Chapter 12

After several minutes of running away, I finally stopped, panting.

I can't stand in front of Chrono-kun... He is a national cardfighter, while me... I am just a normal person. Just your normal high-school girl you can see everywhere.

Sigh... I am confused. I probably should go home for now. Chrono-kun and Yamada-san won't find me, now that I am very far away from them. Luckily, I ran to the direction of my home so I don't have to worry about finding or running into them.

I walked a few more and finally reached our home. After all this ruckus, all I want to do is lay down on my bed. I reached for the knob and opened it.

"Oh, good evening Sis! How was your day?" my ever-so-sweet brother greeted me.

If I was in the mood today, I would have responded to that more enthusiastically, but I am really tired today. I didn't even do anything particularly exhausting, but all I feel right now is fatigue.

"I am fine," I said.

Well... I don't want to burden my brother with whatever is bugging me. He has been through so much. He needs to enjoy a life without any problems. He's still a kid. Plus, he's not even a teenager yet. Ugh, it's hard when you have no one to confide your problems with, huh.

"I see... I know you're tired today Sis, so I prepared the dinner already. We have teriyaki and some miso soup," Ryuu said as he pulled me to the dinner table.

Well, it's fine. Ryuu's presence calms me whenever I need it. I am grateful I have him.

My nose was filled with the smell of the delicious dinner. I felt my stomach rumble a bit from hunger. Man, Ryuu has be ame so good with cooking. He is even a better cook than me now.

After making me sit, Ryuu prepared the dishes and served the food.

"Thanks for the food," we both said and we began feasting in Ryuu's homemade dinner.


After eating, Ryuu volunteered to wash the dishes despite my protests. He apparently wants me to sleep.

That guy, he really is so sweet. It's very thoughtful of him. What did I do to deserve a brother like this? Not that I don't want it, I really like it.

And here I am, lying on my bed, staring at the ceiling. I have nothing much to do now other than look at my blank ceiling. Weird. I am feeling exhausted and all, but I can't even fall asleep.

It's just 10:00 in the evening. Maybe I should just do my homeworks? But I was done with all of them ever since last week. My projects are long yet due and I already have planned them all throughout. Should I read a book then? But I already have read all the books in my collection.

Ugh. Boredom is difficult to handle. I really need something to alleviate my boredom.

As I am mulling over what to do to kill time before sleeping, my phone rang. I immediately took it from the top of my desk and hovered it over my face.

I have a new message, huh. I opened it and...

CHRONO-KUN 10:01 PM

[ hey aika, are you feeling fine? if you have any problem, you can tell me. ]

Speak of the devil. Why did you have to message me of all times? I... I don't have the right to receive any message from someone as high as you.

Please stop being sweet to me, too... You're too caring for someone who is not on your same level.

Sighing, I put down the phone and tried to sleep. But after a few minutes, the phone rang again.

Ugh... I should probably just ignore it...

Even after deciding to ignore it, I still picked up the phone out of curiosity. Damn Aika, you shouldn't let your curiosity control you! Whatever, to hell with it!

Even though I don't want to read it, I still read it.

CHRONO-KUN 10:10 PM

[ you don't have to force yourself if you don't want to. but please come to the dragon empire this weekend. we will be meeting a good friend of mine and have some practice matches. good night, aika ]

Ugh! Stop being like this... I don't want to feel close with someone who is regarded as a professional fighter. There's no way he will just befriend me, right? I am only a mere normal cardfighter, nothing more.

Then... why did he ask me to create a team? Was he just playing with me?

I silently put down the phone again and crossed my right arm across my eyes.

If somehow I can only revert time so that I could have rejected his invitation... I wouldn't be probably feeling these emotions.

He just brought back some painful memories.

Sighing, I closed my eyes. Maybe, if only I can sleep all through this, then it won't be a problem.


Weekend came very fast. I didn't even feel the days that came before it. It's as if... I fell asleep on my bed and when I woke up, it's suddenly the weekend.

Should I continue to Dragon Empire today or just make up some lame excuse that I have something to do today? I don't think Chrono-kun would mind me skipping today. As long as I say things like I have to handle some homework or anything, he probably wouldn't know that I don't want to see him.

But I think I am making this too obvious. Didn't I promise myself to stop acting like this? Then why am I doing what I promised I won't do? It's so ironic it makes me laugh...

Sigh. Whatever. I will continue. I need to act casual. I don't want Chrono-kun to be burdened with something he shouldn't be burdened with. I will try my best to act casual.

With that in mind, I stood up from my bed and walked to the rest room to wash my face. The cold water awakened my still asleep nerves.

After washing my face, I walked out of my room and went to start preparing my breakfast.

"Oh, good morning Sis! How was your sleep?"

As I turn my face to the kitchen, Ryuu was there, fixing his uniform.

Wait, why is Ryuu awake this early?

"Oh, Ryuu! Why are you awake this early? And you're dressed in uniform... Is something going to happen in your school?" I asked.

"Oh, yeah, Sis. Me and my friends from Cardfight Club has activities to do today, so I have to attend. By the way Sis, I have prepared the breakfast already so you don't have to cook. They're still hot, so you don't need to reheat them. I will be going Sis, see you!" Ryuu said as he picked up his bag and went out of the house.

"Alright then, see you," I said and waved.

That seems really nice for Ryuu. He is finally finding friends he can trust on. That is a major step-up for him! I like this version of my little brother. Well, I don't really care how he acts, I love him as who he is.

After a few minutes, a frown made itself into my face. Right, I have to go to that event.

"Time to prepare for myself then," I said and started preparing.


At exactly 10 in the morning, I am standing in front of the Dragon Empire Branch. Chrono-kun and our unexpected 3rd member, Shouji-san, has not yet appeared.

Because it's just a casual meeting as I believe, I wore my casual clothes. I don't like wearing too much clothes if not needed, they just annoy the hell out of me.

As I wait for my fellow teammates, I surveyed my surroundings. It helps me calm my nerves every time I feel pressure.

Dragon Empire is quite the loud, noisy place. There are various people around, mostly children and teenagers, playing Vanguard everywhere. The ambiance is really friendly and calm. Looks like a very fun place, huh?

I remembered the day I met that guy who introduced me to the world of cardfighting. Thanks to him, I can understand how amazing Vanguard is. I wonder where he is now? I honestly don't remember his name, nor how he looks, after all, it's been truly long ever since I last met him, but he left me with such an amazing memory that I will hold onto until I die. If I ever meet him again, I shall thank him. That is, if I will ever meet him again.

"Good morning, Aika."

As I continue to survey my surroundings, I heard his voice. I turned to the source of the voice.

Yup, I am totally right. He is Shindou Chrono-kun, the one and only.

Aika, do what you always do. Act casual. Do not let him see you are being awkward right now.

"Good morning, Chrono-kun," I said with the best smile I can put.

Before Chrono-kun could speak another word...

"Mornin'."

...our third member came. With his usual nonchalant face.

"Oh, good morning Shouji-kun! Always on time, huh," I said.

Shouji-kun shrugged and looked at the building.

Well, he did save me from the questioning I might get from Chrono-kun earlier. That last-minute luck...

From the corner of eyes, I can see Chrono-kun shake his head.

"Well, we're here. At the Dragon Empire Branch. We're going to meet my friend's team and have some spars with them," Chrono-kun explains with a smile.

...so he doesn't care, huh. Not that I care. But... somehow, it stung my heart. Ugh, Aika, don't act too close to him! You two are only acquaintances, nothing more.

"Oh, Chrono, you are early. Been long."

After a few seconds, we heard a voice.

"Shion! It's been long! How are you?" Chrono-kun asks with a bit too much of enthusiasm in his voice.

"I am fine, as always. How about you? And you have an interesting bunch there. They're faces I haven't seen before," the guy said.

So, this guy is named Shion. He has neck-length blond hair and has sea-blue eyes. If I was any other girl, I would have fell heads-over-heals for this guy, but no. Not my type.

He seems manipulative at best. Quite the perfectionist too. His eyes tell me. But his eyes are also pretty. They are the eyes of someone who has suffered a great deal.

Still, he might be a stuck-up jerk. But I am not in the position to judge. This is just the first time we met each other.

"Oh, right. This is Aika Nishimura. We are both working in Card Capital," Chrono-kun introduced me.

"Hey, nice to meet you," I said and offered my hand for a shake.

"Likewise," he said and took my hand and shook it.

Well, at least he's not fake. The handshake feels genuine. But, that look on his face quite interests me.

"And this is Kazuma Shouji. Kazuma, this is Shion Kiba," Chrono-kun introduced Shouji-san.

"Shion Kiba... the rich kid?" Shouji-san asked with what seemed irritation on his face.

Weird. Shouji-san doesn't usually wear his heart on his sleeve. He's definitely showing irritation right now.

"Yeah, if that's how you phrase it," Chrono-kun said.

"It's nice to meet you," Kiba-kun said and brought up his hand for a handshake.

Shouji-san looks away with a huff.

"Oy!" Chrono-kun said.

"Don't worry about him. By the way, this is..."

"Ah! My name is Anri Hayao, Fukuhara High Vanguard Club's president," the tall guy with glasses, Hayao-kun, said.

And this is their president, huh. He seems to be a bit unconfident with how his back is a bit slumped. I don't see anything remarkable about him for now, but I don't think what I see from him is just the only thing I will see. There is more to his personality for sure.

"Thank you for accepting the friendly match today," he said.

"There's no need to thank me," Chrono-kun said.

"It sort of just happened," Kiba-kun added, with that amused smile on his face.

For some reason, I want to wipe that irritating smile away from his face. Wait... Shion Kiba... that sounds familiar. Oh, right!

"Wait, Kiba-kun. You are the Shion Kiba, right?" I asked.

"Yeah," he said with his somehow irritating smile.

I see. Then he really is the rich kid as Shouji-san said. He is known to be almost perfect in everything, be it academics, sports, fencing and Vanguard. The one they titled, "Perfect Prince."

It's a bit disgusting to hear. But... he is higher than me, so I am not in the position to speak.

"Oh right, we have another member," Kiba-kun said.

"Eh?!" Chrono-kun let out a surprise shriek as he saw Kiba-kun's third member.

I don't know why Chrono-kun was surprised to see her, or whoever she is.


"Oh, this must be it."

We walked around Dragon Empire in search of the reserved place for our practice matches. We eventually found them.

"Good morning!"

As we walk towards the reserved fighting area, two men greeted us. I am not quite interested in whatever they were talking about, so I decided to wander my eyes around.

This amusement space is quite large. There are many people around, especially teens and children, cardfighting and joining some events. Well, it's to be expected. This branch has a very fun environment and anyone would be attracted to it.

It's really weird that this is the only time I came to this place despite always being out of house to work. Maybe, I was just too immersed in my jobs in the past that I haven't even noticed this place? Well, it's fine. At least, me joining this team introduced me to lots of things. Yeah, like bad memories.

"What's your team name?"

One question perked up my interest and I decided to return my attention to their talking.

"Team name... right, that's important."

Team name, huh. Right, that's important. We haven't decided on what name should be taken, though.

"I don't care about what name our team will have, as long as it's not lame..." Mr. Grumpy-old-pants said.

Sigh, of course. Who would like a lame team name, idiot? Guess we got to be honest.

"I am sorry though, we haven't actually decided on a team name. For starters, just write our names there," I suggested.

"Alright then."

Hayao-kun wrote our names on the white board and wrote the order of matches.

And, I am going to fight her... Hashima Rin was it? Yeah, whatever. I have literally no idea what decks they use, so this will be a great training for the tournament, where you usually don't know what deck your opponents will use.

There were only 2 fights able to be accommodated as there are only two fighting tables.

I stood next on one of the fighting tables and took my deck from my pocket.

"Hey there. Let's have fun today," I said with a smile to my opponent.

"Do your worst," she said with a bit of huff.

"Let's begin!"

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"Stand up, Vanguard."


"I end my turn."

Aika Nishimura

Hand: 5

Soul: 2

* Damage: U | U | U

G-zone: (16)

Field:

Crayon Tiger | Honorary Professor, Chatnoir | Anchor Rabbit

Coiling Duckbill | Pencil Koala | R

Rin Hashima

Hand: 4

Soul: 2

Damage: U | U | U | U

G-zone: (16)

Field:

Nurse of Broken Heart | Black Relief, Aratoron | R

R | Black Candle, Azrail | R

This looks good. I have 1 point lead in damage. But, this is Angel Feather we're talking about. They're able to utilize the damage zone to their best. Let's see how she will fare.

"Stand and Draw. Ride! Black Shiver, Gavrail!" my opponent (I don't really care to name her) said.

Gavrail, huh. Let's see what you got!

"Generation zone release. Stride Generation! Holy Seraph, Altiel." [26000][Grade 4]

"Stride skill, I look at two cards from the top of my deck and put one in damage zone face-up. Superior call, Black Slice, Harut. Power 2000." [11000][Grade 2]

It really is a damage zone-centric deck. This is getting interesting.

"Broken Heart skill. A card was put to damage zone, 2000 power. Altiel Rescue. Counterblast and soulblast. I choose a card from damage zone and heal it."

Heal? That is a crazy tactic!

"I choose my vanguard and deal one damage to it. Rescue check!"

Black Spark, Munkar - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Critical trigger. All effects to Altiel. Broken Heart skill, +2000 is added."

Rescue... Healing damage and dealing damage to vanguard. It really is a skill that plays with the damage zone. Adding to that, she also powers-up.

"Azrail's skill, I put it to soul and counterblast. I put the top card of my deck to the damage zone. I put Sunny Smile Angel from damage zone to my hand. Broken Heart skill, +2000! Call, Black Spark, Munkar!" [4000][Grade 0]

She's prepared to attack. I can't make a mistake here!

"Munkar boosts, Harut attacks! Harut skill, superior call Black Bomber, Maalik! Broken Heart gets another +2000!" [15000 atk.][1 crit]

"Anchor Rabbit intercepts." [5000 sld.]

"Altiel attacks. Munkar skill, it goes to soul. I draw. +5000 power to Altiel!" [44000 atk.][2 crit.]

"Perfect Guard, Cable Sheep." [0 sld.]

"Triple drive!"

Black Shiver, Gavrail - NO TRIGGER

Doctoroid Remnon - NO TRIGGER

Critical Hit Angel - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Critical trigger! All effects to Broken Heart!"

Another critical trigger?!

"Maalik boosts, Broken Heart attacks!" [29000 atk.][2 critical]

"No guard. Damage check."

Honorary Professor, Chatnoir - NO TRIGGER

Cable Sheep - NO TRIGGER

"Maalik skill. Rescue check!"

Surgery Angel - STAND TRIGGER

"Stand trigger! Broken Heart stands, +5000 power! Broken Heart skill, +2000 power!"

Wow. The number of attacks and triggers are strong. How can she get so much power?!

"Broken Heart attacks once more! This is the end!" [24000 atk.][2 crit.]

"Generation guard! Immortality Professor, Kundalini!" [15000 sld.]

"Tch. Turn end."

Aika Nishimura

Hand: 3

Soul: 2

Damage: U | U | U | U | U

G-zone: 1 (15)

Field:

Crayon Tiger | Honorary Professor, Chatnoir | R

Coiling Duckbill | Pencil Koala | R

Rin Hashima

Hand: 7

Soul: 3

Damage: U | U | U | F

G-zone: 2 (14)

Field:

Nurse of Broken Heart | Black Shiver, Gavrail | Black Slice,Harut

Black Bomber, Maalik | R | R

"Stand and draw."

She is so strong. But, I can't just let myself lose. This is a fun fight, but a fight won't be good if I won't respond with my everything!

"Generation zone release. Stride Generation. Omniscience Dragon, Cath Palug." [26000][Grade 4]

With this card, I am going to win this game!

"Call, Anchor Rabbit, Label Pangolin. Pangolin skill, Anchor Rabbit gets a skill." [8000][Grade 2],[7000][Grade 1]

"Going all out, huh," my opponent said.

"Yeah. I can't just let myself lose without a good fight," I said.

Alright, time to win this game!

"Anchor Rabbit attacks Gavrail. Cath Palug skill, counterblast. +4000 is added." [12000 atk.][1 crit.]

"Harut intercepts." [5000 sld.]

"Cath Palug attacks your vanguard." [31000 atk.][1 crit.]

"Perfect guard." [0 sld.]

"Remnon skill, rescue check."

Huh? She can do rescue even on my turn?!

Black Shiver, Gavrail - NO TRIGGER

"No trigger, huh. Broken Heart skill, +2000 to herself and Vanguard, Gavrail Generation Break, +2000 to my front row."

Wow. She is really strong. Being able to play with the damage zone on my turn. But, I can't back down!

"Triple drive."

Broadcast Rabbit - HEAL TRIGGER

"Heal trigger. Power to Anchor Rabbit, I heal one damage."

Draft Unicorn - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Critical trigger. All effects to Anchor Rabbit."

Triangle Cobra - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Once more, a critical trigger. All effects to Crayon Tiger."

"Tch. Triple trigger."

"Anchor Rabbit's Success. It reached 20000 power, so it stands."

Thanks to that triple trigger, I can pressure more guardians from my opponent. This game is definitely won now!

"Anchor Rabbit attacks. Cath Palug skill, +4000. Pangolin skill, I countercharge." [26000][2 crit.]

"Guard. Munkar, Nociel!" [15000 sld.]

"Nociel skill. I put Nakir to the damage zone. I put Surgery Angel to my hand. Broken Heart and Gavrail's skills activate!"

Another play with the damage zone! She is also not letting up!

"Crayon Tiger attacks. Skill, Anchor Rabbit stands and gives it +4000 power. Cath Palug, I give +4000 to Crayon Tiger." [25000 atk.][2 crit.]

"Surgery Angel guards!" [10000 sld.]

"Then, this is the final attack. Label Pangolin boosts, Anchor Rabbit attacks. Cath Palug skill, +4000 to Anchor Rabbit. Pangolin skill, countercharge." [41000 atk.] [2 crit.]

"Generation Guard! Holy Seraph, Suriel!" [15000 sld.]

Tch, she still has a generation guard!

"Suriel's rescue. I look at the top card of my deck and put it on top or bottom. I heal one damage and deal one damage to my vanguard! Rescue check!"

Critical Hit Angel - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Critical trigger! All effects to Gavrail! Gavrail and Broken Heart skills activate!"

"It's not enough, tch. I end my turn. Cath Palug and Crayon Tiger skills, I draw 5 cards."

Aika Nishimura

Hand: 8

Soul: 4

Damage: F | F | F | U

G-zone: 2 (14)

Field:

R | Honorary Professor, Chatnoir | R

Coiling Duckbill | Pencil Koala | Label Pangolin

Rin Hashima

Hand: 1

Soul: 3

Damage: U | U | U | U

G-zone: 3 (13)

Field:

Nurse of Broken Heart | Black Shiver, Gavrail | R

Black Bomber, Maalik | R | R

"Stand and draw. I will compliment you. You are much better than I have expected," my opponent said with a smirk.

"Thank you," I said, a bit sardonically.

"But I will crush you! You won't win against me! Stride Generation! Holy Seraph, Altiel!" [26000][Grade 4]

Here it comes again...

"Stride skill! Broken Heart superior call! +2000! Left Broken Heart skill, +2000 is added to herself and vanguard!"

That grade 2 is what makes this deck really fatal. It gains power everytime a card is put to damage zone.

"Altiel rescue! For each face-up card in G-zone with Altiel in its name, I do rescue! Rescue check!"

Doctoroid Remnon - NO TRIGGER

Black Spark, Munkar - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Critical trigger! All effects to vanguard!"

Critical Hit Angel - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Another critical! All effects to left Broken Heart!"

"Double critical?!"

"This is payback for your triple trigger earlier. Broken Heart skills! Three cards were put to damage zone, +6000 is added to herself and to Altiel! I call Surgery Angel!" [4000][Grade 0]

She is so strong... Can I guard these...?

"Broken Heart attacks!" [27000 atk.][2 crit.]

"Draft Unicorn and Triangle Cobra guards!" [20000 sld.]

"Surgery Angel boosts, Altiel attacks your vanguard!" [47000 atk.][2 crit.]

"Generation Guard! Head of the Bastion, Ardillo! Skill, I retire Pencil Koala, +10000 shield! Then, I guard with Draft Unicorn and Starholder Hedgehog!" [45000 sld.]

If I throw out my whole hand to guard, I won't have enough to guard the next attack. I have to bet on this! As long as she doesn't get two triggers, I still have a chance!

"Triple drive!"

Doctroid Remnon - NO TRIGGER

Black Spark, Munkar - CRITICAL TRIGGER

"Critical trigger! All effects to Vanguard!"

If she gets another trigger, it will pass! Please, don't come out!

"Third check!"

Doctoroid Refros - STAND TRIGGER

"Stand trigger! Power to Altiel, Broken Heart stands!"

Shit! She got two triggers?! She is so strong... I literally have nothing against her. She truly has mastered Angel Feather.

"Damage check."

Ink Panda - NO TRIGGER

Honorary Professor, Chatnoir - NO TRIGGER


FINAL RESULTS

Aika Nishimura

Hand: 3

Soul: 4

Damage: F | F | F | U | U | U

G-zone: 3 (14)

Field:

R | Honorary Professor, Chatnoir | R

Coiling Duckbill | R | Label Pangolin

Rin Hashima

Hand: 3

Soul: 2

Damage: U | U | U | U

G-zone: 4 (13)

Field:

Nurse of Broken Heart | Black Shiver, Gavrail | Nurse of Broken Heart

Black Bomber, Maalik | Surgery Angel | R


"Thank you so much for the fight... who are you again?" I said.

"Tch, you don't remember? I am Rin, Rin Hashima! Remember that! I am going to crush you again next time!" she said.

Tsundere, huh. Yeah, yeah, interesting.

"I look forward to it," I said with a smile and walked away.

Nevertheless, she is stronger than I have expected. I will have to make adjustments to the deck. Vanguard is really interesting!

But then, that really means I haven't improved, huh? I am still the same weak person as ever... After all, I am the reason why he disappeared... Wait, who exactly disappeared? Sigh, I guess this is what my mind does to me when I get exhausted.

Aika, stop. Don't remind yourself of something bad. Calm down.

Sigh... I should totally avoid him. I wonder why he played with me.


Third POV

"You made this team, Shion? That's awesome."

Chrono and Shion stood at the front of the scoreboard, watching the two fights fold in front of them.

"Thank you for the compliment. And you seem to have some problems with your team. Are you sure you will be doing fine in U20?"

"I can't help it though, I am not the organizer type. But, I believe we will do fine. I believe in those two," Chrono said with a shrug.

"Kazuma Shouji hasn't joined any tournament and has many rough edges in the way he fights. What pushed you to let him inside the team?" Shion asked.

"I don't know too, it's just... I saw something in him. He has the potential," Chrono said.

"That does intrigue me," Shion said.

After a few minutes, Aika finished her battle with Rin.

"We just finished our battle here," Aika said in her usual calm demeanor.

"Oh, Shion, let's start our fight then," Chrono said.

"Wait Chrono, let me ask you a question first."

"What is it?" Chrono said.

"About Aika Nishimura. Where did you meet her?" Shion asked.

"Aika? I met her in our school due to some... accident... and we formally met in Card Capital," Chrono said while tapping his chin.

"I see," Shion said.

"You see, Aika is an amazing person! I totally was amazed by her fight. She has mastered Great Nature and is able to utilize it to the best of her ability! You totally saw it earlier, right?" Chrono said with a bit too much of excitement.

"Mhm. She did great combos with the deck. Attacking with aggression, while keeping defense by the amount of draws the deck does. It truly was a spectacular play," Shion said.

"Right, right, told you! But, something worries me..." Chrono said solemnly.

"It's rare for you to be worried about something. What is it?" Shion said, with a teasing smile.

"She... Oh well, I will fill you in with details later. Let's fight, Shion!"

Shion raised his brow on Chrono's intentional avoidance of a topic he himself opened up. That's a very Chrono-like thing to do, he thought to himself. But, he shrugged.

"Mhm. Let's fight," Shion said with an amused smile.

Shion thinks, maybe he should see for himself how amazing she is another time, as Chrono phrased it.


Aika's POV

Shouji-san has improved, huh. He was a total newbie when I fought him in Card Capital. He still has rough edges, but I guess, I am not in the position to say that when I, myself, suffer from those rough edges.

Ugh, why did I even start to think like this again?! I really need to go home and just lie down on my bed... I feel exhausted all of the sudden.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"Stand up, the Vanguard!"

Oh, Chrono-kun and Kiba-kun are going to even start a cardfight. But, I am not interested. All I want right now is to lay down on my bed and forget I even came here. I am tired of thinking like this. I promised to not do this again, but here I am, being like this.

When will you learn, Aika?

I started to walk away. I am not going to stay and wallow in self-doubt that I promised to forget many years ago.

"Aika? You are leaving already?"

When I was about to totally leave them without being noticed, I got called out by him, the guy I want to avoid.

"I am sorry, Shindou-kun, I forgot I am in charge of cooking our dinner today. Thank you for inviting me today," I said and waved before leaving immediately.

Somehow, my chest tightened. I just don't want to be a burden to anyone anymore.


Third POV

Chrono was left astounded.

"Chrono? Are you fine?" Shion asked.

"No... it's just... I mean... yeah! Let's continue the fight, Shion!" Chrono said, still trying to avoid the topic.

Shion's eyebrow raised in curiosity, and amusement.

There must be something in her that is making Chrono act like this. Shion concluded to himself with amusement and decided to continue the fight.

He is going to investigate this later, in his own way.


Hello guys! Alex here, again!

So, I'm sorry I almost took another month to finish this, but I told myself to fight my laziness and finish this because there are just too many ideas swirling in my head for this story. I want to get to the later parts, as that's where the story will get more exciting. Please look forward to it!

Also, this story will have more focus on slice of life things, as you have noticed. I think NEXT lacked in this particular area, and that's why the anime fell a bit flat. We're going to go into each of the character's lives (including the OCs) and build their characters. Don't worry, there will still be cardfights, as they are an essential part to this story.

By the way, to my fellow readers and followers, please leave a review. I don't usually ask for this, but I just want to tell you how your reviews help me in writing this story. They are literally my inspirations whenever I write. Don't worry, you can criticize my story too, as long as it's constructive. If you can't really leave a review, you don't have to force yourself though, I just thought of telling you.

By the way, thank you again for reading! And I hope, you guys wait for the next chapter!

(P.S. We reached the highest number of words in a chapter! (5000+ words))