Chapter 608 A Daring Bet

Ritsuka glanced between Keng and Calis. They seemed to act "friendly" towards each other, but he knew Keng didn't really like Calis. For whatever unknown reason, Keng was usually hostile towards Calis. He usually got annoyed whenever Calis was around and actively in discussion with him and whomever else. Ritsuka nodded as he listened to the conversation. He perked up when Keng mentioned Akio.

"Akio? He's helping you? I thought the Numbers were off limits." Ritsuka asked. Keng sighed and shook his head.

"It's complicated." Keng replied. "It was either die trying to hide the truth from an interrogator and her in and out brother or tell them the truth. I think it's better I told them, so they don't get so attached to me with all that's happened."

"Plus, we have strong allies on the higher side of things that can help us." Calis added. Keng nodded as he leaned back into the bed.

"If Mr. Akio is helping you with finding Lee Seng, what're you two planning to do?" Ritsuka asked.

"Be a student for awhile until things start to happen." Keng begrudgingly answered. He still didn't agree with the whole "be quiet" thing, but there wasn't anything else he could really do.

"And you?" Ritsuka looked at the sunkissed blonde. Calis's blue eyes moved over to him and motioned to Keng.

"I'm his bodyguard 'til then." Calis answered. Keng turned his head, frowning.

'There it is.' Ritsuka thought.

"When the time comes, I can help. I have been working on traversing the shadows with Obsidian Glass. I've gotten better at it too." Ritsuka informed him.

"Oh, you did?" Keng's curiosity grew as he lifted his attention to Ritsuka. Ritsuka nodded. He lifted his right hand and realized he forgot to mention one more thing.

"Also, something strange has been happening to me ever since I came back from Daros." Ritsuka's hand flickered with Void energy. "I can use Obsidian Glass's Void abilities without summoning it. It's weird and somewhat taxing on the energy, but I've been trying to figure out what the extent of it is." Ritsuka snuffed the Void energy by closing his fist and propped his hand back behind his back as he readjusted himself.

'How is that possible? Ritsuka shouldn't be able to do that without summoning the weapon… Did Lee seng's first Biohuman ability change it?' Keng glanced at Ritsuka while Calis studied the two. Calis could tell these two had enough trust in each other.

'They would probably do well in a fight together.' Calis thought. He pushed himself off of the wall and stretched.

"Well, if that's all we have to talk about, I'm going to go to my bedroom." Calis pointed.

"Sure." Keng nodded, waving him off.

"You gotta… Deactivate the barrier."

"Oh." Keng looked up, swiping the air. The cosmic energy shrank away from the walls and ceiling, disappearing. "Sorry."

"Thanks." Calis turned and put a hand on the door handle. "I'll talk to our Fox Spirit friends tomorrow… So I'll be out for a bit if you guys are going to do a job."

"We'll probably do it tomorrow." Ritsuka told him. "I don't think there should be a problem, right Keng?" Ritsuka turned to the Fox Spirit on the bed. Keng snapped out of his thoughts and looked up at the two of them.

"Hm? Y-yeah, you can take some time off. I'm more than fine with it. Maybe don't come back." Keng smiled. Calis rolled his eyes and nodded.

"I'll inform you on what they say then. See you later." Calis waved at the both of them.

"See ya. Good night." Ritsuka waved. The two watched Calis leave, closing the door behind. "Why do you act so cold towards him? You don't do that unless someone's threatening Lee Seng."

"Hm? Do I act cold to him?" Keng tilted his head. "I don't know what you're talking about. I act the same with him as I do with you guys."

"No you don't." Ritsuka shook his head. He wandered over to the bed and sat next to Keng. "You get annoyed when he's in your sights. When he joins the conversation, you get even more peeved. Did he do something to you that I don't know about? Did something happen in Daros?"

"N-no!" Keng shook his head. His face grew red as Ritsuka nodded.

"Okay.. Okay…" Ritsuka looked away. "Whatever you say, man. If you're treating him the same then you are… I don't think you are treating him the same, though…"

"I totally am!" Keng defended. Ritsuka turned and stared into Keng's sapphire and ruby eyes. His cheeks were red as his eyes shook.

"Sure." Ritsuka nodded. Keng stood up, looking down at Ritsuka.

"I'll p-prove it!" Keng shouted. "I-I treat him the same!"

"Okay, sure." Ritsuka smiled. He stood up and cracked his neck. "Get some rest then. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow." Ritsuka patted Keng's shoulder as he exited the room, leaving an embarrassed Keng alone.

The Next Day

Keng climbed the stairs to breakfast as he yawned. It was only 9am and he was still tired. He found it hard to sleep ever since he came back from Daros. Lee seng plagued his mind and busying himself was the only way to calm himself of these thoughts was to either workout or do the large pile of homework.

"Oh, Calis! You want some food?" Olivia asked, peeking her head out from the kitchen. Calis turned the railing as Keng climbed to the top. Calis was wearing a more casual outfit for today.

"Oh, nah. I'll find something to eat on the way out. I gotta run some errands." Calis pointed at the door.

"Oh, okay. We'll be out today for a job." Olivia informed him. Calis nodded as Keng curved the corner and moved past Calis. His hair was still kinda wet as he made his way to the kitchen. "Have a good day then." Olivia waved goodbye to Calis.

"See ya. Good luck on your job. Hope you do well." Calis waved. He began to turn when he turned. "Oh, Mr. Lee Seng!" Keng stopped and turned to look at Calis. The glimmer in Calis's eyes was telling him he was going to do something embarrassing to him.

"Hm?" Keng asked. Calis moved over, pulling something out of his pocket.

"Here for good luck on your first job with the group." Calis smiled. He handed him a tiny weaved doll. It was one of those dolls the Merfolk kids carried around.

"What's this for?" Keng asked, looking at Calis. Calis grabbed Keng's hands and smiled.

"This is your first mission with them, right? I thought you could use some good luck. I carry this thing around when I'm anxious. Seems like today you'll need it." Calis smiled. Keng began to grow irritated as Ritsuka popped out from the basement. A smirk grew on Ritsuka's face as he gave Keng a knowing look.

"T-thank you… Calis." Keng smiled. He pulled away from Calis, grinning widely. "How great of you to think of me." Calis smiled, a bit weirded out Keng was acting this way, but he would take it.

"Sure thing! Good luck everyone!" Calis waved.

"Thanks!" Voices from the kitchen shouted. The group waved goodbye as Calis turned and waved at Ritsuka. They watched him put on his shoes and grab his car keys as he opened the door and closed it behind him.

"How nice of him." Olivia commented. "C'mon, breakfast is ready. We got a long day ahead of us." Olivia turned to walk back into the kitchen as Ritsuka locked the door and turned to face Keng. A big grin was on his face as Keng looked at the small doll trinket in his hand.

"How nice of you. Just exactly like normal, too!" Ritsuka patted Keng.

"Aha." Keng forced a smile.

"Almost a bit strange though… You seemed… A bit stiff right here." Ritsuka poked at Keng's cheeks, massaging his cheeks. "You doin' okay? The stress getting to ya?"

"I'm… Fine." Keng grabbed Ritsuka's hands and gently peeled them away from his face. "Thank you for checking on me, buddy."

"No problem! Let's eat!" Keng watched Ritsuka move past him, stifling a laugh as he drew his attention to the group. "What's there to eat today?"

"A hearty, meaty breakfast!" Evan shouted.

"Oooo! All of Lee Seng's favorites?" Ritsuka commented.

"Damn you, Ritsuka… I'll pay you back tenfold when I have the chance." Keng squeezed the hand with the doll in it. The doll began to crush under his strength as he released it. He opened his hand and looked at the doll. It bounced back to its regular shape. Even his strength wouldn't have crushed it. "Why does your master have to be like that, hm? He's so strange."

"Lee Seng, come eat!" Manny shouted.

"I'm coming!" Keng turned around. Manny waved frantically at him as the others surrounded the island. "Hold your horses!" He stuffed the doll into his sweat pocket and entered the kitchen. Lee Seng's friends were all piling on food as Manny wrapped an arm around him.

"I made all extra just for you." Manny told him. "Go get some."

"Thanks. We'll need it." Keng smiled.

"You'll need it. It's going to be a great day! I can already feel it!" Manny smiled.