𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐄 𝐍' 𝐈𝐂𝐄, kai hiwatari

──nine;

My eyes flickered, struggling to adjust to the incoming light. A wave of tiredness washed over me, and I rolled around in my bed, not wanting to wake up just yet. My thoughts were a jumbled mess in my head. I lazily turned around and glanced at the alarm clock.

7:11 am.

I let out a sigh, grateful that I had woken up earlier than the breakfast time, which was scheduled for eight. I reluctantly pulled myself out of bed, only to have my foot get tangled in the blanket, causing me to stumble and fall to the floor.

"What a wonderful way to start the day," I muttered sarcastically.

I pushed myself up, anger briefly coursing through me before the events from last night in the hallway flashed before my eyes. I shook my head, trying to clear my mind, and continued with my morning routine.

By the time I made it to the dining area, it was already 8:02 am. I hurried to the table, where everyone was already seated except for Tyson. I furrowed my brows, rushing to join them.

"Tyson?" I questioned.

Max, wearing a cheeky smile, gave me a knowing look. I understood immediately; Tyson was late again. I took my seat, and all of us placed our breakfast orders to fill our rumbling stomachs.

Just as we were about to start eating, Tyson burst into the room, yelling, "Hey! Don't start without me!"

"Tyson, you're awfully late!" I scolded as he sat down next to me, looking a bit embarrassed. He began to explain himself, but I interrupted him firmly, "No excuses."

I couldn't help but remember the encounter from the previous night: "The one who will be making excuses would be you, not me." I suspected that Kai had overheard Tyson's use of the word "excuses."

I glanced at Kai, and he was already looking at me. We held each other's gaze for a moment before both of us broke eye contact simultaneously.

I redirected my attention to Tyson, who was now digging into his breakfast, and started to eat as well.

"Don't eat that much, Tyson... otherwise, you know," Kenny warned Tyson with a concerned tone.

"Yeah, yeah," Tyson replied, unfazed as he continued to devour his food. He seemed to be in a hurry to finish his meal.

Watching Tyson shovel food into his mouth continuously for the past half-hour, I couldn't help but feel concerned. It wasn't that I wanted to stop him from enjoying his meal, but I knew from past experiences that he often suffered from stomachaches when he overindulged.

"I'll be back in a minute, just need some water," I excused myself from the table, hoping to provide a subtle hint to Tyson about his eating habits.

I came back to the table, only to witness Tyson's eating display, which was nothing short of a spectacle. He had his face buried in his food bowl, shoveling food into his mouth with reckless abandon. It was a sight that left the entire group stunned.

Ray appeared thoroughly embarrassed, Max sat awkwardly, Kenny tried to control Tyson's voracious appetite, and Kai was shooting Tyson a death glare. The people at nearby tables were also giving Tyson odd looks, clearly taken aback by his eating style.

I widened my eyes in disbelief and quickly rushed to Tyson's side. Kai's glare intensified, his displeasure evident. "Tyson Granger, stop right there," I admonished Tyson with a stern tone, my eyes locking onto him. Tyson, looking sheepish, slowly lowered his bowl, grabbed a tissue, and wiped his mouth. I offered him a forced smile, my jaw visibly clenched in irritation.

Everyone else at the table returned to their own conversations, and I sat down beside Tyson, draping my arm around his shoulders with a serious demeanor. Tyson watched me with a hint of fear in his eyes. "U-uh, yeah?" he responded tentatively.

I stared at him, my voice clear enough for everyone to hear. "Mind your manners next time, Tyson. You're a world-class blader, just like the rest of us. I'm not trying to stop you from eating, but it's important to maintain proper etiquette while dining, okay?" I advised him firmly. Tyson nodded, scratching the back of his head in understanding.

Ray decided to change the topic to lighten the atmosphere. "So, anyways, where are we heading to?" he inquired.

Max's eyes lit up with excitement as he answered, "Of course! We're exploring America!" His enthusiasm was palpable, likely fueled by his anticipation of reuniting with his mom.

But Kenny intervened with a more practical plan. "Nope, no one's going anywhere. I've already booked your tickets for the WBA tournament. The bus leaves in 20 minutes, so get ready," he announced.

The news was met with agreement from the group, though Tyson and Max couldn't contain their energy, buzzing with enthusiasm. As the conversation continued, Kai remained silent, his intense gaze still directed at me.

Jerk.

We were now on the bus, Tyson and Max bickering away as Kenny found himself stuck between them once again. I breathed a sigh of relief, grateful that I wasn't sitting beside Kai this time.

"So, Aanya, are you enjoying with us?" Ray asked, prompting me to nod with a quick response. "Yeah, I do... but you see, sometimes, things are out of my hands..." I gestured towards the front where Tyson and Max were locked in yet another dispute.

Ray chuckled and started to respond when Tyson and Max's argument escalated. "HEY! DON'T—" I stood up and leaned over the seat from behind them, raising an eyebrow as I snatched the chocolate from their hands.

"HEY, GIVE IT BA—" Tyson started to protest, but one look from me silenced him, and Max adopted a puppy-eyed expression. "DON'T FIGHT OR ELSE I'LL THROW YOU OUT OF THE BUS!" I yelled. Both of them gulped and nodded vigorously. I returned their chocolates and sat back in my seat next to Ray.

Ray laughed while observing them. "You're right; I understand you now," he commented, pointing toward the two boys.

"Well, I also understand how you're able to handle our leader," Ray added with emphasis on the word 'leader.' I laughed, and Kai huffed in response.

Another fifteen minutes passed, and I asked Kenny, "Hey, how much more?"

"Just 20 minutes more. You see, it's a big place with a ton of security, so it will take time, and then more time to get our IDs," Kenny explained.

"The PBB building is filled with expensive instruments, that's why the security is so high," he continued, focused on his computer screen.

"I want to get in and out of the building secretly," Tyson remarked with a grin.

Breaking in? Wow—oh no, I mean, damn. You're the manager, Aanya.

I leaned back in my seat and stretched my arms. "Here," Ray said, offering me a piece of chocolate while he ate one himself from his left hand.

"Oh? Thank you..." I replied as I took the chocolate and popped it into my mouth. Ray winked in response, and I turned my gaze to the passing buildings outside the window, lost in thought.