Chapter 10: Risking It All

By the time Yuriko got herself home, her grandfather had gone to bed. A note was on the door, telling her that food was in the fridge, but she ignored it. She had more important matters to attend to than her growling stomach. Like revealing to Jayce, who followed close behind, what exactly she was to the world.

Bringing the boy into the dojo, she closed the door behind them and showed him down the hallway that was her and her grandfather's home. Passing by his room quietly, she peeked in for a moment to see him sleeping soundly and shut the door again softly. Leading Jayce onward to her room, she let him in first before shutting the door behind her as she followed in.

He looked around, eyes wide as he scanned the area and bed. Then, he turned to look at Yuriko. He still had a split lip from the fight earlier. "Why did you bring me here?"

She stayed quiet, glancing at the floor before coming forward to the bed. She dropped her satchel on it, then went over to her dresser silently. Pulling open the corresponding drawer, she pulled out the case – the one that said, For Emergencies Only. Placing it on the ground in front of Jayce, she opened it to reveal the outfit that she wore almost every other night. He looked down at it, then up at her again.

"So it's true," He breathed.

Yuriko nodded, taking the box over to her bed and setting it down before seating herself. "So now you know."

Jayce was silent for a long moment, before he finally said something. "Who else knows?"

"Nobody," She said softly, still not looking at him.

"Not even your grandfather?" He said in surprise, and she shook her head. "How long have you been doing this?"

"About a year, maybe more," Yuriko answered, looking down into the box.

"And she only became popular in the last three months when she fought the Yakuza," Jayce said slowly. "I can't believe you've been doing this by yourself for a year. Hells of a secret."

Yuriko didn't say anything at all as she sat there silently, Jayce staring at the floor. She found the complete silence rather awkward and uncomfortable, but she didn't know what else to say at the moment. Finally, when she was about to stand up and tell Jayce it was time to go, he raised his head to her sharply and grit his teeth.

"Do you want help?" He asked.

She looked up, shock covering her face. "Excuse me?"

"With the way you organise all this," Jayce explained. "I'm sure it's hard doing it on your own."

"No, I-" Yuriko stopped, then shook her head as she stood and walked over to him. "This will be the last you see of me, Miller. I cannot have you be involved in all the things I do in this suit. I have to get far away from you – change schools, even. I will not let you be endangered by me-"

That's when she suddenly stopped, looking at the door, then the case. Jayce followed her gaze both ways before she ran over to the bed and stood in front of the container, right before the door slid open. There in the archway stood her grandfather, cane in hand and dressed in sleep wear. His dull eyes travelled from Yuriko to Jayce, raising his eyebrows slightly. He didn't say anything, simply staring.

"Sorry, jiichan," Yuriko spoke up. "We did not mean to wake you."

He raised a hand to stop her from speaking further. "It is quite alright. Who is this spry young man?" He stepped into the room, hobbling towards him.

Jayce quickly gave a greeting bow, smiling down at him. "My name is Jayce Miller, ojiisan."

"And where did you get that injury, Miller?" He motioned to his lip.

"Oh," Glancing back at Yuriko, she grit her teeth at him. "Well, I had a run in with some bullies and… Yuriko helped me out."

"Did she?" He hummed, looking over to her with a sly smirk. But you still seem so tense.

"That is because…" Yuriko answered his thoughts carefully, glancing at Jayce. "He knows."

The boy glanced between them, as if slowly putting together what silent question he just hinted at. The grandfather straightened a little bit, looking at her with a deep breath before gazing at Jayce. "So you know," He spoke aloud. "Will you tell anyone?"

"No," He shook his head. "Because she has a secret of my own."

"Good," The old man nodded. "Then enjoy your time here. We have a guest bedroom if you need it. It has been forever since Yuriko had a friend over, and I mean that."

"Jiichan…" Yuriko said quietly.

"Yes, yes, you don't make friends," He waved her off. "But I would love to have you come out to dinner with us sometime, to get to know you better. Say, next Saturday?"

Jayce glanced at Yuriko, then smiled. "I would love that. What time?"

They discussed for a short moment where and when, making Yuriko sigh. Other than that, he smiled at Yuriko and turned around, hobbling once more to the bedroom door. "Goodnight, Yuriko. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."

"Goodnight, jiichan," Yuriko called after him.

Then, he shut the door behind him, leaving the two alone once more. Yuriko let out a gasp of relief, looking back at the box. She put the lid back on, carrying it over to the dresser and placing it back into the corresponding spot. She really couldn't leave it out for even a moment. Jayce watched her, frowning.

"Why do you keep it from him?" He asked finally.

"Because he would also be endangered – but I think you have asked enough," She said over her shoulder, closing the drawer and opening another that contained a pill. "It is time for my questions. For instance, why did you accept a dinner invitation when I specifically told you this would be the last you see of me?"

"Because," Jayce crossed his arms. "Now you have to accept me."

"Accept you?" Yuriko looked back at him as she swallowed her pill dry and placed it in the drawer again.

"As your sidekick," He grinned.

She stared at him, and he continued to smile. "No," Was her strong answer.

"Why not?" Jayce let his arms fall back down to his sides.

"Because you don't know how to fight, you barely speak Japanese, you're easily recognisable – not many Americans live in Japan – plus you getting hurt would be entirely my fault. I will not have that on my conscience, Miller," Yuriko ranted all that within a ten second span.

He stared at her for a few seconds, squinting, before he sighed. "Fine. Can you at least promise me one thing?"

She glowered at him. "What?"

"Don't transfer schools," Jayce said.

Yuriko sighed. "That is not an option. Not only do I have to get away from you, I need to get away from Matsuda. I cannot have him revealing my abilities."

"He doesn't even plan to do that until we've all graduated," Jayce argued.

"Every single student in that school will be suspected of having abilities like us," She growled.

"Then it's already too late," He explained. "You've been filed in as a transfer student, they will suspect you no matter what you do! Especially if you're there for two weeks and leave!" Jayce threw his arms up into the air, then back down by his sides again. Yuriko didn't look at him, grimacing at the floor. "One way or another, you'll have to accept that our powers are going to be known to the public one day, but maybe… maybe Wakizashi can still be kept as our secret."

"Wakizashi will always be my secret," She said softly.

"Yuriko," He said her name so soothingly that she looked up. "Sooner or later, you have to let someone in."

Yuriko stayed quiet for a moment. Then, uncrossed her arms and walked towards the door. "Let that be later." She sighed. "Come on, let's go find something to eat."

Jayce smiled, walking over to her. She could hear his thoughts clearly; This is a start, at least. A slow blink came from her, looking at the door for a moment before opening it and leading him down the hall. He had a couple things right – yes, powers would soon enough be known to the world, and yes, she was beginning to let him in.

Yet, she knew, Wakizashi would forever be only her secret to keep – if she played her cards correctly.