The Black Swan Behind (Beauty of Fire)

323 Got to Move Fast

Marcel and Kenny looked at each other with bright faces. Then Marcel looked at Emma again. “Are you sure?”

“The bigger our alliance is the better. You mustn’t forget that there is a Black Swan’s dream in this mission. Of course I want this mission to succeed. I also want to enjoy a quiet life with lots of free time for fun. My wish is this chaos could be over soon.” Emma answered.

Emma realized that her time had been taken up very much during this time. When she was playing ice skating with Levi yesterday, she imagined if all this time she had free time. She could practice ice skating because it was a lot of fun. She and Calvin were also able to spend a lot of time together because they were not bothered by these gangster problems.

“We don’t have much time, Marcel. RJC and Jita Kyoei should meet soon. If you want, I can also provide a place,” Emma said.

***

“Joining RJC?” Troy’s eyebrows rose.

Emma nodded. “That’s up to you. But, Black Swan has joined this mission. I’ve also asked the girls and they all joined, except for those who already have children,”

“Nowadays, there are no more groups recruiting students of the martial arts studio. Are you going to refuse since your business is done?” Calvin asked with an appraising look at the group of men sitting in front of him.

“So, you want to join them?” Ian asked Calvin.

.....

“Of course. There’s Emma here. How can I not come?” Calvin answered directly.

Emma instantly choked on the air she was inhaling. Since the conversation between the two of them in the lobby of Poppy’s ballet studio, Calvin had become frank in showing his feelings for Emma.

“Oh, so all this time, Jita Kyoei has joined this side because they have their own goals? I guess those people sincerely want to eradicate crime in Handway City?” Linda said frontally with her arms folded across her chest.

“Hey, the people you’re talking about are here,” Ian said in annoyance.

But Linda instead raised one eyebrow. “It turns out you have self-awareness, huh?”

Nicko sighed tiredly, then patted Troy on the shoulder. “You better make a decision soon, Troy. Anyway, isn’t Black Hole also targeting Jita Kyoei now?”

Emma nodded. “That’s right. Just like Black Swan, in the end, Jita Kyoei will also fight the Black Hole, right? Instead of doing it individually, why don’t we make this short and easy by doing it together?”

“I heard that men are efficient thinkers?” Linda asked.

Ian scowled. “Hey you girls, stop trying to corner us.”

“Actually, we’re just annoyed because even when things are so urgent like this, you guys are still thinking about your stupid prestige,” Linda said.

“Maybe we will meet with the RJC directly. We also have to see how ethical they are in asking for our help,” Troy said.

Emma nodded. “Okay. I’ve told Marcel that Black Swan can provide a place for you to negotiate. Think of Black Swan’s base as your second base,”

Troy stood up from his seat. “Thanks for the offer. I’ll definitely consider it, Emma.”

“In the future, you don’t need to bother taking care of us, Emma. We will negotiate by ourselves, and I will inform the Black Swan directly if there is confirmation.” Ian said.

“Sure. I’m waiting for news that won’t take long,” Emma replied in her steps leading the men to the basement.

***

After returning to their own base, the Jita Kyoei core team was back in talks.

“RJC really are a bunch of losers. They’re deliberately using those sharp-tongued girls to corner us,” Troy said as threw his big body on the sofa.

“That’s the cunning Marcel Douglas. He’s used to being surrounded by women, so he’s good at taking advantage of situations... and his face, of course,” Ian replied.

“Should we call him?” Nicko asked.

“Even after their group has fallen, they are still arrogant,” Frank said.

“It seems Emma is on Marcel’s side. Is it because he is the most handsome guy on campus?” Troy asked with a frown.

But Nicko shook his head. “I don’t think Emma is that type of girl. Maybe she sympathizes with Marcel because there are citizens of Redvalley behind him. Although Marcel seems like an asshole, we have to admit that he protects a lot of weak people,”

Ian nodded. “Nicko is right. In the end, we have to lower our prestige so that the enemy can be defeated. Hating each other will only make us all weak. Maybe it’s time for Jita Kyoei to test our pride,”

***

The sky was shining brightly because it had rained quite heavily this afternoon. Now, twinkling stars fill the night sky along with a bright moon that formed a crescent.

It was so late. Every day, time was tight for Emma and Calvin. But according to their promises, they would take the time to hang out even if it was only for an hour or two.

“Whose car is this, Calvin?” Emma asked after Calvin got into the driver’s seat of a moss-green sedan.

“It’s mine. I bought it last month,” He answered with a faint smile that very often adorned his face.

Emma’s eyebrows rose. “Oh, I thought you were more comfortable riding a bike?”

Calvin nodded. “Yes. But that’s if I’m alone. If I bring you, I feel uncomfortable if I continue to ride a bike, especially since it often rains in spring,”

“So... You mean you bought this because of me?” Emma chuckled sarcastically.

“Yes. Do you feel more comfortable?” Calvin answered with an innocent face.

“You… You serious it’s because of me?” Emma’s eyes widened. She was just kidding. She thought Calvin must have other reasons to buy a car. Logically, there was no way he would spend such money to buy something to please someone when he didn’t really need it.

Calvin nodded lightly. “Of course, Emma. You are my top priority right now,”

Emma gulped hard. Her face turned uncomfortable. Then, she looked at Calvin. “Actually, you don’t need to do this because I also feel comfortable riding a bike. But I’ll thank you because you’re thinking about me that much,”

“Well, this kind of Calvin is not holding back. I hope you’re not surprised, Emma.” He winked at her.

***

The car entered a very large parking area with many cars parked facing a large screen that hung quite high. It was a Drive-in Cinema.

“This is the last movie for today. I didn’t get to see what it was but it should be good,” Calvin said while pulling on his car’s handbrake.

Emma glanced at her watch. “It’s almost eleven. Luckily, we got here before the movie started.”

Calvin nodded. “I’m going to buy some food. You wait here for a while, ok?”

“Wait, Calvin.” Emma held his arm. “Actually, I brought food from home.”

Calvin turned to Emma. “You did? What is it?” He asked excitedly.

Emma opened her bag which was bigger than the bags she usually carried. “I made Gimbab.” She said as she took out a lunchbox.