The Moon and Polaris

Chapter 9: Something About Kyo

Kyo and Kiki sat on the park bench waiting for Shingo to come back with the vending machine drinks they requested. Iori rested on the bench with his head on Kiki's lap.

"I'm back!" announced Shingo as he handed the drinks to Kyo and Kiki. "A sports drink for Mr. Kusanagi, a green tea for Cruz, and a soda for me!"

"Thanks, Shingo," said Kiki. Shingo plopped down onto the bench next to Kyo and the three of them popped open their drinks.

"So, you're that girl that ran into Shingo earlier, huh?" Kyo asked.

Kiki giggled, "More like he ran into me ." Shingo rubbed the back of his neck and chuckled nervously at the remark. Kiki introduced herself as she sipped her green tea, "Anyway, I'm Kiki Cruz." With a bow, she added, "It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Kusanagi!"

Kyo opened his mouth to say something but closed it again as he tried to formulate his next sentence correctly. "You..." He began to say as he gazed at her expectantly.

Kiki looked up, "What?"

"It's just..." Kyo shook his head. And laughed, "It's weird hearing you call me 'Mr. Kusanagi' since you... You know. "

Kiki tilted her head, "What?"

"Oh, I get it!" exclaimed Shingo. "It's because you and Mr. Kusanagi--"

"Shut it, Shingo!" Kyo smacked him upside the head. He shook his head and turned back to Kiki. Noticing her unwavering confusion, he sighed, "Look, just forget it."

"Why is everyone so weird today?" Kiki mumbled.

Kyo glanced down at Iori, "So, you and Yagami, huh?" Kiki nodded. He chuckled to himself, "Never thought him of all people would be teaching someone. Let alone a girl."

"Yeah, well," Kiki shrugged, "a week's worth of constant street fights can probably convince a guy to do whatever you want."

"Sounds about right," Kyo said as he glanced over at Shingo.

Shingo looked back and raised an eyebrow as he drank his soda, "Wuh?"

"Still," Kyo continued, "KOF ain't gonna be easy. Even the most veteran fighters don't make it into the tournament, let alone actually win. What makes you think you can compete?"

"Well, everyone's gotta start somewhere, right?" Kiki grinned. "Besides, training for KOF is way better than what I was doing before."

"What were you doing before?" asked Shingo.

"Went to college for the past five years," she answered nonchalantly. "It sucked, honestly. Only did it because my parents told me to. Plus, the stress? Unbearable. Besides," she pumped a fist in the air, "if the guy who hasn't even graduated high school can become champion, maybe I've got a chance too!"

Kyo's brow furrowed, "You wanna take back that last part?"

"S-Sorry!"

"However," Kyo's expression softened, "I think you can do it."

"But you've never even seen me fight," Kiki pointed out.

Shingo shot his hand up, "We can fight now!" Kyo smacked him again. "Yeowch!"

Kyo turned his full attention back to Kiki, "Trust me. You can." He smiled warmly at her, "Even if it takes an eternity for you to get there, never forget someone's gonna be out there rooting for you."

"Kyo...?"

Before she or Kyo could say anything else, Kiki felt movement on her lap. "Mr. Yagami!" Kiki beamed as she looked down at him. "You're alive!"

Iori sat up and scoffed, "Of course I'm alive. I won't die until I kill Kyo."

Kyo rolled his eyes, "Yeah, yeah, that's what you always say." He finished off his bottle and tossed it into a nearby trash bin. Getting up from his seat, he nodded to Shingo, "Let's go."

"Already?!" Shingo downed his drink and threw his can into the trash as well. "Can't I have just one match with Cruz?"

Kyo waved his hand dismissively as he walked away, "You can always do that later. We gotta go."

Shingo sighed, "Okay...." He ran after Kyo and yelled to Kiki, "We will face each other one day, Cruz! I swear it!"

Kiki gave a small wave to the two of them as they ran off, "Bye, guys!"

Once they were out of earshot, Shingo asked, "Why didn't you tell her, Mr. Kusanagi? She's--"

"I told you to shut it, didn't I?!" Kyo looked back to Kiki who was smiling widely and made large gestures as she conversed with Iori. He frowned, "She obviously doesn't remember anyway."