Cote: Elite in Action

—Where are we heading, Takeshi-san? —asked a childish voice from the back seat of the car that Takeshi was driving.

—To a park.

—What are we going to do at the park?

Takeshi glanced at Kayden through the rearview mirror, a calm smile appearing on his lips.

—You probably already know the reason, right? You have a great brain, after all.

Kayden looked out the window, his eyes watching the passing scenery with a calmness uncharacteristic of someone only eight years old.

—I suppose it's to learn more about social relationships, isn't it? —he replied, without much interest.

—Correct —Takeshi nodded—. This is the only field where you might say you're a little lacking.

—Hmm... I assume I don't have a specific goal to accomplish, right?

—No, just try to talk to as many people as you can, observe them, and try to understand them.

—Alright —he murmured in a bored tone.

Moments later, the car stopped in front of the park, which wasn't too far from Kayden's residence. The boy got out of the car slowly, looking at the place with contained curiosity. It was his first time visiting a park.

—I'll pick you up in three hours at this same spot —Takeshi announced.

—Understood.

Without saying anything else, Takeshi started the car and drove away. For the first time, Kayden was completely alone. Although he didn't usually leave his house much, whenever he did, he was always accompanied by his father, Takeshi, or, in better times, his mother. Now he faced the challenge of socializing, something he had never considered necessary.

He observed the park with his characteristic calm expression. The noise of children running, the laughter echoing in the air, and the conversations of parents sitting on benches were sounds he had only heard through the walls of his home. A slight sigh escaped his lips as he wondered what exactly he was supposed to learn from all of this.

He took a few steps forward, still unsure of where to start. There was a latent unease in his chest, a mixture of curiosity and disinterest, but the truth was that the feeling of being out of his element was almost uncomfortable.

It was time to face his biggest challenge: the social world.

...

—Hello, good afternoon —greeted Kayden calmly, approaching an elderly man of about seventy who was sitting on a bench, throwing bread crumbs to a group of pigeons that were fighting over each piece.

The man looked up, observing the boy with a kind smile.

—Hello, kid. I see you've got good manners —replied the old man, noticing Kayden's polite posture.

—It's basic education —Kayden responded naturally.

The man let out a small laugh, amused by the seriousness in the boy's voice.

—Seems like you have well-educated parents —he commented, throwing another portion of bread to the birds gathered at his feet.

Kayden pondered for a moment before replying, without taking his eyes off the pigeons.

—I suppose so. By the way, why do you feed the pigeons? —he asked with genuine curiosity, tilting his head slightly.

The old man let out a calm sigh, watching the animals peck at the ground without any worries.