Kai was looking at Asaya with a small frown on his face.
***She REALLY can't be SERIOUS? But…***
"Miss Ninomiya, I appreciate the offer, but…this is something that only involves US," Lei told her. "Besides, what would your parents think…?"
"I want to know if it also involves ME." Asaya bit her lip. "I know I'm being stubborn, but I really have to go! If 'they're' involved, then you also need to have me in going there. The World Bey Blade Championships would be starting this coming Wednesday. Aren't you all coming? Well, with the exception of you, Mr. Kon."
"…"
"These are hardened killers we're talking about, Miss Ninomiya," Takao told her. "Are your sure you still want to go?"
"Of course." Asaya nodded. "I want to make sure about something. Don't worry, I'll stay out of your way."
"That's NOT the POINT!" Lei was getting frustrated. "Miss Ninomiya, you really can't involve yourself in something dangerous. What if something should happen to YOU? I wouldn't want THAT! I do not want another innocent life snuffed out because of something I AM. So please, would you just stay behind…?!"
"…" Asaya looked at him with those curious lightest amethyst eyes of hers. They were filled with a strange melancholic wisdom that shone from deep within its depths. "My life's one big danger, Lei Kon. Believe me when I say this is just NOTHING."
"But…" Lei couldn't believe how impossibly stubborn this girl was.
"…" Kai stepped out from within the shadows where he has been listening all along. "I think I understand what she's trying to say. Lei, she's telling the truth. We need her more in this matter than any other assassin out there who we could pay for hire. I'll watch over her if that's your problem."
"Kai?"
"We still have to book our flights to Hong Kong, right? OK, we'll just meet tomorrow afternoon. And by the way, don't forget to bring your registration forms with you."
Lei was very quiet that night. Takao blinked, then looked over at him.
"What's eating you?"
"EVERYTHING. Takao, if something should happen to all of you…" Lei began.
"We have nothing to worry about! Mother Hen Kai's with us, along with Miss Ninomiya. Well…sure seems that way, the way Kai vouched for her a while ago. Is she somebody Kai used to know?"
"No. Doesn't seem like it." Lei frowned. "But the way her eyes looked at me a while ago…"
"Yep, you're definitely getting tingly all over." Takao grinned. He blinked again. "Not unless of course…YOU want to be the one who'll watch over HER?"
"N-no, it's not that." Lei shook his head. "She's just so…different. Those eyes were the eyes of somebody who has lived a long life of cruelty and pain. As if she knows how it is to lose somebody dear."
"…" Takao had his hand to his chin. "So you want to know EXACTLY why she looked like that a while ago, eh, Lei?"
"…I don't know. Besides, she doesn't seem to like people getting too close to her."
"So! You DO want to get to know her BETTER!" Takao clapped his friend on his back. "Don't worry Lei, even if I have a big crush on Asaya Ninomiya I'll just leave her to YOU. OK?!"
"T-that's not IT!" SD Lei became a chibi neko.
"Wow. Lei Kon onto the pursuit of something short of being entirely DIVINE." SD Takao's eyes became wobbly with tears. "God man you're such a LUCKY GUY!"
Asaya was quiet as she walked inside her classroom the next day when a bunch of guys gathered about her table, all looking harried about something..
"Is it true, Princess?! You're leaving for CHINA?!"
"Say it AIN'T so!"
"We can't bear the thought of losing our 'Cherry Tree Goddess'! Why oh WHY?!"
"…" Asaya blinked. "I'll be gone for 4 whole weeks. Didn't I tell you that yesterday?"
"B-but China's uncalled FOR!" The guys started howling like a bunch of lost dogs. We're just beginning to gather funds for the Asaya Ninomiya Cheering Brigade to be able to go to FRANCE!"
"…" Asaya blinked, then smiled gently, her eyes closed happily. "Don't worry, you have ALL the time in the world. I'll still be heading on to France. I'll just meet you guys there."
They all turned to hopeless mush.
"Ninomiya-san?" a guy looked inside their classroom. "Somebody wants to talk to you."
"Really?" Asaya blinked. "I wonder who could it be…"
She went outside the classroom and saw Lei standing there. A bunch of girls who were standing close by were ALL hyperventilating.
"Errh…" Lei gulped.
"Oh, Mr. Kon…what brings you here?"
"It's about…yesterday. Look, I didn't mean to be RUDE…"
"It's OK. You don't have to ask apologies. I understand." Asaya nodded. "You do want to know who did that and why, right? Let's just say…I'm also after their identity, and why they also did that."
"…right." Lei looked dow at his feet. "Miss Ninomiya…"
"Everything's going to be fine. Don't worry." Asaya smiled. "Why did we all get so formal all of a sudden, again? Call me like you did before, and I'll also call you Lei. Deal?"
"Y-yes."
"Good." She nodded again. "So, when would you guys be leaving?"