New Life : A Second Chance

However, one could say that Sarah's delusional persistence created an opportunity for another person.

Sayuri continued her silent observation of Kyle. She was slowly collecting all sorts of information about Kyle, from their interaction in class and from the way he is in school. Being the Acting Vice President also allowed her to study him in the Student Council.

She knew that he would be leaving soon for the promotional tour, so she increased her surveillance of him. She would even follow him when he went home, and she only went back to her apartment after he was asleep.

Sayuri noted that Kyle was the type that had a rather set routine. He did everything like clockwork. In the morning, before breakfast, he'd do his morning jog. Then, he would head over to the neighbouring house for breakfast with Xing Han. Pick up Kay, take the bus, Sam joins them, go to school.

It's just that something funny would happen whenever they reached the school They'd head straight to class except for Sam, who would go to the cafeteria. Once Sam reached the cafeteria, a particular girl that was waiting there would run off towards Kyle.

Most of the time, Kyle and the gang would reach their class before she actually reached them, and thus, she could only look around in vain. However, during the times that she did manage to catch them, Kyle himself ran off before that girl could reach them.

Sayuri would observe this all from the vantage point of higher ground, thus was in a position to see the whole thing unfold. Unlike the girl that ran to catch up with Kyle, Sayuri could see exactly what was happening.

She found the whole thing fascinating.

The first time Sayuri saw Kyle rush off, Sayuri had been completely shocked. Like Xing Han, she had not noticed it at first as her line of sight was focused on the approaching girl. She had noticed Kyle's reaction about something so when she studied where he was looking, she noticed a girl.

At first, she thought the girl was someone Kyle as interested in, so she paid very close attention to the said girl. With this information, wouldn't her Grandfather be satisfied and the mission is completed?

So she was studying the girl closely then when she turned back to look at Kyle, he wasn't there.

The second time it happened, she was stumped.

Thus, the next time that girl came into view, Sayuri focused her sight on Kyle instead.

What she saw was something unbelievable. His speed was unlike anything she had ever seen, even amongst the elite in her Clan. The fact that he was always on alert, and could even pick out the 'target' from a distance all seem to point to one thing. A thought slowly formed in Sayuri's mind.

Was he a ...??

Sayuri shook her head at that insane thought.

Nah. It couldn't be.

It wasn't because she didn't think he was incapable of being a ninja. She just had absolute faith in her Grandfather. He would never make another ninja the source of her test. After all, that would be completely unfair! 

With that thought, Sayuri was satisfied.

So Sayuri started studying both Kyle and the girl. She found out that the girl's name was Sarah. What she found amazing was the fact that Sarah's life seemed to revolve around Kyle. It wasn't anything obvious and it really was these little things.

Things like, how she'd be the one that changed the flower on the 'Elite Five' table everyday. How she'd be looking out for Sam and rush out. Sayuri was sure, that if she observed her longer, she would find out more things.

Although the girl wasn't someone Kyle was interested in, the fact that he would constantly avoid her spoke volumes. That fact went down to her 'Kyle' File. 

It certainly was getting thick.

✿ Mr. Sharif ✿

The weekend before Kyle was to leave, it was also the weekend that Kyle introduced Ali to the mentor that would begin the following month. Mr. Omar Sharif.

They met at the same cafe that Kyle had brought them to before. It really was a nice cafe, so Ali didn't mind.

Neither did the people who worked there, too. To have Kyle return was heaven sent and the waitresses were scrambling to take his order - even pushing the waitress normally assigned to that table. 

For some reason, Ali was extremely nervous so even noticing this thing about the people around him didn't make him laugh like normal. He wondered why he was so nervous. It was only him, Kyle and Mr. Sharif - and it was only to get to know the man yet Ali felt like he was attending the most important meeting of his life.

Which, in truth, it was in a way. After all, the man was going to be his advisor and mentor.

The man, Mr. Sharif, was a very distinguished-looking man with an impressive moustache. His entire demenour screamed 'royalty', or rather, charm and grace. Yet, he wasn't pompous and very soft spoken.

"Mr. Sharif," Ali began, "Peace be unto you."

Omar smiled, and replied, "And unto you, Peace. You must be Ali. Kyle has spoken about you a lot to me."

"He did? Of course he did. Yes, nice to meet you, Mr. Sharif," Ali responded.

"Please. Just Omar will do. Except when we're in school, of course," he replied amicably.

"Oh, I couldn't do that, Mr Sharif!" Ali protested.

"I insist. Sit, sit. Don't just keep standing there," he said with a smile.

"I think I'll make a move now," Kyle said, "Thank you, in advance, for all of your help, Omar."

Omar waved his hand in front of his face, saying while shooing Kyle away, "It's the least I could do."

Kyle nodded and left.

Ali began fidgeting in his chair, not knowing how to start. Seeing the uncomfortable Ali, Omar smiled then began telling him his life story.