noon."
Sasaki hissed, swatting her hand away. "Argh, damn it, woman!"
Her playful glare faded, her tone suddenly hard as steel. "Listen carefully, all of you. After Jackson recovers, you'll enter the second phase of the stamina training. Seven months remain. No more mistakes.
The room's atmosphere grew heavy, tension filling the air.
"As of now, Alfie—you'll continue your endurance training and make sure Jackson doesn't fall behind you will be helping him out. The numbers must be completed. If one of you fails, both of you fail."
Alfie clenched his fists, his eyes blazing. "I'm so in, Master! Leave it to me—I'll do everything in my power to help Jackson!"
"Are you okay with that, Jackson?" Sasaki asked, raising a brow.
Jackson gave a thumbs-up, forcing a grin despite his bandages. "I've got no choice. Time to accept reality and bounce back stronger in phase two."
Alfie returned the thumbs-up, their silent promise sparking a fire between them
"for your earlier behaviour I won't be giving you the food I prepared last night,Lucy said calmly".
That's not fair Master I apologized, Jackson protested.
Shut it, serve your punishment without complaining,enjoy the ramen it should hold you till noon, Lucy's voice was calm and commanding.
Jackson sigh in disappoinment.
---
The trio soon returned to the training field. Alfie stood before the massive stone statues, sweat dripping down his forehead. He grit his teeth and lifted, his arms straining under the weight. "Forty-fourth…! Come on…!"
Lucy and Sasaki sat watching from a bench at the edge of the field.
"Don't push yourself too much, brat," Sasaki called lazily. "You'll end up sharing a room with Jackson at this rate."
"Don't… worry about me, Mr. Reaper… I got this," Alfie grunted, veins bulging in his neck.
Hours passed. His body trembled violently, but his spirit burned brighter with each rep. The sun dipped lower, painting the training ground in orange light.
"That's enough," Lucy finally said, rising. "We need to get Jackson's dinner."
Alfie dropped the statue, collapsing down to the dirt. Lucy rushed to him immediately.
"Damn it… another carelessness of mine," she muttered, lifting his head. "Alfie! Get up—we don't have time for this."
Her voice softened as she studied his battered arms. "You pushed too hard this time. Four statues in a row—that's nearly two hours nonstop. Even Sasaki couldn't handle that. Jackson's injury must've pushed you this far."
Alfie tried to stand but stumbled again. Lucy sighed and crouched. "Come on. I'll carry you."
She hoisted him onto her back with ease. Sasaki smirked from the bench. "Heh, spoiled brat."
"Shut it," Lucy snapped as she walked toward town.
---
At the ramen shop, she bought two packs—one for Alfie, who had already dozed off on her back, and another for Jackson.
By the time they reached the hospital, Jackson was asleep as well. Lucy laid the ramen by his bed, her eyes softening as she glanced between the two boys. "Both of them… so cute, even though they act tough."
Sasaki placed chicken steak and bottled water on the table with a sigh. "Kids, huh…"
They left quietly, heading back home. Lucy tucked Alfie into his bed before retreating to her own room. At last, the house was still.
---
Morning came again. Alfie was the first awake, bursting with energy. He sprinted into Sasaki's room without knocking.
"Wakey wakey, Mr. Reaper! We need to head out!" he shouted, leaping onto Sasaki's stomach with both knees.
"ARGHH—!" Sasaki's eyes shot open as Alfie bounced off, landing face-first on the floor. "You brat! Trying to kill me in my sleep?!"
"Shut it, old man! A grown man still in bed while a ten-year-old's already running around? Think higher of yourself, Mr. Reaper!" Alfie barked back.
A vein bulged on Sasaki's forehead as he marched toward him. "Repeat that again, brat—"
"That's enough! Both of you!" Lucy's voice cut through the air from the sitting room.
The two froze. Sasaki narrowed his eyes, pointing two fingers at Alfie in the universal "I'm watching you" gesture.
Alfie smirked back before hurrying off.
Within the hour, the three were ready and heading toward the hospital once again—ramen and chicken steak in hand.