Did you guys know September is gx month? And today is Judai's birthday! Happy birthday my precious summer child. Glad I managed to finish this chapter in time, I'm sorry for the long wait!
I said I wouldn't update until I finished rewatching gx and I lied because I've been on like episode 2 since like decemeber... lmao, it's just I tried watching it the original japanese (funfact, aside from season 4 and some of season 3 I've never seen the subbed version) but I find it hard to watch subbed anime because I'm easily distracted. As for why I use the Japanese names, they just seemed more popular? A bunch of the fics and blogs I follow use those, also it also gives Haou something that actually sounds like a name lol
So I'm going to watch the dub, any inconsistencies you may see are due to that but hopefully I'll actually get through it this time (though with uni starting up again + my job we can only hope)
Anyways here's chapter 3 which covers episode 1 and counts as yet another transitional chapter, this story has a very slow pace but it's not really meant to go too fast, espeically at the beginning
And Begin Anew
A duel academy.
Haou would be inclined to say they are training their students to be future warriors, to die for the crown –but there's none of that in this time. Instead, it is simply a place of learning, to have 'fun' as Judai keeps so excitedly repeating ever since he found about it.
Which was ages ago.
He'd be irritated about the never-ending cycle of conversation Judai has been going through but he can't deny that a part of him is excited as well. Finally a chance to leave this home and substandard parents, all that on top of learning he cared about instead of reading some godforsaken book and then writing inane nonsense about it.
Resting a hand on his desk – feeling the spirits warmth through it – he turns his attention back to his brother who is telling his classmates once again about how come next school year he'll be at one of the most prestigious Duel Academy's in the world.
Anyone is free to apply but out of the hundreds –or thousands, Haou can only listen to Judai ramble for so long – that apply only a fraction actually get in. Of course no one in their class has any doubts Judai will get in considering he has gone virtually undefeated as of late.
Haou rolls his eyes and turns his attention away from his brothers antics and towards Yubel, who is giving him a disappointed glare.
"I don't understand how he can talk to them after what they did –how they acted." She says with a scowl, and he refrains from mentioning that part of the blame falls to her and Judai bears no ill will to her.
After all, a part of him agrees and he cannot help but see Judai's kindness and tendency to forgive as something that will eventually leave him hurting.
Oh well, Haou has more than enough power at his disposal to deal more than double the pain back at whoever is foolish to do so. No one harms what is his and his alone.
A couple kids shiver, Haou grins.
-o-
The day of the test arrives and Haou makes sure to arrive early – he wants to get this over with dealing with as few people as he can – and squashes down the idle thought of worry of if Judai will make it on time. Yubel will get him here; if not one his other spirits, he has absolutely no reason to be worried.
By the time he arrives they're still finishing setting up and only a handful of other kids are present who pay no mind to Haou, much too busy going through their decks and reviewing papers.
Squashing down the urge to scoff – paper and planning can only get you so far in the true heat of things – and walks over to what looks like the sign-in table. The girls at the table look up and begin to say something before stopping cold, eyes widening ever so slightly and mouths falling shut.
Haou does nothing, more than used to that kind of response from people and gives them a moment to look less startled. "Haou Yuki," he says, and bites down the grimace that shows up whenever he uses the surname.
The one on the left blinks at him, before looking down at the computer and beginning to type, while the girl on the right just continues to stare. He stares right back, narrowing his eyes slightly in a way that usually frightens people but seems to have no effect on the girl sitting before him.
"Nice eyes," she finally says as the other girl hands him a slip of paper with a number on it. Haou deigns neither of them a response as he turns away, and wishes ever so slightly he had dragged his other here with him instead of letting him sleep.
The people at this school are odd, outside of the norm of reactions he is used to. He does not like it one bit.
He wins his duel of course, it is laughably easy to beat his so called instructor. Perhaps it was foolish of him to expect better, but he's certain some of those frivolous kids at school could have beaten that man.
So much for an elite Duel Academy with actually challenging opponents.
-o-
"Ah, you're–"
A smile, a hand outstretched.
"Take it, it's yours."
A bewildered expression, and a laugh.
"A protector, well another."
"Thanks," though he's already gone. "Welcome aboard partner," and the soft cry of a new friend fills the air.
-o-
While getting there early meant he didn't have to deal with many people watching him duel, or being present at all, it didn't mean he could leave early. Which meant he was stuck here as the building got more and more crowded, masses of children filling the stands. Ignoring them he focuses instead of the duels before him, ranging from mildly interesting to objectively awful.
Eventually even that grows too tiresome and instead he closes his eyes to rest, it's not as if he'll be missing much of anything.
"Haou-nii," he hears and even half asleep knows to lean away from the approaching voice. He opens his eyes just in time to hear a thud and ignores that and the heads whipping in their direction to glance up at the clock.
A little over an hour left until the examination period is over, Judai is late, but at least not too late.
Yubel appears over Judai's groaning form, lips twisted in disapproval and eyes dulled with resignation, Haou sniffs.
"You did your best," he comments idly and she sighs, "he's here with time to spare."
"Nii-san," Judai repeats, this time successfully draping himself over Haou's lap and grinning up at him, "did ya win?"
Glaring at the other participants still staring he runs a hand once through Judai's hair before brusquely shoving him off, who just laughs before taking a seat beside him. In lieu of answering him he stares at him coldly which gets the foreseen response of laughter. Resisting the urge to sigh, he looks over at the duels proceeding instead, why Judai seems to enjoy staring animosity and annoyance in the face with oblivious laughter will forever be a mystery to him.
"I know, I know, 'no idiotic questions'." Judai laughs, pulling his face into a rather poor – considering they share the same one – imitation of his own. "Congrats though, bet they didn't see it coming."
Haou inclines his head in acknowledgement but offers no response aside from that, instead turning to see whose gaze it is he can still feel on him.
A boy, who has to be Judai's age yet looks so small dwarfed even further by a mass of sky blue hair sits two rows behind them with an expression on his face Haou can't seem to decipher.
"What?" He snarls gratified by the instinctive flinch the smaller boy gives.
"Huh," Judai says, and then follows Haou's gaze, "Oh! Nice to meet you, name's Judai and this is my older brother Haou."
The boy continues to stare, looking between them as if trying to grasp something and Judai's grin widens, elbowing Haou lightly in the side.
"Hey," he says at length, managing to keep the scowl off his face.
Something in the exchange seems to be what he was looking for because he blinks, finally seeming to come out of whatever was going on with him before smiling nervously.
"You guys sure are close huh," and it's then Haou places the look as longing and it sets him on edge. A feeling too close and too intimate and Haou wants to be nowhere near it. Judai, of course, either too oblivious or too knowing – sometimes Haou just can't tell the difference, if Judai knows the difference – leans forward to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Of course, we're two halves of the same soul," eyes serious for a moment before dissolving into laughter, "but yeah we're pretty close."
"Well, I'm Sho –Sho Marufuji," The boy – Sho – replies, apparently ignoring Judai's words entirely.
Judai's face lights up but whatever he meant to say is drowned out by the announcement for him to report to the arena for his duel.
"Finally," Judai says, practically flipping out of his seat and beginning to make his way down, "talk to you later Sho!" He calls back and flashes a grin over at Haou.
A brown ball of winged fluff appears next to him and Haou hums, now when did Judai get a new card in his deck.
-o-
Haou tunes out most of the duel, Judai's opponent much to annoying for his tastes. The man spends the first 5 minutes explaining how grand he is, and how this is last duel of the day he thinks he'll give everyone a show –of course don't worry, he said, you'll be marked on a different scheme we can't expect you to win against me.
Haou had wanted to ring his neck for daring to imply his Judai inferior to this idiot – and from his seat could see Yubel hissing what was likely the same – but Judai had of course only laughed and wished the man a good duel.
And he stops paying attention right around then, Judai's victory is a foregone conclusion and Haou has no interest in seeing a grown man's tantrum when he inevitably loses.
He'd probably have fallen asleep if it wasn't for Sho's unending commentary on the matter. He hadn't even quieted at Haou's glare, voice pitching up for a moment before continuing his diatribe. It's almost impressive.
Except, then the supposed pro's shrill voice rings through the stadium, "And what exactly is that useless ball of fluff supposed to do –have you finally given up?"
And Haou can't help it, he laughs, as if his fate hadn't been sealed already.
Instantly Sho's eyes dart to him, eyes wide in alarm, "How can you laugh; your brother's just summoned a basically worthless monster."
Haou glances back, eyes narrowed in distaste, "Don't let Judai hear you say something as moronic at that."
Sho laughs at that, high and halting with a hesitant smile, "but what could it possibly do to turn things around?"
"Just you wait and see," Haou replies, lips curling up into a sneer.
-o-
Just like Haou predicted Judai wins his duel, largely thanks to that new Winged Kuriboh of his, and just a he predicted that annoying man throws the most unsightly of tantrums. And while Sho cheers as if this is the greatest victory he has ever seen, Haou sighs, he can already see the trouble this will all bring.
At the very least, there is no way they can deny Judai entry now.
"Yubel and Neos said I did great so that means we get to celebrate," Judai hollers as he runs up to meet them, and Haou ignores Sho's bewildered look at the two names.
"All those who passed have to board now," Sho interjects, "congratulations on your win though, it was amazing," he continues, eyes practically sparkling.
Judai's expression shifts from dejected to enthused in a matter of seconds, shifting his gaze over to Sho. "Oh that was nothing, but I could have done it without my new partner Winged Kuriboh and all my other pals." The aforementioned duel spirit blinking into existence beside him.
Not caring for what Sho will most likely reply and then the following conversation he takes Judai by the hand and leads him away, they can talk more when they get to their destination.
"Oh fine, but we're totally celebrating when we get to the Academy."
-o-
Perhaps the world's worst invention was this idea of mechanical flight, so unnatural and unstable a notion it's a miracle they ever managed to succeed. Still, with no spirits to aid them any longer Haou isn't surprised they sought to find a new way to fly.
It does not make it any more bearable to be up in the air in one of these machines.
He sighs, leaning slightly towards the head Judai has inclined on his shoulder as he sleeps and closes his eyes as well. He might as well rest while he can, and it'll make this trip end even sooner.
It's been so long so I hope it didn't read too bad, we finally get to meet new characters though as opposed to just Haou, Judai, and Yubel all the time. I'm excited haha
Anyways, speaking of today being Judai's birthday I plan on writing a one-shot in this verse for it, taking place in some nebulous point in this au's future on their birthday. I would like to say it'll be up soon but aside from Saturday I'm busy for the rest of the week, but it'll be soon enough
And again, thanks for all the favs, alerts and reviews guys, I'm glad you guys are seeming to enjoy this story!
Have a happy gx month haha, till next time