Sayuri mused as she looked at her daughter who was all excited. As per her agreement with Kyle, he would not know of this.
For now, that is.
He had stated that he would not be able to handle knowing any of his kids would learn the Seduction Art, so he would rather be in the dark until it was 'too late'. The last thing he had wanted to do was interfere with their training.
Thus, if she had identified anyone suitable for her Clan's Arts, he was to be kept in the dark about it.
Sayuri hugged her daughter, then rubbed her hair lovingly.
Granted, going in for training at 2 years old was a bit young - even for their Clan, but it was not unheard of. The best time was when they were at the most impressionable and malleable age, where they would absorb things like a sponge.
The normal age range for those who were chosen to undergo training for the Seduction Art was 5 to 6 years old, as they would be much easier to teach. Not only because they were old enough to listen and understand, but also because they have become aware of the differences between the bodies of a male and a female - yet, not conscious enough to be shy about it.
Curiosity, so to speak.
Children at five and six years old were at the stage where they are examining their feelings and beliefs about their body, hair, and skin. Thus, it was the best time to teach and guide them about it, as one had to be comfortable with their bodies in order to know how to use it.
Younger children would not understand the concept. However, there are special cases, like Ariel.
If she could be guided from this age, who knows just how good she would be as she grew older?
Sayuri was excited thinking about it.
Actually, she was more excited over the fact when she finally tells Kyle that his beloved baby, Ariel, is a ninja and an expert of the Seduction Art. Sayuri had no doubt that Ariel would have what it takes to succeed.
✿ Retsu Primary School, 1 Van Goh ✿
Alex frowned as he sat in class.
He had been thinking long and hard since last night about what he could do to pass the time.
What could he learn from school?
Which wasn't part of the curriculum, that is.
His father had said to 'study people' but he didn't feel like it. Admittedly, he had thought about it but the moment his father mentioned it, the thought wasn't as appealing anymore.
After all, it was what his father had done, and it did not mean that it suited him.
He was different.
What could studying people and trying to figure them out actually achieve? It's best to just take it as it comes. He can't be thinking or analysing things all the time about what they mean when they say something.
He stole a glance at Shane.
A shy boy.
Always nervous around people but he tries to talk.
Even though tends to look down most of the time.
Shirley.
An exact opposite.
Like a shining sun, and she even looked like one with her curly blond hair bouncing about.
That's it.
What else does one need to know?
He had his brother/sisterhood already and though he had thought about finding someone loyal to be by his side, he suddenly felt that he could 'pick' those that he already knew within his circle.
That saved a lot of trouble, doesn't it?
But what could he do in this environment?
Suddenly, his eyes brightened as an idea struck him, and a smile slowly formed. Since he has those darn training with his father, why not try and implement them here?
Not that he was going to fight, of course.
But applying what he learned into the situation that he sees.
His eyes scanned the room.
What was the best escape route if someone was to come in with a gun?
Window?
He looked at the distance between the door and the window, then from his position and the window. Would he be able to reach the window before the man shoots?
Okay, maybe a gun was hard to determine since he had not learned yet about the types of guns. His father tended to prefer using the hands or a small knife.
Alex bit his bottom lips in thought as he changed the scenario.
Man with a knife, rushing in through the door.
Once Alex had figured out what to do to in school, he found that the time did pass by quickly. He soon learned how to adjust to doing that with the lessons in school. As long as he listened long enough to grasp what was going to be covered, he started going into 'dreamland'.
The problem of escaping a man with a knife had yet to be solved.
At the end of the day, Alex had a smile on his face (though it looked more like a smirk as only one side of his lips curled upwards).
As he walked out of the class to head to the waiting area, his eyes scanned everywhere. He started thinking of things that he may be able to do, such as - could he balance himself on this railing without falling?
The more he looked, the more he could see of the numerous possibilities and things to think about.
As he thought that school wasn't so bad after all, his smile became a bit bigger, causing his dimple to show.
A gasp and a squeal came from beside him.
"OH GOSH! ALEX!!" Shirley gushed as she rushed to him, wanting to touch his face.
He avoided it easily, frowning and the dimple disappeared.
"AUW!" she wailed, pouting a bit, "It's gone! It was so cute! You had this little thing right there…"
She wanted to point to where his dimple had been and he avoided her again, his frown getting bigger.
Aurora came at that moment and deftly placed her hand on Shirley's wrist and pushed it down while slipping herself in between her and Alex. With a smile, her hand that had been on the wrist slid down to grasp Shirley's hand as she said, "Shirley! You have such rosy cheeks that I just want to pinch them!"
"Ah! No! No!" Shirley said with a gasp and wide eyes. She placed both of her hands on her cheeks to cover them and protect them from Aurora's hands that were now reaching out to touch them.
With a squeal and a laugh, Shirley started running away with Aurora hot on her heels.
Alex let out a breath he did not realise that he was holding and Fleur giggled next to him, "Luckily Rory was there to save the day, huh?"
"I was handling it," Alex said with a slight huff.
At that, Fleur laughed a bit more, "If you mean by avoiding her hands, yes, you were. But she wouldn't have given up and you would have been dancing with her all the way to the waiting area."
"It wouldn't have been that bad," Alex refuted.
Fleur couldn't stop laughing at Alex's stubbornness. So she turned to look at Ziad and asked, "What do you think?"
"Dancing all the way," Ziad answered without batting an eyelid.
"Oh you did not," Alex said, looking at him.
"Oh, I did too," Ziad replied.
Alex tilted his head to the left and Ziad tilted his head to the right.
"I can still beat you," Alex muttered.
"So?" Ziad said, "I'll still tell it like it is."
Fleur came in between them and flung her arms over their shoulders, "Oh come now, cavemen. Let's go home."
Everyone watched with a little envy as Fleur took away two of the best-looking guys in class. They wanted to make friends with them, too, but so far, it hadn't been successful.
Alex was the quiet, brooding type and anyone who got the courage to go over to talk to him found themselves either taking a detour to another table or talk to Shirley instead. The closer they got, the scarier it was.
As for Ziad, though he was more approachable, his attention seemed to be fixed on Fleur. He hardly said a full sentence and was constantly checking that Fleur was either doing work, or had her stuff properly, or not talking too much or loudly.
Well, it was only the second day.
They figured that they would have plenty of time to get to know the two. From the way they talked freely with the people at their desk, only goes to show that they were friendly.
Next month, there would be a change in the seatings so perhaps, they would be lucky enough to get one of them at their desk. The thought made them happy.
As the three of the Fantastic Four group reached the waiting room area, they found Shirley to be gasping for breath while Aurora was standing beside her with a smile.