Chapter 4: A Score to Settle
Recap: Because of Bakatori-san's plan to take Yuya-san's Pendulum Cards and use me, Yuzu-chan, and the kids as hostages. However, we fought back and prevented ourselves from being taken away. In a turn of events, I challenge Bakatori to a duel because of what he did in the past seven years and now. I will make him pay.
Seven Years Ago_Maiami Elementary School_
Naomi was used to walking to the library with Yuzu. Still, the latter got herself suspended for the fight on her behalf. Naomi felt terrible when it happened that Yuzu was suffering from her mistake. Just remembering the incident made Naomi depressed. She tried to take her mind off the event but couldn't whenever she saw the seat where Yuzu was supposed to be sitting at is empty.
Naomi sighed softly and hoped Yuzu was doing alright. On the way to the library, she heard murmurs whenever she passed by.
"Look, there's the No Sound Idol."
"You saw the videos of her."
"Yeah, she was already living up to her name."
"Proves she was faking it the whole time."
Videos? Those words made Naomi curious about what the rumors were talking about. Although hearing their cruel words hurt her, she still had to figure out what they were talking about. Fortunately, Naomi was already going to the library to copy her notes for Yuzu. So before she does that, she can check what those kids are talking about.
Naomi arrived at the library, went to a computer, and opened the Safari App to check the most trending video. Surprisingly the most trending video was one of her videos when she was an idol.
She inserted the headphones into the computer to check out the video. She pressed play only to find out that there was no sound coming from the video. Naomi checked the sound and turned it up even louder but couldn't hear anything from the video she was playing. So she looked at another video to find out the sound worked fine.
But it made her question why wasn't there any sound on her video.
Then Naomi remembered the words from before and put the pieces together. When she did, her eyes brimmed with tears. During this whole week, she felt another emotion besides sadness and depression rising in her chest. Naomi feels humiliated.
She already feels ashamed of her actions and let her loved ones down, but now this. She is soon reminded of her failure staring back at her.
Why would anyone pull such a mean joke? Who would do something like this to her?
When Naomi saw the video's title, the name of the video stood out to her. She remembered there was only one person who called her a silent mouse, and that person was the creator of this video.
Naomi's eyes burned with intense rage. She wanted to leave this area and punch that person in the face. She didn't just feel anger running in her veins, but she felt betrayed. She thought this person was her friend, but she was wrong. She was a fool to befriend this person. She was a fool, indeed.
"One day, you will pay for this Shingo Sawatari. One day."
Naomi vowed in her mind clenching the mouse tight, trying not to break the device.
Flashback Ends_
Naomi was staring daggers at Shingo. The memory burned in her mind. Now she can finally have her revenge on him for what he did.
Just remembering the video made her clench her cards tight. How dare he do that to her? How dare he?!
He will pay for what he's done to her!
Eternia came out, sensing her master's anger, and placed her hand on Naomi's shoulder.
"Naomi, I know you hate Shingo Sawatari for what he did to you, but if you let your anger cloud your judgment, you will lose your duel. Please regain your composure and focus," Eternia advised. Her words registered in Naomi's mind as they calmed her down.
Her ace monster is correct. If she keeps letting her anger blind her, she will suffer for two months being that stupid bird's pet. She won't let that happen.
Naomi took deep breaths and calmed herself down. It seemed to work as she still glared at Shingo, but the glare was less intense than before.
"You can go first, Sawatari," Naomi announced.
"Of course. Only the best have the privilege to go first," Shingo boasted, looking at his opening hand.
Turn 1
H:5
"I activate Berlineth the Firestorm Vassal's effect in my hand. By discarding a card, I can Special Summon it from my hand, come forth Berlineth" Shingo summoned a vassal-like monster to his side of the field.
Fire/Level 3/Pyro/Effect/ATK 800/DEF 1000
"I release Berlineth to Advance Summon Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch," a new monster replaced Berlineth on the field as the new monster had red armor.
Fire/Level 6/Pyro/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 1000
"Berlineth's effect activates! When this card is used for an Advance Summon, I can banish a card from my opponent's hand until the End Phase," Shingo added. Naomi reluctantly flipped her cards, showing Shingo what she got in her hand.
"Two Spell Cards, and Three Monsters Cards. As much as I want to send Darklord Asmodeus to the Graveyard, I have to get rid of her pesky Clear Kuriboh," Shingo grumbled. He remembered Naomi's monsters and their effects due to how much they dueled against each other in the past.
"I choose to get rid of Clear Kuriboh," Shingo pointed at the small blue monster as it was sent to the banished zone however, Naomi didn't seem fazed by it. She shuffled her cards and rearranged them in her hand.
"Tsk. I activate Thestalos' effect when this card is Advance Summoned. I can discard a random card from your hand. If it's a monster card, you take 200 damage times the monster's level. I choose the card in the middle," Shingo shouted. Naomi discarded a card; however, it was a Spell Card called Cloudian Aerosol.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Advance Carnival' since I Advance Summon this turn. I can do it again. I release Thestalos the Firestorm Monarch to Advance Summon Thestalos the Mega Monarch!" Shingo shouted. This time a bigger and stronger-looking version of Thestalos appears on one of the roofs of the buildings.
Fire/Level 8/Pyro/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 1000
"Thestalos' effect allows me to look at your hand, and you take damage equal to that monster's Level times 200! I choose your Darklord Asmodeus. You take 1600 damage!" Shingo explained. Thestalos shot a flame ball toward Naomi, who saw the incoming attack and took a card out of her hand.
"I send Hanewata to reduce any effect damage. I take this turn to 0!" Naomi protects her LP as Hanewata creates a sphere to protect Naomi from the flame ball, extinguishing the flames to nothing but air.
Shingo clicked his teeth in annoyance. "To think you would also dodge that as well. I end my turn, and Clear Kuriboh returns to your hand."
The small spirit monster flew back into Naomi's embrace. The girl rubbed her finger gently on his card to show affection even though he wasn't materialized on her field.
Naomi still wanted to show her monsters affection despite being in their card form.
"Naomi not only dodged damage even though it was Sawatari's turn, but she countered each of his moves," Yuzu muttered.
"However, her hand is now at two. When her turn comes, her hand will be a three," Yuya observed, yet despite his words, he didn't look worried for Naomi in the slightest. He knows this setback isn't enough to bring her down.
Turn 2
H:2-3
"I activate the Spell Card 'Cards of Sanctity' now we each draw until we have six cards in our hands" Naomi played the card she just pulled.
She and Shingo drew their cards. Shingo smirked when he saw one of the Pendulum Cards in his hands. The card was Timegazer Magician.
Naomi's eyes narrowed at Shingo's expression.
"He must have one of Yuya-san's Pendulum Cards in his hand. Then if that's the case, I have to play this card," Naomi observed in her mind.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Lullaby of Obedience' I pay 2000 LP to declare a monster card in your Deck. If you have the declared monster, that card is added to my hand!" Naomi shouted. She closed her eyes and weighed her options.
"It will be a 50% chance I can guess the name of the monster he has in his Deck right. If my hunch is correct, then he already has the other Pendulum Card in his hand, so that means..."
Naomi trailed off as she calculated her options. She will retrieve Yuya's card back from Shingo, and during this duel, she will not use the monster by any means, even if it will win her the duel. She refused to use his cards because of the respect she has for Yuya.
Naomi kept her eyes closed and declared the name.
"Stargazer Magician!"
"What?!" Shingo exclaimed. A hook came out of Naomi's duel disk. It attached itself to the card in Shingo's Deck, particularly the already-out card.
The card revealed itself to be Stargazer Magician.
Naomi took the card out of the hook and placed the card in her hand, although her LP took the toll.
Naomi:4000-2000=2000 LP
"This card does not belong to you as well as Timegazer Magician. I will retrieve Yuya-san's other card back from you either during this duel or when this duel is over!" Naomi declared, "I won't let you do as you please, Shingo Sawatari!"
Ayu and Tatsuya cheered.
"She snatched Stargazer Magician back!"
"Amazing play Naomi-nee-chan!"
Futoshi grabbed his hands and shivered uncontrollably.
"I'm not done! I activate the Ritual Spell Card 'Advanced Ritual Art' to Ritual Summon Ruin, Angel of Oblivion, from my hand by using Normal Monsters in my Deck. I use my Level 1 Cloudian - Smoke Ball, Level 2 Mystic Shine Ball, and Level 1 Mokey Mokey!"
The dark clouds parted in the sky, creating a circular vortex, and a pillar of light shot down from the field.
"Beautiful maiden of the world's destruction! Descend on the battlefield of life! Ritual Summon! Appear! Ruin, Angel of Oblivion!"
Naomi summoned a younger version of Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, on her field side.
Light/Level 4/Fairy/Ritual/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 1000
"When Ruin, Angel of Oblivion, is on my field, she is treated as Ruin, Queen of Oblivion. Now I activate the Double Equip Spell Cards 'Ritual Weapon' and 'Cestus of Dagla' with these cards' effects. My monster ATK and DEF are increased to 3700 and 2500, respectively," Naomi revealed.
True to her words, Ruin powered up significantly and was ready to strike at the Monarch Monster on Shingo's field.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Monster Reincarnation' by discarding Clear Kuriboh. I can add Mokey Mokey back to my hand. Next, I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Backup Squad'."
"I banish the Spell Card Cloudian Aerosol and Smoke Ball from my Graveyard to Special Summon a Cloudian Monster from my Deck! Descend Cloudian - Eye of the Typhoon!"
A bluish-purple cloud with a single red eye flew down on the field, causing harsh winds to be in the area.
Wind/Level 8/Aqua/Effect/ATK 3000/DEF 1000
Naomi finished her preparations for her attack with Ruin's effect. She can declare two attacks on monsters during this turn. Naomi will regain LP equal to the damage she can inflict on Shingo during this turn. With Eye of the Typhoon, she can win with a direct attack.
Now it was time for her to strike.
"Battle! Ruin attack Thestalos the Mega Monarch!"
Naomi entered her Battle Phase. She noticed Shingo move from his spot and proceed down the street, and Naomi followed his movements.
Shingo swiped a card from the lamppost and activated the card. "Action Spell 'Miracle' my monster isn't destroyed, and the damage is halved!" Shingo saved his monster from destruction and managed to halve the damage.
Shingo:4000-450=3550 LP
Naomi:2000+450=2450 LP
Ruin got her spear and slashed the Monarch monster in half this time. During this collision, there were shockwaves in the City. The force cracked the mirrors in the buildings and even managed to cause some damage.
Shingo:3350-900=2650 LP
Naomi:2450+900=3350 LP
"Now, Eye of the Typhoon, attack directly!"
Naomi was about to get an Action Card but was stopped by Ruin placing her hand on her wrist, preventing her from doing so. Ruin's eyes met with Naomi's, and she shook her head. Even though this action confused Naomi, she trusted her monster's judgment. If Ruin says do not get the card, she won't get the card.
"Action Spell 'Evasion' to negate Eye of the Typhoon attack!"
Shingo dodged the wind blowing in his direction as he wiped the dust off his jacket.
"With that, I end my turn. I'm guessing this field also has Action Traps," Naomi deduced from Ruin's previous action. She guessed the card she was about to grab would have severely damaged her.
"Correct. It seems Lady Luck is smiling on you since you didn't go for an Action Card this turn, and you correctly guessed the card I had in my Deck however, don't you think luck is all you need to win the duel" Shingo commented.
"I know you also need skills, strategy, and the ability to use your cards well. Qualities you don't have," Naomi retorted sharply. Her words made Shingo glare at him, but she dismissed the look with a wave.
"You'll regret those words when I win! My turn, I draw," Shingo yelled, drawing his card.
Turn 3
H:6-7
"I activate Escher the Frost Vassal's effect from my hand when my opponent has two or more Spell and Trap Cards in their Spell/Trap Zone. I can Special Summon this card from my hand," this time, Escher arrived at the field.
Water/Level 4/Aqua/Effect/ATK 800/DEF 1000
"Next, I activate the Equip Spell Card 'Restoration of the Monarchs' to Special Summon Thestalos in Defense Position. The monster Special Summoned by this effect is treated as two tributes for an Advance Summon" Shingo further explained his card's effect.
He released Thestalos to Advance Summon Zaborg the Mega Monarch.
Light/Level 8/Thunder/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 1000
"I activate the Spell Card 'Dual Summon' in addition to my normal summon. I release Escher to Advance Summon Mobius the Frost Monarch to my side of the field" Shingo continued his turn. Another Monarch monster appears on his field. However, the monster had blue and white armor.
Water/Level 6/Aqua/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 1000
"Zaborg's effect destroys Eye of the Typhoon. Your monster effect prevents it from being destroyed in battle, but it cannot negate its destruction through card effects," Shingo recalled Naomi's card effect. Just as Naomi remembered his card's effect, he also remembered hers.
Zaborg shot a bolt of lightning toward the cloud-like monster. The monster vanished from a cloud of smoke. Leaving only Ruin on the field.
"Mobius effect destroys two Spell and Trap Cards on the field. I will destroy both of your Equip Spell Cards, returning your monster's ATK and DEF to 1700 and 1000."
A cold wind froze the equipped cards as they broke into small pieces leaving Ruin with nothing in her hand to defend herself.
Shingo glanced at the last two cards in his hands and was annoyed. Since he didn't have the other Pendulum Card, this one was useless.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Tribute to the Doomed' by discarding a card in my hand. I can destroy Ruin! Now vanish from this field!" Shingo yelled. A tornado lifted Ruin off her feet as she flew up in the sky, disappearing along with the tornado.
Now Naomi has no monsters on her field.
"Sawatari-san cleared Silent Mouse's field in one swoop."
"Now, his victory is certainly certain!"
"Go, Sawatari-san!"
"Don't count me out just yet!" Naomi glared at the annoying trio and jumped back when Zaborg attacked her unexpectedly. She managed to lessen the damage she would have taken, but still, her LP took its toll.
Naomi:3350-2800=550 LP
"Because of Backup Squad's effect, I'm allowed to draw a card for every 1000 damage I took! I took 2000, so now I can draw two cards!" Naomi drew her cards.
"Here's the finisher Mobius attack directly!" Mobius blasted ice at Naomi, who saw the attack and thrust her hand forward.
"I banish Clear Kuriboh from my Graveyard to draw one card, and if the drawn card is a monster card. I can Special Summon the monster, but you must attack it!" Naomi explained Clear Kuriboh turned into dust and went into Naomi's Deck. The girl drew her card and flipped it around, revealing it to be a monster card.
Especially since the drawn card was Splendid Venus.
Light/Level 8/Fairy/Effect/ATK 2800/DEF 2400
Naomi slammed the monster onto her field. Splendid Venus emitted a bright light giving the gloomy city a bit of brilliance.
Those watching the duel had to shield their eyes so they wouldn't be blind by the monster's radiance.
"Through Splendid Venus' effect, all non-Fairy-type monsters lose 500 ATK and DEF! So now Mobius' ATK and DEF are changed to 2100 and 500, and Zaborg's ATK and DEF changed to 2300 and 500!" Naomi revealed.
Since Shingo couldn't call off his attack, he had to watch Mobius get burned by the light the Fairy-Type Monster had thrown at him. All he can do is defend against the rays nearly piercing his clothing.
Shingo:2650-700=1950 LP
"Tsk. I end my turn. However, in my next turn, I will defeat-"Shingo announced.
"There will be no next turn Shingo Sawatari!" Naomi cut the boy off.
She will not give him another turn because she's ending the duel now.
Turn 4
H:4-5
"First, I activate the Spell Card 'Magical Stone Excavation' by discarding Eva and Mokey Mokey. I can add Cards of Sanctity back to my hand, which I now activate. Through this card's effect, we each draw till we have six in our hands" Naomi started her turn, refilling her hand as Shingo did the same thing.
"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Monster Reborn' to Special Summon a monster from your Graveyard," Naomi said. "I know you had a Timegazer Magician in your hand however you never set the card or even used it as material for an Advance Summon, so I concluded you discarded it when you activated Tribute to the Doomed. Because you did something like that, I now call forth that monster to my side of the field."
Naomi finished her observations Timegazer rose from the portal, stretching his arms out.
Dark/Level 3/Spellcaster/Pendulum/Effect/ATK 1200/DEF 600/P.S:8
But because of Splendid Venus, his ATK and DEF became 700 and 100.
"Battle Splendid Venus, attack Zaborg!" Naomi commanded. Shingo grabbed another Action Card from the sidewalk and activated it in his hand.
"Action Spell 'Evasion' to negate your attack! Now you have run out of options," Shingo cackled. Naomi widely smirked, confusing him.
"Nope, I expected you would do something like this. I activate the Quick-Play Spell Card 'Turning of the World' by tributing Level 6 Herald of Perfection and another copy of Level 4 Ruin, Angel of Oblivion I can Ritual Summon!" Naomi stated, activating a card from her hand.
"A Ritual Summon during the Battle Phase?!" the boy from before looked in awe.
The clouds parted, creating a huge vortex above the gigantic pillar wrapped in chains from before. A blue light was in the vortex as another golden light shone from the sea underneath the pillar. The lights merge, creating a spectrum of colors immersing everyone in the scene.
"Powerful goddess of the world's end! Give hope to the ruined world and provide salvation in these dark times! Ritual Summon! Descend goddess of the world! Ruin, Supreme Queen of Oblivion!"
This time it was a much more mature version of Ruin as she jumped up from the water and slashed the tower in half and everything in sight, creating a huge deep line in the ground. She lands on the ground and jumps from building to building until she lands on Naomi's side of the field, ready to strike, just like her younger counterpart.
Light/Level 10/Fairy/Ritual/Effect/ATK 2900/DEF 3000
"My monster has the same effect as my previous Ritual Monster. I summon this turn. She is treated as Ruin, Queen of Oblivion, and she can attack twice during this turn. In addition since Ruin, Angel of Oblivion was sent to the Graveyard. You cannot activate any cards or effect when this card battles," Naomi revealed, sealing Shingo any chances of getting any more Action Cards that will benefit him. She also revealed that whenever Ruin destroys a monster by battle, she can inflict damage to him equal to his destroyed monster's original ATK.
"Battle! Ruin, Supreme Queen of Oblivion, attack Zaborg!"
Ruin jumped in the air and slashed Zaborg in multiple areas. She landed on the grounds when she heard an explosion behind her.
Shingo:1950-800=1150 LP
Ruin turned to Shingo and slapped him across the face. He was sent flying into the water near the destroyed pillar, messing up his hair and wetting his clothes. Finally, his LP was depleted.
Shingo:1150-2800=0 LP
The field disappeared as Naomi won the duel. She took the two Pendulum Card that was already in her possession. She walked towards the approaching group and handed Yuya his cards back.
"Here are your cards, but please, don't fall for this idiot's tricks or anyone else who tries to pull the same stunt next time. Okay, Yuya-san," Naomi warned, giving a smile, yet her eyes were telling a different story.
"I-I will, Naomi" Yuya took his card back and placed him in his Deck.
"Now, let's leave this place and never come back," Yuzu huffed.
"Yeah. Stupid LDS students," Ayu stuck her tongue out, and Futoshi copied her action.
"I can't believe an Elite Duel School has students like him. He is the worse," Tatsuya spat. Naomi held her hand up, stopping the next person from speaking.
"We will, but I have to do something first" Naomi remembered what she had wanted to do ever since she saw Shingo's face.
Naomi walked towards the other group, who was helping Shingo on his feet.
Naomi smiled too sweetly and stepped on Shingo's foot hard, crushing the bone. She was satisfied when she heard something break.
"I'll take your foot being crushed as an apology Sawatari-san, but if you try something like this again, you are going to wish I broke everything bone in your body except your spine" Naomi's eyes glinted dangerously. Her words were straightforward: she would land him in a hospital. Or maybe in a coma.
But for now, she will settle with that.
Naomi was ready to go to You Show to tell her mother about the incident so she could chew out and threaten Furio to keep his brat of a son in line and hopefully reprimand Shingo for his actions just like he did several years ago.
"If I can't have those Pendulum Cards, then I'll just take them by force! Get them!" Shingo demanded. The lackeys lunged at the group. Naomi didn't have any time to turn around and launch a counterattack.
Then she saw a blur as the trio of boys fell to the ground as a lollipop stick struck Shingo right in the face.
"Lame all the way till the end, huh," the same sky blue-haired boy from earlier said, displeased, and Naomi nodded in agreement.
Naomi looked at the lollipop stick and picked it up. She was impressed yet curious how a small boy could do that much damage with just a lollipop stick.
"I want to be your apprentice since you're the most interesting person here" the boy looked at Naomi with wide eyes, but she just waved her hand bashfully.
"I'm not that amazing in the slightest. If you want someone interesting, you have to talk to Yuya-san" Naomi pushed the boy in front of Yuya. The boy was disheartened but still complied with Naomi's wishes.
"Alright..but it was nice to see you again, Akemi," the boy said. Naomi was taken aback by his words and how sincere they were.
"I think you have the wrong person. My name is Naomi, Naomi Kobiyashi, not Akemi," Naomi corrected the boy as he laughed sheepishly.
"Oh, I'm sorry, you just look exactly like her that I got the two of you mixed up. Sorry about that" the boy apologized for his mistake. But Naomi didn't mind in the slightest. Later on, it was revealed that the boy's name was Sora Shiunin. He obeyed Naomi's request and declared himself to be Yuya's student.
Naomi began to wonder about Sora's words.
Does this Akemi person look like her? Is it just a coincidence? Naomi did try to recall the dream she had before Yuya's match. But all she could remember was that scene with the dragon and the two women and some pieces of her dueling a shadow, but otherwise, there was a blank. Nothing. Not even a hint.
Naomi sighed and decided not to worry about it until another matter like today happened again, and when it does, she will look deeper into the matter. Still, she has to prepare herself for her talk with Yuya.
The group arrived at You Show Duel School with their new member in tow. Naomi explained to her mother what happened back at LDS regarding Shingo and his actions. Chou was enraged by the fact and stormed to her office to call a certain mayor to give him a piece of her mind and warned anyone that they would hear colorful words from behind the door.
Twenty minutes later, Chou came out with a joyful smile. She danced over to where her daughter was and embraced her tight before letting her go. Chou danced into the kitchen confusing everyone. They all thought about what happened during the phone call that made Chou act like this.
Moments later, Chou came out of the kitchen with a plate of different types of cookies on a platter and six glasses of warm milk to wash down the sweets.
"This treat is for a wonderful day we all had today. I know some of you must be tired after a long day, but take this moment to relax and indulge yourself in my famous homemade cookies. I prepared some milk just in case you wanted something to drink" Chou placed the plate down. "I have to go to my part-time job, and I don't want to miss it."
"Now, enjoy yourselves and have a nice day."
Chou hummed and danced as she grabbed her belongings. She kissed Naomi's forehead softly. She told her daughter to take the house key from her office and make sure she locked the front door. Chou informs Naomi that she can cook whatever dish she wants to make for dinner tonight, and Chou will have it for breakfast tomorrow.
With those words, Chou left You Show as she skipped along the path to the City. Naomi giggled softly at her mother's silly actions. She turns her attention to Yuya, devouring the cookies so Sora wouldn't eat them all.
Naomi decided this was the time to tell him now. She walked up to the Entermate duelist and placed her hand on his wrist, catching his attention.
"Yuya-san, I want to talk to you before you show your Pendulum Summon to Sora-kun and the others," Naomi mentioned. Yuya nodded when the girl brought up what she wanted to talk to him about before they ran into Shingo.
They went through the back entrance and sat on a nearby bench. Naomi looked down and tightened her grip on her Deck, but not too hard that she may crush her cards. She fiddled with her thumbs and took a shaky breath.
"I'm sorry for what happened yesterday," Naomi started as she tried to find her words. She was nervous, but this was something she had to do. She can't hide the truth from him. She will tell him even if it means she would lose him. She never wanted this, but if that's how it's going to be, she just has it accept it.
"You mean what happened after the showcase duel?" Yuya tilted his head. Just remembering the event brought back bad memories of him being called a cheater and Naomi being called the name he never wanted to hear again. Just thinking about it made him upset by his failure. He broke his promise to her, and he feels terrible that he did. He couldn't keep his word.
Naomi nodded and noticed the grim expression on Yuya's face. Naomi wondered why is he making that face. Naomi came up with multiple answers until she realized his words from yesterday before the exhibition duel.
She considered that Yuya must be thinking of his promise to her and was berating himself for breaking that promise. Naomi forced herself not to grab his hand and comfort him because it would only worsen her indecisiveness, preventing her from telling him the truth.
"You are a kind person Yuya-san...Maybe it's because of your kindness that I always felt like I could rely on you for anything, and I shouldn't have done that," Naomi continues forcing Yuya to look at her. She held her hand up to stop him from objecting to her words.
"I was selfish during the ordeal and relied heavily on the promise that you would protect me. But if I recall correctly, you said, "one day, you will regain your voice back. Until that day comes, I will always be by your side. I promise you that I will protect you"."
Without looking through her Deck, Naomi slid out two cards and held them in her hands. "Yuya-san, you don't need to do that anymore. I should have spoken up when you were being treated horribly by those kids when they were saying those harsh words, calling you a cheater. It shouldn't have mattered to me if they called me a No-Sound Idol again or a cheater. I should have taken the fall, which should have been the end of it, but I didn't. Honestly, I never wanted you to go through what I went through, but you did, and now I made things worse with my cowardice."
With those words, Naomi flipped her hand. Revealing to Yuya her Pendulum Cards.
"I never used them during my duel or even tried to Pendulum Summon because it wouldn't feel right. And no, I am not pitying you. It was because I respect you, Yuya-san," Naomi added hastily.
She put the hand down, preventing Yuya from talking, and placed it back on her lap. She's done it. She told him the truth, and by the look on his face, he didn't like it one bit.
Naomi smiled sadly at his expression. This is what she had predicted. Naomi stands up in her seat and places the cards in Yuya's hand, who's still had an unreadable look on his visage.
"You must hate me, Yuya-san? Well, I don't blame you. I hate myself as well" Naomi started to walk away, but then she remembered what she had said. She turned around and showed Yuya her troubled face, yet she didn't show any unshed tears. She just had a look full of sorrow.
That look bothered Yuya. He doesn't want her to make that face again. He was about to say something but was again cut off by Naomi.
"No. I no longer have the right to call you that anymore since I've betrayed you and taken your kindness for granted. I hope we can still be friends from here on out, Sakaki-kun."
Naomi left the area, leaving Yuya all alone on the bench.
She entered You Show and got her belongings and the key from her mother's office. Naomi said her goodbyes. She looked at Yuzu, conveying to her that she did the deed. Naomi didn't wait for Yuzu to call after her, and she left the building.
Yuya was still in the spot Naomi had left him. He was still in shock about what Naomi had just told him. That she said, he hates her. Which is ridiculous because no matter how much he is upset with her. He can never hate Naomi. Sure, he was shocked when he heard she had Pendulum Cards and could Pendulum Summon. It left a bitter taste in his mouth that someone besides him can Pendulum Summon.
But despite all of that, he didn't harbor any resentment toward the girl.
Yet he didn't deny any of her words when she assumed he did. Yuya knew that he had to make things right with Naomi. He can push down the bitterness he feels towards her if she uses Pendulum Summon. He can fully accept that maybe one day Pendulum Summon won't be his special thing anymore.
But he won't handle it if he were to lose Naomi over something like this. Yuya stands up from his seat and heads towards the pathway with determined eyes.
In the Late Afternoon_On the pathway_Near the Residence Area_
Naomi was berating herself over the issue. She knew she was acting like a drama queen over the matter, but she couldn't help herself. She's not exactly a confident person. She barely has any self-esteem and only regains some of it after her duel against Shingo.
Her monsters seemed to agree with her about the issue, while two specific monsters didn't.
"Don't you think you were over-exaggerating back there, Naomi?" Eternia said, briefly appearing next to Naomi as Clear Kuriboh did too.
"I know. But Eternia-san, I didn't just take advantage of his kindness, but Yuzu-chan's, Gongenzaka-kun's as well," Naomi kept her head low. She also felt like she was taking their kindness for granted and just abusing it when it seemed to benefit her. Naomi already had these feelings deep inside her, but they continued to grow subconsciously.
They formed a hole in her heart and continued to feed into her demons. Her own demons kept spouting words from her doubts and were strengthened when she failed. They kept repeating words she had already heard before. Those words made Naomi have negative thoughts about herself. Naomi wasn't lying when she told him she hated herself. Naomi really does hate herself for what she did. She honestly does.
Eternia's lips thinned at Naomi's words and her thoughts. Back then, she would teleport Naomi to the Spirit Realm to talk with some of the young duel monsters residing in that area. From the look on Naomi's face, it would always lessen Naomi's fears, doubts, and insecurities. Though it wasn't much, it was better than nothing.
Eternia considers that option again but stops when she hears footsteps coming behind them, prompting her to stop along with Clear Kuriboh, ready to strike at anyone who dares hurt Naomi. Much to their relief, the person was revealed to be Yuya.
Eternia smiled and closed her eyes. "I don't think that's the case, Naomi. Suppose you were, as you said, taking advantage of their kindness. Why is Yuya Sakaki running towards you?" Eternia mentioned. Naomi looks up and turns around. True to her ace monster's words, Yuya ran towards Naomi at full speed and stopped to take a breath.
Eternia nodded towards Clear Kuriboh as her eyes told him to give the two of them some privacy. They vanished in mid-air.
Naomi was appalled. She didn't know what to say. She thought Yuya didn't want to have anything to do with her. But now he was right in front of her catching his breath. When he did, he shot up and grabbed Naomi by her hands. Shocking the girl even further with his actions.
"Naomi...No matter what you do, I can never hate you," Yuya started. "I never thought you were a coward, selfish person, or you betrayed my trust because of what you didn't do yesterday. If anything, I feel horrible because I made you remember all of the painful memories you went through, and I failed you."
Yuya tightened the grip on Naomi's hands. He looked straight into her eyes and continued his words.
"I want to mention even though you regain your voice. I still want to be by your side and protect you. I never want you to feel down again or harbor hatred toward yourself. Although Naomi, I'll admit it does bother me that you do use Pendulum Summon, but I'll get over it because it's you."
"As long as you use them, then I won't be bothered by it any longer," Yuya finished his speech. Naomi was left speechless. She tried to find traces of deception. But found none. His words were genuine. What he was telling her was the absolute truth.
Naomi's cheeks were tinted by how sincere his words were. Her shaky breath stopped, and her lips curved into a smile. For now, she doesn't hear the demons whispering in her ear, feeding into her most profound insecurities. But strange, it was enough for her right now.
"Thank you, Yuya-san," Naomi muttered. Yuya gave a smile in return. He noticed his hands clasping Naomi's and was embarrassed by his actions. He released his grip on her hands and remembered he still had her cards in his pocket.
Yuya returned Naomi's Pendulum Cards. The girl accepted them as she placed the cards in her Deck. Unbeknownst to Naomi, her Deck was glowing during this entire encounter as brand-new cards formed in response to Yuya's words. It wasn't just them; a monster slowly formed within Yuya's Pendulum, creating a mist from within. However, it wasn't enough to manifest the monster entirely, so it has to hide away in Yuya's Pendulum for the time being.
Soon after, Yuya offered to walk Naomi home, but the Fairy Duelist refused his offer, pointing out that he didn't have his belongings with him. Yuya bashfully laughed as he remembered he was hurrying to catch up with Naomi and make things right with her that he forgot to get his stuff.
"You can go back to You Show Yuya-san to show Sora-kun Pendulum Summon. I will see you tomorrow" Naomi started to walk but turned around when she recalled something. "Oh! You tell Yuzu-chan I'm alright. She and the others must have been so worried when I left in a hurry?"
Naomi briefly recalled the look on Yuzu's concerned expression when she gave her a sorrowful look. It didn't help. She ignored her and left. Since Yuya is going back to You Show Naomi figures, he will tell Yuzu.
Yuya nodded and ran back to You Show on the pathway as he waved Naomi goodbye one last time. The girl could only watch his retreating figure and respond to his wave. When Naomi was sure he was out of sight, she returned home, reflecting on today's events.
At Leo Corporation_Around the same time_
Nakajima was frustrated by Shingo's incompetence and failing his mission to retrieve the Pendulum Cards.
"We need to get someone else more capable of getting those cards," Nakajima muttered. He was about to contact someone else but was interrupted by a voice.
"Don't bother getting someone else, Nakajima," the voice revealed itself to be Reiji Akaba, the CEO of Leo Corporation. He looked at various time frames in each camera through Maiami City, from the harbor to the streets. He stopped to look at one particular camera around yesterday night. He ordered the people in the facility to zoom in on the picture when they did. He narrowed his eyes.
"Based on the data we retrieved from Yuya Sakaki's duel, we have enough to create prototype Pendulum Cards," Reiji stated. "All we need is an opportunity to enhance the research on Pendulum Cards and Pendulum Summon," Reiji kept his eyes on the cloaked figure. "And I believe we just found our opportunity right before us."