Path of the Extra Chapter 368: Leo Karumi [2]

"Wow! You're really talented at that!"

"Didn't I mention that already? I swore to you yesterday that I'd show you I wasn't fibbing. Do you trust me now?"

"Absolutely! Totally!"

Nathan gazed at Leo with eyes full of admiration while Leo remained seated before the piano, his tiny fingers damp and aching atop the keys. A touch of pride showed on Leo's expression.

Three weeks had passed since Leo and Nathan first crossed paths.

The routine three days each week at the park remained a chore Leo had to bear, yet these days, rather than solitude during those visits, he shared the time with Nathan.

An unexpected event occurred the day before, once their park time for the week concluded.

As it happened, Leo's mother and Nathan's mother were acquaintances.

Currently, Nathan's mother and Nathan were guests in their house, with both children in Leo's bedroom, where the piano gifted by his father was placed.

He had discovered some details about Nathan.

They attended separate schools. Nathan's mom was a painter at heart, which explained why Nathan enjoyed activities such as sketching and coloring.

"Hey, Leo!"

"Hmm?"

"What do you dream of becoming when you grow up?"

"When I grow up...?"

Leo cocked his head while pondering the inquiry.

"Hmm... I'm not sure."

"You're not?"

Leo shook his head.

"Huh? Don't you want to be someone who performs on the piano? What's that title? Piano ruler? Piano expert? Uh... anyway, I aim to be a painter! Exactly like Mom!"

"It's called a 'pianist.' Not particularly. Mom and Dad mentioned no tutor until I'm older, though I can't figure out the reason... So, you wish to be a painter since your mom creates art?"

"Yes!"

Nathan bobbed his head with enthusiasm.

"...Would Mom be pleased if I turned into a doctor like her?"

"Whoa, you want to be a doctor!? I know it's an extremely tough profession! Mom always mentions that it demands tons of effort, even for clever folks!"

Leo slightly furrowed his brow at those comments, even if he wasn't clear on the cause.

"I guess I'm pretty intelligent... but I'm uncertain about pursuing medicine..."

Unless his mom truly desired him to follow that path... in which case, he might.

"You're intelligent? Hehe! Me too! Two days back, the teacher awarded me a gold star for being the sole one able to count to one hundred!"

Leo's mouth corners quivered as he glanced aside uneasily.

"Oh, sure... that's noteworthy among those nearby..."

"Yes, yes! Tell me, Leo, what's the highest you can count?"

Leo stroked his chin, staring at the piano keys. His legs swung idly, swinging through the air.

"I believe I reach... one thousand five hundred."

He was capable of much more, but Leo figured mentioning that would overwhelm.

"W-what? One... one thowsand... what? Five... hundred? Wait... five hundred...?"

Nathan appeared utterly stunned.

"Leo, what's a thowsand...?"

"It's 'thousand,' not 'thowsand,'" Leo amended.

"And, well... it's a larger figure than one hundred. Three zeros rather than two."

"WHAT!? Numbers exist beyond one hundred!?"

Nathan's jaw dropped, as though he'd uncovered a profound secret of existence.

Leo nodded.

"Indeed. They do."

"Amazing..."

Nathan looked somewhat stunned after absorbing this fact, oblivious that this step led into mathematics... which later would torment him like infernal flames.

Sitting on the ground, Nathan leaned in with his typical boundless energy.

"You're truly brilliant, Leo! Share more! Share more! What other feats besides tallying super high, mastering the piano, and hurling sticks?"

The sincere stare caused Leo some shyness. He rubbed his flushed cheek and cleared his throat, attempting a deeper tone.

"Mom, Dad, and the teacher didn't wish me to idle too much, so I receive additional assignments... Covering addition, subtraction, multiplication, and fractions."

"Huh? Additwyon? Subtractive? Multipicaton—wait, that's 'multiply,' isn't it? I get that! But fractions? You're awesome, Leo! Grasping all these tough terms and massive counts! You might just become a doctor!"

The compliments made Leo even more bashful, though he clearly welcomed them. He folded his arms and affirmed with a nod.

"Naturally. I'm a prodigy."

If he chose medicine—or if his mom wished it—he'd simply excel at it.

"Are you kids finished with your play? Dinner's prepared."

The door swung open, and Nathan's mom stepped inside. She was a lovely lady with dark hair in a ponytail and blue eyes matching Nathan's, dressed in a pink apron.

"Mom!"

Nathan leaped up and embraced her firmly, prompting his mom, known as Sarah, to chuckle and return the hug.

"Have you behaved well with Leo?"

"Mhm, yes! Mom, I want piano lessons too!"

Sarah blinked several times.

"Piano?"

She glanced at Leo before it and offered a gentle smile.

"Ah, I understand... Sadly, Nathan, we lack funds for one at present, or to request Jeanne's guidance. She has scarce free days like this, so imposing would be impolite, right?"

"Oh... okay..."

Nathan sagged noticeably, and Sarah averted her eyes with a pained look.

"I get it, my Nathan's grown so much he no longer cares to paint alongside his mom, eh..."

"What!? No way! That's false, Mom! I adore painting together! I'll be the greatest artist with you, Mom!"

He responded without delay, fixing Sarah with resolve, his letdown vanished, drawing a grin from her.

"Is that so? My boy as the top artist? I'm eager for that moment."

"Hehe! Hang on, Mom! Dad said a man honors his promises always! I'll honor mine!"

"Haha, understood, understood. Such a gentleman you are, Nathan."

Sarah chuckled joyfully with Nathan, stroking his hair as he beamed.

"Now, let's head to eat, okay, Leo?"

"...Sure."

Leo simply nodded, rose from the bench, hopped down, and trailed them to the dining area.

...Yet observing them stirred an indefinable sentiment within him.

Not then, anyway.

*****

"Leo, quit toying with your meal and consume those carrots too."

"Yes, Mom..."

With a pouty expression, Leo ceased jabbing the steamed carrots with his fork and began stuffing them into his mouth grudgingly, munching away.

He noticed that pesky, perpetually cheerful boy sipping apple juice, but when he'd requested some, Jeanne had denied him.

Existence felt so unjust.

"So, Jeanne, when does Ronald return from his journey?"

"Next week."

"I heard this trip stretched longer than usual, right?"

Jeanne nodded, her smile weary.

"Correct. Four weeks without seeing him."

"It must be challenging managing Leo solo."

"It is, yet the hospital allowed an earlier shift switch, letting me arrive home by evening."

"That's wonderful. Means more moments with young Leo, doesn't it?"

Jeanne wore a tender smile beside Leo.

"Yes, although he can prove troublesome at times."

As she spoke, she abruptly tweaked his cheek while he attempted to tuck a carrot beneath his plate's rim.

"O-ouch!"

"Eat it."

"...Yes..."

"How's the settling in going? Since moving here, driving Nathan to his prior school must take ages, I bet."

Sarah's face grew somewhat concerned.

"Indeed, regrettably. It wears on me. We'll switch schools for his second year."

"...But I don't want to abandon my friends. I hardly see them now with our new distance..."

Nathan murmured dejectedly, and Sarah exhaled without replying. Jeanne then proposed something.

"Why not enroll Nathan at Leo's school? It's nearby and top-notch."

"That's a smart suggestion, particularly as they're already acquainted and pals."

"I'll attend Leo's school?"

Instantly brightening, Nathan queried, eyeing his mom.

"Would you like that?"

Nathan nodded at once.

"Yes! Leo's awesome and clever! Mom, he counts to enormous numbers and knows complex terms! Plus, he's incredible at piano!"

Jeanne arched a brow.

"Leo, what did I say about boasting?"

"But I wasn't boasting."

Leo sensed injustice under her scrutinizing gaze, as Sarah chuckled.

"It's fine. Kids naturally share achievements with buddies. You've raised a sharp one, Jeanne."

Jeanne sighed.

"At times, he's overly sharp, even for me..."

"How so?"

"Prior to your boy, he avoided peers entirely, you see? Leo concerned me and his instructors, constantly shunning play with classmates."

"Oh..."

Sarah eyed Leo with interest.

"Why's that, Leo?"

Leo squirmed under the attention but chose to respond.

"...I simply dislike them. They're noisy, pose silly queries in lessons that bore me to drowsiness, and just irritating overall."

Jeanne's and Sarah's grins became somewhat strained.

"Guess I'm fortunate my boy passes your bar, Leo," Sarah remarked casually.

Leo peeked at Nathan, who watched him with hopeful eyes for some reason.

Leo looked elsewhere and muttered,

"...Suppose so."

Suddenly, all three burst into laughter, leaving Leo baffled and inwardly frowning.

"I heard you're quite the pianist," Sarah noted, then faced Jeanne. "You must be a superb teacher."

Jeanne smiled softly.

"I strive to be, but truthfully, he absorbs it all far too fast. Occasionally, I struggle to match his pace. Still, it's beneficial, as Leo's pushed me to refine my own playing."

"Haha, balancing that with doctor duties sounds taxing."

"It is... but—"

She regarded Leo with unusual softness.

"I don't mind."

She began caressing his head. He lifted his gaze, head tilted in puzzlement, then resumed eating, unbothered—in fact, it brought a cozy, pleasant sensation.

"I see your point... Oh, I learned Leo's joining a Muay Thai club, true?"

Jeanne affirmed.

"Won't that overwhelm him?"

Yet she denied it with a head shake.

"We aim for Leo to try various pursuits and grow in them, helping him discern preferences, aversions, and potential passions. Thus, I instruct piano, and Ronald plays chess when he can. It may seem heavy, but it'll aid him long-term, given his ability to manage."

Sarah, absorbing the logic, nodded in agreement.

"But Mom... I don't wish to join that club..."

He'd sampled a session already.

He disliked it.

He hated the pain.

"Leo. We've covered this earlier, haven't we? I've signed you up, and I'd be disappointed if you cause trouble."

Leo met her eyes. Expectation filled them alone. Unwilling to disappoint, he bowed his head and returned to the now limp, chilled carrots.

"...Sorry."

"Good boy."

She fondly patted his head once more.

A faint smile appeared on his lips.

He needed to fulfill her hopes. Every one.

He must, for...

Leo was intelligent.