Chapter 4 - Jealous?

Morning came and with a slight stir and stretch, crimson eyes fluttered open.

That was the best nights sleep he'd had in a good while. He couldn't remember the last time he leisurely woke up on his own rather than to a blaring alarm clock.

Coming properly round Kai rubbed his eyes with his current surroundings confusing him for a split second.

Oh yeah... Tyson's room.

Gazing over to his left he was immediately met with brown eyes.

"Good morning!" Came the chirpy greeting. "How'd you sleep?"

Kai's almost jumped a little.

"How long have you been up? What time is it?"

Responding to the question with two more of his own he eased himself up in the double bed and sent the male beside him a look, not even believing this kid was actually awake before him.

Tyson Granger. The boy who once had to chew on a jalapeño pepper to even stir. Up and awake before Kai Hiwatari?

Though, he was used to Japanese time, and Kai was bound to still be all over the place. It was going to take a few days for him to adjust to the time difference.

"It's almost 9:30." Tyson answered, going back to scrolling on his phone. "Been up around an hour but I didn't wanna wake you."

Kai gave a nod that went unseen as Tyson had already turned from him, kicking the covers off and eased himself out the bed.

"You hungry?" He then asked over his shoulder. "Or do you still not do breakfast?"

Kai shook his head with an unnoticeable smile at the fact he'd remembered such a detail. Nope. Still didn't do breakfast.

"I wouldn't mind a coffee though?" He said sounding hopeful.

To his knowledge Tyson didn't drink coffee so wasn't expecting him to be able to know how to make him a decent cup but if he showed him where everything was kept he'd gladly sort himself out.

"Ah yeah! Grandpa got a new swanky machine recently. I'll show you come on."

Pulling the covers off himself too Kai got up and followed the shorter male out the room, down the hall and into the kitchen.

"Ta da! Looks pretty sweet huh?" Tyson announced showing off the new appliance to him. "I've no clue how to use it but I'm sure you'll figure it out.. Anyway I'm gonna go shower so just knock yourself out, make yourself at home."

After a pat on his back Kai watched Tyson walk away to the bathroom before turning back to the coffee machine.

How. The. Fuck?

Picking up one of the several multi coloured pods, presumably filled with coffee, he examined it before looking at the black contraption before him on the counter.

Who the hell thought it'd be a grand idea making people work out something so complicated first thing on a morning.

He was going to need a coffee before figuring out how to make this damn coffee!

Kai sighed through his nose.

Well, first things first, let's find a cup..

If I were a cup where would I be?

Opening a cupboard door at his head height he peered in only to be greeted by various cooking sauces and tinned food.

Nope.

Closing the door he tried a different one.

This one?

Plates.

God he hated this game.

This one?!

Ah, cups and glasses. Great.

With mug in hand he placed it where he presumed it needed to sit under the spout and frowned at his randomly chosen coffee pod again.

Lifting off the lid to the appliance he dropped the small capsule inside and closed it with a click.

Well.. here goes nothing..

Pressing what he figured was the 'please just make me a fucking coffee' button the machine started to whir.

Kai stood there. Feeling like a child in a toy shop that had just pressed the 'try me' button on a gadget and was waiting for it to do something spectacular.

After a few moments of noise the new toy fell silent.

He blinked.

Oh great. He'd broke it..

It was then the machine beeped and started to pour out the heaven's liquid into the cup.

Ohhh yesss.. come to daddy..

A smile began to dance on Kai's lips as he brought the steaming mug up to his nose and took in a deep inhale.

There wasn't many things he could honestly say he loved in this world. But that smell.

Mm! It did something to him.

With the two both freshly showered, Kai bathing in the kick of caffeine and Tyson with a belly full of toast and scrambled eggs, they got in the car and headed for the training grounds.

Even though the BBA was officially closed for the holidays, Tyson still held the odd day of coaching for the kids out in the nearby park.

Mr Dickenson didn't usually attend such events, but with the news that Kai was in town he cleared his schedule and was planning on making an appearance.

"Oh hey there's a new kid temporarily joining us today whilst he's visiting Japan, and guess what, he's Russian too! He can give you company while I'm busy and make ya feel just at home!" Tyson teased, nudging his elbow into Kai's ribs as the two walked from the car and into the park, nearing the crowd of twenty or so young teenagers that were all gathered in the centre.

Swatting him off Kai rolled his eyes before folding his arms across his chest. He didn't need a babysitter, or better yet a friend whilst Tyson was leading the training.

He'd just sit and observe like he'd always done.

Was no big deal.

Seeing the look on the sour puss's face Tyson smiled to himself.

"It's just drills today so I don't have to be that involved with 'em.." He explained referring to the rookies. ".. and with Mr D stopping by I could probably break away for a bit.. if you fancy a little one on one?"

Kai sent him a nod.

"Yeah we'll see.. don't go slacking on your duties though on my account Tyson."

Tyson chuckled.

"I'm nottt, just, we gotta spend as much time together as possible whilst you're here!"

Kai suppressed an eye roll and allowed the smile to appear on his lips.

The novelty will wear off soon enough he figured.. Let him have his excitement for now.

"First things first though," Tyson started with a smirk before erupting into a dramatic introduction, "Junior members of the BBA! I'd like to introduce.. in the flesh.. Kai Hiwatari!"

The entire group of teens then turned their heads to face them which was instantly followed by wide eyes and a mixture of "Ooh's" and "Ah's" before almost practically running to crowd around them.

"Omg it's him!"

"So nice to meet you!"

"Welcome back to Japan!"

Kai shifted a little and cleared his throat, preparing himself as his eyes shifted from each new face that stood before him whilst Tyson introduced them.

"So this is Lucas.. here is Mario.. We got Rob, James, Ben and Troy.."

Each boy got brief nod, a forced smile and a handshake.

How many were there?!

He'd never been around so many people before that were all completely fixated on him.

Why were they so excited over his presence? He'd never even met any of them but it was like he was some long lost cousin being reunited with the family.

This was getting too much.

".. Ricky, Will and Jason.."

D-Did he not shake his hand already?

Woooow this was a lot to take in.

".. And now the ladies!" Tyson continued.

T-There's more?!

"We got Jessie, Katie, this is Sandy right here.. Maryam, Lisa.."

Oh God.

Hugs.

"He's so much hotter in person!"

"I imagined him taller.."

"Wow you smell so good!"

Kai stood frozen as.. who even knows how many people came up to greet him?!

He couldn't lie - This. Was. Awful.

He could feel himself getting more and more overwhelmed as people continued to surround him and introduce themselves with either a hug and a handshake.

Someone even kissed both his cheeks which completely threw him off guard and he just wanted to press the damn pause button and take a breather.

He really hoped Tyson wasn't expecting him to remember all these people because he was lost entirely after Luke.. Or Lucas was it? Fuck knows...

"We've heard so much about you!"

"Yeah! Tyson hasn't stopped talking about you for weeks!"

"I feel like I already know you!"

Kai continued to tense up. The celebrity lifestyle clearly not for him as he forced awkward smile after awkward smile.

Amongst all the ruckus and excitement no one had noticed the silver car pull up and a plump older man step out of it and walk towards them all.

"Is that my boy Kai?"

Kai nearly pulled a neck muscle at how fast he looked over to the familiar voice.

YES! SAVE ME!

"Heyy Mr D!" Tyson called as Mr Dickenson joined them.

"Let's get started hm boys and girls? Partner up and choose a dish." The chairman said with kind authority with one hand resting on his cane.

Kai felt he could instantly breathe a little easier now that the crowd was starting to disperse away from him and watched them all pick a partner, clear friendships already in place.

"Looked like you needed a little help there son." Mr Dickenson added, no longer looking down to the moody teen as he had grown taller than he now.

Kai sent him silent thank you in the form of a smile. God bless Stanley.

With the teens all off doing their own thing now battling or just practising their techniques and Tyson dashing between them all, there was one boy Kai noticed who was just by himself, darting his blade around some empty soda cans.

Fair skinned, dirty blonde hair. This must be the kid Tyson had mentioned to him earlier.

Kai left it a little while, taking a look over at the boy every so often. He seemed quite content in his own little bubble so he didn't exactly want to disturb him.

Though... If he changed his stance a little he'd get a much better launch..

The two caught each other's line of vision a few times before quickly glancing away.

Kai let out a small chuckle to himself after the third time.

This was stupid.

He was never usually the one to approach anyone and strike up conversation but he did feel like a spare part just sitting around... and the kid had clearly noticed him too.

He walked over to the blonde before speaking out.

"Russian, right?" He asked in his native tongue.

Blue eyes instantly snapped up, and his whole expression brightened.

"Yeah! I did think you were too but I didn't wanna bother you."

Kai returned the smile. We Russians are a funny breed.

"I'm Erik by the way."

"Kai."

After around an hour Tyson took a glimpse over to where he'd last seen his sour puss to check on him only to see he wasn't sat there anymore.

His brown eyes widened before starting to dart around the park to look for him.

Oh god. He left. Got sick of being by himself and left! I should have stuck by him! I knew he was alone, didn't know anyone but me, and I left him!

It was then Tyson found Kai stood over by a big oak tree with one of the rookies, seemingly in deep conversation and, was he actually smiling?

"What's the matter son?" Mr Dickenson asked upon seeing Tyson's, to say the least, almost disgruntled expression.

"Nothing sir." Tyson mumbled out, tearing his eyes away from the two boys before glancing back over just at the right moment to witness, Kai Hiwatari, ice king himself, burst out laughing.

A green mist descended over his vision as he couldn't stop watching them now.

What was that kid saying that was so funny to him?!

He had to find out...

Mr Dickenson cleared his throat as he noticed Tyson space out again.

"Well if you and Kai both want to leave these youngsters to me for the day you can do. I appreciate your dedication to their training but I'm sure Kai doesn't want to be hanging around kids on his vacation."

Tyson could have jumped with excitement at potentially getting out of his duties.

"Only if you're sure Mr D?"

Mr Dickenson sent him a nod.

"Though, Kai seems to be enjoying himself over there.."

Tyson looked over to him and Erik again.

Yeah no need to remind him..

Slyly he made his way over to them, politely brushing off any of the kids who tried to get his attention with a 'give me a sec!' and headed towards the tree.

"Heyy guys, whatcha doing?" Tyson sheepishly pried.

"Oh hey Tyson! Kai was just showing me a new technique, we were just going to try it out." Erik announced pushing his ripcord back through his launcher.

"Ah, sounds great.. Well we're cool to go now Kai if you want? Mr D says he can watch over the kids that are still hanging around."

Kai supressed any sort of smirk that was oh so close to appearing on his lips as he noticed how he'd just completely disregarded the kid. He could almost smell the envy seeping through Tyson's pores.

Whilst he'd have given anything to leave earlier he was actually quite content with the fellow Russian.. would be rude to just up and leave just yet and Tyson was right, he was making him feel 'just at home'.

He shook his head at him, "Nah I'm good. Just gonna go through this with Erik a couple of times. I'll come find you in a little bit okay?"

Tyson's lips parted, "Oh. Oh yeah, that's cool no worries.." He quickly brushed off. "I'll just, uhm.. Be over here then.."

Walking away from them he looked over his shoulder again, Kai's attention going straight back onto Erik and his blade.

Shaking off whatever he was feeling right now he called to the remaining rookies.

"Right so who needed some help?!"

x-x-x

As the sun was starting to go down and only a few kids remained, Kai stood up from the grass banking and stretched out his arms.

It had been nice sitting in the park, allowing time to just run away with itself being around young people filled with hope and bubbling aspirations.

"Let's call it a day kid." He breathed out walking back over to the dish as Erik picked up his blade. "Keep practising like this and I bet you'll even beat Tyson one day."

Erik laughed out as the two walked back over to the main gathering point where Tyson was saying bye to a set of twins being collected by their father.

"Maybe I could even beat you one day Kai!" He dared to tease. He'd always had him down as this scary untouchable guy from what he'd seen on TV but he was actually super chill!

"One step at a time kid." Kai bluntly said though smiled at him all the same. He liked this little shit.

Once they'd joined back with the remaining few, Tyson sent them both a smile.

Whilst he couldn't have denied he got a little jealous it was nice to see that softer side of Kai. Even if it wasn't being directed towards him.

"Hey you two-"

"-Oh hey are you on Facebook? I'd love to keep in touch!" Erik then blurted out like the idea had just come to him, rummaged in his backpack and keenly held his phone out to Kai.

Tyson's ears pricked at the only word he could pick up from that Russian sentence.

Were they really that close already that Kai was going to seriously add him to his personal page?

Nahhh course not, he hates kids deep down and he's all anti-social and-

Kai nodded and held out his hand to take the his phone.

?! WHAT.

"I don't use it all that much but I look forward to seeing how you progress, I see a lot of potential in you." He said, eyes down on the screen as he typed his name into the search bar.

The older Russian's sincere words almost made Erik blush. It really was awesome to meet him today!

"Thank you Kai! That means a-"

"-Right well I think we'd best get going now hm Kai?" Tyson interjected, throwing an arm over Kai's shoulder. "Keep up the good work Erik! You did really great today. We'll hopefully see you again some time!"

Erik sent him a nod and smiled, completely oblivious to the fact Tyson cut him off and took his phone back from Kai and put it into his back pocket.

"Okay Tyson! Thank you again Kai!"

"Good to meet you kid." Kai said down to him before Erik ran, heading over to his mother's car who just came to collect him from the park.

There was a brief silence between the two as Tyson's arm stayed over Kai's shoulder whilst Kai's arms rested over his chest, both watching over at the car Erik had just gotten into and it driving away.

"Have fun?" Tyson then asked, not meaning for his tone to hold quite the level of bite that it did though a pang of envy had hit him once again.

Kai bit his lower lip to stop his smirk and kept his head forward.

"Mhm. Did you?"

"Oh yeahh I always have so much fun."

The smirk wound up on Kai's face as he turned his head to look at Tyson.

"You weren't seriously jealous of him were you?"

"Nyeahh, a little." Tyson shamelessly replied with a nod. "Buut you're all mine again now so let's go get some grub." He pat Kai on the back who slowly shook his head, his smirk still prominent.

"You do know I'm more than likely never gonna see the kid again right?"

Tyson shrugged as he called back over his shoulder.

"Ya never know!"

Kai rolled his eyes.

Whatever you say.

To Tyson: aaaaaand as I suspected the blazing obvious.. I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I haven't spoken to Ellie since.. So you can stop crying now you big baby :P

A/N: Feels like I've not updated this one in a little while. My bad. Life and all. Thank you as always to those that leave a review. You always make me smile.

K~