I've gotta give Rico some credit. He really knows how to captivate an audience when he wants to. Sure, he doesn't usually want to...it's not his thing, after all. He would rather dance than talk out the problem, and that's fine around here. But man, does that guy have a way with words. So when he showed up that morning and told me he wanted to talk to all of us, I was quiet instantly. I knew whatever he had to say was going to be pretty interesting, considering what we had been talking about the night before, and he didn't disappoint.

"I was thinking about what we agreed on last night," he began, taking a seat on the curb beside me. "We're not too serious about things right now, are we?"

"Nope," Silvia chimed in.

"Not at all," Valencia added, laughing shortly.

"Exactly. As a group, we're all pretty good. But I know you guys, and I think if we tried, we'd have a lot more potential to get our reputations and our skills up. You know?"

I bit back laughter as Rico paused, hiding my smile behind my hand. For someone who was so against using cliches, he could really get a bit cheesy when he was into something. But I guess it's not a bad thing. Good to see a guy with so much passion, right?

"Where are you going with this? Stop making us all wait for your point," Miki complained, raising an eyebrow. Rico rolled his eyes, holding up a hand to silence her before going on.

"My idea is that for a few weeks, we all pair up and work independently. Today's Friday, so we can meet up here every week and check to see how things are going. But during the other days, we'll work in small groups to improve, and hopefully in...let's say a month, for now, we'll be good enough to start challenging club-owners. Got it?"

"I don't know..." Claudia said, frowning and pulling off her sunglasses as she spoke. "I feel like we won't get as much done..."

"It's not like we're getting much done the way things are," Silvia interjected.

"Now, now. Our dear Claudia's got a point," Hanzo spoke up. "We're a pretty tight-knit group, if I do say so myself. What's going to happen if we suddenly break that apart?" I glanced over to find that Rico was getting increasingly uncomfortable, and clapped what I hoped was a supportive hand on his shoulder.

"I think it's a good idea!" I spoke up, grinning over at the rest of them. "It's easier to teach things to one person than to a group, isn't it? And Hanzo, man, c'mon! You're talking like we're gonna get split up forever or something! Don't be weird." I looked over at my shyer friend now, who had relaxed a little now that he had at least one person on his side. "I'm in, dude."

"I'm in, too!" Roxy chimed in, smiling up at Silvia hopefully. Her older sister nodded in agreement, and Claudia sighed, returning her glasses to their usual place.

"Then I suppose I'll join, too..."

"Me, too!" Valencia said cheerfully. Miki nodded as well, and Hanzo simply glanced around the group before joining in with his own nod. Rico smiled slightly, standing up again and looking across our little group.

"Then, it's settled. Thanks," he said, and I could swear he was looking at me when he said it. "I was considering partners, too, and I came up with pairs based on experience. Guy, you're with me."
"Sweet," I said enthusiastically, standing up and grinning over at him.

"Valencia, you and Hanzo are going to work together."

"Fine by me," the tomboy said, holding out a fist for her new partner to bump. Hanzo chuckled, returning the gesture before turning his attention back to Rico as he continued.

"Silvia and Roxy, you two are together, obviously, which leaves Claudia and Miki to work together." Miki raised an eyebrow as her own partner crossed her arms, looking away.

"...Oh," Claudia said simply, shrugging. The blonde fumed, glaring over at her.

"Whaddya mean, 'oh'?!"

"It could work," Valencia muttered, grinning up at me as I chortled a little bit. Rico shot the two of us a helpless look, then turned back to the full group.

"So, that's all, then. Get to work, and I'll see you all again soon. Guy, let's go." I rolled my eyes, standing up and following him as the crowd dispersed.

"What, already? I haven't eaten breakfast yet!" I argued, pointing at my stomach for good measure. Rico glanced over his shoulder again, raising an eyebrow.

"It's not good to dance on a full stomach, anyway. I don't want you hurling all over me on the first day of practice."

"But it's also not good to dance without any food in ya, right? Don't want me getting lightheaded and passing out on the first day, do you?" Rico stopped suddenly, and turned to study me intently.

"...Fine. Let's go get some food. But then, no more goofing off!"

I could already tell the two of us were about to have some serious fun.