Disclaimer: Yugi-Oh GX does not belong to me nor its characters or rights over the story.
Warn: This story may have heavy and uncomfortable themes/situations like use of drugs, violence, suicide, abuse, sexual harassment, rape, depression, trauma and bad language. If you do not like such, Do not read this.
presea221: Yes! They've finally confessed, now they will start their relationship and a new phase in their lives! Rie has always seen him as a person and not as the image people made, which does help him start seeing through this image too. Regarding Fubuki, despite him being a very comical character for most part, he is still an important friend of Ryo, so at least here I wanted him to be the guy that knows Ryo the most and give him a push, likewise Ryo does take his words into consideration, complaints aside. Shou's mom is more extroverted than both sons XD, we will get more of her later. About Hell Kaiser, well, we will also see him soon enough and more insight on his new persona too.
We're officially entering the second season of the anime, I hope you enjoy the chapter! A new cover for the second season of the fic too!
Oxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxxo
Chapter 14: Downfall
Ryo visits the office of the principal for a last time, Samejima has his face half hidden by his hands, his elbows supported on his desk, he smiles proudly looking at the disciple.
"From now on, you'll be entering the pro league and starting a new phase of your life. I want to say you make me proud of being your master and teacher."
"Thank you."
"But I also called you here to say something else..." his smile dissipates "I've heard you were trying to search files of a certain student in the school psychologist's office..."
A drop of sweat rolls down his face, a tense mood installs as he can't deny involvement in the situation and he already had problems before for breaking rules.
"I am not trying to berate you, I know the situation was delicate, what I wanted to tell is that the said psychologist lost all the files regarding Rie Kinomoto before he disappeared and now all her files are dummies, probably meant to make up for his mistake. What he intended, I don't know, but..."
"He… What?! How did you know…?"
"All the evidence regarding it vanished. I don't know why this happened, but with this, it will be harder to determine the culprits… As for how… Well, let's say I was fully aware you two have been hiding things from me since the time you both went to the abandoned dorms… I understand you probably wanted to help her and likewise, she also tried to help you back then when you were almost expelled, you were the person that rescued her after all, it's natural she'd want to repay you, but… Unfortunately, we could not bring light to this case..."
Ryo clenches his fists in frustration. So this is why the file he got was vague? This is why the other day, Asuka came to him with a saddened gaze and told him they've got no leads on Rie's situation from back when they met, Shou and Judai also confirmed there were no valuable documents left in the guard's office.
"Apart from all the bad experiences, I hope you will be able to leave the past behind and live a good life out there, Ryo. I wish the same for her too."
With a bothered frown, he bows and leaves the place. This all just means it will be impossible to find the culprits. Why would that man do that? To think he is still as clueless as when it all started. As he walks down the corridor, he almost bumps into someone.
"Fubuki?"
"Heyo!" he greets with a smile "I wanted to talk to you before you leave. But you have this strictness on your face again… Did something happen?"
His reply is a huff of discomfort. They head to the lighthouse and talk about many things there, this is probably the last time they will be able to hold a friendly conversation in that exact spot.
"I'm sure you'll do well out there, Ryo."
"Hm." he nods firmly.
"What about Rie-chan? Are you really going to let her go like this? I'm sure she'd be happy to hear your feelings..."
He flinches at the question, his friend is still unaware of his confession. A faint smile comes to his lips as he answers earnestly:
"She will also be doing her best in her career from now on. I just wish things could've been settled with her past before we leave the academy..."
"Oh, you mean… What you told me about the files and..." his eyes narrow in anguish, wavering fiercely. "About the night you were alone at the lighthouse and found her for the first time…"
"Yes, it looked as if the shadow we fought at the dorms was her psychologist… He was trying to do something iffy there, and because her friends were there on secret grounds, he wanted to get rid of them, that is why her voice..." she stops with a heavy sigh "In the end, he was doing everything he could to make sure she was more and more depressed, to think he even got rid of the evidence that could help in her case… I should've gotten wind of it earlier, I knew something was strange about him, but I still… Hesitated back then..."
"There's nothing we can do about it now, I am sure Rie-chan will try to move on, and you should try to move past this too. After all, you are the man here, Ryo, you need to be strong for her sake too, right?"
He is stunned with those words when Fubuki pats him once on the shoulder. He needs to be stronger for her. Isn't that the reason they made a promise to begin with, so he can become a better man before they commit fully to each other? His determination is fueled by it. They both will need to do their best.
When he is a step away from entering the ferryboat, his gaze is cast upon the island a last time, reviving the memories he made there, his eyes also catch a glimpse of a blue-haired figure running towards the docks.
"Shou."
It is a statement as he watches the brother panting in search of air, his brows curling upwards in some sort of pity. Did he have to run all the way here?
"Hm… Brother… You're really leaving now..." he stares at Ryo idly for a moment, a tiny smile forming "Good luck out there. I'm sure you'll do well in the pro league."
He nods confidently and a faint smile springs on his lips as he waves, saying goodbye to the younger one. Shou follows him with eyes until the ferryboat disappears into the distance, waving his hand briskly. Now it was his time to work hard to become a good duelist too and make himself and his brother proud.
Some days later
In the city,
Rie wears a formal outfit and sits across from a man in a suit, her hairstyle changed slightly, two small side braids connecting at the back of her head, forming a little ponytail while the rest of her hair falls over her back and shoulders.
His dark-brown hair spikes to the left side and a beard that connects around his mouth and chin. He skims through some papers, briefly reading it. His sharp grey eyes lift with a bored expression and taking off his reading glasses, he starts the inquiry:
"Rie Kinomoto, a student with good grades from the main branch of the duel academy. May I ask why you would want to be a journalist rather than a duelist?"
She takes a deep breath and types on her device, startling the man with the action, but he awaits her response:
"It is true I am a duelist, but my main interest is to see how duels unfold behind the scenes. Investigating cases in which strange happenings revolving duels have happened and why."
"An investigative reporter even? Do you want to go to events? Are you confident you can do it with your limitations? You can't exactly ask questions in person, in those terms, I won't lie, but there are many better options."
"I don't intend to be directly involved with the televised news. I will be writing articles about them, but my main goal is to focus on the cases regarding mysteries of duel monsters. I will investigate those and I have the technology necessary to make up for my limitations."
"You sound very confident you can do a good job. I like it." he drops the papers with a deep sigh "Opinions aside, why are you so interested in investigating the mysteries of duel monsters?"
"I believe the mysteries regarding duel monsters are still broad and widely uncovered, because of that many incidents have happened. That is why I want to understand more about them and make it so that duel monsters can be a sport like any and not be harmful to those who appreciate it. For that, I must know the truth and cast light to it."
"The last question..." he taps his finger on the table "Why is the daughter of the Kinomoto conglomerate wanting to work here? Your father could buy this whole building with all its assets and offices, our company included, this is just how powerful and rich he is. Then, why would his daughter come here to be an employee?"
His eyes squint in distrust, she knows he is probing her with that question, indeed he is right, it would sound strange or that she is a spy for her father's company. With a deep breathe, she answers steadily:
"I am not here on behalf of my father or representing him or our family in any way. I just want to live my life and pursue my own goals. Whether the Kinomoto family can buy this place or not, it does not concern me, from all I know, I am but a person in search of a job."
"I see." He takes a second of pause in between his words, then nods subtly "You can go now."
She jumps out of her seat and leaves the office, looking back discreetly with a curious and nervous glance as the door closes behind her. As soon as she is out, she lets out a deep breath, she has been holding it since she entered the room under such pressure. Holding her device close to her chest, she types with both hands with a smile.
"I had my interview. I am sure you'll have the best grades in the exams for pro duelists. Good luck, Ryo-san!" with a bright smile she sends the message.
Not much later that day, Rie sits at a coffee bar alone, her gaze scans the surroundings and the outside through the glass. She sips a bit of a strange red smoothie while distracted, a startle occurs when a voice comes from behind her seat:
"Sorry for making you wait."
It's Ryo, he has a different outfit than usual, a grey suit. He seats across from her with a faint smile, she smiles back in an enthusiastic mood.
"It doesn't matter. How was it?"
"I still have to participate in the other phases of the selection, but it doesn't look like it will be too hard with my credentials from the academy. What about you?"
"I was very nervous and they mentioned that I can't speak, but I prepared for that. I recently installed an extra function that can speak for me when I type… Just that… It feels a bit strange to use another voice that is not mine to speak..." she lowers her gaze for a moment. "I also learned a lot of sign language and started frequenting self-defense classes..."
"That is great! I am sure they'll accept you if they check your curriculum."
"Hm… They did check it thoroughly, the boss even questioned why I'd want to work there because of my family..." her orbs flicker "But I told him my family has nothing to do with this..."
"Just because your family has power, doesn't mean you can't lead a normal life. He will see that."
He tries to comfort her with words, putting up a smile and hiding the sadness internally afflicting him upon remembering the reason why she lost her voice in the first place.
"I hope so. They'll be giving me an answer next week. It will probably be busy for both of us, but we can still see each other like this when we have time."
He nods subtly. His eyes observe her typing with a soft smile on her face. The person he sees now is so different from the girl he first met, he is bewitched by her beauty. Even if those meetings are short, he will make sure to enjoy every second of them.
"I recently was offered a contract with a good sponsor, so I started renting my own apartment. You started renting one too, right? Next time, let's meet at one of our apartments."
She flinches at the suggestion, her cheeks flushing gradually, almost becoming the color of the red smoothie she was drinking. It takes him a moment to understand it might have sounded off.
"Ugh… I mean, it would be nice to meet somewhere indoors too, not only outdoors."
Her head lowers slightly, he gestures aplenty, a drop of sweat rolling down his face. In fact their dates have always been like this, short and in restaurants or cafes like this.
"I just wanted to say it is normal for couples to visit each other if they have time, isn't it? It would be fine to watch movies, watch duels, series, cook, this stuff everyone does, we don't need to always meet outside like this… I thought it would be a good change of pace..."
She nods, still abashed at the suggestion, now it's his cheeks that look like they're burning from the color of his skin. He is not good at this at all. But for her, his attempts of trying to explain himself are a lovely side of his that gave her some chuckles along the way.
They talk about many things which include their careers too, after some time, they start heading out of the bar, it becomes dark outside.
"Do you want me to accompany you to the train station?"
With a quick shake of her head, she shyly stands on the tip of her toes and plants a peck on his cheek, he flinches in reaction, stunned for a second, her lips are as soft as he remembers. His cheeks acquire the same amount of red pigment as her face with the thought, a tender, serene smile playing on his lips.
This time, he is the one bending over, his lips gently kissing her forehead, surprising her, he pulls her in a fast hug before looking into her eyes.
"You take care too, Rie."
She waves at him while going away under the jet-black night, disappearing in the city. He gazes up to the sky, now he needs to be serious and do his best as a professional so he can live up to their promise too.
The events that follow soon later are as expected, Kaiser Ryo becomes officially a pro duelist, surprisingly, Rie was also accepted in the job as a trainee and will be under a period of probation to see if she can really do the necessary work under the condition that she hides her family origins as she agrees with her boss. There is no time to celebrate, before they notice it, their schedules are full.
Ryo has his first matches arranged by the company managing for him, and a big sponsor starts supporting him like he told beforehand.
Rie has difficulties adapting to the work routine and the communication with colleagues, in the end, she gets no respect from her coworkers and they treat her as a lower worker and undeserving of the position she got, she ignores their attempts to diminish her and works harder, getting the results needed.
Soon, she starts getting better at the tasks given and turns into a valuable asset for the chief editor with her talent with words and innovative views on subjects he mentions about a full fledged contract from the start of the next year on if she keeps up the good work.
For a couple months, all she can do is communicate with Ryo through messages, even though they were in the same city, their newly busy lives didn't allow a proper meeting. Despite that, she has always been watching his matches and rooting for him, at work or wherever she was.
At a hotel's restaurant
Ryo has a seat at a table, the place all around has a fancy air to it, from the red and white cloth overlapping on the table to the lights hanging over the ceiling with golden frames. He quietly reads a small book, holding it with one hand.
"I was unaware our Kaiser Ryo was interested in sign language."
The affirmation drives his eyes to the seat across. His sponsor is accommodating there, a brief smile on his face and a hint of curiosity. Ryo closes the book with a soft thud and tucks it into his inner chest pocket.
"Just a new hobby of mine."
They talk about his next duels and many other matters related to his next steps as a professional. His sponsor makes a speech to him full of the plans for the future and how he'd have promising opportunities as a duelist.
As they walk out of the hotel, the manager and him stop beside a black car to give their last goodbyes.
"On that note, we are expecting greater efforts from you from now on, Kaiser Ryo. With greater efforts, you will reach even greater heights." The blonde smiles hopeful.
"I will do my best."
"Do you want a ride?"
"No. I'd like to take a walk today. The moonlight will guide my way home. "
His lips curve filled with tranquility, his gaze looking up to the sky with fondness as he reminds of moments with Rie.
"By the way, this person wouldn't happen to be you, would it?"
His sponsor shows the article in the newspaper describing a vigilante that uses costume of duel monsters to attack duelists on the streets. The image shows a silhouette dressed in a Flame Wingman attire.
"Impossible."
"I thought so. Take care on your way back."
Said that, he parts ways with his sponsor. During that same night, he hears a scream on one of the side alleys and immediately rushes to the scene to check just to find a beaten duelist and surprisingly, the criminal who attacked the man on the nearby top of a building.
"It was your destiny to lose."
Ryo looks upon that person, just like in the newspaper, dressed in a duel monster outfit. They disappear in a blink of an eye and by the time he notices, some guards come to aid him, a mysterious air hovering around him.
"Kaiser Ryo, are you fine?"
"Yeah..."
A mysterious vibe soars in the air. Soon, the announcement of his next match makes people hyped: Ed Phoenix, the prodigy duelist that is in the league at a young age vs the promising newcomer, Kaiser Ryo. Rie's heart tightens at the news for some reason, an ominous feeling that something will happen. He'd never lost a match before, so why would it be different now?
With that in mind, she buys a ticket, perhaps she can surprise him with her presence there. Would he be happy to see her? She is in the stadium, among all the unknown faces watching him, a chuckle when she sees both duelists on stage have a big fan club.
"On one side we have Kaiser Ryo, the newcomer who has not lost any of his ten matches and on the other side, we have Ed Phoenix, the noble youth who has upheld victory in 30 matches!"
"Go easy on me, senpai."
Ed's tone came off as arrogant and sarcastic, Ryo's brows frown at that. Was he being looked down upon? Not that it matters to the results of their duel.
The surprise comes when Ed uses his first monster, Elemental Hero Featherman, Ryo can't help but smirk, a hero deck like Judai, one of the only people who has made his dueling spirit burn in the academy. He felt he was about to have a fun duel.
A new version of elemental heroes he did not know is shown, instead of the usual Flame Wingman fusion, he summons Phoenix Guy by fusing Featherman and Burstlady.
Ryo attempts to end the duel by summoning Cyber Twin Dragon and using its ability to attack twice, but Ed counters with a trap and by summoning Sparkman with Spark Gun and the card Guard Penalty, he keeps using its effect to switch the position of the Twin Dragon from attack to defense, almost as if he is making it dance for entertainment.
"That proud monster of yours is amusing, isn't it, senpai?" he scoffs at the scene.
"Why, you..." the frown on his face deepens.
This is not just an insult, it is almost personal. He is shocked and a tad annoyed at how his opponent plays. There was no need to do that, but Ed simply does not see how detrimental for the match his actions are, or perhaps, he doesn't care. The whole crowd laughs at how ludicrous the performance looks.
Ed fusion summons Shining Phoenix Guy whose effect consists of increasing its attack by 300 for each Elemental Hero monster in his graveyard.
Ryo manages to bring his Cyber End Dragon, and attacks recklessly the opponent, despite Ed having an unknown facedown card on his field. His attack is confident, but Ed interrupts with another cocky smile:
"Kaiser Ryo, as your senpai in the pro-league, let me give you a piece of advice… If you get hot-headed, you'll lose sight of yourself and lose in a pro match. This is how this world works."
After the attack was declared, Ed activates his trap that allows him to send 5 cards to the graveyard, among which he sends 4 elemental heroes, increasing the attack of his monster by just enough to destroy the Cyber End and annihilate the Kaiser.
The match leaves people on the edge, but Ed dominated the field, mercilessly foiling all attempts of Ryo and ultimately, by committing the mistake of rashly using his card, the loss is unavoidable to the Kaiser Ryo falls to his knees, astounded and humiliated in front of the spectators.
"I made myself a fool..."
Ed jeers with a presumptuous smirk on his face, turning around without thinking twice. A real spectacle for the public.
"No. You lost because that was your destiny."
The sentence clicks something on his mind, the vigilante that has been attacking duelists had the same voice as him and even the same vocabulary...
"That can't be… That was you?!"
Baffled, he stands there thinking about those words and what they mean. Not long after, he leaves the stage, the reporters are all over the entrance like vultures waiting to take a piece of him and question his performance, he knew it would be like this in case he lost, but it didn't feel any better.
When he is about to leave through the main door, someone grabs his shoulder, calling his attention. His eyes open wide when he sees her.
"Rie…? What are you doing here? I thought..."
"I came to see you..." she lowers her head in a saddened tone "Maybe this was not a good day to come here, but I wanted to see your face. Are you fine?"
He averts his gaze for a second, his mind drifting away. His hand gently touches hers and a faint, tender smile sprouts on his lips as he caresses it.
"I am fine, you shouldn't worry." he looks at the gateway out, closed shut "The door is full of reporters. I don't know how you got to me, but it's better if you don't try leaving from here."
She nods and looks at his face with a pitied expression, he raises his brows, as usual she is concerned over him even when his expression does not show any signs of his turbulent feelings. She can read his interior even when he doesn't speak much.
"I bribed the guard at the entrance with money and told him I was a fan..." she admits ashamedly, lowering her gaze in self-guilt.
"Rie… Thank you, but you shouldn't do this… You don't need to sneak into places to meet me..." he strokes her hair kindly. "I am sorry we have to meet like this. Next time, let's have a proper talk and spend more time together, right?" He plants a kiss on her cheek, his lips are cold, but she appreciates the sensation.
The gentleness in his voice is the same as when they were in school. That comforts her ears and assures her heart. He didn't change a bit even after becoming a pro. More importantly, he didn't forget the feelings he has for her.
He lets go of her hand and walks towards the door, her hand jerks in reaction, she almost stretches it, but closes her fists and gives up in the process. She came to check on him and it is obvious he is not in his brightest mood, however, she doesn't know what else to say. Maybe it's better to let him have time and figure out his own thoughts and feelings first.
She observes with a last glance his back leaving the stage, that proud back of his felt somewhat lonely and sad. Shaking off her thoughts, she leaves the place too.
"Don't worry, you'll win the next ones. You are our Kaiser, after all..."
In her dark apartment room, she types the message, but hesitates, hovering her finger on the send button. Instead, she erases the whole text and types something else.
"Good night, Ryo-san!"
In his own apartment, Ryo has one of his arms covering his eyes while he lays on the bed, his mind still on the duel of that day. He hears the vibration of his phone and the light that comes along, picking it up to see her message.
His expression is blank, his eyes squinting a bit upon the texts, he puts the phone aside, not answering it. His brain reminisces about his last duel with Judai.
"Kaiser, you're perfect!" the sentence comes to mind, he clenches his teeth.
"Being perfect means I reached my limit and there is no more room for growth..."
His response at the time came off in a disappointed, almost disheartening tone. Since then he has been questioning how much he can do, but just today it kicked in stronger. What if this is really his limit? What if this was all he could do? No, he can't just accept that. There has to be a way to improve…
"Not losing my coolness..."
He mutters to himself, almost chanting it as an aim. He can't be sad forever just because of a loss, he will arise victorious again, like he always did. His thoughts are too convoluted as he tries to get sleep that night.
Some time after
In the duel academy
Shou reads the magazine's article about his older brother while his friends watch over him worriedly.
"After a ten winning streak, the brilliant newcomer Kaiser faces a downfall in his career. Followed by his loss to Ed Phoenix, he lost ten times in a row and was kicked out of the main Pro League, descending to the minor leagues."
"You shouldn't be looking at those, they are tabloids."
Asuka pulls the magazine out of Shou's hand, rolling it as if it's trash, with a feeble, but kind smile towards the boy.
"Your brother is strong, he will get over it and win again, just as the Kaiser we know, right?"
In dismay, he nods, thinking about what his brother could have been through during those losses. Unfortunately, they are too far apart to talk. A video call connects to his PDA, he rushes out, his brows coiling up in sadness.
"Shou!"
The female speaker on the other side of the line appears: his mother. Without giving him a second to breath, she runs her tongue in a hurry, the fact she didn't add any honorifics to his name tells she is serious:
"Do you have news on your brother? I have been trying to contact him but he won't answer!"
"Mom, I told you he doesn't want anyone interfering with his career as a duelist, he will be fine. You know how reserved he is..."
"That's exactly why I'm worrying! What if he is having problems? I was hearing bad things about his results in duels… That he keeps losing… Isn't that very bad?"
"If you want to know, try asking him. He is not in the academy anymore and he is a fully grown adult, mother. You should know that..."
She bites her lips, a bit offended that her own son refuses to help, then turns her face away in a petty mood, distancing from the camera and crossing her arms.
"Fine! I will let you both be! He is the spit image of your father, so cold! I can't believe my own sons can't spare a moment to talk to me, what did I do wrong? Nine months for each and they can't give me a minute!"
"Mom, not now..."he sighs heavily, troubled with having to deal with so much at once.
At the same time, Rie types a new message to her beloved, in hopes it will get through him. Her expression filled with anxiety, her fingers constantly checking if there was an answer.
"Ryo-san, how are you doing? If you have time, I'd like to meet you this week."
There is no reply, just like the past messages, he seems to be ignoring her texts. As she predicted, that ominous feeling she had on the fatidic duel came true. After that one loss, he entered a slump in his career and doesn't seem to be getting up from it anytime soon.
She has to do something about it, but no matter how many messages she sent those last weeks, he was either unable or unwilling to reply. She doesn't even know where his apartment is and even if she did, should she really try and go there when he is avoiding talking to her? Perhaps she should try harder.
Even if he is cold, she knows in truth he is suffering the worst from it, if he won't talk, then she needs to be proactive and take the first step, it doesn't matter if he is angry, it looks like no one else will reach a hand to him at this moment, and she knows well how that feels.
"Ryo-san… I will help you the best I can, just like you helped me back then..."
With the fierce resolution on her mind, she grabs a couple of duel magazines from the nearby store and sends some emails.
Ryo's sponsor calls him for a talk and he is forced to resign the partnership under the pretext he does not represent the image of the company anymore, he sits there ashamedly listening to the man force him to rescind his contract.
Under the callous shadows of night, at the minor league stadium, Kaiser duels another opponent, while he gives his best, the tables are completely turned against his favor and he loses yet another time.
"It seems this is another failure for Kaiser! What happened to the marvelous duelist he used to be?!" the narrator of the match comments.
Ryo's eyes narrow in frustration, there are just a couple people watching the duel, but they throw garbage at him and curse.
"The Kaiser you are!"
"Go back to school!"
The humiliation aggravates his disgrace, he clenches his fists, silently leaving the stage, while bathing before he changes clothes, the water makes his thoughts flow.
"If I can only manage my dueling..."
He is on his own now. After a long time spent dwelling in his inner self, he is one of the last people to take his leave. Outside the showers and stage a shady looking man awaits for him.
"I took the liberty of watching your duel."
"Thank you." he politely replies, squandering the intentions of the man inwardly.
"It was quite an unfortunate match. I simply could not have expected a duel like that from a man called 'Kaiser'." his tone is shrewdly disappointed.
"Who are you?" he frowns.
"I work as a promoter. Please call me Monkey Saruyama." he presents a business card. "I came to buy you."
"To buy me? What for?"
"It may be rude of me, mister Ryo, but the way you are now, soon you won't even have matches scheduled in the minor leagues and will fall into oblivion."
He smirks, Ryo scowls at him, the conversation and everything about that man is shady. What is he seeking for?
"However it would be regrettable if you let your abilities be hidden away like this." he turns his face to the side, in an act of fake pity "If you just had the chance, you would be bound to regain your natural power again. And for that..." He looks into Ryo's eyes, almost enticing him to listen to his words "You must always be on the battlefield. If the light of the sun won't do, then just shift your gaze away to what is under your feet. There are underground duels, you know."
The crease on his face only aggravates after the words of the man, so that was his intention from the beginning.
"What do you say? Would you entrust your abilities to me for a short while? I would like to offer you a new dueling arena."
"I am sorry, but I am a duelist affiliated with the pro league. I have no intention of transferring to other organizations."
"For underground duels, all official procedures are unnecessary. We abide by secrecy. Won't you take a trip with me to your new battlefield?"
A drop of sweat falls down Ryo's face as he watches the man vanish on the corridors with eyes narrowed in distrust. His gaze lands on the card, unsure of what to think. If he wants to keep dueling, if he wants to cling to his career as a duelist, then…
When he exits the building there is someone else waiting there for him, his eyes open wide and flicker. The pink-haired gasps upon seeing him coming out, as if she has been worrying sickly and waiting just for that moment.
"Rie..."
His inexpressiveness just incites a deeper concern in her expression, he puts the business card of the shady man in his pocket, hiding it.
"Ryo-san… I have been trying to contact you… Why did you not answer this whole time…?"
He lets out a muffled sigh after reading the display of her device, closing his eyes in a cold, aloof manner.
"I am currently having issues that I need to settle on my own. I didn't mean for you to be worrying over me like this."
"Just tell me if something bothers you, I am here. I came here to talk to you!"
His lips unseal slightly seeing her heartfelt messages and her eyes quivering in sadness watching over his serious, icy face. Her orbs can see through his façade, she can see his blood boiling from inside and how terrible he must have felt.
Despite knowing that, he can't stand the fact he is making her worry again. He'd wish to meet her under happier circumstances. If he is not adding anything to her life but worries, she might be better off without him for now at least.
"I am sorry, Rie. The way I am now, I can't face you. Until I fulfill my part of the promise, I would like to keep my distance." his fists close softly, it is hard to muster those sentences, but it is something he must do, as a man with a vow to keep.
"Forget the promise! I don't care about it anymore, I just want to know you're fine… I just want to see you feeling better..."
Her eyes oscillate even more, glimmering as tears form, he is astounded for a second, but that sensation turns into more pressure for him. Even if she is willing to forget about their promise, he isn't. He isn't the type of person to easily let go of dreams or vows. He needs to stand strong and keep his words, but the way he is now, he does not consider himself a man worthy of her feelings, he cannot commit to it.
She might despise his way of acting currently, but he will come to her once they can look at each other with pride, say they could fulfill their dreams and mature as people.
She grabs his shoulders, trying to shake him, but he carefully takes her hands away, walking past her, ignoring her protests, the sound of the frantically typed messages she tries to show him.
"I will be fine. Just leave me be. I will not forget our promise and I will come back to you once I can stand on my own again." with a feeble, anguished smile, he walks away not looking back, his fists almost clenching fully.
Her vision blurs and the image of his silhouette going further away is unfocused, tears trickle down her cheeks, she stretches her arm in his direction, but he is so distant. She cannot reach him anymore. Not with words or her feelings. That painful realization shatters her heart into pieces.
Did she wait too long? Should she have come earlier? Why did she let this happen? He should've know that was a stupid promise they made when they were a bit younger, but the most important part was not that, but their vow to be together one day. She'd be there to support him right now. Why can't he understand that?
With pained feelings she grasps her chest, her heart aches profoundly. What will become of him, when will they see each other again? What can she do to help him now?
If she had just reached out her hand that day, perhaps none of the next events would have happened. Had she only held him back that day…