"Thanks," Keiko said. She was startled to find that Eight had thrown her arms around her in an embrace.

Then Eight realized what she did. "Oh, sorry," She said, letting go. Both of them blushed.

"How old are you, Misuno?" Niika asked as the other three walked up behind Eight and Keiko.

"Seventeen," Misuno said. "Why?"

"Comparing ages," Niika said. "Me and Keiko are both nineteen, and Ryo is also seventeen. How old are you, Eight?"

"Um. . ." Eight said. "I'm pretty sure I'm nineteen, but I'm not sure."

"Do you have your CQ-80 card?" Misuno asked. "It says your age on it somewhere."

"It does?" Eight asked. She pulled out the card and checked it. Sure enough, in tiny letters and numbers, it said 'Age: 19'. "So, yeah, I'm nineteen."

"Nice," Niika said. "Ash just turned twenty, and Rider will in three weeks."

"You talking 'bout me?" Ash said, walking toward the group.

"We were just comparing ages amongst ourselves," Niika said. "And I brought you up. How's your eye?"

"Not any better," Ash said. "It hasn't gotten any worse, though, thankfully."

"Show me," Niika said.

"No," Ash responded.

"Show me."

"Nope."

"Come on."

"I said no."

"I just want to see it!" Niika shouted. "I'm worried about you."

Ash stayed silent, looking into Niika's eye. "Fiiiiiine," He relented, shifting the fabric covering his eye, intending for only Niika to see, but Eight managed to catch a glimpse.

The whites of the eyes were a blue so dark it was almost black, with the iris an almost white blue. And cutting across it was a line of gray, which lined up with the marks of a cut that were on the outside of the eye.

"You were lying," Niika said. "You've gotten a little worse." Ash looked away, embarrassed.

"Sorry," He said. Then someone's phone rang.

It was Keiko's. She pulled it out. "Hello? Oh, hi Marie. Uh-huh. . . Yeah, I'm with them.  . . .  Sure!" Se put the phone away.

"Marie called," she said. "We need to go."

"I'm sitting this one out," Ash said. "You guys go."

"You sure?" Niika asked.

"Yep," Ash said.

"Okay then. Eight, you wanna come?" Niika asked.

"Yeah," Eight said.

"Kay, then off to Octo Canyon!" Keiko said.