Chapter 2 : The Bully's little sister


When I woke up the sun hasn't rise yet but I already used to get up exactly at 5:30 A.M.

Slowly and as quiet as possible I folded my Futon and put it in the wardrobe, tried not to disturb the others from their deep slumber. I share my room with other six children, all younger than me.

I comb my hair and fixed my appearance at the small mirror on my studying table then dressess in my uniform.

I smiled a little when I saw their peaceful sleeping face before I exited the room.

"Ara~Good morning, Yui-chan. Early as usual." One of the sisters, Sister Lucia greeted me when I walked down the stair. She had her hand full with laundry.

"Good morning sister. I'm about to make breakfast for everyone." I said as I'm about to head to the kitchen.

"Do you need a hand?" I heard sister Lucia asked.

I turned at her and shakes my head. "No, I can do it myself. Thank you sister." The sister really kind, she already had a lot to do yet she still offered to help me.

I put on the apron before start cooking in the kitchen.

After I'm done cooking the rice in the rice cooker it'll take a while until the rice is done cooked. I prepared the other meals, I took a few ingredients out of the fridge and start to make breakfast.

Cutting a vegetables to small pieces and frying a mackarels.

I've finished made the breakfast just the right time. The other childrens already woken up and scrambled to the kitchen. They must've already smelled the meals. It come out nicely, I guess.

"Yui Nee-chan! Good morning! Are the breakfast done yet?" A younger boy ran toward me. "I'm already hungry!"

"Good morning." I greeted him back as I put the foods of the plates."Then, Matt, can you give me a hand? Take these plates and set it on the table."

"Yes!" Obediently he took two plates of dried fry mackarel and big plate of salad of sliced cabbages, lettuce and diced tomatoes.

"I want to help too!" A young girl chimed as she entered the kitchen.

"Then, Aiko can take these." I handed her two plates of fried egg and watched as she happily followed the older boy and set it on the table.

"Good Morning Yui-Nē." Another girl slightly older than both of them entered the kitchen. "What a nice smell, what we have for breakfast?"

"Good morning Carmen. It's fried mackarel and can you please bring these to the table?" I handed her a tray with small bowls of miso soup.

"All right." The redhead answered as she took the trey from my hand.

After all the food placed on the table and all the kids already come down stairs and took their own seat waiting for the head mistress to come. There are no rule that stated they need to wait for the head sister, I guess we just doing it because we respect her very much.

It's a small orphanage so the kids weren't that many. In a way we all are like one family in here.

"Good morning Yui." A gentle voice came from behind me and I turn around to find l elderly woman entered the kitchen. She's the head of the sister and the head mistress of the orphanage.

"Good morning head mistress. I've done prepare breakfast for everyone. Shall I make you some tea?" I offered.

"Thank you. It'll be nice to have some. I always like the tea you brewed." She said before she proceed to walk toward the table.

"Good morning head mistress!" all the kids chimed as they saw her took a seat at one of the chair.

"Now everyone, please eat to your heart content." She said and after everyone said 'Itadakimasu' loudly. She took her own share of breakfast.

I watched they begin to eat the breakfast I prepared. Seeing them heartily gulped down the meals I prepared make me very happy.

"Here your tea." I said after I done make the tea and placed it on the side of head mistress table.

After a small thank you from the head mistress. I take another empty seat myself and started eating my own share of breakfast.


Lunchbreak

Teacher's lounge

"Sorry for troubling you everytime, Hinamori. But, can you please bring the assignment to Kamishiro again?" Our homeroom teacher said as she handed me a map.

"Don't worry about it Sensei. I'm going to the hospital after school anyway." I said as I accepted the map.

"Well, technically I supposed to handed this over to her brother instead of you, but…" She placed a finger under her chin as if thinking it over. "He's a little…" She trailed of seems unable to find a right word to continue.

"I understand, please don't worry about it. Besides, Rio is my friend after all." I said, tried to convinced her.

"Ah… you're really close with her. Then I'll leave it to you."

After that I exited the teacher's lounge and make my way toward the cafeteria. For most student lunch break is time to rest and eat but for some it's a free time for dueling.

There already a lot of students starting their duel at the yard when I passess it. They seems to enjoying it a lot.

Even though I understand basic dueling rule and even have my own deck I'm not very good with it.

"Oi you hear that?! The first year, Takeda Tetsuo challenged Shark into duel!"

"Really?! Let's watch it!"

A couple of male students ran past me toward the yard. I turn toward the yard and notices a crowd of students were cheering over a duel.

Shark? If I'm not mistaken, that's Kamishiro-kun nickname…isn't?

Out of curiosity I decide to join in the crowds and watch the duel. They were in the middle of the duel when I arrived.

Takeda Tetsuo, the chubby first year wearing a red hat doesn't have any monster left on his field. And on the hologram screen on top of him shown his life point already reduced to 800.

While on Kamishiro-kun's field he already summoned his ace Xyz monster, Aero Shark. His life point are still 4000.

"Now, Aero Shark direct attack!" He ordered the monster and it swim toward the first year and attacked him, depleting the rest of his life point.

Takeda Tetsuo LP 800 - 0

The duel ended with the first year get blown by the impact of the Aero shark attack and landed on his back. I can only cast him a symphatetic look while the other around me snickered at his loss. Even beginner can see the huge difference between their level.

I saw Kamishiro-kun walked toward the poor guy with two second year that I assumed was his friend since they always followed him around. Kamishiro-kun bent down and picked the first year scattered cards.

"As the deal, your deck belong to me now!" He said as he took the whole deck from Takeda's D-pad. Since when did Kamishiro-kun start taking people deck away?

The first year can't come up with anything, he only stayed silent and glance down in frustation at his loss.

"What do you think you're doing with Tetsuo deck?!" Another first year yelling as he charged toward them. He seems really pissed, so I assumed they're Takeda's friend.

"Ah? who might you be?" Kamishiro-kun sounds irritated at his sudden interuption.

"I'm Tsukumo Yūma! This guy's classmate!" The first year introduce himself.

Kamishiro-kun only sneered wickedly at the first years.

Kamishiro-kun's friends walked closer toward him then one of them said "You obviously got no clue who is it you're talking to!"

"I know, alright." The first year nodded. "I've heard he's quite notorious around the school, Shark!"

"This is my reward for beating him." Kamishiro-kun stated."You see, we already made a bet before the duel that whoever win may claim the loser's deck."

"Why would you do something like that?!"

"I have no choice! These guys said I'm a poser duelist with no talent and that I never get anywhere."

"Then, I'll just have to duel him and taking your deck back!" He challenged.

"Stupid! Shark-san is very skilled! He already participate in a tournament!"

"There's no way someone like you can defeat him!"

Tsukumo seemed annoyed by the second year's statement. "I know that!" He growled. "I also aiming to be Duel Champion!"

"Did you just say Duel Champion?" Kamishiro-kun eyes narrowed as he heard Tsukumo statement. "Do you know just how far one must go to be the duel champion?"

"Err…well…I don't quite…"

"Then don't talk so casually about it!" Kamishiro-kun suddenly snapped.

"If you want me to return this deck, you have to offer me whatever's most important to you in its place!"

"Most precious…to me…?" Tsukumo seems a little bit startled by the sudden outburst as he glance at the pendant dangling on his neck. Kamishiro-kun eyes followed his gaze and suddenly snatched the pendant.

"What do you think you're doing?!" Tsukumo about to lunged toward Kamishiro-kun but those two second years immediately seized him.

"This seems to be important to you. Shall I use this to teach you the true meaning of the word 'Value?'" Kamishiro-kun dropped the pendant to the ground.

"Only when you lose your precious something…" As he said it he stomped the pendant and break it in half made the three first years gasped at his cruelty. "You will realize it's worth!"

I covered my mouth with my hand. Kamishiro-kun is famous for his bad reputation even when Rio still around but it's not like him to do something like that!

Even though it happened right in front of me, I still hardly can't believe it.

Then he kicked the half pieces to the bushes down there. "Your most important thing is shattered now, it's nothing but history!"

"How dare you! That's dirty trick!" Tsukumo tried to attack Kamishiro-kun but Takeda quickly restrained him.

"I'll give you a chance to win back that guy deck. How about a duel? If you win I'll give this back but if you lose your deck is mine!" Kamishiro-kun offered a challenge that sounds more like a threat.

"This Sunday, at the plaza in front of the station. Don't you dare back down."

With that Kamishiro-kun left the first years. Tsukumo look at his broken pendant with heart-broken expression.


After School-in the evening

Room 404

"Good afternoon, are you coming to visit Kamishiro-san again today?" When I walked inside the room, a nurse welcomed me.

"Yes, sorry for intruding…" I said as I bowed my head a little. Should I come back later? I thought.

"It's no problem." She shakes her head. "Please wait a moment, I'm just checking her temperature. It's almost done." She had a pleasant smiled crossed her face.

"It's done, her condition is still normal." She said after done checking Rio pulse. Then her eyes seems sad as she look at Rio figure.

She still hasn't regain her conciousness but most of the bandages around her legs and arms already been taken off. Only her head still covered with a bandage. Still it's a heart-wrenching sight to view.

"I felt really sorry for her. It's a terrible accident and she is still so young…poor child, she must be so scared…" She said, her tone filled with sympathy.

"Now that I think about it, that boy that used to visit her a lot. Her brother not coming again today? You're going to the same school right, can't you invite him over to come sometimes? I haven't seen him in ages!" The nurse sounds worry as she turned toward me.

"Well…he is her brother and we're in the same class…but we're not that close." I mumbled quietly.

"Oh…I see…" She sounds disappointed.

"I…I can try to convince him!"

"Well, glad to hear that. Then, I got to go now, there's another patient I need to look." Said the nurse.

"Thank you very much." I manage to squeaked before she walked out the room. She turned and nod at me before stepped out of the room.

I turned my attention back at Rio. It's been a year since that devastated tragedy. She's been severely injured when rescued from a building on fire. No one know exactly the source of the fire even until now. Either way, it's really unfortunate accident.

"How are you today Rio? They already taking off most of the bandages, I see." I said as I trailed even though I know she can't hear me.

"Kamishiro-kun didn't come again today. Huh?" I said with slightly sad frown. I used to run at him in the hospital but he never come to visit again ever since he's been disqualified from the national tournament.

"You know…he done a terrible thing today. If only you were there, I'm sure you must be able to straightened him right away. He can never win in argument against you, after all." I let out a small bitter laugh.

"I know…I said that I'll try to convince him, but we never actuall spoke to each other in a long time." In the first year we still exchange greetings and hold a small talk sometimes but now he never even talk to me anymore.

Rio would probably be disappointed if she knows this. But even now I'm still intimidated by Kamishiro-kun presence. Though I don't dislike him, and I know deep down he's a good person. It's just I'm easily frightened. Though, now, he changed a lot from what he used to be in the past.

"I guess, it's because you not around anymore…" I can't hide the sad tone in my voice. Rio is an important friend to me.

It surprise me until now how we can become close friend despite the huge difference between us. Rio is strong, adamant and confident while I'm weak, meek and easily intimidated. She is also very popular among guys and admired by lot of girls as well, I wonder why she want to befriended someone as average as me?

I'm about to say another word when someone suddenly opened the sliding door.

Kamishiro-kun is standing on the entry way. He seems surprised to see me, and for a moment our gaze locked with each other then he scowled, turn around and close the door but not before briefly glance at his sister.

Did my presence bother him that much? A dreadful thought suddenly crossed my mind.

I decided to go after him before he leave the hospital. Thank goodness I manage to catch up to him. He was standing in the front of the elevator door.

"Please wait a moment!" I intercepted before he went inside the elevator.

He turned to see me. "What do you want?" I flinched a little at the cold tone he used.

"I-it's been awhile since you visit her, c-could you please stay a little longer? I would leave if you want some privacy…" I nervously stammered, tried my best to convince him.

"Don't need it." He said as he turned around and about to resume his steps when the lift door opened.

"Why did you do such awful thing earlier?" My question freeze him in his place. "That pendant…must be something very valuable to him…"

"If it something that precious, then he have to learn to take a good care of it!" He retaliate, sounds annoyed now.

"You mean like Rio to you?"

"It's none of your concern!" From the way he talk I immediately know I have crossed the line.

"S-sorry…" I muttered meekly afraid to angered him even more.

"You're annoying, mind your own business!" I flinched a little at his harsh tone and watch in silent as he entered the lift and close the automatic door.


The Next day

I decided to come to school early tomorrow morning. I determined to find that pendant. Even though I know it won't do any good to Kamishiro-kun already damaged reputation to those first years's eyes but at the very least I can help them by finding the other half of the broken pendant and apologize properly for Kamishiro-kun behalf.

I can do at least that much for Rio. I thought as I entered the school yard.

When I arrive there I saw Takeda sneaking around the bushes. From the dirt on his uniform, he must have been here for awhile looking for the other half of that pendant.

"Good morning, you're Takeda Tetsuo isn't?"

"Good morning, ah…senpai, how'd you find out my name?"

"I watched your duel yesterday."

"Ah…that's pretty lame of me…" He said and rubbed the back of his head with dejected look.

"No," I shakes my head and smiling tried to reassure him. "I think it's amazing that you give your all in that duel."

"Is that so?" He chuckled seems a little embarassed by my comment.

"Are you here to find Tsukumo pendant?" I asked even though it was pretty obvious.

He nodded. "Well, I'm the reason Shark broke his pendant and involved him in this mess. He might be stupid and annoying at times but Yūma is a good friend of mine."

"I'll help you look for it." I said, offering my help. That's the only reason I come to school early today after all.

"Eh? You don't have to…"

"We are not close but Kamishiro-kun…I mean Shark is my best friend's brother."

"He had a sibling?" Takeda raised his eyebrow, seems genuinely surprise.

I nod softly. "Yes, that's why I want to help even it just a little." I said, I really want to help and he must have notice as well as he let me crouching down and help him finding that piece of pendant in the bushes.

We were searching the pendant for quite a while until it almost the time for first period to start that we finally found it. Stuck in some tall grass around the bushes. No wonder it was hard to spotted.

"Here." I handed Takeda the pieces of the pendant.

"Thank you, senpai." He smiled wide as he accept the piece.

"About the duel in Sunday…" I muttered with worry.

Takeda must have notice my uneasyness as he tried to encourage. "Knowing Yūma there's no way he would back down from the duel! But I'll be there cheering the whole time!"

"That's the least I can do…" Takeda then look down as his expression turned grim.

"Takeda…you really a good friend." I said complimented him. I genuinely mean it, he is a good friend.

He sheepishly rubbed his neck at the statement and quickly change the subject to hide his embarassment. "Ah! Let's get back to our classes, the first period is about to begin."

I nod then said. "Umm, see you later." Before parting way with him and went to my class.


End of chapter 2


A/N :

I know there are no duel scene in these two chapters yet for my characters and considering the difference between Akane and Yui's level as duelist and their role in the story, Akane got much more dueling scene than Yui.

Thank you very much for everyone that has read my story this far.

Especially for yu.65.104 for following and fav this story. Thank you very much, I'll try my best to continue the story from now on.