[[[ The Present Time ]]]
[ 9:00 PM ]
[[[ The Place ]]]
[A café belonging to Katie's family, the one with short green hair]
On the outskirts of the city, there was a café designed in a beautiful old wooden style... Far from the noise of the modern world, Katie's grandfather and grandmother ran this café adjacent to their home.
Since Katie had been orphaned at a young age, it was her grandparents who raised her, cared for her, and turned her into a kind-hearted girl with enough love and warmth in her heart for everyone—despite the sorrow she had endured.
The building had two floors. Outside, there were wooden pillars and a wide covering of green reed that formed a large roof under which tables were placed.
A river ran nearby, facing the outer seating area, where Zeus and George could see the close river and enjoy the sound of its flowing water and the beautiful natural view.
On this night, old-style lanterns were also hung, dangling from the bamboo roof and gently lighting the place in a calm, warm way.
...
(George, the bald twin of John): You never showed up on time before… You were always the last to arrive.
(Zeus): I don't know… This is the first time I've seen this place… It's really beautiful. How did I not know about it before?
(George): I don't think the grandparents know you lost your memory yet.
– Katie must've told them for sure.
– I don't think so… You don't remember Katie well… She's a quiet girl who doesn't like to talk about everything… A little foolish, yes, but… I don't know… How about we make a bet on that?
– Deal.
Zeus responded immediately and headed inside the building.
– How are you, Zeus… ...
(Zeus): Hello, young man… I'm doing great… How about you?
– We missed you, brother. So, you remember me?
Zeus smiled and replied gently:
– Yeah, I remember you somewhat, but not clearly…
– Don't you remember how we used to pull pranks? Remember when we placed a bunch of fireworks under the table, and when everyone gathered, we lit them? We tied a long string, and Soray noticed it… He ran away by himself without warning the others…
"Seems like I was really naughty," thought Zeus, before his eyes landed on an old man behind a long table, preparing food under the intense kitchen heat and wiping his forehead with a towel hung around his neck.
Grandma was arranging food on plates and getting it ready to hand over to the boy who was talking to Zeus.
Both grandparents had white hair from old age… Yet they possessed remarkable physical strength considering their age and resilience to work.
(Grandma Katie): Zeus, is that really you?
Grandpa looked directly at the door upon hearing his wife's words, laughed, and dropped what he was doing, walking toward Zeus with calm yet quick steps.
Zeus was confused as he saw both anger and joy on the old man's face and didn't know what he had done wrong.
Until George entered and stood aside, quietly laughing as well.
Indeed, Zeus realized what had made George laugh when the old man grabbed his long black hair, struck him in the stomach, then pulled his head under his right armpit and began lightly hitting Zeus's head with his left hand while scolding him:
– You scoundrel! Why didn't you come visit us all this time? Didn't you say you considered us your family? Is this how you treat your family?
– Grandpa, wait a second! … I was sick… I lost my memory!
– I know that, you scoundrel! I'm asking about the month before you lost your memory… You suddenly disappeared and no one knew what you were doing… Didn't I tell you to let me know if you faced any problems? Why did you fight your battles alone? Why didn't you rely on your comrades?
– !!
George's smile faded and he spoke in a calm tone:
– You didn't tell anyone… Not just Grandpa feels that way… We're all mad at you, but no one brings it up because you don't remember anything.
(Grandma, angrily): Howard, leave the boy alone right now!
– Not today, Samantha, not today… I won't let him leave until he honestly promises me that he won't keep fighting alone.
"I'm not a boy! I'm a grown man!" Zeus thought, his breath caught.
(Katie): Grandpa, stop, you're hurting him!
– Why are you late?! Come here… George too, hold this scoundrel—I'll beat him on his feet… I haven't even started yet!
(Zeus): Grandpa, just one second… How about we make a deal… You like trouble, don't you?
– Yeah…
– Good, that's great. I have something I want to tell you.
– Speak.
– Let me go first.
– Go ahead.
– It's important.
Howard understood Zeus's signal and pulled him aside outside for a private talk… There, Zeus briefly told the old man what he knew about the incident, only sharing partial information. He kept the most important details to himself—especially the mysterious engravings.
(Howard): So someone's after you… Did you ever ask yourself why?
"Maybe because of the mysterious engravings," Zeus thought to himself.
– I don't know… But I think it has more to do with my family than with me.
– No, that's unlikely… Why would they target a young man instead of the older, more powerful people in your family?
– Maybe because they're stronger than me.
– That doesn't make sense either… You have people without power but with knowledge or massive influence—they're more valuable targets than you… You alone might be the one who can find the key to this mystery… Always remember—information is the key to winning battles, not strength… If you know more about your enemy than they know about you, you can win.
(Zeus, sarcastically): I think they'll kill me before I learn anything.
– You need to stay within your family's area… I don't think a rat would dare enter a tiger's den.
Zeus smiled, then voiced the thought on his mind:
– I want that rat to come closer… I'm planning to catch it… I mean… I don't have any other lead… The Green Lotus organization is far bigger than me… Alone, I can't do anything if I go after them myself.
(Howard, happily): Now you're starting to understand what I mean, boy… One person is too weak against a group… It's still dangerous though—do you have a plan?
– I was planning to go with Soray after the team gathering ends.
– The three of us will meet later to think about this… I won't let you leave me out of this fight.
– Alright, deal.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side, George and Katie wondered what was taking Zeus and Howard so long and what they were discussing.
(Katie): Let's move the food—the rest will be here soon… I hope no one is late. It won't be tasty if it gets cold.