I don't know when I first realized that I had fallen in love with Kai Toshiki. It seemed so long ago, yet it was in our present time. At first, it went from just being strangers, to acquaintances. Then to being team mates and friends. And, dare I say rivals? I think it was somewhere in there that I must have fell head over heels in love.

I watched as my damage zone accumulated. I was helpless to stop it when Kai was in this mode. His reversed mode. Each time I took damage on my vanguard seemed to reciprocate to my very own heart. Yet, whenever I managed to guard, I felt relief wash through me as I held onto my love for Kai.

"I will disappear as soon as that ring does as well. It's the only way I can atone for my sins. For reversing people." Kai said.

"Why, Kai-kun?" I barely whispered. My throat had been feeling constricted a lot lately. Why?

"There won't be anything left of value here." He stated coldly before he sent off his grade 3 attack, in an attempt to end the match.

"Leaving would only hurt me more! Kai-kun, I love you!" I sobbed as I managed to guard all of the attacks with the cards in my hand and a few intercepts.

"Aichi? How? When?" Kai sounded surprised.

"I am not sure how, but I did. For when, I realized it not too long ago. Before this fight. So, please, Kai-kun! Don't leave Earth!" I sobbed.

I sent off my final attack, hoping to change Kai back to normal. Which, I was able to win after I drew a critical trigger. With that, the match was over and the tables disappeared.

I walked over to Kai. "You became my rival in this card game. Side by side, we have fought. I became stronger for you, Kai-kun. Yet, you managed to steal my heart." I said with a smile.

"I love you too, Sendou Aichi. And have for a while now. I thought that I could let you go, but I was sure wrong. I'm never letting you go." Was all that was whispered in my ear as he embraced me. The ring continued to fall around us.