Chapter 16: Stern Blaukruger's Clash

"Hey Big Bro, no hard feelings after this?" Kamui asked as he shuffled his deck.

"Er, yeah… No… Hard… Feelings, Kamui…" Aichi struggled to say instead of 'You don't stand a chance anyway.' I will not let you control this time again! Aichi thought in defiance as he tried to fight down the Psyqualia building up in him. You want to help me win? Sure. But don't make me act like a jerk! Aichi mentally exclaimed as a new resolve surged through him.

Misaki decided to console Kourin as she seemed pretty hurt after what Aichi had said. "Hey, Kourin, are you okay?" Misaki asked sincerely.

"I'm fine. It's just it didn't seem like Aichi when he said that." Kourin pondered.

"The only time when he acted like this is when…" Misaki started but stopped in her tracks.

"You don't think it's…" Kourin wondered fearfully.

"Psyqualia?" a gentle voice emanated from their right.

"Hmm?" Both girls looked up to see Emi standing there, anxiety written all over her face.

"I heard some shoppers talking about a blue-haired boy beating up some thugs just now. If it was Aichi, he definitely was not himself…" Emi explained worriedly.

"Well, it could be possible… I mean… That he didn't contain that power… Right?" Misaki stated worriedly.

The three girls turned to the playing field to see Aichi deal the finishing blow to Kamui, with his vanguard only at Grade 2. "Wow, Big Bro that was awesome! A Grade 2 and you beat me? You're really good!" Kamui gushed with respect.

"Eh… It's… Nothing… I… Just… Got… Lucky… You played… Very well too!" Aichi stammered as internal conflict continued between in sanity and Psyqualia.

"Hey Big Bro, you alright?" Kamui asked, noticing Aichi clutch his head, wincing and stumbling backwards.

Aichi looked up and said, "Yeah I'm fine!" Before crashing straight into the announcer who was here to present the prizes to TRTT.

"D-hey kid, watch it will you?" the announcer said right before Aichi's eyes flared pink and Aichi said fiercely, "You had better watch where you're going or… Ow, sorry… I… Didn't… Mean… That…"

The announcer sensed the venom in his voice and decided to just hand him and his teammates the prizes.

The three girls immediately rushed up to him after Misaki and Kourin received their prizes. "Aichi, are you okay?" Emi asked worriedly.

"Yeah I'm fine." Aichi spoke softly, "How about we celebrate huh?"

"Eh, okay… If you're fine." Misaki agreed softly and everyone else nodded in agreement.

"C'mon! Cheer up… Let's go guys!" Aichi said with more volume and cheeriness in his voice. I will not let you beat me again! Aichi thought in defiance as the Psyqualia kept pushing, after the lack of display during the match. This struggle was written clearly on Aichi's face and everyone, including Neiji who had claimed to have finished whatever was so important just now, was wondering if it was still a good idea to go out instead of getting Aichi home to rest. Of course, Kourin would have gone for this notion if she knew Misaki was now living with Aichi but she didn't so, "Aichi, I think you better go back home. You don't look too well. You'd better go home and rest." Kourin suggested with concern.

Emi piped up and said, "We'll celebrate some other time Aichi, Kourin's right, you don't look too well."

Misaki held Aichi's arm and said, "C'mon Aichi, we're going home and you're getting some rest. Let's go Emi."

Emi nodded and the three siblings left, leaving a dumfounded Kourin, Kamui, Neiji and Eiji wondering why Misaki had went off with Aichi and Emi.

Why did I just say all that? Misaki asked herself, half reprimanding, half inquiring. I guess it's because I'm his sister now right? She reasoned, but deep down, somewhere in her subconscious, she knew it was not because she was his sister now, or rather, that was only a small part of the reason why she said all that, it was more because she loved him and cared for him. But those feelings haven't surfaced yet. And they would sooner than later if Aichi continued with this worrying behavior of his.

A/N: Okay, I've decided this would be the last chapter until my year ends 'cos I feel I should at least give you guys one more chapter to enjoy before I go MIA for some time….. I know this is all kinda rushed and the quality of this chapter isn't too good, but please know that this will not be the standard for the future chapters….. And thanks again for all your support people! Really keeps me motivated to write more! :