Hello everyone and sorry for the late update. This chapter is very long and I'm still not satisfied with it but I want to move forward with the story.

I actually don't know much about arcades, I knew there were and still are very popular in Japan. Anyway, I just needed a "playground" for the character and took inspiration from the one in my hometown.

Hope you enjoy!

The arcade was crammed with people of different ages. Young kids, teenagers, groups of old friends. There were also some lonely adults who were probably relaxing for ten minutes before getting home and being yelled by their wives for coming late.

Max, Hiromi, and Boris had gone forward to go exchange the money to chips.

Rei looked around, not really interested in anything. The shiny screens and the loud sounds gave him a mild discomfort.

Meditation had always helped him not only to get ready for a battle but also to sustain the noisy involvements of the Beyblade tournaments. But now he couldn't just sit into a corner and ignore everyone else. It didn't help that the air in there was very hot, he couldn't understand if it was so for the lack of air conditioning or because the place was crowded with too many people.

Rei glanced at the rest of the group. Kai and Yuriy seemed two fish out of the water just like him. Maybe more like two sharks than just random fish.

Kai had his usual deadpan expression, but his aura created a circle around him that kept people a few feet away from him. Yuriy was looking around with a sneer on his face, glaring at every person who accidentally got too close to him.

Unlike them, Takao was- wait. Rei blinked at the empty spot where a young man wearing a baseball cap should be. Takao was missing! But he was here just a few seconds ago! Rei tried to find him, but the surrounding crowd made it impossible. He took out his phone to call him but there was no signal.

"Shouldn't we look for Takao?" he asked aloud, worried. Losing someone inside this big place, especially Takao, within one minute wasn't a good start.

He could already hear Hiromi tell him, "you had one job, Rei!"

Kai just shrugged, translation: I'm not Kinomiya's babysitter.

Yuriy gave him a how-dare-you-suggest-such-a-thing look. "If you care so much, just go look yourself, mother hen," he added as if his opinion hadn't been clear enough.

Yeah, thank you, your highness, Rei thought to himself.

At least Hiromi and Boris finally came back… but Max wasn't with them.

"Don't worry, he is with Takao," Hiromi explained. She handled him some chips before her gaze was caught by something or better someone. "Oh, there are a few of my classmates!" she said, excited. "I'll be back soon!"

Rei frowned as she left. Let's spend some time together they had said. Wonderful friends he had, why were they all disappearing? At least Kai was still here.

A phone started to ring. Kai's phone. Rei felt like he spoke too soon as Kai answered. Why did Kai's phone work here but not his?

"It's the R&D department," Kai told Yuriy. "Same problem again."

Yuriy nodded and glanced at Boris. "Ty idesh'?" he asked.

"YA priyekhal syuda za vesel'yem," Boris answered, "ne dlya tvoyego nesvyaznoy boltovni."

Yuriy rolled his eyes. "Так, Так, bol'shoy rebenok," he said.

Rei sent a questioning look to Kai. He only knew some words of Russian. One of them being Так which meant something like ok.

"We'll be back soon," Kai informed him before walking away with Yuriy.

It was just Rei and Boris now. Was this destiny's twisted sense of humor? He should go to find Max and Takao before-

"So, what about a nice and old challenge between our two?" Boris asked, smugness radiating off him.

Nice and old? This isn't a good idea, Rei's mind warned him, but he ignored it, it wasn't like he always listened to his warning bells.

"Sure," Rei agreed. "What kind of challenge?"

Boris smirked. "Follow me."

They walked past the crowd -Boris had also the power that made people move away unconsciously from his path- and took the stairs. Rei had no idea what was up there, but he could hear strange sounds as they got closer to the top.

His eyes widened once they reached the floor. It was a shooting range. A thick glass wall separated the big room from everything else. There must be at least ten firing lines.

Maybe he should have asked the question before accepting.

"You want to back off?" Boris asked.

Him backing off from a challenge? Even though all the odds were all against him and in favor of Boris?

"Of course not," Rei answered, standing a little taller. Being in disadvantage had never stopped him.

"Good," Boris said with his stupid smirk.

After they waited for their turn, an assistant gave them a pair of goggles and an airsoft sniper gun, explaining the rules. Although the gun couldn't do any real damage Rei was sure Boris could kill with it anyway.

They went in the last two firing lines and took their positions.

Rei observed how Boris hold casually the big gun with just one arm to take the aim. Rei had no idea how a gun worked, a part of taking the aim and pull the trigger. It shouldn't be too difficult. It wasn't a real weapon.

Noticing he was being observed, Boris gave him a cocky grin and fired without even looking. The bullet had almost hit the middle of the round target.

Show off.

Rei decided to hold his gun in more a classical way, just like the other players. He didn't have Boris' skills, but he had a good eyesight on his side.

He took aim, pulled the trigger and… totally missed the target. Boris snickered but Rei ignored him.

This was just the first time, he will not get discouraged now. When Rei failed the next shots as well Boris laughed openly at him. Rei felt slowly his temper rising. Not good, he couldn't lose his calm now.

"You are holding that gun wrong."

Rei turned his head at the voice, noticing only now Kai and Yuriy being behind them. For how long had they been there? Well, surely enough to see him embarrassing himself.

"Here," Kai said, coming to his aid. He gripped the hand with which Rei was holding the gun and changed the position of his fingers.

Rei shivered at the contact, Kai's proximity was making him feel a bit dizzy. He tried to focus on what Kai was saying, though it was a bit difficult.

Kai's pale hands were elegant and lean but large, like the ones of the pianists. Just the opposite from Rei's tanned ones. It reminded Rei how much different he and Kai were, but yet so similar. Because even though they were physically different, they both still had Beyblader's hands. Calloused and slightly scarred by the blades, the battles and the never-ending training for a passion that had brought them together so many years ago.

Once Rei had a good grip on the gun, they turned to the target, still standing side by side. Kai's nice scent cocooned him like a warm embrace.

It was almost like in the old days, when they still trained together before Rei had decided to leave the BBA team. Kai had always been a good advisor to him and Rei had missed him a lot when he had joined the Baihuzu. It was during that period that Rei had started to understand that maybe what he felt for Kai wasn't just admiration.

"Relax your body," Kai whispered, "only if you control your breath you can focus on your target."

Rei did as he was told, unaware of his surrounding until an annoying someone cleared his throat.

"Are you done, Kai-sempai?" Boris teased him. "Or should I call you Sensei?"

Suddenly Rei realized how close they were, with Kai basically stuck to his side just like back at his office, but now in public. Kai must have realized it only now too. He quickly took a step back and turned his head away to face Boris. Rei was grateful for it since he couldn't stop himself from blushing.

"Zatknites', Kuznetsov," Kai growled, slipping in Russian, "zanimaysya svoimi delami. Yesli khochesh' rabotu."

Boris lowered his gun. "Net neobkhodimosti byt' takoy svirepoy, ty znayesh', Boss," he grinned, "My prosto vse dumali, kogda ty-"

"Ladno khvatit, Boris," Yuriy interrupted him. "Just finish your shots, I want to try as well."

Boris sighed, muttered something under his breath still in Russian.

The little exchange had helped Rei to calm down as he had tried to translate whatever they had been talking about. His confused eyes danced from Yuriy to Boris. Little to say that he had understood almost nothing.

"Don't get distracted," Kai told him coldly, turning back to him. "Now just aim and shoot."

He was back in his shell like a hermit crab who had been poked. The sudden change of attitude made the last of Rei's warm feeling sweep away. Far away again, he mused but he brushed the thought away. Now it was time to concentrate. He couldn't fail again after Kai's pieces of advice.

He calmed his breath as he had been told earlier and aimed. He fired, and finally managed to hit the target. It wasn't in the middle, but it was close to it. He let out a small excited sound and turned unconsciously to Kai who just nodded at him.

The next shots hit the target as well, each closer to the center until the last two bullets hit the middle of the circle. At this point, Boris had already won and was savoring his victory. Well, not everybody could be an ex-trained Russian killer.

"Not bad for your first time," Yuriy commented, interrupting Boris' fun.

Rei couldn't believe he got a compliment from the ice queen. "I've got a good teacher," he said, his eyes shifting to a certain figure.

Kai had taken Boris' place and was reloading the gun. Was there something that he didn't do in an unattractive way?

He was distracted by Yuriy taking the gun from his grasp and shaking his head. "Hopeless," he muttered as he walked away.

Hopeless? So much for praising him earlier.

Rei leaned his back against the wall as he watched Kai and Yuriy talk in Russian again. It was starting to be annoying. Anyway, whatever Yuriy said it must be some serious stuff because Kai had the ultimate determinate look.

They shook hands and took their places. Neither of them missed the middle of the target. This will be more nerves of steel kind of battle since both were very skilled.

"So, what are you waiting to make your move?" Boris suddenly asked.

Rei narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Boris made a face as though Rei was the odd one. "Your feelings for Hiwatari Kai," he said, blunt.

Rei should deny it, but he wasn't able to do it. "This isn't your business," he reminded him sharply. He had never liked people prying in his life and Boris wasn't that kind of person, so he didn't understand what was his intention.

Boris raised his hands in a mocking way. "Just trying to help Kotehok, no need to scratch."

"You help?" Rei raised an eyebrow. "What can you know about. . . the subject?"

"I know enough," Boris said, glancing at the red-head. The light in his eyes briefly changed from amused to fondness.

Rei's mouth dropping open slightly'. Boris and Yuriy?! How did he never notice it? "You two are. . . "

Boris answered with a grin. "I've needs, too."

Need? Boris made it sound so selfish. . . Did he need Kai? No, what Rei felt couldn't be summarised just as need. It was even more than a want or desire.

"It's not like you think," Rei muttered thoughtfully.

I love him.

Boris looked back at him with a frown.

Did he just say that aloud? Great, he had just said for the first time aloud without any alcohol influence that he loved Kai to Boris.

"And what's the difference?" Boris scoffed. "Need, desires, love," he added sarcastically, "It's all the same."

"It's not," Rei countered. "A need is something you can't live without, love is more. It's more than a need to be together, it's more than a desire."

If the two hearts are united forever, why do the two persons need to stay together, day after day, night after night?*

The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl didn't stop to love each other even though they have been separated and could only meet once a year.

"So, you are saying that you can live without him?" Boris cackled, shaking his head. "You are something Kon Rei, but the end result doesn't change," he uttered, "you are a coward."

"What?!" Rei snapped, taking a step back.

"You heard right, yours are just excuses that weakling use," Boris said nastily. "Now, do you only fear rejection or is there something else? Let me guess-"

Rei closed his hands into fists as he felt his blood starting to boil and cloud his mind. "You don't know nothing me," he said with spite. "You are just heartless bastard and I'll not allow you from all the people to judge me."

He was done with Boris and the discussion. He made to turn away, but Boris grabbed his wrist and stopped him. "Oh, you are wrong here too," he rebutted coldly.

Rei felt a shiver run down his spine at Boris' pale eyes. It was a calculating gaze that he hadn't seen in years since their battle in Russia.

"You can hide behind your brave face," Boris said with a sardonic smirk, pulling him closer. "But I can see your weaknesses pretty well, remember?"

Rei bared his teeth and tried to free his wrist, but Boris was stronger. "Let me go," he hissed. "Or you'll regret it." In response, Boris gripped his wrist harder and Rei let out a pained groan. His arm was seriously starting to hurt.

"You think you are like a wildcat, strong and independent," Boris went on, "but you are just an abandoned stray cat who is now scared of humans, but still wants a hand to feed him- Blyad!"

Boris stared wide-eyed at his bleeding hand, the one Rei had bitten to get his arm free. Rei dried his lips with the back of his hand, but the taste of the blood didn't fade away.

Boris looked shocked, his gaze moved from his hand to Rei. The cruel glitter in his eyes was gone. "Rei, I," he stuttered, taking a step back. "I don't know what came over me- I'm sorry-"

"What are you doing you two?" Yuriy interrupted, suddenly staring at them.

Boris quickly hid his hand in the pocket of his jeans.

Kai turned towards them too with a frown on his face.

"Nothing, we were just betting on who would win," Rei lied, his voice sounded lifeless to his own ears.

Kai tried to catch Rei's gaze, but Rei quickly avoided him. The taste of the foreign blood was starting to make him feel sick.

"Let me know how it ends," Rei said with half-smile, not wanting to stay there anymore. "I'm going to find the others."

He left without giving them another glance and walked out of the shooting range, or maybe rushed out. Each step he took became faster and faster. He quickly reached the ground floor, but he didn't look for the others and instead went to the restroom. He washed his mouth, again and again, not caring about some people giving strange looks.

Once he was satisfied, Rei closed the water and stared at the mirror. His eyes were dull, and his skin didn't have the usual healthy glow. He should have stayed at home. He would have caught up some hour of sleep and not feel so upset now.

He got out of the restroom and shoved his way through the people without bumping against them as he went to the exit.

When he finally managed to step out of the arcade, a gentle breeze brushed against his face and through his loose hair. Rei let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding and moved a lock away from his face. He must have lost his hair band when he had got through the crowd.

The sun was already dipping behind the horizon, painting the sky with different shades of red and pink.

She had always liked the sunset. After a long day, she would always sit in front of the house with her brush and easel and try to capture the different shades of the sky. In the end, she was never satisfied with the results.

He wondered why lately thoughts of them popped into his head randomly. Was his subconscious trying to tell him something?

Rei looked away and went to sit a bench as he waited for the others. His wrist ached a little but there was no bruise. The only thing bruised was his pride. . . Rei closed his eyes as he wondered what had come over the Russian. He hadn't seemed himself and when Rei had bitten him it was like a bucket of cold water had woken Boris up.

Not that I acted in a civil way either, Rei mused. Even though he hadn't been the one who had started the fight Rei couldn't bring himself to be mad anymore. He was actually more upset with his own impulsiveness. He knew better than to answer to provocations. He thought himself past this kind of mistakes.

That's because some of his words hit too close to home.

He believed by not confessing his feelings he was protecting his bond with Kai, but maybe. . . he was just sparing himself. Was he acting like a coward? Did this make him weak?

"Rei."

Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives.**

Rei snapped his eyes open. Kai was standing in front of him, dark red orbs looking right through him. How did he always find him? Did he put a tracker under his shoe?

"Found the others?" Kai asked with a raised eyebrow.

Rei made a sheepish face and put a hand behind his neck. "I needed. . . fresh air."

Not exactly the true but Kai didn't ask further and took the place beside him.

"It was a tie," Kai said suddenly.

"Huh, what?" Rei breathed, confused.

"Yuriy and I tied," Kai repeated. "Did you win your bet?"

Oh. . . "We both lost," Rei said quietly. This reminded him he owned Boris an apology. "Are Boris and Yuriy still here?"

"They went home," Kai answered. "Boris' hand was bleeding. He said a kitten bit him."

Rei frowned but didn't say anything. Maybe kitten was the right word for how he stupidly acted.

"But he said he deserved it," Kai added, giving Rei a side glance. "You okay?"

Rei nodded. "I'm fine," he said softly, instinctively pulling his arm close to his chest. "I'm sorry, it's just not a good day."

Kai shook his head. "Why are you apologizing?"

"It was immature," Rei answered, feeling guilty.

"Tsk, I'm sure you had your reasons," Kai asserted, looking away. "And you certainly don't have to apologize."

Rei made a small smile. Of course, Kai would say something like this.

Silence fell between them again as they enjoyed the light breeze. Kai was staring into the distance, focusing on nothing in particular.

Rei wondered why he had accepted to come today. Maybe he needed a break from the company? This was the right moment to tell him about his parents… but how without getting Kai defensive? He had to approach the subject in a different way to break the ice. . .

An idea suddenly dawned on Rei. It was something he had always wanted to ask Kai anyway since he became the Ceo of his Hiwatari Enterprises.

"Kai?"

"Hm?"

"You once told us that you didn't want nothing to do with your grandfather's company. . ."

Kai made another sound that told him to continue.

"What made you change your mind?" Rei asked carefully.

Kai crossed his arms in front of his chest and closed his eyes. He stayed quiet for a moment before answering. "The match against Kinomiya in the last tournament. . ."

The tournament had happened a few months after the BEGA had been defeated and it had only lasted a few days. It hadn't been a major event like the other ones since the BBA hadn't had enough money to travel to different places, but it had been enough for the Beybladers. It had been a classic tournament with no teams. It had reminded Rei of the first time he had met the guys.

Of course, he, Max and Kai had lost against Takao. Thinking about his own lost made Rei feel his frustration rise but he kept it down since this discussion wasn't about him. Unlike other times, Kai had met Takao at the first turn.

"After the defeat, the only thing I could do was observe from afar or start training again," Kai said bitterly. "I trained my spirit and my body for that match, I put everything but it hadn't been enough against him, again."

Rei could relate with the feeling.

"The next day I was contacted by my grandfather's lawyers. They asked me if I had decided what to do with the company. Some of them wanted me to give everything to the board. Others to wait for my grandfather once he is free again."

Kai's sour expression turned dark. Rei forgot sometimes Kai had… a certain side in him.

"But I refused and instead decided to dismantle the weapon division," Kai said with a smirk, "just to spite my grandfather and the lawyers as well at first."

Spite sure made people do a lot of things.

"And then I started to think about my future," Kai revealed, standing up. "I realized that I didn't want to be remembered just as Hiwatari Soichiro's grandson or Kinomiya Takao's rival. I wanted to do something more with my life. . ." Kai trailed off. "You can figure alone why the change."

Of course, for Kai admitting he loved Beyblade against Brooklyn had been enough for his lifetime. Not because he didn't want to admit he loved the sport but more like he didn't want to say the word "love" again.

"Don't get me wrong," Kai continued, "one of my greatest ambitions is still to defeat Kinomiya but in order to do it I realized I've to fulfill myself first." Kai turned around and stared down at Rei with intense eyes. "In everything."

It always amazed Rei how Kai raised from his ashes. Just like his bit-beast.

"I'm sure you'll fulfill your dreams, Kai," Rei said even though Kai surely didn't need his input.

Kai stayed quiet, staring at him with the same intense gaze. He was like the sun behind him, beautiful but impossible to reach without getting burned.

"Kai, there is something I have to tell you. It's about-" a gust of wind smashed Rei's hair in front of his face, interrupting his talk. Rei cursed under his breath and shook his hair away from his face.

"You lost something earlier," Kai said, handing him his red hair ribbon. How did he find it?

"Oh, thanks!" Rei took the band and tied his unruly hair.

Kai still stood on his feet, lips pressed into a thin line. For a moment he looked disappointed.

"Look, there they are!"

Rei sighed at being interrupted by a very familiar voice. He could see Takao hurry towards them, Hiromi and Max were at his heels.

"Guys, we have been looking for you!" Takao said, panting.

From behind Max spelled to him -I'm sorry- and Rei shrugged helplessly.

"Want to go eat something?" Hiromi asked.

Eating something meant to spend the rest of the night out and Rei couldn't afford it.

"I'm afraid I've to decline."

"But Rei!" Takao complained. "We didn't even pass some time together!"

And who had been the one who had disappeared the moment they got inside the arcade?

"Unlike you, people get to work tomorrow," Rei noted.

"Ugh fine," Takao huffed. "What about you Kai?"

No answer came. They all turned around but there was no sight of Kai.

"He vanished, of course," Hiromi said, shaking her head.

Takao's stomach decided to make himself heard. "What about we go now guys?" he said with a cheeky smile.

Max laughed, "some things never change."

They all laughed but Rei with less involvement, not only because for the wasted opportunity. He said goodbye and they parted ways. The sun was gone, but Rei decided to not take the bus. He put his hand in his pocket and only took a few steps before a motorcycle stopped beside him.

"Kai?" It took Rei a moment to recognize him since he was wearing his blue helmet with red details. He had forgotten about his new toy. "I thought you went home?"

Kai raised his helmet's visor. "Do you want a ride?"

What?!

"I-" Rei stuttered, eyeing the big motorcycle.

He had never really liked any means of transport. He used them because he didn't really have a choice sometimes and had got used to them with time. . . but a motorcycle? For once, he had never been on a motorcycle. Not that Rei didn't like to try new things, far from it, but this was totally a different matter.

"Well?" Kai asked, getting impatient.

"I just don't want to be a burden," Rei answered promptly.

Kai rolled his eyes. "I wouldn't have asked if I thought so," he said, making Rei sounding stupid.

Ok, time for plan b.

"What about the helmet?" Rei questioned.

Kai looked a mix of amused and annoyed. "You'll find another one in there," he said, indicating with his thumb the big top box behind him. "Put your bag in its place."

Always a step before everyone and thinking about everything this guy.

Rei held on a sigh. "Ok, thank you," he mumbled.

Unlike Kai's flashy helmet, the spare one had a simple black and white design.

Rei put away his shopping bag and after a moment of contemplation, he hopped in the back seat. He put his feet on the metal bars of the motorcycle, but he didn't know where he was supposed to hold on. It wasn't like he could hold on Kai, right?

The motorcycle roared, startling Rei as the tailpipe emitted a thunderous boom. He instinctively closed his eyes and grabbed the first thing he found, Kai's shirt. Ok, this was pathetic. What was he, a child scared of thunders?

Kai chuckled. Chuckled? No, it must be his imagination or maybe it was a strange sound coming from the engine.

Rei made to let go of the shirt, but Kai stopped him, relocating Rei's hands to his waist. "Hold on tighter," he muttered, barely a whisper, "or you'll fall off."

Rei's breath became faster. He could feel Kai's hard muscles under his thin shirt. He wasn't sure he could hold tight and not getting himself killed by falling.

Kai started the engine up again and they sped off into the traffic. Kai's driving was. . . terrifying. He quickly threaded through the traffic, skipping the other cars like in a slalom. Rei doubted he was respecting all the rules of the road. Certainly not the speed limit. He wondered why nobody had still stopped them.

But even though they were going too fast, Rei didn't feel like he was in danger, it was actually exciting, just like a beybattle. His heart was beating fast and not only for the crazy driving. He was pressed against Kai's firm back with his arm clinging at his sides to not fall off and Kai didn't show any sign of discomfort.

It was just them and the wind.

After five minutes they reached Rei's street and Kai pulled right in front of the door of his building. Rei let go of Kai, even though a bit reluctantly, and slipped off the motorcycle but he put his foot down in the wrong way and stumbled. Thankfully he managed to not fall on the ground with his face.

I can't stop to embarrass myself today. . . Where were his cat-like reflexes when he needed them?

"Don't tell me I was a little too fast for you," Kai's amused voice came from behind him. It seemed like someone was having fun for once.

Rei shifted on his feet and glared at Kai without any real heat. "You know what you are Hiwatari Kai?"

Kai stared at him with a knowing smirk high in his eyes that didn't contain sarcasm but rather teased, soft and kind. "You tell me, Kon Rei," he said, voice husky.

Rei swallowed. It was getting warmer inside the helmet. He freed his head and pushed his bangs away from his eyes. "Maybe another time," he said, going to take his shopping bag.

"Rei?" Kai called him once he was done.

"Yes?"

"What were you going to say earlier?"

Oh, he had forgotten about that and there was no time to talk about his parents now, but he couldn't tell Kai that without making him suspicious.

Rei closed the helmet's box and moved back to Kai. "It's about the opening night," he decided to say. "I wanted to ask you if you are available to battle against Takao for the inauguration match."

Kai gave him a considering look.

"Just a. . . friendly match," Rei added. Friendly, good choice of words Rei. Kai was allergic at the word friends and all his declinations.

And indeed, Kai's frown deepened. "I'm always available to beat Kinomiya," he answered after a moment. He sounded a bit off, not that Rei expected a jump of joy.

"Good," he smiled nervously. "Then see you there."

Kai just nodded and, without saying another word, he started the engine and flew away.

Yeah, goodnight to you too. Sometimes Rei felt like he had figured Kai out but then there were times he didn't have a clue what the other was thinking.

Rei sighed as he took out his keys and entered his building.

It was late, and he didn't feel like cooking, so he decided to just warm up the frozen pizza he had for emergencies like this. Mao would scold him for this unhealthy habit. She was intransigent when it came to fresh foods while Rei was more elastic about it. As he ate his pizza Rei wondered if she and the rest of the Baihozu will be there for the opening night. The BBA had sent an invitation to each Beyblade team that had taken part in the last World tournament.

Probably not, Rei guessed bitterly, not after what he had said to Lai. Maybe it was better so, he didn't want to cause any scene. The event will be also a litmus test for Rei to prove himself worthy of the position Mr. Daitenji had offered him. Everything had to be perfect and there was no time for personal quarrels. And after that night he had to make his decision. . .

Rei washed the dirty dishes he had used, went to the bathroom and then finally to bed. He just left with just of short since it was too warm in there. A relieved sigh left his lips when he lay down on the bed. He tried to fall asleep but there was a thought that wouldn't leave him alone.

He took his phone from the nightstand and opened the message icon. Should I? Or should I not? Damn, he sounded like a protagonist from a romantic comedy.

Rei quickly typed the message and frowned.

Thank you again for the ride.

Goodnight.

Rei.

Was it too formal? Maybe he should add an emoticon. Max said everything was better with a smiley face, maybe even more than one Takao would add.

Goodnight and thank you again for the ride! :) :)

No, this was ridiculous. Maybe he should leave it alone. It wasn't like he and Kai messaged each other. Rei put the phone away. . . only to take it again and send the message with only one smiling face. After five minutes of dread and regret, his phone made a small noise. Rei gulped and opened the message. The dread disappeared, being substituted by a sweet feeling fluttering in his stomach.

no problem.

goodnight to you too Rei.

* it's from the poem The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, it's a very famous tale in China but also in Japan and in other eastern countries. If you don't know it I suggest you to look for it, it's very beautiful.

** Chinese version of speak of the devil, I suggest you again to look for the history behind it.

I'll not put the Russian translation because I'm lazy and I want to leave you oblivious like Rei :D (if there is some native speaker I'm sorry for the bad Russian I used google)

Next chapter it's the opening night. Some people will show up but others will not ;)

I don't know if I can update before Christmas, so I wish you now happy holidays!