"To love is…to take a risk," Patrica began monologuing to herself, "Well they do say with great risk comes great reward… Mmph, 'great reward' my ass! What'd they ever do for me? Why should I take that chance? No. It's not worth it… I don't want—"
"Hey Patrica. What're you talking about?" Yuya spoke up.
"AAAGH-!"
She almost fell off the couch from shock. Yuya just popped up out of nowhere!
"H-How long where you listening to me..?!" she asked.
"A while now. But don't worry! I didn't really get any of what you were saying." Yuya responded.
"Good…" Patrica sighed.
"Welp, I'm gonna go practice. Have fun doing…whatever you're doing!"
"Oh. Okay. See ya."
With that Yuya walked out to the Duel Field. There he saw the younger kids whispering to each other. He tip-toed over to them, making sure they didn't notice him. He found a box and hid behind it, and then listened in on their conversation.
"Did you see Yuya and the new girl's Duel?"
"Yeah, she was awesome!"
"But why was Yuya so determined to get her into the school?"
"You know, I think Yuya likes her!"
"What? Really?"
"Ooh I could totally see that!"
"Ah! I know! Let's dare Yuya to kiss her!"
"Huh? How would that work?"
"Uuuuh, well, if we just tell him it'll be funny, he'd probably do it!"
"You're right! Let's ask him!"
Hearing that Yuya tip-toed his way back to the door.
"(Okay… They won't notice me… Just a little bit more…)" Yuya thought.
"Hey! Yuya!" a young girl shouted.
"AAAH!"
Yuya jumped from fear. He turned around to see Allie looking at him with a big smile on her face.
"Yuya! I wanted to ask you something!" she said.
"Uuh, what is it..?" Yuya said nervously.
"Actually, I have a dare for you. I dare you to kiss Patrica! Right on the lips!"
"WHAT?! N-NO!"
"But it'd be funny!"
Yuya stood there considering her dare.
"(Hm. Well, I AM an entertainer. Nnnnmm, but, that'd be so embarrassing… But I think the reward would be far better than my embarrassment. For everyone to smile…yeah!)" Yuya thought, "Okay! I accept your challenge!"
"Really? Yay!" Allie said.
Yuya and the rest of the kids started to plan out how to do this 'dare'. Patrica surely wouldn't be so gullible. They'd have to trick her and…
"Yo. What are you guys talking about?" a girl said as she walked into the Duel Field.
It was Patrica! Yuya looked at her nervously. He didn't have a good plan yet, how was he gonna get this to work?
"Oh, hey Patrica. I'm not doing much…" Yuya said trying not to sound suspicious.
Patrica walked a little closer to him. Yuya looked into her eyes and felt his heart flutter. In that moment he felt this odd feeling…like he was being pulled in by a magnetic force. In what seemed like no time at all, Yuya wrapped his arms around Patrica's body. He pulled himself close to her and then he kissed her. Patrica was petrified by Yuya's advance. But despite her fear she also felt a warm, lovely sensation. The moment was fleeting, but wonderful none the less. Yuya let go of her and stepped back without a word. His mission was complete, but somehow he felt more fulfilled than ever. Patrica however just stood there. Her eyes were blank and void of life. She took a step back and put her hands on her chest. She stared at Yuya. He looked at her sweetly, but she didn't return the same kindness. She ran away.
"Uuum, what just happened?" Allie asked.
"I…I don't know." Yuya responded, "I'm gonna go find her."
Yuya ran off in her direction. He dashed through the city streets, but still couldn't find her. He searched until the sun started coming down. He walked down to the bridge and sat down.
"Patrica… Where did you go..?" he asked but of course, there was no response.
Tears began to fill his eyes. He pulled down his goggles so no one would see.
"Patrica, if you're out there… give me a sign…" he said softly to himself.
"Yu…Yuya?" a soft, shy voice spoke out.
He turned around to see Patrica. Her eyes were a bit red and her cheeks had tearstains on them. Yuya ran over to her and gave her a hug. Patrica pulled back immediately.
"Oh… Sorry. It's just…I've been looking all over for you! Why did you run away?" Yuya asked.
"I'm sorry Yuya. I…was just a bit shocked. That's all." She said.
"I'm so sorry I didn't mean to upset you I—"
"It's fine. I…forgive you."
"Let's go home now, okay?"
"Mhm."
Yuya proceeded to walk her back home. They walked beside each other but said nothing. No words were needed between them. They were walking for what felt like forever. It was already nightfall.
"Uh, hey where exactly are we going?" Yuya asked.
"I thought we were going to your house." She responded.
"But I thought we were going to *your* house."
"I…don't have a house."
"What?!"
"It's not really that big of a deal…" Patrica averted her eyes.
"But where are you going to stay?"
"I don't know."
"Hmmm…" Yuya was deep in thought, "How about you stay at my place?"
"W-What?!"
"Yeah. If you've got nowhere else to go then I'd be happy to have you."
"But what about your parents? They probably wouldn't like a girl staying with you…"
"They love helping people. I'm sure they'd be happy to have you!"
"O-Okay…" Patrica tried to hide her smile.
"Then let's go!"
He grabbed Patrica's hand and ran to his house.
"D-Don't hold my hand!" she yelled.