Curiosity consumed Kai as he stared at Rei, his mind filled with questions. He couldn't help but blurt out, "Hey Rei, have you ever learned martial arts before?"
Reika locked her gaze with his and nodded. "Yes, my grandfather taught me the art of the sword when I was just a seven-year-old. However, I had to stop my training when my mother whisked me away to this new place."
"What's the name of your grandfather?" Kai asked curiously.
"My grandfather's name is Sakazuki Gen," Reika answered.
Kai stopped his footsteps upon hearing Reika's words. "Wait! Sakazuki Gen? The legendary Oni?"
"Legendary Oni? What's that?" Reika asked, tilting her head cutely.
"You didn't know?" Kai asked in disbelief.
Reika shook her head in puzzlement.
"Isn't Sakazuki Gen the hero of Sakura Kingdom?" Kai asked.
"Hero? My grandpa?" Reika asked, shocked, covering her mouth.
"Yes. Rick told me about some formidable warriors he fought a long time ago, and your grandpa's name is one of them who left an impression on him… Or maybe they are different people? Just so happened to be the same name?" Kai explained.
"Really?" Reika muttered as she remembered her grandfather's face.
"Strange. Why didn't I know about it? All I know is my grandpa acting like a kid. Whenever I didn't want to train with him, he would suddenly cry with snot. He even throws a tantrum when my mother brings me here."
Kai was taken aback hearing this. The respect he has for the legendary figure suddenly went down the drain. "R-really?"
"Yes. But I love my grandpa. He always gives me everything I want. He's kind and gentle," Reika said as she recalled her beloved grandpa. She suddenly missed him.
"I see. Your grandfather just loves you so much and maybe doesn't want you to learn about his past," Kai said.
And he continued, "Then, you already know how to fight, and with that legendary figure teaching you. Why do you still want to learn?" Kai asked again.
"Hmm. I can't use real swords, can I? I can only use it when I'm with my grandfather. He told me never to hold a real sword unless my life is in danger," Reika answered.
Kai nodded and said, "I see. That's understandable. If someone saw a beautiful little girl holding a sword, they would freak out and you might get in trouble instead. It's better to be cautious."
"See? So please, Kai-kun, teach me how to fight without using a sword. If you won't change your mind about fighting those gangs and delinquents, please teach me so I can also protect you if you're exhausted," Reika asked pleadingly.
"It's not that I don't want to teach you, it's just that I might affect your swordsmanship. Your grandfather might scold me if the thing I teach you affects your swordsmanship instead. Have you tried using a wooden sword?" Kai asked.
"Oh! Right! I could use a wooden sword instead! Why didn't I think about that?" Reika exclaimed as she facepalmed.
"If you had your own wooden sword yesterday, you might not be with me right now," Kai unconconciously blurted.
"You're right, Kai-kun. You might have gone home alone yesterday. Hehe, but thank God I didn't. Or I wouldn't be with you," Reika said, smiling sweetly at Kai.
Kai's heart beat faster seeing it and he retorted, "Well, even if you had your wooden sword, it would only delay your destiny to be with me. You'd still end up with me since the moment we met, your fate was already sealed with me," Kai said confidently.
Reika smiled and nodded shyly. She might be skilled with a sword, but if Kai didn't stop pursuing her or assert himself domineeringly, she felt that she would still end up in the same place. She knew very well how obsessed he could get with someone he took a fancy to, which was one of the reasons she accepted him having another woman.
As they continued to chat and tease each other, Kai and Reika finally arrived at Xia Chen's room. They were greeted by the sight of Xia Chen and Mae Ling sitting and engrossed in conversation. When they noticed their arrival, Xia Chen and Mae Ling got up and walked over to them.
"What took you so long, Senior Brother?" Mae Ling asked, playfully grabbing Kai's other hand and giving a slight bow to Reika.
Reika nodded at Mae Ling, realizing that there wouldn't be any awkwardness between them. It seemed that this junior of hers didn't care about anything as long as she was with Kai.
"Well, I was bombarded with questions by my classmates and then I had to pick up Rei," Kai explained.
"Me too! But when Fang-er saw me, she scolded me and went home angry," Mae Ling replied, sounding a bit downcast.
"Don't worry too much about it. She's just being protective of you. You should be grateful to have a friend who cares so much," Kai said gently, patting Mae Ling's head.
Mae Ling's spirits lifted as she felt Kai's comforting touch and contentedly leaned on his arm without saying anything.
Meanwhile, Xia Chen looked at Kai with admiration and praise, amused that both his hands were occupied by beautiful girls. One of them was his sister, though.
Kai glanced over at Xia Chen, his eyes widening in surprise as he inspected the formerly bruised area on his body. To his astonishment, the bruises had mysteriously vanished without a trace.
"How on earth did your wounds disappear?" Kai asked, unable to contain his curiosity.
In his mind, he wondered if there was someone else who possessed a healing pill like him.
"Right, Senior Brother! You won't believe what happened!" Xia Chen exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. "That nurse, she's like a miracle worker! She healed me completely using nothing but needles!"
"No way!" Kai exclaimed, genuine shock written all over his face.
Reika, who was standing nearby, also seemed taken aback, while Mae Ling, ever the apathetic one, continued to cling to Kai, seemingly unfazed by the conversation.
Xia Chen nodded vigorously, recounting his experience. "I was terrified at first when she started sticking needles all over my body, but then I felt this strange energy flowing into me, and I watched as my wounds miraculously healed right before my eyes."