Sometimes Akari wishes she had a normal younger brother, one who went out late with friends to parties instead of breaking curfew to save the world. At least then she would be able to get irritated at him for going against the rules, not terrified that she'll never see Yuma again. After the events of three years ago, she's no longer able to say that bills are what keeps her up every night long after what's left of her family has fallen asleep.
("The Barian Invasion," Yuma once told her as if being invaded by aliens was a typical occurrence. "They're good now, so you don't have to worry. It was just a misunderstanding." Akari can't fathom how a misunderstanding could ever result in the destruction that took place those few hours.)
And then Astral happened, a being that Akari isn't even able to see, much less communicate with, and yet again she risks losing her little brother. Yuma called it overlaying and explained it as when two souls merged together to create a new, better, soul.
("It won't be forever," Yuma promises, his eyes glancing at something invisible to his left. "And, I won't really be gone. Zexal is partly me, and you can talk to Zexal whenever you want." Akari hears this and wonders if she can really believe him.)
Zexal is not Yuma. The dictations are obvious, plainer to see than Akari realized, yet at the same time, there are moments when Yuma shines through as bright as the sun, moments when Zexal's smile is Yuma's smile.
("Akari, can we have duel lunch again?" Zexal asks, already pulling out the rice cooker.
"Zexal, duel lunch is for lunch, not dinner" Akari sighs as Zexal's face falls. "But I suppose we can make an exception this one timeā¦" When Zexal cheers, Akari can't bring herself to feel irritated at them. Even if they're not entirely human, they're still an overexcited child.)
Sometimes Akari wishes she had a normal younger brother, but that doesn't prevent her from loving Zexal, her new little sibling.
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