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Chapter 3: Monday

The next day came, and everyone groaned in their beds as their alarms woke them up. The first day of their third term exams began.

Keanu boarded the earlier tram at six in the morning for better extra time to prepare before his first exam while Hunter boarded an hour later at seven as his first class was at eight-thirty. This was one example of how they would not see each other due to their tight schedules.

Keanu delivered his English Conversational essay to Prof. Duval in class while he and the rest of the students rehearsed for today's test. He spotted Robin and Joseph in different seats apart while Oliver and Frankie were next to each other and Raiden by himself in the middle of the seats not too far and not too close to his classmates.

Today was the day and he hoped for the best.

…

Apparently, it was the least difficult class for Keanu's classmates and all of them came out victorious. The essay they handed over only covered a small part of their grades and boosted their credit scores in the exam. Once they finished, they could leave the classroom.

“Not bad, isn't it?" Keanu said as he left the classroom with his friends.

“You're telling me?" Raiden said. “It was mundane."

Frankie said after checking on Oliver still in his seat, “I think Oliver is probably struggling with the last question."

Then Robin and Joseph finished their tests and handed over the papers to the Professor. “Done." Both the caracal and raccoon said.

“That was quick," said Frankie suspiciously. “Did you both--?"

“No, we didn't," Robin said. “The exam was not that hard…" he looked back at Oliver still in his seat. “Except for him."

“Should we wait for him? I'm starving," Joseph said as he rubbed his empty stomach.

“He'll catch up. He knows where to find us," Frankie said, and she met eye-to-eye with Oliver with pleading eyes saying, “Don't leave me." Frankie could not do anything but wait for him by the door. “You guys go ahead. Oliver doesn't want to be left alone in class with Prof. Duval."

With no hesitation, they left the building.

The cafeteria was still the same place Keanu remembered since the first semester and now was decorated with Happy Thanksgiving on the walls all over. The group gathered in line after picking up their purchases for lunch before looking for empty tables in the mass crowd.

Conveniently they found a spot close to the glass bay windows, giving them a nice view toward the coastal side of Rexville's campus and the outdoor terrace with outdoor tables with parasols.

Keanu helped himself with a chicken salad while the others bought their deserving meal after their first exam to make themselves feel better. Robin a hamburger with fries, Raiden a chicken sandwich, and Joseph a chicken penne pasta with alfredo sauce.

As the guys chatted and mingled, Keanu picked up his phone and texted his cousin. Jack was still in high school, now in senior, and subtly bulking up and pushing his limits. Keanu hated to admit he was watching his progress whenever he posted a picture of him in front of the mirror. Two years have shown some improvements from the first picture to the present picture. It was all thanks to Hunter for helping him with his advice and tips. Some of his old habits had died away for the better like waking up early in the morning rather than struggling to wake up and lazily waking up on the weekends. And last but not least, a better diet if he planned to bulk up like Hunter and his friends. He did enter in sports and joined playing American football and Keanu recalled he was soon becoming the new quarterback. It was pretty awesome for Jack and his lifestyle. He was really going to places.

Keanu texted about his tablet situation last Sunday and offered it if he wanted one. He sent the text and waited. He was probably busy, and he would soon answer back. He could wait.

“Hey, is there wi-fi in here?" Joseph asked Raiden while holding his phone for internet service.

Raiden said, “Yeah, but there's too much traffic in here and it's kinda slow at this time, just use your phone dat—"

“Because I'm totally feeling a connection~." Joseph grinned at him, ignoring his blush, and bounced his eyebrows. And a wink.

“What?" The snow leopard stared at him with an uncomfortable disgust, cringing and dying a little on the inside, and retorted, “You think that cringed pickup line is gonna work on me?"

“Uh, maybe?" he shrugged. “M-maybe in a few years, we jumped into wedding bells?" Joseph smiled sheepishly.

Raiden's stared at him in disbelief. “Wedding bells? We're not in a movie, Joseph! What were you expecting, cutting to the next scene holding hands and getting married happily ever after because I found you very husband material!?"

“Hey, chill, I… I was just trying to break in if you are interested."

That finally sounded sincere from Joseph as his sharp ears fell on his head. Raiden relaxed but turned at him with a lamented yet annoyed expression. “Joseph, you know I'm taken."

His tufted ears jumped back, and he blurted out, “Huh? Wait? You're already dating someone?" He jumped back a little from his seat.

Keanu's pointy ears perked, hearing Joseph shouting out loud from their conversation with Raiden.

“Dude, calm down," Raiden said a bit annoyed. He honestly did not know well the caracal. “Didn't I tell you before?" After thinking it through, it clicked. “Oh, right… I don't think you've met Shawn."

“Who's Shawn?"

“He's a land dragon, orange scales, tall, black hair, uh… sharp horns."

From disappointment to enthusiasm, Joseph cried, “OH! He's in the basketball club. I'd seen him play! Where did you—uh—how did you meet him?"

The snow leopard stopped eating, holding his fork midway as his mind flashed back before him with weird erotic memories of them doing sinful activities in an empty classroom.

Clothes almost scattered on the floor around a desk chair, his knees on the floor, shirtless and not minding the cold AC as his head bobbed up and down between a dragon's spread legs with lowered pants on his ankles while hands roamed up and down on the muscular build of a moaning and panting Shawn Wilkinson about to—

Raiden shook his head, swallowed his food, put his fork down on the plate, and said calmly and sanely smiled, “We're kind of childhood friends from my sister. We just rekindled and hit it off and we decided to go out… yeah…" he looked away and rubbed the back of his head.

“But how did you both know were gay?"

“Oh…" The flashing erotic images came back of them kissing and smooching on the desk chair because Shawn pulled a dumb prank on him, and made mocking and teasing kisses…

Raiden speechlessly kissed him to shut up… but… he kept kissing him… more and more…

He shook his head again and explained, “Uh… we played Truth-or-Dare. He was being flirty and stupid, and I dared him to kiss him to shut him up." The fur on his white and gray cheeks turned red. “We were stupid, though, but enough to know each other if that makes sense."

“When did that happen?" asked Robin, somewhat curious.

Raiden knew his lies did not match up with his actual timeline. It all started on one fateful day in August but could tell the basics. He said, “We began to date around in November, uh, Shawn was having some personal struggles, but he got through it, and we're doing fine. He has graduated now. He was in his third year when we first rekindled."

Robin took a bite of his hamburger and thought deeply as he slowly chewed. The moment he heard the dragon's name; something was weirdly up. This leopard was dating the orange dragon whom he hooked up with during his frustrations and ordeals to cope with an awful prank from his former crush and now was friends with him eating together at this table for four-and-a-half semesters. Fuck, what a small world, he thought. Fate, what are you up to?

“Ah, cool," said Joseph. “Wouldn't it be nice if I dated someone like him?" said Joseph almost dreamily.

“You're hopeless, aren't you?" said Robin after swallowing his chewed bite. “Don't pretend I didn't recognize that Grindr ping."

Keanu and Raiden stared at the caracal in surprise with raised eyebrows.

“No, I'm not!" He took his drink and looked away annoyed.

“Oh, really?" Robin pulled out his phone and searched for caracals nearby. The infamous gay dating app had a specific feature to narrow down on species and made it very useful for Robin to find Joseph's potentially existing account…

…and to avoid certain undesirable species like how he had formerly shunned leopards in his vicinity. But that was now in the past.

Robin stared at Joseph's soul, the caracal stood high and mighty and unbothered until his sharp, tufty ears perked at a familiar ringtone.

His phone was on the table and the screen woke up for a message.

Joseph Shadings did indeed have a Grindr account.

Keanu was not impressed. “You have an account. Hunter told me that site isn't very ideal for dating, but rather for quick hookups with strangers and never calling back."

“Your BF had a one then?" said Joseph. “So what?"

“You have been longing for a relationship, but not looking for a one-time thing."

“See? Hopelessly romantic," said Robin matter-of-factly.

“Eff you, Robin, you're single, too!" spat Joseph.

It was true that Robin never had a lasting relationship but had experienced flings, and hookups back in high school and currently in college, but so far, he had stopped doing it after his ordeal with Solomon Stone and their drama… or melodrama. To this day, Robin was still thinking about how a nobody like him found himself having sexual encounters in his past. He did not mind but still, it made him think about how this and that led to him where he was right now. It was like offered opportunities were brought up to him by fate and Robin simply and passively took it for granted but he also when he looked back and realized he made brave efforts by simply asking like his first hookup with his next-door neighbor.

Robin snorted. “Whatever, you're never going to find the one in that stupid app." Robin finished his meal and picked up the foam container in the nearest trash can. “Keep dreaming, Joseph, the closest you'll get is a wet dream." The raccoon walked away and left the cafeteria.

Raiden asked either Keanu or Joseph, “What's up with him?"

“He also gone through some issues in the past," Keanu answered. “It's a long story."

A short beat later, Joseph picked up his phone after another Grindr notification. He checked and smiled, “Well, now that I've been exposed and somehow outed…" he showed the phone to them, “What do you think of this guy?"

The arctic wolf and leopard stared puzzledly at the screen to see a maned wolf. Keanu immediately answered, “That's Topher! Sol's boyfriend!"

“What!? You mean he's taken? But why he's using the fucking app then, though."

“They're in an open relationship if I can remember…"

“Aw, man, I'm not into threesomes or that poly-ass shit." Joseph turned off his phone and slumped back on his chair.

“Guess, you'll be single if you keep going at it," said Raiden.

“Is it really that hard to find a boyfriend in this time and age?" He turned to Keanu and asked, “How did you meet Hunter, Keanu?"

“Uh, my first year and first semester, we started as friends, and we bonded very well, uh, well… I won that Halloween contest and asked him out on a date, and the rest is history." It was the best way he could explain the simple fact that in a single semester, they fell in love in a few months. Love and bonds worked in mysterious wonders.

“You asked him out?" his eyes widened. “Dude, some balls you have. What about you, Rai—"

“I already told you, Jo," Raiden coolly said.

“Oh, right, truth-or-dare, kiss-kiss. Hehe."

“Look, Joseph," said Keanu, “ignore what Robin said, I'm sure you'll find someone who'll be interested in you. Sometimes, it doesn't have to be today. Forcing yourself to find a date is so exhaustively deteriorating than following and listening to your heart."

“Ugh, listening to your heart? That's some cheesy-ass armpit fairytale bullshit, Keanu. I don't believe in that shit!" He flailed his arms almost frustratedly. He lowered them down and sighed. “I'm the type that I can pursue and get what I want without waiting for a miracle or the right time. Peh. I like to act on it, but I guess that getting a mate is quite the challenge than buying anything online."

Raiden whispered to Keanu. “I don't think he needs a boyfriend; he needs to get laid big time, and soon." Then Raiden spoke to Joseph directly. “What's up with you for not having a boyfriend?"

“Well, you all have one and my mom and aunts are pestering me for not bringing a boyfriend for Thanksgiving!"

“Oh, those types of parents, I see…" Raiden rolled his eyes, they were the worst. “If your friends jump off a bridge, would you do it?"

“Fuck no, I'll steal your boyfriends!"

“Well, he-he, you got me there…" he paused for a moment. “So, you're saying that you want a boyfriend to show off to your families to stop bothering you?"

“Well, I've spent this whole semester searching around for a date."

Keanu said, “I don't really know anyone who might be gay or bi, Joseph. But I'm sure your future boyfriend could be out there on this campus."

“You know," said Raiden, “I have thought you might consider dating Robin or something since he's also single."

Joseph made a face of rejection and dissatisfaction with the suggestion. “He's kind of a dick, you know?"

Keanu said, “You don't know him well as I do. He might be giving you the cold shoulder, but he's not that bad. You should give him a chance."

“Uh, I'll pass, guys. I'm not into tsunderes." He stood up from his chair and took his empty food tray to the trash can. “I'll see you guys later."

He left the wolf and the leopard on the table by themselves. They still had time to spare for the next lectures and continued with their meals.

Raiden said, “If he keeps this up, he'll become a desperate simp."

Keanu lamentably said, “Yeah, he follows a lot of YouTube gamers and donates them for attention."

The leopard looked uncomfortable. “You're serious? How do you know?"

“I have seen him and talked about his favorite things he does online. I was quick to pick on it when I found his YouTube account and when he said he donated money on… uh, what is his name? Uh, Aleck the Jungleman?"

“Oh! I follow him! He makes every indy-horror game into fun humor with the chat audience adding sound effects."

“Well, beside him, he follows every attractive YouTube gamer. I think he needs someone real to be with and not someone who only gives shoutouts."

“Yeah, you're right, but it's kinda cool when your favorite YouTuber shouts out your username."

“I know, right?" Keanu smiled. “One time, I watched a livestream with few people and made a witty comment about how slow the tension was happening in the game, he laughed out loud and called me out."

“You got lucky, I made a lame joke and got blocked." Raiden rubbed the back of his head. “It sounded better in my head, but then… no one laughed."

Keanu received a notification from his phone. He picked it up and read it, his cousin replied, “I already have a tablet cuz. Remember? I got it from last Christmas."

Keanu texted back and asked, “What about Crystal?"

Jack replied, “She got a new laptop before she went to San Diego University."

“Really? Ok, no problem. I'll ask Cousin Sarah or anybody else later."

Keanu put his phone in his pocket and sighed. Does everyone he knew already have a personal device?

…

Hunter finished his first World History exam that morning and promptly went for a workout before going to lunch. His mind was still about winning a tablet for his little brother once he finished his afternoon classes. He should be paying attention during the sessions, but his pride refused to be swallowed until he got what he wanted. He was fully committed and could not give it a rest.

Once he finished his last class of the afternoon. He did not and somehow subtlety left the classroom on a whim. His first and next stop was to Rexville Mall's movie theaters where the arcade was located. He expected his brother Rylan to be there in the afternoon as his shift started at three to nine PM.

As it was Monday, there were not as many people spending the day at the movie theater, unlike Sunday. This gave Hunter the upper hand in getting his hands on winning his prize in those machines.

The wolf-man brought a little more cash on him than yesterday and hoped for the best. He caught Rylan behind the counter at the food section, serving popcorn and drinks to the moviegoers.

Hunter walked into the arcade section and found the place almost deserted with few people playing. A small group of middle schoolers—who Hunter assumed were from the not-too-far school he once attended—were playing the dancing game. A couple of young adults were playing a four-player shooting game and two grown adults trying to win a plushie from the claw machine.

Enough people watching, Hunter had a mission to complete.

Hunter came back to the three machines yesterday. Rylan advised him not to play Block Stacker, so he focused on Key Master and the classic claw machine with the cool prizes. They looked as if they were un-played after he fiddled with them yesterday. Hunter could not tell which prizes were moved after a dozen attempts after he played. He knew, as far as he could tell, that his main prizes were still there waiting to be claimed.

Hunter pulled off a twenty-dollar bill, inserted it into the token machine, and gave him eighty golden tokens. He hoped that this time he would get a better chance.

…

While Hunter was away from the campus, Keanu was in his architecture class from one to three in the afternoon. These special classes were much longer and more extensive as required for full coverage than the average class session. It was finally dismissed, and the young wolf and his fellow caracal friend left the class together.

To their surprise, Robin was standing outside and waiting for them to come out. There was a small hint of embarrassment, but the young raccoon remained composed as best he could.

“Joseph, do you know we have a two-person essay project for Social Science?" Robin said.

The caracal was completely confused, his ears jumped, and eyes widened. “Huh? Since when?"

Robin was not too proud as he admitted, “I fucking forgot to tell you last Thursday. Prof. Kleinsmith assigned us as partners when you were absent, and I was supposed to tell you that, but I fucking forgot and… don't have your phone number to stay in touch…"

“Oh… oh, man, when is due?"

“This Thursday and—"

“What!? Do we have time? We have fucking exams coming up!"

“Let me finish, you dunce! Prof. Kleinsmith said we could hand over the essay by Friday during his office hours or by email. He's very chill, you know."

Joseph was annoyed. “Don't call me a dunce."

“Sorry, whatever, but I'll fill you in on what to do. I also started working on it last Sunday, so we have a bit of a head start. Now then, give me your number, we have filler to work with."

Joseph was a bit speechless, but he had no choice and gave him his phone number in the chat.

Robin asked Keanu. “Who's your essay partner, Keanu?"

“Uh, I got paired with Frankie. We already settled it, and now we're exchanging our progress. I'm going back home to continue it there. Good luck with your project." Keanu waived at them as he left the two in the corridor while the crowd had dispersed, and the odd pair were standing there almost awkwardly.

Joseph did not look too pleased with his assigned partner. “Dude, seriously, why didn't you tell me?"

Robin excused, “I'm sorry. I'm not so used to buddy-buddy projects. I always do everything alone."

“Well, that can't be helped." He shrugged. “Now, I need to see your essay."

“Sure, I'll show and tell you what I have done so far."

Robin and Joseph walked out of the building together as they discussed their essay project for Social Science. This was the beginning of an odd partnership.

…

Time went on in the arcade and Hunter only had run out of tokens in his pockets after a dozen failed attempts to catch his prize either in Key Master or the claw machine. It was torture how the claw often slipped and miss-grabbed the prize and how the plastic key often trolled him in almost slipping past through the wide keyhole by a tiny centimeter around the edges.

It was one hell of a torture.

Hunter had his forehead and muzzle pressed against the glass in defeat and sighed. His hot breath fogged up the glass.

“Any luck?" said Rylan behind his brother. He came to check on him by chance.

Hunter turned to him with a frown. “This shit sucks."

“That bad, huh?"

“Got any spare change, lil' bro?"

“Don't have any. Sorry. I think it's time for you to go back home. Dad is still—"

“Yeah, I know, he's expecting me to be back home and study."

“I'll see you at home. You need a break. I'll keep you posted on the machines."

“Yeah, thanks."

Going back home empty-handed again was disappointing, but maybe it was just Monday being a dick. He had Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday…

If he kept it up, maybe he would get a chance to win the prize. Somewhere deep in his heart told him he would get a golden window ahead which made his tail wag a little. He must keep optimistic for tomorrow.

“Monday sucks!" cried River after throwing his phone on the couch.

Just as Hunter came back home to the Emerald Tower, River's lack of context voice blurted out.

“Yeah, me too, did you have a tough day at school, River?" Hunter said as he closed the door.

River was sitting on the living room couch almost fuming himself. The youngest sibling had grown a little, possibly from his growth spur, and now had shown a bit of deeper voice and a bit of body mass. He still looked a bit skinny, in Hunter's view, but knew he was starting to look more like Rylan but more saturated in fur color.

Hunter joined him as he sat next to him on the couch and dropped his backpack on the floor. “What's wrong, tell me." He ruffled his head fur out of habit.

River swiped it off. “Cut it out, Hunter, I'm turning sixteen! You have a boyfriend for that."

“Ouch, sorry," Hunter laughed. “You're still my little brother, though. And Mom still stands that you'll—"

“We'll always be her little cubs. I know. Yada and yada."

“Okay, okay, so what's happened at school?"

“Well, Marcus, Filmore, and I were just discussing the new upcoming video game. It's pretty stupid really. Marcus said that Ultimate Fantasy XX should be the main focus of development before the remaking Ultimate Fantasy X, but Filmore argued that they should launch the remake first to reintroduce the game to the current generation."

“But can't they just work on two games at the same time?"

“Maybe, but if they do that then it will compromise the working dev team. Both games are equally demanding."

“So, who won?"

“Huh?"

“You know, the final verdict?" Hunter shrugged.

“Oh! Uh, the studio didn't say anything yet, but one online leak revealed that they will focus on the new game apparently."

“But what's there to argue if the studio already made their decision?"

“That leak was two years ago, and things looked very different today than before, so Filmore still stands in hopes they will make a remake of the tenth game before the new game, but Marcus fires back that the CEO said that 'they have more things to focus on than revisiting old games.' At least my friends all could agree on one thing; they better not make some cheap-ass mobile game of Ultimate Fantasy—microtransactions suck!"

“Uh, that doesn't sound like why you're very upset, River."

“Oh, yeah, I failed in dodgeball in gym."

He raised his white eyebrow. “That's it?"

“Oh, Hunter, I hate that game," he groaned. “I'm still outnumbered by the big guys, they're merciless and ruthless—crazy psychos! I wish I could beat the shit out of them!" The young wolf slumped and plumped frustratedly on the couch deeper.

“Ah, I see…" Hunter was a bit lost, especially how River started with the gaming subject rather than the actual factor that made him upset in the first place. His little brother had shown the weird tendency to be unpredictable and somehow incoherent after being asked something specifically directly. “So—"

“Argh! I wish was stronger!" River groaned with arms crossed. “You're over there with bunching thick muscles like a superhero while I look like a twiggy-twink."

Hunter tried not to blow a fit of laughter. Did he know the term twink? He had better not use it in front of his friends. Hunter relaxed and offered. “Well, I could help…"

“No, I don't want your hardcore workout routine, I might faint or die."

Oh, yeah, he had been angsty lately due to his puberty growing a little stronger and increasing hormones. Did Hunter was like that before? Or maybe Rylan… or how come Sally kept herself chilled during her spurt growth? Things have changed a lot in the past two years.

“You won't faint or die of exhaustion. You just need to settle into a better routine outside of school. What are you going to do after graduating high school? If you want to look like me," he pulled up his short-sleeve and flexed his right arm with a bulging bicep straining its full limit causally, “you have to make some commitment and sacrifices."

“Okay, well, there's a public gym in here, and—"

He lowered his arm and interrupted him, “Uh, yeah, about that, most of the equipment is worn out and some of it is broken, and it needs complete replacements. I'll let you borrow some of my sets if you want to get serious."

“Ugh, never mind, Hunter, we'll discuss it later. I'm just tired now…" River sighed, he was getting too much and could not settle nor organize after a tough day from school. “So, where have you been? You're usually back around five after class."

Hunter had to lie. “Uh, well, I'm violently busy with the exams this week. I have just finished the first one, tomorrow again another one, then the next and the next." Hunter shrugged. “I'm tight this week."

“Violently?" River asked. “Maybe getting a job like Rylan isn't that bad…"

“Oh, no, Mom and Dad want you to go to college."

“Then why Rylan did not?"

“You know the story and I'm not singing it again."

“He made it look very easy." He pouted.

“Yes, and that was his decision to save some money. He too will go to college eventually."

“And Sally?"

“She got a scholarship and that alone is enough to lift some weight on Mom and Dad."

“Hah," he sighed, “alright."

It was time for Hunter to cheer him up. He smiled tenderly and refrained from ruffling his head fur. “You know, your birthday is coming up, you should be excited about it."

“Well, yeah, we're going to Jakes & Bumper's, and a little birdie told me you guys were looking for presents~."

Hunter's ears jumped and his lips puckered. “Uh… well…" Hunter rubbed the back of his head. “It's confidential. We're not allowed to reveal it to you."

“It'd better not be a workout set like yours. I could simply just borrow it like you said."

“I'm not implementing your gift based on my personality. You know those types of people suck."

“Yeah, I know, but guess what? I know what Dad is going to get me~." River smiled deviously.

“Do you?" Hunter raised an eyebrow.

“I overhear he was going to give me some driving lessons."

“That's it? That doesn't sound like a birthday gift to me."

“It is to me. Better than getting a workout set. I get to drive a car, a real car."

Hunter laughed tenderly. River continued, “Oh! You're inviting Keanu, right?"

“Oh sure, I'll let him know. I think I told him, did it?"

“Just don't forget. Remember last time, you forgot Sally's birthday last year."

“Hey, in my defense, I was…" he trailed off as he remembered he was on a date with Keanu they planned the day of her birthday. Good thing she wasn't mad that day because all she had in mind was with her boyfriend Richard as her main course, but she slapped him on the wrist for forgetting.

“I know what happened, you both were sitting on a tree, K-I-S-S-I-N-G." River teased.

There was more than just kissing that day.

Hunter brushed that off as he sat up from the couch and picked up his backpack. “Well, I'll be in my room studying, call me for dinner."

“Mom is making meatloaf!" River shouted a little too loud.

“Yippee~," Hunter playfully said and went to his room.

…

Hunter settled down in his room, thinking while sprawling on his bed lazily and staring at the ceiling. Time was ticking and still did not win a present for River. This was going to bite him so hard once Saturday approached. He gulped and he knew he needed more help than Rylan could do. He needed backup.

He fetched his phone and texted his friends. They graduated but he was certain he had a freeloaded day in the afternoon as usual.

He texted Sol, Broderick, and Xerxes with the same message in the group chat. “Yo, wanna help me out to win a prize at the arcade? It's for my little bro's sweet 16." And then he played the waiting game.

After a good dinner, Hunter came back to his room and changed into his usual bedwear, a single pair of plaid boxers with red hearts. He checked for the replies and all three answered.

Sol replied, “Cool, good old times sake."

Xerxes replied, “Ur lil' bro is growing up? Happy birthday!"

Broderick replied, “Do I have to bring cash? Is it volunteer work? I'll go anyways. Just asking."

Hunter smiled and was glad he got some reinforcement. It might save some money in his wallet but having three volunteers helping him to win the jackpot widens the chances of winning the prize.