Hello everyone! I'm here to introduce a new story! I hope everyone will enjoy this story! Without further ado, let's start!

? POV

He's so weird.

Why does he know these things?

Let's just stay away from him.

He's creeping me out.

It's always the same lies. They look like they don't care but their thoughts deceive them. I guess it's fine like this. I'm the pariah in this school anyway, it's better for no one else to associate with me. I'll just take their beatings and get over with my life.

" Man, you're a mess. Lose a fight or somethin'?"

Don't talk to me... In the end, it'll all be lies from your mouth.

" Hey, wait up!"

Why? Can't you see that I don't want to talk?

" Here, take this."

A card...?

" That's a pretty strong warrior there."

His emerald eyes came closer to mine.

" What? Cheer up! Listen... Picture it in your mind. Picture yourself big and strong, like the warrior in that card!"

" I-I can't..."

" Well, sure, at first. But if you can picture it, one day you'll get that strength!"

" Get strong?"

Strong enough to fight this curse? Such a far-fetched dream...

" Your vision can become your power!"

" ... Oh..."

He's pretty small... I wonder if he's eating well too.

Lies... I'm sure if he knows what I am, he wouldn't even want to know me anymore. I'll be alone again anyway.

On closer look, his eyes are pretty. I've never seen clear sapphires like his before.

" ... If we ever meet again, let's have a cardfight! What's your name?"

" ... Aichi Sendou..."

" I'm Toshiki Kai! I'll see you around, Aichi!"

" I... It's better if we don't..."

" Huh?"

He's still apprehensive about me?

" No... I'm just... not the person you should hang around... I'm just a misfortune..."

" Uh..."

I'll just give him back this card and get it over with...

" ... Keep that! We'll definitely meet again!"

Why won't he understand...?

" See you around!"

Vanguard... A cardfight... Maybe I can...?

But... I never saw him again for years after that.


- Normal POV-

A few years later... Aichi was listening to lessons in his class, but when asked to answer a question from Mark-sensei, he delivered a slightly unsatisfactory answer and sat back down, sighing. He took out his favorite card from his pocket and looked at it, trying to imagine the warrior on the battlefield before keeping it again. However, as soon as classes ended, Aichi was confronted by Morikawa and Izaki, two students from the same class as him. His Blaster Blade was taken from him and the two ran off towards somewhere after shoving Aichi from trying to take his card back.

I'll use this card to beat that jerk this time and be the top fighter in Card Capital!

" Card Capital..."

He stood up and tried his best to find the path to the shop as he soon found the shop's sign and entered it.

" Morikawa-kun, please return my card..." He muttered

" Aichi..."

" Just please return that card. It's very important to me." Aichi continued

Aichi... Sapphire eyes...

Aichi blinked a little as he glanced over to the brown haired boy in front of Morikawa. The boy was looking at him up and down to assess his appearance.

His clothes are dirty, did he get into some trouble again?

The boy then turned away before looking at the card on the table.

" Your card? You mean this one?" A yellow haired boy ask, pointing to the card

" Yes, that's the card..."

I never got to fulfill my promise to him since I had to move out. I can do it now.

" Please return it to me." Aichi said

" No, this card is mine now." The brown haired boy huffed

" ... What do you need me to do to have you return it?" Aichi ask

" To we Vanguard fighters, nothing is more sacred than the results of the fight. This guy challenged me by betting this card, and lost. A card that's lost in a Vanguard fight can only be taken back by a Vanguard fight." The brown haired boy explained

" I'll fight you then."

Morikawa tried to stop Aichi from trying but he quickly took his seat opposite the boy and got out his deck.

" I haven't played it before, but I've already built a deck." Aichi said

" Alright, I'm game." The brown haired boy said and sat down, " Since you're a beginner, I'll explain the rules as we play."

" Sure."

" And before we begin, your deck won't be complete without this Blaster Blade, yes?"

" Yeah."

" Fine, you can borrow it. That should be a decent handicap for me." The boy said

Aichi got the card back and added it back to his deck.

" You're not just explaining the rules, but lending a card to your opponent? It's rare to see you act nice." His yellow haired friend sneered

" That's not the case." The boy said, slamming his deck down, " I'll only explain the rules once. Listen carefully. We're beginning."

He set down his field and drew his hand cards according to the boy's instructions and pictured himself on Planet Cray, a planet much like Earth, in an astral body and they began the fight.

He still doesn't want to lift up his head? He hasn't changed much. I wonder if he remembers me...

" ... I remember you. You were the one who told me that I could become stronger if I could imagine it. Isn't that right, Kai-kun?" Aichi ask, drawing a card

" ... How do you know Kai's name?" His friend ask

" Like I thought. You're Aichi Sendou." Kai smirked

I still haven't apologized for not seeing him again. Is he upset about back then?

" Not really, I just want to prove to you that I did get stronger since back then. With the power you had given to me." Aichi said as he slammed the card on top of Gallatin, " Stand up, my avatar. Ride! Blaster Blade!"

" ... You were all beat up back then." Kai said

" Yes, I was. I sometimes get beaten so much that I couldn't even go to school. You did give me some strength, but you moved out afterwards. I wasn't able to fight you." Aichi said

" Yeah."

He must be upset...

" I'm not upset. I'll just continue my turn then." Aichi said

" ... I didn't say you were upset." Kai said

" I know."

" Ugh, it's that word from Creepy Kid..." Morikawa grunted

" Huh?"

" Morikawa! ... Sorry. I guess since you guys are in the high school division, you guys wouldn't know this. When Aichi first entered our middle school, it's as if he could read our minds without us talking. Thus the nickname... Everyone just found it creepy." Izaki explained

Ain't that cool though?

" Ain't that cool though?" Kai's friend ask

" You just said the same thing on your mind." Aichi said, placing Gallatin on the rear guard circle

" Eh? Ha ha..."

" Like that." Morikawa said

" But ain't it?" Kai's friend ask

" I guess, but different people have different thoughts." Izaki said

" ... I'll continue my turn." Aichi said

" Yeah..."

The two continued the fight until Aichi finally became a victor with a lucky trigger and he sighed a little in relief.

" Thank you for the fight." Aichi said

He hastily packed his deck and kept it in his bag.

Will you be back again tomorrow?

Aichi flinched a little and finally glanced up at Kai's eyes before looking back down again. He then bowed again before leaving.

" Odd kid..."

" Hmph."

" But what's your opinion about the mind reading thing?" His friend ask

" If what those guys said is true, he might need help." Kai whispered

" He doesn't look like he wants one. Think we'll meet him again?" His friend ask

" Depends."


Meanwhile, Aichi had arrived home and took off his shoes.

" I'm home."

" Welcome home, Aichi!" His mother greeted, peeking out from the kitchen

" I'll be taking a shower." Aichi said

" Will you not eat with us today, either?" His mother ask

" No. I don't want the dinner table to be somber with me around." Aichi replied

" Aichi..."

" Thank you as always, Mother." Aichi said

" Okay. If you feel uncomfortable, just call me." His mother said

" ... Yeah."

Aichi went up to his room to grab his clothes and take a shower. Once he was in his room, he found dinner wrapped on his table and ate it silently. He then brought the plate down to the kitchen to wash it before returning to his room.

It's Creepy Kid...

Let's not go near him.

Why does he know these things?

Aichi pulled his knees closer to his chest and covered his ears, trying to block out the voices in his head.

He'll never have friends.

Yeah, he's creepy after all.

Anyone who tries to talk to him will just be creeped out at the end anyways.

His body shook as his eyes were squeezed shut. After a few more minutes of the voices tormenting him, the voices finally faded away and Aichi relaxed.

Will you be here again tomorrow?

Aichi thought back to the last thought in Kai's mind and sighed.

" It's gonna be a lie, in the end... I'll just go tomorrow and if he doesn't arrive, I'm just going to let it go."

With that thought, he covered himself under his blanket and slept.


The next day, Aichi had finished studying in his classes and encountered Morikawa and Izaki on the way out of school.

" You..."

" Going to the shop again?" Aichi ask

" Ha! Of course not! Kai's no big deal, losing to a small fry like you." Morikawa said

Aichi just managed a small smile and left the premises. A few minutes of walking later, Aichi looked up at the sign of the shop before entering it. He then sat down at the same table where he had his fight with Kai.

" No one..." Aichi muttered

" It's still early." The store clerk said

Aichi glanced up every few moments to look at the door before looking back down on the table.

" Waiting for someone?" The clerk ask

" Yes. I'm not sure he's coming though. He might not come back." Aichi replied

He's really thinking that? As if he's weirder than I am.

The cat at the counter meowed as the clerk turned to the entrance before turning back to Aichi.

" Oh, I doubt that."

Aichi lifted up his head from the table and saw Kai with his friend coming into the shop.

" ... Kai-kun."

" Hey, Aichi. So you came." Kai said

" Hey, guy from yesterday!" His friend greeted from behind

" Well..."

" Say no more! I'll play you today!" His friend offered

The doors slid open again to reveal Morikawa and Izaki.

" No, I think I'll be the one playing him today!" Morikawa declared

" Me too!"

The two stopped after that when they saw Kai and screamed in surprise.

" What?"

" You two..." Aichi muttered

Kai's friend started laughing out loud as he held his stomach.

" That was rich!" He laughed

" Why are you here?" Morikawa ask

" That was a shock!" Izaki exclaimed

" What are you guys so shocked about?" Kai ask

" Did you seriously think we wouldn't show after that?" His friend ask

They sat down at the table as Aichi stiffened a little at the company around him.

" So, Aichi... Why don't we have a match?" Kai's friend ask

" Uh, sure..."

" My name's Taishi Miwa, by the way! Again, nice to meet you!" Miwa said

" Yeah..."

He looks uncomfortable... Is he not used to be around people?

Aichi glanced up at Miwa as he heard that before looking down at the table again. The doors slid open again as children started running in to grab seats to have a few rounds of cardfights with their friends.

" I'll end my attack there and end my turn. Your turn." Miwa declared

" Y... Yeah..."

Aichi continued his turn as Kai managed to catch his hands shaking a little while he had went through with his turn, managing to barely beat Miwa with a miracle trigger.

" Ah, I lost this time!" Miwa exclaimed

" Me, play me next!" Morikawa exclaimed

" Then me!"

That's - creepy!

- Lame!

- Not gonna - like -

Lying -

Aichi quickly packed all of his belongings as the voices in his head started to overwhelm him.

" S... Sorry... I... have to go...!" Aichi said

He stumbled away from the table and barely managed to keep himself standing, quickly leaving the shop before anyone could question him.

" Kai, just now..." Miwa said

Kai silently stood up as Miwa hastily packed his bag and waved to the others while Kai had left. Miwa had caught up with Kai as both started looking for Aichi.


Meanwhile, Aichi was now cowering in some place as he had his hands over his ears again, trying to block out the voices.

Cursed child!

Stay away from me!

You're not fit to be part of us!

Go away!

All he could see and feel around him was ever growing darkness as he struggled to regain his composure.

" I'm... not..."

You're a creep!

Disgusting!

Don't come near us!

He removed his hands and gripped the front of his shirt to try to now calm his heartbeat as the voices continued to torment him. Suddenly, warmth enveloped his ears as he slowly opened his eyes. The darkness around him soon disappeared as he saw two pairs of shoes in front of him.

" Shoes...?"

He then slowly looked up to see Kai and Miwa hovering over him and Kai's hands on his ears.

" You okay?" Miwa ask

" I..."

" Come on, let's take a seat." Kai said

He removed his hands and walked with Aichi to the park bench while Miwa went to grab some drinks.

" Here you go." Miwa said, handing a bottle

" Thank you..."

Miwa handed another bottle to Kai as they drank in silence for awhile before Kai broke it.

" How long?" Kai ask

" ... For a long time... Since I was young..." Aichi replied

" Even during that time?" Kai ask

" Yes..."

" Then the mind reading thing was true?" Miwa ask

" I can read people's minds ever since I was born... I just knew about it when I was 4 years old... My other relatives stayed away from me because of it..." Aichi said

" Oh..."

" I only have my Mother and Emi left... But because of me, Father left us... That's why I'm a misfortune..." Aichi continued

" That's..."

" Mother never blamed me for it, but I don't believe it... She's just good at hiding it... I can't even read her mind since she doesn't think much..." Aichi said

" I... don't think so." Miwa said

" Nobody knows that... Adults only can lie..." Aichi muttered

" That's not true!" Miwa said

" ... I start having breakdowns like that whenever I'm near many people... Too many voices just flood into my head... Then the voices of those lying adults will take over... All I know is their disgust and hatred of me..." Aichi said

" Aichi..."

" What about now?" Kai ask

" I'm alright for now... I'll just go home after this..." Aichi replied

Kai and Miwa then looked at each other and nodded.

" To tell you the truth, we've been worried about you since yesterday. Seems like when you start hearing those things, we can see a really bad aura around you." Miwa explained

" ... If you can see it means... You're from Shaman bloodlines?" Aichi ask

" Yeah. Can't lie to you about that." Miwa replied

" Then you should know better than to be around me... I'm dangerous to be around..." Aichi said

" That's not true!"

" So far I've been in control, but what if I go berserk one day? Even if you guys are Shamans, you won't be able to handle what comes next..." Aichi said

" You're our friend, Aichi." Miwa said

" I can't have friends... I'll just put them in danger, so please just stay away from me..." Aichi said

" No way. Not when you're suffering like this." Miwa said

" Aichi. There must be a way." Kai said

" No, there isn't... I'm a cursed child and always will be until the day I die..." Aichi said

" You're not!"

Kai sighed inwardly and grabbed Aichi's wrist, dragging him up to his feet and pulling him out of the park.

" Hey...!"

" From what you're saying, you mostly hear things that sound negative to you. If you really, really listen carefully, I'm sure you can hear properly what others are thinking." Kai said

" Where are you taking me...?!" Aichi ask

Kai kept silent as Miwa trailed behind them. The voices in Aichi's head started again when they walked nearer to the entrance of Card Capital as he winced.

" Listen carefully. Don't avoid them." Kai said

- Terrible

-Weak

-- Creepy -

Aichi tried to squirm out of Kai's grip as the voices continued.

-sten! Listen carefully to them!

Aichi finally peeked his eyes open as the voices started to turn clearer.

What a terrible hand I have!

This grade 1 is weak compared to these grade 3s.

This card has a creepy artwork...

" Well?" Kai ask

" ... It was... just about Vanguard..." Aichi muttered

" It seems you were just blocking out the words to hear the negative ones." Miwa said

" Is that... so...?"

He let out a heavy sigh as they found a nearby bench to sit on while Aichi silently thought about what happened.

" You okay?" Miwa ask

" Yeah... Tha... Thank you..." Aichi replied

" Couldn't see you continue that way, buddy. From history books and stuff, we know how bad it can get if we agreed to leaving you alone. So... will you still be coming to the shop?" Miwa ask

" ... Are you sure?" Aichi ask

" What? You think you won't be able to control it?" Kai ask

" I... don't know..."

Kai sighed and turned away to prepare to leave.

" Do whatever you see fit then." Kai said

He then took his leave as Miwa hastily followed after him while saying his goodbyes to Aichi. Aichi looked at his lap and pondered Kai's words before standing up to leave.


Once he arrived home, Aichi took off his shoes as usual and set it aside while his mother peeked out of the kitchen to greet him.

" Welcome back, Aichi."

" I'm back..."

She returned to the kitchen to prepare some other things before coming out to see Aichi going up the stairs.

" I'm going to take a shower." Aichi said

" Okay..."

As he was about to continue up the stairs, he paused and gave her a short side eye glance.

" I'll... eat at the table today."

As soon as he said that, Aichi ran up the stairs before he could see his mother's expression or reaction. His mother was wide eyed at what he had said before smiling widely and went to prepare the table. The three of them sat down at the table a few minutes later as they began eating.

" ... Did something happen?" His mother ask

" No..."

" Is that so? You rarely wanted to sit here after... Never mind. I'm just happy." His mother said

I really am... Thank you, Aichi.

Aichi glanced up to see her eyes glistening as he continued eating his dinner while his little sister watched him as well.

" I see..." Aichi muttered before thinking a little more about what he wanted to say, " I met... some Shamans..."

" Huh?"

" They... helped me... with my problem. Even when I told them to stay away..." Aichi continued

" Are they... your friends?" His mother ask

Aichi flinched a little as he thought back to the two boys and lightly touched his ear, where he had felt Kai's warmth.

" ... Maybe..."

" I see. Bring them here whenever you like." His mother said

" I'll... see about that..." Aichi said

His mother nodded and they continued eating their dinner. Aichi helped his mother clean up the dining table and went up to his room.

" Mother..."

" What is it, Emi?" She ask

" Aichi seems like he might be changing." Emi said

" ... Not changing. It's more like... he's starting to revert back to how he used to be." His mother said

" It's the first time he spoke so much to us." Emi said

" Yeah. You should head off to bed too. You have school tomorrow. Don't forget to brush your teeth." His mother said

" Okay!"

Emi made her way up the stairs as his mother remained downstairs to clean up a little more before hearing a knock on the door.

" Coming!"

She slowly opened the door and blinked before quickly recognizing the figure at the door. She then looked up the stairs to check if anyone was coming down before stepping out to close the door behind her.

" Relax. I hid my presence, he won't be able to read our minds since I used my power for now." The boy in kimono said

" What are you here for again?" His mother ask

" Don't be so cold. Aren't you happy today?" The boy ask

" I was. Why are you here?"

" ... I sensed a change in your son's heart and I came to take a look." The boy explained

" At least with this, his power will fade."

" No. I've checked. He'll have this power for the rest of his life. Unlike me and another woman, our power to read minds disappeared when we were surrounded by kindness. His... Well, it would just be suppressed enough to the point where he can use it for himself. He has strong furyoku." The boy said

" You're saying he should become a Shaman too? It's pointless when there's no conflict in this era."

" Maybe, for now. If he continues down the path he's taking now, he might need that power. I suggest you start letting him learn." The boy said

" Huh?"

" I'll gift him some Guardian Spirits for when that time arrives. You have one too, don't you?" The boy ask

" But I can't use it. I never needed to."

" If you need to one day, use it to your heart's content. For now... I've gotten these spirits to match him. They're old friends, so pass these onto him when you think the time is right." The boy said

" Aren't they dangerous?"

" Don't worry. They've acknowledged him as a master but he'll have to prove to them that he's worthy to wield them. That'll depend on what you want to tell him, Shizuka Sendou." The boy said

" I appreciate that you remembered the name I chose to keep." Shizuka said

" I know. I'm leaving now. It's getting late."

The boy then disappeared as Shizuka sighed and entered the house again to turn off the lights and head to sleep for the night.


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