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Yu-Gi-Oh! GX Season 2: Light vs. Darkness
Chapter 7: Light
-From: Manjoume Thunder
Answer me, dammit!-
As he went to bed, his mind would not stop working frantically. From the last time he'd met her he could find no clue. The very last memories of her were of a tired girl who'd successfully driven off the monsters together with him. Nothing wrong about that, right? Their conversations often went smoothly. He always saw joy and warm feelings in her almost lifeless eyes.
Why? He couldn't figure out.
And what could he do? He couldn't enter the dorm, and she was not going to go out for weeks. The nurse had given her a month of not going to class… Well, he would wait and see. He would still message her. Whatever it was, it could not be a big deal.
His thoughts turned to try seeing her at her dorm in secret—but he knew better. He had heard the story of when Sho and Judai went there—those girls could be pretty nasty. Maybe waiting for her to go back to class would be the best option.
Some hours earlier…
It was afternoon as class ended. Judai and Asuka walked outside Academia together.
"So, ummmmmm…"
"What is it, Judai?" Asuka said.
"Well, uh… About last night…"
"Yes?" Asuka was a little uneasy. Sure, they had sex, but she never heard the magic words from Judai's lips. Maybe it had been just a touch and go?
"Well… Does that mean we have to marry?!"
"Huh?!" Asuka's eyes widened. But suddenly, a looming presence was over them.
"Well met, Judai Yuki, Asuka Tenjoin," a tall, unfamiliar man said.
Judai jerked his shoulders. The man was—unsettling, but he didn't know why. On second thought, he wasn't as unfamiliar, either—somehow. "Like, you too. Who are you?"
"Oh, my apologies," the man took out a card holder and handed a card to each.
"Takuma Saiou?" Asuka asked.
"At your orders, Tenjoin-san, hero of the Light," he bowed.
"H-hero?!"
"Yes, hero!" Saiou straightened. "You are the chosen heroes of the Light, the ones that will free this world from the Darkness."
"Darkness… We had some trouble like that before," Judai frowned, remembering the Seven Stars and the three Mythical Demons.
"Darkness is growing stronger in this world. If we leave it be, it will consume the life of every being in it. But fear not; the Light has chosen you!"
"Chosen? I get to be a hero again, is it?" Judai cutely smiled.
"Yes, Yuki-san. And I, Takuma Saiou, have been invested with the powers of vision that will help you guide your way through the chaos and confusion."
"Vision?" Judai asked.
He bowed. "A most humbly power compared to yours, heroes, but that could be most useful. I can see into the future."
"Whoah! Is that possible?!"
"It is, Yuki-san. Light illuminates everything!"
"But you know, there is a problem," he shrugged.
"And that is?"
"It's like, I kinda don't believe in destiny. I mean, that would be boring."
"Truth doesn't need you to believe in it, Yuki-san. It just exists."
"Welllllllllllll…" Judai scratched his cheek.
Saiou closed his eyes. "Will you give it the benefit of the doubt, Yuki-san? If you trust your steps to me, I can guide you safely through your ordeals."
"That would be boring!"
"Judai!" Asuka elbowed him. "My apologies, Saiou-sama. He may be a hero, but he's kind of immature, you know."
"What's wrong about being immature?!" he growled.
"We would humbly accept your guide," she bowed.
Saiou concealed his grin. "I am grateful for your most gracious acceptance, Tenjoin-san."
"Tch. You're boring, Asuka."
"Yuki-san, the ordeals that Darkness may bring you could prove too much for your abilities. In fact, they already have."
"What?!" Judai grimaced.
"Think back of the time that you battled the monsters that came from that demon hole. You couldn't fight them on your own, could you?"
He stared at him. How did he know?
Saiou smiled. "I know because the Light illuminates all for me, Yuki-san."
"Eh?! You read minds, too?!"
"No, but your expression is easy to read."
"Anyway," Asuka said, "the only thing we could not do was to close that hole."
"Correct. It was your friends who did, right?"
"Yes…"
"Have you stopped to think—why could they?"
"I have," Asuka said, "but could find no explanation. Are you implying—"
"Yes, Tenjoin-san. Just as you were bestowed with the pure, sacred Light, your friends were invested with the powers of Darkness."
They frowned.
"The reason why they could close the demon portal, was because, they had the same power that opened it."
"What—what power would that be? The power of Duel Monsters?" Judai asked.
"I'm afraid not, Yuki-san. Do you know where did that hole connect to, if you had been able to cross it?"
"No, of course not."
"This world is made of twelve dimensions—parallel worlds. The hole connected to one of the other dimensions, the easiest to access from this one."
"What dimension?"
Saiou closed his eyes. "A forbidden dimension—one where nobody that enters would be able to return. Saying aloud the name of that dimension or their rulers is forbidden."
"What…" Asuka moaned.
"The rulers are the very embodiment of Darkness. To be able to close the hole to that place—I'm afraid they have been channeled through your friends, as nobody but the rulers could have been able to seal that hole. If we let them be, it's only a matter of time before this world is engulfed in darkness as well."
Judai grimaced. "Then…"
"Do not fear. Their link to this dimension is weak. Their power is subtle in this world. You may be able to purify your friends through the same Duel of Purification you did with the monsters."
Asuka nodded. "Judai, let's do it."
"Not so fast. Their presence has vanished after the dimension has been locked. You not need to fear. However, should their presence reappear, you will act at once. The cards have told me, there will be a powerful counterstrike. But none of the actors or stages are set at this time."
"Then, what should we do?"
"For now, let us make this Academia a temple of the Light. Let us gather allies and spread our world of salvation to all we can reach. If we do, then Darkness will be unable to return."
"I understand."
"Judai Yuki, Asuka Tenjoin—I will invest you with the regalia of the Light. The followers of Light will all shed those impure colors and wear the brightness of salvation."
"Awwww, but I like red so much…" Judai moaned.
"Judai, you're so childish. We're on a mission against evil," Asuka said.
"I know, I know…"
"And, as your proof to your devotion to the Light, I will give you some cards that will help you greatly."
"We are most pleased, Saiou-sama," Asuka said. Judai made a mien.
Asuka was uneasy. The rules of the place were going to hell, it seemed. A large sector of the Obelisk Blue boys' dorm, in fact the whole front of the building, had been selected as the living quarters of the followers of the Light. Judai and her had been required to live there. But since they would be sharing a room, she didn't mind. As long as it didn't impair their grades…
Saiou had taken full responsibility, so it wasn't a problem, it seemed. After all, they were on a holy crusade. The people of the Light had to be together.
This section of the building was now called "Society of Light" and painted in the shiniest white color in existence. As the heroes of the Light, Judai and her had been assigned the most luxurious dorm, in a tower.
How Saiou had managed to pull that off, she had no idea.
She entered the room.
"Che!" Judai said, trying on his new uniform. He quite disliked the so pale uniform. "Fine, I'll wear white, but I'll wear red underwear every day from now on!"
"How can you become so bothered just for a color? White is the color of purity. If we are to fight against evil, we should look the part."
"For you is easy to say. You uniform has barely changed!"
"What are you saying?"
"I hope you're not wearing white underwear, too!"
"Judai!" Asuka blushed.
"Heh heh," Judai blushed as well. "That was a little bold, wasn't it?"
Asuka smiled warmly. Even though they were lovers, Judai was still so innocent.
"Well…" It hadn't been officially said, so she would do it. "Eh… Not so bold if you're my boyfriend."
"Right! If we have to marry, we need to be boyfriend and girlfriend first!" he cutely smiled.
Judai was just too innocent… But she was okay with that.
"Saiou-sama, we have great news," Asuka said, entering the mysterious tarot room.
"We got a few Ra Yellow students, a couple of Obelisk Blue and almost all the Osiris Red to follow us. As soon as their white uniforms come, they can move here."
"Excellent. Our goal is for all of the students to join us. Could you convince the impure ones to come, too? You could not, could you?"
Asuka lowered her head. "…No."
"No problem. The girl is not a menace right now. And the boy can't hold a candle to your charisma. He's also very proud and arrogant, traits that won't help him in convincing others to oppose us."
He turned to them. "Very well. Now, for your next mission. You have the power of the Duel of Purification. In a monster, it is a weapon of massive destruction. But in a human, it will help them see the salvation of the Light. You must go and duel as many students as possible, so they can also accept the Light."
"I will fulfill your orders to the utmost of my ability, Saiou-sama," Asuka bowed.
"I'll get to duel and duel! This Society of Light is so interesting!" Judai cheered.
The next day, after class…
"You can't be serious!" Manjoume said in a raspy voice.
"I'll go wherever my Aniki goes," Sho said.
"I'll follow MY Aniki wherever he goes!" Kenzan said.
"Don't call him your aniki!" Sho said.
"Well, it's MY aniki-don!" Kenzan retorted.
Manjoume sighed and turned to the others. "You guys too?!"
"We'll get to live at Obelisk Blue!" one of the Osiris Reds said. "How cool is that?!"
"Yeah, not all of us live in your fancy room, Manjoume," another said.
"Manjoume Thunder!" he growled.
"You look like you're pretty jealous," another teased. "Judai and Asuka are an item, I've heard. So that makes you the loser."
"I—am not interested in her anymore…" he weakly said.
"Yeah right—I saw you the other day at the store, buying make-up. And I heard you were buying roses and chocolate, too. Who were those things for, huh? Yourself?" they all laughed.
Manjoume let his head drop.
"Oi oi, it's all right. We all get shot in the balls now and then. You just need to go date some girl that is at your level," another said.
Manjoume closed his eyes and mutely walked outside. He felt he was about to cry.
"Huh, guess we overdid it," other Red said.
"Who cares. The guy's a jerk. He's better off being single," another student said.
Manjoume walked away into the forest, where he could be alone. He rested his back against a tree trunk, and sighed deeply.
Perhaps he should join them, after all…
No! He would not! He did not want to! Not only there were the words of those spirits—he would hate to see Judai and Asuka together in the place. That reason alone was more powerful than anything anyone would tell him. Seeing them both while he was alone… It was as cruel as punishment that could exist.
From the distance, he could see the former Reds leaving the place with their luggage, together with Sho and Kenzan.
It was already night when he returned to his room. The Red dorm was—so empty and silent.
Suddenly, he laughed out loud.
"Hahahahahahahaha! Now the whole Red dorm is for me, and for me alone! No more stupid Osiris Red losers to grate on my nerves! This couldn't be better!" He looked around. "Maybe I will tear down the walls and make the whole dorm my room! Nobody is here to complain, after all."
He sighed softly. "Yeah, right…" He should be happy, to finally get rid of those losers… But he was not. For some reason, he was not.
He was always more comfortable when alone… So, why would he miss them, anyway?
Some hours earlier…
Judai and Asuka were leaving class together.
'Judai really doesn't act as if we're dating that much… I wonder when will he invite me to a date…' Asuka wondered.
"Umm… Excuse me?"
They turned around. A young boy was looking at Judai.
"Judai-senpai? I have heard of your dueling. I wonder if…"
Asuka sighed. "When did this happen?"
"Well, you know how aniki is… You have to be more interesting than a duel to catch his attention," Sho said.
"Really," she sighed again.
"Hahahahaha! Come and hit me with all you got, freshman!" Judai laughed.
"I look forward to it," the young man said, courteously.
"Duel!"
"So, who is that guy, anyway?"
"Beats me… He just came and said he wanted to duel Judai. He said his name was Ed Phoenix."
"And so he got caught up in the moment…" Sho shrugged. "I feel I've seen him before… somewhere…"
"He looks like one of the guys from middle school. If Manjoume-kun was here, he'd surely be able to tell us."
"My turn. Draw," Ed said.
"Ohhh? Looks like you draw a good card!" Judai said.
"I summon Ojama Yellow in Defense Mode! (DEF 1000) Turn end."
"He he… Are you… effing kidding me?!" Judai said. "I was looking forward to an interesting duel! Is this the best you can do?!"
"Whoah—Aniki doesn't usually lash like this!" Sho startled.
"Well, after all these Shadow Games, I understand he's a little nervous. Besides, what kind of move is that? Is he a Manjoume-kun fan?" Asuka asked. "What kind of deck has he made?"
"It's not surprising," Tome-san said, approaching the duo.
"Uh? Tome-san, what do you mean?" Sho asked.
"Well, when I opened the store this morning, this guy came right in. He asked for some duel cards, but I only had leftovers from yesterday. There were eight packs. And he said since he only needed 40 cards, it was enough to make a deck."
"What?! So what he has is a mish-mash of random cards?!"
"You can put it that way. I told him he wouldn't go too far that way,"
"And what did he say?" Sho asked.
"That he would be fine—he only needed them to test his abilities."
"What a weirdo…" Sho muttered.
"So, he's just having fun around, it seems. Well, he'll get along with Judai," Asuka nervously smiled.
"My turn. Draw!" Judai said. "Well, let's stir things up a little. I summon Sparkman in Attack Mode!" (ATK 1600) "Go, Sparkman! Give this freshman a wake-up call!"
Sparkman destroyed Ojama Yellow on the spot.
"Turn end!"
'So, it is as rumored… Judai's deck is a Hero deck…' Ed thought. "Well, Ojama Yellow wouldn't be a match for it!" he said, rubbing his head in an awkward pose. He looked really weird in it.
"Of course. You need a lot of tactics to master that card. There's only one guy in Academia that does, and you wouldn't want to be him, with that black coat and all!"
"Black coat?" Sho asked.
"Sho-kun, we are on a mission to purify evil. That's why we wear white. Manjoume-kun's clothing is like an open offense to us," Asuka said, very solemn.
"Is that so…" Sho said, a little weirded out.
'What a strange comment…' Ed thought. "My turn. Draw!" 'How about a card to test Judais' abilities more…' "I set a card face-down, and—"
"Huh? What's that?" Judai asked.
"Oh, sorry, it's my cell phone!" He turned it on. "Yeah? Oh, thanks. My horoscope for the day! Sagittarius is having a particular luck streak lately! Sorry! Let's continue the duel!"
"Grrr!" Judai said, and rubbed his forehead. 'No, I can't get mad… Young people these days are all like this… Grr… Still, I wish I got a bow and arrows…'
"That guy doesn't deserve to duel!" Sho said, frowning. "Why can't he wait? Is he receiving messages from an online dating site?!"
'I guess I can't help it… Times have changed…' Judai growled. 'We seniors have to teach them from the beginning…' he took a deep breath. 'But really, how serious is that guy?'
"I'm sorry!"
"Nah, we get a lot of them…" Judai faked a smile.
'I won't be able to see much of his Fusion strategy if I go on like this…' "From my hand, I activate the Magic card, Reload! I shuffle back into my deck as many cards as I want, and then draw the same amount!"
"Hey! Are you sure it's not Manjoume the one you want to duel?!" Judai said.
"I wasn't doing so good, so I'll start from scratch!" Ed cutely smiled.
"Oh, right! That's good, too!" Judai grimaced. 'Being a mentor can wear you out… Sigh…'
Ed quietly swiped his cards. "Field Magic, activates! The Sanctuary in the Sky!"
The heavenly landscape appeared, surrounding them.
"Whoah—we got an actual duel now!" Judai said.
'How nonchalant…' "I summon Warrior of Zera! Then I sacrifice it to Special-Summon Archangel Zerato in Attack Mode!(ATK 2800) And by sending the Light-attribute Holy Shine Ball to the cemetery, it destroys all your monsters—senpai," Ed smiled. "Holy Beam of Light!"
"Argh!" Sparkman was destroyed.
"Archangel Zerato, direct attack senpai! Holy Surge!"
"Urgh!" (Judai's Life Points 4000-1200)
'That freshman can't have played casually all this time—can he?' Asuka thought.
"Turn end! Are you all right?"
"Nah, I'm glad," Judai rubbed his face. "At last, things have gotten interesting, Cell Phone guy!"
"My name is not Cell Phone guy!" Ed frowned.
"My turn! Draw! I summon Clayman in Defense Mode! Next, I use the spell with the most horrible picture in the entire Duel Monsters game! Metamorphosis! I sacrifice Clayman to Special Summon Clayguardman! (DEF 2800) Patrol Penalty!"
Ed's hair was strangely blown. "Wh-what's this?!" (Ed Phoenix's Life Points 4000-3400)
"When it's summoned, Clayguardman deals 200 points of damage for each card on the opponent's field! I set a card face down, an end my turn. Ed, your hand is zero, and Zerato has the same attack as Clayguardman. Which means, unless you summon a Light-attribute monster next turn, you won't be able to deal any damage to me."
"A contest of drawing? That's so like senpai," Ed said.
"Wahahahaha!" Judai laughed.
"What's with Aniki's silly laughs today?" Sho sweatdropped.
"Don't praise me too much!" Judai said.
"Oh, man…" Asuka said.
"But leaving things up to drawing, that would be like testing your luck, wouldn't it?" Ed asked.
"That's not it. Listen, drawing is the moment when a duelist communicates their heart to the spirits."
"So, it's like they say. You can talk to spirits, senpai?"
"Believe it or not, that's how it goes. Right, aibou?"
There was silence.
"Hane Kuriboh?" Why did his spirit not appear?
'Well, well… Ever since I heard he was close to defeat Kaiser Ryo Marufuji, who is now in the World League, I thought he'd have some more interest, tactics-wise… Looks like it's time for me to close this duel, too…' His face shadowed. 'Just like he predicted…' "It's my turn. Draw!"
"From your looks, it doesn't seem you drew the card you wanted, huh?"
"Right. It doesn't seem I'd win in a match where things were left to luck." Ed put his card away. "But, I don't believe luck is all there is about dueling."
"Huh?"
"I was told by a certain someone—that 'luck' and 'destiny' are different. A person's destiny has already been determined at the time of their birth. And that's why everything in the future can be predicted. Which of us will win and which will lose—it has already been decided."
"A while earlier I've been told the same, and I tell you what I told him, too. That's a damn boring way of thinking," Judai said. "The world is fun because we can't predict what will happen next, right?"
'Oh? Did Judai meet Saiou before? What is the meaning of this?' Ed kept a collected face, but he innerly frowned. "Is that so? What will happen next has already been determined."
"Eh?!"
"Trap card, open! Convening of Light! I discard my hand to choose one Light-attribute monster and add it to my hand."
"He uses a lot of Light cards. Not a bad guy," Asuka said.
"Remember who your boyfriend is, Asuka-san," Sho said. She blushed.
"And I activate Archangel Zerato's effect! By discarding Holy Shine Ball, I destroy Clayguardman!"
Judai covered his face as the Elemental Hero was destroyed. "You're—not half bad…"
"This is destiny, senpai. Archangel Zerato, direct attack! Holy Surge!"
The majestic celestial warrior spreaded his wings.
"We'll see about that! Quick Spell-Kuriboh Summoning Flute! It Special Summons Hane Kuriboh!"
The winged little demon appeared in the field. (DEF 200)
Zerato's attack destroyed Judai's partner.
"Thank you… Aibou… See, my spirit here overturned your stupid prediction." 'I wish I knew why is he not around…'
"Oh! Is that your ace up your sleeve? As expected from the legendary duelist who can talk to spirits."
"Eh… Legendary… Haha! That's kinda cool! Well, I suppose after saving the world twice, I kind of am!"
"Hey! Give me some of the credit too!" Asuka yelped.
"Which reminds me, I never got to know how did you close the wormhole," Sho said. Asuka blushed again.
'I'm sure that's what he said… But as of now, he seems more like a counterfeit legend. He told me to study Judai's abilities in this duel, for the sake of my next victory—and that I would lose. I asked if it was worth to do that, and he told me he was a duelist who would further advance my growth. I wonder, is he alright after that accident, or maybe his brain is messed up… Everything's going as he predicted for now, but…'
"Here goes! My turn!" Judai said, lifting a fist. "Draw! Yoshi! I summon Bubbleman!"
The water-elemental superhero appeared in the field (ATK 800).
"His effect activates! If I don't have any other cards in my field, I can draw two cards!" He drew twice. "I set a card in my field. Next, I activate The Warrior's Return! I choose a Warrior-type monster from my Cemetery and add it to my hand."
A card was returned, and Judai made a flamboyant gesture. "From my hand, I activate Fusion: I fuse Elemental Heroes Bubbleman, Featherman and Sparkman to summon out Elemental Hero: Tempester! (ATK 2800) Go, Tempester! Chaos Tempest!"
The new Elemental Hero attacked Zerato.
"It's a draw!" Sho screamed.
"What are you saying?" Asuka grimaced.
"Um… I messed up again…?" Sho mumbled.
"By sending one card in my field to my cemetery, Tempester won't be destroyed in battle!"
Both titans met, Zerato being the sole casualty.
"And now to wrap this up! Fusion Cancel! I return Tempester to my Fusion Deck to Special Summon Bubbleman, Featherman and Sparkman!"
Judai took in air.
"Bubbleman! Attack his cell phone! Whip it good!"
Bubbleman went right ahead and showered Ed's cell phone with water. (Cell phone's Life Points 3400- 2600)
"Featherman! You're on!"
Featherman flew to Ed, grabbed his cell phone, hovered high up in the air and dropped it. (Cell phone's Life Points 2600- 1600)
"And now for the final one! Sparkman!"
Sparkman made his electric attack, making the cell phone fizzle and then explode. (Cell phone's Life Points 1600- 0)
"Gotcha!" Judai walked to him. "Are you all right, freshman?"
"Uh… Yes!"
"You know, we're proud members of the "Anti-Cell Phone Club". If you wish to be friends with us, don't show that gadget in front of our noses again!"
"You—and who else?" Ed asked, and then looked at Asuka and Sho who were proudly displaying their carnets. "Oh… Okay, I see. Thanks for the advice, senpai."
"I still think you're cool, though," Judai made a huge grin, and then made a tough voice. "The dueling world may be relentless, but it has its fun, too. Lose and win!" he then laughed at his own joke. "Do your best, freshman!"
"I'll do my best. Thank you very much!"
"Right!" Judai waved as Ed left.
'I'm such a great actor, aren't I… Maybe I should apply for an acting career,' Ed thought as he left.
"So Judai-chan won, eh… That boy isn't bad at all, if he could have a close match with a deck like that…" Tome-san said.
'Sure, the duel went as he predicted, but I don't see how would I grow dueling someone like this…' Ed thought.
Tome-san waved at him as he walked away, and he nodded to her. He then walked past.
"What a cute little kohai… It was tough since I'm not the mentor type, but…" Judai said, approaching them.
"Yeah, you're more like a big brother, Aniki," Sho said.
"Uh, well. He wasn't quite bad out there, you know," Judai said.
Sho suddenly screamed.
"Ahhhh! I thought I knew him from somewhere… Wait," he crouched and ransacked his bag. He retrieved a magazine and perused it. "I knew it! That guy is Ed Phoenix!"
"Oh, right. He said that was his name."
"Wait—Ed Phoenix?! That's the young genius duelist who's been breaking every record in the Pro League!" Asuka gasped.
All of them stared at the magazine. The photo in the article displayed a proud portrait of the guy Judai had just dueled.
"Well, for a Pro duelist, he could have showed some deck-building skills, ya know…"
"Oh, Judai-chan," Tome-san said.
"Huh?"
"What you just battled was a deck built randomly from eight packs left on the shelves."
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! I had a close match with a deck like that?! Oh… Ed Phoenix…" he fainted.
Asuka took the magazine and looked at the picture. "Have you ever seen a worse background than the one he has in this photo? It's like a five-years old drew it…"
"Hey, Saiou, I got a question."
"What can I help you with, Judai Yuki?" the man answered, sitting at a Tarot table in his room at Obelisk White. A deck was scattered before him.
"You know, I can talk to spirits."
"That fact is rather famous through Academia, yes."
"But today, I wanted to talk to him during the duel, and I couldn't. I can't sense him at all."
"Oh? So, what would you like me to do?"
"You said you'd guide me. If you could find it…"
Saiou smiled to himself. Judai was following his guide, at least in a small thing. It was a start.
"Did you talk to it any time after the portal to another world opened?"
"No… Now that I think about it, no."
Saiou nodded. "It is veritable possible—with the closeness to the forbidden dimension, that both you and your partner have lost some of your spiritual power."
"Really?"
"I believe you'll get your power back in a few weeks at most, Judai Yuki." He turned to him. "Meanwhile, please consider that offer I made you."
"Okay… Thanks," Judai said. Somehow, the explanation was not too convincing to him—but what else could he do? "By the way, you happen to know a guy named Ed Phoenix?"
Saiou smiled, revealing his sharp fangs. "The Pro duelist, Ed Phoenix? I happen to be his manager."
"What?!"
Meanwhile, at the Red dorm.
"Sigh…" Manjoume looked at the Ojama Trio, that were cuddling another spirit.
"Awwww… He's so cute, Manjoume no aniki! Like a pom-pom!"
"So fluffy!" Ojama Black said.
"Kuriiiiiii…" Hane Kuriboh closed his eyes, in what it was his version of a smile.
"And until when are you going to be a freeloader here, furball?" Manjoume asked.
"Kuriiiiiiiiii… Kuri kuri kuri," (I'm sorry... Thanks for your hospitality,) Hane Kuriboh said. "Kuri kuri kuriii…" (The White Dorm is too risky for me to stay…)
"Well, I can certainly see a point there. But why do you think it's risky?"
"(Something very bad is there! A very, very bad spirit!)"
"The Light, huh?"
"(Aibou will be fine for now. But you have to rescue him soon, Manjoume-sama!)"
Manjoume sighed. "Yeah… Maybe, if I get the power of Darkness again. But, fat chance I will…"
He stood up and walked to the window. With all that had happened, he had barely thought about it. The power of Darkness… He had been a god—or a demon—for a brief stint. And then he was deemed unworthy and stripped off what he'd been given. Sure thing, he couldn't help but crave that power. What human wouldn't? What kind of human were those beings expecting to endow their power on?
Why did they choose him, in the first place? What about Sui? They actually wanted her to go and close the wormhole with him. A girl that barely could do anything without becoming exhausted. Even they had emphasized how weak both of them were. But they had also said they were the only ones who could use this power…
He decided to stop thinking about it. The only thing he was going to get was a headache. It was bad enough living in a deserted dorm, having his rival turn hero of Academia once again and dating the girl he once liked, plus being ditched by the girl he now wanted. Worrying about supernatural beings who deemed him not worthy was just too much.
Just like with Sui, he'd wait—and then strike at the correct time. Only—that he wasn't sure which would be the right time in this case.
All he could do for now was resisting the Light.
Little did he know that both in Obelisk White and in the main Academia building, two different groups of people were concocting plans involving him.
To be continued.
Zephyr: Check out the doujinshi I made about the dorm go-away: fav. me / d9u07ty (take out the spaces).
