Bittersweet Melody
Second Arc: Act Five
"Next stop, Rome!"
Yumi threw her arms into the air with joy. Rumi, Yuki, Adof and The Saint Shields followed behind the blue-haired female with luggage in hand. The group of teens was set and ready for their flight to Rome. As the waited in the airport, they stood together speaking to one another; the other teams from the tournament began to gather.
"This will be me and Rumi's first time in Rome!" She smiled before whirling around to face the group.
Cat turned around to face her teammates. "Are you guys excited?"
"I've always wanted to go to Rome." Mariam smiled.
"This'll be my first time on a plane." Yusuf shuttered a bit before looking to either side.
"You shouldn't be nervous, Yusuf." Adof replied as he pushed his sunglasses up the bridge of his nose. "Unless you get airsick then it's not so fun."
"Great," Dunga rolled his eyes. "Now he's nervous."
"I just ate that cheese pretzel!" Yusuf squeaked, dropping his luggage and throwing his hands on his face.
"It'll be all right," Mariam placed her hand on her brother's head.
"Yeah!" Cat placed one hand to her hip. "I was really nervous the first time I was on a plane. I was terrified the plane would crash or something."
"CRASH?!" Yusuf and Yuki exclaimed at once.
"You had to open your mouth, Greco." Rumi groaned as she lifted her hand to her face.
"Hmm, sorry." Cat sighed.
Had it really been three years? Cat inhaled through her nose before staring out the large window. It wasn't that long ago…since she last traveled the world with Team BBA. She could clearly remember the day Takao asked her to travel with him and his team. Takao, Kyoujyu, Max, Rei, Kai…She released the air she held in her lungs and closed her eyes. What she wouldn't give to do it all over again. She felt her heart beat in her chest as images from that year flew through her mind. China, New York, Europe, and Russia…it all went by so fast. Why did she have to give it up?
"Cat?"
She flinched. She looked down at her left arm to see Yuki tugging at her jacket sleeve. She looked back up at the boy with a smile.
"Look over there!" Yumi slapped both hands on her cheeks and swooned. "The other teams are boarding!"
"Ah!" Adof lowered his sunglasses for a moment. "I see Teams Bai Hu Zu, The PPB All-starz, The Barthez Soldiers and Neo Borg!"
"Wow," Mariam lifted her hand over her eyes to get a better view of the teams. "The Barthez Soldiers have quite the fan base."
Cat looked over her shoulder to see a huge group of fans following the team. Boys, girls, big and small were screaming and cheering as they made their way through the airport. Amazing! The singer cleared her throat and looked back to her own team. Had she made the wrong choice? She looked back to see Yusuf tugging on Ozuma's shirt, surely a way to get his attention. Beside them stood Dunga and Mariam both with their arms crossed and sour looks on their faces. The must be fighting again. Cat gave the group a warm smile before rethinking her last thought.
Yes, she had made the right choice.
"Look, Team BBA Revolution is here too!" Yumi squealed.
"What are you, a fan?" Rumi curled her lip at her younger counterpart.
"Oh yes!" The blue-haired female answered with a delightful smile. "Do you think Takao would mind if I ask for an autograph?"
"Don't even try," Cat answered with an irritated voice.
"What's your deal with BBA Revolution?" Rumi turned to Cat with her arms crossed over her chest.
"What?" She looked at Rumi. "I have no problem with BBA Revolution! It's just him."
"Who, who?" Yuki popped his white head into the conversation.
"Never mind, it's not important." She turned away from the group, her nose stuck up in the air. "Let's go before they see u-"
"CAT!"
"Great…" Said girl rolled her eyes and turned back around to see who was addressing her.
Daichi ran toward the group with a look of excitement on his face. He dashed toward her, meeting Yumi before he did so. Daichi stopped to see the blue-haired female with her eyes wide and mouth open. The redhead cocked his head to one side looking at the girl.
"How cute!" Yumi smiled. "Hello little boy!"
"I'm not little!" Daichi barked at the taller female before pushing passed her to get to Cat. "Remember me?" He said with his finger pointed at his own chest.
"Sure." Cat winked at the shorter boy.
"Daichi!" Hiromi shouted as she made a dash toward the group, "You can't just run off like that!" She reached down, grabbing the smaller boy. "You know better than that!" She scolded.
"Hiromi."
The BBA's cheerleader's eyes fluttered open to the sound of her name. She looked upward to see Cat standing in front of her. A smile spread across her face upon seeing her old friend. Hiromi stood up straight, dropping Daichi in the process, and waved one hand to Cat.
"DAICHI!"
The redhead twitched. It was Takao for sure. He turned to look over his small shoulder. As if on cue, the two-timed champ came running toward Daichi. Once in close distance, he reached down and grabbed the smaller boy and put in him a tight headlock. He then began to rub his closed fist into Daichi's head.
"Don't just run off!" He snapped, "I'm sorry ma'am…" Takao eyes then ran up the body in front of him. It was Cat! "Oh!" He stopped and dropped his partner. "Hey, what's going on?"
"Nothing." Cat said in a simple tone before turning her back to her old friend. "Come on guys!" She called out to her team and friends. "Let's go!"
"Hey!" Takao called out to her. "Aren't you going to talk to me?"
"Nope." Cat replied.
"What?! Why not?!" He gasped.
"I have a dance class to get to…in Rome…I have to catch the earliest flight!" She stuttered for a moment.
"CAT!"
Cat looked over her shoulder that voice. She looked to see Max and Rei approaching the group. They both had very pleasant smiles on their faces. Her face instantly became red with embarrassment. The match…they had seen it, right? She tucked her head into her shoulders and tried her best to creep away.
"Hey!" Rei called out.
"You came back for him! You LOVE him!"
What an embarrassment. Cat grinded her teeth together, what was she supposed to do or even say? How would she explain herself to Max and Rei? Takao standing beside her made things worse as well. She had to go on the defensive either that or make up a crafty excuse to get out of being social. The celebrity gulped before turning back around to Max and Rei. With her shoulders moved upward and a very nervous smile planted on her face she replied.
"Sorry! I have a dance class to go to!" She laughed, her eyebrows turned upright. "Gotta go, bye!" She turned to her team. "Come on let's go!"
"What?" Max cocked an eyebrow. "What's with that?" He turned to see Rumi and Yumi standing beside him with sly looks on their faces.
"Oh," Yumi leaned in toward Max. "So you're Max?"
"Yes," The blond nodded.
"Don't worry about Greco," Rumi said. "She's just moody. You know girls."
"I HEARD THAT!" Cat shouted from afar. "Let's GO!"
XoXoX
The flight boarded. As crowds of people began to leave the plane, Takao was first of his group to enter the Rome airport. He couldn't be more excited; he was meeting with someone very important. He looked from left to right, no sign of him yet. He sighed, feeling impatient. When would he show himself? Daichi stood beside him with an unhappy frown on his face. He looked up to the taller blue-haired male and began to whine.
"Takao, what are we doing here. I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to!" Daichi began to tug on his jacket.
"We're waiting for someone." He answered, his eyes still darting back and forth. "He told me he'd meet us here."
"Ralf, right?" Kyoujyu walked alongside him, luggage in hand.
"Yeah." Takao nodded.
"Looks like The Saint Shields had the same idea." Hiromi said as she lifted her finger toward the approaching group.
Daichi opened his mouth wide and began to shout, "CA-" Takao's strong hands came down on his mouth, covering it and clamping it shut.
"DON'T SAY ANYTHING!" Takao looked down to his small partner as he held his index finger to his lips to hush the redhead. "I don't want to be yelled at again!" He said in a harsh hush.
"Takao!" Hitoshi looked at his younger brother with angry eyes. "Be nice."
"I am!"
XoXoX
From afar, the approaching Saint Shields and company took notice of Takao and Daichi. They're constant fighting and shouting could be heard halfway across the airport lobby. A frown was instantaneous on Cat's face at the sight of the world champion.
"Hey look over there, it's the BBA Revolution." Yuki pointed out the obvious by pointing his index finger in Takao's direction.
"So what!" Cat grunted, closing her eyes.
"Miss Greco! Be polite to your peers!" Adof swung his arm downward, smacking the girl on the back of the head. "Go be nice to Kinomiya!"
"By the way Adof," Yuki looked at the older man with wide eyes. "What about that call you got from Kon? Didn't he want to talk to you today?"
"What?" Cat looked at Yuki, her thick brows tilted downward. "Rei called you?" She turned to Adof.
"Yes," The manager cleared his throat. "He wanted to continue that chat with me, you remember don't you Miss Greco?"
"Oh," She lowered her head and groaned.
"They're they are now!" Yumi called out with cheer. "Oh! And they brought Rick and Max with them!"
"WHAT?!" Cat twitched, slowly peering over her shoulder at the three boys.
"HEY!" The delicate female's arm shot into the air and waved back and forth vigorously. "OVER HERE, GUYS!"
"Yumi!" Cat snapped before reaching forward and grabbing her band mate's arm, pulling it back and out of sight.
Her attempts at calming Yumi came too late, Max; Rei and Rick had already spotted the group. They approached as quickly as their legs would carry them by the looks of them. Ugh, did they have to come and say hi? Didn't they have better things to do?!.Max dashed toward Cat and presented her with a wide smile. Rick and Rei soon followed, for whatever reason.
"Hey Cat." He said with delight.
"Uh, hey there." Cat coughed and looked away, trying her best to break contact with the blond male.
"You waiting for big sister?" Rick taunted the brunette.
"Hey!" Cat's back stiffened at Rick's statement and she turned around to face him. "Who told you about that?!"
"Max of course." The taller male chuckled before jerking his thumb in Max's direction.
"Max!" Cat whimpered.
"Sorry," The shorter All-starz member giggled, still maintaining his smile. "It came up."
"I wanted to see if she was as nuts as you are." He mocked Cat once again.
"Shut up!" Cat stomped her foot in anger, "I'm NOT in the mood today!"
"Surely not all of us are crazy." Yumi cuffed her hands together in front of her face.
"Yes you are. You all are." Dunga snorted.
Without notice, Rumi turned her lip up at Dunga and lifted her arm into the air. She then swung her arm forward and slammed her fist into Dunga's upper arm. The tall, muscular man let out a loud yip upon contact and turned to his team leader.
"Ozuma, tell her to back off!"
At the call of his name, the team captain rolled his eyes and sighed, refusing to engage in any of Dunga's 'conflict'.
"You all look nuts to me." Rick said with another laugh.
"That's it!" Cat barked, causing all three boys to back away in surprise. "Let's fight then!" She said throwing both fists into the air.
Rick gave the girl a strange look. "I don't hit girls."
"I'M NOT A GIRL!" She shouted as she shook both fists in the air.
"Going off subject," Rei cleared his throat and standing between the bickering couple. "Where is Jam? She's supposed to be here, right?"
"Soon, I think." Adof reassured the black-haired boy. "We're here for that reason as well."
"HEY!"
The group of teens turned to the sound of Daichi. The small redhead had apparently escaped from Takao's grip and soon made his way to the group waiting for Jam. Behind the small boy trailed Takao and the rest of his team. The champ was fast approaching Daichi in his best effort to silence him. Seeing the older boy chase him, Daichi rushed forward at an even faster rate before he finally reached Cat. The smaller boy ducked behind the female's leg.
"Huh?" Cat looked behind her leg to see the small boy hiding in fear.
"Daichi!" Takao shouted, finally reaching his partner and Cat. "What did I tell you about running off?!"
"Hey!" Daichi snapped back in defense. "Just because you're scared to talk to Cat, doesn't mean I am!"
"I'm not afraid!" Takao growled, "I just…what I wanted to say was…" He paused, lifting his thumb to his lower lip. "Uh…"
"Hey Kyoujyu, Hiromi, Hitoshi." Cat nodded her head and smiled at the trio.
"She's obviously not talking to you, Takao." Kyoujyu whispered to his teammate in a voice just loud enough for the singer to hear.
Takao groaned, "I know." Did they have to whisper just loud enough for her to understand them?
"You look nice today, Cat." Hitoshi's smooth voice alerted the new Saint Shield member to look his way.
Cat backed away for a moment, a red blush consuming her face. "T-thanks!"
An eerie silence entered the airport lobby. The group of teens stood beside one another, each with their minds racing with different thoughts or questions. She stood, her arms strapped across her chest and face turned away from Takao. All the while the capped male stood in the same pose, an effort to counter her in gestures. The other members of the group stood silent. What were they supposed to say?
After a few awkward moments of silence, Yuki turned to her and gave her a cute smile. He reached over to her and took her by the hand. In an instant, the couple was holding hands. What was with the sudden urge to express affection? Cat let out a small chuckle before moving her linked hand behind her back. This action pulled Yuki closer and hid their hands. She coughed before looking off in a different direction.
"What's with all the silence? Cat, you're usually so chatty!"
She released Yuki's arm and rushed forward, her sister Jam had arrived. A huge smile spread across her face as she leapt toward her sister. She wrapped her arms around the taller four-eyed female. Jam smiled and placed her hand on her younger sister's back. Following behind Jam was team Euro, Ralf, Johnny, Giancarlo and Oliver.
"Ralf!"
The purple-haired male looked beyond Cat's shoulder to see Takao standing with his team. Ralf cracked a smile and walked toward the BBA captain with his arm extended. Takao took hold of Ralf's hand and began to shake it. It had obviously been too long since they last saw one another. After shaking hands with Ralf, the other members of the Euro Team came forward and greeted Takao.
"Has it really been three years?" Giancarlo asked with a cock of his blond brow.
"Yes, it has."
Team Euro and Team BBA Revolution turned to see Max standing with his hand on his hip. Rei stepped up alongside Max and greeted the other boys. This reunion had been long overdue.
"So it's been a whole year," Rei brushed passed the group of males to walk over to Jam. "You haven't changed much."
"I try not to." She laughed while closing her eyes and shrugging her shoulders. "But it is nice to see you again…Rei." She ended her sentence with a wink.
"It's nice to see you too." He replied with a longing stare.
"Yes, I must say the invitation to meet here today was an excellent idea." Ralf grumbled, throwing his body between Rei and Jam. "Would you say, Rei?"
"Well, it was my idea, Ralf." He narrowed his stare at the older male.
Jam released a sweet giggle from her lips. How entertaining. Cat laughed nervously, stepping between the two boys, trying her best to prevent any type of brawl. She then extended her arm in Rick's direction.
"This is Rick," She announced for the boy, in her best effort to change the subject. "Rick, meet Ralf!"
"No thanks," Rick huffed, turning his nose up at Team Euro. "I hate rich crap like you."
"RICKY!" The celebrity shouted, balling up her right fist.
"Don't call me that!" He fought back.
Jam laughed, causing the arguing couple to turn in her direction. "Hey, who's that hanging on your leg?" She asked, pointing to Daichi.
"Daichi." He answered for himself before removing himself from her leg.
"Oh so you're Takao's new partner." The older sister curled her index finger under her chin. "I've heard a lot about you."
"Nothing good, I bet." Takao threw out a small set of chuckles.
Jam's head swerved from side to side as if she was searching for someone. "I guess Kai decided not to come?" She then rested her eyes on Rei.
"Yeah," Rei smiled, "He was invited but he said he had better things to do."
"Ah," She lifted her finger from her lips to her glasses and adjusted them.
"Besides," Rick gripped his fist and pounded his chest in pride. "He has a match with us tomorrow, so I think he needs to rest."
Cat lifted her index finger into the air and wiggled it back and forth. "Oh? What for? For you?"
"Of course for me!" He snapped at the younger, shorter female.
"I think you should let Max fight Kai, Rick." She glanced in Max's direction and winked at the blond; a flirty action that caused the American boy to turn bright red. "Max has a better chance at winning after all."
"And what do you know?!" Rick shook his clenched fist at her.
"A lot." She smirked, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Yeah, since you LOST to him last time you fought!" The white-haired male barked loud enough for passing people to look his way.
Cat's eyes brows arched at this and she unhooked her arms and stood on her tiptoes to face Rick. "SHUT UP! Let's go!" She said, lifting both fists at the taller male.
"Ha!" Giancarlo threw his head back and laughed loudly. "You two sound like you're married or something!"
"What?!" They shouted in unison and turned to Giancarlo.
"Are we done here?" Johnny lifted his hand to his head and sighed. "All this noise is giving me a headache."
"So where are you all staying?" Adof turned to Team Euro.
"In some fancy hotel," Jam answered with a shrug of her shoulders. "Nothing is too fancy for Johnny."
"Hey!" Said male snapped at the longhaired brunette. "It's not like you complain!"
"It's getting late anyway," Kyoujyu lifted his wrist to reading-level. "Max you and Rick should get some rest before your match tomorrow."
"What's it to ya?" Rick loomed over Kyoujyu.
"Just a suggestion!" The smaller boy yipped in fear.
"It's all right." Max stepped in, separating the two men. "I think we should be fine tomorrow, thanks Kyoujyu."
"It was good to see you again, Cat." Jam walked toward her little sister and placed one hand on her shoulder.
"Oh Jam," The littler of the siblings reached far off to her left and grabbed Yuki. "You haven't said hello to Yuki yet!"
"Oh, I must have forgotten." Jam rolled her eyes and sighed. "Hello Yuki."
"Miss Jam!" Yuki stood up straight and saluted the older female.
"I see you also brought your other two lackeys." Jam snickered as her eyes landed on Rumi and Yumi. "It was nice meeting you all. But I think we should go back to our hotel rooms now." She continued before turning away from the group. "We should rest."
"All right then." Cat nodded to agree.
"Besides, you have a concert performance tomorrow." Yuki looked at his girlfriend with a pleasant smile. "You should rest too."
"What?" Max looked over at the brunette with wide eyes. "You didn't tell anyone."
"I didn't think it was important." She said with a bob of her shoulders.
Rei turned to her and shot her a confused stare. "Why wouldn't it be?"
"As I recall, no one really cared for my career." She folded her arms over her chest, shut one eye and glared in Takao's direction. "Isn't that right, Takao?"
"Oh, you're talking to me?" He replied sarcastically.
"Wouldn't be talking about anyone else." She then turned her back to Takao.
"Miss Greco!" Adof stomped his way toward the young girl and grabbed her by a single ear. "What did I tell you about being nice to your peers!" He then began to tug on her earlobe. "We're leaving right now!" He looked over his shoulders at Yumi and Rumi. "GIRLS! Let's go!"
XoXoX
The two females nodded and began to follow after their manager. The Saint Shields gave one another a nod and began to trail as well. Takao watched as the large group of teens began to leave the area. Ozuma was the last of the group to walk off; he paused for a movement before turning around to face Takao and the rest of his team. The shorter gray-haired boy stared at him for moment before sighing and shaking his head. What was with that? Takao shot a piercing glare at Ozuma, in an effort to shake him off. The leader closed his eyes before turning away from the group and leaving from sight.
"Jam,"
The female perked to the sound of her name. She looked to see Takao standing before her with a look of seriousness on his face. Jam oohed at this sight, what was with that serious mug? She giggled to herself before preparing her ears for the worst. What in the world would Takao need with her?
"What?" She lifted her index finger to her lips.
"I need to talk to you," Takao explained. "Alone." He then bit down on his lower lip. "Can we talk at the hotel?"
"Sure, why not?" The older woman nodded her head once and turned her back to the boy. "Follow me."
The two bodies entered the empty hotel lobby with silent steps. Walking ahead of Takao, she led the way. The large hotel screamed expense there was little doubt that he was gawking and aweing at the fancy décor and glass sculptors. He better not touch anything, she was not paying for his expenses!
Out of the corner of her eye, the female Euro member spotted a nice vending machine. Hm, the flight had taken a toll on her and she was hungry so why not? She approached the machine and dug deep down into her jean pockets and pulled out a single dollar bill. A smile widened across her elegant face as she pressed the bill into the large machine.
If this were any other situation, Takao would no doubt ask to share her snack with him but this talk he asked of her seemed important. And if he wasn't asking for any food, it had to be serious.
"What's the deal with you now, Takao?" Jam asked, pressing her fingers on the dial pad on the vending machine.
"Well," Takao cleared his throat and leaned against the wooden frame of the large hallway. "I wanted to know what's wrong with Cat."
"Hm, I think I want chocolate." Jam hummed to herself. "She did seem bit grumpy today didn't she?" She laughed to herself, standing up straight to face the bothered male.
"I have no idea what her issue is!" Takao exclaimed, "Ever since meeting up with her at the beginning of the tournament, she's been so stand-offish."
"Well, she hasn't said a word about being angry at you, Takao." She giggled before bending down to pull out her candy bar.
"Is this about last year?" Takao asked, one eyebrow cocked.
"I highly doubt that." Jam stood up once again and began to pull open the wrapper containing her chocolate.
"You know something." He snarled.
"Maybe." She shut her eyes and shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, then what is it?" Takao insisted by moving his two hands out in front of his body.
"Hey, it's not my business to tell anyone Cat's secrets." Before placing the candy bar in her mouth, Jam shot a cocky grin at Takao.
Takao balled up his fists and stomped his foot. "Jam!"
"I really should be getting back." She replied between mouthfuls. "You know how Ralf gets." She then turned her back to the boy but not before looking over her shoulder once last time. "I'm sure you'll find out…eventually."
"Fine!" Takao threw his arms over his chest and grunted. "I'll just have to find out myself."
Jam returned her glance forward, and began to walk down the lone hotel lobby. "Good luck."
He'd find out in due time.
Act End.