Hilary walked around aimlessly. She was bored out of her mind and feeling restless as she had gotten no where in her quest. Sure, she had finally found Kai and filled him in on the BBA's issue but... that was about it.
Kai had neither agreed to help nor shown any further interest in the matter.
And whatever did he mean by 'her living situation'?
Hilary had a bad feeling that the only thing Kai would be interested in was getting rid of her as soon as possible.
How she wished she could discuss all this with Tyson. Alas! Her phone was completely drained of charge. She would have to find a compatible charger as soon as possible. She would ask Bex if the girl had one to spare. But she wouldn't be home from school for another couple of hours.
Hilary sighed. There was nothing else she could do at the moment except wait and kill time. She wanted to go around an explore the magnificent house but didn't fancy running into the stern Mrs Burns. Frankly, the old lady frightened her.
She could perhaps read a book and relax for a while. She had seen Kai's bookshelf in the living room which was stuffed with thick volumes. Hilary walked up to it and after a few minutes of deliberation, chose a book titled 'The Lost Treasure of Knights Templar- Fact or Fantasy'. It was quite old, with yellowing dog eared pages.
She settled down in the comfy arm chair by the fireplace and proceeded to read.
‐--
She was so absorbed by the book that she lost track of time and didn't even realize it was well past lunch time. Only when Mrs Harrison had come to the room tutting about how lunch had been ready hours ago that Hilary finally put down the book and stretched.
Her stomach was groaning and she realized that she was quite hungry. Hilary followed Mrs Harrison to the kitchen and settled down at the wooden bench and table. As the lady was serving out some delicious meat pie and gravy, they heard a crash and a tinkling of a bicycle bell from the garden.
"That would be Becky back from school", Mrs Harrison sighed.
She opened the back door and waited with her hands on her hips as her daughter rushed past whilst chucking her school bag onto a corner of the bench.
"Rebecca Olivia Harisson! Go back outside, pick up that bicycle and keep it in the shed where it's supposed to be!" her mother roared.
Bex flashed her a wide grin.
"Will do Mum. As soon as I am done with lunch. I'm starving! Can chow down a whole horse!" she exclaimed.
Bex sauntered over to Hilary who was watching the whole scene with amusement. She scooted over to make some space for the girl.
Both girls dug into their lunch as Bex filled them in about her day at school. As Mrs Harrison began clearing away the plates, Hilary asked the Bex iqf she had a spare phone charger.
Bex had one in her bedroom and Hilary followed her back upstairs. Her room was much smaller than Hilary's but it was furnished comfortably with a dresser, a large cupboard, a desk and a comfy looking bed. Bex had plastered posters of some British boy band above her bed and the flag of the United Kingdom was also proudly displayed above the desk. There were a few photographs on the dresser and the table was overflowing with books and notes. The bed was littered with a few clothes and an old Walkman.
As Bex dug through her cupboard looking for the charger, Hilary walked up to the bed and picked with the Walkman. She remembered seeing a very similar one years ago. Could it be the same one?
Meanwhile, Bex had successfully located the charger and handed it over to Hilary who was still examining the old Walkman.
"It's as old as time but still works as good as new", Bex declared proudly. "Mr K gave it to me after my old radio went bust. Said he had no use for it".
Hilary turned around in surprise. " I knew I had seen this before! Back then he wouldn't let us near the thing", she giggled.
Bex cleared her throat. " Say, Hil. You never did tell me how you and Mr K know each other. It sounds like an interesting story, that is if you don't mind sharing".
"Interesting doesn't quite cut it, Bex. Everyday with him and the Bladebreakers was an adventure", Hilary sighed happily.
She laughed at the look of confusion etched on the girl's face and led her back to her bedroom so that she could introduce her to the world of Beyblade and the Bladebreakers.
--
Half an hour later, Bex was lying flat on Hilary's bed, clutching the old photograph of the Bladebreakers and roaring with laughter while Hilary sat on the floor nearby, tears of mirth flowing down her cheeks.
"I cannot believe that Mr K wore leather jackets! Leather!! Bex exclaimed. "And what's with the blue face paint and that scarf!!" she dissolved into fits of laughter again.
"There is just so much to Kai that people don't know about ".
Bex watched Hilary gazing fondly at the photograph.
"So what went wrong? Why did the team break up?"
"I guess everyone wanted to do different things" Hilary shrugged. But in the back of her mind, she knew she was lying. The team ceased to exist after a certain someone left them without a word...without a goodbye.
Bex was oblivious to the sadness etched on Hilary's face and was still pouring over the photograph. Hilary had filled her in on the sport of Beyblade but had left out the part about bit beasts. She didn't think the younger girl would understand about the magical beasts and in any case it would not be an easy feat to describe the bond they shared with their masters.
A loud knock jerked her out of her thoughts. Hilary shoved the photo under the sheets and Bex leapt to their feet scrambling to open the door.
Kai was surprised when Bex opened the door. Hilary stood near the bed wearing an innocent expression. He looked at the girls suspiciously. Bex was struggling to contain her laughter and Hilary flashed her a warning look. Kai narrowed his eyes at her. Taking the hint she excused herself and hurried out the room, closing the door on her way out, leaving Hilary alone with Kai.
Kai stood by the door scrutinizing her as she nervously tucked her hair behind her ears.
"What were you two doing"? he asked as his eyes roved around the room suspiciously.
Hilary cleared her throat. "Nothing at all Kai. Just girlie chit chat".
Kai raised his eyebrow. "Yeah, whatever. I came by to tell you to pack up your things. I have booked a room for you in one of our partner hotels. We leave in one hour. You should be safe there until your arm heals. Once you are better, I will book you a flight back to Japan. You need not concern yourself with the expenses. I will take care of it".
Hilary wanted to smack Kai then and there but she took a deep breath to calm herself.
"Kai, I'm not leaving unless you promise me that you will help the BBA. You owe the BBA that much".
Kai glared at her. "I don't owe anyone anything!" he hissed. The mess that the BBA finds itself in is of their own doing and I want no part of it".
Hilary was stunned. "Kai, there was a time when we were like a family. We would have done anything for each other".
"Then where are the others? Kai interjected. "I don't see anyone else lining up to help. Where is the world champ? He must have raked enough money winning all those championships and signing all those endorsement deals. Or did he blow it all away on useless crap? he asked sarcastically."
Hilary was beyond angry now.
"If you must know, Tyson has used up all his savings to pay for his grandfather's treatment. Grandpa has been bedridden for the last 3 years and every penny that Tyson makes goes into Grandpa's treatment. So no, in answer to your question , he hasn't blown away all his money on 'useless crap", she said coldly.
Kai had the grace to look embarrassed. "I'm sorry", he muttered.
Seeing Kai back down a bit, Hilary composed herself and continued. "
To be honest with you Kai, none of the others, be it Ray, Max or Kenny make as much money as you do. Even if they did want to help, it just wouldn't be enough to get the BBA out of this mess".
Kai sighed. "I need time to think this through. You can't just walk in here expecting me to invest in another business without consulting with my partners and team".
Hilary breathed out with relief. "Take all the time you need Kai."
He turned to leave the room. At the door, he turned back to face her. "But that still doesn't change what I said earlier. I am moving you to a hotel where you will stay until your arm heals and then you are to return to Japan. It's not safe for you to be here on your own.
Before she could let out a bunch of angry retorts, he exited the room, shutting the door behind him.
--