"Boooo!" Mirei shows her unhappiness towards Haruka.

"Come on, Miss Mirei. Let me go with you on your dates!"

"You don't understand, Haruka. About a date, that is."

"But I was so worried last time!"

"I take responsibility!"

"Miss Mirei—!"

"Boooo!"

Danji watches from behind in dismay, "This is tough."

::::::::::::

In her own room, Mirei is stressed after the conflict with Haruka.

"Haruka knows nothing about a date. " She lets out a sigh.

The phone rings. "It's Minae Mirei."

"Miss Mirei!"

"Yu-yu!"

"How's your day going?"

"Kinda..."

"Is there a dispute?"

"You can say so. Haruka won't let me hang out with you after that failed date. I hate this, Yu-yu."

"I guess that sucks."

"Well, worst case possible, I can still call you."

"Yeah. Can I come to your place tomorrow instead?"

"Sounds good."

"Nice. Goodnight, Miss Mirei."

"You too~"

::::::::::::

Danji and Yu-yu talk with each other about Mirei's situation.

"Haruka is a bit overprotective when it comes to this, Yu-yu."

"Can't blame her. That date was embarrassing for both of us."

"Mirei can be an airhead sometimes. She hasn't been this close to a friend like you before."

"Same for me. The encounter with Mirei is special to me. I would love to treasure that connection with her."

Danji glances at Yu-yu with a smile, "I am sure you can. Forever. Yu-yu. How do you think about convincing Haruka?"

"Hmm... I am not entirely sure. But I will try my best."

"Do your best then, Yu-yu! I will also be on your side, too!"

"Yay!" Fist bump.

::::::::::::

"I'm home!"

"Come home, Nadatsugu?" Grandma opens the door, "This boy..."

"I'm Kondo Yu-yu."

"Yu-yu. I see. Mirei is waiting for you. Come in."

Danji and his grandma have a talk together, while Yu-yu visits Mirei.

"Miss Mirei!" Yu-yu knocks over the door.

"This voice... It's you, Yu-yu!"

"Bingo! Can I come in?"

"Yeah."

"Can I sit next to you, Miss Mirei?"

Mirei nods and moves a bit to leave some space for Yu-yu. They share a chair together.

"You are sorting out the cards?"

"Mhmm."

"You surely have a lot of cards."

"More cards equal more combinations in building my deck. I usually test most, if not all of them to see which works best. Though I must memorize a lot, too. Ahaha."

"Can I have a look at your deck? No, all these cards! I'm eager to learn everything!"

"Sure, sure~"

"Your Vanguard, Bavsargra, can bring back a Grade 1 unit. Usually you would revive Trickmoon, a powerful booster in your deck. In the event you don't have Trickmoon, however, bringing back a strong attacker would suffice."

"There are many units in that scenario that can help. Ishita gains 2000 power for each card in my VC, including Arms. Samsara gains 5000 power if I have 2 Arms equipped. At their fullest, they can unleash a strength of 13000!"

"Yeah. You are playing Ishita, right?"

"Currently. But I am considering Samsara. It is weaker by 1000 power if I have only 1 Arm. However, if I have an Arm already equipped, I can retire it to Arm from my drop zone. Sounds nice, isn't it?"

"Ah! You can discard an Arm with Shirunga. When it is boosted, you send an Arm to draw one. Interesting. Your deck is really moving!"

"I don't use Shirunga, frankly. Usually, I send my Arms by riding from the ride deck or playing on top of an existing one."

"I see. Onto the Grade 2. There are some interesting options. Aaushinya, Idam and Shabda."

"They are varied in abilities and strength. Have a look."

"If you have a Right Deity Arm, Aaushinya gains 10000 power, and you can bring back a Grade 1 unit if you have a Left Deity Arm. Though, the gain only lasts for a turn. Idam gains 5000 power for each Arm equipped every time it attacks. It is more beneficial than Aaushinya in the long term. Shabda gains 5000 power if you have 2 Arms equipped, and when your unit is place on RC from the drop zone, you can also bring Shabda back from the drop zone too. Interesting."

"Aaushinya is more aggressive, Shabda stabilizes your field, and Idam is consistent in power boost. Hard to choose, ay."

"I figure. Personally, I would go with Aaushinya. It is a great offensive unit and a way to bring back Trickmoon."

"I have the same thinking, too. Shabda can be quite nice also. It also goes well with Aaushinya."

"Woahhhh! That's amazing!"

"Hehe~! We really spend a lot of time with the cards, don't we?"

Yu-yu realizes that he has talked for so long, he becomes embarrassed and apologizes. "S-Sorry that I have rambled for so long, I—I didn't mean to talk that much..."

Mirei simply smiles at him. "It's okay! I like hearing your thoughts! Your voice... It's like hearing a wave of melody! I could listen to you forever and ever!"

Yu-yu gets flustered. His face turns as red as a tomato. Mirei slightly blushes and giggles.

::::::::::::

"That boy is dating Mirei?"

"Well, they just start dating recently. But Haruka is worried about Mirei, so she wishes to accompany them during the dates."

"It is naturally better for them to sort things on his own. Though, Mirei is a special case. If that young boy..."

"It's Yu-yu. He can ensure Mirei's safety and happiness."

"I heard that you regularly hang out with him. Would that cloud your judgment?"

"Grandma—!"

"Haruka should be home soon. Let's have a proper talk together, with Yu-yu and Mirei also."

"I'm home, Grandma." Haruka returns with groceries. "Nadatsugu!?"

"I bring to Yu-yu here. Perfect timing."

::::::::::::

"As I said before, Mirei is prone to danger without me as her aide. I can't fully count on only Yu-yu!"

"Mirei deserves a wholesome date with Yu-yu! Only two of them! You are not involved, so give up with your meddling attempts!"

"Boooo! Boooo!"

"Danji... Miss Mirei..."

"Ahem! Nadatsugu. Haruka."

"Sorry."

"Both of you want to protect Mirei. It's understandable. However, a date serves as a way for a couple to form their bond, and no one should dare interfere such event. Yu-yu, I heard that you are dating Mirei. Am I wrong?"

"I am."

"Is there any particular reason, young boy?"

Yu-yu closes his eyes to calm himself. He feels a bit pressure inside him. Would he able to express himself fully?

"Mirei and I, through the red strings of fate, met each other through Vanguard. We fought using everything we got at the Nagoya Castle, and it was memorable for both of us. Mirei is an amazing fighter. Her spirit burns hot and fierce, her resolve silences everything opposes her way. I truly admire her, from the bottom of my heart. I love it when she puts all her strength in a fight. Her energetic smile is so precious to look at. It also feels great talking to Mirei, too. She is very friendly. Now, we are friends, but Mirei and I feel like we can advance a step further. I want to understand her."

"Good to know that you have such admiration for Mirei. I'm impressed by your feelings for her. It would be nice if you both can help each other. Haruka, you want to be present at Mirei's dates to protect her anywhere and anytime, don't you?"

"I can only trust myself, and only myself when it comes to Miss Mirei. I have been on her side for much longer than Yu-yu! I should be the one that takes care of her—!"

"For how long?" Danji challenges Haruka.

"How long... Until... Tch! Not until I can fully trust Yu-yu myself!"

"Then let him prove it. Are you scared?"

"Nadatsugu! Are you that willing to let Miss Mirei venture out by herself!?"

"That's where you are wrong. Mirei has Yu-yu on her side! And I trust Yu-yu, because I have been with him far longer than you!"

"I want to explore more about the life around me! With Yu-yu!"

Grandma smiles, "Can you protect Mirei?"

"I can. And if we encounter any uphill, I will support her wholeheartedly!"

"Not you too, Yu-yu!"

"Isn't this good for Mirei, Haruka?"

She is left defenseless, unable to come to the realization that Mirei has someone else trustworthy to protect her. Isn't she the most trusted guardian all this time?

"I can make Mirei happy. She always smiles when I'm with her."

"You are right." Yu-yu responds. "I may not be able to make Mirei smile all the time. Inattentively or not, we may pick a quarrel and cause troubles. Still, I will make sure that we will reach each other's hearts and heal the pain inside! I'm prepared for anything ahead of us!"

Haruka looks at Yu-yu. sensing a blazing determination in his eyes. Being left utterly defeated, she closes her eyes in acceptance.

"Yu-yu." Grandma gives him a pat, "You have potential to be Mirei's life partner. I put my faith on you."

"Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Miss Mirei."

"Any responses?"

"I promise I won't go on with Miss Mirei on her dates. Same applies for you, Nadatsugu."

"Good."

"Let's go for a walk, Yu-yu~"

"Yeah~"