Chapter two
Mariah's advice.
The next morning, the dojo was a nice and quiet place, as the boys were all sleeping in after the very chaotic evening. In the kitchen, Ryeu Granger found Hiromi humming to herself as she made herself some tea. ''Hey girl, what's crackin'?'' he asked, and she gave him a smile. ''Good morning, want some tea too?''. He nodded, and smiled to himself as he sat down. He would manage to scare his grandson every time he snuck up upon him, but never Hiromi. At times it seemed the girl had almost a sixth sense in that aspect.
''Did you sleep well?'' he asked her. ''I had an amazing evening. Good sleep and everything. It was groovy.'' she replied happily. ''If you had a good night, how come you're up already? The others are still sleeping in.'' he said bemused. ''Well, I already felt well-rested and too happy to sleep more. Besides, the dojo is really nice when the others are still sleeping in.'' she replied. ''Too happy, is that right? Perhaps a certain significant other on your mind?'' he asked. She stopped in her tracks. ''Did someone already tell you?'' she asked. ''Not really. But I do know how to put two and two together. And I can tell when a youngblood falls for a stone fox.'' Ryeu said.
''Ah.'' she said, dumbfounded. ''Too old fashioned?'' he asked. ''Nah, it's fine. But I don't think it's like that, just a minor attraction for the time being.'' she said, understanding his words perfectly. ''If you say so. Let's start breakfast.'' he said. ''Oh, should I wake up Ray for the cooking?'' she asked, but he shook his head. ''I don't think it's quite necessary, unless our guest is too shy.'' Grandpa said playfully.
''Our guest?'' she wondered, and then turned to see Tala in the doorway, clearly having overheard their conversation. ''The youngblood?'' he questioned, and Hiromi grinned. ''It means handsome young man.'' she translated. ''Gathered as much, but to be fair, Tyson's grandpa is a looker himself.'' he teased.
''I sure was back in the days. Otherwise I wouldn't have met my missus back then. And gotten our stunning daughter, may the heavens be blessed with her.'' he said. ''Tyson's mom was beautiful, she must have gotten it from both of you.'' Hiromi smiled. ''And she ended up with Tyson as her son?'' Tala questioned.
''Tala.'' she scolded, shocked, but Ryeu just laughed it off. ''Well, Hiro got her looks, and Tyson sure got her spirit. Why don't I wake the other lads, so you two can make breakfast.'' he offered. ''But, Ray forbade me from cooking without him.'' she said. ''I am sure you two can make something nice and easy. Love fixes every meal after all.'' he said, leaving the two blushing teens behind.
''It's not love.'' Tala said. ''It's just a kiss, one smooch.'' she added, gathering the first items for breakfast, surely she couldn't ruin eggs that badly anymore. Tala nodded along, not sure really what to do. He had never prepared breakfast before, Boris had ensured people did that for them. ''Did any of you ever cook in the Abbey?'' she asked, just out of sheer curiosity.
''Can you read minds?'' Tala asked, not sure how she had done that. ''Not really, no. Would be a very cool superpower though.'' she laughed it off. ''I guess. No, none of us ever cooked in the Abbey. Have you ever seen Kai cook?'' he questioned. She shook her head. ''Ray always does the cooking, we lack the skills compared to him. Apparently, my food is suited for the dogs.'' she said.
''I guess Tyson and Daichi would still eat it.'' Tala said. ''I said the same thing, they eat about anything. But Ray's cooking is quite good. That being said, I never actually ate Russian cuisine.'' she said. ''It's not something you would miss. Food at the Abbey, it was the one thing that Kai's grandfather clearly never spent money at.'' Tala said, still looking around for something to do.
Hiromi must have noticed, because she handed him a bell pepper. ''Can you cut it? I think I have a nice idea for vegetable omelet, and if it comes from your hand, the others probably wouldn't refuse.'' ''I can surely handle that.'' he said, as she broke the eggs in a bowl. They worked in perfect harmony next to one another, and sometimes, Hiromi would give him another vegetable to cut.
When she started combining everything, he decided to ask. ''So.., yesterday Bryan mentioned us maybe dating?'' he said. ''Going on a couple dates, right? Different then dating?'' she said, confused. ''Exactly.'' he said. ''I am all for it, if you are.'' she replied, focusing on tossing the mixture, not daring to meet his eyes.
''I still am. What should we do for the first time?'' he asked. She stopped in her tracks. ''I don't know, I have never gone on one before.'' she thought it over, and shook her head. ''Nope, never.'' she said. ''Same here. I mean, I've been asked plenty of times, just never went.'' he said. ''Oh, that's brutal. Not showing up isn't very nice.'' she said.
''I am not exactly known for being nice.'' he said. ''Funny, cause you are.'' she told him. ''And supposedly, my kisses are nice too.'' he laughed. ''They are.'' she said, tone heavy and loving, her attention turning away from the pan, leaving it too sizzle. ''Nice enough to distract you from a distance in a cinema.'' he added. ''Nice enough that you told a lady at the club a very bad word, and got her hopes up, only to let her down.'' she added, getting closer to him.
He raised an eyebrow. ''Spencer told me.'' she explained. ''Explains that. So that nice kissing?'' he started. ''Stop talking, and start doing.'' she said. ''So bossy.'' Tala said, before complying, pushing her against the kitchen table as he started kissing her. And somehow, it felt so right with him. Hiromi was the perfect fit in his arms, and kissed back fiercely. He nearly lost track of time.
''Smell that too?'' she asked, after a while. ''Smell what too?'' he asked, and she looked up. ''Oh, we must have jostled the wok.'' she said. He turned to see flames. ''Ah, there goes the breakfast.'' he said, but she managed to get away from him, dousing the flames quite easily. ''Nonsense. It's just a bit darker than intended, but probably tastes fine.'' she said.
''It's burned. I start to see why Ray is doing the cooking.'' he commented. As if on cue, Ray entered the kitchen, looking panicked. ''Something is burning.'' he shouted in a panic, and then looked at Hiromi dealing with the flames quite easily. ''Ah.. that explains.'' he told himself more relaxed, and then looked at Tala. ''I don't cook.'' Tala replied.
''So, why are you here?'' Ray asked. ''Keeping company.'' Tala said. ''That's what they call it these days.'' Hiromi said, just to tease Ray. ''Right. Why don't I help cooking. Tala, you should probably wake up Kai, and the others of your team. Grandpa was already working on the Bladebreakers.'' Ray said.
Tala shrugged, and left the kitchen quite easily. ''So… Tala?'' Ray questioned, helping her empty the burned wok. She nodded, ''That was Tala indeed, very good.'' she replied. ''You know where I am going with this, right?'' he asked. She nodded. ''Good, you should know that I think that you can do better.'' he said.
''I can do better than an international professional Beyblader who happens to be a great kisser and is really clever, considered a genius?'' she questioned. Before he could interrupt, she continued, ''Who so far as a guest has been nothing more than a gentleman? In what sense do you think I even want to do better? Why aim for the impossibly high if I am content with what there is now, and as mentioned before, something that is still quite meaningless other than some kissing?''
''That's the thing, it means nothing'' he said. ''But Ray, you are even choosing between three other girls. Why is this an issue, and your thing somehow considered okay?'' she asked. ''Because with any of the girls, it's a shared love.'' he said. ''And that's great, I have never dated, never had someone interested in me. So, exploring this, it's something that at the very least I can learn from.'' she said.
''And if he hurts you?'' he asked. ''I can beat him up myself just fine. If given the chance. I mean, if Kai finds out. Or Kenny, or Grandpa for that matter… Geez, you're all way too overprotective.'' she realised. ''Just be careful.'' he warned her. ''I will.'' she promised, rinsing out the wok. ''As long as you know you can always talk about it.'' he said. ''Do you think Mariah has time to call today? This seems like a girls' thing to talk over, and considering my friends are you guys…'' she asked. Ray thought it over for a bit, clearly happy that Mariah and Hiromi got along so well. ''Sure you can, though I must warn you, she's not a big Tala fan. Not a big fan of the entire team actually.'' he told her, before looking at the now clean pan. ''Let's start with breakfast, what were you attempting to make?'' he asked, and she explained her plans.
Tala found the rest of the Blitzkrieg boys doodling on Kai's face. ''Are you all twelve?'' he asked. ''Oh come on, let loose a little. We never really got to do kids stuff.'' Spencer said. ''Besides, when will be the next opportunity Kai will sleep in.'' Ian added, adding color to his masterpiece. ''What were you up to, meeting her?'' Bryan asked instead.
''Oi! Shut up.'' Tala said, worried Kai might hear them. ''He's knocked out pretty badly.'' Bryan said. ''We should wake him up, breakfast is being cooked.'' Tala said. ''Can your future wife cook well?'' Ian asked. ''Well, the food was burned, so we don't get to find out.'' Tala started and then added, ''Not my future wife!''
Bryan and Spencer just laughed. ''He's really knocked out?'' Tala asked, eyeing Kai. ''Sure is.'' Ian said. ''Cool. She was discussing that date thing Bryan mentioned yesterday. What is it that you do on a date?'' Tala asked. ''Oh, sweet summerchild.'' Spencer cackled, and Tala rolled his eyes. ''Well, the only one that ever went on one, is the one currently knocked out by a hangover.'' Bryan said.
They looked at each other clueless. ''She'll probably have an idea.'' Ian said. ''She's never gone on one either.'' Tala said, dejected. ''So, fresh start. Anything will do, boxing match?'' Bryan suggested. ''Ooh, you should take her to a wrestling match.'' Ian said. ''You guys are truly clueless about girls, just take her somewhere nice. Girls like concerts, right? That Ming Ming is performing real soon.'' Spencer said.
''Right..'' Tala felt the ideas were perhaps not the best ones in the world. And then looked at Kai. His friend did know Hiromi the best in the world, and was the worst to ask. But maybe drunk Kai could help out. ''Should we wake him up?'' Tala asked, and the rest shook their head, finishing up their doodles.
After breakfast was over, the boys, minus Kai, started their training for the day, leaving Hiromi to have some spare time. She would usually train with them, despite not wielding a Beyblade herself, but instead, the time off was nice too for a change. Instead of focusing on her homework, she decided to give Mariah a call, but, surprisingly, at that moment, Mariah was calling her.
''Hey girl, do you have some time?'' Mariah asked, clearly excited about something. ''I do. I mean, I was just about to call you.'' Hiromi admitted. ''No way. Such coincidence. Was it about something important?'' she asked. ''Not that much, just some advice. But it sounds like you had something exciting to call about?'' Hiromi inquired.
''Ab-so-lutely. So remember we had a women's tournament last year?'' Mariah asked. ''You did. You became second, which was just amazing.'' Hiromi admitted. ''Right. But, Queen, the winner of it all, had an even better idea. To form a girls team this year, and take it up against the others. I mean, it's fun working in the usual teams and all, but we are getting a larger number of girls taking up the sport as well.'' Mariah said.
''That's super cool. Will be a pretty big team.'' Hiromi said, silently counting all the beygirls. ''Absolutely. It's also a good way of co-operating rather than always competing. And it's still pretty far away till the next tournament comes up.'' Mariah said. ''I am all for it. Anything I can do?'' Hiromi asked. ''Well, I wanted to rely on your organisational talents, first of all. But second, considering the Bladebreakers are the current world champions, could you propose to your team to please compete?'' Mariah asked.
''Oh, I am flattered. Of course I would love to help, and I am sure they would love to participate. Tyson recently mentioned getting antsy about waiting for the next tournament.'' Hiromi said, sharing the excitement. ''Great. I still have a long list of teams to invite, but having them onboard would be the best.'' Mariah said.
''I could make the list one team shorter if you'd like me to. The Blitzkrieg boys are staying over, I could invite them directly too.'' Hiromi offered. ''Oh, yeah. They were at the bottom of the list.'' Mariah admitted. ''Well, you can cross that one off. Makes it a shorter list.'' Hiromi said, mentally thinking back of Ray saying that Mariah didn't like Tala.
''That would be nice, I don't exactly get along with them. Are they at least behaving over there? They always come across as rowdy and rude.'' Mariah said. ''Like perfect gentlemen actually. Maybe the effect Tyson's home is having on them.'' Hiromi replied. ''Well, as long as it's not bothering any of you. It's at least nice that Kai gets to catch up with them. But that being said, you needed advice?'' Mariah wondered.
''Oh, yes I did.'' Hiromi had nearly forgotten in the excitement. ''And here I thought you had the solution to every problem, considering you are the one always cleaning up the messes your team makes. What did you need advice on?'' Mariah asked. ''It's nothing too big, but someone mentioned perhaps taking me on a date, but neither he nor I have gone on one before. So, what does one do on a date?'' Hiromi asked.
Mariah awwed on the other side of the line. ''Like I said, nothing big.'' Hiromi added. ''If it works out, you should introduce us sometime. But basically, there are so many things you could do on a date. Best would be to find something you two have a common interest in.'' Mariah said. ''Common interest.'' Hiromi repeated, thinking it over. Did she and Tala actually have one?
''Maybe you can cook with him? I know Ray has been teaching you, and you've been improving, or so he said.'' Mariah suggested. ''Actually, I was cooking with him this morning, and managed to burn an omelette.'' Hiromi said. ''Wait, with Ray, or with "him"? Girl, if it's someone on your team, dish. Are you and Kai finally becoming a powercouple?'' Mariah asked, wistfully.
''Never Kai.'' Hiromi laughed. ''But, no, Ray caught me burning it.'' she said. ''Like I said, you are improving. But you almost had me giddy for a moment. At the very least you're not dating one of the Blitzkrieg Boys, I will count that as a positive. But, let me know it it works out. And especially don't forget the tournament. We'll keep in touch.'' Mariah said, before hanging up.
Hiromi smiled to herself, it had been solid advice, and surely she could find something she and Tala had a common interest in. Maybe Kai would know. Then she thought it over for a bit. ''That's strange, I haven't seen Kai at all today.'' she mused, and then headed to his bedroom. She gently knocked on the door, and when she didn't get a reply, she catiously opened the door.
''Kai?'' she asked, receiving a snore as an answer. Shaking her head, because in her head the image morphed to that of a sleeping Tyson, she decided to get closer. She frowned when she noticed several doodles on his face. ''Kai.'' she tried again, a bit louder, and with a frown, Kai woke up. ''Something wrong?'' he asked her.
''Well, not really. But it's already getting past twelve and I've never seen you sleep in. That being said, I also never really saw you drunk before.'' she told him. ''Drunk?'' he asked her, getting up. ''Yes, do you really not remember anything from last night?'' she asked, sitting next to him. He shook his head. ''Well, maybe it's for the best. Ian said something about you dancing terribly.'' she giggled.
He gave her a weird look. ''Supposedly, I wasn't there. Could already hear you tell me a club wouldn't be a suitable place for me.'' she grinned. He nodded to that. ''Where are the others?'' he asked. ''Outside training, but I can make you some breakfast first.'' she offered. He shook his head, gesturing for her to get out so he could get dressed.
Instead, she turned so he could dress in peace. ''I actually had a question.'' she asked, as she heard rustling of clothing behind her, happy that he trusted her not to peek. ''What question?'' he asked. ''What does your team, the Russians that is, like as a hobby?'' she asked. ''Why?'' he asked her. ''Well, they are staying here for a significant time. Maybe we should surprise them with something nice to do once in a while for when the others get on their nerves.'' Hiromi suggested.
''Not a bad idea.'' Kai replied. ''Right, so any idea what they'd like?'' she asked. 'Specifically Tala.' she added in her thoughts. ''Ian is into classical music.'' he replied. ''Surprising. But something we can work with.'' she admitted. ''Spencer likes looking up recipes.'' Kai added. ''So, maybe we can get him cooking with Ray. Or, as an experiment, by himself.'' she said.
''Bryan likes books.'' he said decisively. ''Books like…'' she nearly didn't dare to ask. ''Any books really.'' he added. ''Good thing I just discovered a local bookshop with a stunning collection. I can probably get him some nice ones, maybe even in your mother language.'' she said, before asking ''And Tala?'' ''I don't know.'' he said.
''You don't know?'' she asked, she always had figured Tala and Kai got along pretty well. ''No.'' he said. ''Oh… I'll ask the other boys.'' she said. ''Don't bother, it'll be fine.'' he said, walking past her as he was done dressing. ''Training in the garden, right?'' he asked her. She nodded, and then gestured to his face. ''Maybe visit the mirror.'' she hinted. He gave her an odd look. ''Just, before the others find a reason to make fun of it.'' she said with a grin.
''Are you going to join?'' he asked her, brushing off her comment. ''Actually. I was planning to get some groceries. If that's okay with you.'' she said. He nodded, before heading to the garden. On his way, he did decide to take a look in a mirror, and only then noticed the doodling. As Hiromi was gathering stuff for her shopping spree, she could hear his fit of rage and the others boys laughing like crazy.