Inside the passenger cabin.
12:40 AM.
Time had passed, and the tension had finally settled. In the dimly lit cabin, only Syd and Jody remained seated—just the two of them.
Syd glanced at her, noticing her restless demeanor. He could tell she was uneasy. Maybe it was her first time flying on a secret organization's aircraft. Either way, he figured it'd be better to start a conversation, just to ease the pressure.
"So… you really used to work at that bakery?"
"Yeah."
"For real?"
"Why?"
"You were a waitress?"
"Yup."
"Ah… makes sense now. I was wondering how you made money. So you worked there while you were studying?"
"During summer breaks. Sure, I'm on a scholarship, but I still need to eat and live."
"And the wages were enough?"
"Hourly rate. Not bad. The scholarship covers some expenses too, so I manage."
"What made you pick an airport bakery?"
"Better pay. Plus, tips from tourists. And I fly back to America every summer anyway, so this whole area's kinda like a second home."
"You go back to America? Back home?"
"Do I even have a home to go back to?"
"Right… didn't you say your family disowned you? So why go back?"
"I go to visit my mom."
"...Oh."
He got it now.
"Where's she buried?"
"In America."
"Don't give me that face—what city?"
"Philadelphia."
"Ah, your hometown."
"Yeah."
"But why go back? Didn't you say your mom died when you were too young to remember her? Not to be rude, but how do you feel any attachment to someone you never really knew?"
If it were anyone else asking, Jody might've been offended. But she understood Syd wasn't being cruel—he just genuinely didn't know.
"I don't really know," she replied. "I've just been doing it since I was a kid. It feels like… something I'm supposed to do. Buy flowers. Leave them there."
"Was it, like, a family tradition? Visiting her grave?"
"Yeah."
"And when you go, you go alone? Fly back and forth on your own? No family support? Isn't that dangerous?"
"I just book a hotel for a couple of days and then fly back. —Wait, are you actually worried about me?"
"No. I'm just curious how a social pariah survives after getting canceled."
"Oh really~?"
She smirked.
"Should I believe that, Paitoon Wongpodee?"
"...What?"
"That's your name, right? Your Thai name?"
"No it's not. Paitoon what? Where you goin', huh?"
"…P-A-I-T-H-O-O-N. I made Google say it. It said 'Paitoon'."
"You trust Google?!"
"...Well."
Facepalm "God help us."
"So what's the correct pronunciation?"
"Paikhun Wongpudee. Paikhun. Not Paitoon. Stop making stuff up."
"Paitooooon~"
Syd clenched his fists
"Okay, okay. Paithun."
"Better."
"Paaaiiiitoooon~"
"Say it again and I swear to God I'll clock you."
"Don't you have a nickname? A Thai one?"
"Not telling."
"Why not?"
"Because."
"Afraid I'll tease you, professor?"
"Afraid my ancestors will disown me if you say it."
"Then teach me~ 😉"
"No."
"..."
"..."
The cabin went quiet for a bit. Then Jody finally spoke.
"...Syd."
"...Yeah?"
"Do you know those three assassins?"
"Huh? You mean from the airport?"
"Yeah."
"No. I don't."
"You sure?"
"Yep."
"Tell me the truth."
Jody turned to him, gaze locked. It made Syd feel... a bit off.
"I'm telling you. I don't know any of them. Why? What's up?"
"...One of them knew your name."
"What?! Who?"
"The tan-skinned woman..."
"...Really?"
"Yeah. She said your full name. 'Syd Barrett'. I thought maybe you knew her..."
"I swear I've never seen her before in my life, Jody."
"Yeah... I believe you."
She continued, "I think maybe she didn't meet you... but she'd heard of you. Your reputation, maybe?"
"...What are you getting at?"
She leaned closer, eyes meeting his.
"Just realizing now... I've never actually known you, have I? That woman was afraid of you. Like she'd heard of 'Syd Barrett' before. Like... you're some underground legend."
"…I wouldn't go that far. Though within the organization, sure."
"Think about it. It makes sense. They didn't go in guns blazing—they tried to outsmart us instead. Why? Because they were afraid of you."
"Of course they were."
"You think I'm joking?"
"…"
"What I'm trying to say is—Syd, you've got too many secrets. There are things you should've told me but didn't. If we hadn't run into Autumn, I'd never have known your ability can't be taught to others."
"I was going to—"
"You kept it hidden. You didn't say it outright. And you know I hate that."
He could tell—Jody wasn't messing around. She was genuinely suspicious.
"It's classified. You're not part of the org yet—"
"I know. But martial techniques are classified too?"
"...Not really."
"But you chose not to tell me."
"I was saving it for later."
"You know what that sounds like? It sounds like you're playing me, Syd."
"...C'mon."
"Maybe you haven't been completely honest about the deal we made. Maybe I'm just a pawn to you. You say my leg will heal and I'll walk again—but how do I know that's true?"
"You don't trust me?"
"I do. You've got principles. But right now? I'm just suspicious. Is there anything else you're still not telling me?"
"...Nothing."
"Really?"
"..."
"Really. Not unless it's classified."
"You really think I believe that?"
"Are you mad at me?"
"No. Not yet."
"..."
"Here's the deal."
Syd pulled out his phone to check the time.
"Four or five hours from now, we'll be at HQ. The plane should land around 5 a.m. Once we're there, I'll explain everything—Martial Arts 101. Deal?"
"...Fine."
He got up—and soon returned with Toshi Ishii in tow.
Jody raised an eyebrow. "...And this is?"
"Teaching assistant."
Toshi: "Your mom's assistant."
Whap
Toshi: "Ow."
Syd sat down and grabbed Jody's iPad, starting to write something out.
"So here's how it works. Martial arts—"
"What are you guys doing?"
"..."
A new voice chimed in—Sera, peeking over the seat like a nosy cat.
"The hell do you want?"
Syd scowled.
"You didn't answer me, dumbass. I'm bored outta my skull! Gimme something to do!"
"Don't call me that. Just hearing it makes me nauseous."
"Why not? We're both trust fund brats anyway!"
"My mom bought that jacket. Don't lump me in with you, you damn gremlin."
"Gremlin?! Clenches fists"
"We are not the same. Look—see this?"
Syd held his hand level with his head.
"This is me."
Then dropped it down to ankle level.
"And this is you."
"No! We're the same! And you know it! You're just in denial! Hah!"
Sera sneered, eyebrows twitching with rage.
"NOOOOOOO!!!"
They squared off, ready to brawl—until Toshi stepped in.
"Sigh Great. Rich kids fighting again. Classic."
He immediately got grabbed by the neck.
"Gag"
"'Rich kids'? Is that what you said? You think I'm the same as HER?!"
"LOL."
Toshi laughed, proud of his chaos.
"So what are you guys doing?"
Sera crossed her arms, demanding an answer.
"Teaching Jody martial arts. Got a problem?"
"...Hey."
"...What?"
"...Let me join."
Syd and Toshi blinked.
"...You could've just said so, y'know."
"Heh. I'm only asking because I've got nothing to do! I've scrolled through Instagram till my fingers melted!"
"Aww~ Sera wants to learn martial arts too~"
"NO—I mean... n-no I don't!"
Jody: "Smooth."
"Okay, but you gotta get on your knees, spin around three times, and bark like a dog. Then maybe we'll consider it."
"NO WAY! I'd rather DIE than bow to someone like you, asshole!"
She flipped him off.
He flipped her off with both hands.
They glared at each other, unaware that the walls between them were slowly crumbling. Their egos clashed—but maybe, just maybe, a new friendship was beginning to form.
One forged through insults and flying fists.