Author's Note: Thank you, again, to everyone who reviewed. Every review makes my day. Please consider leaving more if you like the chapter! We only have two more to go after today.


Four: Alice

The tournament was well underway. Alice watched in the background as Shun and Taylean took on their third opponent of the week. Cheers went up as Shun defeated the tag-team he faced – single-handedly, Alice noted – and before long Shun was disappearing from the arena.

Alice slipped away before the crowds could rise up to cheer for the next battler. She passed through the teleporter door that marked the exit and reappeared in the hallway near the locker rooms for the arena. She smiled, took a deep breath, and headed for the locker room the Brawlers usually used.

Inside, Shun was leaning against a wall with his eyes closed. When Alice entered the room, he didn't move.

"Good to see you, Alice," said Shun. Still, he did not open his eyes.

"You saw me in the audience?" guessed Alice.

Now, Shun opened his eyes. A small smile wrinkled their corners. "No. But you've used the same perfume since we were twelve."

Alice giggled. Pressed a hand to her mouth and tried not to feel too embarrassed. Of course it would be something so simple. "That's fair," she said. "It's… been awhile."

"Indeed," said Shun. "Is there a reason you chose today to visit? I could have shown you Bayview, but I promised Dan I'd watch his match."

Alice tipped her head. "Oh? Is it an important match?"

Shun snorted. "They're all important to Dan. But, he does like the company. And I'm not one to leave for no reason."

"No, you're not," said Alice quietly. "Mostly, I'm visiting because I missed you all."

Shun raised an eyebrow. "Mostly?" he echoed.

Alice chewed the inside of her cheek. "There was… something," she said slowly.

Shun said nothing. He merely stared at her with folded arms and one raised eyebrow. But his stance was relaxed, so Alice knew he wasn't upset. Just curious and patient. Two things he could maintain in his expression and stance for hours at a time.

She sighed, relenting. "I wanted to talk to you about something I figured out," said Alice.

Shun raised his other eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Yes." Alice bit her lip. She wondered how to phrase this. Wondered how not to send Shun running to the hills. Shun, of course, said nothing. It would have been too helpful of him.

She closed her eyes. Took a deep breath. Opened them again and took the plunge.

"Are you in love with Dan?" asked Alice.

Shun smirked. He actually smirked at this question. This question which had kept Alice up late for days on end until she wanted to call him. But she knew it would be inappropriate. Knew it wouldn't be worth the embarrassment.

Then, "Yeah," said Shun. He sounded completely calm. Slightly amused, even. "You might be the first one to figure it out without hints, though."

Alice blinked. "Other people know?" she asked.

Shun shrugged again. "Keith, Julie, Fabia. I think that's it. Ace had his suspicions, but nothing concrete. Gus probably knows. Keith tells him everything."

"Oh," said Alice. "So you're used to people figuring it out?"

"I don't think you ever get used to people figuring out your biggest secret, Alice," said Shun.

She nodded. "No, I guess not." She stared at Shun with pursed lips and narrowed eyes. Wondered. Asked, "How are you so calm about this?"

Shun sighed. He shrugged – three in less than five minutes. It was a noncommittal gesture. She was used to Shun giving those when he didn't want to talk. But he seemed so calm about all of this, which meant he was hiding something. But what? Fear? It had been over two years since she'd last seen him. In that time, his body language had completely changed. And his acting skills had improved, apparently.

"It's no use to freak out, anymore," said Shun. So he had used to. Alice wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. "People figure it out. It's only a matter of time until it gets back to him." A sigh. "Just sort of… enjoying the days until then."

Realization dawned on Alice. "You think it'll be awkward?"

Shun raised his eyebrows again. "You don't?" he asked.

"Well, it could be," said Alice. She stuffed her hands in the pockets of her purple sweater. "But you never know."

"Every single person who's figured it out has told me to tell him, you know that?" said Shun. He let out a laugh. It was bitter and harsh. Tainted by fear at the edges. "Like that'll do me any good."

Alice tipped her head. "You shouldn't."

"Really?" Shun's eyebrows flew into his hairline. "What's got you thinking differently?"

"It's like you said," said Alice. "It'll get back to him eventually. If you're so convinced that he doesn't feel the same way, then why destroy your friendship prematurely? It's only logical." She leaned back against the wall and folded her arms.

Shun's jaw dropped. "Wow. You're heartless."

"No," said Alice. She smirked. "Just echoing you."

Shun winced. "That's… actually a fair point." He chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. Then, he added, "Also don't smirk. It doesn't suit you."

Alice dropped the expression and returned to her usual small smile. "Shun."

"Don't," said Shun. "Let's just go watch Dan fall all over himself to win this battle, yeah?"

"Yeah," said Alice. "Sounds good."

She followed him out of the locker room and back to the arenas.

Someday, she thought, someday Shun would tell Dan. Or else it really would get back to Dan, and then Shun would have to talk to him anyway. But there was no use in trying to get Shun to talk about his feelings now. He talked a big game – acted like it wasn't a big deal – but Alice knew it was. She knew Shun was freaking out on the inside.

For now, she'd let him. But someday, she hoped to able to hear all those people who knew say "I told you so" to Shun. The thought made her smile, and she took a few jogging steps to walk alongside Shun.