Chapter 24: What Can I Do For You
Recap: I met with Haru Kobi, my counterpart of the Synchro Dimension. She mistook me for Akemi, my counterpart of the Fusion Dimension. After Yuya-san and her dueled, something happened that caused Yuki-san, Haru, and I to faint in Central Park. During that time I met a strange woman that seemed too familiar to me, but whenever I try to remember her face, everything gets blurry. And what happened at the park when all three of us were unconscious will change our lives for good.
Sakaki's Residence _Yuya's Room_Naomi Pov_
I was sitting next to the bed where Yuya-san is still asleep from last night's event and still hasn't woken up. To make matters worse than before, the Maiami Championships have started the second round. If Yuya-san missed his match, then he will be devastated. I clenched my skirt and prayed Yuya-san will wake up tomorrow. I sighed and walked out of the room, hoping I would hear something from him, even a little sound. But my prayers weren't answered. I didn't hear anything.
"Seemed too good to be true, huh" I muttered bitterly. I walked away from his room and went home without saying my goodbyes to Yoko-san.
On the way home, I kept thinking and thinking about last night. "That woman appeared again last night, but every time I remember her face, it becomes blurry," I thought. "How come this happens every time? Where did Yuto go? Why did this happen to Yuya-san?"
The more questions I had, the more I felt frustrated and confused.
"There's someone who looks like me in the Synchro Dimension, whose name is Haru Kobi. Someone in the Xyz Dimension, whose name is Yuki Shimizu, and someone in the Fusion Dimension, whose name is Akemi Shima" I summarized. I felt troubled by the events that inspired last night and wanted to summarize everything that occurred to at least get a grip on the situation I'm in right now.
"Last night reminded me that I have people with the same face as me. It reminded me how much my life will change from here on out, but I just feel more confused now than before."
I felt enraged by the fact I couldn't think of a way to get answers to the questions I needed. The more I felt this way, the more the frustration was let out.
"Why did this happen to me? Why did this happen to any of us? What happened last night? What occurred when I passed out? What purpose is there for creating different versions of me, Yuya-san, and Yuzu?!"
I became quiet. One more question popped into my mind that made me feel depressed.
"Who exactly am I? Who is Naomi Kobiyashi?" I asked quietly, nearly feeling tears threaten to come out. That's when I felt Clear Kuriboh and Pendulum Kuriboh rub their fur against my cheek in a soothing, comforting manner.
They both looked at me with concern while rubbing their soft fur against my cheeks. It was almost as if they were trying to cheer me up. That's when I remember the woman's words from last night.
"There will be challenges you will have to face. However, if you listen to your duel monsters' spirits, they will give you all the answers you need for this journey. This journey will have you question your goals, beliefs, and even yourself. However, if you can listen to their voices and, most importantly, your heart, then I'm sure you will have nothing to fear and nothing to hesitate on this journey."
From the woman's words last night, I realized that I can't keep on being depressed when my duel spirits are here trying to comfort me. That's how it had always been. They're the first ones to cheer me up whenever I'm sad or feeling down in my time of need. I smiled at their affection and patted each of their heads.
"I'm fine. Thanks for worrying about me," I thanked them. I heard a sound coming from them as I looked at the night sky.
"You will be fine, Naomi. You will definitely be fine," I chanted quietly in my head. I won't worry about last night's encounter. After all, this is my journey, and it would be extremely boring if it didn't have any challenges or trials. I shouldn't worry about who I am because I already know that.
My name is Naomi Kobiyashi. I am fourteen years old. I attend Maiami Second Middle School and am currently in my second year. I attended You Show Duel School, which inspired me to become an Entertainment/Idol Duelist. I have a wonderful mom and dad (even though he's never around), amazing friends, and supporting adults in my life. Finally, I have three people with the same face as me: Yuki Shimizu-san, Haru Kobi, and Akemi Shima.
I puffed my chest out in pride and grinned.
Now that I feel confident in myself again. I have hope that Yuya-san will definitely have up, and when he does, he'll become stronger than ever before he lost consciousness.
"Do your best Yuya-san! Please wake up and become even stronger than ever!" I shouted. My two little spirits cheered with me as we all went home.
Next Day_LDS Area_Normal Pov_
Naomi was standing on the railing, observing the matches for today's match. She told Yuzu to contact her if anything happened to Yuya, bad news or not. To keep her updated during each hour. Naomi looked at her disk and saw that she would face Izumi Mizuno, her rival, in two days.
To tell the truth, Naomi was nervous about facing Izumi since she witnessed the latter dueling against her younger sister and beating her in a One Turn Kill. She had chills down her spine, but she repressed them to get over the fact she would settle the score. Naomi will not lose against Izumi. If she does, she will let everyone down, including Yuya.
She heard the announcement of the match for today. It will be Yuki Shimizu against Hokuto Shijima.
Naomi recalled wanting to ask Yuki about last night's events and what exactly had happened. But when Naomi leaned over the railing and squinted her eyes at the screen, she saw Yuki's swollen red eyes and dry tears staining her cheeks. Naomi was confused and worried about Yuki's mood.
"Why does it look like Yuki-san has been crying?"
"What happened that caused her to be this upset?"
In the Duel Area where Yuki is_
Yuki wiped her face to dry any tear stains that remained moments ago. She knew she looked like she wasn't in the condition to be dueling, but she had to due to Reiji's orders.
"Even though we both are students of LDS. Let's have a good duel, Shimizu" Hokuto said. All Yuki could do was give a meek nod.
"Now, this duel will not have any Action Cards like the others, so these duelists will have to rely on their skill to win the duel," Nico announced. Hokuto gave a strained smile.
"Ah, that's too bad. I was hoping to give my opponent the advantage. Well, can't be helped then," Hokuto said. Yuki didn't mind his words as she activated her duel disk. Hokuto activated his in response.
After the Action Chant was said, Nico snapped his fingers as if that was the signal to start the duel.
"DUEL!" Both duelists shouted. Yuki showed a little enthusiasm in her shout, unlike her opponent.
Yuki vs Hokuto; 4000 LP Each, H:5 Each
"I will take the first turn! Is that alright with you!" Hokuto declared. Yuki nodded but still didn't say anything.
Turn 1
H:5
"I summon Constellar Pollux from my hand" Hokuto summoned the white and golden warrior.
Light/Level 4/Warrior/Effect/ATK 1700/DEF 600
"When Pollux is summoned, I can perform another Normal Summon during this turn. So, I summon Constellar Sombre" Hokuto added. He summoned another Constellar Monster to his field. Sombre had white and golden armor but had blue wings on its back.
Light/Level 4/Fairy/Effect/ATK 1550/DEF 1600
"With my Level 4 Constellar Pollux and Sombre, I will Overlay!" Hokuto shouted as both of his monsters went into the network. "Fallen stars, descend and give hope to this earth! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Constellar Praesepe!"
Constellar Praesepe appeared on the field as the machine Constellar Monster was surrounded by two yellow Overlay Units.
Light/Rank 4/Machine/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 800/OU:2
"I activate the Spell Card 'Foolish Burial' to send a second Constellar Pollux to my Graveyard. But I activate the Spell Card 'Sacred Light' to add Pollux back to my hand," Hokuto added, the monster he sent to his Graveyard back to his hand.
"I set a card face-down and end my turn" Hokuto finished his turn with a face-down card on his field.
"My turn" Yuki drew her card. She looked at what she had just drawn and sighed.
She doesn't feel like dueling because of what happened last night. But she still has to fulfill her end of the bargain.
Turn 2
H:5-6
"I can Special Summon Cosmo Brain from my hand by discarding Blue-Eyes White Dragon to the Graveyard. Via Cosmo Brain's effect, he gains 200 ATK times the Level of the monster sent to the Graveyard," Yuki explained, "Blue-Eyes' Level was 8, so Cosmo Brain gains 1600 ATK."
Cosmo Brain's ATK increased to 3100.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Ancient Rules' to Special Summon Dragon Spirit of White from my hand" Yuki summoned a white dragon with blue eyes on her field.
Light/Level 8/Dragon/Effect/ATK 2500/DEF 2000
"When Dragon Spirit of White is summoned, I can target a Spell or Trap Card you control, and that card is banished! I choose your set card!"
White lightning blasted the set card into dust. Yuki proceeded with her turn.
"I now tribute Dragon Spirit of White to Special Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon from my Deck due to Cosmo Brain's effect."
The white dragon grew even larger as it roared, nearly causing Hokuto to be swept up by the impact of the shockwaves.
Light/Level 8/Dragon/Normal/ATK 3000/DEF 2500
"Next, I activate the Spell Card 'Swing of Memories' to Special Summon the first Blue-Eyes I've sent to the Graveyard via Cosmo Brain's effect" Yuki played the card as the situation felt ironic to her. To play a card that contains the word memories when she is burying the memories of Yuto and the feelings she has for the latter is ironic.
A second Blue-Eyes White Dragon appeared, and Hokuto felt sweat running down his temple.
"Ugh, not only do I have to face one of the powerful legends, but now there are two of them," Hokuto muttered. He gave a sly smirk.
"However, I have Praesepe's effect that will save me. After all, her monster's ATK will be lower than Praesepe, so when she attacks, she'll be the one to take the damage, not me," Hokuto noted. Yuki's next actions surprised him.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Fusion' to fuse my Blue-Eyes White Dragons that I control and in my hand!" Yuki cried out, all three of her blue-eyed monsters fused in a vortex.
"Legendary dragons of power! Show the world your new profound strength and become a new legend! Fusion Summon! Roar in victory! Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon!"
Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon roared, and everyone was taken back by the gigantic dragon Yuki summoned to her side of the field.
Light/Level 12/Dragon/Fusion/Effect/ATK 4500/DEF 3800
"Yuki-san summoned one of her fusion monsters. But why does it seem like she is holding herself back" Naomi thought that her Xyz counterpart was still troubled about what happened last night regarding the strange phenomenon they all encountered.
"4500 ATK!" Hokuto gasped.
"You just predicted one of my ways through victory, but I have other ways," Yuki said. She goes into her Battle Phase.
She attacked first with her Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon, and the said dragon charged up for its attack.
"I activate Constellar Praesepe's effect by detaching an Overlay Unit. Praesepe gains 1000 ATK until the End Phase," Hokuto shouted, increasing his monster's ATK to 3400.
The blue jeweled-shaped dragon blasted three beams that obliterated Constellar Praesepe to smithereens. Hokuto skidded back as he stood his ground against the unforgiving attack.
Hokuto:4000-1100=2900 LP
"Now I attack you directly with Cosmo Brain" Yuki attacked next with her remaining monster. However, Hokuto shouts, preventing her monster from doing so.
"I banish Sacred Light from my Graveyard to halve the damage I would have taken this battle!" Hokuto yelled. His spell card protected him from Cosmo Brain's blast as the blast cut in half, nearly destroying the field.
Hokuto:2900-1550=1350 LP
Yuki sighed in disappointment and just ended her turn. She wanted to end this duel quickly, but Hokuto prevented her from doing so.
"I'll admit that you're strong, Shimizu however, I can still fight back!" Hokuto declared. He then drew his card. Yuki just looked at him with a blank stare on her face.
Turn 3
H:1-2
"I activate the Spell Card 'Bright Radiance' to draw two cards for each LIGHT Monster on the field. There's is only one, so I can draw two cards!" Hokuto drew his cards and played one of his drawn cards.
"I activate the Continuous Spell Card 'Constellar Star Chart' then when you control a monster, but I don't, I can Special Summon Constellar Siat" Hokuto summoned a small Constellar Monster carrying a white jar.
Light/Level 1/Fairy/Effect/ATK 100/DEF 1600
"Then I summon Constellar Pollux on my field. Now I activate Siat's effect. Its Level is the same as Pollux" Hokuto said, "with my two Level 4 Constellar Pollux and Siat! I will Overlay!"
Both Constellar Monsters turn into orbs of energy before going into the network.
"Light of the constellations, rain down in your glory! Xyz Summon! Rank 4! Constellar Serpens!" Hokuto chanted. He summoned a new Constellar Monster on his field.
The monster he summoned was a white and blue snake creature with eight heads coming out of the base of its body.
Light/Rank 4/Warrior/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 400/OU:2
"Constellar Star Chart's effect allows me to draw one card. Now I detach an Overlay Unit from Serpens to target Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon to return to your hand or, in this case, your Extra Deck" Hokuto activated his newly summoned monster's effect as Serpens' serpents slithered to Yuki's side and tangle her fusion monster. However, to Hokuto's surprise, the monster wasn't affected by the snakes on its body.
"Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon cannot be targeted by card effects, and it cannot be destroyed by card effects you control," Yuki explained. She noticed a grin on Hokuto's face.
"However, your monster is still affected by card effects! Serpens' additional effect allows it to banish a monster if that particular monster doesn't return to the player's hand. So say goodbye to your Blue-Eyes Alternative Ultimate Dragon!" Hokuto added. Yuki's Fusion Monster disappeared from the field. However, she didn't seem fazed by the effect and checked for Serpens' effect.
"So, my monster will come back on my next End Phase, but I'll end this duel on my next turn," Yuki muttered quietly. She felt empty. She wanted to return to the room Reiji assigned for her, go to bed, and cry herself to sleep. But she can't because of the duel she has today. Fortunately for her, it seemed Hokuto didn't want to attack this turn.
"I activate the Spell Card 'Pierce Light' I can inflict damage to you equal to Serpens' ATK, so take 2400 damage, Shimizu!"
Serpens shot white beams toward Yuki. Cosmo Brain got ahead of the blast and took the hit instead of his master. Yuki thanked her monster for protecting her from the blasts even though her LP went down.
Yuki:4000-2400=1600 LP
"With that, I end my turn," Hokuto concluded his turn. Yuki drew her turn until she heard a shout.
"I activate Serpens' effect again! I return Cosmo Brain to your hand!" Hokuto returned Yuki's monster to her hand, but she didn't worry much about her monster leaving the field.
She looked at the card she drew and proceeded to play it.
Turn 4
H:1-2
"I activate the Equip Spell Card 'Beacon of White' to Special Summon Blue-Eyes White Dragon to my field, negating its effects," Yuki mumbled. Blue-Eyes White Dragon returned to her field.
"The monster equipped to Beacon of White can attack for each Blue-Eyes Monster in my Graveyard! There are three, so Blue-Eyes White Dragon can attack three times!" Yuki shouted. Hokuto paled at the realization.
Yuki snapped her fingers. The next thing that happened, Blue-Eyes White Dragon blasted a beam of lighting toward the snake-like monster, obliterating it to pieces.
Hokuto:1350-600=700 LP
"Burst Stream of Destruction!"
Blue-Eyes White Dragon blasted another beam, nearly burning the ground at its impact, and tremors started to shake the field as Hokuto fell on his back. His LP reached 0.
Hokuto:700-3000=0 LP
Yuki won the duel and bowed at Hokuto before leaving the arena. She looked to see Naomi in front of her.
"Can we talk, Yuki-san?" Naomi asked. She is worried about how her Xyz counterpart must be feeling.
"I guess," Yuki mumbled, not wanting to talk about anything. But she will listen to what Naomi has to say.
"Do you have an idea of what happened last night?" Naomi asked. She explained to Yuki about last night, especially when encountering the long purple-haired woman. Naomi couldn't remember the woman's face, but she remembered how kind her words were.
"I have no idea, but what you said sounds like the same thing that happened to me," Yuki mumbled, "speaking of last night, do you have any idea what happened to Yuto-kun?"
Naomi shook her head. "I have no idea, Yuki-san. When I woke up, I only saw you, Yuya-san, but there wasn't any sight of Yuto," Naomi answered. Her response dampened Yuki's mood.
"I see..." Yuki mumbled and clenched her hands.
"But did something happen to Yuto? Does his disappearance have anything to do with how you acted in your duel against Hokuto-san?" Naomi blinked.
"Yes.…he's gone, Naomi! He's never going to come back!" Yuki shouted, her eyes wet with unshed tears. She hung her head to prevent her Standard counterpart from looking at her face.
"B-But he will definitely come back, Yuki-san. Especially if you and Shun-san are looking for him, then I'm sure he'll return to you," Naomi reassured, rubbing Yuki's back to calm her nerves, but it didn't work.
"It's not like before, Naomi!" Yuki interjected, causing Naomi to be confused.
Naomi blinked as she tried to process Yuki's words. "What do you mean it's not like before?" Naomi asked. She wondered whether something like this had happened before.
"There's nothing to explain, Naomi He's gone forever!" Yuki shouted, and the green-haired girl flinched at the sharpness in her Xyz counterpart's voice.
"It's not like before...Naomi...Whenever he left, I knew he would always come back..." Yuki continued. "Maybe it was because of some strange reason, but as long it could tell me that he was still alive, then it was okay."
Yuki kept her head low as tears started to flow down her cheeks. She let out all the anguish and rage she's been piling up since yesterday. It just hurts so much. She lost her friend Ruri to a creep and Akemi. Shun's eyes, filled with innocence and joy, are now filled with hatred, and now her special person has been taken away from her. Yuto is gone. She started to tremble.
"But that night when those duelists from the Synchro Dimension showed up. When you, that girl, and I fainted at Central Park," Yuki continued. She kept wiping the tears that just kept overflowing.
"All of a sudden, I felt my heart rip in half" Yuki turned around to show Naomi the tears running down her cheeks. "I knew that it had something to do with Yuto. I had never felt this much pain before, Naomi. It hurts too much...and I know why...before we even became a couple...the feelings were always there from the start."
"Yuki-san," Naomi whispered. She felt terrible for her Xyz counterpart.
"The reason why I'm in so much pain is because I love him. I love Yuto so much, and now he's gone forever!" Yuki cried. She started to shake and held in her sobs. Naomi couldn't take it, and she hugged Yuki as the mixed duelist started to sob on her shoulder, wetting her jacket with her tears.
Naomi listened to Yuki's cries and was reminded of Yuya's condition. It was like all of her reassurance from yesterday had completely vanished, and she became extremely worried about his situation.
"Yuya-san, please be alright," Naomi pleaded in her mind, a lone tear falling from her eyes.
Yuki eventually calmed down and released herself from Naomi's hug. She then thanks Naomi for comforting her. Yuki just had to release all of her pain yesterday. Yuki sneezed into the handkerchief and thanked Naomi again for lending her this to blow her nose.
"Yuki-san, if it isn't a bother, could you tell me more about the past before Academia ruined it?" Naomi asked. She looked down sheepishly. "Or maybe Yuto's past if you can tell me, or if you want to. It's your choice, after all."
Naomi wanted to change the subject because she saw how upset Yuki was right now. She figured maybe if she talked about something else, Yuki would feel better. Due to her nervousness, she accidentally suggested that Yuki talk about her past to get her uncomfortable feelings out of her chest. But her past involves Yuto, who is now gone.
Naomi averted her eyes, ashamed of her actions, and just before, she was about to tell Yuki not to tell her anything. The latter reassures her and closes her eyes.
Yuki clenched the handkerchief tightly. She hung her head and just recalled everything.
"Yuto's parents were killed in an accident when he was nine years old, and he had no one to watch him, so I told him that he could stay with me...I left their household four months earlier because I felt it was something I had to do at a young age. But I knew deep down I did it for my selfish reasons. I was sad when it happened, but I was more concerned about what he was going through. I told him he would never be alone because he had people to care about him..."
Naomi continued to rub Yuki's back, signaling that she could continue her story. "Yuto-kun has so many close friends, and he had me. A few years later, we became a couple. I was glad, thinking I was dreaming and never wanting to wake up. Every day I spent with him, and everyone was precious...so precious" Yuki closed her eyes.
She already felt the tears swelling in her eyes again. She held in tears and confessed to Naomi what had happened to her over the years.
"But Academia attacked us and kidnapped my friend, Ruri. They took my friends' kind eyes away from them and instead placed fear and hatred in them. So, we decided to devise a way to save Ruri and stop Academia for good, which led us to this dimension. Until yesterday, everything was okay. Yes, Shun attacked multiple LDS teachers and students but otherwise, everything was peaceful. It wasn't like how it was back then, but it was better than my dimension's current state, an empty wasteland."
Yuki opened her eyes. She had a faraway look. She looks at the sky, imagining birds flying freely as if they were dancing, just like how Ruri described her Lyrical Luscinia Deck.
She clenches her remaining hand tight, causing blood to appear. Naomi wanted to wipe the blood with her sleeves, but Yuki stopped. "All I ever wanted was to protect them. But I failed so many times, and now everything I care about is gone...his parents, Ruri, Shun, my friends' carded family members, my comrades of the Resistance, and now Yuto! Exactly why have I been fighting this entire time? Now all that's left is my monsters and my Deck, but I know soon that will eventually leave me because I tainted my dueling with hatred! I am the absolute worst!"
Yuki kept clenching her palm, covered in blood. She continued to degrade herself until she felt a hand on her shoulder. Naomi placed another hand on her shoulder. Yuki saw her counterpart have tears in her eyes, but they weren't falling down her cheek.
"Yuki-san...Just as you wanted to protect the people you care about, Yuto felt the same way. He told me he didn't want you to get hurt and kidnapped by Academia," Naomi trembled. "H-he said you were his sun, his light. He said Academia took your brilliance away from you when they invaded Heartland. He wanted to regain the light that had been stolen from you! That's why he fought so hard this entire time. The reason why he had to hurt his enemies was to protect you!"
Naomi let her tears fall. She didn't even bother to wipe them. She couldn't sit here any longer and let Yuki continue to bring herself down for failing to protect what mattered to her.
Yuki took Naomi's hands off her shoulders and returned her handkerchief. Yuki simply started to walk away from a distraught Naomi. She stopped in her tracks and turned around, eyes covered by a shadow.
"Naomi, it doesn't make the pain hurt less. At the end of the day, I failed myself and my loved ones."
With those words, Yuki leaves. Naomi gritted her teeth and wondered what can she do to cheer Yuki up. What can she do to bring Yuto back?... What can she do to wake Yuya up?
Naomi wanted to tell Yuki these words: "Isn't whatever Yuto entrusted to you still keeping you two together?"
She wanted to add to her words. It was the same for Ruri and the others. Naomi is sure Yuki's friends must have given Yuki their cards to entrust their feelings to her. Despite having different types, Yuki's deck contained her friends' and boyfriend's wishes and feelings. After all, it was the same for her.
She had cards that represented her friends and mom. They represent the strong bonds she has with them. Naomi felt determined to tell Yuki her words to lift her spirits. Even though she failed badly today, she can just try again tomorrow.
After witnessing some more matches, a particular one stands out to her. Naomi frowns at the name on the recap screen: Isao Kachidoki. This was the same person that beat up Yaiba during his match, ensuring his victory. She hopes none of her friends ever duel this person. She wouldn't be able to watch as her friends get mercilessly beat up in a duel and lose the match. She just couldn't do it to herself.
Naomi left the stadium, and before going home, she wanted to stop at Yuya's house, hoping the latter had finally woken up from his coma. But she didn't receive any calls from Yuzu. He had woken up. However, that didn't stop Naomi from being hopeful, even if it was by a small chance.
Naomi once again was greeted by Yoko, who shook her head as if she knew what Naomi was going to ask, which caused her to become upset about Yuya's situation even further. She asked Yoko if she could still go to his room despite the boy still unconscious. Yoko nodded. She can still go to his room. Naomi bowed her head and proceeded to go to Yuya's room. Naomi peeked through the door and saw Yuya still asleep in his coma.
Naomi was on the other side of the door and closed it. She leaned on the door. Her eyes seemed to be looking at the ground. "Yuya-san, I saw Yuki-san today, and I thought she would be okay," Naomi started. "But I was wrong, so wrong. She told me that she felt it had something to do with Yuto and what had happened to him the previous night. She said it was as if her heart had been ripped in half."
Naomi continued despite her shoulders trembling. She kept her composure from crumbling under the emotions she had been feeling the whole day and just continued to look at the floor.
"Yuki-san said he died and was never going to return back to her."
When Naomi looked up, she had tears in the corner of her eyes. She clenched her hands together and walked over to the unconscious boy. "So, please, Yuya-san, open your eyes. Come back to us. Everyone is waiting for you," Naomi begged, looking at Yuya before sitting beside his bedside.
"If something like that were to happen to you and it causes you to die..." Naomi trailed off. "I wouldn't be able to bear it."
Naomi wrapped her hands around his head and placed her head near his temple. Tears threatened to spill down her cheeks she almost started to cry, but she held it in. "I just couldn't do it...to live in a world without you...I just can't, Yuya."
Naomi had to endure the bullying, the name-calling, and the pain she felt when she lost her voice. But if something were to happen to Yuya, that would break her. Naomi will take being called a silent mouse, a no-sound idol, and even a fake again. But she wouldn't be able to take it if someone killed Yuya.
Naomi backed away from Yuya and unwrapped her arms. She wipes her tears and stands on her feet. She then headed towards the door but heard a voice when she was about to leave.
"..I feel the same way.." a voice muttered. Naomi turned around and thought maybe it was Yuya. But he was disappointed when the unconscious boy still hadn't opened his eyes. She soon dismissed the thought, headed out of his room, and went home before saying her goodbyes to Yoko.
What was going on in Yuya's Mind when Naomi's visit_
A hazy mist surrounded Yuya. He decided to keep walking into the mist, hoping to find an exit. But unfortunately, he kept running into memories that weren't even his. Memories of him being with two people who weren't his parents before he sees himself crying over them.
A black-haired girl comforting him in his time of need. She hugged him and gave him words of encouragement that helped him.
The next memory he saw was being surrounded by different people; one of them had the same face as Yuzu, but she had long dark purple hair and shorter lilac sides. She had pink eyes and stood next to Shun, who had a smile instead of the frown he usually wore. Yuya saw more faces of people he didn't recognize, but they all said...
"Yuto."
From before, the black-haired girl was Yuki, who looked at Yuto with love and adoration. She smiled sincerely and kissed him before leaning next to him as they sat on a grassy meadow.
"Yuto... Are these your memories?" Yuya mumbled. He encountered more memories instead of the kindness he felt before. These memories were all replaced by animosity. Blood, smoke, and screams filled the air. Yuya could barely breathe in and out to process what was going on.
Unexpectedly, he feels a shadow surrounding him in never-ending darkness. He felt his throat constrict, preventing him from breathing. It was as if his throat was on fire, and he couldn't get a single word out. Then a purple dragon with menacing red eyes appears before him. Yuya couldn't move a single inch before the frightening beast. The dragon breathes flames reminding him of Yuto's cruelest memories. He's in so much pain.
He wants to wake up but can't...
...he's in pain…
...he can't breathe...
...someone...anyone... help him from being burned...
...from being enveloped...
...by the unforgiving blazing darkness.
After moments of pain and suffering from the cruel darkness. He felt warmth surging through him. Yuya knows this feeling. He knows who makes him feel this way.
A window appears in his mind, revealing a distraught Naomi holding him in her arms as she cries.
"Please, Yuya-san, open your eyes. Come back to us. Everyone is waiting for you."
"I just couldn't do it...to live in a world without you...I just can't do it, Yuya."
The same woman who had appeared multiple times had shown up in the girls' minds and was now in front of him. She cupped his face with her hands. Even though the upper part of her face was covered, Yuya somehow knew she was sad.
"You hear her...Her voice is calling out for you, Yuya Sakaki," the woman mentioned. "You have to wake up one more time and give the world what it truly wants...Don't follow the same path he took..."
"If I'm near you, I will make sure you won't give in to your rage. I will be there to calm you and Yuto down."
Yuya gasped when he saw tears down the woman's cheeks. "So please wake up one more time….Wake up, for her sake...Please...I don't want to see you get hurt anymore..."
Yuya didn't realize the next words that came out of his mouth.
"I feel the same way..."
The woman gave a lopsided smile. She soon disappeared from his sight. The entire area was covered in purple light, and Yuya had to shut his eyes to prevent himself from going blind.
In the Real World_Present Time_
Yuya opened his eyes for the first time in two days. When he did, a lone tear dropped down his cheek and onto his pillow.
"I'm sorry...I made you cry again" Yuya stared blankly at the ceiling. Yoko came into the room to check on her son and dropped the towels and bucket on the floor due to her shock.
"Y-Yuya...You've finally woken up" Yoko blinked away her tears. "The doctor couldn't find anything wrong with you, and you wouldn't wake up for the past two days. It was during a time where I couldn't hear your heart beating, you stopped breathing completely, and you kept sweating through your nightclothes."
Yoko placed her hands on her son's head and stroked it. "I'm so glad, Yuya. My son has finally been awoken from his sleep," Yoko said. She gave a smile. Yuya just gave a faint smile in return.
"I'm back. Sorry I made everyone worry about me," Yuya apologized. "I'm sorry."
Yoko embraced Yuya and reassured him that he absolutely had nothing to apologize for.
"I'll Yuzu-chan and Naomi-chan to let them know you woke up. Despite everyone worried about you, those two girls were extremely hurt by what happened. They came in the past two days to see if you would wake up," Yoko explained, "first thing tomorrow, you need to talk to them and show them your smile Yuya."
The Entermate duelist nodded and leaned back against his bed. He will contact them to let them know he will be alright. He won't let the people he knows keep worrying about him like this. He will become stronger for their sake.
At Night_LDS Buildings_Yuki's Room_
Yuki checks her appearance in a mirror to see if her eyes are still red from crying too much today. She had calmed down from what transpired today.
Yuki can't believe she let her emotions get the better of her. She knows why she cried and raged; it was all because Yuto is now gone forever. Yuki clenches the sink tightly and steps away from the mirror. She has to keep her emotions in check from here on out, but she doesn't want to lose them. The feelings she felt whenever she was with him. If Yuki decided to seal her emotions, she would be no better than a lifeless doll.
Her birthmark shined a white color. The woman appears in front of Yuki, surprising her with her sudden appearance.
Yuki glared at the figure. "Remember what I said, Yuki. Don't forget to be compassionate to other people. If you lose that emotion, you'll forget how to love others again, including him," the woman advised.
Yuki reached forward to grab the woman by the shoulder, only for her hand to pass through. Yuki stepped back in shock, wondering why she couldn't touch the woman's body.
The woman smiled at Yuki and stepped toward her. "Don't worry. I'm not a ghost. I'm just an observer of this world. I'm here because I felt you were in need," the woman explained, "you either have to give up on your emotions altogether or embrace them but become hurt in the process."
"I'll tell you what you should do. You just need to bury them for the time being and when the time is right, then unleash every last one you buried," the woman continued, "so this way you would still have them, but they will be hidden away for a while."
Yuki felt taken aback by the woman's suggestion but soon, anger covered her face. "It's still the same thing you're telling me to be a lifeless doll until I regain my emotions! I don't want to bury my emotions, but what other choice do I have right now?!"
Yuki felt anger inside her rising. Who exactly is this woman anyway? Before she was about to lash out, a distorted picture popped into her head.
It was a young girl with the same hair color as the woman in front of her. It seems like she was crying in front of a tombstone with two names on them. But the names were too blurry that Yuki couldn't make them out.
She was now confused about what she had just seen.
"You see, Yuki. I, too, have experienced sorrow in my life as well. I thought I wouldn't recover, but I simply remember I have other people in my life that I couldn't remain depressed over the fact they are gone forever. They are in a better place," the woman explained. "That's why I gave you the option to either seal them away since you can't seem to control them or just let all of the pent-up feelings you feel out."
Yuki flinched at the woman's earnest words and started to look at the floor, ashamed of her lashing out at the kind woman. Yuki forced herself to speak.
"W-Will I become a better person if I seal my emotions?"
The woman shrugged. "That all depends on you, Yuki. Whether you become a better person with or without your emotions is all on you. But ask yourself this "is something I have to do to make sure I don't get hurt again but is this really the right decision" the woman replied. Yuki nodded her head, understanding the woman's words.
Yuki's worried that if she deals with them, she will forget about all the time she spent with her loved ones.
"Remember Yuki. Memories are never truly forgotten. They are still in your heart as long as you live. They will always remain inside you until the end of time."
Yuki recalled the words someone had said to her years ago, but she couldn't remember if her mother had told her that or if someone else did.
Yuki took a deep breath and came to a decision. She will seal half of her emotions away for a little while, and the emotions she decides to seal are her pain, love, and grief away.
"This is what I can do for you guys at this moment. At this rate, I won't be able to face you guys until I can control these feelings deep inside me. So, when that day comes, I'll apologize for being shameful. You had to worry about me constantly. Wait for me when that day comes around."
She doesn't know when that day will come, but when it does, Yuki will release all of them so she can face the people she lost properly.
The woman starts to become more transparent and looks into the night sky. It reminds her of when she had to make the same decision. She gives a pained sigh and forces herself to smile.
"I had to do the same thing back then to save the world...I, too, had to suppress my emotions to save everyone if it means sealing them off for the time being...to save everyone, including him..."
Oc Cards
Hokuto:
•Sacred Light_Spell
You can return a LIGHT Monster from your Graveyard to your hand. During the Battle Phase: You can banish this card from your Graveyard to halve the battle damage you would have took from that battle.
•Bright Radiance_Spell
You can draw two cards for each LIGHT Monster on the field.
•Constellar Serpens
Light/Rank 4/Warrior/Xyz/Effect/ATK 2400/DEF 400/OU:2
2 Level 4 LIGHT Monsters
Once per turn: You can detach an Xyz Material from this card to target a monster your Opponent controls and if you do, that monsters return to the hand. If your Opponent still controls a monster that was targeted by this effect is still on the field: you can banish that monster until your Opponent Next End Phase.
Pierce Light_Spell
If you control a 'Constellar' Xyz Monster: You can inflict damage to your opponent equal to the Xyz Monster's ATK.
Author's Note: Here is Chapter 24. The Next Chapter is a Rematch between two ideals. Vrains had ended three months ago, and all I can say for the ending is that I cried and enjoy it. My previous thoughts for Yu-Gi-Oh 7 are that it can either live up to its expectations that were set up for them by its predecessors (the good and the bad) or just completely blow my mind away. Now I have seen the preview, it is new, and I will keep an open mind about it and give it a try.
I gave Hokuto some cards because if I didn't, he would have lost horribly to Yuki, so I gave him somewhat of a fighting chance to make it seem he did give it all before losing the duel.