Previously:

"Look, I'm-"

"You don't have to apologize. I have to field most of the blame. I really shouldn't have been so pushy. I just don't know when to quit, do I?" She shrugged in a joking manner, but her voice suggested otherwise.

I felt bad. Even if she had been a bit pushy, it wasn't her fault.

"It was also my fault too!"

I heard a familiar voice and looked behind Tsushima. There was a purple hooded figure behind her. The figure raised its hood slightly, and the face before us smiled.

"Miss me?"

Mimi's POV

I raised my hood to reveal my face. December looked really surprised, exactly what I was going for.

"Who are you?" she asked, deadpan.

I stared at her. She could not be serious; it hadn't even been a week since we met!

"I'm messing with you Kazoku." She whispered.

I fell over.

"Jeez, you're so mean, even though I'm your rival," I said as I got up. "But, what Tamika said was right. You don't need to apologize for anything. It was both our faults, for being so pushy."

December looked surprised; almost like it was unusual for her to hear this kind of thing.

"Guys," she put her hand up, "it fine that you care about me, but don't take the blame for what happened to me."

"But-"

"Look," she sighed, "it's my fault I don't get enough sleep. I should know better. It has nothing to do with you guys. Are we clear?"

I looked at Tamika, who looked right back at me. We both smiled. We knew December sounded cold, but she was really trying to make amends.

"Aww, December!"

We hugged her from the side. Everyone was smiling Ear to ear. Well, except Toshiki, but I could forgive that.

"Um, guys."

I heard a strained voice. Then I realized that it was December.

"Guys, I can't breathe!"

We both let go, and she began to breathe heavily. She glared at the both of us.

"S-sorry."

December's POV

The rest of the tournament was actually pretty interesting. I watched a lot of battles, some better than others, and spent more time with everyone, which wasn't exactly a good thing. Stupid Morikawa and Loudmouth, but not much I could do about it except try to ignore them.

Sendou was playing the best I had ever seen him. I was sort of proud that he'd gotten better since I battled him. Tokura was an amazing card fighter as well, even though she only started a few weeks ago. She seemed like a cool person too, and it showed through her strategy. And as much as I didn't want to admit it, Loudmouth was playing pretty well out there with his Nova Grapplers, making the most out of their re-standing abilities. Kai, well, he was just unbelievable, not that I would ever say that out loud, no way in hell. The way he just zoned in on his opponent like a predator to its prey, and then in one fell swoop, he took them down! He was much better than he was 6 years ago, which I expected. What I didn't expect was his battle style to be so, how do you say, ruthless. But it seemed to work for his current jerk-face personality, so I didn't really give it too much thought.

Taishi, along with Tsushima, Sukio, and Kazoku, cheered for him when he came back to the table we were sitting at. I didn't join in, watching as he sat down without looking at any of us.

I turned, trying to focus on what Tsushima and Taishi were talking about, but I couldn't follow Tsushima's train of thought as she went back and forth on all of her points, so I decided to sneak a peek at him again, just to see what he was doing. What I wasn't expecting was for him to be looking at me. We looked at each other for a moment before he looked away. He almost looked expectant, like he wanted me to say something.

Taishi and Tsushima started giggling to themselves, noticing this, and began making small hearts out of their hands and winking suggestively at me. I swear if I hadn't been exercising all my restraint I'd punch them both out.

Finally, the top four was decided. It was Aichi, Misaki, Loudmouth and Kai, though I wasn't too surprised. I had a feeling they would all advance to the semi-finals.

"Alright! Does that mean we get to draw numbers?" Loudmouth looked so pumped.

"Nope! It's time for lunch!" Shin announced.

He fell over in disappointment. Although I kind of felt bad for him, I couldn't help but feel a little vengeful. What goes around comes around Loudmouth.

We went our ways to get some food, and afterwards, I found myself walking back to the store with Tsushima, Sukio, and Kazoku.

"Wow, this tournament is so exciting! I'm so glad I came!" Kazoku squealed. "And I'm glad you came too, December!" She turned to me, hugging me tightly in the process. I tried to pry her off, but that girl's grip was something else. Now I knew how Kai felt from earlier that week.

"I think I'm beginning to understand the game better. Of course, it helps that Daiki explains most of what's happening, don't you dear?" Tsushima stuck her tongue out and then kissed Daiki on the cheek.

"Oh that's right, you play. What clan?" I asked.

He nodded. "Granblue. And I manage a team that went to nationals last year."

"That's crazy!" Kazoku chimed in as we entered the store, still empty.

He looked pleased. "So, I don't know if anyone would be up for it, but would anyone like to card fight against me?"

"You should save it for later."

We all looked up to see that Kai and Taishi were already back.

"The tournament is about to start up again, and I won't be slowed down by an amateur fun game."

Sukio's smile faded away, and he shyly nodded. Tsushima went with him and Kazoku to sit at one of the tables. I glared at Kai in disbelief.

Taishi came up beside me. "Hey, don't let it get to you, he may seem grumpy but I think he's actually having a good time."

I didn't respond. A good time? Yeah right. He probably just wanted to get this tournament over with. I mean he'd have to face someone he didn't think was strong enough. Or something like that, maybe. Oh, I don't know!

A good time? Yeah right. He probably just wanted to get this tournament over with. I mean he'd have to face someone he didn't think was strong enough. Or something like that, maybe. Oh, I don't know!

It was exhausting and frustrating trying to figure him out. But like Taishi said, it'd take time and patience. Of course, he never said how much time and patience.

"Alright everyone, gather around. The final four will be picking numbers to see who faces who!" Shin said over the mic.

The numbers were drawn. It was Sendou against Loudmouth and Tokura against Kai. I was admittedly on the edge of my seat, going back and forth between each battle. They all played great, but in the end, Loudmouth and Kai made it to the finals. Tokura and Sendou looked disappointed. I found myself walking over to her. She had just written in the final matchup on the tournament sheet. It looked like she really wanted to win after all.

"Hey."

She looked at me, a bit surprised."

"You... you did well. Especially against him."

I tried to comfort her, although as usual, I didn't do a very good job. She bitterly smiled back. "Thanks but," she looked in Kai's direction, "not well enough, apparently."

I looked over at Kai, who was just sitting back in his seat, looking bored out of his mind.

What was his deal? Just because he beat someone didn't mean he gets to act like he's better than everyone else.

I then looked to Sendou, who was at the back of the store. He looked really upset. But for some strange reason, at that moment, I wanted to go up to him and give him a big hug. But I didn't. It would seem too weird to do that out of the blue. I wasn't like Kazoku.

The final battle was too close to call; I could hardly keep up with what was happening. In the end, Kai took the first place spot. We all cheered for him- well, I just clapped lightly.

"Wait wait wait!" Shin cut in. "The Champion has been decided, but that's not the only exciting news, I have an important announcement to make!"

When Shin announced that the final four would become a team and compete in the National tournament, I was impressed. I went over to Kai with Taishi, who didn't even flinch at the news.

"Well, I guess you deserve some congratulations, you big show-off," I mumbled.

"That's how you show someone your appreciation?" He responded coldly.

"No, that's just how I show you my appreciation."

I decided to fight fire with fire, or in this case, ice with ice.

Third Person

The tournament was over, and most of the people there went home. Shin decided to use this time to let everyone hang out with each other. As everyone was talking among themselves, a few of them had noticed Shin talking to the hooded girl that had been in the store the whole day.

"Who is that?" Aichi whispered to December, being one of the people who'd noticed her.

"You'll see," she replied, only confusing Aichi even more.

Shin nodded. "It's all good Mimi, you're among friends. Besides, I owe you big time for the publicity!"

"I told you not to worry about that! You gave me discounts on those packs I bought, that was more than enough for me! And I love a good crowd!"

"Publicity?" Emi cocked her head to the side.

The girl took off her hood and revealed her face, pulling her hair out from under her hoodie. "Phew, I can't tell you how great this feels. I was beginning to think I'd never get this thing off, it was getting a bit warm." She began to fan herself.

Everyone was in shock, except for Tamika, December, and Kai. Emi was star struck, unexpectedly meeting face to face with one of her favourite idols.

"M-Mimi!" She stuttered, blushing like crazy. Mimi looked over to Emi and gave her a winning idol smile.

After that, she was introduced to everyone, although they all knew who she was, and they hung out together for the next few hours. December played against Daiki, as well as Aichi, Misaki, Mimi, and even Miwa, in exhibition matches with her regular deck, and they all won.

At 8 pm, everyone parted ways, saying their goodbyes.

"Those battles between you and everyone else were pretty intense." Miwa patted her on the back. "Glad to see you get back in the game."

December sighed. "I guess, but I lost all four of them. Great confidence boost," she muttered sarcastically.

"Hey, don't be so hard on yourself, you played great. You just came back after fainting, so you obviously wouldn't be at your A game. Besides, Misaki and Aichi were just fired up from losing their last matches, and Mimi and Daiki are just really skilled players. Oh yeah, he never mentioned what team he managed." He shrugged. "Ah well, I guess we'll find out eventually."

"And what about you, what's your excuse for winning?"

Miwa thought for a moment, trying to come up with an answer that wouldn't get him killed.

"I got lucky?"

She sighed. No matter how he put it, she still lost.

They reached his house, and once inside, December went up to her room and pulled out her card case. She took out her cards and sighed.

As soon as we started, I knew I wouldn't be a match for any of them. What was I thinking, wanting to fight Kai if I'm not even able to beat anyone else?

She flopped onto the bed, stomach first.

I was never a protege but ever since I fainted I can barely put up a fight against anyone...

She sat up and walked over to her dresser. Opening the top shelf, she reached inside and grabbed a second deck case. She held the case in her shaking hands and began to cry.

James... I'm so sorry, I couldn't be the sister you needed.

A tear dropped onto the case, and more rolled down her face.

(Disclaimer: I do not own Cardfight! Vanguard or its characters. All I own are my OCs. Credit goes to Bushiroad)