𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐖𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐬 | 𝐊𝐚𝐢 𝐇𝐢𝐰𝐚𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐢

Chapter 02: Sometimes eyes say it all

"You and I,

are full of lies,"

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Kai

Her polite smile faltered for a second.

Not enough for anyone to notice, but Kai had seen enough people and scrutinized enough expressions to know the minor changes in facial expressions. Especially when the one she was wearing was fake anyway– then again, a polite smile was most of the time fake only.

"I do have my own beyblade and know beyblading," she said, answering Tyson's previous question, "And no, I don't battle so don't bother to ask," her smile and voice had sharpened a hint, like a silent warning to not pry.

Kai really wasn't surprised when Tyson whined, pouting. That boy had never learnt to read a room or someone.

His gaze lingered on her for a second longer than he would like to admit. The faint definition of muscle beneath her navy-blue top hinted at more than just professionalism. The white skirt that ended mid thigh and black stockings paired with those navy blue wedge heels definitely looked professional for a team like theirs– but there was something about it he couldn't placed his finger on, it was like the outfit wasn't just made for professionalism but practicality, for tasks like running or maybe fighting.

Don't blame him for thinking so, the white cloth on her knuckles was enough of a sign that she could throw some punches.

His eyes trailed back to her poised expression. His eyes narrowing a bit, her expression wasn't one of arrogance or aloofness; it was control. Composure. As if she had trained herself to remain unreadable in the face of scrutiny– like she had trained because she had been scrutinized a hell lot more than most people– her fake smile, and otherwise blank expression tell that only.

And yet...

Something about her tugged at the edges of his memory, elusive and fleeting, like a dream half-forgotten.

Those ocean-blue eyes...

They were sharp and calculating, but there was something else beneath them—a flicker of familiarity perhaps? Or perhaps pain?.

It wasn't just the color, though the shade was striking enough– like the sky itself was condensed and moulded into those eyes of hers. No, it was the way they had held his gaze, unwavering but with a rare hint of crack, as though they recognized him... in a way that made his chest tighten.

Kai dismissed the thought almost immediately, shaking his head and clenching his jaw; he was never the one to indulge in sentimentality or think about nostalgia anyway. They just bring back memories, and his past was something that was better left untouched. Yet, there was something about her that tugged at his mind– like a haunting memory, so near and yet so far away.

It was comforting.

And he didn't like it.

Kai's attention snapped back when Tyson's voice broke through the quiet room, "Come on! How can you have a beyblade and not want to battle? That's like owning a car and never driving it!"