Chapter XXXI

Visitors

Ryou stands near the entrance of the obelisk's female dorm, leaning against the wall, arms crossed and a contemplative gaze. He's ashamed to admit, but due to what happened last time, he decided it's best if he waits outside. Rie comes out, preening her hair nervously, quickly typing a message on her PDA:

"I'm sorry if I took too long."

"No, I came early."

"You could've come up and called me."

Instead of mentioning his reasons, he abruptly changes the topic, in a way to avert the questioning:

"My father and Asuka's will be coming soon today. I'm sorry for not telling you before, it was a last minute decision of theirs, so I'll need to stay a bit with him and that may cut short our time for a few days, at least. Unless… You also want to hang around me and my father."

"No," she replies immediately, hastily typing. "I don't want to bother! Plus, I'm not sure if I'm ready to meet your family yet."

"You already met him, though," he remarks in a deadpan manner. "I understand where you come from, I'm not pressuring you. I'm just worried because this is some time we were supposed to spend together, so I wanted to let you know."

"I have some studying to catch up on and other things to do, besides, this might be a chance to speak to my uncle. I didn't get the chance to try talking him out of it again."

"Your uncle?" he trails off, his gaze sharpening. "Are you sure you'll be fine on your own?"

"I will," her fingers hesitate before typing the next message. "Do you think we can spend some time together every day?"

"On a daily basis?" he flinches amused, folding his arms. "Hm, I guess it won't be much different than what we already do for the investigations."

"Not like the investigations, I mean besides the studies and other things," she pulls his sleeve a couple times, enforcing her anxiety.

It's true they've spent more time together, mostly studying, investigating, but not engaging in other activities a normal couple would do. Maybe this is what Rie wants now? Should he have planned something?

"Sure, we can make it work," a tiny smile plays on his lips.

Infected by that smile that she could barely see, her lips curve upwards too, enthusiastic, it was rare to see Rie so happy about something, but of all the reasons she could have, he's elated to know he is the one.

"I'll be off, then," his arm is slightly pulled back.

She looks down, disconcerted, in an awkward fashion, lifting her flickering gaze to meet his. A click occurs inside his head, maybe Rie is also thinking about yesterday? He'd think she would want some distance, but even back then she didn't put walls between them. Is this an allowance for them to be closer?

Turning around fully, he leans onward, his thumb caresses her face, assuring she isn't bothered by his touch before he seals her lips with his, closing his eyes. Her hands come to his chest, creasing his coat lightly, tugging him closer, sharing a sequence of short, gentle pecks.

When they break apart, she staggers a step back, stumbling against the wall, a pink tinge on her cheeks, they're entranced in each other's gazes. With her palms to his face, she stretches on the tips of her toes and he corresponds by bending closer, initiating another kiss, this time, she can feel her back pressed against the wall, his hand coming kindly behind her shoulders, holding her even closer so he enjoy the shape of her lips, her taste, the sweet scent of her hair.

Ryou thought that given a day, with a clear head, those burbling feelings would be snuffed, vanish like a daydream, that yesterday was also a mistake, nothing more than their bodily impulses, but now that they're here again, as she touches him so caringly, he doesn't believe in that anymore. He wants to hold this girl in his arms and love her as much as he can.

His grip around her is firmer until they break apart, her eyes widening before she casts them down shyly, his voice disrupting it.

"You don't need to be abashed," a smile flashes on his face. "Though I apologize for yesterday, I didn't mean to scare you."

"I wasn't scared," she fidgets, a beet-red blush burning her face. "Just surprised."

"Well, if I do anything that bothers you, you can tell me. I will try and improve."

"You too."

"I should go now."

She nods dispirited, beckoning as he leaves. He'd wish to stay longer, but if he doesn't go to the port now, he might miss his father's arrival. Rie watches as his figure disappears into the main road. Only the chirping birds are left and the huge, hollow dorm behind her.

At the pier,

Asuka taps her feet impatiently, the grains of dust crackling under her feet, she can see the boat on the far, vast horizon, slowly coming, enthralled by it as a million thoughts cross her mind.

A presence draws near, she swirls to the side immediately, in alert, almost as if expecting to be assaulted there, the tension on her stiff shoulders releasing when she sees a familiar guy:

"Edo? What are you doing here?" her hand comes to her chest, sighing in relief.

"I've heard your father and Ryou's would be coming. I got a bit curious, so I thought of greeting them," his gaze runs her from tip to toe, raising a brow. "What's with this fussy attitude?"

His question came off in a rude tone, but inwardly, he wondered if that reaction hailed from the fear of being abducted again. Oddly enough she had a talent for being kidnapped, and it happened twice just within a few months, it has to have left some marks on her. His chest cramps a bit thinking about it, a compassionate feeling spreading in him.

"I'm surprised you'd be this curious," she breaks the silence.

"Well, I also don't have much else to do right now. I'm planning on walking the whole island in those next few days."

"With my father here, I'll have to give him some attention, but I'm sure I can sneak out of the dorms during the night."

"Don't worry, Asuka. I can do this on my own, you should enjoy the time with your family."

Her mouth opens to declare yet another sentence, but she realizes her statement might have come off as insensible due to his past. Her brows coil up guiltily.

"You're right. My father has been feeling lonely in the house. I'll make sure to give him a proper welcome. He's been alone since my mother died."

"Has it been long?"

"A few years ago, I was still in the first year of middle school."

"Do you remember her?"

"I do. She was a bright person and like a female version of Fubuki in blonde in terms of appearance, but she was elegant unlike that jester. She gave me a scarf she embroidered as a gift for my birthday that year, but it was stolen when I brought it to school and I never found it again."

"I'm sorry to hear that," he gives it a moment of respect. "That said, I envy you for having memories with your mother, all I had were stories from my father."

"Stories?"

"Yes, she was a model apparently, a very pretty one."

"I can imagine," she chuckles, looking at his angelic face, wondering if he took after her.

"She was very ill even before giving birth and it got worse after. She died when I was a baby, so I don't have any recollections of her."

"I'm sorry to hear that too."

"My father would tell me bedtime stories every day, about a princess and her prince and their adversity, he also mixed in heroes sometimes. I was looking forward to the next chapters every day. He would show me a photography book with this stunning lady with silver hair, a real person. At the time I was so little I just thought the book had a unique art."

It was fun portraying an image of a young Edo being a normal kid for once. Although she doesn't know whether he was always considered a genius or not, hearing he also had bedtime stories was cute. He was just a person like her, no matter how popular.

He continues, looking at the horizon. "I was alight to hear it every day, until I found out the whole story was just him telling me about my mom and her life, even the villains were real people. He said that's the best he could think of, rather than telling me she'd become an angel or gone to heaven, he'd etch this tale into my memory so I can connect with her and remember her too when I grow up."

"Your father was a very loving person."

"Indeed, I feel bad for him to have to deal with it all alone, if I was a bit older or maybe if I had a sibling like you, things could've been different. But that's in the past now."

She can't imagine how it'd be if she was alone, if her father also died or anything happened to him, how she'd deal with that. To be able to stand so proudly as Edo does, despite all he's been through, he's a really strong person.

"What happened after your father passed away? I mean, you were still a kid…"

"I was sent to a children's care institute, but just temporarily while some documents were filled in. A friend of my father adopted me and became my legal guardian. He's the one who taught me a lot about dueling."

"A friend of your father? Who?"

"He's a famous duelist too, but we can save that for another time," he smiles briefly, almost smug as to how it piqued her interest. "Maybe I should give him a call, if he has time to visit, I'll introduce you to him, for sure."

Her brows angle down, a tad annoyed at his conceited attitude, but she can't rebuke that she is intrigued by who this mysterious man is.

"Anyways, it's good to talk about those things once in a while, doesn't it make you feel better?

"It does…"

Masterfully changing the subject, he lets on his true intentions, as if the whole past dialogue was a build-up to bring her guard down.

"Asuka, if you're bothered by something, just say it, bottling things up is never good," he said from his own experience, the face of a black-haired man coming to mind.

"The truth is," her orbs roll down conflicted. "I've received an anonymous message on my PDA. I don't know who it could be, but…"

She takes it out of her pocket, clicking a few times until she's reached the screen, showing it to Edo, he grabs the device, frowning at the contents of the message.

"They want to meet you alone, at night?"

"I also thought it's suspicious. They didn't even identify, so there's no way I'm doing it alone. But I don't want my father to know about this, and I'm sure Ryou would also come if we ask him."

"Even if he doesn't, you're not going alone," he gives back her device, determined. "I'm going with you. It could be a trap from those suspicious people or criminals, or a stalker…"

"You don't think-?" she brings a hand to her mouth.

"You're quite popular among the boys, aren't you? If you consider the situation, the island is a desert now, most of the students are out and even most of the teachers, you have to admit this is a prime time to execute whichever scheme they have."

"You're scaring me. But that's true…"

"Don't worry, I guarantee it'll be way more scary to whoever did this once I find them out."

His fists clench together, annoyed. If there was something that pissed Edo off were criminals and people with dubious intentions.

On the way to the port,

Ryou walks on the main road, his ears catching the sound of footsteps rushing, his feet halting, a mild surprise as he sees Shou. His brother also stops abruptly, his feet skidding before he supports his hands on knees:

"Wait a moment… Uff…"

"You don't need to run, we'll get there in time," he resumes his walking, a bit slower as if to accompany him.

"Right…"

Shou's brows coil up when he looks at the impeccable profile of his elder brother. Despite all his perfect grades and his achievement as the best duelist of the academy, he's been up to something illicit, will he be fine?

"Hey, brother, that night with the Psycho Shocker," he swallows dryly as Ryou's stern eyes are cast onto him. "How did you know he'd be going to the Osiris red dorm…?"

"We saw the Psycho Shocker passing by, so we followed it."

The real question he had in mind is "Why were you out at night again with that girl?", but he couldn't muster the courage to ask this straight to his brother's face.

"We really saw a duel monster there, didn't we?"

"Yes," he replies in a cold tone.

They can't deny it was a surprise, not as much to Ryou as it was for his brother, regardless, this could be a good opportunity for him to find out something.

"Shou, do you remember much about back then when we were kids…?"

"Yes, Dad was getting us new cards all the time, but wasn't mom angry about it? I ended up inheriting all those Vehicroids when you left to stay in the dojo."

"Yeah…"

The apathetic response led Shou to believe the conversation was going nowhere, but Ryou was delving deep into other thoughts, what he wanted to ask was whether Shou remembered when he mentioned duel monster spirits.

"Is there a problem?"

"No, it's nothing…"

He gulps before gathering the courage to ask. "By the way, that gi-"

"We've arrived."

They can hear the waves crashing onto the port along with a salty breeze, their gazes directed at the two other people waiting there.

"Were you about to ask something?"

"No, nothing important," he scratches his head, smiling wryly.

"I didn't expect to see you here too, Edo," Ryou steps ahead.

"I have my reasons," he casts a side glance at the blonde girl. "How about you tell it to him too."

"Ryou, Shou, good to see you two."

"Is there anything wrong? You look pale, Asuka."

"Hm… Would you know anything about this?"

She shows the message, the siblings exchange a concerned glance, swinging their heads in denial.

"Why would they ask the tennis court? You shouldn't go there!" Shou interjects, a genuine glint of worry in his eyes.

"I have to meet whoever this is."

"Don't worry, I'm going too," Edo assures.

"In this case, I'll join you both," Ryou nods.

"B-But going out at this hour is-" Shou switches his stare between all of them, who reply by staring back as if that was completely normal. "Won't this get you all into trouble?"

"There's no one around to enforce the rules, plus we can't let a possible stalker run amok on the island. I'm sure the teachers will understand, even if we happen to get caught," the Kaiser advocates.

"He's right in this one, Shou. In those cases, it's better to set up the culprit rather than ignore it. This time it was Asuka, but who can tell when he'll target another girl who might fall for their schemes?" Edo's frown accentuates, his arms folded as if to accentuate the seriousness of his words.

"When you put it like this, I guess…"

The boat's loud escape drags their attention, it's anchored at the pier. By the time the passengers come out, the students are lined up, a faint smile on their faces, as if the previous conversation didn't happen.

Among some staff members and a couple students, they can see their parents. Ellis beckons from afar raising his arm as high as he can, while Asuka's father lifts his hand shyly.

"It's been a while!"

Ellis drops his travel bag to the ground with a plop and pulls both sons together in an embrace, much to their embarrassment, while the other man simply stands, takes a good look at the face of his daughter gently caressing her hair.

"You seem well, Asuka," he finalizes with a quick hug, then turns around to look at the others. "I remember the Marufujis, but is this a new friend?"

"Ah, yes, he's a new student like me."

"Edo Phoenix."

"Akira Tenjouin. I'm this beautiful girl's father," sharing a short and firm handshake, he smiles back, hearing a shy mumble of Asuka in the background. "What brings you here?"

"I just wanted to greet everyone."

A voice disrupts from behind them. "Oh, I didn't think the young genius duelist would come here in person! I'm Ellis Marufuji!"

"I'm a friend of theirs too," he casts a brief glance at the siblings. "Nice to meet you, Mr. Marufuji."

"To think a pro duelist like you would be in the same school as them, haha. That tag duel back then was incredible! Thanks to you Shou has learned a lot."

"I've learned plenty myself."

"Is that so?" he chuckles. "I heard your deck in the pro-league was different! Which type of deck do you use? Would you mind showing it to me?"

"Don't listen to him, Edo, he'll drag you on a long conversation about decks if you let him," Ryou interferes, landing a hand on his father's shoulder, calling him out.

"Come one, Ryou, it isn't every day I get to meet someone who's active in the pro-leagues! And he's even younger than you!"

"You're interested in the pro-world, mister Marufuji?"

"I used to be a pro-duelist, haha! I'm elated you came here to meet us, I feel like my sons don't have enough friends," he looks around. "Talking about which, Ryou, I don't see that pink-haired friend of yours."

"Okay, that's it, Ellis," he snaps. "I'm sure Edo will be happy to show you his deck and talk another time, but how about we go to the dorms first?"

Taking his father's handbag, he starts walking ahead, Shou lifts a hand in some sort of apology to Edo as their father beckons enthusiastically.

"Well, I should take my leave too. I hope you all have a good time together."

The silver-haired boy bows at the other two, going away, a slight curve on his lips. Finally, Asuka and her father are alone, he puts a hand around her shoulder, patting it lightly.

"How are you doing? I suppose you have much to tell me in those months you've been here," he walks together at a slow pace.

"Right, but let's go. The principal arranged for you to stay in the obelisk boy's dorm, right?"

"Yes, he said even if there are no female students there, I'm not allowed to stay overnight."

"Dad, this is your first time staying for this long, right?"

"Yes, I came other times for other reasons, when your brother was-" he stops, swallowing dryly. "I'm sorry, dear, it doesn't matter, this time I came to spend time with you."

Giving a few taps on her hand, he tries to reassure her. His brows angled up in pity, as if he'd regret those words, the last thing he'd want is for Asuka to feel like she's just filling a hole, or to be reminded of what happened to her older brother, but she knows he has the best intentions.

"Thank you, Dad," she opens a smile, the best she can for him.

At a river, inside the forest,

Daitokuji sits at the riverbed, his pants folded up as his feet dangle above the waters, he holds a fishing rod, humming a song. His singing ceases when leaves crackle behind him.

"Rie-chan," he adjusts on his seat, looking halfway at her. "Will you join me in the fishing?"

Her eyebrows make a half circle, frowning at him, sitting by his side, a conflicted glint in her orbs as she watches the water moving. It's comprehensible she'd be mad at him given all he's done, yet she's here alone while her said friends spend time with their families. In the end, he's the only family she had to turn to.

"Rie, do you still have that amulet I gave you?"

"Yes."

"I won't even question what you were doing hanging around with Ryou Marufuji late at night," he prods with a sharp tone. "But why weren't you carrying the amulet that night with Psycho Shocker?"

"How do you know I wasn't?"

"If you were, it would have protected you from the duel spirit. Why aren't you using it?"

"I tossed it aside in a drawer along with the other things you gave me."

"You don't need to keep the potions, but the amulet is essential. You must always have it with you, understood?"

"I don't trust what you say. You always say things in half."

"Regardless of your opinion of me, what I said about the amulet is true. If you carry it at all times, it will not only prevent such episodes from happening, but it might help your friends too. Or did your boyfriend tell you not to?"

"Ryou has nothing to do with this! You can't even tell me about my family even though you know more and you want to chastise me about not believing in you!"

"Yes, I do know more, but I'm respecting your mother's wishes."

"There's no need to respect the wishes of someone that's dead! Mom is dead!" the borders of her eyes fill with tears. "But I'm alive and this is unfair to me."

Daitokuji gasps, astonished to hear her feelings. Has she been thinking this the whole time? He's really a failure as a parent to have ignored it for so long, of course she'd feel neglected. Standing up, he dusts off his pants and unfolds the borders.

"You want to know more? Fine, I'll show you something. But we need to go into the school building for that. I'll need to drop the fishing equipment at the Osiris red dorm, though, are you fine with that?"

She staggers a step back in surprise as he smiles faintly, leading the way, her lips wavering when she tries to think of words, following him.

At the pier

A gentle breeze blows Edo's silver strands of hair, his gaze lingering on the ocean, a blank semblance. He takes out a cellphone from his pocket, his lips shut in a line. Seeing everyone leave like that reminds him of someone. His fingers unknowingly dial a known number.

"Ah," he's startled after being picked up. "It's me… Do you have some free time now, DD?"

His eyes squint briefly, a drop of sweat rolling down his face, isn't it silly to call his guardian? He's a busy man, yet his fingers moved on their own accord.

"Edo, I heard you're staying at school. Shouldn't you be in the pro-league?"

"I have some matters to settle here. My manager took care of my schedules, so you don't need to worry."

"You don't require formal education as a duelist, but you seem to enjoy participating in it."

"I know I need only the experience of the pro-league, but coming here also provides insight into other duelists that will go to the pro world, plus it's good for my image."

"I told you my opinion on the matter, there's no need for you to study with others below your level, but if that's something you enjoy Edo, I suppose you're young enough to squander your time like this."

"I'll be training here too, I didn't forget my duties as a professional."

"If you remember that, then there's nothing else for me to say. I trust you are responsible, Edo. Is there anything else you'd like to talk about?"

"No, I just thought of calling you for a bit and wish you a good win for your next duel."

"I never lose, there's no need for such pointless actions as wishing me a win, but I appreciate your feelings."

"Right… I'll let you be then."

"I'll call you another time, Edo. I hope you'll have a good day."

Without a second delay he ends the call. Their conversations don't go farther than this, every time. Edo would love to tell more, but DD isn't the type of person who'd be interested in his school life. Why is he even being so emotional? DD isn't his father and not a relative either, he's just a good-hearted man who took him in and taught him about dueling, but now that he's grown up, he doesn't need his support anymore. Why is he the one being so attached here? He isn't a kid anymore.

Perhaps DD sees him more as a hindrance now. Thinking back on it, he had this sensation that his guardian put up some barriers when they talk. He is an old-school person that believes seniors should be respected more, but sometimes, he wonders whether there are other reasons why DD would be like this, as if he could not be happy for Edo regardless whether the boy himself is happy or not. The only times where he saw DD smiling were the ones in which he achieved something as a duelist, minimal as it was, but now, even then…

Dismissing those thoughts, he walks off his own way inside the island, instead of brooding here, he should do something useful and this is the best time to scout around.

Inside the school's lab

Daitokuji scrambles his hand inside a locked drawer, taking an old picture out of it, a smile spreading on his face, he calls Rie closer with a sway of his hand.

"Here."

She raises a brow, taking it into her hands, a picture of three people in some sort of expedition, ruins and a rocky background completing the scenario. She can recognize two of them, one is her uncle, much younger and also her mother, but there's a man she does not recognize.

"How old is this?"

"Hm… About eighteen years ago. That's an expedition in which I got to meet your mother, we became friends there."

He starts cooking up a solution inside one of the glass vials, mixing some substances, while she takes her time.

"Really?" he affirms again, she then types the next questions. "Who is this other person and why are they in the picture with you?"

"Ah, this man. He was an important friend too. Unfortunately, during the expeditions, an incident happened."

"Did he die?"

"No, not really," his lips curve up briefly, but it vanishes in a second. "In that expedition, while we excavated, your mother was there to both register and study the origins of some stone tablets, but during the process, both me and this other man got stuck in the area of the tablets after a small earth slide that blocked the exit."

Her eyes flicker, imagining what happened there to see the people smiling in that picture becoming what they did later on, is this related to what made her uncle change to the wrong side?

"I don't know how to best explain this, but while we were there waiting for the rescue team, we thought the tablets were talking to us."

"Duel monster spirits?"

"Yes, but strong to the point they did not need to be summoned to communicate like the Psycho Shocker did. I fainted at that time, so I don't remember much, but after I woke up, the rescue team was there and my companion wasn't."

"What happened to him?"

"He collapsed, the stupor and stress were so big that he was catatonic for some days, it's what they told us, but in reality, it's possible those voices we heard weren't mere hallucinations. He was a completely different person after that."

"Did he hurt anyone?"

"No, but he tried to. One night, he went alone to summon those said monsters carved on the tablet. Mumbling that he wanted to make some sort of ritual, saying some 'light' told him to, he said the world would change if he did it."

"What was in the tablets?"

"The Mythical beast cards."

"Is this why he was acting like a lunatic? Did the cards influence him?"

"Probably. If I had to guess, the spirits contained in those tablets overpowered his mind. But that day he attempted to awaken them, I was following him, so we fought, at some point he pushed me away and by the time I woke up, I had a bump on my head and he was nowhere to be seen. Later on I found out, he tried to convince your mother to elope with him to build a new world or whatever he wished, but she refused, then he ran away on his own."

"Did he get caught later?"

Daitokuji denies with a shake of head, supporting both hands on the counter, leaning his back onto it, dismal stamped into his face until Rie formulates the next message:

"Is he my father?" she grimaces at the possibility, lunatic or not, she'd like to know who her father is.

"No, he isn't," he scoffs as if she'd made a joke, she pouts angrily at his reaction. "Your mother was very shocked, so she became a rather paranoid person due to that man never being found."

Is this one of the reasons she was moving from place to place constantly? Was she afraid that man from the past would find her? Or both of them?

"What happened to you?"

"I got sick after that."

"Since then? But you looked fine when you came over to visit us."

"Did I?"

"Does that mean ever since then, your sickness was…?"

She erases that message before showing it to him, that's not why she came here, she waited for a long time to hear everything, but even now he withholds the truth, or part of it. He won't say more.

"Thank you for telling me, but if what you said is true, why do you still side with the people that want to awake the mythical beast cards? Why are you with them? It can't be just for yourself, uncle, it doesn't make sense."

"At that time, I was naive to understand the powers those cards held. Truth to be told, I was afraid and I didn't understand what my friend meant, I thought he was crazy, but now, I've changed my mind. With the powers those cards hold, many things can change, we can rewrite everything bad that has happened, even your mother's-"

"Stop!" she slaps the counter, her eyes tearing up. "You're just using this as an excuse. Uncle, would you really go this far just to help yourself?"

"Help myself?" he snorts. "There's more to it than you think."

"Is this really worth it? Chasing the dead?"

Before she can type more, they can hear familiar voices in the corridor, startling them, the door of the lab is still half open, making it possible to see who's enthusiastically walking, stopping by the door.

"Ah, Hello," Ellis beckons from the entrance.

"Professor Daitokuji and… Rie?" Ryou steps ahead, to look into the room too, a slight crease on his forehead. "What are you doing here?"

"We were enticed by a little experiment of mine," he scratches his head, looking at the boiling substances, waddings of smoke coming out of the vials.

"You're a teacher here?" Ellis enters without making a ceremony, greeting the man with a firm handshake.

"This is professor Daitokuji, he teaches alchemy," he casts a quick glance at the girl.

"Alchemy?"

"He's also Rie's uncle."

"Oh, so you're her guardian."

"Nice to meet you," his stone is vague.

"I'm sorry for interrupting."

"Not at all, having some new faces will liven up the school."

"I hope my kids are not causing you trouble like before, they can be a handful," he jokes to lighten the mood.

"They're both good learners, Shou is doing very well lately and Marufuji-kun is an exemplary student, the best at the academy," there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone, Ryou frowned subtly at him, a dense situation storming in the room as they exchanged a glare. "You must be proud."

"I apologize for bothering you professor," the Kaiser bows slightly, tapping the shoulder of his father. "We should go."

His father beckons to the other two while being dragged out of the room. When they leave the place the door of the lab is closed from inside. Ellis raises a brow, casting a glance at his son that suddenly became grumpy.

He walks a few steps in silence, looking over his shoulder, ascertaining they can no longer see the lab before asking:

"Is it just me or I felt some hostility from that teacher towards you?"

"That might be true."

"Might? Look, I don't wanna pry into your school life too much, but did you by any chance, do anything improper to make him angry at you?"

"Like what? You heard him, I'm the top student, why would he be mad at me?"

"Oh, I can see many reasons. You know, you spend a night locked in a hut with his daughter?"

"Niece," he corrects sternly.

"Nice, daughter, it's the same if he's her guardian and sees her as his little girl."

"And we went over that whole hut story already."

"We did, but I just spent a minute with him and I can notice your feud from miles away, it pretty much looks like your teacher hates you. And while I know you can handle yourself, I don't think it's a good sign."

"That won't interfere in my grades."

"Oh, Ryou, please, that's the least of my worries here. I just want an honest answer: did you or did you not do something to that girl?"

"I'm her boyfriend, if that's enough of a reason to be hated, then, yes. I did," he declares bluntly, looking straight into his father's face.

"Wait, wait, rewind that a bit," he stutters, adjusting his glasses and halting his steps. "You're her boyfriend now?" his eyes squint under the glasses. "I mean, it was pretty obvious last time that it would end up in this," he retcons. "But if this is true, I think you should really make an effort to make your good intentions clear, because your teacher doesn't seem very pleased with your current relationship."

"I don't see how having a normal relationship is wrong, but whatever he believes."

"What about her parents? Do they know about this?"

"She doesn't have parents, her mother is dead and she doesn't have a father. Professor Daitokuji is the only relative she has."

"This is getting worse. This is a very complicated family dynamic and I don't know if this is-"

"I don't care about who he is, we're not doing anything wrong, this is all there is to say," his stark opinions elicited a small sigh on his father.

"Should we have another talk about responsibility?" he receives an opposing glare as a reply. "I trust you, Ryou, but I also know you're seventeen and things can escalate quite quickly when you're young, besides you can't just be with someone's daughter, I mean, niece and expect them to not question your intentions, if I had a daughter, I'd be the same, honor student or not, I wouldn't accept anyone who's not showing me they're reliable, even more after that whole night escapade of you both."

"I won't enter this discussion with you," he shakes off his head, a short huff coming out of his lips. "He knows well my intentions and that Rie is smart enough to choose her company, if he can't accept that, that's his problem, not ours."

"If you say so," he shrugs his shoulders, giving up in pressing more on that matter. "When exactly are you planning on telling this to your mother?"

"It's very recent and I don't want to be making any visits now, not before this year ends, you know how she'll react if she finds out I have a girlfriend before I've even finished high school."

"Yeah, I do and I'm also terrified of having to deal with that on my own, so I hope you do consider carefully how you'll best tell this."

"Let's not talk about this… Didn't you want to see Shou?"

He can't help but feel like he slipped his mouth too much with how evasive Ryou became. Still, he will find a way to clear this situation while he's still here.

At the obelisk blue dorm,

The wind blows fresh in the garden, carrying the scent of a fruity tea. Asuka and her father are the only ones there, sitting at one of the white benches. After they deposited Akira's belongings in a free room the principal arranged, they wanted a peaceful setting to enjoy a conversation.

"How are things going in school? Is the academy all you ever dreamed of?"

"It's a very good place, and I feel like there are all sorts of interesting people too, I've learned plenty."

"Interesting people?" He clears his throat uncomfortably. "I see you have new friends."

"Who isn't my new friend? I only knew Ryou beforehand because he came to our house often."

"That's true," a raspy titter comes out of his mouth. "Do you think spending your high school here will help you clear your doubts about your career? You know, you can always just go to a normal non-dueling related school-"

"Dad," she grumbles in a scolding tone.

"Just saying, the options are open."

"The academy is very good, and I do want to stay."

"Are you having any troubles? With your studies or… other matters?" he throws in a side glance as if expecting he will be forthright about it.

"No, I'm not having any troubles."

"With boys… maybe?" he continues, she can see his eyes widening as he predicts her rage descending upon him.

"Dad!"

"I'm sorry! I know girls have separate dorms, but I can't shake off this feeling boys could be all over you. You're a pretty girl and-"

"You don't need to worry. I know how to take care of myself," the sentence left a bitter taste in her mouth, after he considered all the times she's been kidnapped or in trouble.

"Your girlfriends are always with you, right? And I know Ryou is an educated boy, I trust he's also taking care of you?"

"Momoe and Junko aren't always with me, we're not glued together. And Ryou is like a second brother to me. But you can't expect my safety will be forever tied to whether or not I'm with them, dad, I-"

"Look, I will give this to you, just in case," he rummages in his pocket taking out a small pepper-spray can out of it. "For your own protection and my peace of mind."

"Dad!" she exhales heavily, swaying her head in discontentment. "I can't believe you-"

"I'm sure there are more than just a few boys swooning over you and I'd feel more relieved if you at least carried this," he crosses his arms, a tad nervous, afraid she will outright refuse his suggestion. "You can use it against anyone that attacks you, it's very safe and it's proven to have helped women."

She wanted to grit her teeth and say no, he was being as silly as Fubuki, with the difference that Fubuki was trying to hook her up with someone, then giving her advice about how to defend herself if she was ever assaulted or harassed. They're too similar for her own taste, but she can sense his genuine concern.

"Fine, I'll carry it," he yanks it closer to her side, a tiny blush on her cheeks.

"I'm relieved," his tense shoulders relax after hearing that. "I'm sorry for this, but you've just been growing so fast, you're becoming a fine lady. And I have nothing against you being in a relationship, I'm sure whoever gets your heart is a fortunate person, but I want you to make sure you can defend yourself against ill-intentioned people, alright?"

He smiles, finally tasting his warm tea from the cup, satisfied with the results of their conversation. Her father would never have brought this up before, but ever since Fubuki disappeared he got extra careful, jumpy at any little detail even, it worried her because she knows this isn't good for him.

"Thank you, dad."

He brushes his knobby thumb on her hand gently, smiling at her, he even shaved his beard to look presentable but she can see he still has the same weary bags under his eyes.

"Oh, sorry," his hand recoils. "I'm sure you're at the age you don't want to be seen with an old man like me."

"Ah, believe me, you're better in my books than many of the young boys," she takes a seat closer to him, patting his back and leaning her head onto his shoulder. "You know I love you, right?"

"I love you too," he plants a peck atop her head, rubbing her arm kindly.

There's no need to tell her father about that anonymous message, he would just panic. Through the most mundane topics, they smile during that conversation until sunset hits. Waving her hand, she says goodbyes to her father, leaving him in that dorm. Soon Ellis also comes, unaccompanied, joining the fellow parent.

Late Night

Edo's PDA buzzes in his pocket, the screen reflected in his eyes amidst the dark as he checks it, his shoes barely making a sound as he walks calmly to the entrance of the obelisk dorm, outside light flashing on his irritable expression as he passes by the windows.

Ryou leans against the wall outside, straightening up as he sees his companion, they exchange a glance, no words needed for them to agree it's time to leave. From one of the windows at the corridor in the main floor, Ellis and Akira observe the two wayward students, sighing deeply as they also look at each other, an unsavory atmosphere around them. Without a second thought, they tag along without letting themselves be noticed.

When the obelisk students arrive at the female dorm, both Asuka and Rie are out, Shou is already waiting with the girls.

"We don't have much time," the blonde girl reminds them. "Remember the plan."

They nod in unison, letting her go ahead as they planned beforehand. The strategy to set up the culprit is to let her go in advance while they will divide into groups and cover different directions while following her to check any possible suspects or traps. Edo and Shou take a side while Rie and the Kaiser go to another.

"I didn't expect you to come too, Shou," Edo starts some small talk, to distract the other from the nervousness.

"After seeing those creepy messages and all that happened, I couldn't just stay in my room…"

"You have guts, but just guts won't cut it if you don't know who we're fighting against…"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't Ryou tell you anything?"

"No, we haven't talked much ever since that episode in the abandoned dorms…"

"Well, if you want to be thrown into the tornado, ask him too. I'm sure he will have lots to say…"

His brother having lots to say? Unbelievable. He rarely ever opens his mouth, just standing with that silent, intimidating aura, he always excludes him form the important details, back then in the past too. His eyes squeeze resentfully, his fists clenching. In the meantime, Rie's device flashes in the darkness:

"Do you think it's someone from that group?"

"I don't know, but I'd believe they wouldn't be as careless as this, and if they really were making a move, they'd do it without calling too much attention," putting a hand to his chin, he jumps through his theories. "By the way, could you properly talk to your uncle? And I'm sorry if my father barged into your conversation."

"It's not a problem," she sways her head. "I did hear more from him, but I couldn't convince him yet."

They halt, everyone in their position, Asuka gulps tense before pushing the doors of the tennis court open, bursting sounds of lights turning on succeed, all the highlights on her before she even puts a feet inside the court, balloons pop above, startling her, rose petals floating in the air.

Amidst the flashy entrance, she can see the highlighted table set for two people at the middle of the court, a path of flower petals leading there. She's dazed enough as it is, scanning the vicinity in sheer puzzlement. Her boots hesitantly step ahead, she can see a silhouette, a boy, medium brown hair and long-lashed brown eyes, he's in a fancy white suit, a rose brooch clipped onto it, a smile brightens his face when he sees her.

"You came, my princess."

"Sorry, do I know you?" her brow jumps up, questioning just who in the world is this boy.

"Oh, my apologies, where are my manners? I'm Mitsuru Ayanokouji."

"Huh, I don't remember having ever met you, so why did you call me here?"

"And why are you calling me princess?" is what she'd add, but there was no need to overwhelm him with questions, first she has to probe his intentions.

"Ah, this is hard, but I must do it," he mumbles to himself, clearing his throat.

Coming close to her, he bows in reverence, lifting his sight and offering the fresh cut rose on his hand, kneeling down, his eyes glimmering infatuated as he looked deeply into hers.

"Asuka Tenjouin, will you marry me?"

"Will I… What?"

She gasps, a faint blush coloring her. Did she receive a proposal from a stranger? As her heartbeats pace faster, she can only gape awkwardly. This isn't what she expected at all.