Chapter 14: Love and Idleness

Kenny peered through the ancient books in the Tornatore's library. There, sitting quietly at her desk was the woman of his life: Emily.

"Go and talk to her."

Kenny jumped and turned to see Master Enrique standing behind him.

"M-mas... ter En...rique!" he hiccupped and felt himself flushing.

The blond grinned at the boy's fluttering.

"Come on, are you a man or not?" Enrique pressed. "There's a girl sitting there- not so pretty, I dare say- but if you want her, go on! I won't get in between you."

"Er... It's not th- that."

"What? Don't tell me you're scared of that bookworm?"

Kenny gave a small nod.

Enrique hit himself on the forehead. Where is mankind heading if they're scared of a tiny woman?

"Look, it's easy. Just go and tell her how you feel."

When he saw how horrified Kenny looked, Enrique decided to take another tactic to help the nerd conquer the other nerd's heart.

Kenny went up hesitantly to Emily, clutching a tiny book.

"Yes?" Emily peered through her glasses with an I'm-busy-what-do-you-want look.

"Erm…" Kenny showed the book. "Have you read this book? It's my…erm… favorite."

He nearly fainted. That was the longest sentence he had ever spoken to her. But Emily didn't seem to notice.

"Madame Bovary," she read the title. "Isn't it pornography?"

Kenny looked over his shoulder at Enrique who was giving him a thumb up. Surely the latter didn't read much.

"Er, pardon me, I think I've got the wrong book…" Kenny hastily justified himself and took refuge behind the bookshelves again.

Even though he didn't know Emily smiled after his departure. Madame Bovary wasn't really pornography but a grand French classic, rather feminist. If the book was really one of Kenny's favorites then Emily wouldn't mind sharing it with him.


Prima was coming down from her room one morning when she saw Enrique dressed in a linen shirt and brown leather trousers turning the keys of his convertible in circles around his finger.

"Where are you going?" she asked before she could stop herself.

Enrique turned at her voice and a malicious smile as drawn across hi face.

"Did I just hear my fiancée talking to me?"

Prima sighed angrily and was about to turn away from him when Enrique said, "For your information, I'm going to a tennis match."

She stopped.

"Women or men?"

His eyes twinkled.

"Women. Want to come?"

"Rather not," she said disgusted. "By the way, that girl, Hilary, I think you should give her some justice," she added. "She seems to like you."

"Everyone likes me, Prima," Enrique said.

"Shut up and go."

When Enrique left however, Prima left too. She went on her motorcycle to New York. She parked in the filthy car park in China town and walked through its crowded streets. She turned into a dark alley and knocked on the third door from the right.

"Password?"

"Rotten Lettuce," Prima answered.

The door creaked open and an elderly woman stood behind it. Her white hair was wrapped in a bun and she was wearing a tattered kimono.

"Prima-san, long time no see."

"Sensei."

Prima bowed to her and the old lady let her in. The interior was constructed in a traditional Japanese way. Slide doors let to further rooms but the old woman lead her to the quiet sitting room and served her green tea. Prima looked around the wood-sided walls that used to be her place of refuge. Watercolors decorated the tiny room as well as giant jars.

"What brings you here?" the old lady asked.

"I must question you about one of your pupils."

The senile grew silent. Prima had reviewed the tape that the car automatically took on the night when Hilary, Enrique, Salima and Tyson were on mission. She recognized the boy who shot Enrique's rope. It was the same one that she met. After an analysis with Dizzi, she found out that it wasn't a gun that he was using but a tanto and that tanto could only be made by Sensei Taka here, who happened to be Prima's Kendo master as well.

"I happen to have a lot of pupils,' the old woman got up and turned her back to Prima.

"But I'm sure you remember this one."

Sensei Taka turned and took the photograph that Prima was handing out. Her ancient hands crisped on the borders, confirming Prima's doubts.

"Kai was the perfect pupil-"

"Kai? Is that his real name?" Prima interrupted.

The senile nodded.

"Yes, Kai Hiwatari. He's and orphan brought here by a man called Boris Balkov and he took him away from me again. Kai was someone exceptional but he was turned into a lifeless monster by that Balkov…"

"What do you know about Balkov?"

The master gazed tiredly at her old pupil.

"Nothing much. He is a strange man for all I know. I don't follow the news but the last time he came he was building a small political party."

"Balkov's party is increasing in power," Prima told her. "Mr. Tornatore reckons that he's involved in the Chow family."

"I'm sorry but I can't tell you what is his true intention," the senile shook her head sadly. "But for one thing sure, he uses Kai like a puppet and that I can't stand."

"How can I find him?"

The old woman was surprised by the determination in the girl's voice.

"Kai? He lives with Balkov. He's no more than a dog… Look for him and you'll look for death."


I know this chap is very short but I needed a bridge to the next chapter. I'll try to update soon!