Gentle sunlight filtered into the room, bathing the luxury condo in it's glow. Standing before an outcropping of appliances, a young man was busy at work at the stove. He wore a frilly pink apron over his two piece pajamas, striking as that was, it was nowhere near as odd as his hair. His hair was large and distinctive, black with silver and gold highlights on the bottom of his bangs. Spikes curling out from his head to point up behind him with miscellaneous other points sticking out, but curling back inwards over his face and falling past his neck. Two odd spikes on either side of his head stuck straight out, making his head look wide. Perhaps the only good visual analogy that existed for the shape of his head would be a malformed and bunched together group of overgrown weeds. It looked like he was continuously under attack from a particularly violent bird. The young man worked ceaselessly, diligently flipping pancakes.

A rich smell of butter and freshly backed flour shrouded the vast living room in its aroma and sneaked down under the shut door on the opposite side of the room. The door opened, and the young man, with a wry smile, began sorting out the massive stack of pancakes onto sixteen different plates.

"Good morning Elegy.'" He turned on his heel to see a woman with pastel green skin standing before him. Her short, dark green hair was ruffled and messy. She wore a purple singlet and a draped skirt that split near the end to reveal her thigh, though her legs were mostly hidden under her matching thigh high boots. A violet wing shaped like a harp stuck out from her shoulder blade. She was very beautiful, but she looked naturally somber and distant. Her eyes were pulled down in such a way that she always looked somewhat melancholy.

She smiled however, and that smile lit up her eyes, creating an odd contrast between her emotions and her face.

"Go-good morning Yurren. Did you sleep well?" Her voice was sweet as honey, but as beautiful and light as a flower in spring. She pulled out one of the many chairs that stood around a large rectangular table positioned just outside the kitchen area and a few feet behind the wide white leather couch that sat before the massive flat screen TV on the opposite wall.

"Slept great." Yurren hid his lie with a bright smile, sliding a plate and utensils up to her. "Where's everyone else?"

"Bloom and Opera should be awake soon." Elegy looked over her shoulder, her eyes falling upon a table beside the couch. On it, sat a simple Kaiba Corp style duel disk and a deck of cards. The blue and red colors were slightly faded and there were signs of damage on the disk's face. "I do-don't know about the others though, they might be staying in."

"They should always wake up on time." Yurren moaned, placing his hands on his hips.

As if on cue, the door Elegy came from opened and two more came out. Well, one came out, the other was dragged. The first was a young girl, her hair done upon

in bizarre, three pointed style that curled inwards and dressed in a simple, plain white dress, a pink ribbon, decorated with curling images of ledger, attached to the back. Her pupil-less eyes squinted against the morning light. A large pink flower in a small golden pot floated behind her, and on it laid another little girl. This one's pink hair was done up into a beehive with two large buns, shaped like drills stuck out from either side of her head. She wore a light blue dress with white fluff at the bottom, which was decorated in music notes, and on her back sat a little pair of cloth wings. She was fast asleep as she was pulled to the table on the first girl's flower.

Yurren took two more plates and put them on the chairs on either side of Elegy. "Good morning Bloom, Opera not awake yet?"

Bloom Diva positioned the flower behind of the table and groggily stumbled up to Yurren, hugging him around the waist. "M-morin' Yurren..." She yawned loudly and Yurren

chuckled, rubbing her head affectionatly.

"You can go back to sleep if you want."

"No. Food."

"Hahaha, alright alright. It's on the table already."

"Thank you..." Bloom let go and wobbled back to the table, taking a moment to slap Opera in the stomach. "Food!"

Opera groaned and rolled over, falling right off the flower and crashing into the floor. She sat up, rubbing the back of her head and groaning. Bloom, mission completed, pulled out a chair and climbed into it.

Opera looked around, her unspoken question answered when she saw Bloom's flower. She stood up and hurried over to hug Yurren, tackling him with a hug. "Morning Yurren!"

"Good morning..." Yurren wheezed out, rubbing Opera's head. "You hungry?"

"That I am."

"Food's on the table."

"Alright!" Opera let go and ran back around the table to her chair.

Elegy wrinkled her nose. "What do you say?"

"Thank you!"

"You're welcome."

Bloom was busily cutting her pancakes, her knife slipping out of her hand much to her frustration.

"Need help Bloom?" Elegy asked, her hands already moving to take her utensils.

Bloom shook her head. "I can do it! T-thank you though." She added quickly.

As the two talked, a bright light began to shine from the deck of cards. The light pushed out into a trail that shot out from the middle of the deck and fell onto the floor, taking the shape of a monster as the light faded.

"Hello Can-"

"No talk. Food." Canon interrupted Bloom, brushing past Yurren to grab a plate. She sat on the other side of Bloom and started eating. Elegy's eyes flared up and she glared at Canon, face pulled into a revoltingly ugly scowl.

"Will everyone else be coming out soon?" Yurren asked, wry smile still on his face.

"Yep. An-"

A massive, blinding light stormed from the deck. One at a time, the light collapsed into monster after monster. Yurren turned away from the light to collect more plates before turning back to the group of brightly colored monsters before him. "Here we go..."

First was Serenade. "G-g-good mo-morning Yurren!"

"Good morning Serenade, rest well?" She nodded, smile as bright as the sun as usual. She took her plate and hurried to sit beside Canon, who stopped eating and pulled a chair out for her, grining reassuringly.

Next was Soprano. "..."

"Good morning to you too."

"..." She took her plate and sat in an empty chair by herself.

After her was Aria and Sonata.

Sonata smiled happily and hugged Yurren.

"Good morning Yurren!"

"Hey there Sonata! Sleep well?"

"I did indeed! Aria did too."

Aria nodded briskly, sratching her head as she spoke. "That I did. Morning, Maestro."

Sonata looked back at Aria, frowning. "His name is Yurren!"

"He's our Maestro isn't he?"

"Yes but his name is Yurren!"

"But he's our maestro. Also, 'Maestro' is a WAY cooler name." She looked at Yurren. "Don't you think so?"

"Uh-"

"This has nothing to do with him!" Sonata snapped at Aria, making her roll her eyes. The two contiuned to bicker childishly before taking their plates and sitting at opposite ends of the table. They didn't take their eyes of each other as they ate with the venomosity of bitter two war-hardened warriors that had fought time and time again.

Following those two was little Score.

"G-good morning Yurren."

"Ha see!? People call him Yurren! Take that Aria!"

"Drop it already Sonata!" Canon barked, tossing a napkin at Sonata. The napkin hit her, her mouth fell open in disbelief and she huffed angrily.

"...good morning Score." Yurren rubbed Score's head and she hugged his knee. "Ready to eat?"

"Yes!"

"Good to hear." Yurren bent down, handing Score a plate. "Do you need help getting into a chair?"

"I'll help her." Mozarta spoke up from behind Score. She already had her plate in one hand. She took Score and led her to sit beside Soprano, who scooted over to give Mozarta enough space.

"Thank you Mozarta, and good morning to you."

"Thank you dear, good morning to you too."

After that was little Bloom Prima and Shopina.

"Morning~!" Prima greeted Yurren in a singsong voice.

"Feeling energetic this morning?"

"Like every morning!"

Yurren laughed and took the last two plates off the counter.

"Let me take care of that." Shopina said hurridly, taking the plates from Yurren and setting them on the other side of Soprano. "Need help Prima?"

Prima shook her head. "I can get in the chair myself!"

"If you say so honey."

"How many times do I have to say it until it is 'so'?" Prima puffed out her cheeks angrily and crawled into her chair. Shopina sighed and gave Yurren a one-armed hug before sitting down beside her.

Last in line was Solo. She gave Yurren a big hug when she reached him, shaking him back and forth in her arms.

"How'd you sleep Maestro?"

"Ha! See!? Solo calls him Maestro too!"

"You need to drop it too Aria!"

Solo laughed at Canon's prompt response, grabbing her own plate from the counter. "Mmmhmm~! Pancakes are my favorite! Thanks abunch...Maestro Yurren!" A sly smile

spread as she said that and Yurren buried his face into his hands. She troted off to sit by Aria.

"What was that? She fused his names into one!?" Opera shouted in mock disbelief, a big grin plasted across her small face.

"What an incredible power!" Prima chimed in, rising her spoon and shouting into it. "Truly, we have witnessed something incredible!"

Bloom stood up in her chair, speaking into her spoon as well. "Ladies and gentlemen, Solo has displayed a power NO ONE else could ever HOPE to compete with!" Sonata and Aria looked at each other and slid down their chairs, Aria folding her arms, pouting and Sonata furrowing her brows with bitter frustration.

Elegy pulled at Bloom's dress, whispering to sit down.

Yurren did a quick head count, he'd only greeted fourteen divas. He turned to the table. "Have you seen Ta-" He was cut off by seeing Tamtam sitting right

next to Opera, her plate already in front of her. She waved to Yurren, grinning triumphatnly and smuggly.

"Oh you..."

"Good morning Yuuuurren!" She could barely speak through her giggles.

"Tricky little devil..." Yurren rubbed his head and addressed Mozarta. "Is Schuberta coming out?"

"I don't think so dear...she worries me sometimes." Mozarta laid a hand on her cheek and sighed loudly.

"I'll put her meal in a bag then."

"As usual!" Aria shouted from her end of the table.

Shopina scowled at Aria. "Don't be rude."

"It's true though, she's never here for meals!" Opera spoke up, jabbing her fork into her pancakes violently.

"That may be true darling, but please don't make a fuss about it, alright?" Mozarta reached across the table to pat Opera's head. "We don't need to fight about

Schuberta's...habits..."

"Bu-but sh-she was-sn't fighting..." Serenade mumbled.

"Serenade's right! You're the one making a fuss Moza!" Canon barked, slamming her fork on the table.

"I-I didn't-"

"Don't yell at Mozarta!"

"You wanna do something about it Shopina?"

"She's calling you out Shopina!" Solo declared.

"Hey hey Yurren! Can I have Schuberta's?"

"Why should you get it Prima!? I want it!"

"I called it first Tamtam!"

"Yurren, can I get some syrup?"

"It's in the fridge Bloom."

"Thank you!"

"Hey Bloom, could you get me some water?"

"Get it yourself!" Bloom stuck her tongue out at Sonata playfully, who gasped with unnessecary volume and drama.

Yurren watched the choir talk back and forth with an amused smile, their converstations getting more livily (and heated in terms of the argument between Canon and the Maestras) as time went on.

[My name is Yurren Yuki. I'm twenty-three years old and I work as a computer programer at the merged Fi Life Office in downtown Fortuna City.]

[And this is my family, my children.]

[I have a rare and unique power, I can give life to duel monster spirits, giving them physical forms. They can breath, sleep, eat, almost everything that a human can do.]

[It's not perfect however...they aren't fully human. Their bodies are fully efficient, meaning they don't produce waste. Despite their shapes and curves, their bodies are sexless, like mannequins; but that's just how duel spirits are it seems.]

"Yurren, are you going to eat too?"

"I ate earlier Elegy."

[It takes a lot of energy for me to maintain their forms, I actually have more than enough strength to keep them all out at once all the time, but that would ruin my sleep schedule even further. So they have to return to their card forms every now and then so I can rest. Bloom, Opera, and Elegy are special case: because I've had them for so long, it's easy for me to keep them out, so they can stay out for as long as they want. It's like performing a task over and over again until it's so easy you don't even have to think about it anymore, like breathing.]

"Solo where'd you get that water!?" Sonata demanded.

"From the tap. I did something amazing and got it myself."

"Whoa! Solo has per-" Tamtam started to speak into her microphone spoon, but Opera put a hand on her shoulder.

"We aren't doing that anymore."

"W-what? Oh, okay..."

[Even so, it's still tiring...but I gave them this life, I can't just take it away because I'm a little sleepy. They also need food, food for a family of sixteen including me, and lots of food means lots of money, and that means a lot of work...]

Splash~!

Water slammed into Yurren's face and the entire table went silently. Sonata's hands were over her mouth, a look of guilt on her face.

"Oh my gosh Yurren! I'm so-"

"It's fine!" Yurren turned away from the choir and ran to his room, saying, "I'll go clean up!" He slammed the door to his bedroom shut and could hear Opera beratting Sonata loudly as Elegy tried to calm the two down. Yurren ran to his dresser with the mirror and lowered his hand from over his eyes. Large streaks of congealing together concealer ran down his cheeks like tears. Yurren sighed. Grabbing a towel from the dresser top, he wiped the rest of the mess off his face.

He set the towel down and looked at himself.

The concealer gone, Yurren's dark bags stood out on his fair skin. They were large and black, like menacing shadows just beneath his eyes. Yurren ran his fingers across the dark circles. Wordlessly, he pulled a bottle of concealer closer and popped the lid off. Dusting a bit onto the tip of a brush, Yurren began reapplying the concealer on his eyes, making sure to cover every part of the telling dark circles. Once he was staisfied the circles were hidden, he snapped the lid onto the container and looked himself over. He looked normal, except for the bitter, sad expression that pulled down his features.

"...come on, smile."

His face didn't move.

"...you don't want them to worry do you?"

The edges of his lips strained and fought, slowly forcing their way upwards, but the weak smile his lips formed looked forced and miserable.

"..." He sighed and rubbed his temples again. Yurren's knees buckled, and he collapsed. He sat there.

Utterly unmoving, he just sat there, in the darkness.

Elegy stood outside Yurren's room. Her fingers tightened around the mop in her hands. "He's been in there a long time..." she muttered, biting her lip as she did so. She looked down at Bloom. "Shouldn't we check on him?"

Bloom looked up at her, her face mirroring Elegy's concern. "We should defini-"

Mozarta interviened, smacking both of them on the heads with a rag. "First of all, Yurren should have some time alone."

"But I-!"

"Second of all, none of you are going anywhere until we clean up this mess!"

"I don't care about this mess, I didn't even make it! What about Yurren?"

"He spends far too much time worrying about us, so give him some time to rest."

"Speaking of which," Aria spoke up from the other side of the couch, handkerchif tied around her head. "Does anyone else think Maestro-"

"Yurren."

"No one cares."

"...that MAESTRO," Aria continued, giving Sonata a glare and Canon a thumbs up, "has been a bit sad lately?"

"H-h-he's se-seemed normal to me..." Serenade said as she fumbled with the dishes.

Shopina took the plate from Serenade's shaking hands and dried it herself. "Watch it dear, you'll drop them."

Score spoke up from her place at the table, not looking away from her coloring book. "Yurren's been really busy lately."

"He's always busy." Opera interjected, spraying her water bottle at a spot of syrup on the table.

"Busir...Bus-e...Busssesi...M-more busy. He's been more busy!"

"I suppose Yurren has been more reserved than usual..." Elegy muttered to herself, looking at her feet.

"He probably doesn't want to worry us."

"As usual!" They all said together.

Prima laughed, loudly, smacking her fist against her knee. "I love it when we do that!" She wheezed between giggles. She clutched her stomach and fell over, laughing like a mad woman.

Solo raised her eyebrows as she picked up a discarded pancake from the floor. "We're a choir, we're supposed to be in synch. Ewuch." She threw the pancake away and wiped her hands on Canon's shirt.

Canon spun around instantly, glaring down at Solo. "WHAT DID YOU JUST DO!?" She screeched! Solo giggled and did it again. "I'LL KILL YOUUUUUUUU!"

Canon wound up her towel and snapped it at Solo, who dove out the way and ran out behind the couch Canon running just behind her, snapping the towel at her feet.

"Stop messing around!" Aria barked loudly. "If you make an even bigger mess I'll-"

"You can't stop me!" Canon pounced on Solo, pinning her beneath her knee and crossing her arms in front of her chest. "You're 400 points too low to try and beat my defense Ari-ARGHH!"

Canon's boasting was cut off as Opera dug her fist into Canon's stomach. her face twisted as she retched violently. She fell to both knees, grasping her stomach and wheezing violently. Opera stepped back, cracking her fists. "You're 300 points too low to try and beat my attack, Canon." Her eyes glinted evilily.

"Y-y-yoo-yoooouuu!" Canon rose her trembling arm towards Opera, but simply collapsed once more. She groaned in pain as Opera, smug smile on her face and hands on hips, placed her foot on Canon's back and puffed out her chest. Solo and Tamtam both clapped in admiration.

Mozarta shook her head, sighing. "We're never going to get this place cleaned up."

"Whose fault is that Tamtam?" Sonata muttered coolly, throwing a sponge at the diva's head.

"B-but a-aren't you the one who st-started it?" Serenade stuttered, looking irritated.

Sonata scoffed and turned away. "I don't remember throwing any food first."

"..." Soprano walked up to Sonata and slapped her over the back of the head.

"Ow! What the heck?"

Soprano pointed at the mess on the floor. "..."

"Hmph...fiiiiine..."

Elegy turned to Mozarta to speak up about visiting Yurren once more, but was cut off as a bright light burst from his deck and out came a tall woman with flowing amber hair and dressed in dark crimson and black, a golden mask over her eyes. The room's hustle and bustle fell silent as everyone turned to look at the new arrival. She cast a sweeping glance around the room.

"Uuu-ummm...!" Elegy spoke up, making the woman snap around to look at her.

Elegy flinched, so Bloom stepped forward. "If you're looking for Yurren, he's in his room right now."

"That's why I came out now," She responded curtly. "So I wouldn't have to see him.

Bloom's face tightened, but she continued. "He left your meal in the fridge Schuberta, since you di-" Schuberta turned away and walked up to the fridge, pulling the door open and grabbing the meal he had left for her. Bloom grunted, folding her arms. Schuberta warmed up her meal and sat at the table, her big body forcing her to bend over quite a bit just to get close to reach her plate. All eyes remained on Schuberta as she continued to eat. She made no indication that she knew everyone was watching her, or that she even cared.

"Is Yurren still sleeping?" She asked, not bothering to look up from her meal.

"We're not sure," Elegy muttered. "He got soaked earlier and went to clean up, but hasn't come out."

"Hmph."

Silence settled over the room again. The atmosphere grew awakward and cold until:

"You could at least pretend to care!" Opera barked, stalking towards Schuberta. Aria rushed forward and grabbed her.

"Oh ho...do you want to start something Ope-" Bloom jumped between the two, throwing her arms out and glaring at Schuberta. "..."

"Schuberta-"

"Still don't want me around, I see."

"That's no-"

"Save it Tamtam, I'll leave everyone be." Schuberta stood from the table. She dumped her clean plate into the sink and dissolved into light, returning to her card and leaving a heavy, awkward atmosphere in her wake.

"...ray of sunshine as always," Shopina grumbled.

"Shopina!"

"You know I'm right Mozarta!" Mozarta's mouth fell open. She was used to the Divas talking back, but never Shopina. Puffing up with indignation, she opened her mouth to retort-

A click from Yurren's door interrupted her. It swung open and Yurren walked out.

"Yurren!" Elegy dropped her mop and ran to Yurren, skidding to a halt in front of him. "Are you alright?"

"Yes I'm fine, did I worry you?" Elegy nodded vigorously and the rest of the choir nodded, vocalizing their agreement. "Ha ha, sorry about that. I had to take care of something."

"Morning woo-" Soprano smacked Canon across the back of the head before she could finish.

Yurren laughed. He made his way past Elegy towards his work desk in the corner of the room, facing the balcony through the massive windows. He pulled out the desk chair and settled into it. A feeling of dread looming over her, Elegy inched closer as his fingers flew across the keyboard. "What are you doing Yurren?"

"Work."

A deathly silence fell over the choir, an atmosphere of concern consuming the room. "W-wait!" Opera jumped up, running to the desk and looking up desperatly at Yurren. "I thought you were off today."

With a wry smile and accompanying sigh, Yurren looked down at Opera and said, "I am but we're behind and the deadline's in a week."

Bloom tuggeed Yurren's sleeve, trying to pull him away from the keyboard. "Yurreeeeen, please! It's your day off! You should take a break."

"You should listen to Bloom dear, you've been working awfully hard lately."

"I appreciate the concern, but I need to get this done."

Score leapt out of her chair and ran to the group around Yurren's work desk, drawing in hand. "Yurren, Yurren! Look! Look!" She thrust the paper at Yurren and he looked it over. It was filled with vague harshly colored shapes and what appeared to be fetuses around the edge and violently born scrawls of crayon. "Look see? It's you and me and we're in a field of flowers! See?"

...or that.

"It looks great Score! I'll put it on the fridge right away."

"Yay!" Score clapped her hands and Yurren took the drawing to the fridge. He stuck it ont, placing it among the various other drawing of varying qualities, from the childish drawings of Score and Tamtam, to the admittedly mediocre landscapes of Soprano and the crude characteratures of Mozarta calling herself stupid by Canon. Score beamed with pride as he scured it in place. "My next drawing will be even better!"

"Whoa, you're going to get even BETTER? I don't think you can get much better than THAT!" Yurren ruffled Score's hair. "But I look forward to it." Score giggled and Yurren returned to his work desk. He slipped on a pair of sound proofed headphones and got back to work, ending the conversation and blocking all of the protests of the others. The group around Yurren moved away towards the kitchen, giving him space to work. Tamtam flopped onto the couch and turned on the TV. She began flipping through the channels till she found her favorite children's show. The catchy opening theme drew Score, Prima, Sonata and Solo to the couch as well. Shopina sat down in one of the love-seats on the other side of the couch and pulled out her kntting needles. Soprano sat on the other side, pulling a hefty book from the bookstand next to her, it's cover depicted a very muscular shirtless man holding a marble statue of a woman protectivly in his arms, golden letters declaring the books name: "The Sculpted and the Sculpture. By: Y. Reed Nis."

Canon stalked up to Yurren and poked him in the shoulder. He pulled off his headphones and looked at her quizzically. "I'm going to go for a jog."

"Alright. Do you have an emergency phone?"

Canon grumbled. She grabbed the neck of her outfit and pulled it out, stretching it much to Yurren's chargin. She stuck her hand down it and rummaged around, pulling out a small red phone with two buttons, one for 911 and one for home, from between her breasts. "It's right here."

Yurren scowled. "I don't approve of you keeping things there."

"Tough shit."

"What happened to the purse I got you?"

"I lost it."

"The phone strap?"

"I lost it."

"The arm strap?"

"I broke it."

"The leg strap?!"

"My last phone slipped out that and broke."

Yurren groaned, rubbing his temples. "Go put on the leg strap, it's better than keeping it between your breasts."

With a grunt of displeasure, Canon sulked off. She returned a minute later with the leg strap around her thigh. "Happy now?"

"Much better. Do you need any money?"

"No. I've got some."

"You do? Where are yo-You know what, I'd rather not know."

Canon snickered. "Hey Serenade, wanna come with me?"

Serenade looked up from her book and nodded excitedly. She pushed her chair at the table in and returned the chair to it's proper place. "G-gladly! A-a-and I do have m-my phone Yurren."

"Thank you Serenade. You two be safe now, alright?"

"I make no promises!" Canon flung open the door, laughing like a maniac as she ran out. Serenade trotted out behind her, waving goodbye to Yurren before pulling the door shut behind her. Yurren sighed and returned to his work, pulling his headphones back over his head.

Chewing on her lip with violent vigor, Elegy watched Yurren work. "He's not going to listen to us, is he?" Bloom shook her head. She pulled a popsicle from the freezer and sucked it passionlessly, offering one to Elegy. "No thank you."

"I want it!" Bloom shrugged and held it out to Opera, who took the popsicle and began licking it, excited.

"I know that him working all the time isn't good," Aria began, leaning against the fridge as she spoke, "But wouldn't it be very bad if he missed the deadline?"

"It would, but-"

"Then isn't this a good thing?"

"No! I mean-"

"Elegy, he's not going to stop until he gets done." Bloom interuppted.

"Yes but-"

"When he takes a break, we'll talk to him again. Alright?" Bloom's face scrunched up. She pulled the popsicle from her mouth and grimaced. "I didn't want cherry..."

"...O-oh I know!" Mozarta clapped her hands together. "Why don't we try cheering him up?"

"Do you have an idea?"

"Well..."

Score perked up. She stood on the couch and turned around to peer over the back. "I know! Let's make Yurren really fat!"

"Excuse me dear, what?"

Score pointed at the TV as she explained, "Look, look! See there's this really fat guy on my favorite show! My favorite show is 'Super Team Buddy Force Unite!' H-he's the new character and his name's Yellow! He's this yellow guy who's always really happy!"

"Yeah...?" Elegy muttered.

"Yeah! Yellow is always really smilely and stuff!"

"Ooh! I know what you're talking about!" Tamtam stood up and joined Score. "Whenever the others are sad, Yellow always cheers them up!"

"Yeah yeah! Yellow is always happy! And he's fat too, see look!" Score pointed at the TV. A yellow creature with an unsettlingly massive grin that showed every single tooth in his misshapen mouth was bouncing up and down, his oversized stomach slamming into the ground, making it shake and making the other oddly colored and shaped character, trees, and mountains in the background leap off the ground. "See?"

"Sc-score that's not really-"

"Ooooh! Does that mean if he gets fat we'll be able to do that?" Prima added, watching the other characters jumping on Yellow's stomach.

Tamtam nodded vigorously. "Of course! It's on 'Super Team Buddy Force Unite!' an-and it's a show about teaching and learning!"

"You're right! That means it's teaching us things!"

Mozarta buried her face in her hands and Elegy folded her arms, looking troubled. Sonata stretched out and asserted, "We don't know how to cook though."

"Oh..." Score fell back down, looking dejected.

"And last time we tried ended really poorly." Solo added, digging something out from under her nails.

"I do miss our old home." Shopina muttered, still stitching.

Solo yawned loudly. "Can we switch over to 'Super Quantum Rangers' now?"

"Let's watch 'Hokuto no Ken' instead!" Opera blurted out.

"No, no, no!" Mozarta shouted, clapping her hands with every 'no.' "Yurren might let you watch it, but I will NOT let you watch such a gruesome show in front of Tamtam and Score!"

"Awww! Booooo! Boo Mozarta!"

"Boooooo!"

"Boooooooooooo!"

Mozarta huffed and turned on her heel. "Fine then, if you don't want me around then I'll go. Maybe you'll appreciate everything I do for you later!" She stormed off to the guest bedroom, slamming the door behind her.

"...hey Bloom?"

"Yes Elegy?"

"D-do you think we could sing to Yurren? That might cheer him up."

Bloom rubbed her chin. "It probably would...but we're missing Canon and Serenade and he wouldn't appreciate being interupted right now."

"Yes but-"

With a glint in her eye, Bloom smacked Elegy's thigh. She flinched in pain and Bloom said coo'ly, "I know you love him, we all do, but you need to calm down Elegy. Worrying about him all the time isn't helping anyone. Let's just wait till he takes a break before trying anything, okay?"

Several hours passed and over time, the choir went about doing other things. Yurren however, remained in place, only ever stopping to get a glass of water or go to the bathroom. The sun was high in the sky at this point. It was turning out to be another long, boring day (filled with worry for Elegy) until...

Ding-Dong

Elegy looked at the door curiously, putting her book down. She stood up from the kitchen table and opened the door. "Hello?"

Standing just outside the door were two kids, or one teen and one child. The teen was tall and stocky, his spiked, golden blonde hair stuck out backwards, like though it was much neater and tamed in comparison to Yurren's wild mess. A large cluster of bangs swirled over his right eye, curling up before obscuring it completely. A second large batch stuck out the back, curling up and to the left. It looked like two commas placed together sideways, but pointing in opposite directions. The blonde teen had narrow blue eyes and a thin mouth, but looked happy. The small child on his right had deep brown hair that swept to the left, it was spiky, but still far tamer than the other two's hairstyles. He had full rosey cheeks and a bright beaming smile, green eyes glowing with joy. They both had large duffel bags slung over their shoulders and were dressed in the school uniforms of the local middle and elementary school respectivly, the middle schoolbeing dark gray and white with a red tie (which wasn't tied but hung loosely around his neck) and the elementary school a simple baby blue and white.

"Yuno! Yuji!" Elegy's surprise overtook her joy, something that Yuno picked up on.

He put his hand hip and scowled. "Nice to see you too Elegy."

"W-well I-I mean like..." Elegy blushed, flustered from his snide attack.

"Yuji?" Score lifted herself from the couch, rubbing her tired eyes. Yuji waved at her excitedly. "Yuji!" Score jumped down and ran at Yuji, tackling im with a hug.

"Hehehe! Hi Score!"

"Can we come in Elegy?"

"O-oh of course! I-I'll get Yurren." Yuno hiked up his bag and followed Elegy inside, Score and Yuji right behind them. Elegy hurried to Yurren, still at work,

as the rest of the choir gathered around the new arrivals, greeting them with hugs and handshakes.

Elegy tapped Yurren on the shoulder. He groaned and pulled off his headphones again. "What now?"

"Your nephews are here."

Yurren's eyebrows smashed together as he shot up. "What? But it's not-" He looked at his calender in confusion.

"I know but they're here!"

Yurren narrowed his eyes. He walked up to the group of Divas surrounding Yuno and Yuji. "Hey there you two, how've you been? Hey hey, girls can you give me and Yuno some alone time?" There was a general murmur of agreement and the choir migrated like a flock of birds to the guest room, abducting Yuji in their movement. When the door shut, only Yurren, Yuno, and Elegy were lift in the den.

Yuno shot a glance at Elegy. "She's not leaving?" He spat.

"She's with me at all times, you know that."

Yuno groaned. He jumped onto the couch, dumping his bag to the ground. "You're like an old married couple."

Elegy blushed, covering her face and Yurren smiled warmly. "Not inaccurate. So, what brings you here Yuno?"

"...do you mind-I mean, c-can we stay here for awhile?" Yuno's request came out as a hushed whisper, he looked at his feet as he asked.

Yurren folded his arms, nodding. "Of course you can, I can't say no to family." He sat beside Yuno, Elegy hovering around awkwardly before going back into the kitchen, feeling really out of place. "They had another fight?"

Yuno nodded.

"Was it about money again?"

"No. It...it's complicated."

"What happened?"

"W-well...they started having an arguement about what high school I should go to when I graduate. Dad wants me to go somewhere cheap, and Mom says I should go into the advanced program. They fought for hours. When they finished, they told me to take Yuji and stay with you and...that they had some things to work out."

"Well I'm glad you could come ov-"

"While I was on the bus, I got a text from Mom. She told me that they were going to a counseling camp and that they wouldn't be back for a couple of months."

Elegy scowled and muttered, "How irresponsible..."

"I didn't ask for your input Elegy!" Yuno roared, standing and turning to glare at her.

Yurren pulled him back down. "Don't talk to her like that!" He shoved a finger into his face and snarled, "You're going through some rough shit but that's no reason to take it out on her!"

Yuno looked away, growling.

"Understood?!"

"Yes!"

"Good...good..." Yurren leaned back, taking some deep breaths. "I'm sorry I yelled at you man."

"It's fine..."

"U-um!" Elegy started, slowly approaching the back of the couch. "I-I-I'm sorry too Yuno..."

"It's fine..."

"You two can stay as long as you want."

"Thanks Yurren."

"I have to go back to work tomorrow, but you don't mind if the Divas take you to and pick you up from school, do you?"

"No, that's fine. I'm used to it."

"Well that's good." Silence fell over the trio, that silence permeating an awkward atmosphere that surrounded them. Yurren rub his head and broke the silence. "S-so!" He chuckled, "Anything else happen?"

Yuno didn't answer at first, but perked up suddenly! "Yeah. Yeah yeah! I do have something!"

He dove at his duffal bag and started digging through it, throwing loose underwear and cards all over the floor. He pulled back, holding a slightly crumpled letter marked with a fancy looking seal. "Check it out Yurren!"

"What is that?"

Yuno ripped it up and pulled out the paper inside, waving it about eagerly. "It's an invitation to the Fortuna Cup!"

"An invitation to a tournament?!" Yurren and Elegy shouted in unison.

"Damn straight!" Yuno put his hands on his hips and laughed loudly. "HA HA HA! AH HA HA HA!"

"That's incredible! How'd you get in?"

Yuno gave a proud thumbs up. "It was luck!" He declared loudly before laughing once more.

"...oh."

"Okay so-so like, I signed up for it right? A-and how it worked is, um, is that like, okay gimme a second." Yuno took some deep, calming breaths and continued. "Everyone in the tournament are professionals from around the world, but the last spot was decded by a raffle or something I'm not sure. Anyway! My name was drawn so I get to participate!"

"That's awesome!" Yurren stood and the two high fived, slamming their palms as hard as they could..

"Congratulations Yuno!" Elegy cheered, clapping and bouncing on her heels.

Yuno held up his hand and Elegy gave it a light high five. "Thanks Elegy. I'm going to win for sure! A-and guess what? The winner gets to duel the Fortuna Champion!"

"Sounds tough, are you sure you can handle him?"

"Yu-yurren, he has to win the tournament first..."

Yurren clapped Yuno on the back. "He's got this!"

"Thanks Yurren! I'm totally going to-!

"...after some more training of course."

"W-Eh?" Yuno froze, turning to Yurren with a look of incredulous fear on his young face. "W-wait ar-are you going to-?"

"I've got more work to do, but we're going to duel later today. Also, we need to make sure you can keep your powers in check so you don't acidentally hurt someone during the tournament." Before Yuno could protest, Yurren ruffled his hair and went back to his desk. He sat down and, just before he put his headphones back on, said to Yuno, "You better prepare for training later!"

Yuno stood stock still, hand reaching out to Yurren and mouth stuck open. Elegy patted his back. "It'll be alright, I'm sure he'll hold back."

"AAAAAAARRRRGGGHH!" Yuno bounced off the ground, rolling into the metal fence around the top of the buliding.

|Yuno: |

|300 - 0|

Yurren sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Stop doing that everytime!" Yuno screeched, pulling himself up with the fence. Elegy stood in the middle of the duel field, bouncing her heels and biting her lip. "And Elegy! For the love of God look happy when you win!"

"H-huh? Well I-"

"Looking guilty makes the pain WORSE!"

Elegy lifted off the ground and glided back down to hover before Yurren, who was shuffling his deck with a look of sour disappointment on his face. "Yurren, maybe you should hold back a bit?" She whispered.

"I am holding back."

"Oh...oh noooo..."

"Goddammit, again Yurren! I'm not stopping until I win!"

"And I'm not stopping until you win. Or until it's dinner time." He added under his breath.

The two had gathered on the roof of the building. Makeshift duel fields were drawn in chalk by some of the bulidings patrons. Yurren and Yuno stood across from each other and Yuji

sat on a bench on the sidelines, watching and swinging his legs.

"Let's duel!"

"Elegy the Melodious Diva, direct attack! Silent Requiem!"

Elegy nodded and shot forward. She pulled back her leg and spun once before delivering a brutal kick to Yuno's stomach! He was thrown into the fence once more and collapsed to the ground, retching in pain.

|Yuno: |

|2300 - 0|

"Oh my God! Are you alright?!" Elegy flew towards Yuno, picking him up and dusting him off. "Oh no, oh no! I'm so sorry! I tried toholdbackbutIdidn'tmean-" Her voice got faster and faster as she hurriedly apologized.

Yuno pushed her off, stumbling back and falling onto his butt. "Ughg-! Cough cough Goddammit...goddammit!"

Yurren rubbed his head. "Maybe we should stop for today-"

"No! I'm...I'm not done yet!"

"Even so, I need to cook dinner for everyone-"

"Just order a pizza! We aren't done yet!"

"No...a single pizza won't-"

"ORDER TEN!"

Yurren groaned. It was 10 o'clock and they had just stopped dueling, and only because Yurren had to outright refuse to duel anymore since he had work tomorrow. Yuno had stompped off to bed in a huff, Yuji right behind him. Yurren pulled on his night shirt, running a hand through his hair as he did.

"Yurren?" Elegy knocked on the bathroom door.

"You can come in."

She pushed the door open. She was in a simple white night gown and she was biting her lip. "U-um well, are you sure about this?"

"Yes Elegy, I'm sure."

"I don't mind taking the couch! Or I can return to my card-"

"No, no, I said it's fine."

"B-but well-"

"I'll be fine. You three just take my bed."

"Oooouuuuu..." Elegy chewed her lip, looking back and forth quickly.

Pulling open the cabinet drawer, he pulled out a case of lip balm and tossed it to Elegy, who promptly dropped it. "Put that on your lip. It's starting to look chapped."

She took a deep breath, but simply sighed, deciding there was no point in arguing back anymore. "Alright...good night Yurren."

"Good night, sleep well." He shook the rest of the shower water out of his hair and brushed his teeth before returning to the empty family room and the couch, now piled up with blankets and pillows. He slid under the pile and stared up at the ceiling. Things were going to get quite a bit more hectic for awhile. Not anything he wasn't used to, of course. But...this did mean he'd have to spend extra money on food, and he'd have to remember Yuno and Yuji's school schedules and whatever else may come up in the mean time...

Until he finally fell asleep, Yurren spent the night planning out his budget and schedule. He had a long week ahead of him.