Xia Yan, the head of the Worm Syndicate, was strolling alone around the Kengan arena, searching for Shien Wulong, whom he had likely lost contact with again.
He was getting increasingly frustrated and irritated.
Xia wearing a mask and glasses to disguise his identity, he was in enemy territory and needed to be extra cautious. He was fully aware of his surroundings, and the delay of his contact was getting on his nerves.
"Where the hell are you Fucking Connector??"
An intense fight was taking place in the arena on the battle ground, with the crowd hyped up, screaming and cheering for the match.
He Seeking a moment of quiet, he stepped away to make a phone call to Wulong for the sixth time.
He headed to the left wing of the arena, away from the cheering crowd.
" I swear im going to kill you someday" he curse.
Xia continued to ring Wulong's number, nearly crushing his phone in his large hand out of frustration.
"He hung up on me again!? What the fuck are you thinking!!"
So absorbed in his phone that he didn't notice someone approaching him, he was completely caught off guard.
.
Kaede was in a hurry to get back inside the arena to watch the ongoing match. She was also on her phone, talking to Ohma.
"What do you mean you're not coming? You've been training for two months now!" Kaede sounded both irritated and upset at the same time.
She walking hurriedly as she collided with a tall, muscular man. His body was firm, like crashing into a solid wall.
She fell to the ground, her hands on her thigh, groaning in pain.
Xia didn't sense anything until he heard her groaning. He took a step back when he saw a woman sitting on the floor, massaging her knee.
"Are you alright woman?" he asked, but his tone lacked concern.
Kaede couldn't clearly see the man's face because of his mask and glasses, but he looked somewhat familiar.
Kaede furrow her brows out of frustration, he didn't even offer to help her. Instead, he looked at her like she was a clumsy girl who didn't know how to watch her step. "What an arrogant man," she thought in anger.
She stood up slowly, smoothed her dress, and picked up her phone. She heard Ohma on the other end of the line, sounding worried.
"What's going on, Kaede?" Ohma inquired anxiously.
"Its Nothing, lI'll call you back, Ohma-kun. Bye." She quickly hung up, not wanting to worry Ohma over something trivial.
Before Kaede stepped out to leave, she shot him a sharp glare. "Being nice doesn't make you less of a man," she said in a firm voice.
Then she walked away limping.
Xia, meanwhile, was momentarily lost in thought, recalling what had just happened. Who was she? What on earth was she talking about?'
Just as he was about to walk away, he noticed a pink purse on the floor.
He hesitated to pick it up; getting involved in other people's affairs wasn't his style. But in the end, he decided to grab the purse and looked back, searching for the girl, only to find that she was already out of sight.
Out of curiosity, he opened the purse and saw cash, a cards, and a key in the pocket. Pulling out her ID to get her identity. he read the name: "Akiyama Kaede, Yamashita Trading." A smirk appeared on his face. "Oh, she's working with Clone. I see."
Yamashita and Koga were watching the matches with excitement,Suddenly they saw Kaede approaching from the distance. As she got closer, they notice her unusual gait, Kaede was limping, Her face showing signs of discomfort with each step, Concerned,Mr Yamashita and Koga exhanged worried glances and Koga moved quiclkly to assist her.
"Are you ok, Kaede?" Kaede only nodded as her response as she settled to her seat.
Mr. Yamashita insisted that Koga take Kaede home "Are you sure you'll be alright? I can stay if you want" Koga offered worriedly.
"Yes, i will be fine, Koga Thanks" She gave him a reassuring smiles as she waves him goodbye.
The soft glow of the setting sun cast long shadows across the streets and Kaede didn't realize something was missing until she reached her apartment door.
Her keys were in her purse. Tired and exhausted as she sighted "What will i do now" her thigh ached, but how could she find her purse?
"Am I stupid? How could I let my purse go missing?" she said wearily.
"Looking for this?" a non familiar voice called from behind her.
Kaede's eyes widened as she turned to see a tall figure—a head of worm—holding her purse with a mocking smile on his face.
"What are you doing here?" She said, her voice shaking.
Xia laughed at her reaction. "Relax, I'm just trying to return this to you," he said, pointing at the purse.
As he walked toward Kaede, she took a step back with each advance he made.
Suddenly, Kaede realized that he was the guy she had encountered earlier; that's why he seemed so familiar to her.
"You know, Kaede," he said, shaking his head, "I'm not the kind of man who would do anything just to please a woman." He stated this with pride.
"But somehow, I think you're the exception. I sense that you'll be helpful to me," Yan said, enjoying the thrill of scaring her.
Kaede bumped into her door; there was no space for her to move forward.
Yan stood in front of her, towering over her with his height.
Yan scratched his chin, contemplating, "What if I capture you exchanging information with Tokita? Do you think that would work?" He nodded to himself. "But wait, how important are you to Yamashita?" He took a step back, folding his arms as he considered, "How about if I dissect your brain to get all the information I need?"
But Kaede, being observant and perceptive, could tell whether they were playing around or being serious.
She gathered all her courage to speak out. Standing on her tiptoes to match his height, she felt quite short compare to him.
"Can you give me back my purse and leave?" Kaede demanded as she snatched the purse from his hand, meeting his glare with the sharp one.
This surprised Yan; he looked at her closely and smirked, finding himself drawn to her fierce attitude. He noticed that she winced in pain, trying to hide it, but Yan saw it clearly.
Yan took a closer look and noticed the fresh scratch on her knee. He shook his head and hissed, "Tch. Weak people tend to endure pain, even from small scratches." He then put his hands in his pockets and turned around.
"Let's discuss this another time. I'll call you," he said before stepping away.
Kaede looked confused. "Call me?" she asked, unsure of what he meant.
"Yes, you heard me. All your information is stated on your ID, moron," he replied.
.
.
Yan returned to his hotel room and found Shien Wulong and his bodyguard already there.
"Welcome back, Head," Fu San greeted him.
Shien Wulong, who was absorbed in the TV, acknowledged Yan's presence. "Hey, it's nice to know you've been hanging out," he said calmly.
Yan rubbed his head irritably. "I've been looking for you, idiot! Where the hell have you been?"
"Oh! I went out to drink with joe, You should join us next time Yan" Shien Wulong response inosently.
Yan hissed as he continue massaging his head.
"You alright Yan?" Wulong asked.
Yan ignored him and lazily collapsed onto the bed. He pulled out his phone from his pocket and searched for her number, a devilish smirk creeping onto his face as he recalled how the woman had stood her ground against him. "I found a playful stress reliever while I'm here in Japan," he thought to himself.
.
.
Kaede felt a continuous ache and was sure that nasty bruises would form on it. "Is his body made of solid metal?" she said in annoyance. She set aside the medical kits that were scattered on her bed as she prepared for sleep.
She sighed with relief as her head sank into the soft and comfortable pillow.
While browsing on her phone, an unfamiliar number suddenly appeared for an incoming call. The phone's vibration buzzer softly in her hand, breaking the serene silence.
She answered the call aware it was a businness matter."Good Evening, may I know who's calling, please?"
The voice on the receiver chuckled, "You sound fine and formal."
"Head of worms?" Kaede asked, confused.
"That's right, but you can call me Yan as well," he replied.
"What do you want?"
"Hey, what's with the attitude, woman? We'll continue our conversation tomorrow. I'll send you a message with the time and place. And don't keep me waiting," Yan said, his tone demanding, he hanging up the phone and leaving Kaede no chance to respond.
.
.
.
Despite the persistent ache in her left leg, Kaede made her way to the office.
Koga and Goah noticed and expressed their concern, but Kaede reassured them with a smile insisting she was fine.
Kaede's day continues with a flurry of paperworks and reports. The soft rustling of papers and the rhythmic tapping of her keyboard filled the room. Engrossed in her task, she didnt notice the time slipping away until the aroma of freshly brewed coffee reminded her it was nearly lunchtime.
She slowly rose in her seat, stretching slightly her aching leg, when her phone buzzed with a text notificatiom. Glacing at the screen, she saw a text message from head of worm.
She opened the message and her blood boil with irratation.
"Meet me at the Fortune Resto at 12:00pm sharp" A demanding tone of the text was unmistakable.
"Are you insane its 11:45, and its located another town" Kaede replied.
"Then fly" Yan answer back.
"Why would i meet with you in the first place?"
"10 mins left" Yan replied
Kaede growl in irratation. Typing hardly on her phone. "Im not coming, i have a full schedule today and no time for such last minute demans"
"Ok i'll kill you, then" Yan short replied.
"What exactly is so urgent that it can't wait?
"9 mins left"
Kaede screamed softly. the man's demands really getting on her nerves. She grabber her purse and hurriedly went outside, flagging down a cab with sense of urgency.
.
The hotel staff delivered lunch to Shien's hotel room.
"Where is Yan?" Shien asked curiously, glancing around the room.
Fu San, munching on his steak at the polished wooden table replied "He said he has a meeting to attend"
Shien furrowed his brows in confusion "Why arent you accompanying him?"
"Oh he said its personal" Fu san replied continue to enjoy his meal.
.
Kaede arrived at the restaurant and hesitated to enter at first, as it appeared to be closed. However, a waiter approched her and informed her that the entire restaurant had been reserved and he was already waiting for her.
The waiter assisted her to where Yan was seated. She saw him sitting at a fancy table. Smirking at her.
Kaede furrowed her brows, annoyed by how arrogant he looked.
Yan noticed that kaede was still struggling to walk" i forgive you for being 2 minutes late, Damn! Why do weak people take so long to heal from simple injury?"He remarked, his tone dripping with condescension.
Kaede sat down and immediately got to the point "Lets get down to business. What do you want?" She stated firmly, her eyes locking onto Yan's with determination.
"We have all the time in the world. Let's try the dish first, it was recommended by the Prime Minister Himself" Yan said a smug smile on his lips as he gestured to the elegantlg plater food in front of them.
The dish was culinary masterpiece, featuring tender slices of Wagyu beef, perfectly seared and drizzled with a rich, savory sauce.
"Do you think this is too much food for just the two of us? Kaede asked, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of food on the table.
"Dont worry about it, lets go eat" Yan said, gesturing to the waiter to serve them food.
"Anyway kaede, i did a little research on you. You've living of one of the connector clone Tokita Ohma, Aren't you? Yan asked.
Kaede blushed and turned her gaze away from him.
Yan chuckled, "your face confirms it"
"Its none of your bussiness" kaede countered.
"Awesome, I can use you to get tokita ohma easily" Yan said teasing her slightly
Yan occasionally called the waiters over to engage them in conversation about the dishes. "This one is good; the meat is tender," he complimented the chef. The chef bowed in gratitude for the praise she received.
Kaede observed the man in front of him. If you looked at him closely, you wouldn't be able to tell that he was the head of a notorious syndicate. He looked young, and the way he communicated with and appreciated the workers around him was striking.
"You can stare with me all day, I dont mind at all," Yan teased as he drinks his wine. He gestured the waiter to pour kaede a wine as well. "This wine is from Barcelona; you should try it," Yan suggested.
Kaede nodded and thanked the waiter who served her.
She tasted the wine, and Yan is not joking; the wine is spectacular.
As reading her expression through her face, Yan speaks, "I told you, it tasted so good."
Kaede nodded. "Can I ask you a question, Mr. Yan?"
"Yes, as long as you will drop the formality and just call me Yan, then ask."
Kaede ignored him and proceeded with her question," You're a Chinese; how come you speak fluently in Japanese?"
Yan chuckled, "You think I'm a mediocre man? I can speak all the languages in every country I stay in."
"You look too young to be the head of a worm" Kaede said followed up.
Yan just shrugged his shoulders as he continued to drink his wine.
"Now are you ready for dessert?" Yan asked.
Kaede shook her head. "I'm ok, thanks. Beside my lunch break is over. Need to go back to work," she said as she checked the time on her watch.
"No, your not leaving yet. You will go with me," Yan announced seriously.
"What are you saying? Im not going with you, and I am leaving." Kaede rose to her seat and slammed the table, causing the bottles to rattle slightly.
Yan ignore her and get his phone out of his pocket.
"I will call Yamashita for you. To let him know that you're coming with me," Yan said.
"Are you insane? You will make them panic and worry." She sighted feeling drained.
"Now it's your choice: notify him or I'll call him myself," Yan ordered.
Kaede shot him a lethal glance as she took out her phone to call Mr Yamashita.
"Good girl"