Aoi Kodoku; Blue Solitude
Author: Nekocin
Pairing: (here) very mild Boris(Bryan)+Yuri(Tala)
Warnings: some slight violence, Out of Character-ness, weird humor, random culinary stuff (ignore them if you must, because this isn't a culinary yaoi-slash-shounen ai fanfiction)
Disclaimer: see previous chapter

(!) Note: For those who had only read the teaser of the first chapter, please re-read the previous chapter to understand what's going on. I apologize for any inconveniences because I dislike to re-read stories-or-chapters myself (except for the ones I truly adore).

Uwa my longest chapter so far. :heart:

2. Beginning B: Rei

7:15 PM (19:15)

TING!

He purposefully pressed the top button of the time much harder than needed.

The other members in his group winced and shrank away, choosing to stand as far away as they could from their agitated fifth member.

A series of rapid, if not, effortless chopping tempted them (and some interested guests that were attending Ivanov's banquet) to risk glances in Rei's direction. Even with an irritated look on his face, he was speedily completing all the ingredients, which he was supposed to prepare within, roughly, 3 minutes (without cutting himself with the big kitchen knife). He was handling it as if he was born to wield the knife like a Professional Chef would.

Which worried the rest of his group gravely. What if Rei were to kill them in their sleep with that big knife—or better yet, what if he were to kill them in the kitchen while making it look like an accident?

They shivered, hoping that they weren't going to be Rei's unfortunate victims.
'How the heck did Takao pass the title of Substitute Chef to Rei?' was the question that echoed in their minds as they tried to recollect what had occurred that same morning.

That morning, they were half-expecting to find Takao's body in his apartment and a smug Rei, when Max went to pick them up—after all, Rei did mention he would poison their friend. And he seemed to be quite serious about it too.

Instead, they had found a dramatically starving Takao and a scary-looking Rei—both looking as if they hadn't had a good night sleep the night before.
Why Takao was looking so starved was because, as they had later found out, Rei had 'punished' their friend rather harshly, forbidding the other to eat breakfast or anything for that matter.

Which, unfortunately, resulted to letting Rei take over the Head Chef's task because Takao was too hungry (and battered) to move a hand, much less a muscle. And of course, because the other three weren't stupid enough to take the whole group as their own responsibility when their fifth member was looking like he was plotting someone's murder.

Oh yeah, that's the reason-

TING!

Their Substitute Chef was done with his first task; preparing half of the ingredients that were needed for two dishes—carrots, spring onions, celeries and cucumber. He placed the knife on the table that was supposed to represent a kitchen counter; 7 rectangular, plastic tables were needed to create it—enough space for five people to do their own tasks and for two people to cook on the last two.

He wiped his hands on the white apron, which he was required to wear, before turning serious eyes to the other members of the group.

"Are you all done?"

"Yes, sir!" Max instantly took it upon himself to answer on behalf of his friends, since he was the older one among the three. He handed over large bowls containing red onions, white onions, red chilies, and garlic he was supposed to cut. "Here! Do you know how to make the dishes Takao had informed you about? Roasted Monkfish with Garlic sauce and—Tandoori-style Chicken, wasn't it? Yes, it was,"

He nodded approvingly to Max's work. "You're very precise with your chilies, I see,"

Max grinned, resting his palms on his hips proudly. "Why, thank you. I always thought they need to look very small and pretty,"

"No. I don't know the dishes," Rei finally added as an afterthought.

"Huh?"

He rolled up his sleeves in preparation, "I've decided to do the cooking my way. Is that okay with you—Takao?"

They both turned to look at their Head Chef Takao, who was sitting slumped over at the very end of their makeshift kitchen counter, (the seventh table to be exact), mumbling something or another.

Distinct "—'m starving—hurry up—need food—die—," were the only words they could make out of his mumbling.

"I guess you can start the fire now. We still have forty-nine minutes and sixteen seconds to go—technically way ahead of everyone!" Max chirped, stretching his smile in an effort to soften Rei's dark look. The end result was, at least, a bit more satisfying even if it's just a small tired smile.

"Please time me, Max,"

"You can count on me!" He pulled out his trusty stopwatch. "Your time begins--NOW!"

It didn't take long before a crowd surrounded their little 'kitchen'. It was hard not to come closer and stare at how the Substitute Chef (SC) handled what-looked-like fire-spouting wok. Really, the fire was set so high that the wok was engulfed within the fire. It gave the impression that the wok's content was spouting flames, which impressed the crowd, of course. But not as much as the fact that even though the content was spouting fire, no foul burning smell was circulating the air.

Appreciative murmurs and admiring sounds buzzed across the room—which did not go unnoticed by the other members of Rei's group.

Max and Kyouju were making awed sounds behind their throats. Daichi was-

"Show off," Daichi scoffed softly, sounding both awed and annoyed at the same time, as the SC elegantly dumped the fried ribs, chopped bell-peppers and large slices of garlic in a flat, porcelain and oval-looking plate.

("7:31," Max announced grinningly)

"You think?"

Daichi instantly stood rigid when the quiet murmur reached his ears.

"Cool! You can even hear that far!" Max cheered quickly, trying to cover the poor Daichi. He turned his attention back to his stopwatch. "Twenty-five minutes and fifty seconds left, Rei,"

"I would gradually like to end this with three minutes and three seconds to spare," Rei responded.

Max grinned," Cocky, aren't you? Well, suit yourself,"

"Not really,"

He wasn't cocky. He just calculated the time he needed to prepare the last dish; estimating the time the chicken needed to be ready, adding the needed time the cooking of Hot Chili Sauce and Oyster Sauce should be thin enough to use and not to forget, the time the onions needed to be fried.

Sadly, he had miscalculated, finishing the dish with slight eight minutes and one second to spare.

He had forgotten that Kyouju had cooked the sauces beforehand (it had been his assigned task) and Daichi had already warmed the chicken to make it easier to cook for the next round, while Rei was preparing the ribs.

"That's okay," Max patted his back soothingly, "At least you finished before everyone else did. You should be proud!"

Rei slumped in the plastic chair Kyouju had pulled out for him. He took off his hat and pushed the hair that framed his face, back.
He felt tired, exhausted but most of all, -not- angry anymore even if he tried—because he was too put out. He wouldn't be surprised if he looked battered and (probably even) abused due to one sleepless night; his eyes were probably red-rimmed and the bags under his eyes probably had a sickly-kind-of-green look.

"You should really consider becoming a Professional Chef," Kyouju suggested as he sat down in his own plastic chair.

"Tried. Did not work out," Rei admitted bitterly, lifting his hand to the right side of his face right near his eye, and started rubbing small circles across the area. His head was feeling a bit woozy.

"You tried and they didn't want you? Those idiots" Daichi muttered, before stuffing his mouth with paprika-flavored chips.

"Well—those who had lived their whole lives in the big city, would stamp me under the category 'ruffians' before I can even do my stuff. The category generalizes the fact that I originated from outside the city," He shrugged.

"I'm sorry," Max's voice sounded so far away.

"Don't be," Because he wasn't sorry for whatever had happened way back then. He shrugged again, "I'm not. Besides, I only came to study -Management Economy Rights- in Japan," he paused for a second, narrowing his eyes, and continued, "So don't even think I would make this a habit of mine. Helping you guys out with cooking, that is,"

He then shot all three a warning glare and smiled when neither of the three looked like they had any problems with his forewarning.

"—food—need food—'m hungry—,"

Perhaps he had been a bit too harsh on his flatmate. The little guy looked like he had just survived walking through a dessert; drained out, tired, slumped over and shriveled up too.

He sighed.

"Once we get home I'll make you a feast meal, okay? Come on, Takao! Get on your feet," Rei promised soothingly, ignoring the funny looks he was getting from Max and took off his apron.

"You're leaving already?" Kyouju started.

"There's no reason for me to stay and Takao is too starved to have fun with you guys," Rei pointed out, already standing up. He walked up to the still slumped over Takao, slid one of his flat mate's over the back of his neck and shifted part of the other's weight on his shoulder.

"You're really not interested who is going to be the winner?" Daichi wondered, almost dropping his bags of chips out of incredulity.

"Does it matter?"

"In a matter of fact, yes it does. The grand prize is just enough to pay our school's expenses and probably even a plane ride to England or something," Daichi flicked a thumb in the direction of one large advertising banner, hanging right above the entrance.

The text was—written backwards from his side of the view, though he did catch the prize money mentioned on the banner. And it had way too many zeroes to count.

"You forgot about the promotion part," Kyouju added, suddenly sounding all-knowingly.

Okay. It was starting to get confusing for him. Even if the text was backwards he knew very well there was no mention of promotion on the banner. He raised his eyebrows. "I thought Takao said his work was at stake,"

Max nodded, "It is. Yuri had threatened him if he doesn't win this contest he'll demote him, or worse, fire him,"

"Why? Is it true that his cooking would end everyone in hospital?" Rei instantly regretted getting persuaded by Takao's promises of cooking for him for the whole month.

He just had such simple desires, Rei thought dryly. Heh.

He could see it now—the message carved on his epitaph:

'Kon Rei, the one who was food-poisoned by his flat mate Kinomiya in the Year of the Sheep.

Rest in Peace and never ever touch anyone's food except your own-'

Max suddenly laughed aloud, "He got you with that one, didn't he? The lazy ass!"

He blinked. "—I don't understand," He shifted Takao's weight again.

"Takao is Yuri's most favored Chef," Kyouju enlightened. "Takao had once said that since he loves food that much, he has to cook very delicious for himself, enough to last his budget,"

No wonder why Takao had been looking for a flat mate to share his apartment's expenses. All his money is spent on food!

It's still too confusing, though. If Takao was such a great cook, why lie to him about his skills?
One of these days he should gather them all round a fire or something and force them to tell everything about themselves—but that's just wistful thinking and very impolite. "If he's that great, why was his work at stake?"

Kyouju cleared his throat. "I'm very sure you know about Takao's, say, monstrous appetite,"

Rei nodded.

"Well, Yuri -hates- it when all the food is gone, before he's at the table," Kyouju continued. In other words—Takao's appetite were the cause of Yuri's threat. But there's something missing.

"You see where I'm going, Rei?"

"Perhaps—I'm only missing one thing, though,"

"And that is?" Max leaned closer.

"—can anyone please tell me who exactly is Yuri?"

Max blinked, automatically answering as if Rei should know already, "He's Takao's boss,"

"But I thought Ivanov is Takao's boss,"

"They're the same person. Ivanov is Yuri's family name. I thought you'd figured it out when you read the banner over there. The Y-dot after the Ivanov in the ending section," Daichi elaborated, mockingly pointing to said banner--the same one which they had referred to a few moments ago.

Daichi's words had struck a nerve. "Ch'," He was about to retort when a familiar stomach growl caught everyone's attention.

"—hungry—," Takao croaked softly, slumping over.

The weight on Rei's shoulders had suddenly tripled. Anger forgotten, making way for surprise and no sooner, he found himself dropping to his knees and palms.

Ow. Did he break his kneecaps?

The other three had let out startled cries, rushed to him impulsively and were babbling worriedly over his head. He did not bother to register their words in his mind like he had tried last time.

"(huff huff) I didn't (huff huff huff) think he could be (swallow. Huff huff huff) this heavy (huff huff)," Rei admitted, out of breath. He felt stupid for being on the ground. "I'll never (huff huff) carry you again (huff huff),"

Rei sighed. "Will someone please get him off?"

Daichi and Max immediately pulled the relieved the heavy weight from Rei's back.

"I still can't believe he had resisted the smells this long," Kyouju held out his hand to pull Rei back on his feet.

"D'ya think he has a cold—a stuffed nose or something?" Daichi mused. Kyouju and Max looked at each other before simultaneously shaking their heads, scoffing, "—nah,"

Daichi added, "Whatever made him ignore the many delicious smells is quite an effective weapon,"

Takao was left slumping on the same table he had been propped against for the whole evening.

Rei was suddenly on the receiving end of Max's soulful, sky-blue eyes. It must have been those lights that made the eyes look like they were ready to water...
"Please don't leave this early, Rei. I don't want to go yet. I'm the one driving remember? I don't want to leave without getting a taste of Yuri's famous secret dish,"

Did Max's lips just quiver?

"Besides that, you haven't even met our host. It's impolite to leave without meeting him, you know?" Kyouju added hastily.

Rei tore his eyes away from the quivering blue ones and looked down at his slightly dusty pants. "No, thanks. I've to leave right now. Need to do some last minute shopping before we're out of stock tonight," He made a show of dusting off his pants and straightening them just so he wouldn't have to look at Max. Max's eyes reminded him of how Mao would look at him whenever she wanted to cry, but not crying immediately.

Ruefully, he smiled.

Whoever would have thought that someone as short and slender like Takao could weigh a ton or two? It's probably one of the weird quirks of city-life, perhaps.
Back home, one of his friends, Gao, was like Takao—both having a ridiculous huge appetite. Though, at least Gao looked his size—large, bulky, beefy and so on.

He was startled, when someone hung a slender arm casually on his shoulder. He stiffened.

"So you are the famed Kon Rei," An unfamiliar voice said in amusement.

It's an attack!

Alarmed and feeling threatened, he grabbed the arm and threw whoever was leaning on him over his shoulder. To his surprise, his supposed-to-be assaulter did not let out a shout of pain, not even one of surprise. Instead, the stranger bounced once on his palms and flipped back up on his feet.

A pair of amused ice blue eyes looked at him with contained mirth. He stared in disbelief. How-?

"Who the h-UGH?" Before Rei could finish his question, he was fisted in a chokehold by a pair of strong, hard and calloused hands. He struggled to tear the hands from crushing his neck.

Choked.

Choked some more.

Need oxygen.

His vision started swimming—was it time to die already?—unconsciously he dug his nails into flesh.

In the background the results of Ivanov's mini-cooking contest were being announced while the audience clapped along to its fullest.

"—do you want a glass of milk?" the blue-eyed, red head, who had escaped Rei's throw, offered politely.

He narrowed his eyes at him in response.

"-lots of calcium to make you recover!" the other tried again, holding a glass of milk to Rei.

He turned his head away, ignoring the glass no matter how tempting.

Rei had been lucky to escape the chokehold a few minutes ago (with the help of the redhead for some reason). Though not thoroughly unscathed, as there were reddish hand marks adorning his pale neck.

Thinking back again, Rei unconsciously rubbed the abused area and shot glares at the -only- gray-haired guy with strangely lavender eyes, from across his seat.

The other returned his glares with the same amount of fury, scooting his chair almost over protectively closer to the redhead.

After the misunderstanding (as Max had put it) Rei found himself sitting in a circle with a bunch of unknown people—including Takao's three friends. He scooted a bit further away from

Max cleared his throat, nervously chuckling, "So—uhm—Rei, this is our host—Ivanov Yuri and his -bodyguard-" Max ignored the glare he was receiving from Yuri, "-Boris,"

Ivanov raised up a hand in greeting instead of doing the customary bowing. "Sorry about just then. I didn't know you would throw people around,"

Rei inclined his head politely in return to the raised-up hand and dropped his glare. "I don't like people sneaking up to me,"

"I admit you took me by surprise there. By the way, that's one nice hurl!"

Rei snorted. Ivanov exchanged some secretive glances with Boris.

"I'm flattered you're thinking it was indeed powerful," Rei took this as his cue, standing up to leave. "Excuse me for being hasty. I need to go right now. Max,"

The blond nodded solemnly and stood up, only to be pushed back in his seat by a no-longer-starving Takao.

His flat mate crossed his arms, pointedly giving Rei an uncharacteristic flat look. He looked right back at him, only out of confusion, "What?"

"—we're second place," Takao finally spoke up.

"So? I never said anything about guaranteeing the grand prize for your group," He pointed out flippantly. Unfortunately, that wasn't the right excuse his flat mate wanted to hear and he started throwing a tantrum.

"How could you? How could you? How could you? REI! How could you do this to me, Rei? I held high expectations of your participation. To think that I even compliment you on daily basis. Coming from me, you should proud to have my acknowledgements. How could you do this to me? Why second place? I kept my end of the bargain; not eating for the whole day, and this is what you repay me? Second place? Did you do something wrong with the ribs? Was the chicken too bony?-"

Rei rolled his eyes. "I like you better when you were hungry. At least then you would be meek and quiet. To think I had wanted to reward you for your good sportsmanship tonight with a feast meal-,"

A hungered look crossed Takao's face. His teeth was watering... "—a feast meal all for me?"
He quickly shook his head. With an accusing finger, Takao pointed between Rei's eyes. "-no—No! No! You lost! You made me lose my job! You deliberately didn't cook well, didn't you? You deliberately did it to punish me for lying, didn't you?"

Looking cross-eyed at the offending finger, he pushed it away. "Don't point your finger at me, Takao and don't be so childish. Why would I bother punishing with such a petty method? For all I know I could just punish you by locking you up in your room or something. Besides that, don't you know Olivier's records?"

"Oli-who?"

"Olivier, the one who got the first prize—the one with the forest-green hair," He explained, gesturing to a short person with forest-green hair tucked under the usual white hat, in the crowd.

Max squinted his eyes to see the person called Olivier. "How did you know? You weren't even listening to the results,"

"I didn't have to. I just knew the moment I saw him, he would be a difficult challenger to beat," He admitted.

"Yeah. Yeah. So who exactly is this Olivier-guy?" Takao cut in, hopping impatiently.

Before Rei could explain, Ivanov beat him to it, "He is France's most prestigious Junior Chef aiming for higher degree. Won many National and International cooking contests in the passing years,"

Ivanov sent a long smirk in Takao's direction. "—to be honest. He is far better than you with his culinary skills,"

Takao bristled. "If he is such a great Chef, why exactly is he participating your mini-contest, huh?"

"—that's because he is good friends with a certain friend's archenemy," was the flippant answer coming from the redhead.

There was a moment of confusion in the group—which was rudely interrupted by Takao's outcry.

"—you mean, because of HIM!"

"Yes, HIM and not to forget -him-," Ivanov nodded solemnly. The emphasis on 'him' had shaken Takao for some reason that his face looked paler than normal.

"We're in hell," He groaned out at last, slapping his forehead.

Rei didn't dwell too much on whatever 'hell' Takao was thinking of. He didn't even understand what exactly had been said.

"Not necessary. It's rather fun to see them so stirred up because of each other's presences. Don't you think so too, Boris?" Ivanov trailed a finger on Boris' hand and send the other a strange—not exactly sugary-sweet-loving look but something more like a -feral- look.

Boris looked back coolly. His lips then curled up into a malicious smirk. "At least he doesn't have to expect much from that Johnny other than loathing,"
He trapped Ivanov's teasing fingers by grabbing the other's hand in his.

Rei watched on in fascination.

"Lots of blood will be spilled," Boris added cryptically, his smirk widening.
"Your hands should stay where they belong," He added, putting the captured hand in Ivanov's lap.

Ivanov pouted.

Rei stared. What exactly is -this-? Do friends act like that?

"Whom exactly are you two talking about?" Max wondered innocently, before nudging Takao in the ribs. "Tell me. Who are the -him- and the other -him- refer to? There are two people right? Right? Tell me,"

"Who else do you think? Kai, of course!" Takao answered.

Rei frowned. What exactly were they going on about?

"Oh, -him- and -that guy-," Max joined the cynical conversation.

"Now, now, Mizuhara—not in that kind of context. You make it sound as if they're dating," Ivanov admonished, though, amusement was written all over his face.

Sheepishly, Max scratched the back of his neck. "Sorry, sorry. I mean no disrespect to your—uhm—relationship,"

"You better not. Though, I don't think it's such a bad idea—," Ivanov and Boris shared a look, before mirroring each other's smirks.

"Ooh, wouldn't it be much like a volcano eruption if they ever were--you know?" Ivanov raised his right index finger. "All they need is probably a push in the right direction—,"

Takao stopped groaning about something or another, before he finally caught on to Ivanov's words and shouted, "HELL NO! DON'T EVEN GO THERE, YURIIIIII!"

"Why not? You like him like that too?"

Takao sputtered.

Rei felt like he was pushed in the middle of gossiping women; he had lost track of their conversation as soon as Max started talking about a certain -him- and another HIM with Takao and the others.

They were probably deliberately saying 'him' several times when referring to two people because he was a stranger in their midst.

He yawned. His eyes automatically watered and his shoulders slumped. Which reminded him of the fact that he still needed do some late night shopping. Seeing as everyone was too busy discussing a certain Kai and a certain Johnny, he slipped away from the circle, hopefully unnoticed.

Rei stared at the huge driveway in front of him and then at the world beyond the main gate. To his horror, he could only see a few small buildings and spots. The city outside the Ivanov's villa seemed so small from his side.

-oh.

Oh yeah. Almost forgotten that the Ivanov's villa was built on a hill.

How the heck was he was he supposed to know where that convenience store, at which Max worked, could be found from this side of the city?

He regretted not having explored the city to its entirety when he had moved into Takao's apartment. Sighing, he descended the marble stairs that were built in front of the front door.

If this were what Takao called -quality time- with him, he would rather like to stay home, and sleep the whole day and night off. Though, he wouldn't say his Saturday night with Takao (and his friends) was boring or fun.
It was just... different and too energy consuming on his part. Perhaps he had exaggerated a bit with preparing his dishes.

'Show off', Daichi had said. He probably had been showing off all this time. What would his friends back in the village say about this?

"How dare you leave my house without a proper goodbye!"

Rei froze in mid-step and slowly turned around, feeling guilty. "I-,"

He was immediately cut off when someone else's spoke up in a clear fine, definitely male voice. "You were too busy with -Boris-. I thought it wouldn't matter if I-,"

"-if you just leave?" Ivanov interrupted him, his voice sounding steely-cold. Different from the playful and amused tone.

"What does it matter if I say a proper goodbye or not?"

"It does matter!"

Rei realized that Ivanov was actually talking to the guy, who was standing a few stairs ahead of his. He released the sharp intake of breath he wasn't aware of holding and placed his hovering foot back on the solid stairs. To think that Ivanov would be furious at him just because he didn't say a proper goodbye sounded quite ridiculous. After all, he didn't know Ivanov personally and vice versa.

He was about to step down when Ivanov's steely voice spoke up again, though, this time directed to -him-. "You're not going anywhere, Kon,"

Rei felt something frigid run down his spine. He turned around to face the redhead, guiltily dropping his head like he would always do whenever he did something very wrong in front of the Elders.

"I apologize for being hasty with my retreat, Ivanov-san. But I need to run some errands before we're starved to death tonight and-,"

"You keep saying that! Do you find my party so boring that you make up an excuse just to leave, Kon?" Ivanov demanded.

Why do people keep interrupting him?

Ivanov's words made him feel guiltier for some reason. "No! It's not like that. Honest! I really need to go do some grocery shopping and-" He tried to sound convincing, but instead it seemed like he didn't sound as confident as he'd once prided himself for, because Kon Rei had never ever let out a mewl of fright. Never. Until now.

"—I like you even more, Kon," Ivanov suddenly let out a strange laugh.

"Huh?" Something wicked was coming his way.

"Guess you've found yourself a ride," Rei blinked at Ivanov, who was smirking for some reason. He didn't like the playful glint in Ivanov's eyes one bit.

"-what? How?"

"KAI, please escort my friend, Kon, here to Mizuhara's store!"

What?

A dangerous low voice responded, "What?" And then, a more deeper but dangerous growl, "Tell me one good reason why I should obey you, Yuri?"

Ivanov ignored his question. He fixed his attention on Rei instead.

Shocked, Rei stared incredulously at the redhead, blinking his eyes. What did he just say?

"Don't look at me like that. Think about the many miles you have to walk before you reach to Mizuhara's store—yes, the one you like to buy your groceries—having my friend to give you a lift would save a lot of energy and sweat, don't you think?" Ivanov nodded his head in mock-sympathy and patted Rei's shoulders.

"But I don't mind walking long distances," Back in the village, it was normal to walk long distances before they reach the first modern city—sometimes it took a whole day before they reached a certain city and sometimes just a few hours.

"Trust me on this one, kitty-" Rei bristled at the 'kitty' comment. What's with the too friendly nearness? He took a few steps back. "You really -need- this ride," Ivanov whispered. "Japan's nights are unlike those of yours. Especially when you live here in this big metropolis. There are lots of dangers lurking in this area so it's best you get a ride from someone like Kai—he's my most trusted friend, so you don't have to worry for any wayward dangers. He'll protect you,"

Rei did not appreciate to be equaled to weak and defenseless. He was one of the best fighters back in his village, thank you very much! He was about to retort and defend his Neko-jin pride—only to be interrupted yet again.

Dammit! Next time when someone interrupts him again, he'll put his foot into that person's mouth.

Ivanov was suddenly wrenched from Rei's side and dragged further away out of ear shot by some tall guy, but not tall enough to beat Ivanov in height.
'Kai' was the guy's name. The same 'Kai' the others had been discussing about with this 'Johnny' figure?

Even with his utterly sensitive hearing, Rei did not listen in. He truthfully did not. Those two 'friends' would, for all he knew, talk random stuff again and make his poor over-loaded brain more confused than it already was. He distinctly heard a "Fine," then a "Thank you," and two pairs of footsteps approaching him.

"Kai, meet Kon Rei, Takao's flat mate; Rei, meet Hiwatari Kai, my best friend. Drive safe, Kai. I don't want Rei to get high blood pressure. And Rei, try being nice to my friend at least, he's such a lonely soul. Anyways, have a nice evening you guys! Bye-bye,"

And off Ivanov went, leaving Rei blinking and confused in Hiwatari's care.

– END 2. Beginning B: Rei –

(To be continued in: 3. Beginning C: Rei)

Notes:

- Takao's suggested dishes - are taken from "The Low Fat Cook book" written by Sue Kreitzman. I own the book :P :inserts weird laughter:
- Rei's dishes - are Chinese dishes my parents usually order whenever we go to restaurants: Fried ribs (though I seem to be the only one who likes Garlic Fried Ribs while they like Sweet 'n Sour Fried Ribs) and Pa-Wong-Kai (don't know what it's called in English—'something-something-chicken' :sweatdrops:)
- MER – that's what I'll be studying for.
- Yuri flipping back to his feet – I just had to put it there. I just had to put it there. I just had to put it there (repeated who-knows-how-many times). Yuri is just so cool! :gets beaten up for the OoC-ness:
- Car ride - My cousin and his girlfriend (who's one of my childhood friends' older sister) met each other like that—a supposedly normal car ride. Though their circumstances differ from this story, because, really, they met in a Chinese sports organization under quite friendly terms. I guess how their relationship had started just fascinated me and inspired me to write a Kai/Rei. :gets beaten up for mentioning hetero before K/R:

TheNekoTalks:
I tend to over-work when working on my new chapters: scenes are crossed out, re-written, edited and re-edited to my liking. Which always results to me updating not so frequently as I used to 3 years ago. Since I planned on writing long chapters for this story, it takes quite a while before I'm satisfied with the chapter—paragraphs—writing style—and sentence structures. (Which probably explains why the chapter look so haphazard and schizophrenic :cries:)

I'm very grateful for those who had read and-or reviewed the previous chapter: PandaPjays, Echo in the Dark, SilverYoukai2496 and Demenior. My deepest apologies for not replying to each and every one of you individually (I truly love to reply reviews), because of efefdotnet's new rule. I'll probably reply them on my website (if I ever update my fanfiction section, that is :sweatdrops:).

Thank you for taking your time to read! I apologize for the long notes and for the rushing of this chapter.

.:Nekocin:.