Chapter 53s: Defeating Grandpa
A small smile is forced onto my lips as I turn back and give a small wave at Jenny, who waves back from the sitting area we were just playing at. Then... a deep breath. And in I go, following after he who judges.
Who gives him the right to do that anyways?
"Would you like some tea, Setsuka? Perhaps with some jaffa cake?"
This is wrong. So wrong.
Whenever an adult begins to offer me snacks like this, trouble is afoot. Like a monster lurking in the shadows.
But I nod. Nobody passes on free jaffa cake. "Yes please!" I utter happily, still trailing behind the man.
He must have noticed me lingering awkwardly, because he turns back after putting on the kettle. "Come come. Take a seat." he responds amiably as he pats my shoulders in the same motion as he nudges me towards the chair.
See? I knew it! All choice is a lie! Especially here!
A small jump takes me up on the seat, opposite his desk. It is a huge desk, and I'd feel intimidated if it wasn't such a mess. Rather than some sort of executioner coming to claim my life, all that paper stuff just reminds me of a grandpa who piles up several days worth of newspaper besides his trusty chair.
"So, as I said just now, I'm Judge Farrell. But you can just call me Pete."
He introduced himself? ... Oh. Before we went in.
I wasn't listening very much, then.
"I'm Setsuka Heel."
Inwardly, I roll my eyes. Both at him and me. Of course he knows that. Wouldn't it be shameful to lob off the head of the wrong person? And why did I have to sound so stupid just now?
Can't I sound mature, like Nii... Nee-san?
I hate you, Nii-san!
While the discussion rages in my mind, the kettle finished boiling. Huh. That's quick. Soon, he's poured it and prepared a slice of jaffa cake, both of which soon rest on the desk in front of me.
But I'm not going to make a fool of drinking it. That tea is way too hot! Why doesn't the dumdum put some cold water in there? Has he never made a good tea before?!
He's finally coming to sit down behind his desk, sitting down in that leather chair that looks way comfier than someone who rules the living should have it.
"How have you been, Setsuka? I hope you're not worried about the vase; accidents happen." He chuckles in a likeable manner. "I hated that gaudy thing anyways, so you did me a favor."
I find myself grinning just a little. It was a damn ugly vase. Whoever made it had no respect for themselves. And whomever bought it...
"The person who gave you that must have hated you, huh?"
Aaah..! Why'd I say that? No no!
But he laughs. One of those bellyflopping types of things, where you think the building ought to shake along in merriment. I can't help but chuckle along despite my newfound embarassment. Can't I just shut up? Geez!
"I never thought of it like that, but you are right!" he offers as he leans forward, leaning over in a sort of conspiratory fashion that makes me want to lean over in kind. He whispers.
"Would you like to come work for me?"
Deep inside, I feel flattered by the offer. Perhaps... But no, even more deeply inside, I feel wariness coming up. I peer at him.
"Nii-san told me adults who are sweet on me want to trick me."
One of his eyebrows raises, his lip tugging into a bit of a grandfatherly smile. "Nissan? Like the car?"
Bahaha. I burst into laughter. Shaking my head. "No no. Niiiiii. Sannnn. It means big brother! Cain. That damn bully!"
Now he is chuckling along, understanding what I meant. "Oh. Your dad mentioned you two are fighting for the first time. He must have really messed up, huh?"
Nii-san is a damn bully. You are damn right he messed up!
I glare at grandpa, and reach for my jaffa cake to make a point.
I am not answering you. Nuh huh.
He smiles patiently. What, do you think I'll talk if you just stay silent?
I take a bite. A big one. So big it doesn't fit in my mouth. I'm making a mess.
But I don't care! You are not going to make excuses for Nii-san. I won't let you have the chance!
It is between him and me! That stupid baka bully!
"How about we play a little game?"
Huh. Why's he saying that all of a sudden? I finally swallow my jaffa cake and shake my head warily, spitfiring out all the reasons why I am not playing with him.
"No. You'll lose, and then you'll be upset, and then I'll lose because you lost!"
He laughs. "Well, how about we add some prizes then? The winner gets a jaffa cake, but the loser has to honestly answer a question. Does that sound fair?"
A strong, annoyed glance is all I can give him.
"How do I know if you'll be honest? And... wait, what game are we playing?"
That grandpa smile of his is treacherous. Nothing harmless old little man! He's got a scheme, and I almost fell for it!
"Just a little game. I'll say something I know, and you have to guess whether it is the truth or a lie, which determines the winner and loser. Afterwards, we switch roles and repeat it. Do you think you'll lose?"
He's being all illicit and stuff, like one of those detectives-for-life from the movies. He glances down, urging me to look at where he's looking before he slides open a drawer. Then... I see it.
A fresh, unopened pack... of jaffa cakes.
He nudges it up to show it off in a really seedy manner. As if it is contraband.
Wow. How many jaffa cakes is that? One... two... ah, to hell with it!
"Don't cry when you lose all those jaffa cakes, grandpa! I'm going to win all of them and eat them right in front of you!"