If You Can Do Better, Prove It Chapter 05
Sean lifted his chin defiantly Hmph, you’re alousy mom. I’ll do way better than you.”
I shook my head, not bothering to argue.
The system asked again: (Who will go first?
With exaggerated confidence, Sean declared, “I’ll go! Dad and I will become multimillionaires.”
The system’s tone remained steady. (And in which areas do you believe you’ll outperform the one being judged?]
“In every area!” Sean puffed out his chest. “I’ll be a kind, generous mom-one everyone in class will envy.”
[Understood. Since you are a minor, this trial will not erase your memory.) The system replied, offering him the leniency of youth.
In the next moment, his consciousness was uploaded, creating another version of me, Subject Two.
(To avoid redundancy, Subject Two will begin experiencing life from when Sean started elementary school.]
The screen lit up with scenes from a chaotic morning. Subject Two was preparing for Sean’s first year of elementary school.
It began predictably enough-a disaster.
Subject Two vaguely remembered the rumors: getting a spot in a good school meant camping out all night to queue. Entire families took shifts in line, strategizing like generals in battle.
But Subject Two lacked my meticulous preparation skills. He rushed to the school gates, only to find an impossibly long line and realize he hadn’t brought all the required documents.
He called Damion for help, but instead of assistance, he got a lecture. Frustrated, he turned to young Sean for backup, only to hear the boy mutter something dismissive before hanging up.
Left with no choice, Subject Two raced home to gather the missing papers. This time, he made sure to pack every conceivable item needed for a long wait in line.
When he got back to the school, he discovered that other parents were tag-teaming shifts, leaving him alone to hold his spot. Even bathroom breaks felt like impossible luxuries.
When the ordeal finally ended, Subject Two clenched his fists with resolve. It’s fine. Next time, I’ll be ready. I’ll definitely be a great mom.”
The audience nodded approvingly. “Not bad for a ten-year-old. He’s organized and doesn’t give up easily. Maybe there’s hope for him.”
But I shook my head silently. He hadn’t yet calculated the household budget.
Reality struck quickly. Subject Two decided to treat Sean with a lavish reward-a set of LEGO blocks. “If you behave at school, you can play with these after class. Plus, I’ll take you to get snacks from the food stalls outside,” he promised.
It worked like a charm. Subject Two, being Sean himself, knew precisely how to bribe his younger self into compliance.
Mornings became a parade of fast-food deliveries: burgers, fried chicken, and soda. These indulgences motivated the boy to get up without complaint, scarf down breakfast, and leave for school on time.
Homework troubles? Solved with a reward system. “Finish your assignments, and you can use the tablet. Get everything correct, and I’ll buy you more toys.”
Fights with classmates? Subject Two didn’t bother investigating who was at fault–he immediately took Sean’s side, showering him with unwavering support.
Extracurricular classes like Taekwondo and flute? Too much effort. Subject Two canceled them all.
Sean’s days were filled with smiles and laughter. Even visits to his grandmother’s house were a delight. However, his indulgent grandmother had her own critiques. “A child needs discipline. You’re spoiling him. If you don’t set rules now, he’ll turn out useless.”
Subject Two brushed off the criticism as an outdated mindset. “This is what a happy childhood should look like,” he declared, patting himself on the back. (
The audience cheered.
“He’s doing great for his age!”
“Honestly, I wish I could pamper my younger self like that.”
“Though maybe all that junk food isn’t such a good idea…”
“Don’t worry. Kids get tired of it after a while. I think his approach is innovative.”
I smiled faintly. Innovative? My son, Sean, doesn’t have a shred of an educational philosophy.
Two months later, the cracks began to show. What had once been magical-fried chicken and burgers-was now boring. Subject Two lost his trump card for coaxing early mornings.
But the real problem wasn’t fried chicken or canceled classes.
It was the slow, insidious effect of unhealthy habits-a storm Subject Two hadn’t even noticed brewing.
