This is the translation of a story I post more than two years ago. I transfer it from my other account. Enjoy.
As time goes by
His eyes lost into the starry sky, Ginga was lying on the grassy slope bordering the canal, his arms crossed behind his head. Yet he did not smile. A sigh came out of his lips. Two years. It had been two years since they had defeated Nemesis and they had not experienced any adventure since. They had hardly left Bey-City during this period: after all, there was nothing to do nowhere. When he had the misfortune to think about it, as he did right then, a weight came compressing his chest, until he began to suffocate. It was getting worse and worse. Ginga had thought for a while he would eventually get used to the calm that was eating away their lives. Then he had hoped for it with all his heart (anyway, did he have another choice?). Then—Then nothing. He didn't get used to it. He probably would never be. The adventures, the trips with his friends, the fierce fights—he missed all of this with such intensity he could feel it. There was a void, inside him, that this life could not fill. He didn't understand how his friends managed to be satisfied with it.
Rationally, he knew he should be happy that the world was finally safe. That he should not hope for danger, for quests, for peril. And yet, that was all he wanted.
He sat down. He knew he had to avoid this subject but he was unable to control the course of his thoughts. He had to think of something else than the unadventurous life he led today. There were no more tournaments. The world was struggling to recover from the Nemesis crisis. Organizing Beyblade tournaments wasn't a high priority. In any case, there was no guarantee his friends would choose to participate and, without them, a tournament would be far less interesting.
Kyouya came into his thoughts. The weight that oppressed him lightened. A smile even ran across his lips, altering his entire expression, chasing away the traces of his uneasiness. Fortunately, bladers like his rival (although Kyouya was unique on many levels) still fought with passion. He challenged him as assiduously as he did in the great age and put his whole strength into the battle. He let nothing and nobody take him down. He was... amazing.
Ginga's smile lasted as long as he thought about his rival and then gradually faltered. Even the presence of the stars above his head, and more particularly his constellation, Pegasus, could not bring him comfort. He felt torn. Sometimes he thought of going away to try finding adventures. To travel the world and experience new things. It tempted him more and more. But he also wanted to stay with his friends and, whenever he was in their company, he forgot his discomfort. For a while at least.
"Hey Ginga!"
The redhead raised his head. Kenta was standing behind the fence that separated the hill from the sidewalk. He had grown well in the last two years. He had gained many inches and his face began to lose the curves of childhood. Even if he had never lost the kindness that characterized him, he had asserted himself since his journey with Ryuuga. He had acquired a self-confidence the scared boy Ginga had met wouldn't have dared dreaming of.
"Kenta," he greeted him, smiling automatically.
The young teenager joined him. He settled next to him.
"Are you looking at the stars again?"
Ginga's smile became more sincere. Even if he accentuated his nostalgia, reminding him bitterly the former Beyblade, this vision remained by far his favorite. He did not feel so much at home at Koma, into the landscapes of his childhood, than under a starry sky.
"Every night is different," he said. "And Pegasus is here."
"You are lucky," Kenta sighed. "Sagittario has been gone for several weeks."
Ginga turned to his friend, amused. He seemed sincerely disappointed. "Sagittario is still there. We can't see it for now, that's all."
"You're right. Like always when you talk about stars."
"Only stars?" Ginga pretended to be offended.
"And Beyblade, of course!"
"Nice."
Kenta began to laugh and Ginga's smile had nothing forced anymore. Nothing was better than his friends' happiness.
"By the way, I was looking for you."
"Really?"
Kenta nodded slowly. "Benkei has prepared a new recipe and needs testers."
"Why didn't you say it before? I'm starving!"
Ginga stood up, a big smile on his face. Iy was one of the advantages of the present situation, if not the only one. Since Benkei decided to open a restaurant, he kept cooking and making them try his meals to get advice. By the way, he was getting better every day. Ginga's mouth was watering at the mere thought of his future dinner.
Kenta got up in turn. They crossed the few steps that separated them from the sidewalk and then took the direction of the B-Pit. Before they entered the city, Ginga had the impression of hearing a noise. He raised his head. His eyes widened as they captured the glow of a shooting star. He followed it with his eyes until it disappeared beyond the horizon, his heart beating faster and faster. It was a good – excellent – sign, which reminded him of the beginning of the legendary bladers quest.
I don't need danger or adventure. Only feeling well and forgetting this emptiness trying to engulf me.
"Ginga?"
The redhead focused on the present again. He realized he had stopped in the middle of the road.
"I'm on my way!"
He caught up with Kenta. They walked side by side, leaving their steps to guide them. They knew the way by heart.
The B-Pit appeared in their field of vision. Ginga reached the shop with a few hopping steps. He opened the front door wide, making the bell tint.
"Hello everyone!" he enthusiastically said.
Well, "everyone" might have been exaggerated. There were only two people in the shop. Madoka, taking notes, sitting behind the counter and—
Ginga stepped into the room.
"Hello Kyouya."
His rival's sharp blue eyes laid on him. No matter how much time went by, the rage and the passion that filled them didn't falter. They were so clear that they showed the slightest nuance of his emotions.
Leaning against the wall with his arms folded, Kyouya replied to his greeting with a curt nod. His frown showed his annoyance, almost perpetual, with a slight confusion, as if he was wondering why he was here, with them. His hair, though tied up, almost reached in the middle of his back now. He wore a black, sleeveless jacket, which flared on his hips and descended halfway down the thigh, over a t-shirt of the same dark green as Fang Leone, which revealed his stomach. He didn't seem ready to give up this habit. His low-waisted grey pants were held by two crossed belts. A silver necklace glittered around his neck.
Ginga walked toward his rival.
"You are still in Bey-City," he remarked, somewhat surprised.
Kyouya usually didn't drag on in a specific place with no reason.
"I have something to do. I'm going back to my training soon."
His tone indicated that he regretted not being on the way for his next training. Ginga smiled with fondness. He understood too well how disturbing it was not to be able to practice the Beyblade as much as wanted. Whatever Kyouya's obligations were, they should be truly important for him to agree to postpone his training.
Kyouya frowned more. His slight confusion evaporated while he straightened up and glared at him with haughtiness.
"As soon as I come back, I'll crush you, Ginga Hagane."
"I can't wait for our future duel, but I will never lose to you."
Kyouya showed a half-smile. He crossed his arms again and leaned back against the wall, never taking his eyes off him. He loved challenges and Ginga knew he expected nothing less from him.
"Hold on to your illusions while you still can."
Ginga's smile stretched so much it hurt his cheeks. It didn't faltered. He hadn't felt such happiness in a long time.
"Those two," Madoka sighed.
Ginga barely paid attention. Kyouya seemed satisfied by their exchange, and much less uncomfortable than earlier. That was all that mattered.
A smell of food, hot and spicy, reached his nostrils, just before he heard footsteps. A door opened and Benkei joined them in the shop, a big smile on his face. They exchanged greetings before heading to the inhabited parts. They gathered together around a good meal. The company of his friends and Kyouya warmed his heart. Kenta let himself be won over by Benkei's enthusiasm while Kyouya clung on his grumpy role. As for Madoka, she tried to calm down everyone.
In those moments, Ginga almost forgot that everything had changed.
Almost.
XXX
Kyouya did not know what he was doing in the B-Pit, nor how he had been drawn into it. He had been on the docks when Benkei came to him to tell him there was a meeting and he had believed—
Kyouya sighed with annoyance. He had naively believed that it would be a summit meeting, as before, a meeting that would announce the beginnings of dangerous adventures and seemingly insurmountable challenges. He didn't care if the world was in danger or if people needed help (they should do something and cope around for once) but new adventures tempted him terribly. The new bladers represented no interest. They saw Beyblade as a simple game and didn't take their training seriously. Kyouya could beat them in a strike, without even using a special move.
Fortunately, he still had Ginga. Besides, the redhead should soon arrive—
A movement caught his attention. He straightened up as a flash of interest lit in his gaze. His rival was there. Kyouya could not help but notice how much he had changed in recent years. Grew up.
But his smile and his eyes were still the same.
"Hi Kyouya," he launched as he approached.
"Do you know why we're here ?"
"Don't."
However, Ginga didn't mind it. Of course. He loved spending time with others, which Kyouya couldn't understand. Actually, he didn't try to.
He kicked the ground. He did not see what he was doing there. Given the lack of eagerness of the others to join them, no danger lurked. What a disappointment. He should leave.
"Are you sulking?"
Ginga's question jerked him out of his thoughts. The redhead was nearer than before, a smile curving his lips. He was arranging his scarf. Now he was wearing it over the collar of a dark blue jacket, with rolled-up sleeves, which came over his waist. His grey T-shirt had light geometric patterns and covered washed jeans. His features were firmer. His headband kept locks of red hair falling back in front of his face.
"Stop talking nonsense."
"It seems so."
"Ginga."
His rival didn't pay attention to his threatening tone. His smile widened and shone into his eyes. It illuminated the whole room. He was terribly predictable, his smile so carefree and unshakable— His behavior should be unbearable. He should annoy Kyouya.
Ginga turned as he heard someone enter the room. Kyouya lingered his gaze on him before looking away reluctantly. Madoka had joined them. He sniffed with contempt. He didn't see why Ginga was paying attention to her. Although he liked to surround himself with useless people – but he didn't look at anyone the way he looked at him.
"Why did you bring us here?" asked Ginga with curiosity.
"You'll see!"
She hoped to the counter where her laptop waited for her. Kyouya rolled his eyes. There was definitely no danger or fight. What a waste of time.
"Look!" exclaimed Madoka, turning her computer toward Ginga.
The redhead leaned closer. The screen's light reflected into his eyes and toned down their color. They widened slightly. Puzzled, Kyouya could not help but take a step forward.
"An invitation from the WBBA?"
"It's great, isn't it?"
The little hope Kyouya still felt, in spite of himself, evaporated. "It's useless!" he growled, annoyed. He couldn't believe that he had wasted his time with such nonsense.
"You're annoying with your bad mood," commented Madoka.
Kyouya ignored her. It wasn't a matter of temper: he was only stating the facts.
Ginga turned his attention to the screen again. His face lightened up. "I can invite someone?"
He lifted his head toward Kyouya, his eyes sparkling. It was not hard to guess what he had in mind.
"Never."
"But—"
"I don't see the point of wasting any more time with you or your stupid friends."
"Hey!" Madoka exclaimed, offended.
Kyouya looked at her with an undisguised contempt. She clenched her fists and anger overcame her expression.
"That's why we have an urgent meeting? You should rethink your priorities."
"You! You're the one saying this when all you do is fighting Ginga? Grow up a little!"
"Madoka!" Ginga gasped, turning his head toward her, shocked.
Kyouya's jaw clenched. How she dared make him that kind of comment, she who was too weak to protect herself ?
He straightened.
"At least I am not meant to be a stooge."
With these words, he turned his back to her and made for the exit. He could not believe he had waste his time with their nonsense. And to think that he had imagined that something positive would come of it. He was truly too naive sometimes.
"What did you just say?"
"Calm down, Madoka. You're making it worse."
"I would never fix Leone again! NEVER!"
"You—"
The door closed on their conversation. Kyouya didn't care about the outcome. He shoved his hands into his pockets and walked away with a sharp gait. The door opened and closed behind him. He heard familiar footsteps echoing against the ground and following him.
"Kyouya!"
He wasn't the slightest surprised to hear Ginga's voice. He stopped and half-turned, letting Ginga catched up with him. The redhead slowed down when he noticed Kyouya was waiting for him and stopped at his level. He gave him a big grin, softer than enthusiastic. Kyouya felt his shoulders relax.
"Can we walk part of the way together ?"
Kyouya shrugged to show that he didn't care, even though part of him was satisfied that Ginga decided to spend time with him rather than with his friends. He made no comment on the fact that Ginga was staying at Madoka's and, therefore, didn't need to be here, with him.
They walked side by side, in the silence of the falling night, simply enjoying the other's presence. Several minutes passed before Ginga decided to speak.
"You know, Madoka didn't mean it."
Kyouya glared at him. It seemed that she was sure of what she was saying – and anyway, what should it matter to him?
"About Leone. Even mad at you, she'll never stop fixing it."
"Don't care."
He was perfectly able of taking care of Leone alone. He had never asked her anything.
They crossed a dozen more meters, without talking. The sky was darkening over their heads.
"The thing you have to do— Is it linked with the TC?"
"Yes."
Curiosity flooded Ginga's eyes. His emotions and thoughts were so legible that it was ridiculous. There were thousands of questions on his face. He asked none out loud. Kyouya rebuked an amused smile. He wondered how long he'd last.
"What is it?" asked Ginga, less than a minute later.
"I'll work there from time to time. My father wants it to be progressive. I don't complain about it."
"Great !"
Ginga meant it sincerely, like every words he said to him. Kyouya relaxed completely. The outline of a smile even came on his lips.
"Is there any particular reason your father made that decision?"
Kyouya's smile disappeared. He grumbled inwardly. Of course, he had to ask that.
Ginga started to sparkle. He approached him and gave him a playful blow with his shoulder. Kyouya grunted.
"Did you get into mischief ?" he asked him with a teasing voice.
"Do you think I'm a kid?"
"Oooooh!"
Honestly, what a moron ! It was one of the many reasons Kyouya disliked company. People were always so annoying.
"Are you sulking ?"
"Not a bit." he muttered, his jaw clenched.
"Tell me then."
Kyouya wrinkled his nose. He wanted to protest more but Ginga enjoyed the situation too much for him.
"My father wants me to get used to the TC. Apparently, when someone is slow to understand, it doesn't justify sending Leone in his face.
Ginga's face went expressionless. His eyes slowly rounded and then blinked several times, as if he was struggling to integrate his words.
"You didn't do that—?"
"What do you think?"
Ginga's lips trembled. Kyouya gave him a look full of threats, that would have made the most reckless opponent retreat, but didn't have the smaller effect on him. Ginga burst out laughing. Various scathing remarks passed through his mind. He uttered none. It had been so long since he had seen him so happy – and it was Ginga.
"Do you find it funny ?" he said, exasperated.
"The poor guy— No. It's not fun."
Except his mouth continued to tremble, shaken by the laughter he tried to stifle, and his eyes sparkled. Suddenly his whole expression softened. Kyouya's heart missed a beat. Ginga reached out to him and placed his hand on his shoulder.
"It was great."
He slided his hand down his arm before taking a step away.
"See you tomorrow."
He offered him a wide grin before turning his back to him and retracing their steps.
"I never said we'll meet tomorrow!" he remarked.
"I know!"
The happiness Ginga had shown during their walk became subtly more fake as he set off towards the B-Pit. It was his style, to make so much effort not to worry his friends. However, Kyouya did not understand the origin of this blatant decline in enthusiasm. It became more and more tangible with each passing day. It had surely something to do with his friends, otherwise why it only showed in their presence?
Kyouya shook his head. He detached his gaze from Ginga, turned his back on him and went on his way. It would eventually work out.
He could not help but look over his shoulder. Ginga disappeared in an adjacent street.
At least he hoped.
XXX
Ginga headed toward the B-Pit, a smile hovering over his lips. The moments he managed to spend with his rival were precious. They happened more and more often but each of them had something special. Unique.
He entered the shop. At her expression, he could guess that Madoka was still mad at Kyouya. Ginga didn't understand why. Kyouya had just been... Kyouya. Blaming him for that would be like blaming a tornado for devastating everything in its path or a lion for devouring a gazelle.
Ginga's smile was accentuated by these comparisons. He spent so much time with him that he had caught his way of talking, so characteritic and full of imagery.
"So we're talking about this meeting?"
Madoka did not calm down. Quite the reverse.
"Aren't you tired of defending him all the time?"
"It's Kyouya," he simply said. "You should be used to it."
Madoka's anger was remplaced by puzzlement. She often wore this kind of expression when she examined beys before finding their problems and being able to fix them.
"Do you know who else is invited ?"
"Except the Gan Gan Galaxy ? No idea."
"It's been a long time we hadn't seen Yuu and Tsubasa." Kenta intervened. "It would be the occasion."
"You're right."
As always, Tsubasa worked tirelessly for the WBBA, which sent him on missions around the world. None of them knew what he was doing or where he was. As for Yuu, he was traveling with Tithi.
Madoka shook his head, as for clearing her thoughts.
"There'll be a dress code."
Ginga grimaced. He didn't like the sound of these two words.
"What does that mean ?" he asked in a hesitant tone.
"No scarf, no headband."
"But— but—"
"Are you gonna act like a big baby?"
"I'm not! I just don't want to give up my scarf nor my headband."
"You'll have to, for the meeting. That's all."
Ginga pouted. This rule was completely unfair.
"I understand better why Kyouya doesn't want to come."
"Are you joking ?"
Ginga didn't bother to answer while Kenta started laughing.
XXX
"We'll have to wear suits!" said Ginga.
Kyouya followed him with his eyes while he walked back and forth. Despite what his expression suggested, Ginga did not exaggerate at all. He, in a suit? He would look ridiculous. In addition, he would not be allowed to wear his scarf and his headband. Thinking about it was enough to make him uncomfortable. He struggled to remember a time when he wore none of these accessories.
He froze. How would he carry Pegasus and his launcher? There was no way he would go out without them.
The teenagers were in a warehouse. Ginga didn't see what his rival liked about this kind of place. It was deserted, miserable. Every step sounded in a sinister way. It looked like a horror movie set.
Kyouya was sitting on the bare ground, legs half-folded, sheets spread all around him. Maybe it wasn't the best time to disturb him, but if he really wanted to work, he'd be in an office, right?
"Why are you talking to me? Haven't you friends to complain to ?"
Ginga approached his rival. He created a space by carefully pushing the papers away – he did not want to damage them – before sitting in front of him.
"They agree. It's not fair!"
"You don't have a job. You would have to wear it only once in your whole life so stop whining."
"I know, I know," Ginga muttered, lowering his head.
His annoyance lef his mind as Kyouya's words – or rather, what they implied – became clearer. He raised his head, surprised. Kyouya was reading one of the documents, frowning. He must have felt the weight of his attention because he raised his eyes.
"What?" he said curtly.
"Do you wear suits ?"
Ginga was trying to picture it, but it was quite difficult. It didn't fit with Kyouya's image, nor to the outfits he usually wore, so far from being formal.
"Did I ask you anything?"
"Really?"
Kyouya, in a suit?
The blue eyes, matchless, filled with irritation. Kyouya clenched his teeth and a growl rose in his throat. With his attitude, it became even harder for Ginga to imagine it.
"Leave me alone. I have work to do."
Kyouya drew his attention back to the documents in his hand, frowing even more. Ginga continued to stare at him, intrigued. There weren't one hint of annoyance in his thoughts anymore. He could finally imagine it.
And he had to admit that it wasn't that bad.
XXX
"Guys! We are back!"
Ginga turned to the voice. Yuu, on the threshold of the B-Pit, waved his hand to greet them. His emerald eyes still shone with intelligence and mischief. He wore a huge smile. Tithi was half-hidden behind him, embarrassed by the looks directed at them. Tsubasa was standing back, a particularly worn-out expression on his face.
"Yuu ! Tsubasa !" Ginga greeted his friends, walking toward them. He stopped a few steps away from the trio and leaned over to watch the blader of Venus. "Hello, Tithi," he said in a softer voice.
The young teenager blushed. His purple eyes became troubled.
"H-hello Gingy."
Ginga smiled at him before drawing his attention on his former teammates. Benkei, Kenta and then Madoka joined them.
"I didn't know you were traveling together," exclaimed Kenta. "I knew about you and Tithi, of course."
"We didn't! We met Tsubasa at the airport. How lucky!"
Tsubasa didn't seem to share his opinion.
Yuu started to look all around him, his big eyes searching. "Hey, where is Yoyo?"
"The big bad blader?"
"Well yes, since Benben is here, he must still be in town, no?"
"He is," replied Ginga.
"It's amazing he didn't go to train. Have you ever seen him stay in one place that long?"
Kenta, Madoka and Benkei displayed the same unfazed look. Ginga rubbed the back of his head, a self-conscious smile on his lips. Yuu's eyes began to sparkle. Bad sign.
"Really? Tell me!"
"I don't really want to talk about it," sighed Kenta.
Madoka and Benkei nodded in a coordinated gesture.
"It's not fair! You said the lone lion, who always goes in isolated places I remind you, had stayed a long time at the same place and you don't tell me more!"
"You're the one who guessed it all by yourself."
"It's the same!"
Yuu looked each of them in turn but none of them gave details. Ginga did not speak either. The past was the past. There was no point in rehashing him. It didn't make it relive...
Ginga felt a twinge in his chest. He looked at his friends. Even when we longed to revive it, it was impossible. No matter how much it was appealing. They wouldn't go on adventures together again. There was no point in hoping. At every moment, they moved a little further away from each other, taking different paths.
Ginga forced a smile on his face. It was like that. There was nothing he could do. There was no need to worry his friends with his nostalgia. It would eventually wear off. He would get used to their new life, so different.
He had no choice.
"Did you got the WBBA's mail?"
"Which mail?" asked Yuu.
Change of subjet: a success.
"The invitation?" asked Tsubasa.
"An invitation? Which invitation? Why I didn't got it? It's not fair!"
"Have you looked your mails recently, at least?" sighed Tsubasa.
"I haven't. Come on Tithi."
Yuu slipped through his group of friends and headed toward the counter, where Madoka's laptot was lying, Tithi on his heels. He pushed a keyboard. He pressed a button. His enthusiasm evaporated suddenly. He looked up at Madoka, a pout on his face.
"What's the password, chief?"
"You can't believe I'll say it out loud?!"
"You can change it later."
"You're joking, right?"
"I'm sure I can guess it!"
"Yuu!"
Ginga's smile became more sincere. He loved spending time with his friends. Each moment spent with them was a true treasure that he appreciated to its full value. He wanted to engrave them all in his memory.
XXX
Ginga quickly got rid of his suit – well, as quickly he was able to. He didn't understand how people could carry these—these—these things. They were terribly heavy and unwiedly. It looked like they were made to hinder his movements. They were real torture devices.
He abandoned these horrors on the floor then put on his clothes. He regained his usual outfit with relief. He adjusted his headband on his forehead, arranged his hair and tied his scarf around his neck. That was totally different. Better.
He breathed a sigh. The reception hadn't been very pleasant. He did not understand why he had been invited. He hadn't been allowed to talk about Beyblade. It had nothing to do with the fabulous world of beys. The WBBA had even advised him kindly to content himself with greeting the guests. The Japanese department had only brought in the most famous bladers of the country to show them in front of potential sponsors. He felt sorry for his foreign friends who certainly had the same kind of treatment. Kyouya was right not to come.
Besides, he didn't even have burgers to eat.
He left the room that Madoka lent to him and went down a staircase, leaving his mind wandering. He wondered where Kyouya was. He was probably working. He had said he was going to be around for several days. It wasn't very specific, but Ginga was sure these days weren't passed yet.
He wanted to see him.
The problem was that Kyouya was certainly at TC and Ginga had no idea where the company was. Maybe with some research...
XXX
Ginga found TC's address with a disconcerting easiness. He just had to enter its name in the search bar to come across its official website, which gave clear and accurate informations. It was located in a nearby town of Bey-City.
Ginga walked slowly to his destination, taking care not to speed up. He couldn't rush there unawares. He would certainly not be welcome. He'd wait outside, until Kyouya went out. Hoping his rival wouldn't chase him away by using fangs.
An amused smile broke over his face at the thought. Kyouya still was so himself.
He finally reached his destination. His curiosity prompted him to look around. After all, it was Kyouya's workplace. The building that housed the TC was classic. It stood behind a private parking lot where each seat was taken. An electric gate separated it from the road.
Disappointed, Ginga stopped his observation. He expected something spectacular. He leaned against the wall delimiting the company's property to wait. He did not have to wait long.
"Stop laughing, Kakeru," said an exasperated voice that Ginga recognized immediately.
He rose up and turned in its direction. He thought briefly that his presence might bore his rival. After all, he hadn't invited him.
"Seriously, Aniki. You've outdone yourself this time."
"Grrr!"
The electric gate opened. Two teenagers came out on the sidewalk. Ginga's eyes instinctively laid on the older one. Even if he had been, in a way, warned, he was surprised to see him in a suit. Kyouya wore a white shirt over black pants. A tie of Fang Leone's dark green was perfectly tied around his collar. He carelessly held a jacket over his shoulder. He surpassed what Ginga had imagined.
Finally, there were people these clothes suited.
Their eyes met. Kyouya seemed briefly surprised to see him. His eyes alit with challenge. He managed to look even wilder that way.
"Hello Ginga! It's been a long time."
Ginga reluctantly tore his gaze from Kyouya to report it on Kakeru. He smiled.
"Hello. What are you doing here?"
"I came to visit my family and I must say that I am not disappointed."
"Kakeru," Kyouya snapped curtly.
The young Tategami offered a grin to his brother, not in the least scared. Ginga wondered what he hinted at. He hesitated to ask out loud. He didn't want to offend Kyouya and risk robbing him. He had come to spend time with him. However, his curiosity must have been reflected in his expression, for Kakeru added: "My brother made a massiiiiiiiiiiiiiive mistake."
Kyouya frowned more. Whatever had happened, he didn't want to mention it. This aroused Ginga's curiosity all the more.
"He challenged at Beyblade every person the TC was going to sign contracts with," Kakeru explained, ruthless. "For his first meeting alone, he did well. He said, I quote: "I accept a contract with the first one that allows me to do a proper duel. No one? You're scared? Okay. I sign a contract with the first one who can resist Fang Leone's attacks for ten seconds."
"Grrr."
Kakeru laughed. Ginga turned his attention to Kyouya. He had no trouble picturing the scene. Kyouya, in the middle of a meeting that intently bored him, half listening the repetitive complaints, eager to end it. He hated wasting his time. Ginga pictured him rise slowly, drawing all the attention on him, and issuing his first statement in a clear voice. Then, he swept over his audience with his eyes, audience that hardly dared to breath, wondering if he was serious. Kyouya quietly continued his statement and, at the moment he pronounced his bey's name, grabbed his launcher and pointed it at his opponents, a provocative smile encrusted on his lips.
"Did you really do that?"
Kyouya glared daggers at him before deciding to ignore him.
"What happened next?"
Kakeru lit up. Apparently, one of his favourite activities was to tell the story of his brother's tumultuous life.
"What do you think? He attacked them."
"They had beys?"
"Of course they don't! And guess what's worst."
"Worse than attacking people without beys?" said Ginga, gliding his gaze at his rival. Kyouya momentarily forgot that he was ignoring him to snort at him. Ginga smiled at him before turning his attention to Kakeru who smiled even more, visibly proud of himself.
"Of course my brother can do worse."
Ginga reflected and then shook his head to show that he had no idea. Kakeru leaned towards him, displaying an air of conspiracy.
"Aniki used the Lion Gale Force Wall. In a closed room. I let you imagine the damages—"
Ginga turned his attention to Kyouya. He had no trouble imagining it. He felt sorry for the unlucky souls that were locked with a bored Kyouya. They would have had more chances with a caged lion. They'd know what to expect from now on, at least.
"It didn't help much that your father tried to gradually get used to the world of work, did it?"
Kyouya stared at him, annoyed. Someone else would be scared and withdraw their statements. Not Ginga.
"Indeed. Besides they argued about it."
Kyouya glared at his brother.
"Aren't you tired to shout my life from the rooftops?"
"It's not a secret: you argue all the time." Kakeru turned to Ginga. He shrugged his shoulders with defeatism. "They are incorrigible. Mother and I don't even intervene anymore. Do you want to know what is the subject of their latest argument?"
Before Ginga could agree – he loved the idea of learning more about the Tategami family – Kyouya intervened. "Don't you have anything else to do, Kakeru?"
The younger smiled impertinently. He approached Ginga and whispered: "And to say that he looks more like Mother... Physically and in character. I don't dare to imagine what it would be like otherwise. I'll tell you everything next time, I swear."
Kyouya narrowed his eyes. Kakeru stood up straight, all smiles. He waved to them. "See you soon Ginga. Aniki."
"See you soon Kakeru."
Ginga and Kyouya watched the teenager walk away. They did not move or speak. When he disappeared from their sight, Ginga turned to Kyouya. He grinned. He was somewhat disappointed. He loved spending time with Kakeru and he would have liked to know this famous argument or learn more about the rest of their family, that seemed so nice. There was no way Kyouya would tell him about it. Maybe next time.
However—
"Is it true that you are more like your mother?"
"Tss! I don't look like anyone."
Ginga smiled at this typical Kyouya response.
"How about we spend some time together?"
Kyouya turned his face towards him, looking bored. "What makes you think I want to spend time with you?"
"You got better things to do?" Kyouya's lack of response was particularly eloquent. Ginga's smile grew. "So?"
"Leave me alone."
XXX
Kyouya sighed with annoyance. He couldn't believe he let Ginga convince him to come to the B-Pit. He should have shown more firmness... In truth, the afternoon spent with him had not been unpleasant. Far from it. But it didn't explain why he agreed when Ginga said, "Why don't we go to the B-Pit and see the others?" There was a big difference between staying with Ginga and spending time with Ginga and the bunch of over-excited people he called his friends.
Kyouya grumbled. He couldn't wait to go back training. He was tired of staying in this town.
His gaze laid on his rival. His frown increased. Ginga's eyes, staring the wall in front of him, were distant. They didn't shone with their usual brightness. He didn't show the grin he seamed to display permanently. It disturbed Kyouya. Without this grin, he didn't look like himself.
Gradually, Ginga's friends joined them. Kyouya grimaced, noticing the presence of Yuu, and more when the child used his infuriating nickname. Ginga forced himself to smile. He chatted with them, about interestless matters. In spite of his boredom, Kyouya remained. He couldn't believe no one else had noticed.
"I was wondering—"
Kyouya looked at Ginga. The redhead smiled with a little more sincerity. A bightness had lit up in his eyes.
"How about we all go to Koma for a few days?"
His friends looked at him with surprise. Kyouya raised an eyebrow.
"I know you have a lot to do, but, it might be fun, right?"
His smile somewhat wavered when his friends were slow to respond, but he clung to it, as if it was a lifeline.
Yuu lit up. He joined him in two steps to stand in front of him. "Nice? Are you kidding? That's a super cool idea! You might even think I got it. When do we do that?"
Ginga's expression softened. He addressed a brief glance at Kyouya.
"It depends on your schedules."
"I can't wait!"
Tithi placed his hand on his friend's arm to draw his attention. "What's Koma?"
Yuu turned to him, shining with enthusiasm. "It's a great place, also called Beyblade village."
The purple eyes sparkled.
They talked again, agreeing on dates and other stuff. The discussion gradually shifted to talk about their current lives. Ginga drew back of the chat. He hardly intervened, nodding from time to time, a smile stuck on his face, painfully false.
Kyouya's hands gripped his arms. His nails sunk into his skin. His jaw clenched. Ginga wasn't supposed to act like this. It wasn't him. Kyouya didn't know how to comfort him, nor how to urge him to grin again and lit up the world as he usually did. So he did what he did best: he attacked.
"Aren't you tired to take all the credits?"
The voices suddenly remained silent to give way to a tense silence. Ginga turned towards him, his eyes troubled, frowning slightly.
"What did you do lately? Nothing. You've been resting on your laurels since the legendary bladers quest."
Ginga darkened a little more, sweeping away his factice good mood. It only confirmed Kyouya's suspicions: something was wrong.
"Everyone treats you like a hero when you didn't do half the work. Did all those compliments went to your head?"
A flash of anger passed through Ginga's eyes. Kyouya became tense and straightened up, ready to take the comeback.
"It was our victory," declared Ginga in a cold voice, detaching each syllable. "I have never seen it otherwise."
"Really? Then why do I always hear about your victory against Nemesis?"
A blazing rage burnt into the honey eyes, usually full of challenge. Ginga's hands clenched into fists. He seemed ready to fight. Good. It was better than this strange apathy that did not resemble him.
"What's the matter with you?"
I should be the one to ask you that. Ginga was supposed to be luminous, a star in the depths of darkness, urging the others to shine. He could not give up hope. It was terrible to admit for Kyouya but, if Ginga lost hope, he also stopped believing. He was unable to move forward. He needed Ginga to be himself in order to be totally him.
When did I become so weak?
For several years, no doubt. He didn't know the exact moment, but the legendary bladers quest had proven it to him. When Ginga had no longer believed in their victory, he had lost all hope and all will to fight.
"I wonder, that's all."
Ginga darkened even more. Without adding anything, he turned his back and left the shop. The door slammed behind him. Kyouya followed him with his eyes through the window until he disappeared. It wasn't the reaction he was hoping for, but at least Ginga had reacted.
"Why did you say all that, Yoyo?" asked Yuu in a sad voice.
"He's nothing but a big bad blader!"
Kyouya wrinkled his nose. While he was going to point out he had a name, Madoka intervened. "How can you talk to him like this after everything he did—?"
"I have no lessons to take from you," he spat.
Kyouya headed to the door, decided to join the redheaded moron. He couldn't believe he, among them all, was the one doing this. He wasn't his friend!
"You are just jealous because Mr. Ginga's talents are recognized by all. He will continue to play Beyblade while you... What will you do with your life?"
"I have no reason to be jealous of Ginga."
He would end up defeating him. And that day—that day Ginga would stop wasting his time with second-zone bladers like them—
Kyouya's hand gripped the doorknob tighter. No. That day, he would prove his and Leone's power. Not—
He shook his head. He would think about this later – if he really want to.
Crossing the threshold of the B-Pit, he heard Benkei get indignant against Yuuki. If he had time to waste with it—At least, none of them would have the stupid idea of following them.
Kyouya fell into steps with Ginga. His rival hadn't taken much of a lead. He could catch up quickly, if he wished. He didn't. He proceeded quietly, keeping the distance between them. Ginga stopped only once near the river. The wind made his scarf fly.
"How long are you going to follow me?" His voice was lifeless. He didn't pretend, with him.
"What's the matter with you?" Kyouya's voice softened without him deciding. It was awful.
"You shout at me without reasons. How I'm supposed to be?"
"You need more than that usually."
Kyouya could raise his voice as much as he wanted, throw the sharpest words, the Ginga he had learned to know never yielded. He continued to held his gaze, without even batting an eyelid, without recoiling the slightest. No matter how strong his rage was, Ginga answered him calmly until he went through all his layers of anger and appeased him.
Ginga's shoulders sagged, as if a weight addded on it. He turned slowly toward him. His eyes were so full of sadness Kyouya felt it in his flesh.
Ginga looked up at the starry sky, as if seeking comfort or drawing strength from it. He breathed deeply and then bowed his head towards him. Kyouya reduced the distance between them by a step, without thinking.
"I didn't want anything to change. I know you're gonna think this is stupid, but I figured we'd always be together and yet... you're all leaving.
"I'm right here."
The words crossed Kyouya's lips before he could hold them back, or even think about it. A gentle surprise took hold of Ginga's expression. His eyes widened slightly.
"I am your rival," continued Kyouya. "That will not change. Never. No matter what await for us." Kyouya would not let anything come between them. He would fight, even, if he needed to and he would destroy every obstacle trying to separate them.
"You are right but—" Ginga fell silent and stare at him, thoughtful. He shook his head then a smile broke over his face. With a pure sincerity, it created more light than all the sky stars. "It's true. Thank you."
Whatever he meant, it didn't matter anymore.
"Will you come to Koma?"
"As long as I don't have to share a room with Yuu."
Ginga's smile spread and became tinged with amusement. "That's not going to happen."
They seemed to have agreed.
XXX
Kyouya stayed in the room that was assigned to him in Koma. Sitting cross-legged on his bed, he read a TC file. It was easy, and boring to death. However, it was still better than wandering in the corridors and running into one of Ginga's friends. They were all housed in the same building. Benkei, Yuu, Tithi, Kenta, Tsubasa, Madoka and Yuuki. Not to mention that Hyouma was hanging around, too. Kyouya had spent enough time with them for the next ten years – at least!
Kyouya breathed a sigh. He tried to focus on the file. The sooner he would end this, the sooner he can get back to training.
He heard a loud noise and saw the door open. He curled up his lips, ready to set fire to the person stupid enough to invade his space without warning. His anger yielded to annoyance when he recognized his rival. The redhead entered the room as if it belonged to him. Technically, it was, but Kyouya didn't think it was a reason.
"Kyouya, do you—" The redhead shut up to stare at him, gaping. Kyouya bristled. What was the matter with him this time?
"What?!"
"Are you wearing glasses?"
Kyouya's body tensed up. He had completely forgotten. He removed it hastily and glared daggers at Ginga. It had no effect. His rival continued to stare at him with big eyes and a completely flabbergasted look.
"You got a problem?" grunted Kyouya.
"Do you see me fuzzy there?" asked Ginga, waving his fingers.
Kyouya's eyelid jerked. He was making fun of him, wasn't he? "No, but it would make your face less insufferable."
The idiot grinned at him. Anyone would think he didn't understand what he just said.
Kyouya drew his focus back on the file, frowning. What a fool. He wasted his time. To think he had accepted coming willingly.
Ginga had the gall to laugh. He clearly was making fun of him. Things are going from bad to worse.
"What else?" said Kyouya, raising his head.
"You need your glasses, don't you?"
"Fuck you!"
Kyouya glared the file again, very decided to ignore him. He didn't lift his eyes when Ginga stepped closer, neither when he felt a weight on the bed, just next to him. He gave a start when he felt a hand putting on his. The contact with Ginga's skin burned him.
Indifferent to his turmoil, Ginga got back the glasses. He unfolded its side-piece. Kyouya followed his move with his eyes, fascinated, wondering what he would do next. Ginga bent over him. He put the glasses back on his face and then pulled a lock out of his hair, brushing his cheek. Kyouya's throat dried up. His face was only a few inches away from his.
"You know, even with it, you still look fierce and dangerous."
Ginga's eyes laid on one of his scars. He followed the mark with his thumb, thoughtful. Kyouya's breath caught into his chest. Finally, Ginga took his hand off his face. He stood up and headed to the door at a peaceful pace. Kyouya could do nothing but watch him. He had the impression he was still feeling his touch on his skin.
Ginga stopped. He turned to him with a smile on his face. "I wanted to let you know the lunch is ready. Do you want to come?"
"I-I have something to finish first."
"Okay. See you later then."
He went out of the room, closing the door behind him. Kyouya raised his hand to his cheek, troubled.
XXX
Kyouya had always known he was going to run the family business one day. It didn't particularly tempt him, but this company was his. It was up to him to take care of it, not some totally incompetent moron who would find a way to destroy it in two seconds. His instinct was excellent, his intelligence sharp. He didn't let himself be seduced by vulgar words. He didn't hesitate to act. He fought with all his might to get what he wanted. And above all, he would not have to take orders from anyone. This advantage was significant. He hated orders and had great difficulty with authority.
As long as he had such a tidy, proper life, he had decided to have a little fun. After all, he had every right to live his own life. He had gone on a trip, determined to prove his blader skills, to prove that he was able to fend for himself, without anyone's help. He wanted victories which depend only on him. No blader worthy of the name counted on the skills of others.
He had turned to his parents to financial help, from time to time, to pay his travels, transport tickets, food and even hotels if he stopped in town. The time wasted to search or gain money was time where there was no training. On the other hand, he had never used his family's money to buy the latest marketing innovations of Beyblade or pay for last-ditch training sessions. All this seemed ridiculous and derisory to him.
Of course, when he had left his home, he'd never imagined livind such adventures. All of this because – or thanks to, he hadn't decided yet – Ginga Hagane.
Kyouya had a half smile. Ginga, who knew a lot about his situation and who, however, did not find he changed.
You still look fierce and dangerous.
Ginga had said these words while he had caught him trying to work, with those stupid glasses on his nose. He had shown such sincerity that Kyouya didn't doubt him. He knew it was true. Especially since Ginga had seen him in his worst moments, when he was so far beyond wilderness.
His hand lifted to his cheek. Ginga's behavior toward him troubled him, but didn't bothered him, and it was a problem. He was supposed to keep every person at distance, to not need nor want company. However—
As if thinking of him had summoned him, Ginga appeared before him. His matchless grin shone on his face. Kyouya quickly lowered his arm and pretended to concentrate on his papers, quite embarrassed.
"What do you want?"
"Aren't you bored to stay alone?"
"It's less unbearable than company."
Ginga seemed amused. He came near to him, ignoring spectacularly his previous words, and set down beside him. They were installed on a wooden porch, in front of a vast forest. Despite the nature that surrounded them, Kyouya distinctly heard Ginga's friends bustle about on the other side of the house. They were so noisy.
A piercing cry of joy, coming from Yuu, came to emphasize his observation.
The redhead stretched his legs in front of him. Kyouya slid a look in his direction. Ginga was so comfortable in his company that an outside observer, who didn't know them, would probably be unable to imagine the fierce battles they had against each other. It was disconcerting, somehow.
"There are many quieter places around Koma."
Kyouya raised an eyebrow. Ginga had a smile. He bent down to lean against his shoulder.
"Would you like to see?"
"As long as you don't waste my time."
Ginga stood up with a light jump. He looked so much happier here than in Bey-City. Kyouya felt a pang of anguish. What if Ginga chose to stay? Koma was reclusive. That would not prevent him from coming to challenge him, of course, nothing could ever stop him. No obstacle. No distance. No adversary.
But they would see each other less often.
Kyouya stood up, discarding these thoughts. There was no reason for Ginga to make this decision. He may have lived at Koma as a child, but it was not his home. Bey-City was the place he truly belonged. With his friends. By his side.
He followed Ginga to the threshold of the forest.
"It better be worth it," he grumbled.
"Don't worry about it."
"I am not worried."
They crossed the canopy of the trees. After a few steps, already, they seemed cut off from the rest of the world. The forest's sounds had replaced the village's. Twigs and dead leaves cracked under their feet. The wind slipped through the foliage, orange, golden and red, taking with it multicoloured leaves. They were surrounded by nature. There was no longer a single trace of civilization. The kind of places Kyouya liked.
The murmur of a stream reached his ears. Silver shards sparkled between the trees. They advanced a few steps, making their way among the vegetation, and found themselves in front of a river. Ginga leaped on a rock that pierced its middle and propelled himself on the opposite bank, without losing his balance. Everything in his attitude showed that he knew the place by heart, that he had travelled every inch of it for countless hours.
The redhead turned to him, a smile floating on his lips. A flash of challenge, recognizable among all, shone in his eyes.
Tss. As if it's hard. It's worth nothing next to Wolf Canyon.
Kyouya joined him very easily, with two leaps, without even taking momentum. His course had been fluid, without the slightest jerk. Ginga's smile grew and his eyes sparkled with amusement. Kyouya pretended to ignore him. He shared his well-being, but there was no reason for Ginga to find out.
Their eyes met. Something told him that Ginga had understood.
They continued their progress in the heart of the forest, side by side. Kyouya enjoyed the surrounding nature and Ginga's presence. They didn't spent time together often. They were rivals. It would be a bit contradictory to stay close to each other, even if, the last couple of months, Kyouya noticed it happened more and more. It didn't displease him.
Ginga brushed his arm. Kyouya gave him an interrogative look. Ginga respected his living space less and less.
Ginga slowed down, then stopped. Kyouya did the same.
"This is one of my favorite places."
Kyouya detached his gaze from him to observe the landscape. They were only a few steps away from a gap, which explained his silent warning. Below the cliff, a sea of foliage stretched out. Every shade of autumn were depicted with, here and there, the dark green of the evergreen trees. Mountains were carved out in front of the horizon, enclosing them in a cocoon, away from the rest of the world. And the sky. A vast portion of the celestial canopy was visible, extending far beyond the mountains in the distance. Kyouya wasn't surprised that Ginga liked this place. At dead of night, the spectacle of the stars must be impressive.
"It's a perfect place to look at the stars," said Ginga, confirming his thoughts. A half-smile bent his lips. He knew him well, too. "We should come back tonight."
Kyouya looked at him. Ginga had not taken his eyes off him. A wave of satisfaction swept over him. It should always be like this. Just Ginga and him. Like when they fought, like when they talked about Beyblade.
Kyouya frowned. "Are you planning a meeting?"
Ginga didn't pull his eyes off him but his face softened. "No. Just you and me."
"In that case, okay."
After all, if there weren't his friends in the area, which reason he had to refuse?
XXX
Ginga was proud of his idea. He had a huge smile on his face. He hadn't been so happy in a long time. Even if it would only last a few days, during this trip to Koma, he was surrounded by his friends. Having them gathered around him was pleasant. It looked like one of the few quiet moments they had managed to steal between two quests. He didn't have to worry about running into a journalist at the bend of a road or about saving the world. He could just enjoy the moment. It was perfect.
And Kyouya was there too.
Ginga's smile grew if possible. Of course, his friends still talked about their plans for the future. They weren't gonna stop it like that. But, when they were together like this, teasing and advising each other without hesitation or embarrassment, it didn't seem diametrically opposed to their previous life. They were there for each other. And it changed everything.
Yuuki and Tithi were delighted to discover Koma. Their eyes shone whenever Ginga showed them the different training grounds and Yuu hurried to give them a demonstration. When the teenager didn't use his bey, he asked for ideas for the next destination of his trips, which he would do in the company of Tithi. Ginga was happy to see him having so much fun and, above all, not being alone. He had not had an easy life. He deserved his share of happiness.
Kenta splitted his time between the B-Pit and the WBBA, while continuing his studies. He sought advice from Madoka and Tsubasa, who were gradually climbing the carreer ladder and expanding their activities – and, of course, each of them was trying to convince him to work for them. Benkei was thinking about his restaurant project, even though we felt a certain regret at the idea of no longer following Kyouya in his travels. Yuu was insistent about him focusing on desserts, even if it means giving up other recipes. Hyouma liked their company and the swirl of life that accompanied them.
And Kyouya.
He didn't tell them about his professional projects. If someone asked him a question about the future, he would simply say that he would defeat Ginga, which made him smile. He always showed the incredible confidence that characterized him. Although he was moving on a new path, he was creating his own, while remaining true to himself.
Moreover, as usual, he showed that he didn't totally belong to their group. He spent many moments in their company, of course, but he also spent time alone. Ginga would have loved he stayed with them more but he knew how lucky he was that his rival agreed to take part in this trip. He cared so much about his lone lion image.
Ginga took a look at the sky. It was still bright blue, dotted with a few clouds. Night would not fall before several hours. Yet he felt a burst of happiness at the mere prospect of the evening he would spend with his rival under the stars.
XXX
As soon as the night began to fall, Ginga went to their meeting point. The bravest stars stood out against the last rays of the sun. Ginga smiled as he crawled under the trees. They represented the world of the Beyblade to perfection. Not only because the spirits of beys were based on constellations, nor because the legendary bladers' beys contained true star's fragments, but simply because their interactions reflected perfectly the world of the Beyblade.
Ginga walked to the cliff. Kyouya was not present yet. It didn't surprise him. The stars had not yet appeared and it wasn't his style to arrive early.
Ginga sat with his legs hanging in the void, his head raised to the sky to wait. The few clouds that wandered in the sky were mostly dark blue, with some pink markings underlining their shapes. The sky was gradually darkening. As soon as the sun disappeared from the horizon, the world and its atmosphere suddenly changed, as if someone had pressed a button. The stars and planets were revealed to Ginga. Innumerable, however, they represented only a tiny part of those that inhabited the universe. He smiled.
Leaves rustled in the silence of the night. A silhouette appeared on the periphery of his field of vision. Ginga detached his attention from the starry sky. His smile became more pronounced when Kyouya settled beside him, one leg in the void, the other folded against him. It was thoughtful of him to report his presence.
Ginga turned his attention to the sky.
What a beautiful evening.
XXX
Kyouya was bubbling with impatience. The trip to Koma had delayed his plans, postponing the moment when he would be released from his obligations and be able to take care of important things – in other words, his training. Leone, too, was tired of waiting. Although Kyouya used every moment of free time to become stronger, it had nothing comparable with their wanderings in the wild, where every second was a training, a proof of their abilities. They couldn't wait to get back. They would push their limits a little further, surpass their own forces and reach a new level of power to defeat their rival.
However, Kyouya did not regret having given in to Ginga's request. He would die before admitting it but this journey had not been so annoying.
XXX
Ginga was happy. The little trip to Koma had given him optimism for their future.
Unless it had been Kyouya's words, just before. He had not felt a single drop in morale since Kyouya had told him that he would not leave his side and would remain his rival forever.
Ginga had a smile as he headed for TC. Kyouya would soon finish his work today. He didn't want to miss his exit.
The street where was the company was calm. Ginga leaned against the wall that surrounded the property to wait. He mechanically arranged his scarf then let his arms fall back along his body. Kyouya shouldn't be long.
Indeed, a few minutes later, Ginga heard footsteps. He straightened up. Kyouya came out of the parking, frowning, muttering. With one hand, he loosened his emerald tie. Something had turned out badly.
His eyes, a stormy ocean, landed on him.
"What are you doing here?"
Ginga didn't take offense of his obvious aggression. He offered him a grin.
"Good afternoon, Kyouya."
His rival stopped to his level, without taking his gaze off him.
"You didn't answer me."
Already, his voice was calmer.
"I came to see you. What else can I do here?"
The eyes, so fierce, widened slightly. His surprise, so sincere, so ingenuous, softened all his expression and made him look younger. Ginga's smile widened. The usual expression, full of annoyance, of Kyouya reappeared.
"If you have time to waste with this kind of formality."
"I never waste my time with you."
Kyouya looked him in the eyes again. Ginga didn't get tired of it. His rival's feelings unleashed with a great intensity in his eyes.
Without giving any warning, Kyouya errupted into motion. Ginga followed him and modelled his pace on his. He waited until they had left the street and the TC headquarters had disappeared to start the discussion: "Did something go wrong?"
Kyouya glanced at him. He sighed briefly and looked right in front of him again. Ginga began to believe that he would deliberately ignore the question and was about to launch another topic when he finally replied: "People are too slow."
So that was the problem.
"Maybe you're going too fast?"
Kyouya always knew what he wanted and how to achieve his goal. He certainly didn't take the trouble to explain himself or to give others the opportunity to understand where he was heading.
"Working in team, it isn't my thing. It would be simpler and more efficient if I could work alone. Others only slow me down."
"You are a little harsh, aren't you?"
Kyouya watched him with exasperation, like he was talking nonsense and hadn't got a clue. Ginga shrugged, without taking offense.
"I just want some to be able to keep up. I don't ask too much."
Ginga pressed his finger against Kyouya's shoulder, a big smile on his face.
"You still haven't defeated me. I can keep up."
Challenge overcame Kyouya's expression. The corner of his lips lifted. "For now. At ou next fight, I'll crush you."
"I don't intend to let that happen."
Kyouya's shoulders relaxed. Ginga smiled. If only everything could still be so easy...
Since they came back from Koma, Kyouya had allowed a certain routine to rhythm his life, without really noticing it.
He got up early, took as much time as he could to keep himself and Leone fit, before going to work. There he put the Beyblade aside – as far as he could, as some anecdotes proved – and devoted himself to the company. He was doing pretty well. He quickly understood what he had to do and how to get the best result as quickly as possible. The true issue, it was people. They slowed him down.
Then, he went out and joined Ginga, who waited for him outside. Usually, they would go for a walk. Together. As soon as they parted, Kyouya turned back to his training, until he had to sleep.
This day made no exception. He had trained. He had worked. And, while he left the company, he caught sight of his one and only rival, Ginga Hagane.
Except that this day was different from the others.
Today, he really went back to training.
Ginga straightened up while Kyouya approached him. They faced each other. Kyouya never grew weary of meeting his gaze. It was so keen, so bright. It contained so much strenght.
"I leave to train with Leone."
"So the time has come."
Ginga smiled at him. A smile that addressed only to him. Kyouya knew that he should be exasperated. Ginga gave the impression he always smiled, that it was his default, even if it was far from true. This smile, so unshakeable that it was almost unbearable, attracted people to him, allowed him to trace his own path and to destroy all the obstacles that stood before him.
"You better enjoy this last quiet night. Then you'll be too worried about me coming back to do anything."
The surprise briefly passed over his expression. He anchored his gaze to Kyouya's, as if he was seeking something. Kyouya wondered what it was.
Ginga's smile came back, brighter.
"Yes. Let us enjoy this evening."
XXX
The world of Ginga amounted to Beyblade.
It was his passion, which allowed him to forge so many bonds, to meet so many incredible people. Every moment of his life was punctuated by Beyblade. His childhood at Koma, divided between the long training with his father and some games with Hyouma. His deep loneliness. His quest for revenge. His meeting with his friends: Kenta, Madoka and Benkei, Tsubasa and Yuu. His meeting with Kyouya, his rival. Tournaments, trips, quests. Fun, pain, passion and rage. Without Beyblade, his life would have been dull. Empty. Hollow. Solitary. He wouldn't have made all these encounters or lived all his adventures.
His friends understood, of course. After all, it was thanks to Beyblade they had meet. But, with a few exceptions, they gradually stopped fighting. They turned to other ways of contributing to this world so important to them, with fewer adventures and dangers, notably by supporting the new generation. Ginga admired them. By their actions, they continued to show their blader's spirit. But it wasn't the same. He would be unable to stop fighting. Only death could prevent him from fighting alongside Pegasus.
Ginga smiled. Kyouya was undoubtedly the one who understood him best. They shared the same passion for the Beyblade, the same rage to defeat, the same unfailing connection with their beys. Ginga had known this at the very moment their eyes had met for the first time. That was why he had wanted to fight him, to defy him. His blader's spirit burnt into his eyes, even when he didn't knew its existence. It showed through each of his fights. He had a matchless blader's spirit and he prooved it with each of his actions.
"Don't you get tired of smiling all the time?"
Despite the harsh words, Ginga's smile became more pronounced. He pulled his gaze from the starry sky and to stare his rival. Sitting beside him, his legs half-folded, he displayed a sullen air, his expression by default.
"You don't smile a lot. It balances."
Which was a shame, by the way.
Kyouya scowled a little more but Ginga didn't trust it: after all if he bothered him that much, he would have left long ago.
"I was thinking how lucky I am to have met a blader like you."
A blader whose mind burned with passion. Who loved the spirit of his bey and didn't see it as a tool but as a companion – the reason a true blader never felt alone.
Of course, his friends also liked Beyblade and their tops. And, whatever the future holds for them, whatever paths they choose to follow, nothing would erase the bonds they had created. But it was different.
"If you think flattering me will spare you, you dream."
"That's not flattery. That's the truth."
"Yeah, well, that won't stop me from crushing you."
Ginga let out a laugh. He could never be with someone who didn't like the Beyblade, unable to understand the passion of fights and the need for adventures, unable to understand the link that united a blader to his bey.
"Moron," Kyouya grunted, looking annoyed.
He was still not leaving.
"Fighting is our life, isn't it?"
"Do you really need to say something so obvious?"
Ginga stared at him. Under his constant aggressivness, Kyouya's feelings were terribly obvious. He didn't understand how he couldn't have noticed earlier. They were so strong, so intense, he felt like Kyouya was yelling at them. Ginga had focused too much on his words, on the fact that he didn't want to be part of his team, to see what he truly mean. Kyouya didn't want to be his team mate. He wanted him to see him, to look at him. He wanted to show him that he was different from everyone else, including his friends.
Ginga didn't need him to go so far away to notice. He was unique. Even if he had stayed by his side throughout their adventures, Ginga would only have been able to see this.
When he thought about it, each of Kyouya's words proclaimed his feelings. His attachment to their bond. And he finally opened his eyes to what he was saying.
Kyouya always appeared when he needed him. He had entrusted his forces to him during the Battle Bladers. He had come to save him after his departure from the World Championship's selection – – to disappear straight away. He had dropped out his training following these same Championship to bring him his help and had spared him energy-consuming fights. And he had returned during legendary bladers' quest... Kyouya had never abandoned him. Sometimes, their paths diverged but they always ended up to form one.
His eyes shone with passion and rage. Behind, Ginga caught sight of a question he never stopped to ask, without uttering a word. And his heart responded with force, tirelessly. Was that enough?
Ginga put his hand on Kyouya's. His rival raised an eyebrow. He observed their hands for a few moments and then looked at him again. Under the ocean of fierceness and fury, there was always the same question. Ginga smiled at him. Kyouya's feelings were so obvious... and so were his own. Ginga wasn't afraid of their strenght, nor their wilderness. He accepted them. He granted them with open arms. Kyouya didn't need to change. Ginga accepted everything he had to offer.
Kyouya looked at their hands again, a pensive look on his face. Ginga smiled a little more. Kyouya's shoulders relaxed. He nodded his head, almost imperceptibly. Ginga slightly folded his fingers to wrap Kyouya's hand.
"You'll come back."
Kyouya locked his eyes to Ginga's. The stormy ocean, with all its feelings, unleashed there. Ginga plunged into it without apprehension.
"Always."
Ginga grinned so much his checks hurt. Kyouya surely thought he was too sentimental because he tore his gaze from him and lifted it on the sky he did his best to ignore minutes ago.
If Ginga could have, he would have smiled more.
He raised his head toward the night sky too, without letting go of Kyouya's hand. Tomorrow, or certainly tonight, Kyouya would go far to train. He could not think of a better way to spend this time than by staying by his side.
XXX
Kyouya looked the canyon that stretched out at his feet and hollowed out the rock out like a huge scar. He raised his head slightly. This inhospitable landscape stretched as far as the eye could see. Wherever his eyes landed, they fell on a hard, dry earth, waiting only to scratch his skin. He breathed deeply. The air itself was dry. He faced a hostile nature, which displayed all its cleverness to repel humans and their civilization.
A smile appeared on his lips. He had missed it so much.
Enjoying this reunion, Kyouya walked quietly along the edge of the cliff. On his return, he would defeat Ginga and Pegasus.
Ginga Hagane. His rival. The only person he truly wanted to defeat. Despite his frail, almost fragile appearance, he possessed a matchless power. Kyouya loved to compete with him. He was the only one against whom he could – had to – use all his forces and those of Leone. He could throw himself into battle without fear of being cut off in his stride, without risk of disappointment. After all, Ginga was the first to give him a taste of the bitterness of defeat... He was his ultimate goal.
He had suffered other defeats, other bladers had turned out to be... stronger than him. But none of them made him feel the same way that Ginga. None of them deserved to spend days, months, years training themselves to surpass them. There was only Ginga. There had always been and would always be only Ginga Hagane. Battles against him were intense. Kyouya loved to confront to his power and Pegasus'. And one day – he knew it, he fell it in the depths of his bones and his flesh – he would defeat him. He would proove their superiority, Leone's and his.
But it wasn't so simple.
Despite his endless speeches about friendship and teamwork, Ginga had managed to earn his respect. Worse. Kyouya couldn't help but listen to him when he made one of his great declaration. He was so passionate, so sincere... Each of his words came from his heart and echoed in that of Kyouya. Kyouya gave him all his attention, not losing a single of his words, not one of his gestures. As if he was hypnotized.
When he noticed it, it deeply annoyed him. No one should be able that kind of hold over him. Not even Ginga.
Fortunately, no one was paying attention.
Ginga had taught him the existence of the blader's spirit and its importance. He had opened up his eyes about the Beyblade world, had shown him the strength of the bond that united him to Leone, and, before Kyouya realized it, his world gravitated around Ginga. He had go off to his search a first time, he who never purchased anybody, he who was always the followed one. He had traveled with people he knew nothing about and who had every reasons to resent him, who never placed himself on an equal footing with others. He had done all this to find him, even though they had fought only twice.
And he had lost. Both times.
It wasn't the worst part.
The worst thing for Kyouya was that he couldn't help but throw himself into quests he didn't care about, just because Ginga was leading them. There were billions of people on Earth why would it be up to him to take responsibility for everyone? They had only to move a little, and defend themselves. And if they were not able to— well— too bad for them. That was not his problem. Only Ginga wanted to save everyone and consider it to be his duty.
Kyouya opened the path for him, bringing down the enemies who wished to slow Ginga down and prevent him to reach his goal. Against the Gemios twins. Against the holder of Poseidon. Against the master of Kerbecs. Against Dynamis. Even though he knew there were more interesting battles further on, he was not tempted to lead them. He just wanted Ginga to get rid of his enemies as soon as possible, so he could only pay attention to him, like he always should.
Kyouya had even accompanied him to search of legendary bladers. As long as nobody had made any comments, he had been able to keep acting as if the situation were completely normal. As if he were still a lone lion traveling alone, relying solely on his own strength and needing no one. But Aguma had allowed himself to break his illusion. Kyouya didn't want to rely on others. It wasn't his idea of strength, it was a belief of Ginga to which he didn't adhere. And, worse, he was told about destiny. He was the only one to choose the path he was taking. Nothing and no one could force him in one direction. It was his own choice.
He left, to prove it. Then he came back. He couldn't help himself. He could not believe that Ginga would rather waste his time with this nonsense than face him. He had decided to lend him his strength, to rid him himself of the obstacles that stood in his way, even if it meant obeying destiny, for Ginga could finally care about important things.
Accept his challenge.
Be his rival.
That's all their world should be. Beyblade fights. To the measure of their respective forces and wills. Until, it Their world should only be summed up to this. To Beyblade battles. To the measure of their respective strenght and will. Until the day, it was sure, Kyouya would at last surpassed them, Ginga and Pegasus, with his Leone.
He had clearly told him, without half-words, before entrusting him with Leone's power. He had talked about their history and the special connection between them. He would not hesitate for a moment to follow him to the ends of the earth, and even beyond, simply because it was Ginga.
And it complicated things in a way that he didn't like. Ginga was his rival. He wanted to defeat him. There was no hesitation about that. But that was not all. He would be lying if he claimed otherwise. Moreover, the last days spent in his company proved it. He had agreed to stay with him for countless hours. Just savoring his presence. Ginga, who was encroaching more and more on his personal space, allowing himself to touch him, without bothering him, however, without being tempted to push him away.
He stopped and looked at his hand, the one Ginga had taken. He shook his head. He didn't intend to make a hell of his mind with these kinds of questions for the time being. He had to make the most of the Wolf Canyon and all the training opportunities it could offer him. He would become stronger, push his limits away and, on his return, defeat his rival.
…especially since part of him already knew the answer.
XXX
Kyouya would come back. He would always come back.
That was what Ginga's heart sang while his rival trained, so far of him. The distance between them didn't weakened their bond's strenght. Neither did the passing days. Ginga did what he had to to be able to give Kyouya the fight he deserved. He trained, ensured the good health of Pegasus. He would use all his strength in this duel, and much more. There was no way he would lose to him.
He spent time with his friends, too, whenever he could. He took advantage of every moment, knowing that they would soon have new, time-consuming activities, knowing that at one time or another he would have to pursue the Dark Nebula to slow down its plans – and, perhaps, stop it definitively.
After a busy day, Ginga moved along the banks of the canal, delecting the surrounding peace. The bottom of the air cooled. The days were shortening. Soon, he wouldn't be able to spend whole nights outside.
A cold breeze ran over his skin. Light, soft, it had nothing to do with the powerful gusts that Leone unleashed. Yet it sounded like a foretaste of their next meeting. A warning. A promise. It was a glimpse of their future.
Kyouya would come back.
Ginga smiled.
XXX
"Ginga Hagane."
The voice vibrated with power, without shouting, and detached each syllable, filling them with meaning.
The redhead stopped in the middle of the sidewalk. His heart missed a beat. A shiver ran through him. He raised his head towards the voice and, not surprisingly, saw Kyouya. A smile would surely have brightened his face if the air wasn't so full of electricity. The time of the battle was approaching.
Perched on the roof of a two-storey building, Kyouya pointed a finger at him, a hand on his hip.
"The time to settle the score has come, once and for all. I will take my revenge and crush you. You'll have no choice but to bow before my strength and Leone's."
Ginga's smile grew stronger.
"Don't dream. I won't lose against you."
A half-smile revealed Kyouya's fang as he took a superior look. He slowly lowered his arm. "It's not a dream. It's a fact."
Kyouya paused, without stopping looking at him. Ginga's heart hammered inside his ribcage.
"Join me in the Desolate Lands, when the sun will be at its summit in the sky. Don't make me wait."
"Pegasus and I accept your challenge," Ginga declared, sorting his bey to show it to his rival.
Kyouya's smile grew.
"You can bring as many spectators as you want, but remember, they'll be there to witness your defeat."
He stepped back and melted into the shadows. Ginga's heart was pounding in every direction. He took a look at the sky, to find out with boredom he had to wait long hours before noon. He wanted to fight against Kyouya. Measuring himself against Leone's strength. Now. He was certain that Kyouya had surprises in store for him, as always. He improved quickly, constantly imagining new tactics and attacks. He was the best opponent he could dream of. Ginga was looking forward to it.
He heard a sigh. Somewhat unsettled, he turned to Kenta, who wore an air without conviction.
"Why can't he challenge you to a duel normally?"
"What do you mean?" Ginga asked, puzzled.
Kenta looked at him. Sighed again.
"Nothing. Forget it."
XXX
Kyouya reached the meeting place slightly after the expected hour. This shift would ensure Ginga's full attention without wasting too much time. He would not disrespect his rival.
He advanced quietly, dodging nimbly the traps of this hostile environment. He knew it well for having trained there several times. Yes. A field advantage. What did you expect? You can't change your own character.
Kyouya caught sight of Ginga, who was waiting his arrival. His rival was looking around, frowning, trying to flash him out. A smile floated briefly on his lips. Ginga had come, simply because he had asked him to.
As he expected, Ginga had brought some of his friends with him. Kyouya looked at them briefly. Benkei, Madoka, Kenta, Yuu, Tithi, Yuuki. The usual group and a few others. Nothing surprising.
Kyouya drew back his attention on the sole person who mattered. Ginga. He stepped forward. His rival noticed him, at last. His face brightened and a spark of challenge burned in his eyes. The air between them stretched out and filled with electricity. A half-smile curved Kyouya's lips.
"Ginga Hagane."
"Kyouya Tategami."
"Here we are, facing again but, this time, I will defeat you. You may have won the Battle Bladers and the World Championship, you may have destroyed Nemesis, but you will not surpass me. Everything I achieved, all the way I covered, all of this was for my one and only purpose: defeat you. And, today, I will finally succeed. Prepare to taste the bitterness of defeat."
The honey eyes set ablaze. The greatest blader of the world was unable to resist to a challenge, especially when Kyouya was the one who launched it.
Kyouya took a step back. He stretched out his arms, showing the vast space around them. With its battered soil, rare vegetation and rock piles, it had some similarities to the Wolf Canyon, but was much more tamed. Maybe, one day, he'd take Ginga to a real wilderness.
"This is our stadium. It has no limits, as you can see. Try to make the most of it and give me a proper duel."
"You can count on it."
The audience made comments. Kyouya ignored them. His world summed up to Ginga and he alone mattered.
With the same movement, they took their launchers and placed their beys there. They took positions. Kyouya's half-smile increased, showing a fang. His impatience mirrored on Ginga's expression. They had fought so many times that they were almost in sync. Inventing new attacks and developing new strategies was essential to overcome an opponent one knew so well. They probably didn't need the countdown to throw their beys simultaneously, but it was part of the Beyblade fighting protocol.
"Three! Two! One! Let it riiiiiiiiiiiiiip!"
Leone and Pegasus flied out, green and blue lightnings, radiant with silver. They crossed in the air, carried on their way and landed almost at the opponent's feet before launching into a mad race. Leone described an arc of circle. Kyouya waited until he was near to him before setting out. A vast land presented to them. It would be a shame not to take advantage of it.
Ginga launched himself at his chase at once, alongside Pegasus. Kyouya's half-smile reappeared. Adrenaline rushed into his veins. They were fighting. At last.
"I hope you've learned new tricks to Pegasus. It would be very disappointing if I win because you let yourself go."
"Don't worry about it. Pegasus and I are ready to face whatever you have to give."
Kyouya's smile grew. Only some steps left...
"I don't think so. I use every second I can to train. I don't waste my time on trivia."
Kyouya stopped abruptly, cushioning all his weight on one foot, and turned to face Ginga. Leone was a few steps away from him, between them. Its spirits appeared, firmly encased on its four paws.
"Lion Gale Force Wall!"
As soon as the first syllables had crossed his lips, an immense tornado arose.
"Pegasus!"
The bey veered on board just before hitting the tornado, almost at a right angle. Not much beys could achieve such a feat.
The gusts faded away. Leone launched in pursuit of Pegasus. He again changed direction, approaching a rock.
I got you.
Leone struck it at that moment, taking it by surprise. Pegasus offered little resistance. Leone sent it against the rock, which he struck and went through, shattering it. A cloud of dust rose up. Leone rushed into it. It would take a lot more than that to stop Pegasus.
Kyouya took the opportunity to watch Ginga. He could not resist, had no desire for it, but a part of his mind remained focused on the movements of his bey. He extended his arms.
"That's the resistance you promised? You disappoint me."
"Really? Aren't you glad I fell into your trap?"
Kyouya shrugged. "There is nothing I can do if the prey panics too much to see it throws itself in the lion's jaws. Besides..." From the corner of his eye, he saw the cloud dissipating. A large number of projectiles were just waiting to be used. "Leone!"
As Leone zigzaged between the pieces of rock in pursuit of Pegasus, it surrounded itself with gusts of wind. Now, a tornado was racing the autumn's bey. It was absorbing all the debris within its reach. A few more and it'll have everything it needed to bombard Pegasus.
"Lion 100 Fang Fury!"
Before Leone could throw its special move, Pegasus lowered its performance tip – dynamic final mode – and rushed toward it. Kyouya looked its move, surprised. He didn't expected this reaction.
"Pegasus!"
It rushed quicker and quicker, increasing the power of Leone's tornado, trying to make it loose control. Leone froze to get rid off Pegasus. Pegasus took advantage of the opportunity to speed up, preventing Leone to move. The projectiles remained between the two walls of wind, shattered by their power, torn between two speeds.
"Is this challenge to your taste?"
Kyouya placed a hand on his hip and glanced at his rival. A smile floated over his lips, tinged with a victorious glow. Like him, Ginga was never happier than when he fought hard and won. Too bad for him, the victory would be Kyouya's today.
"I have to admit, it's not that bad. But it's not enough for you to win."
The tornado of Pegasus began to take over Leone's. It approached, tightened it, prevented it from flourishing. The only options left in Kyouya would damage his bey and handicap them for the rest of the fight. But there would be a sequel. As long as Leone spun, he had a chance to win.
He opted for the one that would disadvantage them less and which, however, was the most spectacular. "King Lion Tearing Blast!"
Leone forced itself and created two new tornadoes. They danced in the heart of the storm of Pegasus, trying to resist him.
Ginga's shoulders tensed. He frowned. He was on his guard, knowing him well enough to know it wasn't an empty move.
The gales weakened then disappeared, swallowing up by Pegasus' storm. Ginga's brow knitted more. He didn't believe he had won. It was very pleasant for Kyouya's ego. Pegasus' tornado evaporated. There was no longer a single trace of Leone, except for stones arranged in a perfect circle. Kyouya's smile became more pronounced.
"Where is Leone?"
Kyouya merely pointed to the sky. Ginga's face fell. "Leone! King Lion Reverse Wind Strike!"
The emerald bey turned upside down. It created a tornado that rushed towards Pegasus. The autumn bey described an arc of circle and headed towards the stones. It used the edge of one as a springboard to soar in the air. Its spirit appeared, spreading huge white wings. Kyouya wondered what Ginga intended to do. He could not measure himself against Leone this way.
"Pegasus!"
A white halo surrounded Pegasus. It struck Leone's tornado fiercely. The beys collided. A shock wave swept through their bladers and their surroundings away. Kyouya used his whole concentration to keep himself standing. There was no way he was going to fall.
When the world stopped shaking, Kyouya looked around, panting. The beys were out of sight but Leone was still spinning. He felt it. And, according to Ginga's attitude, so did Pegasus.
As soon as the cloud began to fall, the adversaries rushed against each other. They exchanged blow for blow, striking each other with violence. Although Leone was a defensive type, its strikes were no softer than Pegasus'. Kyouya was beginning to feel the effects on his body. Ginga fought as fiercely only against him. This is what he considered a real struggle: the bladers had to get involved and feel it in their flesh. Not these ridiculous masquerades where two blows were exchanged to appoint a winner.
I'll not cope long like this.
The King Lion Reversed Wind Strike hadn't lasted long enough to weaken Pegasus' rotation. This exchange of blows wore down both their stamina. Their equivalent strength inevitably led them to a draw. Kyouya had no desire for this. Today, he would finally stand out from Ginga and prove his strength.
And it wasn't by staying without acting that he could reach his goal.
"Leone!"
The bey used Pegasus' assault to move away quickly. Kyouya began to run. He heard Ginga letting out an outraged exclamation behind him and rushing in his steps.
Leone skirted around a rock and headed for Pegasus with its whole might. Pegasus didn't hesitate. They crashed into each other violently. A shock wave swept them, lifting up a wave of debris, cracking the bark of the few trees present. It threw the bladers backward. Kyouya managed to recover his balance. He raised his head. Ginga was standing in front of him. His shoulders were lowered and raised strongly to the rhythm of his breathing. Their bey, too, had moved away from each other.
"Get ready, Ginga!"
Leone seemed to stop before launching towards Pegasus. A majestic lion replaced it, wrapped in a green halo. He moved forward with great strides. Its paws struck the ground without emitting a single sound. Its mane waved at the rhythm of his course. Its lips rolled up, revealing sharp fangs.
"I'm coming, Kyouya!"
Pegasus rushed toward Leone. Its spirits appeared. An elegant pegasus, with a luminous white coat, galloped towards the lion, not at all frightened by the menacing beast rushing upon him. Its wings spread and beat, accelerating its movement.
The spirits collided in a flash of light. The bladers were blinded. This time, Kyouya was unable to stay up. He rolled to the ground and found himself face down. He rose almost immediately. His muscles protested. His head turned. He winced but stood firm.
Leone returned to him, unsteady. His fists clenched. The next attack would be decisive.
Ginga wasn't in a better shape. There were scratches on his face and arms. There was no more trace of amusement on his expression.
It would be now.
Kyouya gathered his last strength. He locked his gaze to Ginga's. The honey eyes were darkened by the effort and victory's desire. He hated losing as much as he did. Kyouya clung to it. He didn't intend to lose either. Victory was calling for him. He wanted it for so long. He wouldn't let it escape him. A lion didn't offer its prey a chance to run away. Only the present moment and their confrontation counted. Nothing else mattered.
"Leone!"
Leone raced one last time to Pegasus, much faster than its forces should have allowed.
"Pegasus!"
Pegasus rushed to Leone with no hesitation.
The eternal rivals collided. Kyouya barely felt when his body hit the ground. There was no force left in his body. He had exhausted all his reserves. He was no longer even able to raise his head. His eyes closed, in spite of himself.
Not yet!
He had to see the result. He clung fiercely to his last bits of consciousness, with the same despair that had helped him to overcome the Wolf Canyon the first time.
He had to know.
Kyouya used his last resources to open his eyes. His eyelids were lowered before he could see if Pegasus was still spinning. Leone didn't move. He didn't have any strength eft.
His mind drifted and Kyouya sank into unconsciousness.
XXX
The Wild Fang were gathered in a restaurant. Kyouya had been somewhat surprised by the arrival of Nile and Damure in Japan. They had not warned him. He appreciated their company, even though he did not shout it from the rooftops. There were only Ginga and his set to sing the power of friendship. It was ridiculous!
"How are things going with your rivalry with Ginga?"
Another thing he appreciated about them: they didn't want to push him out of the Beyblade world or snoop into his private life.
"Another draw. I'll beat him next time."
They all nodded. They didn't doubt him a moment.
They talked a bit about their projects. Nile and Damure planned to open a training center for young bladers in Africa. That was the reason for their trip. They wanted to get closer to the Japanese branch of the WBBA, which Kyouya thought was particularly stupid, and he didn't hesitate to tell them – the WBBA were just a bunch of incompetents.
Kyouya respected their choice of life, even if he would never have the patience for it. Just the idea of being surrounded by kids who would ask him for advice and encouragements made him want to launch Leone to get rid of them. He just wasn't cut out for it. Moreover, in his opinion, if someone really wanted to improve tehir skills, they had to do it alone.
Africa lacked structures for the development of young bladers. All you had to do was see how they formed the Wild Fang during the World Championships. Most of the countries had not been able to compose teams and had pushed many bladers towards the Savannah, to have a chance to participate. Most of them were far from the level. And Kyouya was able to try his luck whereas he came from Japan. He didn't complain. This opportunity was perfect for him. It allowed him to face Ginga in front of the world. Before qualifying for the Championship, Kyouya had done some research. He couldn't miss the opportunity to fight bladers from all over the world, but he couldn't team up with Ginga either. Where was the point to fight if he couldn't confront his rival, the only one he truly wanted to defeat? And he had found the solution: the Savannah, another world team he could enroll in. He was able to lead the selections as he wanted, show everyone that he had the level to be part of the Japanese team (unlike some losers who dared to run at the Savannah) and, above all, show Ginga how far he had evolved since the Battle Bladers. He wanted his rival to realize his strength and progress. He had told Ginga that he intended to meet him in front of the world and had explained his plans to him, in half words. Then he was gone, ready to embark on a whole new adventure, without looking back... Except he came back, interrupted all his plans, to help Ginga, with this stupid Atlantis resurrection story.
Nothing would spare them.
The group left the restaurant, where some people stared at them intently, probably searching in their memory why they had the vague impression of knowing them. They walked down the street and gradually moved away from the downtown's commotion that Kyouya hated. Benkei caught sight of Kenta and convinced Damure to go with him talking to him. Kyouya and Nile stayed away, as often. Kyouya had nothing against the kid, but it seemed to him that Yuu and Tithi were still in the area and there was more risk of crossing them near Ginga's group.
"By the way, Kyouya."
The teenager cast a glance to Nile.
"I know the bond between you and Ginga is—special. But is it really a good idea to let the situation drag on like this?"
Kyouya tensed. He disliked what Nile suggested, and the invasive deviation he allowed himself to do. Their relationship worked because they knew exactly which distance keep between them.
Something began to growl inside him.
"What do you mean?" he asked in a cunning voice.
Nile didn't have the decency to look alarmed, not even impressed, not even during a second.
"It may be too late, if you keep waiting," he said, sweeping away his last chance to back off. "That would be a waste. Since when do you hesitate so much before acting? Are you afraid of the result?"
"I'm not afraid of anything or anyone," grumbled Kyouya. "Since when do you mess into others' buisiness?"
They confronted their eyes, without one of them winning. Only a calm with no weakness against the stormy ocean. Kyouya grunted. To say that few moments before, he was thinking pleasantly the way Nile kept his distances.
"Usually, you don't need to be pushed in one direction. You throw yourself headlong in defiance of consequences, to live the life you want to."
"I live the life that suits me."
"So, why Ginga isn't by your side?"
Kyouya's eyes screwed up. He liked less and less Nile's insinuations.
"Guys?"
Benkei and Damure stared at them worriedly. Despite the distance, they saw the tension between them. Kyouya let out a scornful tss and moved away from Nile, hands tucked into his pockets, ignoring the eyes rested on his back.
XXX
"I heard Benkei say that you had a visit from Nile and Damure," said Ginga, smiling. "Too bad they didn't stay longer."
"Good riddance."
Surprised, Ginga turned to his rival. Kyouya's tone, of incredible coldness, was reflected in his expression. He hadn't say that for the form, as usual. He really meant it. Something must have gone wrong. Although he refused to admit it, the Wild Fang were his friends and he enjoyed their company.
The duo was installed on the grassy slope, in front of the canal. This place, which Ginga particularly liked, had become the focal point of their meetings because it corresponded to them both. A small space of calm nature, far from the town's commotion.
Ginga knelt down beside him. He put a hand on his. Kyouya's attention drew right then on their tied hands. He frown more and his face darkened.
"Kyouya."
He locked his eyes, of and uncredible shade on blue, on him. Their intensity would surely frightened someone else but Ginga love this gaze. He confronted to it, without fearing to be overwhelmed.
"We are rivals."
"Of course."
Kyouya looked at their hands again, visibly hesitant. Ginga tightened his fingers on his skin. Kyouya turned his face away, sighing, annoyed.
"What? You don't want to be my rival anymore?" Ginga teased him, grinning.
Kyouya's reaction wasn't long coming: he turned sharply towards him, his eyes burning, his fangs uncovered. He looked like a lion about to shred a troublesome. Ginga's shoulders relaxed. If Kyouya reacted that way, it meant he was fine.
"Don't talk nonsense. I didn't give up! I'll crush you."
"Good, but I'll never lose to you."
The perplexity that appeared on his face softened his features. It lasted only a brief moment: Kyouya took back his haughtiness and gave him a superior look.
"Hold on this illusion while you still can."
He laid briefly his gaze on their hands before fixing it on the horizon. Ginga stared at him, hesitated, renounced.
For now, it would be enough.
XXX
Why did this moron of Nile complicated everything?
…
Okay. Objectively, it wasn't his fault. The situation became complicated all alone. Because of Ginga and everythin he made him... feel. So everything was this stupid redhead's fault. But, if his former teammate had not mentioned it, Kyouya could have continued to ignore it. Acting as if nothing had changed.
Instead—
I should leave to train, he decided. Far from this nonsense.
Going back in the middle of nature and having to fight for his survival was terribly attractive. He loved pushing his limits. He already had the impression of hearing the wind rushing into the valley and the howling of wolves in the distance.
Howlings that died as soon as he approached.
He was dying to collect his belongings and to leave. He had the impression the Wolf Canyon called him.
Except that it would look like—a flight.
Kyouya growled. He feared nothing and no one. He never ran away. He was a lion, the king of animals, the lord of nature. People ran away from him. Not the other way around.
So he couldn't leave.
Kyouya let out a grunt.
"Did you do anything at work again?"
The voice sounded in a too joyful way for his taste. Kyouya slid an annoyed glance toward Ginga who walked by his side in the streets of Bey-City. A big grin covered his face. Kyouya didn't want to tell him to get lost or to get angry. Pathetic.
"Mind your own business."
Ginga just laughed. Kyouya stared at him. He did everything he could to behave carelessly, even when he was in pain. He spent all his time talking about stupid things, like friendship or justice. He almost always wore that exasperating smile. So why—?
"You piss me off."
This mere sentence have the effect to stop dead his laugh. The honey eyes widened.
"What? But—like this? For no reason?"
Kyouya had a whole bunch of reasons. He just didn't see why he should list them all, at this—
He quickened his pace, decided. Footsteps followed him, slowed down, stopped. Kyouya stopped and turned back, annoyed. Moreover, Ginga made him waste his time.
"What are you doing?" he snapped.
"You don't mind if I come?"
Kyouya clacked his tongue, more and more irritated. Ginga's look brightened. He trotted along toward him, with this insufferable happy-go-lucky attitude that characterized him. He stood next to him and their eyes met. Kyouya's shoulders relaxed. He was only paying attention to himself— As it should always be.
And Kyouya had to face the facts.
It had nothing to do with a simple rivalry – if their rivalry had ever been simple.
"Shall we go?"
Kyouya nodded.
XXX
Whatever bothered Kyouya these last few days, it must have worked out. He still seemed a little annoyed... but that was normal. Usual.
Even if it was a shame. Smiling suited him so well.
Ginga raised his head to the sky. Leone shone brightly in the middle of the other spring constellations. It was the first one he'd spotted...
He turned to Kyouya with a grin.
"If you intend to tell me Leone's in the sky, don't bother." he said curtly. "I noticed."
"Really?" said Ginga, without getting huffy.
"You show it to me every time. I'm not like your silly friends. I'm able to remember an information."
Ginga decided to ignore what he just said about his friends. The rest of his words were much more interesting.
"Do you remember everything I say to you?" he tease him.
"Of course," replied Kyouya.
Ginga had a hard time understanding his gauge of what embarrassed him or not. If he told him, would it make him uncomfortable?
He observed Kyouya whose gaze had been directed at the night stars. He weighed the pros and cons. It wasn't the right time.
He put his hand on Kyouya's before looking at the starry sky. Another day.
A smile appeared on his lips as he let his gaze be lost among the stars. The sky seemed to him more beautiful than ever. It saddened him no longer. The constellations shone brightly, drawing tangible bonds. He was at his proper place here, under the stars, with Kyouya.
His eyes passed from constellation to constellation, reconstituting each shape in his mind, then slipped on galaxies that rotated in the distance and nebula that stretched like stains of color on a black canvas.
"That's silly."
Ginga turned to Kyouya, ready to ask him what was bothering him. Lips pressed against his. Kyouya's hand left his to close on his waist. Ginga's eyes widened with surprise. Did—? His heart began to pound harder, to the point that he could hear nothing else and was certain that anyone could perceive his beats. Kyouya was kissing him.
Kyouya moved away from him and watched him, without removing his hand from his waist. Ginga's face burnt. He expected, more or less, such an evolution in their relationship, but still—
Kyouya seemed annoyed. His reaction probably should offend Ginga but he was in all worked up. He saw, more than he heard, Kyouya mumbling something. The grip on his waist loosened. He was about to step aside.
Before thinking about it, Ginga grabbed his wrist. Kyouya looked at him.
"So do I."
"So do you what ?"
Ginga pouted. As if Kyouya had not understood.
"I'll tell it if you tell it."
A panic-stricken spark passed briefly into Kyouya's eyes before he recomposed his usual irritated look. "I am not interested in this kind of nonsense."
"Romantic," snapped Ginga.
"It's—"
Ginga looped his arms around Kyouya's waist, putting his fingers on his warm skin, and burried his face against his neck. He closed his eyes, savoring the texture of his skin and his smell. He felt his warmth throught the layers of cloth.
"It suits me," he whispered against his skin.
He pressed him a little more against him. He felt Kyouya hesitate then two hands settled on his waist.
"I love you too," added Ginga, in a breath.
XXX
"Ginga."
The redhead turned toward Kenta. "Yes?"
"Did something happen to you? You look very happy today."
Is it so obvious ?
Kyouya and he had parted the night before, shortly after their embrace. Only thinking about it made Ginga grin more and gave him the urge to hop – which Kyouya would probably find ridiculous. They were dating. They were together.
At last.
Ginga felt electricity running through his skin just thinking about their brief kiss. Could he talk about it or would Kyouya mind? They hadn't really bothered to talk about the consequences of their relationship. They had barely talked about it. Wouldn't their friends find that odd after all these years of rivalry?
"Well... nothing special."
"Really?"
The lie bothered him a little, but it wouldn't last. He would quickly clear things up with Kyouya and everything would be better.
He would soon see Kyouya again...
Ginga had the impression of overflowing with joy. He stepped away with a light step, without realizing that his friends were exchanging a look.
XXX
"It's not complicated," Kyouya said with a sigh, a phone stuck between his shoulder and his ear.
His younger brother, Kakeru, seemed determined to annoy him as long as possible. Well, to discuss, according to him – even if, for Kyouya, it meant pretty much the same thing. They didn't see the world the same way at all.
His nose wrinkled. He corrected absent-mindly the paper he held. He began to believe his father deliberatedly confided to him error filled files. He growled. Like he had time to waste with this.
"Something's wrong?"
"Father continues to test me. He does not see that I am already more competent than the people who work for him."
"Or it's to punish you for the meeting this morning?" suggested his brother with a little too much amusement for his taste.
Kyouya grimaced. He couldn't even reply. His theory was perfectly credible.
"Well, what's new otherwise?"
"You already asked."
"I don't. I asked how you are doing at the TC and, to be true, your impatience and your bursts of anger are nothing new."
Kyouya scowled while his little bother laughed with complete impunity.
"By the way, did you know that some companies have taken you seriously and are looking to hire high-level bladers?"
Kyouya became thoughtful. Perhaps his work would end up being entertaining, if he had bladers to confront, even if none of them would be as strong as Ginga.
Ginga...
"So?"
Kakeru's voice brought him back into the discussion.
"What?"
"What's new?"
Kyouya froze. He glanced at the window. He saw a piece of sky with some clouds. There was news, indeed, even if he had not taken the time to think about it. It was so recent.
"Is there something?" Kakeru asked him again, his voice ringing of curiosity. Kyouya could picture him, his eyes shining, waiting his answer with greed. Sometimes he found it hard to believe they were part of the same family.
"Ginga—" He paused, not knowing how to formulate it, and then opted for outright frankness. "Ginga and I are dating."
Silence greeted his words. Kyouya was surprised. It must have been the first time he managed to silence Kakeru. It seems like everything was possible.
Unfortunately, it didn't last.
"Really? It's so great!"
"Great?" Kyouya repeated, puzzled. He didn't expect a negative reaction from his brother, but his enthusiasm was somewhat destabilizing.
"Yes! You are going to be so happy together. I am happy for you both."
Kyouya grunted, ignoring the tingling invasing his skin face. He'd better had to shut up. Little brothers, what a nuisance.
"Are you planning telling this to our parents?"
Kyouya tensed. His fingers clenched convulsively around the phone. "What?"
"I deduce it's not planned yet ? All right. I won't say anything, I swear. Although I'm sure they'll love Ginga. You want me to tell them about him, without saying you guys are dating, of course? You know, like saying he saved the world a few times. He'll win points for sure. Who wouldn't want a son-in-law who saves the world?"
"A son-in-law?" choked Kyouya.
He really should have kept his mouth shut.
"Actually, now that I think about it, I believed I've already told them about him. Well, one of us had to give them news and most of yours were about Ginga. It's been true love for a long time, is't it?"
Kyouya felt his face burning. He should hang up. Now.
"I can't wait to come back to Bey-City and see you again! I will not bother you too long so you will be able to stay between lovers."
Kakeru's singing tone made Kyouya shake his head. There was a pause at the other end of the thread, as if Kakeru were reflecting. He didn't like it. He hesitated to cut off communication.
"You should call Nile. He will be delighted to learn it."
And Kakeru hung up.
Kyouya remained motionless, the phone braced against his ear. He blinked several times. Kakeru had just said...?
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN HE WILL BE DELIGHTED TO LEARN IT?! CAN'T HE MIND HIS OWN BUSINESS?!"
The phone sent out a short ring. Kyouya casted a glance to it. Kakeru had just sent him a message. He would surely regret it, but he opened it. A smiley with a big grin appeared, followed by several hearts of different colors. A vein beat at Kyouya's temple. He threw the phone on the table.
Little brothers, what a pain!
XXX
Ginga was waiting in front of the TC. His heart was pounding. He knew, objectively, that it was like the other times he had waited for Kyouya. However, it felt different.
He straightened his scarf, smoothed his jacket, waited. He resisted the urge to wiggle or to pace up and down. He was able to stand still. Kyouya would soon join him. There was no point in getting impatient.
He heard footsteps then the electric gate opening. He straightened up as Kyouya came out of the TC and approached him. Ginga examined him from head to toe. He wore the suit very well...
"Hi."
Kyouya made a slight nod. Ginga hesitated. He wanted to hug him, to kiss him. He didn't give in. He walked beside him as he departed from the company.
"Hm..."
Kyouya looked at him, urging him to continue. Except that Ginga didn't know how to formulate his thought, without it seeming strange. His own hesitation seemed strange to him.
"Do you mind if—I tell the others that we're—together?"
"You say it to whoever you want."
Ginga's shoulders relaxed. He smiled.
"Are you thinking of telling anyone?"
"Kakeru."
Ginga nodded. Logical. Kakeru was his little brother and they were close.
"No, I mean—Kakeru knows," Kyouya muttered, clearly uncomfortable."
It took Ginga a few moments to understand his words.
"Already?" he choked.
And to think that he was worried about Kyouya's reaction if he told Kenta or Madoka when their relationship was brand new.
"Yeah," Kyouya sighed.
"But—isn't he in the USA ? When—?"
"He called me and asked news. I wasn't going to lie to him."
Kakeru was probably the only person able to get whole accounts from Kyouya. Ginga had an amused smile. It was borderline supernatural power.
As usual, Ginga and Kyouya moved away from the downtown's clamor. The streets were less and less crowded as they approached their destination. Ginga took the opportunity to take his hand. Kyouya gave him a questioning look.
"Is it too soon?"
Kyouya looked down on their tied hands. "... No."
Ginga smiled. He squeezed Kyouya's hand. A few minutes later, they reached their observation post. As usual, the canal's banks were deserted. It always surprised Ginga. It was such a pleasant place. He was amazed no one else used it.
No sooner had they arrive, as usual, Kyouya got rid of his jacket and his tie. He unbuttonned the lower part of his shirt as if the cloth's presence against his stomach bothered him. Ginga didn't understand how he could move so naturally with these clothes, but he didn't complain. He wore them well, better than anyone.
Kyouya and he sat dow side by side. Kyouya's hand pressed against his cheek. He looked at him with such intensity he seemed to see beyond his skin, as always. Ginga took his hand. They kissed. A shiver ran down his spine. His heart began to hammer against his ears. Electricity ran under his skin. He slid his hands around Kyouya's waist and pressed them against his skin, so warm. Kyouya's hands went down to his neck. He felt the warmth of his palms – an advantage of his work's clothes over his blader's: he didn't wear mittens. Ginga closed his eyes to savor his touch. He didn't imagined he could fell so intense sensations apart from battles.
They broke their kiss, breathless, their eyes loched into the other's.
Ginga grinned.
Finally, even though time was passing and their life before was only a memory, everything wasn't so bad. Some things were improving, even, and if he would continue to look at the past with fondness, he no longer wanted to return there to revive it identically.
Present suited him perfectly.
THE END