Guilt, because … he was in mourning. His mother had just died. How could he have such thoughts, fleeting though it may be?

Joseph sat down on the sofa, his face not betraying the inner turmoil of his mind.

He shook his head inwardly, putting it down to him being in a vulnerable state. He's never really been close to girls before, and he had been unprepared.

That was all.

With that thought, his confusion cleared up. He patiently explained the rules of the game to Kay and what was the objective.

"We'll do a trial run," Joseph said, "Don't care too much about what the others will say. Just follow my lead."

"Okay," Kay said, concentrating on the screen in front of her.

After assembling a team, they started the game.

As they played, Joseph explained what they were doing and also told her where to go.

"Stay behind me," Joseph said, as he maneuvered his character behind some boxes, "There's an enemy sniper. Be sure to .."

He stopped, upon seeing Kay suddenly shooting the sniper from a certain angle. Without missing a beat, she shot another enemy that had been sneaking up on them.

Surprised, he looked up at her and asked, "Are you sure this is your first time playing?"

"Yeah, this is fun!" Kay happily replied, caught up in the moment. She's always been the one in the background, as she wasn't suited for field work. However, it didn't mean that she couldn't handle weapons since her weapon of choice was the hidden projectile in her sleeve.

Thus, she had good aim and a keen eye, coupled with expert wrist and hand movements. This just so happened to be the sort of skills needed in the game. Kay learned quickly and adapted well, thus she could play very well even though it was her first time.

It was also extremely exhilarating as she could utilise her skill without getting hurt.

Joseph was spellbound for a moment.

He's played the game with his girl classmates before, but none of them had the same sort of joyful enthusiasm that Kay showed. The way she was so captivated by the game added to the charm even more.

It didn't help that she had the most beautiful smile that he had ever seen.

He closed his eyes for a second, then turned his attention back to the game.

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"Oh, come on!! He was RIGHT THERE, you stupid excuse of a human! You call yourself a sniper?!" Joseph roared, stopping himself from using the f-word in front of Kay.

Kay snorted, making her character dash forward, "If only I could ram you over with the jeep. Too bad you're my teammate."

"NO! That's MY BOMB! Fork it!"

"You dare steal from us?!" Kay hissed, "Take that!!"

"And that!!" Joseph added.

"ARGH! NO! I can't believe he did that!" Joseph roared, smacking his forehead, "You basket!"

"What the-" Kay stared at the screen, "What sort of doofus goes out in the open like that?! Who does he think he is? Superman?!"

Kyle and Sayuri, who had just walked in at that moment, were staring at the two screaming at the phone and cursing. Sure, there were no vulgar words, but it was cursing nonetheless.

Kyle knew Joseph would never use any actual profanities in front of Kay, due to Stephan's upbringing. It was too rude, he said. One always had to be a gentleman.

Still, the scene in front of him did not depict a gentleman or a lady at all, but that was a small matter now, wasn't it? And just because he said fork, instead of fuck and basket instead of bastard … one still knew what he meant, right?

Kyle shook his head.

The things one does to go around the 'no swearing' rule.

Suddenly, the sweet voice of Kay actually uttered the "f" word, "You motherfucking idiot!"

Joseph was so shocked that he stared at her, his own mild curses dying in his throat. Kay, upon realising what she had actually said, blushed. Then, with a start, she saw that Kyle and Sayuri had arrived and were walking into the living room.

"You did not hear that," Kay said with a straight face, trying to look as innocent as possible as she put down the phone.

Kyle didn't answer, but just gave her 'the look' while Kay returned it with a bright smile.

[He was having fun, right?] Kay said, while she continued to grin.

Kyle rolled his eyes.

"I'll get Lianne," Sayuri said, holding back her laughter as she looked at the siblings staring at each other - obviously having some sort of mental talk.

From the looks of it, Kyle didn't look quite happy while Kay was trying to look like she hadn't done anything wrong.

Joseph watched the two siblings, thinking that they were truly an inspiring pair. Just barely an adult, and already so accomplished - from what he gathered from the internet searches.

Yet, here he was, just 13 years old and have not done much in his life as yet. Kyle at 13? Joseph shuddered when he saw the old Insta of Kyle's.

As for Kay? Other than her impressive academic achievements, there hadn't been much about Kay's life while they were in their teens, but once she graduated, more news popped up.

The latest socialite, that was not just beautiful on the outside but also intelligent as she helps her brother at Smith Industries. Such a woman meant her teen life must have been just as colourful, but that she was only low key.

It was as if she let Kyle shine and she just stood behind him, in the shadows.

Joseph could see that she was a bright star of her own, and far more impressive since she was a woman fighting against the world.

The Smith Twins were an inspiration. At that point, he thought, 'I have to work much harder.'