Your palms are rough

There was nothing in the world that Ike didn't find boring. He would immediately get used to anything he had to learn. It had been his constant issue growing up until the appearance of the Colosseum. Initially, when he took part in this survival tournament, he didn't have high hopes. But the uncertainty and hardships, the thrill, the grind, and the growing will to win every battle slowly made him feel alive.

However, it was only fun for a little while.

Now here he was, listening to an old woman and her granddaughter chat happily about something trivial. Their conversation wasn't even worth wasting a breath, let alone time.

"You should eat well." Ike blinked ever so slowly, gazing down at the slice of apple Bonnie placed on his plate next to the grapes he hadn't touched yet. "Even if you do not have the appetite, you should still eat, so you have a strong foundation."

Ike gazed at the young girl, only to see her kind smile. Shifting his attention, her grandmother also flashed him a friendly smile.

"Go eat, child. It's good for your health," encouraged the old woman, but Ike didn't speak.

Instead, Ike picked up the apple and guided it to his lips, taking a small bite out of courtesy. The granddaughter and grandmother duo smiled in satisfaction before they resumed their talk regarding another menial topic.

As they talked, Ike glanced at Bonnie.

Ever since she approached him one week ago, Bonnie would usually invite him to join her and her grandmother. Since he agreed to her invitation, Ike allowed her to wheel her near Bonnie's chair and spend time with the two while the old lady was on the bed.

'I must say, though.' Ike chewed, savoring the sweet taste of the apple. 'She has a talent for picking fresh and sweet fruits.'

Just like how the first and second time he idled with them, Ike didn't say a word. The ladies were considerate enough to talk to him every once in a while, just to not make him feel left out. Not that he had anything to contribute to the conversation, anyway.

When the old lady fell asleep because of her medicines, Bonnie offered to wheel Ike back to his bed.

"Thank you for spending time with us." Bonnie stood beside the wheelchair and held his arm gently. "I hope you had a fun time just like us today."

Bonnie assisted him back to the bed, huffing quietly when he sat down on the edge. As usual, Ike didn't reply and just glanced at her. At this point, she already realized he wasn't much of a talker, and considering he was also a patient, she didn't try so hard.

"Should I help —" she stopped mid-sentence as he raised his feet, dragging his bottom to sit on his usual spot. Bonnie watched him lean his back against the headboard with his eyes immediately set on the window.

"Uhm…" Bonnie forced a smile. "I might not come here as often as I do, but I'll still visit you when I got the time, okay?"

Again, Bonnie waited for his reaction, but nothing. She only heard him speak once, and that was it. After that, even if she talked to him, he never responded.

'I heard he had amnesia,' she whispered inwardly. 'It's not that he is mute, but maybe he really had psychological damage from that accident. So, it's safe to say his silence doesn't mean he was purposely ignoring me.'

Bonnie mentally nodded and the slight frustration of constantly being ignored disappeared without a trace.

"Anyway, I really hope you recover quickly." Bonnie stared at his side profile for a moment before lowering her head slightly. As she walked away, his eyes slid to the corner.

Pity.

It was not hard to guess why Bonnie was being so kind and understanding to him. She pitied him. Even though he didn't need it, Bonnie was the type who have a big heart. Hence, she could spare pieces of her heart for others.

'What a kind girl,' he thought, facing Bonnie's back squarely.

"Bonnie, is it?" he asked, but this time, his voice didn't sound raspy like the first but more pleasant in the ear.

Bonnie looked back. Her brows raised, blinking.

"Hmm?" she hummed, only for him to respond by blinking once. "Ah, yes! Bonnie is my name."

The corner of her lips stretched from ear to ear.

"Your name is Ike, right?" she pointed at the end of the bed. "It says there your name is Ike."

'Hmm…' It felt a little strange that a girl like her could speak his name so easily, without fear. But then again, the body of this young boy had the same name as him.

Ike.

A name that was once renowned in the world. No man would easily speak his name without fear or admiration.

"Mhm." He nodded and blinked slowly.

Bonnie kept her grin as she walked back to the side of his bed. "It's really nice to meet you, Ike." She offered her hand to him, making him glance down at her hand.

What was he supposed to do with that?

"Handshake." As if she had read his mind, Bonnie clarified. "A handshake is commonly done upon meeting, greeting, parting, congratulating someone, or expressing gratitude, or so on. But since this is the first time we properly introduced ourselves, so I'm offering a handshake."

'Ahh…' Ike rocked his head in understanding, reaching for her hand to do a handshake. But just as his palm made contact with her palm, his brows rose.

"Rough," he whispered, making her brows elevate.

"Ah, yes?"

He squeezed her hand slightly. Her palm was rough and against his soft palms that didn't have the slightest sign of training, he could feel the calluses on hers. He raised his eyes up at her as a tinge of curiosity swirled in his eyes.

"Your palms are rough," he clarified, watching the emotion in her golden eyes transition from puzzlement to surprise and then bore this strong sense of pride.

"Is that so?" Bonnie smiled enthusiastically. "Well, it's inevitable for someone like me to keep a soft hand, but I like it. I like training and what these hands and body can do for this country; I'm an athlete, by the way."

"Training?"

"Yes." She nodded. "That's why I can't visit because I'll have to join the training camp to prepare for the national tournament."

For the first time since approaching him, Bonnie saw interest in his eyes. Since this was her passion, Bonnie happily sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Should I tell you about it?" she asked excitedly, and then grinned wider when he nodded enthusiastically.