Chapter 103 Meeting the Team (1/2)

After that, Cole started explaining what their training was going to be like.

”We actually have daily training in the evening as most the team members are working. Since you're at Sakura Academy though, then you'll have to join us only during weekends. Once the school holiday starts, then you can join us for daily training.”

”Ah,” Kyle grimaced, ”That ... is not possible. The daily training, that is.”

Cole looked at him with a frown, ”And why not? What's the problem?”

”I don't have the time,” Kyle said frankly, ”And honestly, I don't really need that much training.”

Cole face clearly showed his displeasure at that. He was beginning to regret this for he now viewed Kyle to be too arrogant. Yes, he had the skills but one could never be overconfident.

”There's no such thing as not needing training,” Cole said firmly.

”I never said I don't need training. I just said I don't need that much. Twice a week, tops and that is all the time I can spare, really.”

”How about this? I compete in all the three types of the competition for the qualifying round against any of your team members. Speed climbing, bouldering, and lead climbing, right? If I win, you let me train as I want without complaints. If you win, I do it your way. Deal?” Kyle asked.

Cole grinned. Over confident and cocky indeed.

”All three?” Cole repeated, just to make sure, ”You lose just one, and it's my way.”

Kyle shrugged, ”No problem.”

It took Cole about 30 minutes to get all of the team members together. After they heard Cole's explanation, they quickly came. Some had laughed, some had scoffed but overall, they were rather miffed at this young upstart. They were really looking forward to crushing that ego.

They had been training for this competition since the beginning of the year. The frequency of training just went up two weeks ago since the date of the competition was getting nearer. Now this youngster, who had never rock climbed in a competition before, think he was better than them? Just because he managed to save the baby?

Sure, they acknowledged that Kyle had the skill but nothing beats experience and practice.

Kyle used the time to warm up and stretch. Kay helped, by holding on to Kyle's ankle while he did some sit-ups. Cathy, of course, was hidden nearby and was filming the entire exercise routine. She jumped, effectively shaking the camera and losing her shot, when someone tapped her on the shoulder.

It turned out to be Ken, one of the team members.

”You're drooling, Cathy,” he teased her.

Cathy glared at him but still wiped the side of her mouth.

He studied Kyle as he did the last stretch, and said, ”So that's the guy, huh? The one who thinks he's all that?”

Cathy snorted, ”He IS all that. Dad was just too angry about his ego being bruised to realise that.”

Ken looked at Cathy in surprise, ”You sure rate him high. Is he really that great?”

”Better than great,” she replied.

”Or is it just because he's handsome and ripped?” Ken teased.

”That's just the bonus,” Cathy stated, ”You didn't see him climb that day. It was pure poetry. The rescue wasn't a fluke either.”

”Yeah, yeah,” Ken said, dismissing her evaluation, ”You're just blinded by that pretty face of his. Let me show you how it's done. Anyway, it's obvious you have no chance with him. Look at his girlfriend ... and look at you.”

He walked off, determined to prove to Cathy that he was better than Kyle. He had been trying to woo her for the past few months but had not been successful. Now comes this pretty boy and he steals all of her attention. She had never looked at him like that!

He flexed his muscles. No way was he going to lose.

Cathy, in the meantime, had an ugly look on her face.

<Stupid Ken>, she thought to herself. She had no designs on Kyle at all. She was simply an appreciator of beauty and grace. Her computer and phone were filled with pictures of guys she considered hot. Ken used to be one of them until he started with all his nonsense.

She didn't know what was wrong with him. When he found out about her album, he acted weird. Since then, he would give her all these jibes. She knew she could not match up to that girl with Kyle but what has that got to do with anything?

Cathy concentrated on Kyle instead, started feeling happy, then wiped the side of her mouth again.

.:*・°☆...:*・°☆.