The next morning, Kyle, Xing Han and Sam were at Master Shifu's house for breakfast.
"Father, I have a request," Kyle said respectfully during the meal.
"What is it? You know you can ask me anything," Master Shifu replied kindly.
"Could Xing Han stay here if he's continuing at Sakura Academy?" Kyle asked, "He can take my room."
"Of course he can," Master Shifu said, "If he is agreeable, that is. Our home is your home, Xing Han. You know that."
Xing Han, who was in the midst of putting in a mouthful of food, stopped and stared at Kyle.
What was this? Why the sudden question? Why didn't Kyle ask him first? What is going on in that BFF's mind of his? Stay here?
Xing Han put the fork down slowly, his eyes darting left and right while his mind processed this sudden information.
For some reason, his gaze landed on Nitocirs a tad longer and he was a bit miffed at how unaffected that guy seemed to be at the possibility of him staying here. He was ignoring everything and just eating his food like this was a normal thing.
Kyle noticed Xing Han's hesitation, and the way he looked at Nitocris a bit nervously before being upset. Seriously, his BFF feelings could be seen on his face so clearly.
Kyle looked at Nitocris and could tell how nervous his big brother was. Perhaps, waiting for Xing Han's answer?
These two really needed a lot of work, it seems.
"It would make me feel better, Xing Han, if you stayed," Kyle said, "After all, over here, you have Father to keep an eye on you and Mother to feed you."
Xing Han's eyes brightened at that.
"And Big Bro Nic can help as well," Kyle helpfully said, "He has his own organisation, after all. You can see what it's like at his place and get some ideas on the different types before you graduate."
"You're still being the Sage Class Leader, even now?" Xing Han muttered, referring to the file Kyle had done to recommend a few steps in honing and expanding Xing Han's business acumen.
"No, I'm being your best friend," Kyle said, "You didn't think I'd just up and leave you high-and-dry now, did you?"
Xing Han's bottom lip quivered and he flung his hands up in the air, before glomping on Kyle from the side.
"Waaaahh!!" Xing Han wailed while hugging Kyle tightly, "You're still the one who knows me best! Who loves me the most!!"
A loud clang sounded, breaking the wailing that was in the air. Everyone's head whipped to Nitocris, who nonchalantly picked up his fork that had fallen onto his plate, "Sorry. Hand slipped."
Then, Nitocris looked at Xing Han, "I think your BFF is turning blue."
Xing Han didn't let go of Kyle, and instead, rubbed his cheek onto Kyle's cheek.
"No, he isn't," Xing Han protested, "I gotta get my dose of Kyle before he leaves. I won't be able to hug or glomp him for a long time."
Xing Han pouted and looked at Kyle, "How long will you be gone? You'll come back and visit often, right?"
Kyle couldn't look at Xing Han in the face and Xing Han grabbed Kyle's cheeks to force him to look at him.
"You're doing that again," Xing Han growled, "Whenever you are going to do or say something you know I wouldn't like, you can't look at me in the eye."
"Then don't give me that sad look on your face! I can't handle it," Kyle protested, closing his eyes.
"Then don't do it if you know I won't like it!" Xing Han argued back, shaking Kyle.
Then, without warning, Xing Han found himself being picked up. Two strong arms went under his armpits and lifted him up easily, effectively separating him from Kyle and being plonked back down on his chair.
"Enough," Nitocris's low voice sounded in Xing Han's ear, his breath tickling it, "Kyle's having it hard enough as it is without you adding on to it."
Xing Han turned to glare at Nitocris, nearly kissing him on the cheek when he did so and he jumped back a bit in shock. His ears turning red a bit, he turned to glare at his unfinished breakfast instead.
"I wasn't trying to make it hard on him," Xing Han muttered weakly.
Turning to face Kyle and ignoring Nitocris, he asked, "From that look, I know you're not coming back for visits. But you will at least keep in touch, right?"
Kyle sighed, playing with his food, "I'll be contactable, so if there's anything, you can get me that way. Big Bro Nic has my number, so you can get me through him."
"You're not even giving me your number?!" Xing Han screeched, his eyes wide open.
"Knowing you, you're going to rack up quite a bill calling me," Kyle said, "And you can always ask Big Bro Nic, right? Also, don't forget. there's always email, you know."
Kyle decided on this after thinking about it for a long time. Just like Kay, Xing Han was relying on him too much and Kyle, too, was pampering him (and Kay) too much. If they were to grow stronger, they needed to be strong as individuals as well.
Currently, only three other people have his new number, other than Big Bro Nic. He couldn't go off the grid completely and these four knew that Kyle was contactable at that number only during emergencies.
And they knew what an 'emergency' would actually mean.
Sam, as he was the PA. He would continue to monitor the Smith Industries and let Kyle know if there's something.
Ali, for he would be the one that was most likely to be disconnected from everyone else - and Kyle needed the assurance that Ali would not feel more cut out than he already does.
Team Zero (Kyle regarded the team as one unit), for obvious reasons. They hated that Kyle told them to stay, but they obeyed.
Kyle looked at Xing Han, who understood what Kyle was saying. He pouted, puffing his cheeks and didn't say another word.
Kyle turned to look at Nitocris and said, "I'm leaving Xing Han in your care."
Nitocris raised an eyebrow, hearing the hint of warning in Kyle's voice. At first, Nitocris had been completely shocked that Kyle had 'given' Xing Han to him. Kyle had created opportunities for them to interact with each other.
Seeing that look from Kyle, he understood. Kyle was giving him a chance but Nitocris had better not hurt Xing Han. Nitocris smiled slowly, nodding.
"Don't worry, Kyle," Nitocris assured him, "I will take very good care of him."
Nitocris then looked at Xing Han, who was busy eating. How could that adorable puppy of his munch while pouting?!
Xing Han was not happy as he munched on his breakfast angrily.
Why did Kyle act like he was such a baby? He wasn't a baby. He didn't need that man to keep an eye on him or take care of him. He'll show Kyle. When Kyle gets back, he, Xing Han, will be a much tougher person! Hah!!
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