A/N: This is sooo delayed, I'm sorry. I had lots of classwork to do last week, read updated fanfics, Xyz event in MD, and this, I had barely any time in writing. But anyway, here it is! And from this chap onwards, I'll be using songs a bit more (not in every chapter, tho).
Thanks for the suggestions of alternatives for Aria. Yeah, Score's basically her Kuriboh, and i didn't notice the similarities of effects Solo had with the other mentioned duel monsters. RN, I'm still gonna think of which to use.
Disclaimer: YGO Arc-V ain't mine! (nor is Misty -_-) I literally own nothing but the plot and fictional places in here.
(Btw: Int. - Interior (as in inside) Ext. - Exterior (outside) I'll be using these more, so pay attention.)
"All my life
I thought it'd be hard to find
The one 'til I found you
And I find it bittersweet
'Cause you gave me something to lose
[...]"
-Love Someone by Lukas Graham
Sunday
As soon as lunch was over, Yuri left to visit Serena.
The other day, as soon as he got home, Yuto noticed that he didn't have his case, which was part of the plan. He'd use it as an excuse to leave so he could visit Serena again.
"Hey, Den-den. Morning." Yuri said, entering the shop. Dennis had just opened.
"Y-Yuri!? It's so early…" Dennis mentioned, glancing at the clock nervously. "Oh, and morning to you, too."
That nervousness wasn't left unnoticed. "Why're ya nervous?" He bluntly asked.
"Uhh…" Yuri ignored him and just walked to the room.
He entered. "Hey, Serena, you here? I got you some…" he looked around, then saw nothing but her bed.
Bed. Wait, where is she!? That…!
Yuri ran back to Dennis and creepily smiled at him innocently. "Where is she, Dennis?"
"...Y'know, I—"
"Answer me."
"Gee, gee. I don't know where she is, okay!? I think she went somewhere. I gave her the hot compress two hours ago, then when I went back to check on her, she was gone!" Dennis honestly answered.
'That whore….! Where'd she go this time!?'
"...it's kinda my fault she left…" Dennis continued. He wasn't looking Yuri in the eyes anymore. He's definitely hiding something.
"I… uhh… didn't lock her windows last night…" He trailed off. "...or earlier."
Yuri sighed. "I specifically told you to lock, to secure all your doors and windows, yet you didn't." Yuri said in a bored but somewhat intimidating voice.
"I didn't expect you to actually be right about that! I never even thought of her escaping!"
Wondering what the heck was going on, Misty annoyingly meowed at them, telling them to shut up because she was having a cat nap.
Yuri noticed her. "You…"
He then remembered what happened the other day, with that… What was that? A Blue-colored cat? Yeah, that furry or whatever you call those weird humanoid-animal things.
Back to the point, she said he could trust (use) Misty.
Nah… that's too weird. It'll never work.
He pondered about it for a moment.
…
…
…
…
…
Ugh, whatever. It's not like he had any other choice. What else could he do? And it's better to even just try to find her now than not.
Yuri sighed and kneeled in front of Misty to match her height level, even if he was still much taller. "Sigh… look, this one time, let's put our differences aside."
Misty sat down and continued to give him a death glare. Yuri just continued, "Do you know where your master went? If you do, can ya take me to her?"
"Pretty dumb of you to ask advice from a cat—" Dennis piped.
"Keep your mouth shut, will ya?"
'Hmm… what could you be talking about?' Misty thought, looking at Yuri. She glanced around, then noticed that Serena wasn't there. 'Could you be looking for master?'
"…please?"
'So you are…' Suddenly, Misty looked like she had the brightest idea. 'I know where she is, but... should I lead him to her? Oh well, he's been with us for a while. I guess I could trust him… for now.' She stopped glaring at Yuri, then did the unexpected.
She smiled (in the way a cat does).
"Meow." She then started to walk somewhere. "Hey, you going to take me to her?" She ignored him and continued to walk. 'Oh, I dunno, am I?'
He sighed. It's not like he has any other choice. "Hopefully you'll lead me to her. Den-den! If this cat somehow leads me to her, I'm gonna like it more!" He exclaimed a bit cheerfully.
"To think you'd give all those years of friendship over a cat and a… girl!" Dennis yelled in response, going back to preparing his coffee shop.
Int. The Bar Yuya and Yuzu Works At
This was the bar Yuzu worked at. Unlike her sisters–not including Serena–Yuzu doesn't have a proper job due to still being in school. She, though, comes to work here every weekend to practice her singing.
Serena decided to pay a visit to Yuzu after she beat a guy up for his drugs, leaving him to head for the hills and stuffed the thing in her pocket to "use for later". She entered the bar.
She sat on a lone chair that had a table. Yuzu then spotted her, so she approached Serena.
Yuzu looked a bit furious. "Where have you been?! Rin left to find you yesterday," 'But looked suspiciously happy when she came home…' "And earlier to look for you, again."
"No, "Hey, Serena. How ya doing?" or something?" Serena asked, crossing her arms. "Plus, I'm fine on my own, thank you very much. Tell her she doesn't really have to look for me."
Yuzu gave a heavy sigh, "Prolly won't do the latter, and I guess you are here, so at least I know you're safe–" Yuzu glanced at her. "–Okay, what happened? You have another blackeye, except it's not so noticeable, and your right hand is bandaged." Yuzu took another look. "Wait, bandaged? That's… new."
"Yeah, whatever," She said, not wanting to talk about it. "I did it myself. But anyway, ain't you supposed to be up there–on stage, or something?"
"Not yet. It's pretty early, and I just got here."
From behind the both of them, Yuya was watching the two with much interest. So Yuzu does have identical sisters. Well, sister, for now.
He thought of meeting her, cause why not? "Hey, Yuz! Who's that?" He asked, walking to them with his guitar case.
Startled by the sudden statement, Serena zipped in front of him, pinned him to the nearest wall, and raised her fist, about to punch him.
But his face looked familiar, as if he was— "Yuri?"
"Sis! He's not a bad guy!" Yuzu said, trying to pry her off the guy.
"Ehh, my name's Yuya! Please don't hit me, I did nothing wrong!" Yuya said, using his arms to protect his face. "Sorry." Serena said, letting him go.
"Sis! Again, he said his name's Yuya. My… boyfriend…" Yuzu trailed off, but just noticed the mistake she made. "Do not hit him, nor yell at me. I'm supposed to tell all three of you, but you weren't at home, so I was only able to tell Ruri and Rin." she explained. "We've been together for a while."
Serena still continued to give Yuya a hard stare. "Okay." She then talked to Yuya. "You. You better not be doing any funny business with my sister."
Yuya nodded nervously. "I-I won't! Didn't, and won't ever do, promise!" Yuya… promised, arms still protecting his face.
"Wait, who do you mean Yuri?" Yuya asked, rubbing his head.
"A weird guy who has a purple cabbage as his hair; you kinda look like him," she commented, "except you look like a tomato."
Yuya was surprised at how Serena bluntly described and mocked Yuri. "Said guy calls me 'Little Tomato'... Anyway, I might know him, he's actually my older brother."
Yuzu looked at them. "What're you guys talking about? Wait, have you been meeting someone behind our backs, Serena? This, this Yuri guy?"
"Uhh… no…?" Serena answered.
"I've gotta say, you two look like each other a LOT." Yuya observed.
"Yeah, there are four of us. Some born earlier yet look identical, save for hair and eye colors and personalities." Yuzu said.
"Oh, and you have a brother?"
"Yeah, and just like you, there are four of us. Identical in every way, save for the things you already mentioned, but if your sister met Yuri, I don't think she could handle him both through the way he thinks and acts."
"Meh, Serena can handle him." Yuzu said bluntly, knowing Serena can handle everything and anything, and she knows it. (I mean, she has probably survived and fought back from being beaten up who knows how many times.)
Yuzu looked at Serena again. "But that does not mean you can just meet someone behind our backs!"
Serena ignored the last two paragraphs and continued to talk to Yuya. "I've heard from two other people about Yuri being hard to handle and understand, but through my experience, he's almost like any other guy,"
'That I have met anyway.'
"To think that someone other than us can handle his insanity…" Yuya chuckled as he looked at the clock. "Oof, gotta get to the stage, see ya!"
"Okay, good luck, Yuya!" Yuzu cheered. She then turned to Serena. "You,"
Serena raised her hands in defeat, the way you do when you're caught. "Yes?"
"Sigh… I'm letting it go for this one time, just because he's Yuya's brother." Yuzu sighed. She always felt like she was more mature than Serena…
"Pfft, yeah. And Ruri can go with it, too, then?"
"Wait, what?" Yuzu asked.
But before Serena could answer, Yuya yelled something out. "This one's for you, Yuz'!"
Yuya
Everyone's eyes were looking in his direction.
He sighed. He had been practicing everyday the past two weeks for this. Even though his brothers knew he already had a girlfriend, he kept it a secret from them.
Well, from Yugo and Yuri specifically as he needed some help with the guitar from Yuto.
What he was about to sing was called "Love Someone" by Lucas Graham. He thought it fit his and Yuzu's relationship, so he practiced it for her.
He closed his eyes and whispered to himself, "Whooo… you can do it…"
I mean, yeah, sure, he sang in front of a big crowd most of the time, but never for a girl.
He looked up and started.
Yuri
He followed Misty until they were in front of a familiar-looking bar. "Here?"
Misty nodded. "Meow."
Before going inside, he took a peek. He saw Yuya on the stage. He seemed to be whispering to himself.
That's why the place looked familiar; this was Yuya's workplace. Maybe his girlfriend's here, too.
He peeked again, but at the crowd this time. He found Serena next to a pink-haired girl carrying a guitar case. They were whispering something to each other.
Misty was meowing pretty loudly at the glass window, so Yuri carried her to shut her up. "Shh, I'm hiding because I want to surprise my brother and Serena. I won't let you spoil it. Thanks, though–for leading me here."
"Meow." 'Welcome.'
In the bar, Yuya started his song.
"Hello once again, everyone. You all probably know me already, but for those who don't, my name is Yuya Sakaki. Today, I'll be singing "Love Someone" by Lukas Graham; this song is dedicated to Yuzu."
Song: Love Someone by Lukas Graham
(I recommend listening to this one:
watch?v=DVy8KGE7l6s
It's not a rickroll. Promise.)
There are days
He started, strumming his guitar.
I wake up and I pinch myself
You're with me, not someone else
He smiled, looking at Yuzu. Outside the bar, Yuri listened a bit more attentively. This might be interesting.
And I am scared, yeah, I'm still scared
That it's all a dream
It's true, he gets nervous sometimes, thinking that all was but a dream, and that it didn't actually happen.
'Cause you still look perfect as days go by
Even the worst ones, you make me smile
He smiled saying that. It wasn't a lie, 'cause even when he's had a bad day, Yuzu makes him happy. When he got into a serious fight with his brothers, or if they had a fight, seeing her just made him feel like all the pain went away.
I'd stop the world if it gave us time
Focusing on his face, we then pan over to Yuzu who was smiling.
'Cause when you love someone
You open up your heart
And he has, for her. And Yuzu did so for him.
When you love someone
You make room
That he did, too. After doing their jobs, he'd take her out sometimes, to make room for their relationship to build.
If you love someone
And you're not afraid to lose 'em
You probably never loved someone like I do
Focus on the side of his face while he sings; his eyes were closed as he sang with all his heart.
You probably never loved someone like I do
As Yuya sang, let's now go to Yuri. He put one of his hands on the glass. This part hit him, somehow.
When you say
You love the way I make you feel
Everything becomes so real
From Yuya again, we now focus on Yuzu. She was smiling, looking at him. Her hands were clasped on her chest.
Don't be scared, no, don't be scared
Yuya continued as he opened his eyes. He then slowly shook his head in the way you gesture "no".
'Cause you're all I need
He closed his eyes and lifted his head before he slowly shook it again, while still strumming the guitar.
And you still look perfect as days go by
Now onto Yuri again. He looked down, hand still on the glass. Just yesterday, even when she was all beaten up, for him, Serena still looked perfect.
Even the worst ones, you make me smile
(Still Yuri) True. She was, as I said, all beaten up. But someway, somehow, she made him smile. One thing stuck to his mind.
How'd she make him smile? Why did he smile? He frowned.
I'd stop the world if it gave us time
'Cause when you love someone
You open up your heart
This hit him again. As much as he hates to admit it, he did, for Serena. And said girl opened up to him as well.
When you love someone
You make room
He can put this to literal terms as he rented a room just for her. But yeah, he makes room and time to meet her. Even during work.
He looked at Serena. Damn is that girl getting him.
If you love someone
And you're not afraid to lose 'em
You probably never loved someone like I do
Okay, he really doesn't like how Yuya does this. No wonder he was liked by that pink-haired girl.
You probably never loved someone like I do
Yuri pouted.
All my life
I thought it'd be hard to find
The one 'til I found you
As he looked at Yuya, he moved his gaze to Serena and gave a small smile. He never did think he'd find someone like her, let alone anybody other than his brothers. No one's ever treated him the way she did.
And I find it bittersweet
'Cause you gave me something to lose
(With Yuya) He imagined, what if he loses Yuzu one day? He couldn't imagine what his life'd be like without her. So what if it's only been a month?
But when you love someone
You open up your heart
Yuya and Yuri thought of the same thing here–that they, in fact, opened their hearts to a person other than family, and Yuya felt happy. Except…
Yuri definitely did not.
When you love someone
You make room
Yuri definitely didn't like this feeling.
If you love someone
And you're not afraid to lose 'em
Yuya yelled with all his heart while tapping his foot to the beat.
You probably never loved someone like I do
Now, onto Yuri,
You probably never loved someone like I do
Then Serena, whom had a face full of thought and teensy bit of realization for something,
You probably never loved someone like I do
And last, Yuzu as she gave Yuya a smirk.
The song ends here. People–including some drunk ones–clapped their hands at him. Outside, Yuri smiled at him, proud. Yuya stood up and bowed at them, though he still didn't see Yuri.
"Thank you," Yuya thanked as he went off the stage.
Yuzu ran to him and hugged him. She then looked at his face. "Now that was talent. You were awesome."
"Hehe, thanks, Yuz'." Yuya said, rubbing his head.
Serena smiled at the two. "My sister has good taste."
"Oh, come on, Serena." Yuzu shook her head.
Yuri smiled at the three of them. He then thought, 'I've never been attracted to a music's lyrics nor meaning before. Sure, the beat usually got me, especially when it's catchy. But then… Why? Why, this time, the lyrics caught my attention as well…?'
At that time, a guy entered the bar. Yuri lost his grip on Misty as she squirmed and didn't hesitate to enter as soon as she escaped. "M-Misty…!"
Yuri followed suit.
Inside, Misty happily ran, "Nya, nya, nya—!" before jumping at Serena and purring at her.
"Misty? Hey, giiirl!" Serena said, putting Misty down and patting her. Misty gave a warning glare before biting one of Serena's fingers. 'I'm sorry, weren't you patting me a bit too hard?' Misty thought.
"Ow! hey…" Serena gave her own glare as Yuzu noticed the cat. "Huh? Who's that cutie?" Yuzu also kneeled down and patted Misty. Misty purred at her happily.
"Yuri?" Yuya asked as he saw him enter.
"Hi, Yuya." Yuri said, stopping before putting on a neutral look on his face.
Yuya smiled, "Hey, big bro! I didn't know you were gonna—" he remembered he just sang something that Yuri would definitely make fun of him for. "Ehehe, be here."
"Mhnm," Yuri just nodded, not really knowing what to say.
"Uhhh… What are you… doing here, Yuri?" Serena asked as she also noticed him.
Yuzu walked over to him. "So, you're Yuri."
Yuri tilted his head before nodding. "Yes…?"
"Yuri! This is my girlfriend, Yuzu! The one I told you guys about." Yuya proclaimed.
"Oh, the one you sang your song about." Yuri stated nonchalantly. Then losing all his nervousness, he said, "It was nicely done, lil' bro. It can even be compared to the original!"
"Oh, thank you."
"Thing is, how, how did you become so good with it!? I mean, I have never seen you practice the song at home before."
Yuya became a bit anxious. "Uhm,"
"Did you hide it from me–and from the others, too? Why?"
"I-I hid it from you… and Yugo, specifically."
'Tch, so I reckon Yuto knew. He's gonna get it later.'
"You both might've made fun of me! Or something…" Yuya honestly told him. "Oh! And, I'm not the only one hiding something."
'Oh, shit…' Yuri thought.
Yuya started, "Yuzu's sister–Serena–almost mistakened me for you. Now you tell me, why'd she almost mistaken me for you, Yuri?"
"So you really didn't tell any of your brothers about me. Ouch." Serena said, carrying Misty.
"But you didn't tell us about him, either." Yuzu countered. Serena just looked away.
"Gee, fine. You win. Why don't we talk about this at a table or something, yeah?"
Yuzu just sighed. "You guys do that, I have to do my job. Yuya also has to do some more numbers and stand-ups later."
But, at that moment, the owner of the bar came up to them. "You don't have to, Yuzu."
"Oh, hi, Gong." Yuya and Yuri greeted. Hearing the name, Serena's eyes widened. 'Oh, god… Whyyyy…!?'
"Yuri? I didn't know you were gonna be here," Gong mentioned.
Knowing what they did, Yuri started to apologize. "Gong, I have to be honest with you about something…"
"Fuck, YURI!" Serena suddenly yelled, putting Misty down.
"Yes?"
She signaled a "You're dead" sign at him as a warning to not tell Gongenzaka.
You see, they stole from a shop a week-or-so ago, which was called "Sawatari Mini Store". Now, it's not that Gong owns it.
It's that he partly does (partly owns the store). His family partnered with the Sawatari's to provide products and stocks for the store here, and everywhere else.
Therefore, Serena stole something from a place Gong partly owns.
"What's with that sign?" Yuri then turned to Gong, "Anyways, to put it simply, I stole something from a store you owned last time…"
Gong raised one of his eyebrows. "What do you mean?"
Yuri feigned a sad sigh and walked over to Serena. "She here, told me to steal something with her, probably to show off her "mad skillz" in shoplifting or something."
"That true, Serena?" Yuzu asked. Serena just smiled nervously in response.
'Though, if I were to be serious at that moment of time, I'm probably better than her,' he thought.
"Oh, that. Don't worry, I know; the employees told me. And since you were honest about it, I'll forgive you."
Yuri clasped his hands. "Ts, well, thanks. And, may I talk to Serena, privately?"
"Uh, yeah. Sure," Yuzu said.
"Alright, come on, Serena." Yuri said, grabbing her left hand before leading her to the side of the stage.
With them
"Now, why, why did you leave the effing room!? Don't ya notice your–well, you hid it for now–wounds, nor the BIG bruise at the side of your torso!?" Yuri whisper-yelled at her.
Serena had a nonchalant look on her face. "Uh… so… like, you gonna give me a lecture? That's it? Also, you can swear at me; I don't mind."
Yuri gave a deep, frustrated sigh. "Ugh, this is just another game for you, isn't it? You'll never learn… still, please know that you're in no condition to run right now, nor take long walks." He won't ask how she even got here with the bruise not hurting.
"Well, it doesn't hurt anymore. Thank you for that, I guess," she shrugged.
"Only for now…" Yuri muttered. "Whatever. Look, you need to take a rest whether you like to, or not."
Serena looked away. "I decided to visit Yuzu, and that's what I'll do."
"MEOW!" Misty exclaimed. She followed them.
"No, you shut up." Yuri then looked at Serena for a moment, then looked at Yuya and the others. "...Fine."
"What?"
"Fine. You can stay."
"Wha-What's with the sudden change of decision?"
"Yuya's also here, and being my lil' bro, I'd like to spend time with him, too," Yuri answered.
"Yeah!" Serena cheered.
Yuri smirked. "Of course, there's a catch. You take a rest after all this,"
"Okay."
"Mrrneow?" Misty said, mrrrrping (It's a cat thing).
"Nah-ah, let me finish. You have to do it… at your sisters' place!" Yuri finished happily. "I don't want to be responsible for whatever could happen to you, so you stay there. With them."
Serena gaped, "No! I want to be with Yuzu, but not them. I'm hiding things from her already…"
Yuri rolled his eyes. "Damn it, you're still hiding things from them, meet or no."
"Sigh… I know… but, please," she paused for a second. "Can't I just stay in Dennis's place?"
Yuri shook his head. "No, nope, nopedippity nope."
"The frick…?"
"Plus, your sisters know you better than I ever will. Anyway, you stay, but go to your sisters after. Period." He walked away. "C'mon, you better use your time here and not put it to waste."
"Ugh, yeah, fine."
"Meow."
"And will you get that thing to shut up?" Yuri said, annoyed at Misty for meowing every few seconds.
Serena just ignored him and said, "Don't listen to him, be the annoying cat you are." Misty then nodded with a :3 face.
Back to everyone else
As Yuri and Serena walked back, they overheard their conversation.
"Wait, so Yuya and I can take this day off?" Yuzu asked.
Gongenzaka nodded. "Yeah! This bar is owned by my family, and it's passed on to me now."
"But, who'll take over our places?"
"No one. It's fine, this doesn't happen all the time." Gong reassured. Yuya was his childhood friend; he also knows Yuya's brothers, but isn't close to them as he is with Yuya. Other than that, Yuya and Yuzu are his best employees. He also knows about the Sakaki bros' and Yuzu's situation right now, so he wanted them to let loose a bit.
Yuya took Gong's hand and shook it. "Thanks a lot, Gong."
He just smiled and nodded. "It's fine. Go on." He then walked out of the bar.
Yuya saw Yuri and Serena heading his way, so he led them and Yuzu to a round table that's for at least four people. Misty followed them as well.
Yuya then started, "Yuri, bro, wanna know 'bout how I met Yuzu?"
"Pft, of course." Yuri said, curious. (And the OP–overpowered overprotective –feeling rising within him, for some reason.)
"I'd like to know, too," Serena agreed. "Well, start?"
Yuya nodded. "Right." He gave Yuzu a cute look.
But then he frowned. "Well, to say, that wasn't really a good day… before I left, you and Yuto got into a serious fight about work again. And I mean, serious, not the tease-fights you guys usually have."
"Oh…" Yuri responded, looking away a bit.
"So anyway, I left quite mad," Yuya continued. "I thought that this was gonna be another bad day. But, as usual, I tried to keep my peppy and lively attitude. Except, it didn't feel good as I knew I wasn't honest about it…"
"I don't see how lying about your feelings is bad, but you are usually a eumoirous person." Yuri mentioned.
Yuya tilted his head, "What?"
"Look it up. But please, continue."
Yuya then continued. He explained just how atrocious his day was. How he didn't come up with enough jokes to fill that part of his shift, and how his voice broke and forgot most words. Gong wasn't there that day, but his boss was. His very agonizing merciful boss. At the end of the day, he was threatened to be fired for that one day.
He himself was about to tell him that he wanted to quit.
And because of this, Yuri realized just how much their life affected Yuya; how it affects all of them in general. How bad of a brother he is.
Back to Yuya, he said that he was about to open his mouth and say, "I quit!" but saw, her.
Yuzu.
After he saw her, he just accepted the lecture from his boss, and right after, he went and talked to her.
She told him she was applying for a job there, but had second thoughts after she saw how the boss treated Yuya. Not wanting for her to leave, he said that he only did that because he himself did a crappy job being a stand-up and singer earlier.
Him mentioning singing piqued Yuzu's interest. More so when Yuya showed her his guitar. She then asked him about being a stand-up and to tell her some jokes, so he told her some.
As Yuzu began to like his fun personality, she thought of applying here. When she did, they'd meet here during the weekends (Yuya works almost everyday, even on his supposed day-offs–as Yuri also sometimes does–while Yuzu has classes every week day).
"Wait, Yuzu, question," Serena suddenly cut in.
"Yes?"
"Did you ever, like, be honest, skip classes?"
Yuzu shook her head. "No, of course not… Why…?"
"Nothing, just curious." Serena replied while caressing Misty's fur.
Yuri looked at Serena. "I take it that you did; more than once, with no regrets."
Serena gave him an amused smirk. "Yep."
They continued to listen to Yuya and Yuzu. They spent the next few hours talking about the rest of the days till this one. Ones when Yuya brought some extra food Yuri made that he commented was the best, the other stand-up jokes he made, and when they went on a mini shopping-date together. And when the other was feeling down, they'd talk to each other until they'd feel better.
Yuri laughed a bit at the things Yuya mentioned, then thought, can he ever experience such things himself? To care and love for someone, to know someone who'll understand him and accept his flaws other than his brothers? And especially, find someone to give the ribbon from his mother to. It's a promise he made.
Well, at least Den-den accepted his flaws. He could also talk to him if needed. Said guy was his best friend (or at least that's what Dennis believes) since his teenage years and went through what Yuri did.
Except, of course, Yuri wanted more than that. He looked to his right side where Serena sat and listened to Yuya and Yuzu's story attentively.
If he were to admit, she was kinda growing on him. Even if they met just a week ago.
He then imagined what she'd look like wearing the ribbon. To see her hair without that beanie, but instead tied up by that Yellow ribbon.
He should stop thinking about this.
After a while, Serena started to become sleepy, the exhaustion from the other day probably coming back at her.
"Hmm… maybe Serena needs to get going," Yuri mentioned. "She was pretty injured when I came to rescue her the other day."
"*Cough* you what?" Yuya said, coughing on the glass of water he was drinking.
"Yeah, what?" Yuzu reiterated.
Serena rolled her eyes as she put her head in her arms on the table. Misty just stayed asleep on her lap. "Oh, boy."
"Hm yeah, as important as it is to talk about that, why don't we let Serena have a rest?"
Serena pouted before yawning and closing her eyes. "Tch, I don't want to, though. Especially not at home."
"You clearly need it." Yuri affirmed. "Yuzu. Can you take her to your place, please?"
Serena put Misty down before, with all her might, she stood up and slammed her fists on the table, catching everyone's attention. "I said I'm not going there!"
"Serena, he's not wrong; you do need to rest—" Yuzu started before getting cut off.
"I know I need rest, but I'm not taking it at home!" She clarified.
Yuri stood up and looked at her. "Then what!? You stay at Dennis's place and probably receive care less than what your sisters could give!?" He yelled, furiously. Which was exponentially rare, and Yuya knows it.
"No. I don't want to see them right now," she said, sitting back down, carrying Misty. "I don't want Ruri to yell and give me a lecture or-or Rin telling me the past was 'Not your fault'! I don't want to hear it… every time I go back like, like this," Serena pointed to herself, "All they do is yell, not even suggesting to help me with my injuries… that's why I'd rather stay away when I get hurt."
Yuzu frowned. She wasn't wrong. "H-Hey, maybe I can tell them not to." 'I wanna ask her why she left again last time, but maybe now's not the time.'
"No, do it or not, I just want to stay away. And if it's not that, Reiji'll go set me up with some guy I don't even fucking know, and Shun just keeps a deep grudge on me for something I accidentally did years ago…"
"Wait, Reiji does what?" Yuzu asked.
Serena glared at her. "I can't believe you don't know," she laughed. "I reckon the other two don't know either. He keeps on setting me up with some guys I didn't know even existed. He thinks it's good for me so that someone would take care of me and prevent me from doing the bullshit that I do. Well, newsflash, it just makes me hate him more. I don't like interactions and prefer to stay away from everyone…"
"Guess we hafta talk to him 'bout that."
Yuzu looked at Yuri who sat down and was leaning on the chair, eyeing Serena.
Yuya just sat there in silence, not really knowing what to do or say. "I'm gonna go to the bathroom…" he then ran to the said room.
Yuzu nodded to Yuya before walking over to Yuri. "Um, pardon me, but you know where she's staying?"
"Yes. It's my friend's shop. Why?" He asked, direct to the point.
"What if… she stays there, for the meantime." Yuzu suggested.
This made Serena look at her.
Yuri looked at Yuzu in surprise. "Uhh… don't you want to make sure she's safe and well taken-care of? 'Cause that's definitely what I'd want for Yuya."
"Well, of course, but what can I do? She doesn't want to go home and even if I take her there, she'll find a way to escape/run away." Yuzu explained exasperatedly. "I don't know what to do with her, but she seems to be fine with the current place you take her to."
"..." Yuri looked down. Should he just take her to the apartment? He sighted Serena who looked at him with eyes begging not to let Yuzu take her home.
With a heavy sigh and great disappointment at Serena, he said, "Very well, I'll keep her for now, then."
"Thanks…" Yuzu sighed in relief.
Serena perked up after she heard Yuri say what she thought he did. "Y-Yuri, are you sure?"
"The real question is, are you sure?" Yuri asked to make sure. "Are you fine entrusting your injuries and treatment to me?"
"Of course! I'm copacetic with you." Serena smiled, squeezing Misty a bit, which caused the cat to shriek. "NreeEEAAOW…!"
Noticing the cat once again, Yuzu wondered, "Hey, Serena, since when did you have a cat?"
"Since 7 months or something." Serena shrugged. "I rescued her after I found her drenched by the rain. We look out for each other all the time. Right, Postrophe?"
"Meow!"
"But, why "Misty"–wait, Postrophe?"
Serena thought of it. "For Misty, it's because her fur had some ash–probably from some fire or something–which looked like mist when I found her. It was also pretty misty the day I found her." Serena then continued explaining why Misty's other name was Postrophe. (A/N: Go to the near last part of Ch 2 for it.)
"Cool."
When Yuya got back, Yuri excused himself. "Yuya, I have to take Serena to Dennis's place."
"Ehhh?" Yuya said in shock. Like, what…?
Yuri groaned. "Can we talk about this later?"
"Location, now." Yuya demanded. "Please."
"You don't know the location of the shop…?" Serena mentioned, which was followed by Yuya saying, "Yuri never and didn't want to tell me."
"Yeah… I wanna know her location, too." Yuzu said.
But Serena was the one who stepped up. "You don't need to worry, sis! As soon as I get better, I'll go home to visit you guys. Please don't tell Ruri nor Rin about what happened to me."
"Sigh… fine, then. And don't worry, I won't."
"You're the best!" Serena said, hugging Yuzu. "Thanks…"
"Oh, and, Yuya, don't worry. Your brother's fine with me, and I'm fine with him." Serena assured.
"Meow…" 'Probably…' Misty thought.
Yuya insisted, though. "No, he–well, I just know you can't really trust him."
"Look, I trust him." Serena declared.
Yuya was surprised, and so was Yuri. She trusts–it's, it's just unbelievable for them both.
"Heh, y-you trust me?" Yuri snickered, pointing to himself. "Me!?" he continued, laughing.
"What's so funny 'bout that?" Serena wondered.
"Noth-Nothing." Yuri said, trying to calm himself down as he looked at her
"Thing is, my dear Serena," he began, "is that, you really shouldn't give your trust to someone that easily. Who knows they might betray you in the future. May it be–or not–in the most hurtful way possible."
"Sigh… the trust I meant is one that means I trust you enough to take me to Dennis, at least. Not that I will trust you with my dear life, Ra, no. Not to you, ever." Serena said, rolling her eyes. "Injuries now? Yeah. Other than that, nothing else. And may you please not call me, 'dear'."
Yuri looked at her smugly. "Hmm… what if I still want to, no matter what you say, call you 'Dear'?"
"I'll do my best to ignore it."
"Well, I guess you both better get going," Yuzu reminded. "Serena still has to rest, right?"
Serena just annoyingly answered, "Yes, MOM." Which was followed by Misty going, at a high-pitched tone, "MEEEEAAAAOOOW."
"You got that right, Mist." Serena lifted her hand as Misty lifted her paw and Serena gave it a tiny little hit.
"Wow, can I try!?" Yuya pleaded, approaching Misty.
"As impressive as that was, we do have to get going…" Yuri said. "And you shouldn't call Yuzu that way. How dis—"
"Shut up and let's go." Serena blatantly cut off, walking away. "Bye, Yuz'!"
"Bye, sis!" Yuzu then waved her hand. "Take care!"
"Yuri, don't do anything to harm her, okay?" Yuya yelled.
Yuri looked back at him as he also started to walk away. "I'm doing quite the opposite right now, aren't I?" He shrugged. "Plus, I'm just gonna give her some food and take a look at her injuries. I'm going back here."
"What–!" Yuya exclaimed, but Yuri just ignored him as he and Misty followed Serena.
A/N: I finally did it... and, good news! Next chap, we'll be covering some of Yuri's backstory.
Please review! To those who dont know, you can do it even when you have no email. (Took me 3 years to figure that out w/o anyone telling me, and I regret it bc of everything i missed.) Cya!
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