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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjVcfOLfzn3
"Wow! This water’s so clean I could drink it!" Eleo said, leaning over. He paused. "Wait… would I drown if I tried?"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAQDCH1LhVpE
He scratched his head, deeply pondering this important scientific question when—
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"HALT!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAhCWjGwfiFT
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAwCemIWJaFd
"Yo! Can I go into Lola Island?" Eleo asked, waving casually.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAkUxqTu4D7Q
The first guard furrowed his brows. "The city is called Umapin. Lola Island is the name of the island itself."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAfyE1tDPTwq
"Ohhh," Eleo nodded sagely. "Wait, but the map only said Lola Island—"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAtQ7W7bR7nN
"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.
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"AHEM. Anyway, state your business," the first guard said, crossing his arms.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA6LdDnoyerj
Eleo grinned. "I’m here to eat food, punch people, and become the strongest!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAMAwJfNPzbx
The second guard blinked. "So… just chaos, then?"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAxTii3pCDpU
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAqX0saRCiYT
"You don’t have a passport?" the second guard asked.
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"I don’t even know what that is," Eleo admitted, scratching his head. "Is it a fruit?"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAne5GvokdxE
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!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANA1rZEE3mDYv
"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.
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Eleo gasped. "YOU WERE WATCHING ME?!"
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"Y-you’re literally right in front of us—"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAkzF3poKFvq
"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."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAq6iaEZTg06
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."
171Please respect copyright.PENANApqPepRq0ld
"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."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAn02IfcejFa
The second guard sighed, rubbing his temples. "Just… just go. I’m already tired of dealing with you."
171Please respect copyright.PENANARWzPNM7U2Z
"Wait, for real?" Eleo perked up.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAdM35smeOW9
"YES, JUST GO BEFORE I CHANGE MY MIND!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAG3sAa3TQm8
"AWESOME!" Eleo fist-pumped and ran past them.
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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."
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As Eleo ran into the city, he grinned. "Alright! Time to find food!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANA26rKLgdzVB
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."
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Eleo gave him a thumbs-up. "Will do!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAh52QzOkr0V
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAknGZS9Qaxj
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAhnxzYmdAM6
"OOOH!" Eleo gasped, spinning in circles as he took everything in. "This place is fancy as hell! Look at all this stuff!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAlSLckzgw06
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAK7g8NiAsVB
Eleo scratched his head. "…I think she just called me poor with her eyes."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAQT8UINkF9m
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAnkk5WZf0H2
Eleo grinned. "Alright! First things first—FOOD!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANA5GpKZmKIAm
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAOrgoPL54Za
Eleo practically drooled. "I want ALL OF IT."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAL5yBSfgnDP
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?!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAGCI4NTo5u4
A long, dramatic silence followed.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAZdAFBr08Jm
Then, Eleo dramatically collapsed onto the ground. "THIS IS THE WORST DAY OF MY LIFE!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANACo9xP0Ze8I
People around him stared. A mother quickly pulled her child away.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAKtycQoy149
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!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANASICRfEkBVu
He clenched his fists. "Alright! I gotta find a job!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAInQGmcUvlu
A man standing by a nearby food stall overheard and smirked. "Hey, kid! You want a job?"
171Please respect copyright.PENANA8mhSStqL0s
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!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANA6NB4IQI6rz
Eleo blinked. "Wait… I gotta serve people?"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAKRkzIrPrmS
"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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAYrZ51TKreW
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA6PmGdXMuaC
Eleo tried squeezing through the crowd. "Excuse me—pardon me—whoa, nice flip—oof, sorry about your drink—hey, was that a knife?!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANACJbHrKmveX
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAHUd9fg4jMB
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—”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAlbshCWqIFe
Eleo, not paying attention, spotted a huge pile of fresh, bright-orange carrots. His stomach grumbled.
171Please respect copyright.PENANARDvv9Y9J7a
“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—
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“WE NEED CARROTS FOR THE STEW!” a waiter burst into the kitchen.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAMG1dR4Xfms
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.
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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!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANA4a86hkPNpB
Eleo, still chewing, mumbled, “I don’t fink you want ‘em back now.”
171Please respect copyright.PENANACkVEdmOJpa
Then, the bald man—JJ, the legendary head chef—stormed over, veins popping on his forehead. "WHAT’S GOING ON HERE?!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAZLdruzsC0a
A terrified chef pointed. “Sir JJ, this moron ate the CARROTS!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAc8nq43CzrR
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAw6vmtUC5RO
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?!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAR8WrZbXzKv
The entire kitchen fell silent.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAwgkhdCBbLu
JJ’s mustache quivered. His hands shook.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA6SOdKaRT5r
Then he threw Eleo through the kitchen doors.
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Eleo crashed directly into a waiter carrying a tray of food, sending soup, steak, and an entire roasted chicken flying into the air—
171Please respect copyright.PENANA3qbhOmTT5Z
—Which Eleo instinctively caught in his mouth like a wild animal.
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The restaurant gasped.
171Please respect copyright.PENANA2eDCE3wTo2
Eleo, still chewing, gave a thumbs up. “Mmm. That’s good food.”
171Please respect copyright.PENANApCCaAa4gTe
JJ’s voice BOOMED.
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"GET THIS IDIOT OUT OF MY KITCHEN!!!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAHanKIczWiQ
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!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAXa3k3kBQQY
Inside Eleo’s mind: Hahaha! No, I wasn’t!
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcDTJQWfX7W
JJ narrowed his eyes. “…Fine. But if you mess up again, I’m launching you straight into the ocean.”
171Please respect copyright.PENANA3nxlH5BJsX
Eleo beamed. “Ohhh, I always wanted to be launched into the oce—”
171Please respect copyright.PENANARGyRSozUyT
“SHUT UP AND GET BACK IN THE KITCHEN!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAhSAfP8gdwA
Eleo cheered and sprinted back inside, ready to prove himself.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAHopmb9MQbm
JJ sighed, rubbing his temples. “Alright, listen carefully. Do exactly as I say. You are going to make a simple stew. Got it?”
171Please respect copyright.PENANA0akiAq23Tr
Eleo saluted. “AYE AYE, CHEF MAN!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANA5vtuEx5kRl
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAa5LN9TzScn
“Hmmmm… what should I add?”
171Please respect copyright.PENANALYG7TdkOLm
He glanced down and—
171Please respect copyright.PENANAc8oUBFJrwt
GASP!
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A dead rat lay on the floor.
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Eleo’s eyes SPARKLED.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAWv1KBPieRH
"Perfect!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAHjBzQQy8Nd
He scooped up the rat and shoved it into the pot. Then, without measuring anything, he started hurling ingredients in.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAfXQrxeKTx5
"Let’s see… needs salt!" He poured half a barrel of salt.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAFzrXIMpxOn
"Vinegar!" He dumped in the whole bottle.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAhHEYX67oSk
"Water!" He poured dirty dishwater in by accident.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAFqDGcf2Pzk
"Pepper!" He emptied the entire container.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAIwGQGbXiyb
"SPICES!" He grabbed random jars and flung them into the pot—glass and all.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAzZEo3fhetW
After a few seconds, the pot looked like a bubbling, black cauldron of doom.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAyGSln7d8o8
Eleo nodded proudly. “Alright, this pot is READY!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANA7vLpLCP4o8
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.
171Please respect copyright.PENANABreaJT1g5l
"…WHAT IN THE NAME OF THE HOLY SPATULA IS THAT?!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAjhB56mJihu
Eleo grinned. “Stew! Try it!” He grabbed a spoon and forced it into JJ’s mouth before he could react.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEuNIWpz8EQ
JJ chewed. He paused. His whole body trembled. His mustache curled up like burnt paper. His soul LEFT his body.
171Please respect copyright.PENANABec9hqOHKH
Then—
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JJ exploded into a FURIOUS RAMPAGE.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAiafX2wr1yS
"THAT WASN’T FOOD—THAT WAS POISON!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAfMo2bOrnas
"Well, I am a creative chef," Eleo said, proud.
171Please respect copyright.PENANANUHWkJBO1k
"YOU PUT A RAT IN IT!"
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"Yeah, for flavor!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAJPVZAO3lwN
JJ ripped off his chef’s hat and threw it on the ground. "OKAY, NO MORE COOKING! YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING EASY!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAucnoISEa7g
JJ handed Eleo a knife. "Just cut these tomatoes. That’s it."
171Please respect copyright.PENANApKl1iFDOTc
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAGL9z7OqVj5
He grabbed a tomato—
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And sliced the cutting board in half.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAlFODKvrUye
JJ’s eye twitched. “…Okay. Maybe that was too hard.”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAuHVN2VGyam
"Just clean these plates," JJ said. "Don’t break them."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAikQp1wMTwA
Eleo nodded. “Got it!”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAiinon7qov4
One second later—
171Please respect copyright.PENANA5TNByEQ3zv
CRASH! CRASH! CRASH!
171Please respect copyright.PENANA8dd5lV8wEV
JJ turned to see Eleo spinning plates like a circus act, except they were all shattering.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAgadYuowq0m
JJ fell to his knees. “I’M GOING TO LOSE MY MIND…”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAcO2ytrP7Yl
JJ handed Eleo a notepad. “Just write down what the customers want. That’s ALL you have to do.”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAMk3OsbJ7pk
Eleo confidently walked up to a table.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAxznAzyGCWA
The customer said, “I’d like a steak, medium rare, with—”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAYzL8peaq4o
Eleo nodded and walked away before they finished.
171Please respect copyright.PENANANy9QbbrKGe
He proudly handed JJ the notepad.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEJLbGUfMKR
JJ read it.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAR8SifOwHu7
It said:
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"Guy wants food."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAnTUI7XsBED
JJ SNAPPED.
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"THAT’S IT! I’M DONE!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANApmJ6qbzG09
JJ grabbed Eleo by the collar and dragged him to the back alley.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAj7zISOkyRn
"Since you’re USELESS, you can at least take out the garbage."
171Please respect copyright.PENANAGFHb3bkuPq
Eleo crossed his arms. “Pfft, fine. I can handle that.”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAxxhv8dzLme
He picked up a garbage bag—
171Please respect copyright.PENANAZSfExXYTDE
And threw it through a restaurant window.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAz8nBzbVraD
JJ screa
171Please respect copyright.PENANAfeeaQpZwhQ
med.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAFLdQbIEYE2
"THAT’S IT! YOU’RE OUTTA HERE!!!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANAKTI7uVtVEn
He grabbed Eleo back inside, opened the back door—
171Please respect copyright.PENANAINxhn3cl21
And KICKED HIM so hard he flew into a pile of trash.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAWbM1I2tHpm
The entire kitchen staff poked their heads out.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEX7B9gMWk4
JJ took a deep breath and bellowed:
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"NEVER COME BACK!!!"
171Please respect copyright.PENANADMAkedyeUn
Eleo groaned, sitting up in the trash pile.
171Please respect copyright.PENANAEOTu1qMblS
“…Man. That was the best job I ever had.”
171Please respect copyright.PENANAzv6ZQebvZZ