Plot summary from chapter 12: It's Zanes final morning in the Duel Academy. He wakes up Alexis in his arms after their heated night. The couple takes everything out of their last moments together and after visiting the Lighthouse Zane heads to the boat with Alexis. Zane says goodbye to his friends and the Duel Academy, leaving his life as a student behind.

Zane was waiting for the taxi he ordered. He sat on black sofa and kept his eye on the window that opened view to the street. Soon the fireplace stole his attention and he looked the flames with empty eyes. He was already tired from his earlier travel and did his best to stay awake since he had a flight ahead. Soon a woman appeared in the living room Zane was in and gave him a worried look.

"Zane darling, you could have stayed here for the night. We would have been glad to have you here a bit longer since you and Syrus rarely visit here after you two started in the Duel Academy," Zanes mother said gently, trying to convince his son to stay a bit longer.

"Mom, I'm an adult now. You don't need to worry about me, everything is just fine. It's easier for me to do all this travelling in one day rather than travelling for two days and stressing about things. Anyway, I already paid for the flight and the Domino city isn't that far away, I'll be fine," Zane answered and tightly looked his mother in the eyes.

"Okay, okay. I just wanted to hear how you and your brother were doing right now. And talking about your brother...If I'm being correct, I understood that you have a girlfriend." Zanes mother looked strictly back at his son whose eyes wen't wide open.

"Syrus..." Zane mumbled as he closed his eyes.

"Zane, you know that you can talk to me about these things," his mother convinced. "And I'd rather hear it from you than Syrus or anyone else."

"I know, I know. It's just so fresh thing and there wasn't any good moment to tell," Zane mumbled quietly.

"Good moment! Oh Zane," his mother said and shook her head as her hands were on her waist, making it obvious that she was starting a lecture. She sat beside Zane. She was so close to Zane that he wouldn't even dare to lie to her. She would squeeze everything out of him with her demanding eyes that reflected medieval torture methods used on lying people. Zane tried to back up a bit but he was sitting right in the corner, making it impossible to escape from the awkward situation that was ahead.

"I understood that she's younger than you, right?" Zanes mother said as she sat there her hands crossed.

"Yes, she's a second year student," Zane said and started to sound grumpy since he knew that her mother would complain about her being underage while Zane being 18 already.

"So she's 16?"

"No, 17."

"Okay. So, what kind of girl is she?" Zanes mother asked friendly as she tried to get more information from his son.

"She's...nice," Zane said with a slight confusion.

"Nice. She must be something else too? Does she like you too?"

"What kind of question is that, of course she does!" Zane said and frowned. He rubbed his hand nervously on his thigh as the other hand was on the armrest of the sofa. "She's kind, good at school and good at dueling. One of the top students. And she's Atticus' sister."

"Oh that girl!" his mother said happily. Zane was sure that her question-time was now over, but he didn't have a clue what she was going to ask next.

"So, have you two had sex already?" She asked with a straight face. Zane blushed and his nervously moving hand stopped immediately.

"Mom, you can't ask things like that!" Zane said horrified look on his face.

"Of course I can. And besides, you told you were an adult so there shouldn't be anything wrong talking about sex," his mom said as her eyes were drilling Zane who was trying to avoid eye contact. "Right Zane?" she continued and smirked a bit as she knew how embarrassed his son was at the moment. Zane didn't answer. He could hear the clock ticking. The silence was killing him. He begged that the taxi would appear but his wish was futile. After a while he accepted his faith and glanced at his mother with a worried look.

"Yes, we slept together," He said as his heart started beating faster and his cheeks turned even redder.

"And did you use protection?"

"We did."

"Good. You've always been very responsible, I'm very happy for it. Just remember that she's still a minor," his mother said and frowned as she was still worried about their ages.

"I know it. There's only two years difference, soon she'll be 18 anyway," Zane complained.

"If you say so darling. Oh look! Your taxi came," his mother said, making Zane turn his head towards the window. Zanes mother got up and suddenly kissed Zane on the forehead making Zane look embarrassed.

"Mom!"

"Don't keep the taxi waiting!" She said and wen't to the kitchen.

Zane got up and looked at the clock. I was waiting the taxi for over 30 minutes and it shoved up right after the awkward situation I would have gladly missed out, Zane thought and let out a deep sigh. After that he tried to calm himself down and get rid of the redness on his cheeks. He walked to the outdoor and opened it firmly.

"My apologies, I had one tricky customer and we got stuck in the traffic," the driver said on the other side of the yard, behind the gate. The gate was black victorian styled gate that kept unwanted visitors away but didn't block the view completely.

Zane walked down the stairs and opened the gate leading to his parents house.

"I understand," Zane said as he tried to hide his annoyance.

"I'll take your luggage and we can go then. Was your flight leaving soon?"

"No, there's still time if we don't end up in a huge traffic," he answered and walked to the door leading the taxi driver.

Zane gave his luggage to him and he carried them down the stairs into the car effortlessly. Zane walked back in the house making sure that he didn't forget anything. He found his scarf in the vestibule and wrapped it around his neck after putting his jacket on. He walked to the kitchen to say goodbye to his mother. When he stepped in, he was given his backbag weighting more than it usually did.

"Here you go. I packed some food for you. And as a present for you, something to spend wisely in a good company," she said and handed Zane a bottle of sake. After his mother was sure he wouldn't starve, she hugged him tightly. Zane hugged her back and thanked her. Zanes mother kissed him again on his forehead which made Zane squirm and his mother chuckled with amused look on her face.

"I'm sorry your dad couldn't come to see you. He tried to have his schedule arranged but this business trip came in our knowledge almost as suddenly as he left. I'll make sure that next time the whole family will eat together," His mother said firmly. "But anyway, he sent his regards and said that he was proud of you Zane."

"I understand. Say thanks to him for me. I'm not sure about my own schedule but guess we could manage to meet, depending on Syrus' holidays too because it's not easy to get holidays just for fun," Zane said thoughtfully, he was also calculating everything. "Thank you for the supper, It was as good as always." Zane walked to the front door and his mother hugged him once again.

"I'm sorry I teased you before. It's just so funny to see you blush when you're usually so calm and collected," Zanes mother laughed. She felt that Zane was extremely displeased and soon Zane mumbled and squirmed away from his mothers arms.

"Bye then!" Zane said and walked down the stairs, closed the gate and went to the backseat of the taxi. His mother waved and Zane lifted his hand even though he knew that the windows were actually darkened so she couldn't see him nor his hand. The taxi left and the door of the Truesdales house closed.

"You're going to the airport. May I ask what's your finals destination?" the taxi driver asked casually.

"Domino city," Zane answered without ads.

"So what's in the Domino city?" The driver asked. He was a bit older than Zane.

"I'm moving in there," Zane answered as shortly as he could, so no other questions would follow.

"Oh, it's a big hectic city. Did you finish your school already?"

"Yes, I did," Zane said wryly as he closely looked the etiquette of the Sake bottle. He soon realized that it was one of the most expensive sakes available in Japan.

"Where did you study then?" the driver asked and looked at him through the front mirror.

"In the Duel Academy," Zane said carefully as he packed the sake bottle in his bag.

"Duel Academy!" The taxi driver said loudly in surprise. "So are you planning to continue dueling professionally?"

"Yes..." Zane said and cursed in his mind.

"You must be pretty good then. I remember how I dueled with my younger brother when we were younger. It was pretty fun. He's dueling in the pro leagues right now."

"That's...nice," Zane said as he couldn't make up better answer.

The driver smiled but didn't say a word after that. It was possible that he sensed Zane being uncomfortable while being asked about his dueling career.

Finally they were at the airport. Both of them got up from the vehicle and the driver opened the tailgate. Zane watched as the driver lifted his luggage as they were feathers.

He must go to the gym often, Zane thought.

"Here you go. Are you sure you can manage on your own with these?" The driver said and looked at the luggage.

"Yeah , I'll be fine," Zane said and scratched the back of his head.

"Okay. Good luck then," the driver said happily and handed him the luggage.

"Thank you," Zane said and smiled as he pulled up the handle of his luggage. He already turned his back and started walking when he suddenly turned back.

"Hey, thanks for the ride too!" Zane said friendly smile on his face. Even thought he felt a bit intimidated, he soon realized that the driver was just curious because of his dueling brother. Zane had met so many fans that were a bit too dedicated so he was always careful when people asked about his business.

"You're welcome," the driver said casually and smiled back as he got back in the car.

After Zane got past the check in, he walked to the cafeteria and bought two cups of espressos so he wouldn't fall asleep before the flight.

It was still 20 minutes until his flight was suppose to leave. Zane was sitting in the gate area where his flight was leaving. At least I don't have to wait in the line since I'm travelling in he business class, Zane thought as he fought against his constantly closing eyes. He almost gave up when he suddenly felt his pocket vibrating, it was his phone.

"Zane Truesdale."

"Oh, hi. It's me Alexis," shy voice answered. Zane moved the phone in front of his face so he could see the text in it. Lexi ❤

"Zane?!"

"Oh, sorry I just had to check that it was you," Zane laughed.

"Zane, you sound tired. When was your flight leaving? Are you in the airport already? Is everything going well? How were your parents?" Alexis asked and tightened the pace near the end.

"Hey, I've traveled before many, many times. I can handle these things. Everything wen't fine, I'm waiting in the airport right now. My mom told me to sleep at my room but I just wanted to get over with this traveling. By the way, my mom questioned me about you and our relationship and I hoped that the taxi would have come to interrupt but no, it was late. And after the lecture it immediately showed up in front of our house..." Zane said and let out a deep sigh mixed with irony and disbelief.

"Glad you're okay. So your mother knows about us. What did she say?" Alexis asked curiously.

"Umm, not much. She just asked awkward questions. I think that she likes you, she remembered you when I mentioned that you were Atticus' little sister," Zane answered, starting with a slightly awkward tone in his voice.

"Oh, good. My parents know already...you know how Atticus can't keep his mouth shut. They seemed to take it well. How was your father?"

"He was at some business trip so he wasn't there," Zane said as he leaned forward and rubbed his forehead with his free hand. Zane lifted his head up as he heard a voice speaking.

"Gate 22 is now open. We'll take business class first, then the second one and so on. People traveling in the business class may step in the line first," a woman at the gate was speaking to the microphone and waved for the passengers to come near the gate.

"Hey honey, I need to go right now, I'm sorry. I'll call you in the morning," Zane said to Alexis and rose up from the bench, collecting all his belongings.

"Okay," Alexis said sadly like a kid in the candy store, who was left without any goodies. "Have a safe flight. And text me at least when your flight has landed, okay?" Alexis said demanding tone in her voice.

"I promise to text you. I really have to go now. Good night honey," Zane said and hurried to the gate as the woman was giving him almost a deadly stare.

"Thank's love. Bye," Alexis said. Zane could hear that she tried to hold her tears. He wanted to say something more but Alexis already hang up and Zane shoved the phone back in his pocket.

"Your ticket and passport please," the woman said. Zane handed her what she asked and soon he was sitting on his comfy seat in the airplane. The flight was only two hours long but the crew served them food and some drinks. If I sleep now I won't be able to keep my eyes open after the flight, Zane thought as he tried to plan his next move. However, since he had drank even more coffee during the flight, he had to go back and forth between the toilet and his seat. It was enough to keep him awake for the whole flight.

When the flight arrived Zane was so tired that he just wanted to be already in his own house and in his own bed. He waited for his luggage and texted Alexis; "I just arrived in the Domino city, let's talk more tomorrow. Goodnight." Zanes last bag arrived and he picked it up from the line. Then he walked outside to get a taxi. It was quite chilly night, making Zane a bit more brisk. Zane saw one taxi coming and waved to it. It parked in front of him and an older driver came out of it happy smile on his face.

"Hello sir. You need a drive?"

"Yes, to the block 23 please," Zane said and handed his luggage to the man.

"Okay, there's not a long way. My name is Hisagi, nice to meet you," the driver said and handed his hand for a handshake.

"Zane, nice to meet you too," Zane answered in slight surprise and shook the mans hand.

"Please take a seat," The driver said and opened the front door for him. Zane would have rather sat on the back but it looked like he had no choice this time. He sat down in the car and waited for the driver to get in.

Zane was a bit cautious about the driver at first but it seemed like the man-Hisagi-was actually very friendly. He asked Zane about his school since he knew that the Duel Monsters were a huge thing in Japan but he didn't know much about the game. He also recommended good traditional Japanese restaurants to Zane and told about the Domino city since he had lived there for most of his life.

"Okay, here we are. Does it look right?" Hisagi said happily.

"I guess it does," Zane laughed since it was the first time he actually saw the house in real life.

"Good, very good," Hisagi said and opened the door on his side. Zane followed Hisagi and got out of the car. Hisagi took his luggage out of the car and handed them to Zane. "Here. It was nice to meet you. It's always interesting to learn something new from the young people. Now I understand somehow how the game works."

"Hahhah, glad my company was pleasing," Zane joked and took the money from his pocket. "Thank you very much for the lift mr. Hisagi. It was pleasure to meet you," Zane said and handed the money over.

"Thank you, thank you," Hisagi said quickly and tapped Zane on the shoulder with his other hand as he took the money. "Wish you all the best. Now go to your house and sleep well now. And remember to take your girlfriend to the restaurant I recommended. Bye bye and goodnight," Hisagi said and smiled to Zane.

"I will, thank you. Goodnight," Zane said and smiled back.

Zane walked to the front door and looked back, seeing Hisagi waving. He waved back and Hisagi drove away. Zane opened the door, turned the lights on and entered his first own house he ever owned. He moved his luggage in and closed the door. He briefly looked around the downstairs and walked upstairs where the bedroom immediately caught his eyes. After taking a shower and changing his clothes, he wen't back downstairs and brought a glass of water from the kitchen to upstairs with him. He collapsed tiredly on his bed and closed his eyes. He checked his phone and saw one unread message from Alexis.

"Excellent. I'll go to sleep now, hope your new house is comfortable. Sleep well Zane! zcxdddd with love, Lexi and Atti."

Zane laughed wildly to the last sentence, he imagined how Alexis wen't to his former room to sleep with Atticus who was now suffering of neurotic Alexis. It's going to be a rough day for Atticus if she kept him awake till I was safely on the solid ground, Zane thought.. Zane assumed that Alexis was writing to him when Atticus took the phone from her and told her to sleep until he realized who she was texting for. Zane let out a tired chuckle and snuggled under the sheets. Its 3pm...Hisagi was quite fast, Zane thought as his eyelids were automatically closing after he turned the light off. He fell asleep happy look on his face.

I'm back. Let's appreciate the fact that I wrote Zanes mother to say "I packed some wood for you" and I noticed before publishing it xD This chapter was surprisingly easy to write despite the fact that I was bit out of the track because of this long break.