Kyoko called everyone to her office. Everyone includes herself, Jun, Leo, Mion, Aira and Rizumu.
"As you all may know, the New Year's Cup is just around the corner." Kyoko said. "Today, we will decide who will participate."
"Why not just enter everyone?" Leo asked. Kyoko forgot that Leo wasn't there most of the time when they chose who enters or not. "Wait… There's an entrance fee isn't there?"
"Yes, there is." Kyoko replied. "And besides that, it will be better if we win with only one contestant from our group."
"I see." Leo said.
"So, who will want to enter?" Kyoko asked.
"I vote for Mion!" Rizumu exclaimed as she raised her hand.
"Me too!" Aira agreed with Rizumu.
"What about you two?" Mion asked them.
"We'll be fine." Rizumu said.
"Besides, we want to see how much you've improved since you started training with my brother." Aira added.
"I must admit, I'm a little curious on how you will put my teachings to good use." Leo added. "I never did change anything on your routine, everything I thought you was irrelevant to your performance."
"I was wondering how to use your little lessons as well." Mion sweat dropped.
"So, we're going with Mion?" Kyoko asked.
Everyone nodded.
"Good." Kyoko smiled. "Do your best out there Mion."
"When haven't I?" Mion asked Kyoko.
"Good point." Kyoko continued to smile.
"Hey Mion… This brings me back… You know, back when you won the New Year's Cup against the Prism Queen Karina Tachibana. It seemed like it was just yesterday." Leo said.
"Wait a minute, isn't the New Year's Cup part of the preliminary for the Prism Queen Cup?" Aira asked.
"The Prism Queen Cup for this year has been moved to July next year." Jun explained. "But yes, it will affect her participation on the Prism Queen Cup."
"All the more reason to do my best." Mion said.
"And all the more reason to take your training up a notch." Leo said with a smirk.
"Can we stop these 'all the more reason' phrases." Rizumu said. "It's getting redundant."
"Rizumu is getting angry…" Leo said. "All the more reason to continue talking like this."
Rizumu ran to Leo and smacked him square in the head.
Leo rubbed his head in pain. "Wow, remind me not to get on your bad side. Ow."
"You should already know that." Rizumu smiled at the red headed coach. "Remember that time when I found out about your bet with Kanon."
"Yeah, it was painful." Leo was reminded. "She lost you won but you had to react violently."
"Well that's what happens when you interfere with love." Rizumu said as she crossed her arms.
"But-" Leo was cut off as Kyoko coughed to get their attention.
"Anyway, now that we finished talking about that. We have been invited for a ball in the Philippines." Kyoko said.
"Philippines?" Leo asked. "No way, been a long time since I've been there."
"You've been there?" Aira asked.
"I've been shipped from place to place but the latest one was the Philippines." Leo said.
"When you say shipped… it's like you got kidnapped and thrown from country to country." Kyoko sweat dropped.
"Hey, I like the word." Leo replied with a shrug and a smile.
"Anyway, the ball we're attending is a masquerade ball." Jun said. "It will be held next week Saturday."
"So, we need costumes and permission to go?" Rizumu asked. "Great…" She said sarcastically.
"You're costumes are prepared and we already sent permission. All we need is the reply to the permissions and we're good to go." Jun reassured the orange haired Prism Star.
"That makes our lives way easier!" Rizumu sighed in relief.
"Anyway, where is this ball going to happen?" Leo asked.
"At Solaire, top part, the Grand Ball Room. It's actually a Resort and Casino." Kyoko said. "Of course, you'll only be staying at the Grand Ball Room and you are not allowed to gamble."
"Why would we? We're under aged." Leo replied. "It's not like we have enough money anyway but I do have tremendous luck…" He said as If tempting the President to spend on his behalf. "I could easily double your bet."
"I won't be swayed by that Leo." Kyoko said.
"Of course you won't." Leo said. "It was a joke after all."
"We're straying from the topic here!" Kyoko scolded Leo by throwing her nameplate at him which hit him on the head leaving a bump. "We must put up a good impression there. They will be a supporter of ours if they're impressed."
"Who is this we're supposed to impress?" Mion asked.
"Mr. Enrique Razon, the owner of the said company." Kyoko replied.
"Sounds rich." Leo said.
"He owns a casino Leo, what do you think he was?" Mion asked as she looked at Leo.
"Can't I just…" Leo cut himself off. "You know what? Nevermind." Leo massaged the back of his neck.
Mion looked at Leo with concern. He wasn't the kind of guy who would give up so easily. "Are you alright Leo?"
"Yeah, just the back of my neck hurts like hell." Leo said as he continued to rub the same part.
"Maybe you should go to your home and rest for a while." Kyoko suggested.
"Nah, I'll be fine." He stretched his head until he got a 'pop' and stopped but… the pain didn't quite subside just weakened. "Fine now."
"Alright." Kyoko said reluctant to leave the subject. "You're dismissed."
Leo and Aira both walked back to their home. Leo stayed there for the night before and intends to do the same this day. Aira looked worriedly at her brother as they walked.
"You sure you're alright?" Aira asked. "I may not be a doctor but… maybe you should get that looked on."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine. If I am bothered by something as small as feeling a little sore, I'm not me." Leo replied with a smile.
"If you say so then…" Aira said. "I'm sure you'll be fine."
They entered the house and Aira started packing. Leo went to his room where his backpack was. He took out his laptop and turned it on. He had a pocket Wi-Fi. He turned it on as well. He quickly searched for one word… one word that he has been thought to him when he was in high school. It may be the reason on why the back of his neck was hurting. His eyes grew worried for himself. It wasn't… It couldn't… How could he have possibly acquired such a disease… one that could lead him to an early grave. He can't tell this to anyone, this must be shut tightly, only to be known to him only. One weakness… It was one weakness he didn't want to have. It could be painfully obvious once more of the symptoms show. He closed his laptop and slid it back to his backpack. He always kept his stuff packed inside his backpack, a trait which he never lost. 'always travel lightly'. A saying he always will remember. Aira knocked on the door.
"Hey Leo, dinner is ready." Aira said from the other side of the door.
"Alright." Leo said as he stood up and headed for the door. He closed his eyes first and took a deep breath. When he opened his eyes, the eyes that were once filled with worry were now replaced by eyes filled with excitement for the coming trip. It pays to have this kind of skill. He opened the door and headed downstairs to the dining room where everyone waited.
"About the trip to the Philippines…" Omi started. "I allow you to go."
"Yes!" Both Leo and Aira said simultaneously.
"B-but honey…" Hiroshi tried to refuse but Omi kept him from doing so.
"It's only fair for them to go and enjoy their young lives." Omi said.
The twins look at each other with smiling faces but if one would look at Leo long enough and know what they're looking for, one could see that he wasn't entirely happy.
A/N: Hey guys Vlad Leonardo here, in this chapter it is revealed that Leo has some sort of disease… Guess what it is and I'll give you a hundred bucks! Just kidding, but whoever gets to guess first and gets it right, he/she can send me a P.M. stating any request on this fanfic. It can be a character, another arc, a pairing… anything. Just tell me and I'll do it. Anyway, see you guys and have a great day.