Kyousuke TIRED...


I know this will hurt me and him greatly, but I have to try no matter what it takes...

... Than see him suffer.

I set my sights on the master toolbox right there at the working table, and no sooner clutched my hands on that thing neatly bandaged in white paper.

It's something minute...
... but large enough to shatter our bond like delicately-spun glass.

God, my hand is so shaky...

I faced him and even though I don't want to hold his hand which is already corpse-like in coldness, I have to...
I coaxed him to open his hand with my fingers then discreetly placed the object in there.

He held on, and was about to look at it. He opened his palms and carefully unfolded it. The others looked at us in great question.

Kuroudo...

Just as I expected, he flashed me his angry look again and he almost crushed that thing within the confines of his hand

Yes, he crushed it and its remnants went falling down the floor.
No sooner, the others recognized it as a microchip... only now it's in powdered form.

"I'm not hopeless like you to do this desperate thing. I AM NOT A JERK!"
His voice came out so angry with so much emotion. I wanted to hide my ears away but then I was in the right state to stand up against him.

"Me? Hopeless? Mind you, you are the one hopeless and helpless now..."

Go, Jin. You have to save him from the impending danger...
You have to... despite what he has done to you.

"Guys, don't fight..." Lilica's voice sliced through our spicy discourse. She wanted to proceed, I can feel it.
"Le--"
"Listen, Jin. Today, I have to prove something. Today, I have to prove to that Tetsuya guy that I am no junk that he can step on to. I am someone... someone who can stand up against him... and defeat him."
"But Kuroudo..."
"... Listen to me first!"
"Guys, we must be together in this..." Jirou sliced through.
"Is this what we have been two years ago?" Kouya added, thus adding more noise to the commotion.

Why do we have to go against each other?!

"SHUT UP!" My voice found its way and I didn't expect it to be so powerful. It caused more silence than I require and their eyes to focus at me immediately.
"Kuroudo, listen. I am just here to help you... attain that goal."

"But... you are harming me more through your dirty tricks," Kuroudo interrupted. "And besides, I just have to show you that I don't need that."

"I know this is bad, but this is the only way..."

Haven't you realize how hopeless you are now?
I don't want you to be humiliated out there...
I know you hate losing.

"This is the only way..." I parroted, for he didn't seem to listen.

This is the only way, Kuroudo. Please, listen to me this time.
For once...
Even this once...

Can't you see that you're smothering me?
Holding too tightly
Afraid to lose control.

"I know you can't take ..."
"Are you underestimating me or what?" I heard his pained voice piercing to my ears.
"No, it's not like t---"
"Why don't you put your faith in me?"

Faith? Do I have faith in you in the first place anyway?

"I think I should be the one who's asking that. Don't you trust me, Kuroudo?"

I knew it. You've never trusted me...
All throughout those years of us being together.

I have faith in you before, but you yourself shattered it...

I halted as soon as I noticed his features. He had grown paler, not because of the spotlight but because of this game's tension... and the tension I am piling up on him. His eyebrows met and his forehead produced more creases. He stood there, eyes getting narrower that it looked more like two slits on his face.

And the bell had its toll...

It's of no avail.
I can't be of any help to him now...
I have always been of no help for him...

Caught in the undertow
Just caught in the undertow...

Round two. Gear fighters, kindly climb up the arena.

He looked at me with those angry eyes. No words are needed to convey what he felt. He's angry... burning angry.

No, Kuroudo. Don't...
I am so sick of it.
I don't want to see you like that on me anymore...
If only I could get my eyes off its sockets.

I closed my eyes, but his burning image seemed to still linger there.

He left without anymore words of excuse or hopes...
And all of us grew silent.

This is the most oppressing gear pit stop of my life.