AN: Yo! Next one up for you. I'm not even going to mention the fools that keep commenting about Kai/Liika after repeated warnings )
For the record, all other Beyblading teams are from other series that don't belong to me, they include Gundam Seed, Prince of Tennis, Yu-Gi-Oh, One Piece, some Naruto, Beyblade, and one team (Britain 2) belongs to my beloved BETA Shannon.
Thank you Shannon!
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BANG! New Friends? (aka OMFG it's MORE filler!)
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The landing seemed to take forever. It could have been because they had been on a plane for nine hours (some a total of twelve or more) and were antsy to walk around and take in the fresh air; it could have also been because Japan was a novel experience, and the World Junior Beyblading Championships were a once in a lifetime opportunity. In any case, no matter the reason, every beyblader in that plane was glad to see solid ground.
They had barely picked up their luggage (Liika ignored the rampant whispering that surrounded her when people realized just how much a certain blue haired boy and her looked alike) when a man wearing a BBA uniform appeared accompanied by an announcement over the PA system that Beyblading teams USA 1, USA 2 and Canada were to make their way to carousel 8. Unfortunately for most, the message was in Japanese, and Liika, Tyson and Max were forced to translate and to herd the three excited teams toward the baggage carousel across from the one their bags had come off of.
The uniformed man smiled and bowed at them, apologizing in English that the announcement had been made in Japanese, and commented that he was impressed that some of them could speak the language. He asked them to follow him, and told them that a bus had been prepared for them and would take them to the guesthouse where they were staying.
Bryan appeared at Liika's side and demanded he carry at least some of her baggage. She had no choice but to relent, but only let him take one, since he was also carrying his sister's as well. Kai walked beside her, Tala and Gaara with him, while Enrique walked behind. Robert and Lee walked ahead, just in front of Mariah and Sakura who laughed together like they were old friends. No one really noticed how tired Mariah looked except Tala, but that was because he always watched her. Everyone ignored that.
After they had reached the bus and their luggage had been loaded in the storage hold under the bus they were told to wait, which of course did not go over well with some of the more impatient teenagers. Ian and Johnny were obnoxious, as per usual, and this time Liika told Kai that if he didn't control his team she was going to put a foot up his ass instead of theisr. Akito then made a lewd comment that had half the bus laughing, and caused Liika, red faced and embarrassed to storm off the bus. Enrique attempted to go after her, but both Robert and Kai told him she just needed some time by herself.
She couldn't believe he had said it. Incestual anal sex indeed. The thought made her gag. It also made her wish she could shove her foot up his ass for being… well an ass!
Liika paced back and forth some ten feet from the bus, not straying too far in case the last team showed up while she was having her 'alone time'. And God did she need it. She knew that she was about the spend the next two weeks completely surrounded by people, but already after some 12 hours, the people were driving her nuts.
She could imagine by the time they were done in Japan no one would ever want to see another person again. Except for maybe Max, but he was always looking for new friends and genuinely liked being around people all the time. It made Liika shudder.
Tired, she thought groaning as she rubbed her neck, rolling it, her eyes closed. She wanted to sleep in a real bed. With a mattress and a thick quilt… oh that would be heavenly.
Speaking of quilts, it was chilly outside. Not as cold as Colorado, but still enough to send a shiver down her spine. Cold enough to make her regret not bringing her jacket when she stormed off the bus. Oh how should could kill Akito. Maybe she'd poison his next meal… that could work. Or maybe smother him in his sleep? She was after all sleeping in the same building as he was…
So intent in her plotting to off Akito Imoraz was Liika that she failed to see where she was pacing and paced right into someone. Being the smaller of the two, she was flung to the ground in an undignified heap.
Now she just wanted to cry. So, instead of sitting up like she normally would have done, Liika flopped down onto the freezing concrete, her eyes screwed shut, and moaned, "Why me?"
"I'm sure stalking back and forth with your eyes closed didn't help. Are you okay?"
The British voice alerted her to the fact that someone was squatting beside her and had placed a hand on the back of her head, obviously to check for bumps. Liika's face enflamed and she wished a hole would open up and swallow her right there.
Really, could the day get any worse?
"Can you open your eyes?"
And worse it got. When she opened her eyes she was met with probably one of the best looking faces she had ever had the pleasure of seeing.
His jaw was lightly angled, chiselled in such a way that betrayed his Anglo-Saxon heritage. His orange hair fell all around his turquoise eyes, framing them in a way that made them stand out as the most prominent features of his face. The rest of the orange locks stood up on his head, flaring in both directions, giving it a tossed and chaotic style that was so popular with boys of their generation. Surprisingly it matched the mostly white of his team's tracksuit, as well as the navy and red decoration that adorned it.
Why did shit like this always happen to her? Running into insanely good-looking guys seemed to be a plague that struck only her. Something similar to making a fool out of herself and taking crap from foul mouthed morons.
"Oh here we go…" another voice muttered, drawing Liika's gaze. He seemed to go forever upwards, as if he were as tall as the heavens themselves, or maybe as a mountain, because he was built like one as well. His blue eyes glanced down at her and appeared to mock her in some way. "Look, we know he's hot or whatever. If you're not hurt can we just get on the damn bus?"
The orange haired young man tilted his head in the large one's direction. "That's enough Rick," he said in a tone completely different from the one he had used with her. "Garland, take the team and get onto the bus, I'll be there shortly."
Another young man grunted and in a sharp voice commanded the group that had been following the orange haired one to move on towards the waiting bus. It was then that Liika realized just whom she had run into, and once again she cursed her horrible luck.
Brooklyn Kingston, the captain of the Britain 1 team, a viscount if she remembered correctly. Of all the people to run into… God must hate her indeed.
She hadn't realized that his fingers continued to thread through her hair, probing gently for bumps or sore spots until he spoke again, his attention once more completely on her. "You don't seem to have hit your head. Does anything else hurt?"
"Just my pride," she muttered, almost hoping that he hadn't heard her words as she sat up, half heartedly trying to push his aiding hands away.
But heard her he did, if his low chuckle was any indication. He ignored her attempts to stand herself as he wrapped his arm around her narrow waist and all but lifted her to her feet. "There you go. A lesson learned then, hm, Miss Hiwatari?"
Liika winced at her name. Apparently he had recognized her as well. Swell.
Pulling away from him, Liika dusted off her pants and straightened her shirt before lifting her head and staring him right in the eye. "Sorry," she said, firmly if a bit sheepishly. "I was plotting someone's murder. I got out of hand."
One brow arched and a smirk teased the edge of his lips. "May I be so bold as to ask who?"
"Imoraz… Akito Imoraz," she practically spat the name with distaste.
"Ah, his reputation precedes him," Brooklyn replied, a benign smile on his face as he tilted his head and began to push he in the direction of the bus. "Even across the Atlantic I have heard of him. Though it was through mutual contacts. His family is in the business."
They both knew without saying what business he was referring too. He assumed, rightly so, that both because she was the captain of a rival team and because she was the daughter of one of the richest, most powerful men in the United States, that she knew at least rudimentarily of his family and his family's business.
"In any case, I'm sorry for running into you. I have a bad habit of doing that, if you can believe it."
He could, but he didn't say so. He had been raised with better manners than that. Instead, Brooklyn just smiled his usual smile and with a hand on the small of her back, guided her into the bus, quickly following behind her.
The bus fell almost to a hush as the two entered. The girls at least, completely stopped talking, their eyes wide and overwhelmed at the sight of the orange haired boy. The British team seemed to roll their eyes, apparently used to the female reaction. Most of the American and Canadian boys snorted, rolled their eyes, huffed or ignored his appearance as well as his smile. Some, however, couldn't help but notice the fact that said boy's hand was planted firmly on the small USA 2 captain's back. A fact that she herself seemed not to notice.
Liika's original seat had been near the front, and as soon as they had reached it she was snatched into it by Enrique who grinned brightly at her. Brooklyn smiled down at her and continued down three seats where he settled across the aisle beside his vice-captain who was being chatted up and hugged by an excited Riley.
"Alright, that's everyone. We're off to the Asakura Guesthouse. For those of you who don't know, I'm Kakashi Hatake, coach of the USA 2 team. Everyone in this bus will be staying at the same guesthouse – that includes all four teams of USA 1 and 2, Canada and Britain 1. Let me introduce the supervising adult who will be present in the guesthouse to make sure everything goes right." At this Kakashi sent a look in various directions, which included Akito, as well as Ian and Johnny.
Motioning to his right, "This is Katherine Hiwatari, chaperone for the American girls, and beside her is Judy Tate, coach of the USA 1 team. And this is Lenore Zala, chaperone to the Canadian team," all three women waved a bit, smiling at the forty-five teenagers. Then motioning to his left, "and this is Hitoshi Kinomiya, the coach of the British team. You'll get to know us all before the two weeks are finished I'm sure. Now, are we all ready to go?"
Many of the group let out sullen "yeahs" while others cheered joyfully at the prospect of leaving the busy Narita airport. Kakashi smiled and slipped into the seat beside Hitoshi, waving at the bus driver.
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"Mariah, Sakura and I are in the second floor dorm room," Liika said to Robert and Kai who each had one of her bags under their arms.
"I am too!" Another female voice added from just ahead as Cagalli Yamato turned and grinned at Liika. "Apparently there are two others from different teams as well."
Robert and Kai handed Liika back her things when they reached the second floor, as they were one floor below her. "Not surprising," said Robert with a shrug, "From what I read there are only about twenty five to thirty girls even present for the tournament – including managers and trainers. I imagine that they have to bunch some of them up so that they can have all girl floors."
"Well whatever," Liika grinned, heaving one of her suitcases up into her arms and starting to shove the other one towards the end of the hall. "I think it will be fun to meet people from other parts of the world. And besides," she tossed a haughty look over her shoulder at the boys who were starting down the stairs, "With so few girls it's so easy and so entertaining to gossip about the hundreds of guys present at this debacle." She couldn't help but cackle a bit at the end, a cackle that was echoed by Cagalli further up the hall.
Both boys rolled their eyes and disappeared down the stairwell. Liika's grin didn't fade, even as she caught up with Cagalli, who grinned back from the doorway to the dorm-style room. The two girls peeked into the room, a small room by their standards, but large by guesthouse standards.
There were six beds set up in sets of three, bunk-bed style, one on each of the three walls, a tiny desk at either end. On the fourth wall there was a small closet and two wardrobes. The décor was simple, white walls, bluish linoleum floor. The beds were framed in plane, stained wood, a golden color. The mattresses were covered with worn, but clean linen and thin blue coverlet. Only one pillow graced their tops, and it looked thin and pathetic.
There were people already present in the room, two girls, who were perched on two of the bottom bunks facing each other. One, who was sitting on the left, had chocolate brown hair and bright, cerulean blue eyes. She was Caucasian in ethnicity, though her skin had tanned to a light brown from sun exposure. She wore a black and red jacket with a emerald green collar and green and white stripes around the lower half of the jacket torso. On the chest a small flag was sewn, as well as the abbreviation EGY.
The other girl's hair was styled similarly to the brunette, a chin length bob cut, but was of a fairer color – a honey blond with a hint of red. Her eyes too were blue, a truer blue than the tanned girl's however, and they were slanted indicating her Asian heritage. She wore a school uniform, navy skirt with a white and navy sailor top and white running shoes.
Both girls turned to the door when Liika and Cagalli got to the threshold and then both stood as Liika and Cagalli stepped into the room.
"Hello!" the blond one greeted with a wave. "You're Liika Tomoda right?"
Liika smiled back, giving her suitcase one last kick before dropping its partner beside it with a huff. "That would be me, looking ragged and horrible I'm sure." She ran a hand self-consciously over her hair and grimaced, feeling the grim of over twelve hours of travel. "I'm sorry, you look familiar, but I can't place you."
The girl laughed, waving her hand dismissingly. "Don't worry about it, I understand. I'm not the one that's had to travel all the way from America. I'm An, Tachibana An – or as Americans would say it An Tachibana."
It suddenly dawned on Liika who exactly it was that was standing in front of her. "An Tachibana! Oh my god, you're the other female captain! I'm so slow!" She shook her head at her own foolishness and strode forward, her hand extended. "It's so nice to meet you."
"You too!" An replied, shaking Liika's hand, a sparkle in her eyes. "I'm doubly excited about rooming with you."
"Think of all the havoc the pair of you can reek." Came Mariah's voice from behind them as she and Sakura joined the four in the dorm room. "Out of the way already, we're tired too you know!"
An laughed while Liika rolled her eyes. The other girl, who had been silent up until then, finally spoke up, her face also wreathed in smiles. "I'm Anzu, Anzu Gardiner. From the Egypt team. It's nice to meet you all." Her voice was lightly accented with a surprisingly British accent, though it was mixed with something else. It was pleasant. She shook Liika's hand as well.
Liika yawned and then smiled sheepishly. "Sorry 'bout that. I'd introduce everyone, but I'm sure they want to do that themselves. Which bed should I take?"
"Why not the one above mine? If you don't mind sleeping on a top bunk." An said helping Liika move her bags towards their shared bunk bed.
"I don't mind."
"I'm Cagalli by the way, from the Canadian team." Cagalli said brightly, claiming the bunk above Anzu.
"And I'm Mariah," the pink haired girl added, stepping fully into the room and making her way over to the free bottom bunk. "I suppose you can guess that I'm from the American 2 team."
Sakura shuffled after Mariah, looking tired but beautiful, her hair neat and her eyes clear. "And last but not least, I'm Sakura, trainer for the US 2 team."
"It's kind of exciting being roomed with people from different parts of the world. I'm glad that we could be here." Mariah flopped back on the bed. "Plus, kicking those guys' ass looked and felt good. Particularly after they beat us at States."
"Heh, we'll beat them again," Liika climbed up onto her bed, abandoning her luggage at the foot of the ladder. "God, I'm so tired."
The other girls murmured their agreement, all except An, who looked fresh as a daisy. "Well, I wouldn't get too comfortable. Both US teams and the Canadian team has been placed in the top six as favourites to win. Which means that you guys will probably have to do a lot of press work. Not to mention that as one of only two female captains in the tournament, you will be answering a ton of questions and going to photo shoots. They'll make icons out of us I'm sure."
"Oh goody…"
The room fell silent then as An chuckled quietly and busied herself with a magazine that was sitting on her bed. Cagalli staked out one of the wardrobes. Anzu returned to unpacking and Sakura began. Mariah and Liika were just happy to lie down and rest for a few moments. Both knew that it was going to get hectic. Two weeks of no rest, neither looked forward to it.
Particularly Mariah, who felt even more tired than she probably should have. She felt a bit sick from all the travelling, queasy and a bit light headed. She almost wondered if she was falling ill. Lord she hoped not.
"Oh man, why is your room so much bigger than ours!"
Liika almost groaned at the sound of her best friend's voice. Lifting her head, she caught sight of the blond head bobbing into the room. Boys. "Because there are six of us."
Enrique quickly figured out where Liika was in the room and practically flew up the ladder to sit on the bed with her. It was only when he was beside her that he took notice of the other girls in the room, leaning over the edge of the bed to grin foolishly down at An. "So there is," he said, his eyes moving around the room. "And such fine looking ladies you all are."
"Oh save it," Mariah grumbled from her bed.
"Anzu, An, this is Enrique, he calls himself my best friend." Liika said from her reclining position beside the blond boy. "He's also an incorrigible flirt, and likes to fancy himself a ladies' man."
Both girls laughed at Enrique's pout, shaking their heads and going back to their business. Sakura ignored him, and Cagalli just smiled. Enrique rolled over and poked Liika in the stomach, trying to entice her into movement. He grinned rakishly down at her, stretching out beside her on his side.
"Seriously though," he said, "You should see our room. It's like a closet. It's barely wide enough to fit the length of the cot's we're sleeping on. At least you get beds!"
Liika rolled her head to face him as she bat away his hand. "Stop it." She sighed. "You won't be spending enough time in it to make a difference anyway. Who are you rooming with?"
"Max and Tyson." It was Enrique's turn to sigh. "Why do I always get stuck with the juniors?" He accented the words with a moan and he curled into Liika, setting his head on the pillow beside hers.
"Tyson snores too… you poor soul." Her hand found his and she patted it in sympathy that could be either mock or sincere.
"Are you sure I can't just sleep in here with you?"
Mariah lifted her head and made a face at Enrique. "I've had enough of guys. You'll have to make do with Tyson and Max. Plug Tyson's nose or something. Shouldn't you be unpacking?"
Enrique made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a half snort half sob. "Got nothing to unpack, we don't get wardrobes or dressers. We have to live out of our suitcases. I'm hungry and I need a shower."
"I echo you on that thought."
"Are you saying I smell?"
"Well from right next to you…"
"Hey children," came Akito's drawl from the door as yet another blond boy stepped into the room. "A group of us is walking down to the Bey complex, apparently there are facilities set up for showers and crap, since this place is obviously lacking in that department."
It was Sakura who answered, hopping down from her bed to glare at Akito. "And they couldn't have sent anyone less obnoxious to tell us?"
Akito sneered back at her with a fake smile. "I volunteered, since you're all so nice to look at. Except the Hiwatari of course, because we all knows a horse's ass would look better."
"Do you have a death wish Imoraz?" Liika grumbled pulling herself into a sitting position.
When Enrique followed suit, Akito's eyebrows shot up, and his eyes started to dance with evil mirth. "What's this? Breaking the rules are we? Girl's have their own floor for a reason Sattiay, though I'm surprised you would try it in such a full room."
Before either Enrique or Liika could reply to the baiting barb, An stepped in, having long set down her magazine, she stood up, her hands on her hips. "You've delivered your message, get on with your life. It's clear no one here desires your presence."
Akito laid his hand over his head, a shocked and mock-hurt expression crossing his face. "You wound me Miss Japan 1 captain. And here I thought with such a pretty face you might actually not have a shrill personality. Apparently I thought wrong." Akito gave a simulated sigh, making his true feelings apparent.
"Imoraz, get lost." Tala said in a nasty voice, grabbing Akito from behind and shoving him out the door into the hallway, taking his place. As soon as his violet eyes landed on Enrique he rolled them. His sigh was real and was out of almost weariness. "It figures I'd find you here. Come on, we're leaving. I suppose the jack ass told you all huh?" He addressed the whole room after specifically Enrique. His gaze lingered on Mariah, saddening at the sight of her pale and weary face.
Mariah didn't meet his eyes and instead set about gathering things for a bath and a change and shoving them into the backpack that served as her carry on bag. Liika and Sakura shared knowing looks and Liika shoved at Enrique, motioning him off the bed. "I want a bath desperately, particularly if I can't sleep."
"Me too," echoed Sakura, and Mariah nodded her agreement.
"Me three… er four I guess," Cagalli laughed, scrambling to gather her things as well.
Tala cringed as he felt Akito's fist drive into his kidney area, but he said nothing to the other boy at first. He merely turned from the girls' room and stalked out. It was as he was passing Akito that he got his revenge. In a smooth move, his elbow lunged out into the blond's side, causing Akito to double over.
"Do you guys mind if I come with you?" An said, standing in the middle of the chaos that was five girls trying to decide what to bring and what to leave. She stepped aside with a smile when Enrique retreated, muttering something about crazy women and baths.
"Of course not," Liika answered, shouldering her backpack all ready to go. "I can't imagine that it would be much fun staying here by yourself."
An nodded. "Well, I could go see my team, they are in the guesthouse across the street, but I would like to get to know you better, since we'll be living together for the next two or so weeks."
"We got in last night," Anzu spoke up, her bag also ready. "So theoretically I don't really need a shower and all that. But I'm with An, since there are so few girls here I think we should stick together!" She laughed. "It's either that or be over run by male… what's the word?"
"Testosterone," Cagalli supplied with a wink, shouldering her duffle bag. "The place will be crawling with it. We'll have to present a united front against all the sexism that still exists in the sport. And for the record," she grinned conspiratorially at Liika and An, "Though, of course I want Canada to win, a secret part of me hopes one of you win the gold just so that the damn chauvinists will shut the hell up."
Mariah was all smiles as the girls started for the door. "Well said Sista, well said." Forgetting her exhaustion and illness she looped her arm through Cagalli's. "The boys will be all competition. There has to be peace among at least some segment of the hundreds of teenagers present."
"Amen." They all chorused, breaking out into laughter.
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Showered, re-dressed and hair brushed they all felt like new people. The facilities provided by the BBA at the Bey Complex were as to be expected – clean, large, and new, having been built specifically for this event and the senior Worlds that were taking place the next year.
There were rows of shower stalls, and of toilet stalls. There was a room that was lined with a long mirror that stretched from either side of the door to where they met at the other side of the room. This room was complete with a wide shelf-like table under the mirror that was attached to the wall, and stools that tucked underneath it. It was a room designed with women in mind.
The six girls, plus the five others that occupied the Asakura guesthouse, as well as the three older women supervisors were the only ones there, so there was plenty of space.
With exception of Riley to Liika, the eleven girls got along well. Liika and the others met the girls staying on their floor. In addition to Jade, Emily and Riley, there was the manager of the British team, Matilda Reed, who informed them that she would be blading in a couple of the events, and the manager of the Canadian team Mirialia Haw.
Lenore Zala was one of the nicest women Liika had ever met. She looked quite a bit like her son, which made her look quite a bit like Liika, or rather Liika's mother, though Aiko had had her father's navy hair. Liika liked her almost instantly, and the feeling was mutual. Lenore was floored at the resemblance of the girl to her son, but went about it in good taste.
The six roommates also hit it off famously. An turned out to be quite a bit like Liika, though it seemed she was a bit more devious and clever than Liika herself was. Anzu was sweet and understanding, with a wicked sense of humour and a strength that Liika could admire, a strength she also saw in Cagalli and An. She supposed that it was a requisite trait for any woman who wanted to make it in a man's sport.
So, feeling human again, Liika exited the locker room, her hair dried (she had borrowed Mariah's drier) and combed, her clothing changed. She opted for more stylish, since that's what all the other girls were going for, though what she really wanted to wear was a baggy pair of track pants and a tank top. She wanted sleep; the six or so hours of dozing on the plane just didn't cut it.
She chose black flared pants and white tummy t-shirt with capped sleeves and an obnoxious slogan on the front. She tied her team track jacket around her waist – a jacket different from USA 1, a mostly royal blue garment that had white connecting stripes over the shoulders and down the front with red slashes across the middle and the end of the sleeve. She looked good, if she did say so herself.
An walked beside her, Mariah and Sakura behind them. They were talking about everything and nothing, the same things that often occupied teenage girls' conversation. An had changed out of her school uniform and had opted for a jean skirt, a tube top with a pink jacket over top and many jangly bracelets. Sakura too went the way of the skirt, but hers was black, and short, and showed off her almost perfect legs. Mariah went for jeans, flared, and a half tank half three quarter sleeved black top that was splashed with red. The shower had done much for her complexion but she still looked pale and just a bit sick.
"So, what are your plans for your first night in Japan?" An asked, expression bright.
"I'd like to say sleep, but I have a feeling we're going to be vetoed in that idea." Liika replied somewhat dryly, stretching her neck.
"Of course you will be!" An replied cheerfully, lacing her arm through Liika's. "I'm from Tokyo, not too far from here actually. There's a really good karaoke bar in the neighbourhood if you're up to it."
This news brought a grin to Mariah's pale face, and she leaned forward to judge Liika. "Karaoke, I'm totally up for that! I've always wondered what it would be like in a real Japanese karaoke bar."
Liika smiled at Mariah's excitement. "How could I say no to such enthusiasm?"
"You have to admit Liika," Mariah said, coming up to walk beside her best friend. "You've always wanted to try it."
"Easy for you to say, you have an awesome singing voice. Mine's so average it might as well be flat."
"Oh no one cares whether or not you can sing," An jumped in, in a knowing voice. "It's about fun, and taking the challenge of your friends. I think we should invite Anzu and Cagalli too. And maybe that nice quiet girl from Britain and her roommate?"
Liika just nodded. Though she wanted to sleep, she knew when she was outvoted, and truth be told, karaokeing with their new friends might be fun after all. When Sakura spoke, she knew the deal was sealed.
"Do you think we should invite any of the guys?" She said, looking as excited as Mariah.
An shook her head. "There are so many of them," she made a face and waved her hand. "I think our outing should be girls only. If some manage to find out and show up, then so be it, but as for invites it shall be girls only!"
"Should we invite Emily and Jade and them?"
Liika shrugged. "I doubt they'd come anyway. Riley's still pissed at me, and seeing as they are the only two she's still friends with – because of association with me – they will probably just stay with her."
"If she has decided to hate you then we don't want her along anyway," An said simply with a bit of mischief. "Though, just out of curiosity, what did you do?"
Now Liika rolled her eyes, half grinding her teeth as well. "Not what I did, what Enrique did. Enrique and Riley were dating until like two months ago, and then he just randomly broke up with her. She blamed me because she is convinced he was cheating on her with me."
"That reminds me, you said the blond was your best friend, is he your boy friend too?"
At this Liika snorted, and a sort of strangled chuckle escaped her lips. "No, no… we are definitely not together like that. I've known him since birth, that's all."
"Wow," the honey haired girl hummed, looking thoughtful. "You sure act like a couple. Particularly by Japanese standards – maybe even beyond. He's cute, why don't you hook up with him?"
Liika stilled, a frown over taking her face. "I don't know, it would be weird. He's my best friend, I don't really like him like that."
"Mhmm," Mariah hummed as well, also looping her arm through Liika's. "In any case, we should find Cagalli and Anzu. It's already four o'clock. We need to inform at least one of the adults that we're going out. I assume we're eating out as well?"
"I hope so, cause damn I'm hungry," Liika complained, rubbing a hand over her stomach.
"Then let's be off. Cagalli and Anzu left before we did, so they should be back at the guesthouse. Why don't we hurry back there and collect them. One of the chaperones should be there as well, then we can be off."
With An in charge, the four girls set off for the guesthouse on foot as it was only a couple of blocks away. The part of Tokyo that housed the massive Bey Complex had been practically overrun by teenage participants of the Junior World Beyblading Competition. The businesses were thrilled of course – teenagers meant money, and particularly teenagers from rich Western nations.