Cote: Elite in Action

—Where are we heading, Takeshi-san? —asked a childish voice from the back seat of the car that Takeshi was driving.

—To a park.

—What are we going to do at the park?

Takeshi glanced at Kayden through the rearview mirror, a calm smile appearing on his lips.

—You probably already know the reason, right? You have a great brain, after all.

Kayden looked out the window, his eyes watching the passing scenery with a calmness uncharacteristic of someone only eight years old.

—I suppose it's to learn more about social relationships, isn't it? —he replied, without much interest.

—Correct —Takeshi nodded—. This is the only field where you might say you're a little lacking.

—Hmm... I assume I don't have a specific goal to accomplish, right?

—No, just try to talk to as many people as you can, observe them, and try to understand them.

—Alright —he murmured in a bored tone.

Moments later, the car stopped in front of the park, which wasn't too far from Kayden's residence. The boy got out of the car slowly, looking at the place with contained curiosity. It was his first time visiting a park.

—I'll pick you up in three hours at this same spot —Takeshi announced.

—Understood.

Without saying anything else, Takeshi started the car and drove away. For the first time, Kayden was completely alone. Although he didn't usually leave his house much, whenever he did, he was always accompanied by his father, Takeshi, or, in better times, his mother. Now he faced the challenge of socializing, something he had never considered necessary.

He observed the park with his characteristic calm expression. The noise of children running, the laughter echoing in the air, and the conversations of parents sitting on benches were sounds he had only heard through the walls of his home. A slight sigh escaped his lips as he wondered what exactly he was supposed to learn from all of this.

He took a few steps forward, still unsure of where to start. There was a latent unease in his chest, a mixture of curiosity and disinterest, but the truth was that the feeling of being out of his element was almost uncomfortable.

It was time to face his biggest challenge: the social world.

...

—Hello, good afternoon —greeted Kayden calmly, approaching an elderly man of about seventy who was sitting on a bench, throwing bread crumbs to a group of pigeons that were fighting over each piece.

The man looked up, observing the boy with a kind smile.

—Hello, kid. I see you've got good manners —replied the old man, noticing Kayden's polite posture.

—It's basic education —Kayden responded naturally.

The man let out a small laugh, amused by the seriousness in the boy's voice.

—Seems like you have well-educated parents —he commented, throwing another portion of bread to the birds gathered at his feet.

Kayden pondered for a moment before replying, without taking his eyes off the pigeons.

—I suppose so. By the way, why do you feed the pigeons? —he asked with genuine curiosity, tilting his head slightly.

The old man let out a calm sigh, watching the animals peck at the ground without any worries.

—Because it reminds me that I still have something to do every day —he said softly—. They come here every morning expecting their food, and as long as I can keep coming to see them, I feel like I have a reason to get up.

Kayden remained silent for a moment, watching how the pigeons fought over the crumbs on the ground. The old man kept throwing pieces of bread with slow movements, his gaze lost in the birds' back-and-forth.

—A reason to get up...? —murmured Kayden, as if processing every word—. So, do you think that finding a reason is what keeps people alive?

The old man raised an eyebrow, surprised by the seriousness in the boy's voice.

—You could say so —he replied with a gentle smile—. Life becomes heavy when you have nothing to look forward to. That's why some seek jobs, others seek love... and some just cling to small routines, like me.

Kayden nodded slowly, his gaze fixed on the ground.

—If routines can keep someone alive... does that mean the habit itself can become the purpose? —he asked, almost as if speaking to himself.

The old man let out a low laugh.

—You're a curious kid —he remarked—. I never thought about it that way, but... yes, I think you're right. Sometimes the habit takes the place of what was once important. It's like convincing oneself that doing the same thing every day justifies the next sunrise.

Kayden watched him intently, analyzing every word.

—That means your real reason isn't the pigeons, but the need to feel useful... right? —he asked bluntly, with overwhelming honesty.

The old man remained silent, surprised by the accuracy of the analysis. Then he sighed, nodding with resignation.

—Yes, kid... you're right. Feeding these birds is nothing more than an excuse to keep myself going. The years took away many things: family, friends, dreams... Everything faded away. And when nothing remains, all that's left is the weight of loneliness.

Kayden looked at him steadily, his expression unchanging but his eyes gleaming with understanding.

—Then... doesn't it seem strange to hold onto a habit that doesn't fill that void?

The old man looked at him carefully, trying to decipher how a child could pose something so deep with such calmness.

—It's strange, yes... But not everyone has the courage to look for something new when the old ways no longer work. Sometimes it's easier to stay where one is comfortable.

Kayden remained silent, taking in those words.

—I suppose it makes sense —he finally said—. Habit is a safe zone... even if it no longer serves its purpose.

The old man looked at him, both astonished and thoughtful.

—You're incredibly mature for your age —he admitted with a sad smile—. Are you also looking for a purpose?

Kayden glanced up at the sky, his eyes reflecting a strange mix of serenity and emptiness.

—I don't know —he replied honestly—. I've always thought that my purpose is simply to exist in the best way possible. But... maybe that's just a routine disguised as meaning.

The old man was speechless for a moment. That reflection seemed almost tragic coming from such a young child.

—Sometimes I think adults carry too many expectations —he finally said—. We forget how simple living can be.

Kayden didn't respond right away. Instead, he sat next to the old man, silently observing how the pigeons kept pecking at the crumbs on the ground.

—If life comes down to finding reasons to keep going... —he murmured—, then I'd rather my reason be something I genuinely want to do. Not something I have to do just to fill the void.

The old man smiled with melancholy, admiring the courage of that thought.

—That's something many take a lifetime to learn, kid. I hope you find that reason someday.

Kayden remained silent for a moment longer, his gaze still fixed on the pigeons pecking eagerly at the crumbs on the ground. Finally, he stood up calmly and looked at the old man seriously.

—By the way... —he said in an almost casual tone—. Bread isn't good for pigeons.

The man blinked, confused.

—What do you mean?

—Bread lacks essential nutrients for birds —Kayden explained with his usual calmness—. It fills their stomachs but doesn't provide the necessary vitamins or minerals, which can lead to malnutrition. Plus, when it ferments in their digestive systems, it can cause bloating and intestinal problems.

The old man looked at him wide-eyed, feeling a bit embarrassed.

—Wow... I had no idea. I always thought it was good for them...

Kayden shook his head slightly.

—If you really want to feed them, it's better to use seeds, grains, or even small pieces of vegetables. That keeps them healthy and avoids long-term problems.

The man smiled, thanking him with a slight nod.

—Thank you, kid. I'll keep that in mind next time.

Kayden just nodded once more and began walking to another part of the park, leaving the old man behind, who continued reflecting on that unexpectedly deep conversation. With each step, Kayden thought about what he had learned that day: the fragility of purpose and the simplicity with which some try to fill it.

And although he didn't have all the answers, he knew his own search wouldn't be that simple.