When said teen noticed their eyes on him, he just scratched the back of his head, a flattered expression on his face. "Guys, I know I look good, but you don't have to stare at me like that!"
Everyone just deadpanned, utterly confused. Good thing that Alice decided to open her mouth.
"… I also tried to tell Tyson that it was a bad idea" a deep sigh came from her "but he wouldn't listen and now I'm here…"
"Hey, it's a great idea! You get to learn how to beyblade and we get to hang out again! Like, it has been years since we last did something together" Tyson explained. "Besides that, it's not like I have to defend my title or anything."
"He's right, Alice" Hiro interjected. "You don't need to worry about it. It's a friendly tournament after all and the perfect opportunity to introduce you to the sport. There are no negative consequences if you lose."
"If you lose, that's it. The world champion is your mentor after all, you just cannot lose! You'll see, just leave it to me! Think of me as Yoda, only instead of being little and green, I wear a cap and I'm handsome" the younger Granger exclaimed proudly.
"… Tyson…" After thinking about it for a moment, Alice began to smile gently. "Well... I can try it… I guess. But don't expect too much of me."
"Sweet! With Kenny's analyzes, Hilary's training plans and my guidance, you will be a top-class blader in no time!"
"I hope you can back that up, because the tournament starts in two weeks!" Kenny panicked. "And we still have to teach her… well, everything! Does she even owns a beyblade?"
"Of course not, why would she?" Tyson answered, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Everyone just stared at him again, at lost for words.
"AHH! Tyson! Why didn't you tell us – or at least me – in advance?" the Chief shrieked. "I could have prepared a beyblade beforehand! I will go straight back home and work on a new blade for Alice!" And with that, he began to ran.
"Thanks Chief! You're the best!" the teen shouted after his little friend.
"Ehm… Tyson, why did I need to come here when I don't even have a beyblade?" the blonde girl asked puzzled.
"So that I can show you the basics of beyblading!" the world champion replied and immediately dragged her off to a basic bowl.
The others stood there frozen, still at lost for words.
The first one to find his voice again was Ray. "Tyson never fails to surprise, huh?" je said, an amused smile on his lips as he watched the unusual pair get farther away from them.
"Yeah, that's Tyson for you!" Max added, grinning from ear to ear.
"Well, I think he's either way really daring or dumber than I expected" the fierce Scotsman butted in.
"That's still my little brother you are talking about, Johnny."
"You're right, I'm sorry."
"But Hiro, you really think they can win this tournament?" the former manager asked her successor. "I mean two weeks are a really short amount of time to learn beyblading… and as if this was not enough, other top beyblading teams from all over the world will participate."
"Don't worry Hilary. The decision to make her join the team wasn't so irrational from Tyson as everyone here may think."
"Yeah? Why so?" Hilary inquired, his secretive tone piquing her interest.
"Alice has a surprisingly steep learning curve. As far as I know, she excels in over ten activities. She may not be a prodigy like Brooklyn, but she has the ability to learn that would lead to outstanding results" Hiro explained proudly.
"Wow, that sounds really incredible. And Tyson knew that? I guess we underestimated him."
He chuckled. "Maybe yes. But I guess he just genuinely wanted to see her again. It-" he let his gaze wander towards Tyson and Alice, just in time to see his little brother launch his beyblade. "– has been truly a long time. I have to admit, I'm also really glad to see her again. You know, the three of us used to be inseparable."
"Used to? What happened?"
A sad expression appeared on Hiro's face. "You have to tell someone! This has to stop or else –" he immediately cut off the memories. "You know, life is unpredictable" he scowled, ending every possible conversation.
"Oh…" sensing the changing mood, Hilary tried to lead the conversation into another direction. Fortunately, someone else did that for her.
"Who is that blonde angel over there, standing beside Tyson?" Enrique asked them, as he and Oliver made their way over to the little group, finished with their little training session.
"Her name is Alice" Hiro informed the Italian.
"What a lovely name for such a lovely girl! Do you happen to know her favorite shopping city? Maybe the two of us can make a short trip in my private jet there and after a nice shopping spree, we can have a romantic candle light dinner together."
"No, no, no! Alice has to learn how to beyblade within two weeks! There's no time for romance in her schedule!" Hilary promptly intervened.
Startled by the brunette, Enrique just stared at her. "Oh, could it be that… you are jealous? No need to fret, Hilary. You're pretty cute too! Well, if Alice isn't available, let me take you out for dinner! What do you say?"
"Erm, no thanks, Casanova. I need to construct a training plan for her. But I bet Tyson would love to accompany you for dinner" she sassily countered.
"Whaaat?" Crestfallen, he let his head drop. "But I don't want to have a romantic candle light dinner with Tyson!"
"Good decision" Oliver commented. "I once saw him eating an unpeeled orange – I swear, the image still haunts my dreams." The gourmet visibly shivered at that particular memory.
"Not that I'm homophobic or such! Far from that, he's just… not my type! I want my partner to be pretty and talented, smart and sophisticated, someone enjoyable to be around!" Enrique clarified.
"… you know, the description also applies to Oliver…" his brutally honest teammate, Johnny, noted. "Do you have to tell us something, Enrique?" the redhead practically purred, a smug grin on his face.