Boarding School of Chaos
By: Ruriko L. Minamino

Disclaimer:
Beyblade is not mine. It belongs to the filthy-rich manga artist/animator who came up with the series. Oh, and his successors, that is – even if they've gone and ruined a perfectly beautiful beginning with their freakish 'art' just because the original creator has passed away.

Author's Notes:
1. I was supposed to post this HOURS ago, but apparently, this site goes insane past a certain time. Figures I should have worked earlier...
2. This was a bit complicated to write. I didn't want to jump right into the party, so I came up with this as a sort of filler. I've gotten so many fun little requests and questions from you all that I decided to do a bit of fan service. Heheh….
3. So far, four of you guys are up for the special prizes. I'm a little tired tonight, so I reserve awarding for... tomorrow! If you think you're on the right track, peek at your e-mails then!

Anything else you may want to say, e-mail me! I'm more than happy to chatter away about any topic under the sun!

Hmmmm… No pranks here, but... Who said fieldtrips and shopping trips aren't educational?

09. Shopping Can Be Educational

"Hurry up, Maxie!" Tyson yelled as he ran straight across the CAT Drill Field. "We're gonna miss the bus!"

It was almost noon and the two friends were going to visit St. Petersburg for the very first time. Bundled up in jackets and thick layers of shirts and sweaters, the duo raced all the way from the dorms to the main building. Even now, more than a month after entering the Institute, the brunet was still pissed with Lieutenant Colonel Hiwatari for leading him around the campus like he did on Tyson's first day there. It had taken more than a week to discover that he'd been made a complete fool of!

'As long as I remember that it's the girls' dorms near the soccer field and the guys' dorms are near the drill field, I'm okay,' Tyson thought, stopping under a nearby tree to wait for Max to catch up. He grimaced and adjusted his cap over his head. 'Sourpuss turned my head to mush that day.'

"Couldn't you… have slowed down a bit, Ty?" Max panted, finally catching up. He had a large backpack over his shoulders and a lopsided smile on his face. "This thing isn't light, you know!"

Tyson snickered. "So what did you go bringing it for? What's in that bag anyway?"

Max blushed bright pink. "It's a whole lot of stuff. Snacks, drinks, some extra shirts…"

"We're not going on a camping trip, Maxie!" Tyson fell to the ground, laughing. "Geez! What's up with you?"

"My mom's secretary called while you were in the canteen earlier. She read me a list of things I should bring – just in case something happens." The blond pulled the pack off his back and rummaged around through it. "I guess it was a bit much, huh?"

Instead of replying, Tyson pulled out a box of cookies from the bag. "Looks like food is the heaviest thing in here, and we're going to be late if you dump this stuff back at the dorm, so…" He ripped the box top open. "Let's eat!"

Max laughed. "Tyson! The ride into the city isn't even an hour long!"

"So? I'm hungry and we haven't had lunch yet."

"You're a pig," Max said, sticking his tongue out.

"Fo?" came the reply though a fully stuffed mouth. "Du Shif ish weing frush ata Shalingrat Ol! Lesh dow!"

Not waiting for a reply from his companion, heaved the bag over his shoulder and continued walking to the main building, munching all the way.

"Today's gonna be great!'

About half an hour later, Max, Kenny, and Tyson were seated at the back of the bus, laughing gaily at a joke book Tyson had brought along for the trip. The rest of the students on the bus were for the most part upper year students sitting quietly in their own little groups.

"… and then the man yelled for his mother!" Tyson ended, exploding into laughter. "That was the funniest thing I ever saw!"

"Tyson, please decrease the volume of your voice," Kenny admonished, giggling into his hand. "It disturbs the serene contemplation of the other people accompanying us onboard this vehicle."

Both the genius boy's companions just blinked and clammed up.

"Err…." Tyson laughed uncertainly. "Whatever you say, Chief – and I really mean 'whatever'! Can't ya tone down the dictionary words just a bit?"

The spectacled boy blushed. "I apologize for – "

"It's okay, Chief," Max butted in. "We get ya! How long are we gonna be in St. Petersburg anyhow?"

Tyson just swallowed down a bit of soda. "Yeah? Wasn't there an early group this morning?"

"Oui, mon ami," a familiar nasal voice drifted. The smiling olive-haired Officer, Oliver was making his way to the back of the bus. He looked somewhat tired. "There was one that left earlier, à neuf heures matin."

"Say what?" The brunet blinked at the foreign speech. "Nice seeing you, Oliver, but, uh… What did you say?"

The Officer laughed apologetically and settled into the seat on an empty seat in the row just in front of the three friends'. "Pardon me. It is just, I rarely find people to speak with in my own tongue. Enrique – you remember him, I hope – is my dearest friend, but he speaks mostly Italian and English, but little French. I was merely saying that the first shuttle left at nine this morning. They will be picked up at three o'clock, while we must return to the school by six."

"Your English is real good too," Max piped up. He was, Tyson noticed gradually taking a like to the bubbly Frenchman – Officer or not. "Where is your friend, anyway?"

It was at that point that Tyson started snickering. "Hey, Oliver! You and that guy Johnny were right about Enrique. Isn't that Sky he's flirting with?" He pointed towards the front portion of the bus. 'He really is a ladies' man!'

Max and Kenny looked in the direction Tyson pointed and started chuckling too. Oliver just smiled and rolled his eyes. Sitting near the driver's area, in the first two seats of the left-hand row were Enrique and Sky. The latter was blushing and trying to inch away, while the former seemed to be making attempts to close the space between them. Just across, in the right-hand row, the familiar heads of Colonel Jankowski – Robert, Tyson recalled – and Johnny could be seen.

"Correct. As of now, our dear Sky is the only young lady who has been successful in resisting Enrique's charm. Johnny and Robert are perfectly fine watching the drama, but I decided to give him some alone time with the dear girl." Oliver smiled at the three Freshmen. "I saw you three here and thought it might be nice to chat."

"No problem!" Tyson nodded enthusiastically, offering the older student some chips. "Want some?"

"Ah, no, merci," was the polite reply. "I am tired, but not in the least hungry."

Max tilted his head to the side. "Why do you look so tired, anyhow?"

"I just finished CAT training an hour ago," Oliver explained, rubbing the back of his neck slightly. "There weren't that many new COCCs, so it was rather dull. There was some Fancy Drill training squeezed in, though, and – " He smiled again. "I'm sorry. You don't quite understand, do you?"

"Not one bit!" Tyson snorted good-naturedly. "No intention of knowing, though. Officers creep me out – er, you, Ray, and Sky excluded. Hehehe…"

"Ditto that!" Max agreed, nodding his head vigorously.

The green-haired Junior laughed and hook his head. "Corps would be angry if he heard you say that. There's never been anyone so openly disrespectful to a Battalion Commander – ever! You, Tyson, are the first!"

"Hell yeah!" the brunet chuckled. "Someone needs to put the Ice King in his place!"

"You shouldn't say such mean things," Oliver admonished lightly. "But if you really don't like being around the Sir Ivanov and his friends, I believe you picked the wrong time to go to the city."

"What might be the reason behind your conjecture?" Kenny asked, pulling his head out of his book.

"Since we Officers have CAT training on Saturday mornings," came the reply, "whenever we want to go to St. Petersburg, we have to take the second trip – this one." He smiled mischievously at Tyson. "Basically, this trip, in all the six buses heading for the city right now, about one third of the people here are part of the Corps."

Tyson and Max stood up and looked around rapidly. "But there are only… three… five… six here!" the blond exclaimed.

Kenny coughed. "There are five more buses, if memory serves correctly."

The brunet prankster groaned into his hands. "Great. Just great. Attack of the Ice Men! Maxie, Kenny, we're doomed."

"It can't be that bad," Oliver started to say. "I mean – "

The bus began slowing down and a few students near the middle cheered. They were entering the city. The teacher-in-charge stood up from his seat beside the driver and turned on his megaphone.

"Students, I remind you that your stay here is until 1800H. You are expected to use the buddy system here. No one is to loiter around without at least one companion. Taking the 1500H shuttles back to the Institute is strictly not allowed because of possible overcrowding. The buses will return to the drop-off point at exactly 1745H and will remain until 1815H. Anyone still not in attendance by then will suffer the consequences once found. Understood?"

The students made gestures of assent, but since they were no longer on school grounds and the teacher was only the assistant Physical Education coach. They started to file out of the bus in little groups. Oliver climbed out just before Tyson did. The air outside was freezing and most of the students started puffing and zipping their jackets up.

"Have you three decided on your costumes for the party, yet?" the French Junior asked, fixing the fur-lined hood of his coat.

Tyson and Max shook their heads. Kenny muttered something while putting away his book. "I guess I can go traditional Japanese," Tyson said, shrugging. "There should be a decent costume rental somewhere in this city."

"I know just the place," Oliver said, smiling brightly. "Also, I am certain I can help you find something more dashing to wear. How about you, Max? Kenny?"

The blond boy shook his head. "Thanks anyway. My mom's having something sent over this Tuesday, so I'm all set."

"Kenny?"

"I have already acquired adequate attire for that evening's event," came the dictionary-like reply. "I am grateful for your offer of assistance, though. It is much appreciated."

Oliver laughed heartily. "Still, you three should accompany my friends and myself. It will be fun to show you around for the day."

"Errr….." Before the Japanese brunet could reply, Oliver was already herding them towards where Johnny's auburn spikes could be seen.

Enrique was standing uncomfortably close to a visibly tense Sky. Johnny was leaning on a lamppost, watching them with a smirk on his face, and Robert was for the most part unconcerned. When the Italian blond caught sight of Oliver approaching with Tyson and his other friends, he broke into an imploring smile.

"There you are, Ollie!" the Casanova greeted. "Ah, it's the amusing Freshmen again! Won't you help me convince this stunning young lady to accompany us on our hunt for suitable masquerade attire?"

"It's not a masquerade, Enrique!" Johnny snickered, rolling his eyes. "It's just a regular costume party."

"But masquerade sounds so much better," the blond argued, then turned to Sky. "It also sounds more romantic, doesn't it, my beautiful raven-haired señorina?" He tried to kiss her hand.

Sky let out a squeak and backed away, grabbing Tyson by the shoulders to hide her tomato-red face behind his back. "Will someone please get him to stop?"

Poor Enrique's face fell and he looked at the ground with regret and frustration written all over his features.

"Geez!" Tyson laughed heartily, pulling away and giving the older students a lazy salute. "Hey you guys!" Max and Kenny uttered similar greetings.

"Are you three coming with us?" Johnny asked, leading the group away from the bus.

"I guess we are," the brunet joker responded, glancing at his friends for agreement. "Might as well, if we don't want to get lost." He snickered at the still-blushing Sky. "And someone here seems to need a bit of a break."

"I resent that!" the raven-head sniffed, playfully swatting at Tyson's hat and chasing him onto the sidewalk proper.

Walking with the five older students was most likely the most educational thing that Tyson had done since entering the HIIL. The prankster prince soon decided that they were a great bunch of guys.

'Sure, talking to Robert's like talking to a block of wood,' Tyson noted, laughing gaily along with Max as Enrique amused them – well, tried to amuse Sky, but amused them instead – with stories of life back in Italy. 'But these guys are cool!' The prankster made a note to skip Sky, Oliver and Robert on his Corps hit list from now on. "Hey, is there anywhere we can eat around here?"

"Tyson!" Max slapped his best friend on the shoulder. "You just finished eatin' all of our snacks, remember?"

"But we haven't had any lunch yet!" came the brunet's whine, rubbing his upper arm defensively. "I need food!"

Sky blinked and tilted her head to the side. "Are you always like this? If you want, there's a little French café somewhere down the next street. It is getting late and I'm sort of hungry, too."

Before any of the Freshmen could respond, Enrique was instantly holding the girl's hand to his heart, staring deeply into her eyes. "I shall gladly buy the café for you. Just say the word and I shall grant your every whim!"

"Knock it off already!" The poor girl was bright red in the face all over again, trying in vain to shake Enrique off her. "Honestly, you say that to almost every girl on campus! Leave me alone – please!"

"But – "

"Er… Why isn't Ray with you guys?" Max blurted out the question in an attempt to stop a potentially ugly scene before it began. "Isn't he usually with you two, Sky, Oliver?"

Tyson looked around. "Come to think of it, he wasn't on the bus with us, was he?"

"Kon took another bus with his Sophomore cousin," Robert said in his quiet voice. It was the first time Tyson had heard him speak since actually being introduced to him. The Japanese prankster wondered to himself if the Student Council President was more than partially mute.

"How'd you know?" Sky asked, composing herself as well as she could. "Ray disappeared right after we put the rifles away."

The Ex-O muttered something too low to hear and gestured towards a rather large building across the street. The group was, by now, far from the drop-off point, and Tyson couldn't have remembered how to get back there if he'd tried. Max, he guessed, would most likely be just as clueless. Kenny would have to be their last resort, but the spectacled boy seemed to be completely absorbed in a conversation he was having with Johnny.

'Oh, well,' Tyson thought, shrugging. 'It's not like I really want to get back to the school in a hurry or something.' The truth was, he had been looking forward to the day's rambles for one single reason: inspiration. He wanted to pull something big at the ball, but he was completely out of ideas. He bragged enough to Max and Kenny about his plans, so he couldn't really tell them he didn't know what he was going to do now! 'In the worse case, I can always forget about doing anything – NO! I gotta do something to the Grouch Squad at least! But what?'

The group made its way through the revolving, gold-framed doors of what looked like a shopping mall. The people all around them spoke in that harsh, throaty Russian language, bustling about in their thick clothes despite the building's heating system. It was like any mini mall in Japan, but the language the people spoke was foreign to Tyson's ears. He really didn't pay attention in his Basic Russian classes.

"Where's the nearest restaurant?" was the first thing that he managed to blurt out. Tyson started squinting at the Cyrillic writing on the signs, trying to figure out exactly where he could find some food.

"The best place here, the Czar's Court, is always full," Johnny remarked, snickering at the Freshman's antics. He laughed outright when the boy groaned. "Luckily, Robert here knows the owner. We're going to go and grab a table already." The stoic German had already started walking off and Johnny was just turning to follow.

Tyson punched the air. "Alright!"

"Hey, aren't you going to look for costumes?" Max called out.

The two Seniors didn't turn around anymore to reply. Johnny's hand rose up and waved vaguely. "They ordered clothes made back in their homes," Oliver explained. He clapped a hand on the still-sulking Enrique's shoulder. "Actually, we did too. Since Max's mother is sending something and Kenny has a costume already, it's just Tyson and Sky we have to shop for!"

The brunet boy stepped back with a wince. "Hey! I said I'd be okay on my own."

Max tried to wiggle away. "We still have plenty of time, don't we?"

"The costume shops shouldn't be full yet," Sky explained to the protesting boys. "Right now, most other students are eating lunch. It's practical if we go now."

Five minutes later, the group was standing inside a rather old-fashioned looking costume shop. The Cyrillic script outside was of fanciful gold lettering that Kenny immediately translated to mean 'House of Fantasy'. The interior was rather creepy; there were mannequins decked out in all sorts of strange and fantastical clothing scattered around the large room and in between the racks of clothes. The woman behind the counter was plain-looking and a bit on the bored side, but as soon as she saw the students, her face lit up in a friendly smile.

"You come for costumes, yes?" she asked in broken English as she made her way around the counter and towards the group.

"Just my friends," Oliver replied for the group, clapping his hands on Tyson and Sky's shoulders. "The theme of the party is Asian."

"All in this section for Asia," the attendant said, walking over to a rack off to the left. "You are early, so pick in catalog if you want." She pulled a thick clear book from off the countertop and gave it to Sky. "Do others need costume too?"

"We're okay," the Frenchman said politely. He turned to Tyson. "Let's get you something first. Since you keep complaining about food, we'll get you done fast so Sky and I can pick out her costume in peace."

Tyson laughed sheepishly. "I'm that annoying, huh?"

"Not quite. But, that aside, do you have anything in mind for a costume, aside from it being Japanese?"

Sky was flipping the catalog pages when she suddenly looked up at Tyson. "How about this? You're really a swordsman, right?"

Tyson took the heavy clear book from her and peered down at the image of a samurai with a sword in his hand. As much as he hated swordplay, he had to admit, the costume looked really cool. "I don't know… What do you think, guys?"

"It is more than adequate for your physical appearance," Kenny answered approvingly, looking over the shoulder of his taller friend. Max held up his thumb and nodded.

"It kinda fits ya, Ty," Tyson's blond best friend commented. "Grab one in your size already."

"Er…" Tyson's eyes landed on the single large window at the back end of the room, catching sight of a familiar raven head outside. He could see Ray having an argument with his cousin whatsername on the sidewalk. "Hey, Max, you're around my size so just grab the costume for me, will ya? Pay you back later!"

Without waiting for a reply, he ran out and made a dash through the mall doors.

'Why did I come out here, anyway?' the brunet thought to himself, walking briskly down the corner. He walked even slower when he caught sight of a few more familiar – but colder faces. It was the Grouch Squad, and they seemed to be in what passed for good spirits. Still, that wasn't likely to be a good thing, and Tyson was just glad he was on the opposite side of the road.

The prankster casually continued walking down the sidewalk and came to a stop at a food stand near where Ray was having a hurried discussion with his cousin and the short boy who always seemed to be around them. He didn't look too happy. Tyson wasn't too keen on eavesdropping, but he wanted to stick around, just in case something happened.

After all, he still needed inspiration to pull off the ultimate party prank, didn't he?

When Ray had been younger, he'd loved playing with Kevin and Mariah. They had been almost like his best friends back in China, since Lee was perpetually trying to earn a living to support the family. Ray's earliest memories revolved around his two cousins and their friend. Now that they were all older and Lee was a full-fledged businessman in his twenties, things had changed. Ray's relationship with the Yang family was now verging on the strained.

"Will you give it a rest, Mao?" he sighed, leaning on a lamppost. "Lee's being too unreasonable and I'm sure you've noticed by now!"

The pink-haired girl puffed out her cheeks and pouted. "Ray, Lee's right. It's the perfect opportunity for you."

"But I don't want a 'perfect opportunity'!" the Chinese major snapped back in frustration. "I want a normal school year, Mao. Not what Lee has planned out." He turned to Kevin with pleading eyes. "Talk to her, Kev'! This is insane!"

The shorter boy scratched his head and laughed nervously. "I'm not getting involved in this one… Lee's gonna skin me alive if I take your side on this one."

'You're not worried about Lee,' Ray wanted to snap at his childhood friend. 'You just want to stay on Mao's good side!' The raven-head had known for years now about his friend's longtime crush on his cousin. It was a funny situation, really – but not at the moment.

"It's almost settled already," Mariah pressed the issue. "All we need is your 'okay' on it!"

Ray sighed in frustration. Today was one of those day. "Look, I'll cal Lee later, okay? Happy? We'll talk over the details and… let's see." He was suddenly enfolded in a tight embrace. His cousin kissed him on the cheek happily.

"Thank you, Ray!" she chirped, her smile lighting up her entire face – such a far cry from the almost haughty attitude she'd adopted ever since entering the HIIL. It was more like the Mao ray remembered from the old days when they were little kids playing in the river and Lee was watching them from his seat under a tree.

'I miss those days.' The soccer captain disentangled himself from his cousin and half-turned away. "Why don't you guys go on ahead to look for costumes? There are about three inside the mall," he gestured to the building directly behind them, "and there are thrift shops all over the place."

"Aren't you coming with us?" Kevin asked.

Mariah was frowning again. "You're supposed to be touring us around, remember? Are you sneaking off to meet that Utaku girl again? For a date?"

Ray rolled his eyes. "Sky is just a friend. Stop being mean to her, Mao. She's really nice, and I think you two could become good friends if you just stopped acting like a…. you know!" It was frustrating, how his cousin acted. He couldn't so much as get near a girl in Mariah's presence without her becoming a… possessive bitch. 'There's just no other term for it. Besides, there is…' he broke off the thought before it could consciously form. It was impossible.

The girl's eyes softened a bit and she looked down guiltily. "I just don't want you getting hurt, Ray. And if someone finds out about that thing, I don't want anyone using you! Neither would Kevin and Lee!"

So that was the reason. Ray laughed outright, pulling his cousin in for another hug. He felt better now, knowing the reason for the strange behavior. "Mao! That's the silliest thing you've said to me since you were seven, saying the frog you caught was going to turn into a prince if you kissed it." He stepped back a bit and smiled confidently. "Nothing like that is going to happen to me. That's why I decided to study here and not back home, remember? Everything will be fine – as soon as I have that talk with Lee. But right now, I need some time alone." He half-turned again. "Just text me when you find a place to eat. I'll follow you there later." So saying, he smiled and waved to his companions as he walked off down the corner.

It was nice to just be able to walk around alone in St. Petersburg and think. Sure, there was the possibility he could get in trouble for walking on his own, but after two years of roaming the city with schoolmates, he felt he could at least bend the rules this once. Ray crossed the street in, catching bits and pieces of conversation from the people around him. When he'd been a Freshman, the Russian tongue had sounded like gibberish to him, but now, Ray was pleased to find he understood almost perfectly. It was a relief. Somehow, he felt closer to –

"Hey, Ray!" a familiar drawling, somewhat cynical voice called out from nearby.

The Chinese boy turned just in time to see Bryan waving at him from outside a café. The lilac-haired boy was standing with the Corps Commander and Hiwatari at his sides, not to mention Brezhnev and Sir Tsiolkovsky too. Ray wasn't too keen to come over, especially since Hiwatari was there, but Bryan was his friend. No choice.

"Hi Bryan," Ray greeted, walking over to the group. "Hello, Sir Ivanov, everyone." He pointedly ignored Hiwatari's glaring face. The last thing Ray needed was a glare from him. His day was bad enough as it was. "I guess you're all out costume-hunting, huh?"

"Just Ian and Spencer," Bryan jerked his head in the direction of the giant and the midget. "They didn't feel like asking their parents for help this year."

"I'd rather rent than waste my money," the midget major sneered up at his smug companion. "Unlike some people here who can't help but spend their rubles right and left!"

Tsiolkovsky just grunted noncommittally while Ivanov and Hiwatari raised their eyebrows. "Ian, let's just go inside already. We might as well get a table." The tall blond led his small friend into the café without another word.

"It saved us the hassle," the redhead commander commented belatedly, then turned his full attention back to Ray. The Chinese boy thought there was something sinister in the way his superior's mouth quirked up ever so slightly in a smirk. "What are you doing wandering around all by yourself, Kon? Shouldn't you have a buddy with you?"

Ray blushed pink with embarrassment. Of all people to catch him rule-breaking. "I… My cousin…. Er…."

"How predictable." Hiwatari's cold voice shot straight at the stammering boy. It was a comment that could have meant anything, but in this case, it made Ray angry.

"What are you trying to say?" Ray ground his teeth and tried to stay calm. Hiwatari was out to get him, that was certain. And it was just Ray's luck: the crimson-eyed heir always seemed to know when his icy mannerisms would be least welcome. "I don't quite think I understand."

Hiwatari's eyes narrowed slightly. "You thought you were above the rules and decided to walk around here on your own. That's what's so predictable."

"I didn't do it on purpose!" the darker boy tried to defend himself.

"Likely story, Kon." The slate-haired lieutenant colonel crossed his arms over his chest and continued to regard him coolly.

'I don't have time to deal with this right now!' Ray thought in frustration. "Look, if it makes you happy, I'll just go back to where I left my cousin is."

"Is that all?" Hiwatari came closer, stopping just a foot away from the agitated boy. "Why should we believe you?"

"You're not the boss of me!" The amber-eyed boy's calm façade was slowly breaking. Hiwatari had never been this… aggressive before. Ray now had another name to add to the list of people who could truly get on his nerves.

"You're a bad example of an Officer," came the cucumber-cool reply. "As part of the Corps and as your fellow classman, it's my business to make sure you toe the line."

"I…" Ray was at a loss for words. Suddenly, all he could see were the endless frozen depths of his cruel batch mate's wine-colored eyes. A blush rose unbidden to his cheeks. A hand suddenly reached out and shoved him in the shoulder – none-too-gently. Ray was too shocked to do anything but stumble back slightly. "You're just horrible, you know?"

"You can't even make a proper comeback. Hn."

People didn't even turn to look as Hiwatari and Colonel Ivanov walked on into the restaurant to follow Brezhnev and Tsiolkovsky. Bryan smirked at the still-blushing Ray.

"Honestly, you lost your temper, didn't you?" the lilac-haired lieutenant colonel teased. "It must be a miracle: sunny and sweet Ray Kon snaps because of a comment by iceberg Kai Hiwatari. That will make your fans back off for a while."

Ray fought valiantly to get rid of the blush on his cheeks. "How can Hiwatari get away with being such a jerk?" the Chinese boy demanded of his friend. 'And to think, back in our Freshman year, I actually wanted to be friends with him!'

Bryan snickered and pointed to himself. "Ah, note, Ray. I'm a jerk, too. I just happen to think my roommate is worth liking."

"You're terrible, you know?" Ray said, rolling his eyes. "I just managed to get away from my cousin, I get into an argument with the most impossible guy on the planet, and now… you're being a smart-aleck!"

"Fine, fine," Bryan replied. "You know, though, Kai rarely pays attention to people unless he actually finds them worth his while. Tala's like that too…" Ray thought he could see a wistful look in the lilac-haired boy's eyes.

"Bryan?" the amber-eyed boy tapped his roommate on the shoulder. "Hey, is something wrong?"

It took a moment, but the blue-clad Russian blinked and shook his head. The Chinese soccer player suddenly found himself reminded of Mariah when they were both younger and she'd had a crush on one of his old classmates. "Sorry about that. I was thinking about some…thing."

'Seems like someone's got love trouble here! Poor Bryan.' Ray smiled understandingly and started to turn away. "Well, you're keeping Corps and the rest waiting. I'm going to go walk around town a bit and see if I can apologize to my cousin."

"Why don't you come and join us instead?" Bryan offered. "And what do you have to apologize for? You didn't really just leave her alone, did you?" He frowned lightly.

Ray shook his head. "No. She's with a friend. I told them I'd meet them inside the mall. I guess... she'll be upset because I was supposed to spend today with her." He smiled wearily at the paler boy. "And I really don't think I should go with you. Not after what just happened. I doubt I'll survive another one of Hiwatari's verbal attacks."

Bryan shrugged. "He's been edgy lately. His grandfather will be in the country until the party, so that might explain it."

"They don't get along?" The frustration made way for curiosity. Ray found it hard to believe thatHiwatari had a similar case to his and Lee's.

"Something like that," came the vague reply. Bryan suddenly grinned mischievously. "But hey, tough luck. Kai's taking out his frustration on you."

"Oh, joy…" Ray rolled his eyes sarcastically.

Bryan chuckled to himself and clapped his roommate on the shoulder. "I'll work on persuading him to help you with your math, though."

"No thank you. I can just ask someone el –"

But Bryan just waved him off. "I'm trying to do you a favor here. Trust me. Kai was the only thing that stopped me from failing the subject last year. He's even better than the calculator sometimes!" The lavender-eyed boy smirked as he pulled open the restaurant door. "See you later, Ray!"

And just like that, Ray was on his own again. He was more frustrated than he'd been earlier, but still… somehow, it was better than dwelling on his other problems. The Chinese boy started back across the street, humming softly to himself as he went.

'As the saying goes… Life is definitely not a bed of roses!'

Eavesdropping was bad, but Tyson sort of felt sorry for Ray. The Grouch Squad was really mean. Though, Freaky-Eyes having a heart was a bit of a surprise.

Tyson was grinning widely as he leaned on the side of a building and watched Ray entering the mall. The brunet by munched on the apple blini he bought from the street vendor. It wasn't that bad at all – it was basically a rolled up crepe with apple bits in it. But that was beside the point.

'Who'd have thought Sourpuss would give me the idea for a prank?' the boy thought, stuffing the last of the food into his mouth and heading for the pedestrian crossing. 'Heheh…. Looks like I won't be disappointing Maxie and the Chief after all. The Acquaintance Ball is going to be a blast!'