It is normal to have a dream. One’s hardship in life is for the pursuit of that dream. Whether it be riches, fame, or power. In some form or another, whether for “good” or “bad”, it influences the holder. You could even say that a person’s never-ending occupancy in life is to dream.

I’m pretty content with my life so far. Why is that? Well…

“I’m sure you heard me. There’s no mistake about this.”

“But- how did you… there’s no way you could have!”

The boy in front of me is the son of a businessman. The father owns a few stores from a massive company. With a firm grip on the local market, it has become difficult for your neighborhood-owned mom-and-pop stores that used to be here.

Not that I care.

“I wonder how a father would feel if he knew the allowance he gave his son was spent on…”

I swiped through the pictures I have on my phone. A picture I stopped on depicted him entering a discernible building adorned with neon lights in the shape of women. With him, was a few of his buddies and some rough-looking men.

I could see the boy sweat.

“Ah! Not only that! I almost forgot your activites in the alleys!”

I swiped to a picture of him trading some cash with a sizable bag of obviously unknown contents.

The boy was about to say something, but I interrupted him.

“Oh, don’t worry! I won’t tell anyone. Umm. Carlos? Kaine?”

“It’s Co-”

“However…! I can be forgetful at times. I wonder if there is something that keeps making me forget to send these to a father or a news organization. Hmm…”

“Please, I’ll do anything! My dad will lose his job for sure! If those get sent out, then I… we….”

He gulped.

“Do you want money? I’ll pay you!”

Oh, yes. This is what I wanted to hear. I can’t help but smile.

“I wonder how much is enough for me to forget about these pictures?”

“How much?”

I thought very hard. Of course, I am only acting. This is the part where I can feel the excitement.

It is imperative to let the party with the most to lose to provide the basis for negotiations. In this situation, if the boy had said a specific number, then that number would give me the clue of how much he is willing to give up. If I keep silent, he’ll continue to increase his offer. If this boy is as simple as I think he is, then this should be easy.

I kept on the act of being deep in thought.

“I’ll give you $600!”

I kept on my silence.

“$800?”

Silence.

“A thousand?”

Tranquility.

“Please, I-I can’t go more than $2,000”

A very tempting offer. A lump sum of two grand does seem attractive. However, I’m going for something more long term.

“Say, I was wondering. You’ve been going to these places and buying some questionable goods. Where do you get this money?”

He frowns and replies, “My dad gives me an allowance of $1,000 every month.”

His eyes went wide after realizing his mistake. I can’t help but smile at the boy’s utter foolishness.

“My, your father is really generous! He’s so charitable to his son. I wonder if the son is as charitable as well.”

“What? I can’t give you my entire allowance! Please, there has to be another way!”

I sighed, “Very well. I am a kind man so I will spare you.”

He smiled gleefully.

“$900 per month should be charitable enough, don’t you think?”

He frowned sorrowfully.

“Actually, I’m starting to think one thousand is a nice number.”

“No! $900 is good! I’ll pay you $900 at the start of each month. I'll make sure to bring this month's tomorrow!”

"How generous of you! I highly appreciate your charity! Now, I don’t even remember the reason we met for in the first place!”

I grabbed his hand and gave him a firm handshake. With my best smile, of course.

“Wait, what about the pictures? Are you going to delete them?”

“Hmm? What pictures?”

I start walking away.

“You’re going to delete them, right?”

“I wonder.”

I continued walking and left him in the shadow of the school building.

---

It’s been almost a year since I have started high school. In that time, I have taken control over most of the school’s biggest players. The little business boy was but one of my little side tasks.

These minor tasks are for normal, everyday necessities. An allowance for me, since my parents cannot. A few favors owed to me here and there. Collate information. Persuade the unwilling. The usual.

Those little tasks would then help me build up to my main task.

To live without worry. An easy and relaxed life. When I have the whole entire school – nay, just the students of the same year as I is enough– I could have them under my control. In a group of hundreds, the probability of many becoming more useful to me in the future is something worth investing in. Of course, I only target those that are of a stronger standing than others. I have no need to depend on the weak. However, I do meet some promising people who are weak on their own. For those kinds of people, I help them in any way I can and get them strong.

That way, they’ll owe me a favor they will be hard-pressed to deliver.

There are not that many promising weaklings, however. Before, back in middle school, I have found them in quite the abundance. Now, in my first year of high school, things are different. Perhaps I’ve become picky?

I opened a door and entered a classroom occupied by three other students.

“Dale. As expected, I can always find you in the photography room.” I said as I closed the door behind me.

“Mind if I have a little chat with you? It’ll just be for a moment.” I smile.

“Oh! Kastille. Sure. Hey, want to check out some of the developing photos?”

“That sounds great. Let’s see them!”

We both head into the darkroom after Dale notified his friends of his imminent return.

Dale is one of those weaker ones that I’ve nurtured to become the president of the photography club in the school. I’ve known him since the last year of middle school.

For two years, I have lent my aid to him. I have helped him with his self-confidence, having him become proud of his photography skills, having him acquire his first girlfriend, helping him get elected as the photography club president, helping him with his familial issues.

To my surprise, he persevered. At times, I even thought to give up on him. His smile is now full of warmth and his heart with compassion.

How utterly pitiful.

Or rather, I should say the human being in general is pitiful. To require the assistance of someone other than yourself. To be at the position to not be able to help yourself. To require outside assistance to save oneself from their own faults.

The human being is weak.

I give him a smile as he closed the darkroom door behind us.

“I have to thank you again for getting those photographs. You really helped save that boy.”

“It’s no big deal. I would love to help people stay away from those sinful acts in any way I can.”

He gave me a smile and continued, “You’re a really nice guy, you know? A bit weird for going as far as having me take pictures, but I know you mean good by it.”

I put a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “I’m just doing what I feel is right. Ah! Speaking of…”

I took out my wallet and took out some cash.

“Here, I just want you to have it. For helping me out.”

A job well done should be rewarded, after all.

“Eh? Nah, it’s alright. I don’t need it.”

“Ah, come on. Just take it. I’m feeling charitable today. Plus, I don’t like owing favors.”

“Ha-ha, alright, I gotcha. Thanks.”

“I might need to ask for your help again, Dale.”

“If you need anything at all, I’m here to help.”

“I’ll be counting on it. Goodbye!”

“See ya!”

I leave the darkroom and as soon as I close the door behind me, I could almost hear Dale say, “I forgot to show him the pictures I developed…”