Kai knew he'd been very childish when he left. He was sure he'd been too touchy. But he couldn't stop himself from doing it. He couldn't stop himself from acting like he'd been born with a golden spoon. No matter what he did, he couldn't be that different from his past lives. He was a spoilt child.

He could clearly feel Emma's presence coming after him. But he didn't want to talk to her. So he avoided her. If he didn't want her to find him, she wouldn't find him.

He knew he was avoiding Emma when he entered an alley between houses.

"You're really annoying."

Kai looked at the boy in the shadows at the edge of the alley with a surprised look. It was quite surprising that he couldn't avoid him. He had to admit that. Still, it should have been expected that his childhood friend would anticipate his moves.

Kai put a hand to his cheek and returned with a puppy dog stare.

"How can you call that cute face annoying-"

"You look like a pig eating shit. You'd better get back to your old self before I puke over here."

Kai laughed but accepted the possibility that he might actually look weird. Kevin turned back to him.

The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

"You want to chastise us for being arrogant, but you're being arrogant. Shouldn't you stop doing that?"

Kevin asked. These were his thoughts. But Kai saw his words as complete rubbish. Why am I saying this? Because Kevin was moving his ear and looking around while he was talking. He was extremely reckless. He disrespected the other person by not looking at his face. Black lines appeared on Kevin's forehead.

Obviously it touched his pride. However, if he knew Kai's thoughts, he would feel more than uncomfortable.

'Could he be jealous of me?

He had listened to Kai, though he didn't seem to be paying any attention, but he didn't find him rational and even as he thought about it he was angry that he, Kai, had dared to say such words to his face.

He was contradicting himself, but he didn't care. No one had the power to change him. Not even his own mentors.

"I don't think so at all, and why did you even come all the way here?"

He realised he shouldn't have spoken offensively. At least he was confident enough to do so. His sass didn't cloud his mind.

But Kevin wasn't stupid either. Of course he was jealous of Kai. Anyone in their right mind would be jealous. The talents he had didn't come through any effort. He was just lucky. He didn't work harder than they did. Possibly even less. And yet he was leagues ahead of them. Kevin was jealous. But he didn't say those words thinking that.

He said those words because Kai was his best friend.

Jack was their best friend too, but these people had always ignored the limitations of words. A best friend was someone you loved more than any other friend. But Kevin loved both Kai and Jack in a way that was closer than anyone else.

He knew they both felt the same way. In the past...

"I'm not sure how you feel anymore."

Kai ignored Kevin's words and disappeared down the alley without a word.

***