ON THIRD LANARK

Chapter Requiem

September 2005, somewhere in Tokyo of the Kanto region.

Rock Howard and Hokutomaru were training against each other. Apparently Rock wanted to enter KOF XI, which made worked harder.

"Double Reppu-ken!" Rock launched his attack. Hokutomaru dodged it, but he was totally warred out.

"That's enough, okay? You're overtraining yourself." said a panted Hokutomaru.

"I guess you haven't finished your training with Andy sensei yet."

"Are you serious about entering KOF XI?"

"Err..yeah, I guess. I was hoping to team up with Terry, since I heard that he doesn't have a team for the moment." replied Rock.

"What the hell are you saying, baka? You should know your dad killed Terry's dad. If you teamed up with him now, I think you dad's gonna be very mad at you. Maybe you should wait a little while longer before joining KOF." advised Hokutomaru.

"Mmmmm……………………………………………..maybe you're right after all. For the sake of Terry, and I have to keep my father cool, guess I'll have to wait until the next tournament." replied Rock. "Anyway, I don't wanna lose at all in KOF."

"Hiahh!!!!"

The two of them were taken by surprise. The door broke down as Chae Lim jumped through it.

"Hey, what's that for Chae-san?" yelled Hokutomaru, still surprised.

"Gomen nasai."

"You're just causing trouble again, right………hey, what's up today?" Hokutomaru paused. Rock was still surprised. Chae Lim was dressed in her casual outfit. (Refer to Maximum Impact)

"Actually I'm on my way to the gym. Does it look weird?"

No, no, it's just that…you look gorgeous." Very seldom can see you like that." said Rock.

"Anyway, excuse me, I'm in a hurry." Chae Lim dashed to the other end of the room and disappeared.

"Anyway, why does she have to break in here to go to the gym?" Hokutomaru asked in confusion.

"I say that…"Rock couldn't finish his words on time, because in a split second Hotaru Futaba dashed into the room through the same hole.

"What's up Hotaru-chan?" asked Hokutomaru. Rock stood silent.

"Forget about me! Where the hell did Chae Lim gone to?" Hotaru seemed mad.

Hokutomaru stood silent for a while. Then he pointed in the opposite direction. Hotaru turned to Rock. Rock just nodded his head in agree.

"Arigato guys. Urghh, damned you Chae Lim! I'm not finish with you yet. You see, I'll sure get you and let you pay for what you did to me, you mussy head!" with that Hotaru dashed out of the room at the other end.

Some time after she left, the two of them exchanged glances. They couldn't say a single word, still surprised with had happened in front of them today. Suddenly Rock's hand phone rang.

"Excuse me, I gotta go. Dad's calling me. Wish me the best Hokutomaru. Ciao. (See ya)." Rock kept his phone and hurried off from there. Hokutomaru stood there a little while longer. A few moments later, he looked at his watch and left the place as well.

"It's almost time for training with sensei."