Title: Acceptance
Day #10: Ruri does not flinch anymore at the sight of death.
Ruri doesn't even flinch anymore when her she smells the rotting flesh those who were lost before they were turned into cards.
It was the more dignified end, to die at your homeland than die for Academia's amusement. But, Ruri thinks bitterly, both are means to the same end.
Death.
And Ruri prays that Shun and Yuuto to never suffer the same fate.
But she sees it in their eyes, as if death had wormed into their hearts already. Yuuto's eyes are alert and his smiles are like tricks in the light. Shun's are cold and angry and Ruri barely recognizes him anymore. Not the boy who impatiently teaches her to duel or does her hair on the first day of school.
So Ruri continues to smile, like the days before the world went to hell. She sees Yuuto's shoulders lose their tension and the light return to Shun's eyes.
She smiles as she feels herself break apart.
"Will you leave Heartland alone?"
The boy, who looks so much like Yuuto, answered with an amused grin. "There is nothing left of worth here with you gone."
When Ruri loses, she does not flinch.
At least Shun and Yuuto will be safe.