Hello, everyone! This is a new chapter! Chapter 25! I hope everyone will enjoy it and without further ado, let's start!
Normal POV
A few hours in school passed as Aichi noticed his classmates crowding around Kourin and making a conversation with her. He took his fliers and noticed the crowd at the back of their classroom door.
" E-Excuse me... Please let me by." Aichi said
But he got pushed back by more students as Naoki came by.
" You're in the way! Move!" Naoki exclaimed
As the students made way for him, Aichi quickly followed behind him before soon catching up to walk beside him.
" U-Um... Thank you, Naoki-kun." Aichi thanked
" Huh? I didn't do jack." Naoki said
" Isn't it amazing that an idol transferred to our class?" Aichi ask
" You think so? It's just annoying to me, how everybody's gushing over her." Naoki said
" I suppose I'm not very comfortable with the commotion either." Aichi said, " But anyway, I'm going to go put up my Cardfight Club fliers."
" Fliers?" Naoki muttered as he looked at the fliers in Aichi's hands, " Oh, that."
" This morning I put up a flier on the bulletin board in front of the faculty room, but the response was kind of... lukewarm... So I thought I'd be a little more proactive about it." Aichi explained
" You're gonna put up all of those?" Naoki ask
" I guess it is a lot..." Aichi said as he looked at his fliers, " I guess Kai-kun and I went a little overboard."
" Well... Good luck with that." Naoki said as he went up the stairs
" Thanks!"
" Did that go okay? I didn't act strange, did I? No, I feel like I did a good job talking to him normally. But... I wonder if he's still feeling guilty about the past?" Aichi thought
That was when he went past the previously torn flyer as he shook his thoughts off. He then went to the school gates after pinning a few more fliers.
" W-Won't you join the Cardfight Club?! If you're curious, please try it out! Um... Even if you've never played, I'll teach you! I guarantee it'll be fun! How about it?!" Aichi shouted
" What's he doing? Soliciting for a club? No one's going to join anything like that!" A student said
He turned to them as he saw Kourin with them, getting into her car. That was when they were met with a glare and flinched. Kai had just arrived at the gates to hear what they'd said. Kourin left in her car afterwards as the students quickly dispersed.
" Kai-kun!"
Kai waved at him as Aichi nodded and got his bag in the classroom. He then started making his way to Capital with Kai.
" How is it?" Kai ask
" No one took a flyer and plus, the first flyer that I put up was torn and trashed after I went out of class to put up more fliers..." Aichi said
" Someone trashed the flyer?" Kai ask
" Y-Yeah... B-But I taped it back up and pinned it back on the board! I won't give in to something like that!" Aichi said
" I see."
Kai then turned behind and glared as Aichi turned behind out of curiousity as well but there was no one there.
" Kai-kun?"
" ... Must be my imagination." Kai said
The two continued walking as Naoki soon peeked out of the department store.
" What's with that guy?! It's as if he sensed I was following 'em or something!" Naoki thought
Naoki continued to follow them to Capital as Kamui immediately challenged Aichi to a fight. Time passed as they soon walked back home together. They did their usual rountine at home before getting ready for bed as Kai shut the lights off and laid down beside Aichi.
" You did a good job today. You deserve this rest." Kai said
" I have to do better tomorrow... I want everyone to enjoy Vanguard after all..." Aichi said as he slowly fell asleep
Kai smiled and kissed his forehead before hugging him tighter, " I know. Goodnight, Aichi."
The next morning, Aichi was handing out the fliers after putting his bag in class.
" Good morning! Please take the flyer! It's for the Cardfight Club! Good morning! Oh! Misaki-san!" Aichi exclaimed
" Aichi..."
" Um... Please take one." Aichi said as he held out the flyer
" I have to take care of the shop..." Misaki said
" I understand. But maybe just in case you have friends who might be interested...?" Aichi ask
Misaki was about to take the flyer when it was snatched out of his hand as they turned to see Kourin.
" What do you think you're doing?" Kourin ask
" Huh?"
" You. The champion of the Asia Circuit. I asked what you think you're doing!" Kourin said
" Wha?! You recognized me?!" Aichi exclaimed
" Of course I did!" Kourin exclaimed
" Well, you see... This school doesn't have a Cardfight club, and it seems that few of the students know about Vanguard. So I thought I'd form a club myself." Aichi explained
" That sounds tough." Kourin said
" It is." Aichi said as he took out a rulebook, " According to the rules, if I can't get at least five members, the Student Council won't recognize it as a club."
" So? How many do you have so far?" Kourin ask
" Huh?"
" I asked how many members do you have so far!" Kourin repeated
" Well, actually... it's still just me." Aichi said
" Fine. In that case, I'll join the Cardfight Club." Kourin said
" Huh?"
" I'll be your first member!" Kourin said
" Uh... Wha?! You, Tatsunagi-san?!" Aichi exclaimed
It ended up with the surrounding students wanting to join as Kourin stopped them and said that only those who can defeat the current club members can join. Thus, starting the club initiation test... However...
" Wow... She's definitely strong." Aichi thought as he saw another student's defeat against Kourin, " But no one can join when she's fighting this serious..."
As the last student who tried had lost and ran out of the classroom, Aichi approached Kourin.
" Tatsunagi-san, isn't this a little too strict?" Aichi ask
" You mean the initiation test?" Kourin ask
" I watched the ULTRARARE exhibition match at the Asia Circuit opening ceremony. Your fight wasn't just for show. I sensed true strength in you. If you fight that seriously, I don't think anyone will be able to pass." Aichi said
" We don't need members who only want to join because I'm an idol." Kourin said
" But..."
" If they don't even have the ability to defeat me, I don't consider them fit to be in the same team as you, the Asia Circuit champion." Kourin said
" But that's just..." Aichi exclaimed as Kourin shot up from her seat
" Listen to me. If your desire for new members means that you're willing to have shoddy fights, then I'll quit the club, immediately." Kourin said as she started walking away
" Uh..."
" Furthermore... I don't like you calling me that. Would you call me by my given name from now on?" Kourin ask
" Oh! Certainly, Kourin-san!" Aichi said
" Thank you."
Aichi sighed after Kourin left as he soon heard a voice chuckling.
" It's not funny, pontifex..." Aichi thought as he inwardly pouted
" But she has a point... You're a world or at least, first-class champion. Having shoddy fights would do a lot of damage to your reputation." The voice said
" But... I just created this club so that everyone can enjoy Vanguard..." Aichi thought
" What's the point of them joining when they aren't interested in the game and just the idol? Think about it." The voice said
Aichi pondered about it the rest of the day. It wasn't until Kai brought up about school that he snapped out of his thoughts.
" Earth to Aichi." Kai called as he poked Aichi's forehead
" ... Oh! W-What is it, Kai-kun?" Aichi ask
" You've been zoning out ever since you came out of school and plus, trying to drink soup using chopsticks?" Kai ask
Aichi looked at the food in front of him as he saw his chopsticks inside his bowl of soup. He blushed and quickly removed it and ate some rice to force down the blush. Kai chuckled and got back to eating his own food.
" Jeez. What's wrong? Did something happen in school?" Kai ask
" U-Uh... The ULTRARARE idol, Kourin-san, joined the club... but a lot of students want to join because of her. Then she started an initiation test to see who was suitable to join. No one had beaten her... She said that if they don't even have the ability to beat her, then they don't deserve to be on the same team as me, the Asia Circuit Champion." Aichi explained
Kai thought about those words before nodding, " I have to agree. It would be really bad and not motivating if your club members are only interested in an idol. You won't be able to channel your passion for Vanguard in school after that."
" B-But, I created the club so that everyone can know and enjoy Vanguard." Aichi said
" And what about tournaments? High school championships and many more. If none of the students are up to par to go against strong teams, the champion is the one that carries the burden because he was the one who chose his members." Kai explained
" That's true, but..." Aichi said
" I guess you never thought that far ahead. It's fine to want to let everyone know that Vanguard is fun. But it's also important that they share the same passion as you. If they don't, I'm afraid there might be some problems that will happen in the future." Kai said
" I understand..." Aichi said
Kai smiled as they continued their dinner before heading to bed.
The next morning, the club initiation test started again but the students still lost as they went over to Aichi for his advise.
" Um... This is a swift-attack style of deck, so..." Aichi said
" Hey, knock it off, Aichi Sendou! If you give them tips and send them back to me, I'll be here forever!" Kourin exclaimed
" Sorry! I thought it would be a little more fun for them that way..." Aichi exclaimed
That was when Aichi heard laughter in his head again as he sweat dropped.
" This isn't funny..." Aichi thought
" Sendou! I wanna join the club, too!" A voice said
Aichi turned behind to see Naoki as he held out his deck.
" Naoki-kun..." Aichi muttered
" Oh? Looks like the loyal Storm Guardian finally decided to show up." The pontifex said
" So he is interested... Though, you're sounding pretty entertained by this..." Aichi thought
" Ishida?"
" You're kidding!"
" What are you talking about, when you're the one who bullied Sendou?" Another voice said
They turned to see another boy standing in the hallway.
" What?!"
" I heard all about it. Back in elementary school, you used to bully Sendou!" The boy exclaimed
But before Naoki could speak up, Aichi immediately interjected.
" That's not true! Naoki-kun never did anything to me! He didn't bully me!" Aichi exclaimed
" Don't try to defend him! One of those guys who got expelled told me about it! He said Ishida was part of it, but somehow weasled his way out!" The boy exclaimed
" I was the one who was bullied so I knew who did and didn't do it! And I'm saying that Naoki-kun didn't do it!" Aichi argued
" But I bet he was the one who trashed his bulletin flier." Another boy said
" ... I didn't say anything about the flier. How do you know about it? Did you witness him do it?" Aichi ask
" Uh, that's..."
" ... Even so... I know that Naoki-kun didn't do it. So he's welcome to do the initiation test!" Aichi said
" ... Sounds fun. You've caught my interest!" Naoki said
He went over to the table and slammed his deck on it.
" Hey! I wanna join this club! Fight me!" Naoki said
" Fine. You're the first challenger who's brought his own deck. I'll play you." Kourin said
" Alright!"
" I don't know what happened between you and Aichi in the past, but I'm not going easy on you." Kourin said
" Relax, Idol-san... There ain't no past between us. Here I come!" Naoki said
" Stand up, Vanguard!"
" I ride! Lion Cub, Kyrph!"
" I ride! Spark Kid Dragoon!"
" I go first. Draw. I ride! Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth! Kyrph's skill activates. I draw one card. My turn is over." Kourin declared
Naoki checked his cards after that.
" It's your turn." Kourin said
" R-Right. First... I ride!" Naoki declared
Aichi blinked in confusion as he quickly stopped Naoki.
" Just a moment, Naoki-kun. You forgot to draw first." Aichi said
" Wha...?! I meant to do that! I thought it'd help break the ice. Draw! For real this time! I ride! Lizard Soldier, Riki! A skill lets me draw too! C'mere, Red River Dragoon! Let's go! Attack!" Naoki declared
Red River's attack had hit as Kourin checked for a trigger but there wasn't any.
" Once more! Take this!" Naoki declared as he rested his Vanguard
" Block it, Dantegal!" Kourin declared as she placed the card on the Guardian Circle
" Drat! It didn't go through?!" Naoki exclaimed
" Naoki-kun..." Aichi called
" What?!"
" Drive check. Do a drive check!" Aichi said
" Oh yeah! That's right! Alright! A draw trigger!" Naoki declared as he drew a card
" Your attack was still blocked though." Aichi muttered
" Stand and draw. I'll end this quickly for you. I ride! Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains! Beaumains's skill activates!" Kourin declared
Kourin dropped a card from her hand and drew another from her deck.
" Superior call! Knight of Elegant Skills, Gareth! When I have both Beaumains and Gareth, and then Soulblast a Kyrph, this unit's skill activates, too. Offer up your soul with the knights of skills, and an adult lion will respond to a cub's growl! I superior ride! Incandescent Lion, Blond Ezel!" Kourin declared
" You're kidding me!" Naoki exclaimed
" Imaginary Gift! Accel! I call Sacred Guardian Beast, Nemean Lion to the Accel Circle! Its skill activates! Gareth!" Kourin declared as she rested Gareth
" Old Dragon Mage, block it!" Naoki declared
" Prepare yourself! Drive check. Critical trigger!" Kourin declared
Naoki was dealt two damage after that as he also had to take Nemean Lion's attack as his turn started while ignoring the mutters in the crowd. Naoki drew his card after that.
" I ride! Recklessness Dragon! Its skill activates! Counterblast! I bind Nemean Lion! C'mere, Thunderstorm Dragoon! Back me up, Photon Bomber Wyvern! Boost! Attack! Drive check! I got a critical trigger! I give the power to Thunderstorm Dragoon, and the extra critical to my Vanguard!" Naoki declared
Kourin took the two damage and then also took Thunderstorm's attack before Naoki ended his turn.
" Stand and draw. A comrade responds to the lion's roar! I call Battlefield Tempest, Sagramore! Sagramore's skill activates! Superior call! Nemean Lion! Let's go!" Kourin declared
" Come at me!" Naoki said
Naoki took Ezel's attack before guarding the last two attacks with two Yellow Gem Carbuncle.
" My turn is over." Kourin said
" Stand and draw... I'm gonna crush you! I ride! Great Composure Dragon!" Naoki declared
" That's..."
" Great Composure Dragon?! ... You're a beginner, aren't you? Do you know the true worth of that unit?" Kourin ask
" What? ... Yeah, I know its worth. It's what's gonna break me outta my boring life! I'm gonna take you down with this secret weapon, and join the Cardfight Club!" Naoki said
" Naoki-kun!"
" Imaginary Gift! Accel! Recklessness Dragon goes to the Accel Circle! Its skill activates! Counterblast! I bind Sagramore! Great Composure Dragon's skill activates! It gets +5000 power for every empty rear guard circle in your front row! Recklessness Dragon! Send that Nemean Lion flyin'! Go! C'mere, Photon Bomber Wyvern! Lost Composure Breath!" Naoki declared
" I can't block it!" Kourin exclaimed as she took the damage
" Keep at it, Ishida-kun!" Aichi cheered
" Yeah! Thunderstorm Dragoon attacks, boosted by Red River Dragoon! If it hits you, I win!" Naoki said
" I'm not about to let that happen! I guard with Dantegal!" Kourin declared
" She blocked it!" Naoki exclaimed
" But that was a nice attack!" Aichi exclaimed
" Stand and draw! I won't let Great Composure walk all over me! Knight of Superior Skills, Beaumains! Sacred Guardian Beast, Nemean Lion! Gareth, to the front!" Kourin declared
" She's filled her front row rear guard circles! She's not going to let Great Composure Dragon power up." Aichi said
" One blow will end this! Drive check! Front trigger!" Kourin declared
Naoki was dealt the fifth damage. He then guarded the rest of the attacks with the remaining cards in his hand as Kourin's turn ended.
" No way..."
" He blocked it!" Aichi exclaimed
" Aichi... Vanguard's... so much fun!" Naoki exclaimed
" Yeah!"
" Stand and draw! C'mere! Lizard Soldier, Riki! Riki's skill activates! The opponent's front row and back row switch! Thunderstorm's skill activates! Counterblast to Wyvern! Here we go!" Naoki declared as he rested Great Composure
" Halo Shield, Mark! Perfect guard!" Kourin declared
" Drive check! I got a front trigger! So long to my tedious world and my boring self! Finish her off, Recklessness Dragon!" Naoki declared
" ... No trigger. I lost." Kourin said
" Huh?"
" Seriously?"
" Ishida won?"
" I don't believe it!"
" He's a beginner!"
Naoki stared in daze as Aichi snapped him out of it by placing his hand on his shoulder.
" You did it, Naoki-kun." Aichi said
" Aichi... I..." Naoki exclaimed
" That makes Naoki-kun a member of the Cardfight Club, right, Kourin-san?" Aichi ask
" Yes. He won, fair and square." Kourin said
" Alright!"
" Congratulations, Naoki-kun!" Aichi said
" Thanks!"
Naoki wrote his name down on the paper after that.
" Now the Cardfight Club has three members. Just two more, and we'll be an official club!" Aichi said
" I've got a lot to learn from you, Aichi! And you too, Idol-san." Naoki said
" Just call me Kourin, Newbie-san." Kourin said
" Make that 'Naoki' instead." Naoki said
" Very well, Naoki." Kourin said
" Oh, now that I think about it. Not that I mind but... I just noticed but when did you start calling me by my given name, Aichi?" Naoki ask
" Huh? U-Uh... maybe some time ago? I think I forgot..." Aichi said as he tried to laugh it off
" Well... Okay. Hey, show me your deck!" Naoki said
" Sure."
Kourin then handed her deck to him as Aichi joined in as well. However, at the corner of his eye, he saw the two same boys whispering to each other as a small smirk came up his lips. Once school ended, Kourin had to leave for her idol work while Aichi and Naoki decided to go to Capital together. Kai spotted them walking out as he gave a small wave.
" Kai-kun!"
" He's..." Naoki muttered
" A new member?" Kai ask
" Yes! This is Naoki-kun!" Aichi introduced
Kai bowed a little as Naoki did the same. Kai then noticed Aichi staring at something as he looked in the direction he was looking at and spotted two students looking at them.
" Enemies?" Kai whispered
" ... Not sure. But they tried to frame Naoki-kun." Aichi whispered
" How do you want to handle them?" Kai whispered
" Let me settle them. Create a distraction for me." Aichi whispered
Kai nodded as Naoki blinked in confusion.
" I forgot something in class. I'm sorry, Naoki-kun. Could you stay with Kai-kun for awhile?" Aichi ask
" S-Sure..."
Aichi then went back into the school as Kai spotted the two students following him.
" Hey, did you see that slightly scary face on Aichi's face just now?" Naoki ask
" What do you mean? Aichi will never look like that. Must have been your imagination." Kai replied
" I-I guess so..." Naoki said
In the classroom, Aichi sat at his desk as he waited while the two students quietly entered by the back door but were surprised to see him facing them.
" Do you have something to say to me?" Aichi ask
" Sendou! Do you really not know who trashed the flier?" The first boy ask
" Actually... I don't and I don't want to know either. But I am curious as to why you two know about it. I never said anything and there really wasn't anyone passing by at that time." Aichi said
" We saw it! It's Ishida, right?!" The first boy ask
The other boy nodded as Aichi sighed.
" It's not good to frame a classmate. Plus, those bullies went to jail already. So I would recommend that you not get involved with them anymore." Aichi said as he got up from his seat
" What?!"
" In middle school, they tried to take revenge on me by trying to hurt my friend. Let's just say that the end result didn't go off without casualties. Those guys are dangerous. If you value your life, then don't get involved with them anymore. Unless you respect them so much that you would try to sneak up on me and try to hurt me with those small knives in your hands." Aichi said
The two boys flinched as Aichi took something out from under his desk and kept it in his pocket.
" I have to go now. Think about your actions before you act." Aichi said
Aichi walked past them as he then hurriedly went back to the gates.
" Sorry for the wait!" Aichi exclaimed
" Did you get what you forgot?" Kai ask
" Yeah!"
The three then made their way to Capital after that.
" Hey, old man! Just how's this card a secret weapon?!" Naoki exclaimed
" You lost?!" Shin ask
" Nah, I won. But I want cards that will overwhelm my opponent with more zap! Let's see..." Naoki muttered as he went over to the shelf of cards
Aichi and Kai went over to the counter afterwards as Aichi giggled.
" You put together Naoki-kun's deck, didn't you, Manager? He played like a beginner, but used advanced cards, which made it a little strange." Aichi said
" I guess I did meddle a bit too much..." Shin said
" But it let the Cardfight Club get one step closer to reality. Thank you very much!" Aichi thanked
" Hey, Aichi." Naoki called
Aichi walked over to Naoki as Kai went to get some packs.
" Back before my fight with Kourin... When they said I trashed your flier... Why'd you believe me?" Naoki ask
" ... There's many reasons but... I would say that it was because we already talked in the hallway. I guess that's why..." Aichi said
Naoki laughed and placed his hand on Aichi's shoulder.
" You trusted me just 'cause of that?! You're too soft-hearted, Aichi. But still... Thanks." Naoki said
" Aichi."
Aichi turned to see Kai motioning him for a fight after sitting at a table as he smiled and nodded.
" Then, take you time looking for your card. I'll be going over for a fight." Aichi said
" Okay."
Aichi went over to Kai as his hands were soon taken and pulled towards Kai.
" W-What's wrong?" Aichi ask
" Checking for any injuries. They didn't do anything to you, did they?" Kai ask
" No... At least, they tried to. But don't worry, I didn't get hurt." Aichi assured
Kai nodded after scanning him up and down as he let go of his hands. They then started a few rounds of cardfight. Soon, it was getting late and they left for home to have their dinner and sleep for the day.
And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!