Hello everyone! This is the start of a new chapter! Chapter 16! I hope everyone will enjoy this chapter! Without further ado, let's start!

Normal POV

The day after their visit to Fukuhara High, Aichi and Naoki had been called to the Student Council room.

" I wonder what they're callin' us for..." Naoki muttered, his arms on the back of his head

" It's probably because of the upcoming school festival. I heard every club has to participate, but I wasn't expecting us as a new club to be able to do it. I guess I thought wrong." Aichi said

" Oh..."

" ... If you're still uncomfortable about the mind reading thing, you don't have to worry too much... I have more control over it now, so I won't be able to hear your thoughts if I keep it under control." Aichi assured

" Uh, sorry..."

" It's okay. It's natural to be scared of it. Even I'm scared of it too..." Aichi said, his last sentence less audible

" Huh? Why?" Naoki ask

" Because I know that it scares the people around me. That's why I don't have a father..." Aichi replied, adding in his thoughts, " And the fact that I might endanger everyone if I give in to the negative energy produced by those thoughts..."

" ... Well, you have us now, Aichi! We're all here for 'ya!" Naoki said, putting a thumb up

" Thank you, Naoki-kun."

Naoki grinned and Aichi noticed that they had arrived in front of the Student Council room, entering it and bring greeted by Naitou and Suwabe. The two then explained to them about why they had been called.

" So our club can participate in the school festival too?" Aichi repeated

" All the clubs in this school are required to take part in the festival." Naitou explained

" I see. That's a relief. The club was brand new, so I thought..." Aichi sighed

" I'm looking forward to it." Naitou said

" How about we open a Cardfight dojo?" Naoki suggested

" We could also have card exhibits." Aichi added

" Oh, that's right. I forgot to mention..." Naitou said, gaining their attention, " Suwabe..."

" Right. You didn't submit an entry beforehand, so right now, the only opening is the stage." Suwabe said

" I'm really looking forward to it. I wonder what kind of performance you'll put on." Naitou said

" P... Performance...?!" Aichi exclaimed

Naoki then looked over to his nervous and darkened expression as they both exited the room and back to the club to inform their club mates about the news.

" He's telling us to put on a play?!" Kourin exclaimed

" Yeah, since the stage in the gym is the only place we can use..." Aichi replied as his brows furrowed, " And a likely sabotage to only give us that spot..."

" He knows how ridiculous that is." Misaki said

" I say we do it! Right, Aichi? Let's show 'em the strong will of the Cardfight Club!" Naoki said

" I hate to say this when you're so fired up, but preparing a play is no simple thing. First we'd need a script and staging, then we'd had to prepare costumes and a set. How do we do that with just five people?" Kourin shrugged

" Five people... Well, for costumes, I can ask Emi and my Mother for help as long as we know what we need. For the set, well..." Aichi trailed off as his eyes wandered elsewhere, " Grandfather will definitely hear about this somehow and try to butt in..."

" Aichi?"

" Uh... Maybe we can do it together. Oh, right. Where did Shingo-kun go?" Aichi ask, changing the subject hastily

As soon as he said that, Shingo burst through the door and poured out a box full of scripts on the desk.

" What the heck is all this?!" Naoki exclaimed

" Scripts?!" Kourin exclaimed as she opened one

" Scripts that I've written over the past few years that are set in the world of Vanguard!" Shingo explained

" Wow... Can we use these?" Aichi ask

" My debut as a scriptwriter has come sooner than I expected." Shingo said

" Alright! Looks like we can actually do this thing!" Naoki said

" Yeah. Well, everyone, let's all do our best to make the festival a success." Aichi said

" Yeah!"

At that time, the door slid open as Kai entered the room.

" I'll be sitting in." Kai said

" Kai-kun?!"

" I guess your sister overheard about your festival activity. She was so excited that she told me on the way out." Kai said

" O-Oh..."

Kai sat down at a table behind Aichi as they gathered around the teacher's desk to listen to a script they picked out.

" Long, long ago, there lived a Little Sage, Marron. One day, when Marron went out to get some bamboo, he found the beautiful CEO Amaterasu inside some shining bamboo... It turns out that King of Knights, Alfred, is in love with the beautifully-raised Amaterasu, but her shy young maiden's heart always gets in her way, so she can never express her true feelings. Then tragedy suddenly struck this sweet and sour couple! Amaterasu is kidnapped by Vowing Sword Dragon! The poor thing is shut up inside a dark cave! Alfred goes out to save her, fights bravely, and wins! 'Are you okay, Amaterasu?', 'I had faith you would come!', 'I would go anywhere for you.' And so, they lived happily ever after. The End!" Shingo narrated

... It's finally over... That was kind of unbearable...

Aichi held in a small giggle after hearing Kai's thoughts.

" What do you think of this high fantasy amalgamation between Vanguard and a fairy tale?!" Shingo ask as the other three fell into silence

" That was interesting as heck! That Vowing Sword Dragon was especially awesome!" Naoki exclaimed

" Eh, I don't know..." Misaki murmured

" We don't have much of a choice. We have no time to be picky." Kourin whispered

" Well..."

" In that case, I'm going to announce the casting!" Shingo said

" Why do you get to decide?!" Naoki exclaimed

" It's my script, and I'm going to direct it. You don't speak back to the man at the helm." Shingo said as Naoki reluctantly settled back on his seat, " First, Little Sage, Marron will be played by Aichi Sendou-kun."

" Okay."

" It's a small role... That's good. What a relief..." Aichi thought

" Vowing Sword Dragon will be played by Naoki Ishida." Shingo continued

" Yeah! Good call!" Naoki exclaimed

" The heroine, CEO Amaterasu will be Misaki Tokura-san. And the hero, King of Knights, Alfred... will be played by Kourin Tatsunagi!" Shingo announced

" ... Me?" Kourin muttered

" In my scripts, Kourin-san of the popular group Ultra Rare is the heroic character. This will cause a stir and be a colossal success, no two ways about it! We can even set our sights on Broadway! Yeah, that's what I said!" Shingo declared

" Whatever..." Kai sighed under his breath

" Practice will start from tomorrow, so make sure to have a good read of the script and your characters!" Shingo said

Once they split up to walk their own ways home, Kai finally circled his arm around Aichi's waist.

" Man, that was annoying. You okay?" Kai ask

" About?"

" Everything. I know how much you dislike playing to an audience, especially with your little problem." Kai said

" I have control over it, so it isn't as bad as it was before. But I do still get worried over it sometimes." Aichi said

" I'll be helping and watching over you then. Maybe we can start with making your outfit, Marron?" Kai smirked

Aichi blushed a little as they arrived at his home and entered it, being greeted by Shizuka and Emi immediately. Once dinner ended and the two were all freshened up, Emi and Shizuka immediately got to work on the costumes.

" I can help." Kai said

" It's alright, Kai-kun! This is the first time Aichi will be in a play! I can't wait! I want to make sure that this costume for him is perfect! Now you two can just head up to his room, we can handle things here ourselves." Shizuka said, shooing them off

" O... Okay..."

They headed up to Aichi's room afterwards as Kai took out the script from Aichi's bag.

" We still have some time, so let's practice." Kai said

" Don't you have to head home soon? It's getting late." Aichi said

" It's fine. I've been home late before, it'll be no different. Even if I do try to head home late, Shizuka-san might not let me and I'll have to stay here tonight anyway." Kai said

" Uh... That's true..." Aichi said

" So..."

Kai reached the script out to Aichi as he took it and nodded, practicing his lines together with Kai.


The next few days proved a little tough for them as Kourin had been unable to show up for practice due to her idol activities. Thus, Aichi had to also now recite the lines for Alfred to temporarily take over her place for everyone else to recite the lines for their own roles. Two days before the festival, they started setting up the props for the performance as practice while Shingo directed when and where each props should be placed.

" That guy's not coming over today?" Naoki ask

" Yeah, he said he had some school related activity to finish up. He'll come over by the evening." Aichi replied

" I see. Oh yeah, is there anyone in your family coming over on the day of the festival?" Naoki ask

" Only my Mother and Emi, I think..." Aichi said

" You think?"

" Don't tell me you never told that person, Aichi?" Misaki ask

" Never. He'll just be loud and distracting. What makes it worse is that he brings so many people with him. I'll never tell him about these type of things." Aichi said

" Who?" Naoki whispered

" His grandfather. They had cut contact years ago but just two years ago, his grandfather got back into contact with his family again and is trying to rebuild a bond with Aichi." Misaki whispered

" Huh..."

" But as you can tell, it's not going well, on his grandfather's side at least..." Misaki whispered

" I see..."

" Hey, Porcupine Head! Stop distracting everyone else and get to work!" Shingo ordered

" What did 'ya call me?!" Naoki yelled back

Aichi and Misaki simply sighed at the two's usual argument and continued their work. Once it ended, they prepared for their full rehearsal the next day. However...

" ... Kourin ain't here..." Naoki mumbled

" Good grief! She doesn't even bother coming to the full rehearsal?! Does she really have any interest in doing this?!" Shingo exclaimed

" That's a little harsh, even from you, Shingo-kun. Be patient." Aichi chided

" Y... Yes..."

Aichi checked the time in the hall, it indicated 3:30pm, 30 minutes after the timing of the full rehearsal.

I did tell her about the time... It's unusual for her to not show up.

He simply nodded a little at Misaki's thought and looked at the entrance.

" It can't be... Is this their doing again...? I don't have any evidence to prove it though..." Aichi thought

Finally, they left the hall after waiting until 4.45pm. Aichi met up with Kai at the entrance and said his goodbyes to his club mates before walking beside Kai.

" What happened?" Kai ask

" It's just... very strange. Misaki-san told Kourin-san about the timing of our full rehearsal and yet, she never showed up. It's too unusual of her." Aichi replied

" I can't imagine an idol being late for a schedule. You're right, it's too unusual." Kai said

" But I have no evidence that we've been sabotaged..." Aichi said

" ... Sabotage...? What if..." Kai muttered

" Kai-kun?"

" What if she was told by someone else about the wrong timing? Someone that she can trust other than Tokura?" Kai ask

" I have my suspicions on the Student Council, but I just can't prove it." Aichi replied

" Right... But what if that wrong timing is a timing where you guys would be gone? Doesn't that mean that there's a chance that Tatsunagi will arrive soon?" Kai ask

" ... You're right... Let's hurry back." Aichi said

Kai nodded as they hurried back to Miyaji High and spotted Kourin about to run into the gates.

" Kourin-san!"

At his call, Kourin stopped in her tracks and turned in surprise towards them.

" Aichi?! I thought we were meeting for the full rehearsal?!" Kourin exclaimed

" We were, but everyone's left." Aichi said

" Huh?"

" The full rehearsal was at 3pm. Misaki-san said that she was sure she told you that. Knowing you, you would never miss it." Aichi said

" Huh? 3pm? B-But yesterday Akari said..." Kourin gasped

" Akari? You mean Misaki-san's friend from the same class?" Aichi ask

" Y-Yeah... When I rushed out yesterday to get to my idol activities, she ran after me to tell me that the full rehearsal was pushed back from 3pm to 5pm... At least, that was what the Student Council Vice President told her..." Kourin said

" ... As we suspected." Aichi said as Kai nodded

" What?"

" We've been sabotaged again, by the Student Council. I knew that was something wrong when we could only get the hall for performance. They are purposely trying to ruin our club again." Aichi said

" Sabotaged...? T-Then what about the others? And tomorrow?" Kourin ask

" ... I'm worried about another likely sabotage. I'll send Zenki over to you to send a message if there are any. Hopefully, that can save our performance and the club's reputation." Aichi said

" Okay!"


The next morning, Kai followed Aichi into the school and entered their clubroom to wait for the others.

" You can go ahead to enjoy the festival first, Kai-kun. I'll be fine alone here." Aichi assured

" No, it's okay. I want to stay here. Unless that Miwa decides to drag me away, I won't leave." Kai said

" But it's a festival for the public. You should enjoy it." Aichi said

" How can I when you can't enjoy it either, love? You're going to get stressed out, worrying about the Student Council pulling another sabotage on this club, that you and your teammates worked so hard on to establish." Kai said

" I know, but I believe in Kourin-san. She'll definitely show up for us and the club." Aichi said

" Alright then. I'll wait with you." Kai said

" Thank you."

The rest of the club members arrived along with Emi and Mai as they all waited for Kourin together. A few hours later, Shingo checked the time on his pocket watch.

" It's last noon already..." Shingo said

" Come to think of it, Rekka-chan said she'd be on a shoot today until lunch..." Mai said

" That's right! I'm sure Kourin-san must be there too..." Emi said

" Give me a break. I guess she doesn't know how to manage her schedule. I can't deal with these last minute schedule changes." Shingo said as he finally pulled out the Alfred costume, " Okay, Sendou-kun, take this! Please ride King of Knights, Alfred!"

" ... Huh?"

" We discussed this yesterday! You've been taking over the lines of Alfred for Kourin until now! If you take over her role, we can save the play!" Naoki said

" No. I can't believe you guys can even think of that. No matter what, Kourin-san is still a member of the club. She'll never leave us on a lurch. Have more faith in your club mate." Aichi chided

" I told you guys he'll refuse. I believe in Kourin too, so I also reject this idea." Misaki said

" Besides, the play is at 2:00pm. She can surely show up by then." Aichi said

As soon as he said that, the door slid open to reveal Suwabe, much to their disappointment.

" Vice President."

" What's this? Were you expecting someone else? I have an emergency message. There was a mistake in the program. I'm terribly sorry, but the Cardfight Club's play will start at 1:00pm." Suwabe said

" What?!"

" At 1:00pm?!" Misaki exclaimed

" How can you just change it?!" Shingo exclaimed

" Well, you people study at Miyaji Academy, which churns out the human resources needed to deal with a global society. So I have faith that you'll be able to handle this level of trouble by adapting to the circumstances." Suwabe said as he backed away from the door, noticing Kai's glare before slamming the door shut

" What should we do?! What should we do?! Things just went from bad to worse! It doubles our troubles!" Shingo panicked out

" Damn that guy..." Kai growled under hus breath

" No use fretting about it now." Aichi said as he got up from his seat, " Well? Stop panicking or staring into space, let's get ready."

" R-Right!"

They moved everything into the backstage of the hall as they were put into costume while also working on the props behind the curtain.

" So you've already sent Zenki to find Tatsunagi?" Kai whispered

" Yeah. He can find people easily so it wouldn't take long. She'll get the message and be here for sure." Aichi whispered

" ... I'll cheer for you." Kai whispered

" Thank you."

Finally, everything was set as Shingo heaved a sigh before going up on the podium to narrate the story while the curtains were drawn.

" Long, long ago, there lived a Little Sage Marron." Shingo narrated as Aichi came out on stage

" Oh? What's that glowing bamboo?" Aichi wondered as he started to swing his fake axe on the bamboo

" When Marron splits the glowing bamboo, the beautiful CEO Amaterasu, was born of all things! Amaterasu is raised beautifully... but one day, tragedy strikes!" Shingo continued

Naoki burst through the fake door as he grabbed Misaki according to the script as she was then placed into a prop rock.

" Amaterasu is shut inside the Celestial Rock Cave! Will the hero that appears to save her... actually appear to save her?!" Shingo finished up his narration

The lights dimmed down and behind the props, Naoki continued to convince Aichi.

" Suck it up, Aichi! Come on, put this on and fight me!" Naoki whispered

" I've already told you, I won't do it. This is Kourin-san's role and I don't want to take it from her." Aichi whispered

" But the story can't finish 'til Alfred appears and beats me! Come on! It doesn't look like Kourin's gonna be here, so forget about her!" Naoki whispered

" I really don't want to..." Aichi muttered

Suddenly, laughter rang out on the stage, surprising Naoki as his heavy costume hit the support beam of the stage, causing it to collapse on them.

" What?!"

" Aichi!"

Aichi and Naoki managed to get out of the rubble safely with the help of Goki. Before anyone could regain their senses from what happened, the same laughter startled them as a masked man in kimono jumped out at them.

" How is that?! How does it feel to be influenced under my spell, Vowing Sword Dragon?! I am the greatest dragon tamer of all and it's thanks to you that we have finally managed to capture Amaterasu for our master!" The man laughed

Anyone who recognized his voice could tell who it was as they all made the same exasperated facial expressions.

" Grand... father..." Aichi muttered

" Huh?! Grand- Huh?!" Naoki exclaimed

" How did he even..." Kai exclaimed

" I was damn sure I kept him from knowing..." Shizuka muttered

" This old man... Anything goes if it's for his grandson..." Miwa sighed

" Now, bow and quiver before my power! Nothing other than Alfred's sword can best me!" Keijin declared

" Ah..."

" Huh? What's with that attitude?! I was the one who sent Vowing Sword Dragon after Amaterasu! Why isn't anyone fighting me?! Are you afraid?!" Keijin ask

" We don't have to anymore..." Naoki said

As he pointed behind Keijin, the sword prop was used to pull Keijin back behind the curtains as Kourin stepped out from it in her Alfred costume.

" Are you okay, Amaterasu?" Kourin ask

" ... Thank you for your patience! The hero, King of Knights, Alfred, is here!" Shingo announced as the crowd broke into a cheer

" I had faith you would come!" Misaki said

" Thank goodness..." Aichi sighed as Zenki flew down to him in spirit ball form, " Thank you too, Zenki."

" Uh, Aichi... This is wrecked though..." Naoki said as he brandished the broken costume head

" Oh..."

" We've reached the climax at last! Alfred's battle is going to begin!" Shingo declared

" The dragon you're supposed to fight can't come out anymore. What should we do?" Misaki ask

" No problem. The true enemy that I'm going to fight..." Kourin declared as she pointed her sword towards the entrance, " ... is over there!"

The lights shone towards it as Daigo stood there with his assistant.

" Huh?!"

" Daigo-san?!"

As the table and boards were set for the fight between Kourin and Daigo, Aichi slipped behind the curtains to find Keijin and Kai together.

" What were you doing out there, Grandfather?! I was sure I never told you about the festival!" Aichi exclaimed

" How mean! I must be here, no matter what! The play wouldn't have been saved without me! Besides, I have a complete itinerary of your school's activities for the whole year! So I know what you'll be doing!" Keijin said

" Wha?!"

" Couldn't you have done that a little less... overblown...? I think everyone had a shock there." Kai said

" You shouldn't be the one to say that, you dragged me back here with that sword!" Keijin exclaimed

" I had to. Tatsunagi had to take the stage somehow." Kai said

" Come on!"

Aichi sighed before averting his eyes away.

" But it distracted everyone from the fact that the props collapsed, so I guess... thanks. However, this better not happen again." Aichi said

" Oh, Aichi!"

Kai simply nudged Aichi back to the stage to continue watching Kourin's match against Daigo. Although it unfortunately ended in Kourin's lost, the club had successfully ended their play on a happy note.


And that's the end of this chapter! Thank you for reading! I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'll see everyone in the next chapter!