AN:/ Well, not much to say. I am still not studying lol. This chapter doesn't have much content I feel, it's more of a preparatory chapter? Anyway! Enjoy!

These days, Serena developed a twitch. Her right eyelid would erratically twitch at times. The doctor said that it was because the nerve signals to her eyelids were disrupted, maybe due to compression or an infection but it was nothing to worry about. Serena swore that it was the pressure of Yuri that somehow compressed her nerve, as illogical as it sounds, blaming everything on Yuri seemed just about right. Especially with that stunt he pulled the other day.

She needed a plan to retaliate.

It was just another sunny day and the bracelet girls decided to have a sleepover at Yuzu's place in Standard dimension. Serena was rather nervous as it was her first time having a sleepover, and the first time she would directly interact with all her counterparts. Although they were in Yuzu's body briefly, it was different talking face-to-face. She wasn't stupid, she knew that she was not as socially-able as the other girls. Her time in the academia might have something to do with her current level of social awareness. She just never found the need for tact and sensitivity that she was aware other girls stressed upon. Why go around in circles when you can go straight to the point?

Settling down in Yuzu's room, she noticed the stark differences. Yuzu's room was much "homier" than hers. With books and pictures around the room, a wardrobe full of clothes, Serena was honestly baffled by the sheer number of useless things that littered Yuzu's room. In her room, Serena only had the bare minimum and that was all she ever needed…and her recent addition of flowers. In her defence, it was just a waste to throw it when it can act as a natural air freshener (while denying the aesthetics and thought behind those flowers).

The night went relatively peaceful with Ruri, Rin and Yuzu talking about lives back in their own dimensions. Their lives seemed much more interesting than hers at least. For as long as she could remember it was simply waking up, training, eating, training and sleeping. An endless, monotonous cycle. As the girls were talking about their lives, they would always mention their Yu-boy counterpart. It was obvious that their Yu-boy counterparts played a big role in shaping their lives to be filled with as much joy and excitement.

Serena felt a twinge of jealousy at the thought of this. If the Professor did not interfere, would she and Yuri be so much more than what they were? Glancing at the smile that graced the other girls as they talked about their respective Yu-boy counterpart, Serena decided that the thought of being close to Yuri, might not be so bad after all.

She was definitely going to make that perverted, stuck-up jerk change his thoughts of her and she was going to beat him in this "romance" game.

Lost in her thoughts and budding resolve, Serena did not notice when the conversation had turned towards her and her life. Or more specifically, her relationship with Yuri. With a cheeky grin, Yuzu shuffled over to her side and poked her face with an expression that promised Serena some sort of embarrassment.

"Sooooo I heard from a little birdie that the other day Yuri kissed you. What's going on between you and Yuri?"

Serena swore under her breath and made a mental note to strangle that little birdie, whoever it was.

Somewhere back in the Fusion dimension, a boy with blue hair nearly choked on his lollipop as he sneezed.

At the mention of Yuri, Rin recoiled in disgust. "Eww! That evil bastard that doesn't have a life outside carding people. Come on, I mean, I like to think that my counterpart would have much better taste than that!"

Silently, Ruri nodded her head as she thought back as to what Yuri had done in the dimensional war.

Hearing their accusatory statements, a surge of protectiveness overwhelmed Serena and she opened her mouth to speak even before her mind could process her words.

"You don't know him! He's changed after the war! Yuri can be an absolute stick-in-the-mud at times but he has his story too –

His understanding pink eyes reflected in her green orbs.

The involuntary look of hurt as she hit him with his flowers.

His small gentle smile she peeked from the windows of her room.

- If it wasn't for Yuzu and Yuya who told me the truth of the academia, I bet that I would have been just like him…"

The room was stunned into silence as the other girls stared at Serena. Rin was the first to speak up.

"Wow Serena, I didn't think you had it THAT bad for him."

Realizing what she had unintentionally declared, she flustered for a second and launched a nearby pillow at Rin's direction.

"No! I mean! I just respect his personal history, this has nothing to do with how I feel about him!"

"So, you do feel SOMETHING about him?"

"It's not what you think! I just admire him for his strength that's all!"

"Uh huh. Keep telling yourself that honey." Rin laughed it off as she lightly threw the pillow back. At the side, the traitorous Yuzu and Ruri were laughing at her predicament. Covering her burning face with the pillow, Serena plopped onto Yuzu's bed, determined to tune out the other girls.

As if taking pity on her, Ruri spoke up and turned to topic towards her recent date with Yuto in Heartland's newest theme park. She talked about the animals they saw and the amazing parade at the end. The fireworks, the castle and their absolute bliss that brought a smile to her elegant features. Totally agreeing with Ruri's experience, Rin then told the tale about the time she and Yugo sat on the fastest roller coaster as well as the haunted house where Yugo was being "such a baby". Clinging onto her and jumping at everything that brushed past him. Yuzu off-handedly commented that Yuya did mention something about going to Kiba land one day…and all three girls turned their gaze to Serena.

Again.

With an unexpected intensity, Yuzu grabbed Serena's wrist and her eyes started sparkling with mischief.

"Serena! We should totally go on a double date! Yuya and I, you and Yuri! It's perfect!"

"What no wa-"

"I am sure Yuri will be happy that you invited him. Like you said, he didn't get a chance to grow up normally so I am sure that he will be grateful to you for opening his eyes."

At the word "grateful", Serena was sold. If this "double date" thing was going to make that purple worm worship her and be thankful for her very presence, this was it. Also, the added bonus of Yuzu being able to understand that Yuri had changed was rather tempting (Serena tried to convince herself that she didn't care).

Blissfully unaware of Serena's very far-fetched, ridiculously twisted thoughts about the date, the other bracelet girls were determined to see if Yuri was truly suitable for their Fusion counterpart.

With Serena's agreement, the date was set, now all it took was a nudge on the boys' side to get Yuri on board.

Oh, this date was going to be her step to victory.

AN:/ I am considering if I should add a chapter for Yuri's side and his interactions with the other boys…or if I should just skip straight into the date. Feedback is highly appreciated! Thanks for reading and reviews make me happy :)