I'm just about to win my next duel – all this Light-obsessed chump needs to do is attack and I'll activate my trap, and then his monsters are going to go bye-bye – when I realize that after this, I just might have enough of these stupid medals to get Phoenix to take me seriously.
Yeah, I know. Back on this again? I can't help it. I'm determined to get him to admit that he isn't absolutely perfect and that, contrary to his beliefs, I'm worth just as much if not more than he is. And that's all going to start with a duel. At least, that's my plan, anyway, and so far it's working out just the way I want it to.
The kid I'm dueling – I think he said his name was Kyo? – does exactly as planned, not bothering to wonder if the card I have set on the field is something that could stop him. Seriously, these Light-obsessed weirdos are so overconfident in their abilities. This kid even said something earlier about how the Light would help him win the duel or something. Really? The only thing that's going to help you win the duel is skill, and that's something I have.
I activate my trap, effectively destroying all three of his monsters in play, and since he has no other cards on the field and apparently nothing useful in his hand, this Kyo person has no other choice but to end his turn. It's a shame that all I need is this next turn to win the duel. This doesn't surprise me, though. There's a reason I was placed into Obelisk, and I'm pretty sure that this kid was in Osiris before he was abducted by the Light. Although, I could be wrong. He duels like one anyway.
Despite my internal ranting – something I've been doing a lot these past few days ever since that jerk decided to give me advice when he won't even take it himself even though things like this should just be a fair trade, but I'm obviously an idiot who has no idea what she's talking about – I don't get distracted from my goal and I win the duel. The kid in front of me stomps his foot and pouts and I just barely stop myself before telling him to go back to grade school.
Instead, I take my bag of medals and hold it open, waiting.
He scowls, but I can tell he's scared of me just enough to give me what I want – and deserve after that pitiful duel – without complaining any more than he already is. And having what I want, I turn and walk through the bit of forest next to the ground we just used for our duel. I don't really want anyone else around when I count my medals.
I dump them all to the ground and slowly toss them back in as I count. When I reach the end of the pile, I release an annoyed sigh. I barely have nineteen of them. Knowing Phoenix, he's probably got fifty…or more. I groan, rubbing my temples. Nineteen lousy medals isn't going to help me get his attention. I can imagine it now, my running up to him waving my hands wildly as I challenge him to a duel. He'll just laugh and tell me how pathetic I am.
"You only have nineteen medals, Sakamoto. I can't believe you still think you're worth my time." Cue heinous laugh.
I huff one more time before standing up and closing my bag. I place the strap over my shoulder and start walking. This is obviously going to take a lot more effort than I thought, but now is no time to give up. I will get him to take me seriously if it's the last thing I do. This tournament is only a stepping stone in making it happen.
That's what I realized a few days ago when we were all called to the main hall for a meeting. It was strange at first – well, I thought it was strange after my anger had subsided – because we don't normally get called for meetings randomly throughout the year. In fact, we usually have a schedule for them. What was even weirder was the fact that our headmaster came back. It was so surreal considering he'd practically abandoned us for the entire year.
I'm glad he's back, though. He's a much better headmaster than he-who-is-tall-and-ugly and he-who-is-short-and-round.
Anyway, Samejima made this big announcement about how the rest of the school year would be composed of a dueling tournament. Pros from all over the world would be flying in and whoever was the last duelist standing would receive some mysterious award. Needless to say, I was immediately intrigued. A tournament? What if I was the winner? My gaze flickered over to where Phoenix was standing. I'd definitely gain respect then, right?
Well, I tell myself as I make my way back to campus, it was a good idea…
It still is a good idea! It just needs to be tweaked a bit. Maybe I ought to challenge someone with a ton of medals and go from there…
Before I can finish plotting, though, I spot a duel up ahead, surrounded by a lot of people. This is no ordinary duel – which explains the people – as I easily spot Judai on one side and Manjyoume on the other when I walk closer. I walk over to the only people I know and/or like in this crowd – Hamako and Kenzan – to watch the duel with them.
"What's going on?" I ask, leaning against a blue garbage can that seems oddly out of place, but I don't really make much of this.
"Judai-kun's dueling Manjyoume-kun to try and pull him back to his senses," Hamako answers simply.
Before I can make a response, the trash can moves and says, "Hey! I can't get out!"
I jump back about three feet, posed ready to strike at this apparently demon trash can. Hamako laughs at me, and I furrow my eyebrows, thoroughly confused as I glance back and forth between her and the trash can which…which has just opened to reveal a nervous Shou inside.
"Wh – why are you in a garbage can?" I ask, legitimately concerned. Hamako isn't even attempting to stifle her giggles and she pulls out her camera, aiming the lens at me.
"You just have to see your face right now," she explains, taking the picture before I have a chance to swat her camera away.
"Would you all mind being a little less rowdy?" a new voice asks and I am immediately aware of who has joined this little group. Much to my annoyance, a wild Phoenix has appeared and my first reaction is to sneer at him and roll my eyes.
"Sorry," Hamako shrugs, and we both turn back to the duel at hand. (Mostly only because I don't want to even interact with his righteousness right now.)
The duel didn't pause while we were goofing, and suddenly Judai plays one of Manjyoume's Ojama creatures on his side of the field. Obviously, I'm extremely confused, but I'm pretty sure no one here can blame me. I mean, Judai's not supposed to have those cards. Those aren't his monsters.
"Why does - ?"
"Manjyoume-kun threw them away," Shou comments, a bit surprised himself as he cuts me off.
"And Judai found them," Kenzan continues, and I can't help but look between the group.
"What all have I missed?" I ask.
"I dunno," Hamako replies, shrugging as she looks me over curiously. "Where have you been?"
I glance to Phoenix for a moment my eyes narrowing at the pompous fool and look back to Hamako when he attempts to make eye contact with me. No, not going to happen. Not today, not tomorrow. I am not happy with you so stop staring at me like I just did something wrong.
"I guess I just got too caught up with dueling in the tournament," I say, smiling. It's not like it isn't at least part of the truth. Just because I'm lazy and I refuse to duel any of the pros – I'm not an idiot and I know that if I take the risk I might lose and then I'd have to start back from square one – doesn't mean I haven't been getting all worked up about this tournament. I want to win just as badly, if not more, than the rest of the duelists here. Unlike any of them, though, I actually have a goal in mind.
Hamako blinks and then decides it's an okay excuse and just as we turn back to the duel again, I hear Manjyoume groan. I whip my head around to face him, to actually look at him the way I've been avoiding since he changed and I can clearly see a rush of negative energy surrounding him. And that's when I notice just how many Society of Light members are watching this duel. It's enough to make me dizzy and I start to sway…
Suddenly, I hear the name "Saiou", and I blink, forcing myself to stay stable on the ground. They're arguing about him now. Judai's telling Manjyoume everything I've been trying to tell Phoenix for the past month. I glance at him again and he seems to be enthralled in the conversation. Funny how he'll listen to everyone else's opinions but not mine.
Their argument over Saiou continues and, looking around at all the familiar faces, I come to realize I've totally been out of it. In fact, if someone were to tell me I've been acting incredibly selfish and to myself lately, I wouldn't be able to argue otherwise. While I've been so wrapped up in trying to get Phoenix's attention, his approval even, I totally forgot about the real issue. The Light dorm.
Even Hamako, my best friend and one of the worst duelists I've ever seen, has done so much more to help these possessed people than I have. I think about how I've been spending this whole time fixated on my goals and how angry I am with someone who doesn't even care about me in the first place. I don't want to admit it, but…I'm starting to feel kind of guilty.
I should be trying to help everyone instead of ranting and raving because some guy doesn't understand the meaning of friendship.
…
Did I just?
No. No, I didn't.
Then, as if to give me a reason not to think any more on it, Kenzan gets so frustrated that he kicks the trash can Shou's hiding in, apparently unaware that the small boy is in it. My eyes widen in shock as I watch the bit of blue roll down the hill back to where I've just come from. Hamako calls Kenzan an idiot and runs after Shou and I follow her, if only so I'm not stuck standing awkwardly next to Phoenix.
"Shou-chan!" Hamako calls, running faster than I've seen her run before. She might be lazy, but she at least cares about her friends, that's for sure. I'm sprinting right behind her and it doesn't take long for me to catch up.
The blue tin can has stopped moving and we stop running when we reach it. There's a groan coming from inside it – obviously Shou – and the top, which has somehow managed to stay attached, is pushed off. Hamako bends down to get a closer look at him as he crawls out of it and falls back on the grass.
"Hey, hey," she nudges, poking him. "Are you alright?"
His eyes flutter open and I wonder if he's particularly happy that it's Hamako there in front of him rather than someone else. Someone like me. I mean, Phoenix certainly wouldn't get all wide-eyed and happy if I came to help him out. No, he'd just get angry with me and… I really need to stop thinking about this.
There are so many things more important than your petty rivalry, I tell myself.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," he says, but it's obvious in the scrutiny on her face that she thinks that's bullshit. Personally, I think she's just tired of having to deal with that kind of attitude all the time from me and won't take it.
"I'm taking you to the infirmary," she tells him, the tone in her voice so final that he looks uncomfortable.
"But we're going to miss the end of the duel!" he protests, but that doesn't do much to Hamako's resolve. She'd rather see her friends safe than watch some duel any day, and I don't blame her, but…
"I wouldn't be opposed to watching the rest of the duel."
Hamako gives me a look, but I purposely look everywhere but at her until she sighs loudly and moves to pull Shou up. She gets him to his feet a bit more easily than I would've assumed she would, but I'm not so certain she'll be able to get him back up the hill. I'll be here the whole time, though, so I don't bother worrying about it too much, especially seeing as we get back to where we were without too much of a hitch.
Of course, that doesn't help me to understand why in the world Manjyoume's going on about a stain and being a slob. I mean, it's true, but… Wait. Does this mean he's gained his memories back?
I quickly discover I'm right when he starts going on about Saiou and being brainwashed and then I hear Phoenix muttering about not knowing that to himself. I turn to face him, open my mouth to tell him that I already told him that there was something up with his manager, but then close my mouth and bite my lip. It's a waste of my time, obviously. In fact, I probably could have found out about the brainwashing before any of them if I'd only been focused on the right thing.
I'm a little bit surprised when Manjyoume gives the duel, but then Phoenix goes on to say something about how "you have to defeat some monsters" and I just want him to shut up. I don't care if he understands. I just, I'm trying not to think about the fact that I've been a selfish brat, and he's not helping and I'm all to happy when Hamako exclaims that now she's taking Shou to the infirmary.
I can tell that she isn't going to be able to support him all the way across campus (though whether or not this is just an excuse for me to tag along, I can't tell). I make a face and decide to do exactly what she just did to him – force my help onto them. I'm not about to have my best friend falling on her face trying to help someone get first aid.
"Lean on me," I tell him, holding out my hand. He looks at me, afraid, while Hamako's look is more curious. I roll my eyes and continue, "Look, I'm stronger than both of you combined and I don't plan on biting you or killing you or whatever terrible thing you think I'm plotting against you."
I feel eyes on me that aren't Hamako or Shou, but I refuse to look. Instead, I watch as Hamako shrugs and hands him off, leaving Shou a bit flustered. He was probably looking forward to leaning on her the whole time there. Oh well, kid, I think. Life leaves you with a ton of disappointments.
Hamako skips off ahead of us, but then, realizing that there's no party without Shou, stops and waits for us to catch up. With her back turned, I can't help but glance to where I know someone is looking at me. Unsurprisingly, it's Phoenix, and his gaze is a bit curious, which really kind of irritates me. What, do I not look like the helping type? I shrug, and then keep walking, following Hamako with this short boy on my arm.
When we get there, Ayukawa is unsurprised to see me. I raise my hands in the air in an act of surrender before she walks over to inspect me. I suppose I've been in here a bit more than is healthy now that I think about it.
"We're not here for me," I say almost immediately, my hands in the air. I point to Shou and continue. "He's the one who might have a concussion."
She cocks her head to the side and rolls her eyes, but the hint of a smile on her face tells me that she isn't upset with me always here. Instead of coming after me, she moves over to Shou, who has found his way to Hamako and is leaning on her for balance.
"Come sit here," Ayukawa tells him, gesturing to a chair next to a table. He sits and she pulls up a chair for herself and starts inspecting him.
It's then that Hamako takes my arm, pulling me a little bit away from the others. She looks me over for a moment, and then, probably upon deciding that I look normal, she starts her questions with, "Are you okay?"
This totally catches me off guard and I feel my eyebrows furrow with confusion. I wasn't exactly expecting her to ask that in particular, at least not at first. I suppose it's fitting, though, considering how off I've been acting recently.
"Yeah," I say, the confusion still evident in my voice.
She frowns, probably arguing with herself on whether or not that's true, but gives it up to ask her next question: "Then what happened?"
I open my mouth to tell her something vague like, "I was just upset", but just as quickly close my mouth, knowing that she'll keep asking me questions and I don't really want to lie to her. So instead I opt for the truth, albeit an abridged version. I go through my regained memories and tell her about meeting Saiou, about how useful he thinks I am, but I leave out the bit about being "connected to Edo", instead moving onto how I lost my memories and have been in subsequent arguments with Phoenix about his selfishness among other things.
She listens all the while – through my hands being raised, my frustration, my fear, when I go on an unnecessary rant about how much of an aggravating prat Phoenix is – nodding her head and fully enraptured by the conversation.
"And, well, I realized that I've been a bit selfish these past couple of weeks, worrying about that idiot," I finish, and I feel a weight inside of me fly away as if this was all I needed. Suddenly, I hear Phoenix's voice in my mind telling me, "You need to at least talk to your friend", and I wonder if he was really just looking out for me. But I know that now is not the time to think about him as I look down at my best friend. "I'm sorry I'm such an idiot."
She looks me over for a minute, and a smile quickly creeps across her face, one that makes me feel so relieved. At least she doesn't hate me. And almost as if she hears my thoughts, she envelopes me in a tight hug and I can't help but hug her back. I'm lucky to have a friend like her.
"Alright, you're good to go!" Ayukawa says, standing Shou up and handing him some medicine. "Just get a bit of rest and take one of those and you'll be fine."
"Thanks, Ayukawa-sensei," Shou replies.
Hamako turns to me before we leave, just to tell me, "Of course I forgive you for being so stupid, so stop looking at me like it's the end of the world" to which I can only smile and nod.
•○•○•
A/N: I know, I fail at updating, but I haven't forgotten it! I've been adjusting to college, so I've been busy, but I realized that this story only has about five chapters left. That made me sad somehow... Enjoy! And thanks ahead of time for the lovely reviews.