New Life : A Second Chance

It was a Saturday and the Elite Five were gathered together at the cafe.

It was a normal cafe. Cozy, warm and a place you'd hang out while eating. Ali wondered why Kyle had called them up, and to be in such a public setting, no less.

Kyle normally avoided such places as they'd always be under the intense public gaze.

Just what was he up to?

"Why so serious?" Kyle joked as he looked at them.

Well, okay, maybe not Kay who knew what was going on and was busy on her phone.

Or Xing Han, who was grinning away as he looked at the menu while mumbling, "Should I have the burger? The chicken chop? Heck, why chicken? It should always be meat! Chicken is ... meh ... oh oh ... Maybe .."

Or Sam since ...

Well, okay, so it was only Ali that looked like he had something stuck in his throat.

Obviously, Ali felt it was only him that was regarding this whole thing as weird since no one else looked bothered.

"Can you blame me?" Ali asked, "You have never really asked us all out like this before. And in such a casual dining place, too. What's going on? And why does it feel like I'm the only one who doesn't know what's going on?"

At that, Xing Han looked up above the menu and said, "Not true. I have no idea what is going on either. The difference between you and me?"

Xing Han went back to studying the menu, "Is whether the food here is good or not."

Ali shook his head and faced Kyle, "So?"

"I just wanted to discuss a few things but didn't want such a stuffy atmosphere," Kyle explained, "We haven't had a chance to just hang out lately, so why not kill two birds with one stone?"

Ali nodded. That made sense.

"Though it does have to do more about you, Ali," Kyle said as he looked around for the waitress, "Everyone ready to order?"

"I haven't even looked at the menu yet," Ali said, taking one from the table.

Once everyone had decided and made their order, Kyle went down to 'business', so to speak.

"Okay, there are two main things I want to lay it out to you guys here," Kyle began, "The first is about the promotional tour that I'll be doing."

"I'll be away for several months, as I won't just be doing the promotional tour. I'll also be working to initiate and foster contact and view some of the places for expansion."

"So ... naturally, Sam will be with me as he's my PA. Kay because she's going to be my partner once I take over the CEO position, so she's gotta know everything as well," Kyle explained.

"And I am going because ... well, just because!!" Xing Han declared.

Kyle shook his head with a slight laugh, "Well, you are also going to be looking into possible collaborations for the Tan Clan, right. From what your father told me, nothing concrete but just to scout the area."

Xing Han snorted.

"I'm not you," he declared, "I haven't been working to establish myself so no one really knows me. Heck, I'm just a 15-year-old kid so all that talk about me scouting the area? Hogwash."

"No one in their right mind would take me seriously and I would not get any sort of useful information. I don't even know why Dad thinks that it's a good idea for me to do all that," Xing Han finished with a flourish.

He wasn't even feeling angry. He was just stating facts. Did his father really think he was blind to the sort of obstacles that were in his way? So Xing Han decided to ignore all of that and just focus on doing what he does best.

Being Kyle's BFF.

Kyle grinned, understanding what Xing Han was saying, "So wouldn't it be even more satisfying if you could actually get that information?"

Xing Han shook his head, "No using your resources, Kyle. If I was to do this, I would do it. I know my limits and I'm not going to pander to the Tan Clan who is pushing Dad to make me do this. They are setting me up for a fall and so what?"

"If they're going to use you as a comparison, I'll just point out that they're older, have been in the business for donkey years and not even half as capable as you. What more me?"

"Doesn't mean I won't scout around," Xing Han clarified, "I'm just not going to get all stressed out about it. If they're not satisfied with what I can get, then tough."

Kyle smiled.

This was one of the reasons why Xing Han is his BFF.

Kyle knew very well that anyone by his side could get intimidated by his capabilities. One would either feel inferior and pale beside him, or use him to get what they want (whether consciously or not).

To Xing Han, all of that wasn't an issue.

He knew of Kyle's capabilities and was in awe of them yet, he never compared himself to him. He knew what was his strength, and his weakness, and he worked on that. He was confident and happy with himself, and he accepted himself wholeheartedly.

He knew what Kyle could do for him but not only did he never ask, he would flat out reject it.

Kyle took a glance at Kay, who was quiet all this while. He felt a bit sad for her as he had thought - or rather, hoped - that Sarah would have been for her, what Xing Han is, to him.

It wasn't any easier since they're roommates, and the strain for Kay was there. Unfortunately, he couldn't do anything other than just be there for her. It was her own personal storm to weather.

"Wait wait," Ali said, holding up his hands, "We're getting side-tracked here. Bottom line is, I'm the one being left behind again?"