New Life : A Second Chance

Kyle was also relieved.

He managed to survive the worst.

"As for the second thing," Kyle said, "It's just something I am seriously considering, so it's best you know about it now."

"I plan to graduate early. Next year, to be specific," Kyle stated, "It all depends on the sort of information and research that I'll be doing this year, but if it is like what I think it is ... then the possibility is quite high."

Kay, Sam, Ali and Xing Han stared at Kyle.

"Look, I know this is being very unfair to all of you," Kyle said with a sigh, as he leaned forward and clasped both hands together and laid them on the table, "After all, you all chose to come to Sakura Academy because of me. You could have chosen better high schools ..."

"Stop," Xing Han said firmly, "I think I speak for all of us - excluding Kay, of course - that we knew what we were getting into. We chose what we chose, and you don't have to stay at the school if that's not the path for you."

Ali and Sam nodded.

"I will go where you go," Sam said, "For my life is forever intertwined with yours."

"HEY!" Xing Han huffed, wanting to protest more but then realised ... he couldn't.

Sam works for Kyle. Sam is Kyle's PA, both as per Smith Heir and MIB. While he, Xing Han, was tied to the Tan Clan. He could only be by Kyle's side during school days.

Not after.

Xing Han paled a bit, pouted and looked at his dessert that had arrived.

Taking a fork, he stabbed the apple pie and started eating while saying, sniffing a bit, "Stop making it sound like you're his lover or something."

Then he said under his breath, 'Life intertwined. As if.'

"Oh please," Sam said, "I can't beat the 'overly jealous wife' act or your lines."

Xing Han stuck out his tongue at him and continued eating. Both didn't take the words to heart, knowing that they were no real hard feelings.

"Then what about college? University?" Kay asked, "Have you talked to Mum and Dad about this?"

Kyle shook his head.

"No, not yet," Kyle replied, "I don't think I would need to ... well ..."

"That's not fair, Kyle," Kay said firmly, "How can you not talk to them? Discuss this with them first?"

Kyle took a deep breath to calm himself down before answering.

"Because I know what's best for me," Kyle said, "I will tell them, but not seek their permission. Why should I stay another year in school when I can do so much more outside?"

"Still, they are your parents. Our parents," Kay insisted, pointing it out.

"Yes," Kyle admitted, "I literally owe them my life, but you know as well as I do that I've been mapping my life myself. I show them respect but I will not put my life goals in their hands."

"I understand that, brother," Kay said softly, "I really do."

[But you should know better than anyone as well, brother. How much Dad gets hurt by your indifference to his opinions]

[And you know why, dear sister. I'm doing my best here but I can't ... swallow having to follow his plans or listen to it]

[Aren't you an actor? A ninja? A master of disguise? Why can't you just pretend?]

[Because at the very least, I should respect them. Him. I can't pretend to be their obedient son when I'm not. I just can't.]

[I'm not asking you to! Can't you just be more accommodating to their feelings? Especially Dad's feelings. He's always supporting you. Give in]

Ali, Xing Han, and Sam just watched the two twins silently glaring at each other.

Xing Han knew that they were most likely arguing telepathically, so he went back to eating his dessert. Slower.

He could see the agitation on Kay's face and Kyle's rather indifferent one, and knew that this was not going well. Whatever their greviences were, they weren't privy to it. Furthermore, when they were 'at it' like this, all of them knew.

Back off.

Sam turned to Ali and asked, "So what about you? What are you thinking about or planning to do?"

Ali shrugged, "I'll have to ask my parents about it. Most likely they'll have me finish school first before I can graduate."

"If you feel like you're ready, we can just take the graduating exam," Kyle stated, "You don't exactly have to be in school for the entire 5 years before taking the exam."

"You don't?" Ali asked in surprise.

"No," Kyle replied, "I wasn't planning to just leave school without something formal."

He looked pointedly at Kay, "I simply don't plan to stay in school. For secondary school, one can apply to take the exam as long as you are a student of a school and the school registers you. There is no age barrier."

"As for college, I still do plan to enroll but only turn up for exams," Kyle went on to explain, "Just to get that fancy piece of paper."

Kay was silent, not looking at Kyle.

She knew he would have taken into consideration all the formal education requirements, and the fact that the shareholders would still view that 'piece of paper' as being important. It was just that in his constant planning and desire to move ahead, he tends to forget his 'parents'.

It wasn't so bad with Mum. So long as Kyle showered her with attention and love, she was fine. She trusted him enough to do what is right and could see that he didn't need her 'permission' or guidance. She could let it go.

Dad, however, was different.

Perhaps it was a male thing? Dad just couldn't seem to accept the fact that Kyle never consulted him. Worse, Kyle didn't even seem consider him as a 'father figure' to listen to.

It was already apparent when they were kids, and it was only getting worse.