Previously: I was not about to lose, not here. I was going to redeem myself, and my path to redemption was going to start by winning Regionals!

Third person

"Winner, Tokura Misaki!" The official called the match, and the crowd cheered. Misaki quietly sighed to herself. She had won her match, and now the team was moving on to the finals.

I... I did it. I won.

She smiled. She was proud, this was a step in the right direction to redeeming herself. She walked back to the team, head held high.

"You did it! We're moving on!" Kamui cheered. She nodded. Everyone looked to Aichi, who was still laying down on the bench.

"Don't worry bro. We got this, you're in good hands."

"Yeah."

Soon, Aichi was moved into the infirmary. The rest of Q4, as well as Team Handsome, were by his side.

"Enjoying the beauty rest? You won't be able to fight us if you're stuck in bed," Gouki commented.

"Don't worry," Aichi assured him, "because, Q4 is going all the way to the finals, no doubt about it!"

Gouki sighed. "For your sake I hope you're right."

Suddenly, heavy breathing could be heard from the other side of the curtain. All eyes looked over to see what was happening.

"I'm sure he's fine."

"Well you don't know that."

They could all hear muffled voices from behind. Misaki walked over and pulled the curtain away to find December, hands on her knees, catching her breath. When she realized people were watching her, she straightened up and pretended that she wasn't freaking out.

"Oh, hey December, Ember," Misaki greeted.

Ember smiled, while December crossed her arms and pouted slightly. Then she looked towards Aichi, and her expression softened.

"So... How are you doing?"

Aichi was a bit surprised at December's concern, but he didn't let it shake him, he was happy that she cared about his wellbeing, even if only a little bit.

"Oh, I'm fine. Just a bit tired, that game took a lot out of me I guess."

December let a small breath of relief escape her mouth, and everyone was perplexed. Ember giggled.

"See, I told you he would be fine." She looked to the others. "She was so worried she ran here as fast as she could. She even started freaking out in the sta-" her mouth was swiftly covered by December's mouth.

"They don't need to know that Ember," December groaned, embarrassed.

The others awkwardly laughed at the spectacle before them.

"Oh, by the way, I got you all donuts!" Shin eagerly walked over to a couple of pale pink boxes and held them up proudly.

"When did you have time to get those?" Kamui asked.

"I got them early this morning, they were just made!" He turned to Ember and handed her a box. "Here's some for everyone up in the stands."

She nodded. "Thanks, Shin, they'll really appreciate this." She smiled before exiting through the door and running back towards the stands. He opened the other box and began sharing.

"Team Handsome, would you care for one?" Shin asked as they were exiting.

Gouki pondered for a moment. "Well, I guess one couldn't hurt. Alright then!" He and the rest of the team took one each and left. Then Miskai noticed something.

"Shin, you're short one."

"Huh?"

"Look." She pointed at the box. Only a lone double chocolate glazed donut sat in the box.

"Wha?! B-but I counted, I could have sworn there were enough! I even got extras!"

She shook her head. "I remember, there were 10 in this specific box, and when the box got to me there were 8 left. That was after you and Kamui got one each. I'm pretty sure Team Handsome only took one each as well." The others nodded.

"So the only two people who didn't get one were-" suddenly all eyes were turned to two people in the room.

"Kai and December."

The two looked at each other for a second before looking away.

"Oh, I know! The extras must be in the other box! December, could you call Ember to-" But she was already waiting for Ember to pick up. Shin sweatdropped. "At least let me finish..." He pouted.

After a few rings, she picked up. "Hey, December? Is something the matter?"

"Just wondering, do you guys have any donuts left?"

"Donuts, donuts, um, let me che-" she shifted her position to see where the box was but found Morikawa stuffing his face instead with the rest of the guys trying to stop him.

"Hey Morikawa, quit it! You've already had three!"

"Yeah, that more than enough for a loser like you."

"MTE yo!"

"Uff ets en da bos dan ets mime!" He yelled with his mouth full of food. Miwa just laughed nervously.

"Um, guys... I still haven't had one yet..."

Ember sweat dropped and turned back to her phone. "I-I'm afraid not... Sorry." They hung up. December shook her head as she put her phone back into her pocket.

"Well, that's just great. What are we supposed to do now?" Shin asked no one in particular. The others were silent, trying to think of a solution.

"She can have it."

All eyes turned to Kai, astonished. "Really Kai?" Shin asked hopefully like he might change his mind at the last second.

Kai grunted and crossed his arms. "I didn't want one anyway."

December felt that something was a bit off with his response, but didn't act on it. Shin walked over to her with the box, and she took the donut out. But before she took a bite, she recognized the way the icing was spread on, as well as the smell of this particular donut.

"Shin, where did you get these?"

"At this bakery that's just down from the shop, Michiko's I think it's called."

She lowered the donut from her mouth and looked at it.

I knew it.

Flashback (December's POV)

It was back when I was visiting. This one particular day, Taishi had something he needed to do with his family, so he couldn't play with us. It was just me and Kai. And he had decided to show me something special.

"Come on!" He cried out as he ran ahead of me, holding my hand. I tried to keep up without tripping, he was going really fast. Even my long legs were having trouble keeping up with his.

"*pant pant* Where are we going? And why are we running?"

"Because I don't want to be late!"

"Late? For what?"

Suddenly he slowed down. I followed, letting myself catch my breath. I hadn't intended on running that much that day. Then I looked up at where we were.

"Michiko's? What's this?" Then the scent of something delicious wafted past my nose. "Is this, *sniff sniff*, chocolate?" I had never smelled something this yummy before. Meanwhile, he opened the door to the shop, letting the small chimes ring against the glass.

"Come on in, we're just in time." He led me into the building, and it almost felt like I was in a different world. The interior decor was nothing like I'd seen before in any restaurant I had been to, Japanese or otherwise. It had a more regal feeling towards it like something grand was supposed to happen at any minute, yet casual enough that someone from the street could just walk in at any time and not look out of place. Looking in front of me, I was captivated by the variety of sweets displayed before my eyes. Candies and chocolates filled the cases like decorations on a Christmas tree. They all looked so pretty. Then I felt a tap on my shoulder, bringing me out of my trance.

"Look." He pointed up to a door behind the counter, most likely the kitchen, and out came a very pretty woman. She had eyes that could envy the richest chocolates, and the light danced on her caramel coloured hair. With a petite face and subtle features, she was unlike any other woman I had ever seen. "That's Michiko. She owns this cafe. She's half French half Japanese, and very nice." He walked up to the counter. "Good morning Miss," he greeted politely. Her eyes lit up at the sight of him.

"Oh good morning Toshiki! How are you faring today?"

"I've been well. Oh, I'd like you to meet someone." He placed his hand on my shoulder. "This is December, she's a friend who's visiting from Canada."

Michiko giggled in delight. "December, what a pretty name! Hm, and from the looks of it, you have a bit of Japanese blood running through your family, no?"

I nodded. "My mom is Japanese."

"Ah, I see I see. My father is the Japanese one on my side. He met my mother on a business trip in Paris and, well, you know the rest." She giggled lightly. "But I know you didn't come here to listen to life stories, now did you?" She giggled again. "I'll be right back." She turned and headed through the same door she came out of, and within a few minutes she came out again, this time holding a couple of brown paper bags. "Here you go!" She placed the bags on the counter in front of the register.

"Alright!

I tried to get a better look at what he was so happy about. He turned around suddenly, making me jump.

"Here, take this!" He held out one of the bags towards me.

"What is it?"

"See for yourself!"

Cautiously taking the bag, I reached inside and felt something circular and... Sticky? I grabbed the object inside and pulled it out to find a chocolate donut. I had gotten some of the icing on my fingers. The chocolate brown substance coated the tips of my index finger and my thumb. I licked it off and was surprised at how tasty it was. Usually, the chocolate icings I had were either artificial tasting or tasteless altogether, one of the reasons I preferred cream cheese icing to chocolate, but this, this was rich not only in colour, but flavour. I had never tasted such a strong chocolate icing before, it was just sweet enough that it wasn't overpowering, yet the bitterness added an interesting, hm how should I put it, a "je ne sais quoi" to it (the only thing I remembered from the required French lessons from school). I was intrigued. Carefully, I took a small bite, and suddenly my mouth was filled with a sensation, unlike anything I had ever experienced. It was soft, yet firm, sweet but bitter, so many things happening from just a simple donut. It was like a symphony in my mouth. Of course being only 10 years old I was probably overreacting, but I'll say this; no donut has ever been able to top Michiko's. I was in amazement, staring at the dessert in my hand. I couldn't believe something this delicious actually existed.

"Well? How is it?" Kai seemed very eager to find out if I liked it or not. I looked at him and nodded happily.

"Mmh! This is the best donut I've ever had!"

Michiko giggled in delight. "I'm so glad. See, this cafe specializes in chocolates and French pastries, but I've been trying to expand my menu. Toshiki comes every morning to taste what I've created. To be honest, they aren't my best work." I was stunned. If these weren't her best work, then imagine what the other tasted like. I took another bite, a bit larger this time, and smiled. Kai did the same.

"Oh! But, shouldn't I pay you for this? I can't just eat it without giving you something for it." I felt kinda guilty.

"Hey, don't worry about it," Kai reassured, slinging his arm around my shoulder, "just think of this as a gift, from me to you." Then he leaned in and whispered "you can pay me back later. Hah, just kidding!" He pulled back and laughed. I smiled and took another bite.

(Back to the present) December's POV

It was weird how just a single donut could bring all those memories back. Then again, a single card could do the same thing, so I really shouldn't be surprised. Kai was just about to leave the infirmary. It was obvious that he had realized the same thing as I did. That must have been why he was acting weird earlier. I looked at the donut for a moment more before doing something I never thought I would do as long as I lived.

"Wait."

Kai stopped in his tracks. I walked up to him and to everyone's surprise, I broke it in half and gave him one.

"Here."

I gestured the half to him, not making eye contact. I could see the baffled looks on everyone face while feeling my own getting warmer. "My generosity is rare and running thin. Besides, I owe you anyway." I waited until I felt an absence in my hand. I looked to see Kai holding the half in his hand. He closed his eyes.

"You half owe me," he said coldly. But there was something almost, comforting, about his response, like he was thankful that I shared with him. Or maybe I was going crazy, I don't know. I rarely understood this guy. I looked at my half before taking a small bite, and it tasted just like I remembered, maybe even better. Before I knew it I had scarfed it down, sucking the chocolate off of one of my fingers. The icing was still my favourite part, so rich and creamy. A buzzing from my back pocket took me out of my food coma. I pulled it out to see Ember texted me.

The next round is about to start!

-Ember

Oh right. I should probably get going. I looked up to see that Kai was already gone. Jeez, that guy was as allusive as ever. Oh well, at least he thanked me for the dount. In his own weird way.

After departing from the infirmary, I began walking down the hall towards the spectator area. Thinking back to what Jun had told me, I sighed. Make it before finals? Please, he overshot that by a mile. Then again he probably did that on purpose, just so I would make it on time-

And thats when I saw her; Tamika arm in arm with that son of a b***h for a boyfriend. Ours eyes locked for a moment, cold as ever, before she broke off and began speaking with Daiki again, who was being as deceitful as ever, laughing and smiling. But I could tell he was faking. So why couldn't she? Was she just that love struck? Or...

And then a terrible thought occurred to me.

No... She...She couldn't have anything to do with what's he's done… Could she? I mean, she seemed really defensive when I brought it up, maybe she's trying to hide something- wait, what am I thinking?! Tamika isn't that kind of person, she's too honest. Something like this goes against her morals. Ugh, stupid Daiki why don't you just go die in a hole or something, go away and spare us from all this trouble and misery? Shaking my head, I continued to my seat.

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