As Eleo strolled down the long bridge, he whistled a completely out-of-tune melody, occasionally stopping to peek over the edge. The water below was crystal clear, reflecting the sky like a giant mirror.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAvK2Ic6NTFy
"Wow! This water’s so clean I could drink it!" Eleo said, leaning over. He paused. "Wait… would I drown if I tried?"
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He scratched his head, deeply pondering this important scientific question when—
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"HALT!"
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Eleo flinched as two guards stepped forward, blocking the entrance to the city. They wore polished uniforms, crisp and intimidating—exactly like the ones from that fancy boat that got wrecked earlier. Their dark blue coats had an eagle emblem stitched onto the back, its wings spread wide, giving off an air of authority. Above them, two watchtowers loomed, and Eleo could feel the sharp gaze of more guards peering down at him.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAmXwggtEq2O
"Yo! Can I go into Lola Island?" Eleo asked, waving casually.
164Please respect copyright.PENANACAn2GL8Dor
The first guard furrowed his brows. "The city is called Umapin. Lola Island is the name of the island itself."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAUspdhJMWY2
"Ohhh," Eleo nodded sagely. "Wait, but the map only said Lola Island—"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAEv9wyAP9eU
"Yeah, we know," the second guard sighed. "Tourists keep getting confused, but nobody listens when we try to fix it."
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"That’s dumb," Eleo said bluntly.
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"Right?! That’s what I said!" the second guard blurted before the first guard elbowed him.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA9QQJyc9prp
"AHEM. Anyway, state your business," the first guard said, crossing his arms.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA0vUDGYdQnz
Eleo grinned. "I’m here to eat food, punch people, and become the strongest!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANASzp7JQZEIN
The second guard blinked. "So… just chaos, then?"
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"Not just chaos," Eleo corrected. "There’s also food."
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The guards exchanged glances. The first one sighed, already exhausted. "Do you have a passport?"
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Eleo froze. "…A what now?"
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The guards stared at him.
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"You don’t have a passport?" the second guard asked.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAl4khxlJkK5
"I don’t even know what that is," Eleo admitted, scratching his head. "Is it a fruit?"
164Please respect copyright.PENANADPEd2pdoaO
The first guard facepalmed. "No, it’s—ugh, listen, you can’t just walk in. Umapin is a high-security city! Only authorized people can enter!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAoBpbnZdgvT
"But I walked all this way!" Eleo groaned dramatically. "You mean I gotta turn around? That’s so far! My legs are already sore!"
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"You were literally skipping a second ago," the second guard pointed out.
164Please respect copyright.PENANALHxLbDs4Hg
Eleo gasped. "YOU WERE WATCHING ME?!"
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"Y-you’re literally right in front of us—"
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"Spying on a poor traveler like that, huh?" Eleo shook his head, wiping an imaginary tear. "Shameful. Truly, the corruption of the law is a tragic thing."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAc7bKAzFEZo
The first guard’s eye twitched. "Alright, I’m done with this conversation. You’re not getting in."
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"But what if I fight my way in?" Eleo grinned.
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"You’d get arrested instantly," the guard deadpanned.
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"…What if I sneak in?"
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"You just said that out loud in front of two guards."
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"Damn, true," Eleo muttered.
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The second guard sighed. "Look, if you really need to enter, you’ll have to get permission from the Umapin Embassy."
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"Ohhh, gotcha! Where’s that?" Eleo asked.
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The first guard pointed. "On the other side of the island."
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Eleo’s jaw dropped. "BRO. THAT’S EVEN FARTHER THAN TURNING AROUND!"
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"Not my problem."
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Eleo groaned, dramatically collapsing onto the ground. "This is so much work just to get some food."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAanefryvh35
The second guard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just… just go. I’m already tired of dealing with you."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAm5CqsWS4wh
"Wait, for real?" Eleo perked up.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAXU3X4sVush
"YES, JUST GO BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAp7o4ys6G5N
"AWESOME!" Eleo fist-pumped and ran past them.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAZt3HH0rOnN
The first guard turned to the second, frowning. "Are we gonna get fired for that?"
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The second guard sighed. "At this point? I don’t even care."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAu6mc8UEDip
As Eleo ran into the city, he grinned. "Alright! Time to find food!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAS2KGRgXG4n
He immediately crashed into a fruit stand, toppling it over.
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"MY CABBAGES!" the vendor screamed.
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Eleo dusted himself off, rubbing the back of his head as the furious vendor picked up his scattered cabbages.
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"Ah, my bad, old man!" Eleo said, waving apologetically. "Didn’t see your stand there!"
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The vendor scowled, clutching a bruised cabbage. "How do you not see a whole cart, boy?!"
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"Uhhh… I was too excited about food?" Eleo grinned sheepishly.
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The vendor sighed, shaking his head. "Just go before you destroy something else."
164Please respect copyright.PENANApGnyOIcnDp
Eleo gave him a thumbs-up. "Will do!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAkyJRzyj18Z
As he walked further into the city, his eyes widened in awe. Umapin was huge. The towering white buildings were adorned with intricate carvings, giving them a grand yet ancient feel. Large banners with the same eagle emblem as the guards’ uniforms hung from balconies and windows, swaying in the breeze.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAAjxylLZOkL
The streets were bustling with life—merchants shouting about fresh produce, blacksmiths hammering away at glowing metal, and groups of musicians playing lively tunes on street corners. The delicious scent of roasted meat, fresh bread, and exotic spices filled the air, making Eleo’s stomach growl loudly.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA0dmQSPk4hs
"OOOH!" Eleo gasped, spinning in circles as he took everything in. "This place is fancy as hell! Look at all this stuff!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAkibijHeGWA
A luxurious horse-drawn carriage rolled past him, its wheels gleaming like polished gold. Inside, a noblewoman in an extravagant dress glanced at Eleo through her fan, then quickly turned away in disgust.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAOmpB5snH9g
Eleo scratched his head. "…I think she just called me poor with her eyes."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAPvfkpsu3Tp
Nearby, a massive fountain stood in the middle of a plaza, its water sparkling under the sunlight. People gathered around it, tossing coins in and making wishes. Kids ran through the streets, laughing as they weaved between stalls and dodged annoyed merchants.
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Eleo grinned. "Alright! First things first—FOOD!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAnBMgzq68mY
His eyes darted from stall to stall, overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options. One stand had skewers of grilled meat dripping with savory juices, another had golden, flaky pastries filled with cream, and further down, a shop boasted massive bowls of steaming noodles.
164Please respect copyright.PENANASoNXc7llkl
Eleo practically drooled. "I want ALL OF IT."
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Then, he froze.
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Wait.
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His pockets felt suspiciously light.
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He patted himself down, panic creeping onto his face. "No way… NO WAY… I’M BROKE?!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAwHVkPQ7EI9
A long, dramatic silence followed.
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Then, Eleo dramatically collapsed onto the ground. "THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAApbNND3bRG
People around him stared. A mother quickly pulled her child away.
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Eleo sat up, deep in thought. "Okay, think, Eleo. No money means no food. No food means no strength. No strength means no becoming the strongest!"
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He clenched his fists. "Alright! I gotta find a job!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAHH8f6Ih7uo
A man standing by a nearby food stall overheard and smirked. "Hey, kid! You want a job?"
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Eleo perked up. "YES! DO I GET FREE FOOD?"
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The man laughed. "You get a meal after work."
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Eleo grinned. "Deal! What’s the job?"
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The man clapped him on the back. "Congrats, kid. You’re now a waiter at The Golden Spoon!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAkfOtYucEGf
Eleo blinked. "Wait… I gotta serve people?"
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"Yep! Now put on this apron and get to work!"
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Eleo said, “Well, okay!” as he tied the apron around his waist, completely oblivious to what his actual job was supposed to be.
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He stepped into The Golden Spoon, and instantly, the chaotic energy of the place hit him like a flying frying pan. The restaurant was PACKED. People were eating, laughing, singing, and even dancing on the tables. Some guy was juggling plates, a group in the corner was arm-wrestling while eating soup, and at least two fights had broken out over who got the last piece of bread.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAW6M7RYHzaj
Eleo tried squeezing through the crowd. "Excuse me—pardon me—whoa, nice flip—oof, sorry about your drink—hey, was that a knife?!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAB6by4A2B8F
Finally, he pushed through the madness and into the kitchen. Unlike the dining area, the kitchen was a finely tuned warzone of chefs chopping, stirring, and shouting. Pots clanked, flames roared, and the air smelled amazing.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA58ETG4WLUb
In the middle of it all was a bald, thick-mustached man who was yelling orders at lightning speed. “WHERE’S MY SOUP?! WHERE’S MY MEAT?! WHERE’S MY—”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAoiIuOwly6f
Eleo, not paying attention, spotted a huge pile of fresh, bright-orange carrots. His stomach grumbled.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAi1Vz71ALZh
“Man, I’m hungry.” Without hesitation, he grabbed a carrot and chomped down. It was crunchy and delicious. So he took another bite. Then another. And another. Until—
164Please respect copyright.PENANA1lT3dOs5Vk
“WE NEED CARROTS FOR THE STEW!” a waiter burst into the kitchen.
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Several chefs rushed to the carrot pile, only to freeze in horror.
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Half the carrots were GONE. And the other half? Bitten. Chewed. Abused.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAKSb03pQSEt
They slowly turned to see Eleo, mouth stuffed like a hamster, chewing innocently.
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He blinked. “Hello.”
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The entire kitchen exploded.
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“YOU IDIOT!”
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“WHY WOULD YOU EAT THE INGREDIENTS?!”
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“SPIT THEM OUT! SPIT THEM OUT NOW!”
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Eleo, still chewing, mumbled, “I don’t fink you want ‘em back now.”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAmZ50h4NTLJ
Then, the bald man—JJ, the legendary head chef—stormed over, veins popping on his forehead. "WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANASEjF4pNLme
A terrified chef pointed. “Sir JJ, this moron ate the CARROTS!”
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JJ’s mustache twitched. He stomped over to Eleo, grabbed him by the apron, and lifted him off the ground like a sack of potatoes.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAQjvEdNJ1IU
Eleo dangled in the air, still munching. “I was hungry.”
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JJ’s eyes nearly burst out of his skull. "IS THAT SO?!"
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Eleo nodded. “Yup.” Then, realizing something, he beamed. “Ohhh, are you gonna cook me something?!”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAkV2eHFWE9n
The entire kitchen fell silent.
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JJ’s mustache quivered. His hands shook.
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Then he threw Eleo through the kitchen doors.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAQtEakDHiOA
Eleo crashed directly into a waiter carrying a tray of food, sending soup, steak, and an entire roasted chicken flying into the air—
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—Which Eleo instinctively caught in his mouth like a wild animal.
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The restaurant gasped.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA8ygCoQ9d4R
Eleo, still chewing, gave a thumbs up. “Mmm. That’s good food.”
164Please respect copyright.PENANALnYAfYKmwi
JJ’s voice BOOMED.
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"GET THIS IDIOT OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAVdK2X2qPyU
Eleo, still rubbing his head from being thrown, quickly jumped up. “Wait, wait, wait! Just give me another chance! I can, uh… I can cook! Yeah, I was the BEST cook in Coco Island!”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAcUtFfgkYFp
Inside Eleo’s mind: Hahaha! No, I wasn’t!
164Please respect copyright.PENANAY1YAiT96ic
JJ narrowed his eyes. “…Fine. But if you mess up again, I’m launching you straight into the ocean.”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAm8T5X6RAEP
Eleo beamed. “Ohhh, I always wanted to be launched into the oce—”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAyEXkGn9Xai
“SHUT UP AND GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAfnCW8lwP33
Eleo cheered and sprinted back inside, ready to prove himself.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA5iAWf3Vn0G
JJ sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, listen carefully. Do exactly as I say. You are going to make a simple stew. Got it?”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAQ1JlQ4vywu
Eleo saluted. “AYE AYE, CHEF MAN!”
164Please respect copyright.PENANA4nJRK7HukY
The kitchen roared back into action, with chefs moving like a well-oiled machine. Eleo stood in front of a large boiling pot, stroking his chin.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAx073HOq8Ui
“Hmmmm… what should I add?”
164Please respect copyright.PENANArpEGm6UICa
He glanced down and—
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GASP!
164Please respect copyright.PENANACQsLsBYNG8
A dead rat lay on the floor.
164Please respect copyright.PENANApxnGgqLlxi
Eleo’s eyes SPARKLED.
164Please respect copyright.PENANARilIKHBAKr
"Perfect!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAFYinSgXGAz
He scooped up the rat and shoved it into the pot. Then, without measuring anything, he started hurling ingredients in.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAgxvzNDbnVJ
"Let’s see… needs salt!" He poured half a barrel of salt.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAH26p5jsNGX
"Vinegar!" He dumped in the whole bottle.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAmHw8SCcbm6
"Water!" He poured dirty dishwater in by accident.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAnSPfX1B9c7
"Pepper!" He emptied the entire container.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAF3WVFcr1CE
"SPICES!" He grabbed random jars and flung them into the pot—glass and all.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAi4QHX7zrwm
After a few seconds, the pot looked like a bubbling, black cauldron of doom.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAuqad2NBB7B
Eleo nodded proudly. “Alright, this pot is READY!”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAx4CULxDcMf
A chef passed by, took one look, and immediately FAINTED.
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JJ turned around. "Alright, let’s see how you—" He froze. His face turned pale.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAexp2dcBGXG
"…WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY SPATULA IS THAT?!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAprkVXkWX7W
Eleo grinned. “Stew! Try it!” He grabbed a spoon and forced it into JJ’s mouth before he could react.
164Please respect copyright.PENANANH7IGryHfS
JJ chewed. He paused. His whole body trembled. His mustache curled up like burnt paper. His soul LEFT his body.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAelTVjxwdus
Then—
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JJ exploded into a FURIOUS RAMPAGE.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA8FNpDhqZzf
"THAT WASN’T FOOD—THAT WAS POISON!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAfBIJHStR0z
"Well, I am a creative chef," Eleo said, proud.
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"YOU PUT A RAT IN IT!"
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"Yeah, for flavor!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANA5eTIpQq3TY
JJ ripped off his chef’s hat and threw it on the ground. "OKAY, NO MORE COOKING! YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING EASY!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANA6OpG3eUB0h
JJ handed Eleo a knife. "Just cut these tomatoes. That’s it."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAgcNanoUF7g
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAMOousJ18zw
He grabbed a tomato—
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And sliced the cutting board in half.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAZKZybBkl4L
JJ’s eye twitched. “…Okay. Maybe that was too hard.”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAycg69stlaz
"Just clean these plates," JJ said. "Don’t break them."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAD09YpPdHHi
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAUCg8YSWoIi
One second later—
164Please respect copyright.PENANADpSml0ueto
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
164Please respect copyright.PENANAAX39ZNpogQ
JJ turned to see Eleo spinning plates like a circus act, except they were all shattering.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA0T02x9J2o7
JJ fell to his knees. “I’M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND…”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAbQx2tKaPZj
JJ handed Eleo a notepad. “Just write down what the customers want. That’s ALL you have to do.”
164Please respect copyright.PENANA2wRQLozohY
Eleo confidently walked up to a table.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA7Ead1PNdYf
The customer said, “I’d like a steak, medium rare, with—”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAHEkReIAvcG
Eleo nodded and walked away before they finished.
164Please respect copyright.PENANACRdOrZnbSf
He proudly handed JJ the notepad.
164Please respect copyright.PENANApCcFJwTYQw
JJ read it.
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It said:
164Please respect copyright.PENANAYvwCy17yBa
"Guy wants food."
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JJ SNAPPED.
164Please respect copyright.PENANACWXwKbKDyo
"THAT’S IT! I’M DONE!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANA70raSeA2Yv
JJ grabbed Eleo by the collar and dragged him to the back alley.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAxBUcnJV7z6
"Since you’re USELESS, you can at least take out the garbage."
164Please respect copyright.PENANAThvlFl8Mnl
Eleo crossed his arms. “Pfft, fine. I can handle that.”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAULBMyOZqh1
He picked up a garbage bag—
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And threw it through a restaurant window.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAHvjA16CRzL
JJ screa
164Please respect copyright.PENANAcZJ0iONaSH
med.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA53aiFAb76j
"THAT’S IT! YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANAdSoxPT8g71
He grabbed Eleo back inside, opened the back door—
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And KICKED HIM so hard he flew into a pile of trash.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAvTjk7Yoh5G
The entire kitchen staff poked their heads out.
164Please respect copyright.PENANA7m0hewZXZ6
JJ took a deep breath and bellowed:
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"NEVER COME BACK!!!"
164Please respect copyright.PENANALOMbdwsDFT
Eleo groaned, sitting up in the trash pile.
164Please respect copyright.PENANAmPAy3Lz4Vq
“…Man. That was the best job I ever had.”
164Please respect copyright.PENANAjE9dr56E1f