"I'm sorry if Miguel bothered you" I said to my roommate.

"Do not worry, I am sure he was just being nice" she smiled.

Nice isn't the exact word… I thought. I looked around; the room was pretty simple. Two identical beds separated by a small table with a light and a phone, a restroom, a closet, a TV and a fridge; just like a hotel. I saw that one of the beds was already open, so I went to the other one, next to the window. I could see a forest bathed in twilight, as it was only 8pm.

I left my suitcase on the floor and sat on my bed. Quite comfortable, not bad for a country house or whatever this place was. I looked across to see Alisa stroking ChooChoo. Miguel was right; she was a pretty robot. I mean the bicolor hair and the chainsaws coming out of her body from time to time were a bit freaky, but she looked so genuine and human. Of course, her body was perfect. Life would be much easier being her: no showering to keep clean, no hair styling or root dying (not that I dye my hair, I'm a natural blond), no need for make-up etc. And although she looks very real, I'm pretty sure she can't feel pain. I don't know about other feelings.

"Your cat is very pretty" she said "does it talk and fight too?"

I laughed "no, no, I'm afraid she's a normal cat"

I thought about the animal fighters: Panda the panda (duh), Kuma the bear, and Roger the kangaroo. Someone told me there was once a dinosaur named Alex, but I'm not sure if I should believe that…

I sighed.

"I wanted a pet, but Lars will not let me have one… yet"

My eyes opened up "Lars?"

Lars Alexandersson was a Swedish guy who was new to the tournament. I had to fight against him and all I can say is… ouch. Rumor has it that he's related to Jin's family, but what was more important: he lives with Alisa? Are they dating? Can you date a robot? Is that even legal?

I was about to ask her about it when someone knocked on our door. I stood up and walked to open it, to see Steve.

"Miguel wants us to go to his room to check something out"

"What?"

"He didn't say, but we better go"

"Sure, hold on" I turned around "Alisa, if you go to dinner can you make sure Choo Choo eats a little first? Her food is in the left exterior pocket of my suitcase"

"I will!"

"Ok then!" I went out and followed Steve to Miguels' room.

The Spaniard greeted us in shirtless, wearing yellow boxers and with a red bandana tied around his head. I could tell he had just applied his super-strong-manly-man cologne. Sure, he was hot and smelled good, but still…

I looked at him again. Ew.

"Please put some clothes on" Steve started.

He shushed us and signaled for us to go in. We followed him to the bathroom door. It seemed like Dragunov was taking a shower.

I blushed at the thought "What- What are we doing?"

"Shhh! Listen!"

We listened. Water running, hitting the shower bottom and maybe the floor. But then a faint sound.

"Singing?" Steve said "Sergei Dragunov is singing" he couldn't believe it.

I paid more attention. I wanted to know what his voice sounded like. Though with the sound of the water, it looked like a whisper. I was able to figure it out nevertheless.

"oh… down beside that red fire light,

Are… you gonna let it all hang out"

A pause. Oh my gosh, his voice was… weird. It was if like he had smoked two billion cigarettes, but he still sounded sexy. I mean, good.

"fat bottomed girls… you make the rocking world… go round"

Miguel tried to hold his laughter. We all turned and gathered like a sports team planning before the second part of a game.

"Why would he sing that song?" Steve's face was priceless. He looked like a teenage girl complaining about a test.

"I don't know, but at least we know he's not mute"

"How long has he been in there?" I asked.

They both looked at me "I-I'm just curious" I blushed a bit. Again. Since when did this happen to me?

"A long while"

"Why so?" Steve asked.

"Well, he must be like you. I mean, putting half a bottle of grease in his hair to keep it out of his face. Instead of cutting it out, like normal men"

"It's NOT grease, it's styling gel! And I DON'T use half a bottle"

"Hey don't tell me, you can join Dragunov and have a very interesting conversation about styling your hair for two hours every morning, like a girl"

"Um, as opposed to YOU! You don't even own a hair brush, don't you!"

"Don't need it" Miguel ran his fingers through his hair. His fingers got stuck "Whatever. I still look good"

"No. Plus, you have permanent five o'clock shadow"

"You're jealous because you're a baby and can't grow facial hair"

"Ok. ONE: I'm only a few years younger than you. TWO: I shave because I don't do the monkey look. And THREE: At least I'm not a drunk"

"I happen to have a REASON to drink! My sister was killed, remember?"

"And I'm deeply sorry because of that, but I'm pretty sure there's other ways to feel better than pouring a bottle of wine down your throat!"

"Actually I drink tequila now"

"Which is worse"

"You don't even have the age to drink"

"I DO!"

I decided to say something before the conversation got serious, but before I could, I noticed the silence. We all noticed. The shower wasn't on anymore. And the door had just opened behind us. The three of us turned our heads at the same time.

There he was. Sergei Dragunov was shirtless. Actually, he was clotheless. He had a towel wrapped below his belly button, and in his hands he had a smaller towel, using it to dry his hair.

This guy was virtually naked, and somehow he still managed to be intimidating (unlike Miguel). There wasn't any steam coming from his body, so we all assumed that-

"Dude you take cold showers?" Miguel asked. He was still trying to pull his fingers out from his hair.

"Aaaawkwaaaarrd" Steve whispered into my ear. I nodded slightly, hoping Dragunov wouldn't notice me. I'm pretty sure I looked like a goldfish.

He raised an eyebrow, but showed no emotion.

"Who wants dinner?" I asked out loud, trying to escape the situation.

"Let's go!" The guys said at the same time. Miguel managed to finally release his fingers, and the three of us ran towards the elevator.

We ran across Julia Chang, who pointed out the obvious.

"Miguel you might want to put some clothes on before you go down to eat"

Oh yeah, Miguel was practically naked. Totally forgot. I yelled thanks to Julia.

"She's right. Steve can lend you some clothes, right?"

"Sure, let's go to my room" we walked a few doors behind.

As we went in, King was going out.

"Do you eat with that mask too?" Miguel asked. King growled at him and went to the elevator.

We focused on looking for something of Miguel's taste, but it was a bit difficult.

"Do you have anything except boxing clothes?"

"I have jeans"

"But I want something comfortable!"

"I have sweatpants"

"In summer? I don't think so, buddy"

"Well there's only my pajamas left then"

"Man you wear pajamas?"

"Of course. How do you sleep?"

Miguel pointed his right hand at himself "Like this" he opened his eyes as if it was an obvious answer.

"Whatever, just take them and give them back to me before lights out. Don't mess them up" he got them from beneath his pillow and tossed them to Miguel. He unfolded the pajamas: a British flag theme.

"You know what? I'm going back to my room. You two can pick a table and I'll catch up"

"Ok, but what's wrong with my pajamas?"

"Do I look British?"

"God, no"

"There's your answer. I feel better with my own clothes on!"

"See you later!" I said. I grabbed Steve and walked to the elevator. We had to run to get it in time, though I wish we hadn't.

Dragunov was in the elevator. He was wearing a sleeveless baggy shirt and sweatpants. Still looked intimidating. Maybe it was his eyes? Because his hair wasn't pulled back at all. He was sporting a "Miguel" look.

Steve got in the elevator with him "Hey…um… sorry about before, you know, we like to goof around but it's nothing personal! Hehe"

No response.

I was still outside, probably staring at Dragunov. I only snapped out of it when Steve pulled me inside. They both had very broad bodies, so I was kind of squashed between them; we were a rather odd sandwich.

The twenty seconds it took us to go down two floors seemed like eternity, and when we got to the dining hall floor we let Dragunov leave first.

Steve looked at me.

"Why are you red?"

"I'm not! am I?"

"Oh. My. God"

"What?"

"You like him"

"I don't know what you're talking about"

"You'll have to admit it. Sooner or later"

I had to stop this. Actually, I had to avoid this from starting. Boys gossip as much as girls do. That is a fact.

"Oh look! Cheese!"

"Fine, Emili, have it your way!" he raised his hands.

"You know I prefer Lili"

We went inside and sat with Marshall Law, Lee Chaolan and Paul Phoenix.

Steve chose the table.