"Thank you coming back, Judai."
The brown-haired boy nodded.
"And thanks for making sure my family came back safely too."
They stood up together, still holding hands — just as they had when they'd met, in the same spot they'd been when they'd met — and both of them wondered, briefly, if that feeling of recognition that passed when they'd first laid eyes on each other was really the feeling of a memory, or whether it was an impression of a meeting yet to come (today's meeting, right now) — and managed small smiles. Small, but genuine smiles. Johan's deck was still clasped firmly between both of their hands.
"I!"
Johan watched curiously as Judai visibly struggled with the words he wished to use.
"I - I'll tell you what happened, someday," Judai said. "All of it, the complete truth, from the beginning. Even if you despise me - which you probably will, once you know - I'll tell you everything. Promise."
He nodded towards the deck.
And I promise I won't ever do that again - not to anyone - and I'm sorry that I did it in your name - I was selfish - and I will spend the rest of my eternity atoning, I promise, I promise.
Johan nodded back, and finally made the move to take his deck.
Immediately, he felt the warm greetings of each of the Crystal Beasts. Hello, Johan — we missed you — we're so glad you're safe — we love you. He greeted each of them, holding every card with reverence, sighing with relief at seeing each detail of his family again.
Johan looked back into Judai's eyes. "I need to go," he said, "I need to be alone with these guys right now." He chuckled as Judai's face fell, just a little. "I hate to leave you alone now, of all times, but you're never really alone when you have your spirit around, are you?"
"Yeah. You're right," replied Judai.
Johan smiled, offered him a quick "Gotcha!," turned, and left. Judai watched his back receding and knew: this was not the last time he would see it.
