KS: Yeah... so this happened. Don't have much to say about it except... enjoy the fic. Also, the song is by Levar Allen, so go ahead and look him up on YouTube.
Kiri was laying down in his bed in the hospital, thinking to himself. The influence of the Dark Core has left him thanks to Gao, and is back to normal… sort of. Even though the the dark object no longer has a hold on him, he still had this tense aura around him. But beneath that aura was an old feeling that still lingered within Kiri. And that feeling was doubt. When he came in possession of the Dark Core, he felt like he could beat anyone that stood before him. But now, ever since it was destroyed, the confidence that came with it slowly faded away. And now, Kiri was practically back to square one. Back to his old, doubtful self.
"Why did this have to happen?" Kiri sighed. "I felt so powerful when I had the Dark Core, and that it's gone… oh, I don't even know anymore."
Kiri moved onto his side, facing the window while sighing heavily.
"But then again, there was that time when I was taking away buddy monsters and Core Gadgets from fighters as the Grim Reaper. Not really proud of that, to be honest.
He then shifted to the other side, now facing the door.
"To think, if Gao hadn't stepped in like he did, I could've taken the buddy of everyone I know: Tetsuya, Kazane, Jin, Suguha… ugh, I don't want to think about it anymore."
He finally moved on his back, facing the ceiling once more.
"But, if he didn't step in, and if I did take their buddies… I'd doubt they'd forgive me afterwards."
"But the real question is: could you forgive yourself for doing so?"
Kiri sat up quickly and looked around for whoever spoke to him. He turn to the door which was now halfway opened to reveal a white-haired, blue-eyed ice maiden poking her head in.
"Sofia," Kiri said bitterly.
"I deserve how you greet me, and I don't plan to make any excuses for what I tried to do to you," she started, walking in the room and closing the door behind her. "But at least let me talk to you for a moment."
Kiri glared at her. When Rouga took him to Sengoku, she shortly appeared and nearly succeeded in tempting him to use the Dark Core to make him stronger, but his conscious forbid him from doing so. However, after he lost to Kazane with his new Legend World deck, Davide oh-so-conviently showed up and gave him the Dark Core. To be honest with himself, Kiri contemplated on using the thing since Sofia introduced him to it, so he couldn't help but feel like what happened to him was partially her fault. Granted, it was his own fault for contemplating using the thing, let alone using it in general, but if she didn't introduce it to him, maybe thing would've been different.
"What do you want to talk about? You're not exactly my favourite person at the moment."
"I understand. You have every right to resent me, but I just want to talk to you."
Kiri eyed the basket she was holding.
"What's in there?"
"Oh, this?" Sofia said, gesturing to the basket she held. "Just some soup and some sweets I made. No big deal."
"Are those sweets supposed to make me forgive you right off the bat?"
Sofia cast an annoyed glare at him. "Do you really think I'm that shallow?"
"Do you really want me to answer that question?" Kiri countered.
"…Touchè."
Sofia walked towards Kiri and placed the basked on a small desk next to him. She reached into it and pulled out a thermos along with a bag of takoyaki.
"You made takoyaki?"
"Does that surprise you?"
"A little bit."
Sofia poured out some soup in a cup and gave it to Kiri. He warily took the cup out of her hand and drank it. When he finished, a small smile crept up on his face.
"It's really good."
"Really?" Sofia asked hopefully. "You think so?"
Kiri nodded. "It's thick, yet it's smooth at the same time. A little spicy, though."
"I thought it could use some kind of kick to it," Sofia muttered, looking away and blushing lightly.
"Didn't you want to talk to me?"
"Huh? Oh, right." Sofia regained her senses and faced Kiri with an apologetic look, which was very rare for the normally stoic girl.
"Kiri, I just wanted to apologize for tempting you into using the Dark Core. Maybe if I didn't show up beforehand, you wouldn't change your mind when Davide offered it to you."
"I accept your apology," Kiri started, before glaring at her. "But that doesn't mean I forgive you."
"I know, and I don't expect you to right away, or ever. But if you would allow me to do so, I could give you pointers on how to use Legend World to put the odds in your favor. I'll even play against you to see how far you've advanced."
Kiri stared at her with widened eyes. "You'd really do that for me?"
Sofia nodded with a heartwarming smile. "Of course I would."
"Thanks, Sofia. I really appreciate it."
"Oh, one more thing." She reached into her pocket and pulled her phone out, along with a pair of earbuds. "I want you to hear this song I've been listening to."
Kiri raised an eyebrow. "How come?"
"I downloaded it a few weeks ago and for some reason, it reminded me of you."
"Why would a song remind you of-"
"Just listen to it, will you."
Kiri shrugged and inserted the earbuds and took her phone. He scrolled through the music list to see what song she is refering to.
"So, what's the song I'm looking for?" he asked.
"It's called 'My Year'," Sofia answered.
"Sounds interesting. I'll try it out."
Kiri played the song and instantly amazed by it. The rhythm was upbeat, but a little somber at the same time. And his heart fluttered when he heard the lyrics.
Always abused, always being taunted
All I hear are boos like everywhere's haunted
A bit of respect is all I really wanted
And maybe a mansion to flaunt it
Should be throwing tantrums, but I'm calm
Calm like a Bob-Omb
Bro pass the baton. No?
Sleeping on me like a futon
Been living other people's dreams
Time to move on
Can't breathe under this regime
Need a fresh heir
Imma get there
But right now they don't know me
Or they treat me like a Yoshi
Everybody loves Raymond
I'm the other Barone
So low-key, my whole life is baritone
So Loki, but I can handle a hammer, bro
The reaction to my passion is always laughing
And a list of the hero traits that I'm lacking
Kiri began to see the message in the song. One person is being overshadowed by another person for their heroics, while he is mocked for just attempting to be a hero. That was almost similar to Kiri's situation, except he kept losing all the time.
Everything that I do
It's never enough
Never
Go harder the next time
Be smarter the next time
You haven't seen my best, I'm
Still learning
The fire in me is still burning
Not backing down, I'm right here
I'm right here
Living like every year's my year
Every year's my year
Even when the dark skies won't clear
I'll be right here
Living like every year's my year
Every year's my year
The life of a sidekick
I'm kicked when I'm down
And I'm kicked when I win
I wince from the pain
But I get up again
It's all just a game
Even when the game's on a tennis court
I get zero love
Sight's set on above
But I only get to fly as a wingman
I've got the heart, no tin man
I'd be lyin' if I said
That I always have the courage
And I never get discouraged
But I do it for my team
One time for the underdogs
Every Tails and every Diddy Kong
Conquer the odds
Never satisfied as player two
Conquer the boss
Death stare lets you know I'm not playing
Death Star, if the world's in my way
But the world just ignores me
Don't need all the glory
Or for y'all to adore me
Just want to be more than a character
In someone else's story
Kiri felt like that last part got to him. He didn't want to be some shy kid lurking around in the shadows. He wanted to prove that he could be a capable buddyfighter. He just never had the courage to do so. Up until now, that is.
Everything that I do
It's never enough
Never
Go harder the next time
Be smarter the next time
You haven't seen my best, I'm
Still learning
The fire in me is still burning
Not backing down, I'm right here
I'm right here
Living like every year's my year
Every year's my year
Even when the dark skies won't clear
I'll be right here
Living like every year's my year
Every year's my year
Hearing the song right to the end, Kiri felt he could do anything. Even without the Dark Core, he could still try to be the best fighter he could be. And as soon as he got discharged from the hospital, he will do just that.
"That was a great song, Sofia," he said, taking the earbuds out. "Thank you for sharing it with me."
"You're welcome," she replied, smiling brightly.
"Now, about that takoyaki…" He turned to the desk where the takoyaki layed. Or, where it used to lay.
"Where did it go?"
Kiri looked around for the item until he found it… right in Sofia's hands.
"I thought you were going to share those?"
Sofia smiled micheviously. "I am. And I'm going to." She took one out of the bag and placed it between her lips. Kiri found out what she was getting blushed.
"You really want to do this?" he asked.
Sofia nodded. Kiri leaned in to take the takoyaki from Sofia's mouth, only to get pulled into a gentlekiss by the latter. They split the takoyaki in half with their teeth and continued kissing. After a few minutes have passed, their lips seperated and the two were blushing lightly.
"That was amazing," Sofia whispered.
"Was it your first kiss too?" Kiri asked.
"Yes. And it was wonderful."
They kissed again, only this time it for longer. Kiri pulled Sofia in by her waist so he could kiss her deeper. When they seperated, they were blushing heavier than before.
"That was even better," Kiri said, breathing heavily.
"I know," Sofia replied. "I've got to get going now."
"Aw, so soon?"
"Don't worry, when you get discharged, I'll find you."
Sofia walked towards the door and opened it, but turned around and gave Kiri her biggest and most brightest smile.
"And I can still teach you how to use Legend World more efficiently. If you want me to."
With that, she walked out of the room, leaving Kiri with a new thought.
"Maybe I will take her up on her offer."
KS: I secretly ship those two together. Well, up until now.
