After the encounter of the boy named "Xiang" Lan Mei felt extremely depressed. Despite this she made an effort to attend her classes and go to work. If she remembered yesterday after club she made an effort to go to work with Yao. Ivan tagged along wanting to ensure her safety. Even though Yao stated that he was more than enough to take care of her. Luckily seeing the two males around her brought some cheer into her life. Yet her mother's hairpin, the only item she had to remember her mother… her real mother.

She sighed as she continued to wash the dishes. Her eyes glued on the water, 'When did he even take it…was it when I fell in the pool…? Maybe before…oh who cares I just want it back.'

"Damn jerk!" She unconsciously muttered angrily. Lien who stood next to her called out for Lan Mei's attention. "Lan, are you okay…? You seem to be in an awful mood as of yesterday evening…"

She paused clenching her fist in eagerness, "If it was Yao I won't hesitate to knock some sense into him!"

Lan Mei shook her head frantically holding Lien back as she tried to attack Yao. "I-It wasn't Yao…! I-It wasn't…!"

Lan Mei yelped in pain feeling her right arm throb in pain. Her dominant arm…out of all the arms the Cantonese assassin had to injure it. She let her hold fade from holding back Lien. She didn't need to anymore since Lien brought her attention to her friend. "L-Lan, are you alright…?"

"D-Dae…I'm fine. J-just don't blame Yao…he wasn't the one."

Yao sighed dropping everything as he walked over to Lan Mei. He gently took her right arm and carefully rolled up her sleeve. He tried to not cause her too much pain. Lan Mei bit her lip suppressing the pain she was able to feel. She already knew what her arm looked like but still wanted to take another glance at it before the Chinese teen began to question her. Yao eyes widened at the sight of her arm, it was bruised badly. "What…? Lan Mei your arm aru... H-How did this happen…?"

Lan Mei remained quiet as she avoided his stare. Yesterday when she explained to Ivan and Yao she left out many facts. Mainly about the Cantonese teen that attacked her. She thought that they wouldn't believe she was being targeted by an assassin. Lan Mei told the two that she was just bullied like usual and that she didn't know her attacker because she was blinded by a sheet. It was somewhat true…she didn't know who Xiang was exactly. But one thing she made sure to leave out was her arm injury.

"Lan Mei…"

"Yao, I'm fine da-ze. Let's get back to work." She pulled her arm away focusing on her workload. Yao pouted in dismay. He wanted to help her yet Lien reassured him. "Don't worry, I'm here for her too, Yao."

Yao nodded smiling slightly at his Vietnamese friend, he was reassured by this but still wanted to help her in a way he could. He sighed staring at the South Korean teen for a moment before getting back to cooking up orders. 'I really want to help her…'


Ivan sat alone at one of the tables of the café. He wasn't kicked out after staying for hours since he ordered food while he waited. All they cared was that they made money…

'This shop closes at 7pm…so that means…' He glanced at his watch. 6:30pm. He only had to wait 30 more minutes. This made the Russian allow a tired breath escape his lips, he was bored. 'At least I can work for once… it's difficult keeping her safe with all these obstacles.' His thoughts came across Yao for instance. With the Chinese teen being around it would be difficult to work. He already had the teen shocked when he did that little stunt in front of the two. If only he wasn't so childish…yet he couldn't help it, Yao infuriated him extremely. Luckily he didn't show it too much…

The sudden ding of his phone signaled him that he got a new text message. It was Hyun Soo.

I found some information just like you asked me too. Apparently Lan Mei was attacked by this guy… -Hyun Soo

A picture was sent as an attachment.

Ivan opened the file and his eyes slightly widened. "So it was him…" He began to type quickly on the screen.

Can you research this guy? I want to know who he works for, and basic information.

He chuckled for a moment, "Now that I realize it I don't even know his name… and we're in the same homeroom too."

A few seconds later a reply was received.

His name is apparently Xiang Gang Kirkland. He's an adopted brother of the school prez…wow…I didn't expect this. …Well…as for his boss this might be difficult to find…hold up. =3= -Hyun Soo

Da. ^^

A few minutes passed leaving the Russian impatient. As soon as the phone made a sound Ivan immediately picked up the phone.

No luck… apparently this kid is really pro. He jumps from organization to organization and does every mission perfectly, no matter the job. –Hyun Soo

Ivan paused at this fact, a smirk playing on his face. 'Oh really…he didn't look that great the first time we met.'

I don't believe it. Are you sure you're confusing your information with someone else…?

A text immediately replied to this.

You doubt me?! My information is high quality! The best out of the all the info broker's in the world! Why do you think people offer me a shit load of money, Ivan!? =_=")/ -Hyun Soo

Ivan had to laugh at the anger Hyun Soo showed to him.

Ah…Sorry. I encountered him quite a few times…well; he wasn't really the same as you described him…

Yeah…I can see that (apparently Lan Mei gave him a hard time lol). But it says it right here. Maybe you're better than him…? ;D –Hyun Soo

Ivan thought for a moment, 'Or…'

He's trying to trick me.

What do you mean o.O? –Hyun Soo

He's planning to lower my guard…it seems like I've underestimated him.

'I should've killed him when I had the chance,' The Russian thought angrily.

"Um excuse me, we're about to close…," a random worker informed Ivan. Ivan blankly smiled, "Ufufu~ sorry. I'll be leaving then." He left the money on the table and began to walk out. He froze momentarily, "Can you tell Im Lan Mei that I'll be waiting for her outside, da?"

The worker nodded nervously, obviously overwhelmed by the teen's height.

Ivan could tell that they wanted him gone. He exited the shop waiting near the bike rack. He glanced over to his watch, 6:45 pm.

The Russian sighed, he wished life was easier. Now he had to deal with Yao…


Lan Mei didn't know what to do… she never knew that simple decisions could be so hard.

"Back off, I'm going to take her home aru! She's my sister's friend; I should at least take her home!" Yao stated with a scowl meant entirely for the Russian.

Ivan rolled his eyes, "Then shouldn't you ride back with your sister. I think Lan would prefer to go home on my motorcycle…"

"Aiya, it's too dangerous aru! What if you and Lan get into an accident?!"

"Ufufu~ that won't happen."

"You'll never know. She needs to be safe aru! A bike is safe, so that's why she's coming with me!"

"S-Stop aigoo…!" The two teens glanced over to Lan Mei who held a flushed face. She breathed a shaky sigh. "I-I'm going to take the bus with Mei and Kiku…"

They remained silent for a moment until they broke into a small smile.

"Ufufu~ of course…get back safely then Lan..."

"Yeah, be careful aru…make sure you take care of that arm." Lan Mei nodded glancing to her right arm, 'It stopped hurting, for now…' Ivan held confusion in his eyes yet dismissed what he just heard.

Silence was set upon the three; it was obvious that both males were disappointed.

Lan Mei nodded breaking the silence, "M-Mianhae…see you two tomorrow…?"

Yao and Ivan exclaimed a yes at her words making her giggle for a final time before walking off with Mei and Kiku.

The two males sighed now finding themselves alone with each other.

Yao began to unlock his bike lock with fidgety hands, 'Of all people it has to be this guy that I'm left alone with…'

Ivan sent a small scowl, "I feel the same way with you…"

Yao snapped his head back, "What did you say to me?! I dare you to say it again aru!"

Ivan rolled his eyes getting on his motorcycle.

"I asked you a question aru!" the Chinese male grabbed his arm which annoyed the Russian greatly.

A dark aura surrounded him yet Yao wasn't scared, "Yao-Yao I don't have to answer it though~. One more thing…" A roar escaped the vehicle causing the Chinese teen to step back in fear, letting go of Ivan. "…Don't ever touch me again, got it?"

Yao growled in anger as he muttered some curses in mandarin.

The Russian began to chuckle, "Wǒ míngbái nǐ zài shuō shénme.(I understand what you're saying)"

Yao eyes widened in shock and Ivan sent a smile before he drove away. He quickly ignored his thoughts about Yao. Instead he focused on the Cantonese male after Lan Mei. 'I doubt that guy would attack her when other innocent people are around…yet, I can't be too careless.'

He was also impatient about learning more about him and his motives.


AN: Plot twist, Ivan is secretly chinese~ xD. Just kidding, but he does know chinese. So yeah, thank you for reading. Please fav, follow and review~! -Fiore