Chapter 3-Operation matchup
School arrived the next day for Ikki as fast as lighting struck, as she found herself waiting for Skoochy, nervously at the school courtyard at lunch. The courtyard was empty with no student in sight, as the wind cried and leafs blew. This only made Ikki more curious to find out what plan Skoochy had come up with. ''How did he even think of a plan in the first place, and what would the plan involve'' Ikki thought as she started to fiddle with her fingers. The area was still dead silent creating tension in the air, making Ikki feel a little uneasy. Still lost in thought Ikki never realised Skoochy had entered the scene, with Kai right behind him. Her back was turned to Skoochy as he slowly tapped her shoulder, causing Ikki to tense up and squeal in surprise.
''Woah calm down Ikki. It's just me.'' Skoochy reassured ''Oh um sorry. I just got a little spooked.'' Ikki said nervously as she began to stare at Skoochy as he did the same. It was like they were both stuck in a trance. As Skoochy stared, he began to admire Ikki's beauty. Her luscious big brown eyes, her pink small lips, and her small peachy nose. Ikki also was stunned at Skoochy cute little freckles, and built up figure. As they both store Kai grew frustrated as it seemed they both forgot why they were even there. ''Erm guys can we please get on with this?'' Kai said annoyingly ''Oh yeah sorry. Ikki this is Kai. Kai this is Ikki.'' Ikki politely smiled and Kai put out his hand offering a handshake, which Ikki accepted ''So Skoochy what was the plan you wanted to tell me?'' Ikki asked ''Well…You said you can't date until your sister does. And you told me she doesn't date. So I thought what if I got someone to convince her otherwise.'' Skoochy said as he gestured to Kai. ''Skoochy thats a good plan. But you don't know my sister, she is an anti-social robot and very stubborn. She thinks all guys are a distraction.'' Ikki argued ''Well she hasn't dated a guy before. And when she meets Kai that will all change.'' Skoochy replied '' So your going to 'date' my sister.'' Jinora asked Kai ''Yeah'' Kai said dryly ''But why whats in this for you?'' ''Look you don't need to worry about me. The main goal is to get your sister to date so you can.'' Kai said as Skoochy nodded in agreement ''So what do you say Ikki?'' Skoochy asked as he smiled at her. Ikki did think it was a good plan. And it was in good spirit as she would get to date Skoochy, while she'd be helping Jinora become more socialble. ''Ok. But if you want to date my sister Kai, you have to become the perfect guy. You have to learn all about her, and thats why I come in.''
The next few days Ikki spent time with Kai and Skoochy, to help Kai learn all about Jinora in the courtyard, and even at their hangout at the abandoned parl. Ikki created a spreadsheet on Jinora to identify her: interests, goals, hobbies, likes, dislikes, and fashion sense. Ikki even showed Kai a picture of Jinora, and he instantly remember that she was the beautiful girl who had sat next to him on the bus, on the first day of the semester. This was all a blur to Kai, but he knew he had to pay attention or he could kiss the 1000 yuans goodbye. Kai desperately needed the money to pay for his rent or he would be kick out onto the streets again. Kai lived in a two roomed apartment, which he managed to get by luck with his self employed job as a drug dealer. Thats how he got his bad reputation at school. Besides this Kai also has a drug addiction, which he and a few of his friends knew about. As a orphan Kai had to care for himself, which lead him to make several bad choices in his life.
A week had past after the plan was made, and now it was time for the plan to operate in full swing. Ikki told Kai that Jinora would be in the library with her only friend Opal around lunch, so Kai made it his mission to be there. As he entered the library many eyes were on him. Some were shocked to see one of the schools most troubled student in a library, while others were amazed that Kai actually went to the library. After some walking Kai finally spotted Jinora talking with Opal, but for reassurance he looked at the picture Ikki gave him of Jinora. ''Yeah thats her alright.'' he thought ''Skoochy says Ikki is stunning, but she isn't even in the same league as her sister. I wonder why he didn't fall for her instead, she looks even better in person'' Kai thought bluntly as he pretended to read a book. Jinora was wearing a green panama hat, a denim dungaree with a white shirt underneath, and brown boots. ''But she sounds like a total loser and buzzkill. I mean who spends their time in a place like this at lunch? I can believe a girl that pretty is so boring.''
As he continued to think Kai saw Opal getting up to go as she waved to Jinora, put on her bag pack and left the scene. Jinora was all alone now and went to look at more books in the book isle. ''Well I guess I better make a move.'' Kai thought. Jinora was trying to reach a book at the top of the isle with her hand, but wasn't tall enough to reach it. It was a limited edition book of a famous vampire franchise. In a desperate attempt Jinora decided to climb the isle to reach the book. It was only a few meters high, and Jinora knew she could reach it if she tried. However this wasn't the case, as Jinora felt a cramp on her left hand causing her to let go of her grip of the aisle shelve. Losing altitude Jinora fell backwards, causing her to scream in a panic. ''Ah..Ah..Aaaaaaah!'' Jinora felt her body crashing down from as she closed her eyes praying to God she wouldn't be injured. As she fell Jinora felt someone catch her, but she was still screaming with closed eyes. She then noticed she wasn't injured as she felt no pain, so she stopped screaming decided to open her eyes.
Jinora took a eternity to open her eyes, but when she did she was surprised to see what she saw. The first thing she saw was emerald eyes. Those bright eyes felt like it was staring into her soul. Those eyes almost looked like they were glowing. Then it hit her. Those were the very same eyes that she saw on the bus on her first day of school. Jinora and Kai were now both staring at each other, as he was now holding Jinora in a bridal fashion. It took Jinora some seconds to realise she was lingering, and automatically shifted which made Kai put her down. ''Aye you ok?'' Kai asked causally now putting his hands in his leather jacket. Jinora on the other hand was trying to find a stance, to prevent anymore embarrassment ''Uh um err yeah. Um thank you.'' Jinora replied out of relief shyly ''Naw it's okay, so what were you trying to do up there anyway?'' ''Oh um I was trying to get a book, but I couldn't reach it so I climbed on the aisle to get it.'' Jinora said. For a brief moment Jinora was analysing the boy in front of her. She noticed how tall he was, seeing how he clearly had to look down at Jinora when he spoke. Jinora also noticed he had a tattoo of a black dragon at the corner of his left hand, which she caught a glimpse of. ''So..'' Jinora snapped back to reality again ''What kind of book is that'' Kai asked gesturing towards the book. Kai tired his best to look interested and happy by giving a smile towards Jinora, but she just seemed rather skeptical ''Oh it's called 'Vampire hollow'' Jinora answered ''Well…' Kai said as he started to walk closer to Jinora ''why don't we get out of here, get some lunch, and you tell me what's it about.'' Kai said with a low husky tone, as he put out his hand to learn on the book aisle behind Jinora, just at the side of her head. Jinora eyed him with disgust ''not another hit on'' Jinora thought. A lot of guys usually hit on Jinora and her sister Ikki, and this strongly irritated Jinora because she found it annoying that most guys just hit on girls of one thing. ''Look. If you want to know what happens in the book I suggest you read it.'' Jinora suggest calmly as she removed Kai's hand from the aisle at the side of her head, and gave Kai the book, walking away before turning again to say ''Thank you for saving me'' she said bluntly and walked off.
Kai stood there dumbfounded, as he dropped the book to the ground ''Damn she shut me down like it was nothing. No girl has ever did that to me before. And she did it so calmly. I never knew a girl that pretty and boring, could be so blunt and calm in the same time' Kai thought. ''This is gonna be one hell of challenge.''