As usual, the bright lights and vivid night life of Hong Kong never failed to lift Lei's spirits up a bit. It's just good to know that he's almost home.

Home…

Lei bit his lip, as another wave of melancholia swept over him like a tsunami. It was great to be home, but then again, where are those people whom he was supposed to share it with?

***All dead.***

Max was laughing heartily at the way Takao and Tsukiyo were arguing over the Bust a Move controller while Professor regarded them with a huge sweatdrop over his head. Jet lag didn't deter the whole lot of them from hitting the restaurants and the newest arcade center right smack in the middle of Hong Kong itself. They were just waiting for the time when the bus should arrive and take them all to mainland China.

Asaya smiled gently, her eyes closed happily as she looked over the now rabid Tsukiyo throttling Takao, her eyes devilish little glowing red slits. She then looks over at Lei, who was now extremely quiet. "Lei…?"

"O-oh…Asaya. I'm…sorry."

"Why are you always apologizing? It's OK, Lei, I don't mind." Asaya gestured to the other side of the arcade, where a huge group of guys were concentrated. "Would you like to go over there to keep your mind off things for a while?"

"Sure."

"OK. I'll just change some coins to tokens. Be back in a jiffy."

Asaya returned a little while later, with a small drawstring purse filled with lots of jingling gold tokens. She smiled at Lei. "Whom do you want me to beat up tonight, Lei? They have KOF 03 here."

"Uh…it's your call, Asaya."

"OK." Asaya came to the crowd of guys hanging around the huge TV screen of the link mode arcade game. "Excuse me! Passing through!"

"Asaya…?!" Lei went after her. The guys in this section didn't look remotely friendly enough in comparison to those guys he saw hanging around the arcade back at Japan where he first saw her. The ice pink Jansport was soon lost in the crush of bodies that engulfed the petite young girl whole in the jampacked arcade machine.

A guy was grinning as he made his 34th win. There was a group of bald men passing pouches around, gathering bet money from those who lost the bet. One of them was holding a microphone aloft. "Alright, step right up, step right UP! Who in their crazy minds would want to pick up a fight with our main man champ Jimmy Ko here?! Heh heh, it's alright to dream, but are you prepared to scream?"

"…" Asaya raised her hand, smiling, her eyes closed happily. "I'll challenge!"

"Whoa! We have a little kid here who's ACTUALLY prepared to die writhing from supreme humiliation by Jimmy's hand! Say, little girl, what's your name?"

"Asaya Ninomiya at your service, kind sir."

"So little kid Ninomiya! Alright, who's for betting?!"

Some guys grumbled and then bet for Asaya. The man was grinning.

***Dear, are they really THAT desperate as to pine all their hopes on this LITTLE girl?!***

Asaya took her place beside Jimmy. Jimmy smiled at her in a flirtatious manner.

"How's about you and me go on a date if I win?"

"And if you lose…I'll get to get some information," Asaya told him. "OK with you?"

"?" Jimmy nodded anyway. "OK with me. Well, since I'm feeling pretty magnanimous tonight, how about we battle until our fingers drop off? First person to get to 40 wins…uh…WINS. OK?"

"Fine with me."

"Alright, places everyone!" The man with the microphone grinned. "Asaya Ninomiya VS Jimmy Ko! Who'll win?! First person to get to 40 WINS!"

"Hey that's CHEAP!"

"What the hell's THAT?!"

"Gentlemen, the little lady has already agreed to the bet. Are we all clear on that right now?!"

"Hey you little brat, don't make me LOSE all those MONEY! Or else I'll be gunning you down, you HEAR?!"

"…" Asaya nodded.

"OK!" The man nodded. "Ninomiya Team: K', Kula, Kyo, Iori. Ko Team: Kim, K 99999, Rugal, Dark Moon! Alright, let's RRRRUUUUUUMMMMBBBBLLLLEEEEE~~~~~~!!!!"