<Previously on the story>


Donut Trumpet has only one wish: to be king.

After devouring 101 Big Packs, he unlocked the wildest power ever—jumping back into the past, a "time leap"!　

And yet, the Trumpet boy was knocked flat again by Lib's crushing cross-counter!

Burgers and time-leaps will carry Donut up the craziest staircase of his life!

.........................................................


From then on, I kept repeating time leaps.


Every time I shoved down 101 Big Packs, I swore this time I'd finally wallop Lib — and then I leapt. 

But maddeningly, Lib's counterpunch was so deadly sharp that no matter how many times I jumped back, I was always the one getting knocked out.


After she floored me for the 392nd time, I stared up at the music-room ceiling and it hit me at last.


 "Just time-leaping won't cut it. To beat her...."




That afternoon after school a suspicious figure trailed Lib as she left the gate. 

Of course, that shadow was me — Donut Trumpet.


To beat Lib I had to find her weak spot and make her bow before me.

If she fights with fists, I'll win with intelligence.


Most of the kids from my school head back to the fancy houses nearby.

But Lib split from her friends and kept walking alone. 

Eventually she came to a run of cheap apartment blocks.

In the park kids in filthy clothes ran about, and a drunk man dozed off on a bench.

Voices of a married couple arguing carried from somewhere.


I knew this neighborhood well. 


Since kindergarten I'd followed the sound of my father's leather shoes through places like this — knocking on doors, getting yelled at, watching him walk home with bundles of papers under his arm.


My dad worked in real-estate development, building low-income housing in Queens and Brooklyn.

I thought his work was fascinating and trailed after him whenever he went to a site.


Lib climbed the apartment stairs.

As she turned the corner I noticed, for the first time, the temple arm of her glasses had been reinforced with tape and wire. 


She can't even afford new glasses? 


Why is someone living in these rundown projects even going to Key Foresta? 


It was strange, but I kept following until I made sure which door she went into.

From inside a man's voice that sounded like her father called out, 


"Lib, if you're back, go buy some cigarettes."


If he's home at noon, he's probably some good-for-nothing who doesn't work.

When the door shut I memorized the apartment number down to the digit.


I tried to keep it together, but a grin broke across my face and a laugh bubbled up. 

This time for sure, I'd smash Lib.



      $  $  $



That night I marched to Pakdonald with all the confidence I had.


"101 Big Packs!"