Mr. Kane Got Blacklisted by Eleven Jewell

Joe’s transformation was so evident that even Grace found it unbelievable.

He attended a college nearby, so he didn’t live on campus. However, he rarely stayed at home either, as his parents constantly nagged him whenever they saw him playing games or driving around. Instead, he often hid out at his eldest brother’s apartment.

His eldest brother, being nine years older and busy with work, spoiled him even more than their parents did, often covering for him. Grace had repeatedly urged Joe to move back to the family home, reasoning that his brother had a fiancée and that Joe, as an obvious third wheel, should show some consideration. But in truth, she wanted him close so she could keep an eye on him.

Joe was well aware of this, so whenever Grace brought it up, he pretended not to hear. But this time, without any prompting, Joe voluntarily moved back home.

Grace initially thought he must have quarreled with his brother, but a quick phone call dispelled that notion. Suspicious, she wondered if Joe had done something wrong—maybe he had damaged someone’s car, or perhaps wrecked his own racing car and needed money to replace it. Could it be that he had injured someone?

The more Joe buried himself in his studies at home, the more convinced Grace became that something was amiss. Each night, she would find some excuse to walk past his room, hoping he would come clean so she wouldn’t have to be too harsh on him. But three days passed, and Joe still hadn’t confessed anything.

How strange! Was this about something even more serious than a car accident? How much would it cost them?

After a week, Grace couldn’t take it any longer and barged into Joe’s room. She found him staring at his college’s academic system with a bittersweet expression on his face.

Joe had just received the results of his make-up exams. He had scored 89 in linear algebra and 83 in college physics. Although both were high marks, because they were make-up exams, his GPA would only reflect a pass. For the first time, Joe regretted not having studied harder—he could have aced those exams.

she saw her son’s conflicted expression. Steeling herself, she knocked on the door, though she was already inside. Joe snapped out of

down on the bed, folded her hands, and asked cautiously,

downcast, replied, “Mom, my

absentmindedly. “How did you

and eighty-three. Both

he had caused some disaster? Was he preparing to confess to a financial burden so

even if it means spending all our savings! If it’s just money, we can earn it back. If your father objects, I’ll make him

appearance, her graying temples betrayed her age. Unlike his well-behaved elder brother, Joe had always been the troublemaker, the one who worried Grace from the moment he could

lot of money to get him into a good school with a suitable major. But because he hadn’t chosen his preferred field of study,

detail of their lives to their families, Joe realized how indulgent his parents actually were. They disapproved of his racing but never went so far as to destroy his equipment. Even when they threatened to stop funding his hobby, a few well-placed

disappointing her, could he?

and I know I’m not that great at it, but I want to study something related to cars. I promise I won’t fail in my current major anymore.

aback. “That’s it? Nothing

“Uh, yes? What did you think it