Vile: Hey hey, Chapter 3 has made it. I must say, I'm getting reviews at a faster rate from this story than my others. Must be because A) This section is new, and B) People really want to see a good YumaxKotori fic. Also, people really seem to want to see Shark.

Shark: *flicks hair* 'Cause I'm awesome.

Yuma and Kotori: *roll eyes in amusement*

Vile: Yeah, at any rate, a couple reviewers gave me some insight on how to help this, and I appreciate it. I welcome constructive criticism, but flamers, tread lightly, because Shark's WATER Deck is primed to douse you. *Shark smirks* Now then, shall we get into this?

Takashi: First, the reminder: The disclaimer is on the first chapter, so refer there to see it.

Vile: Thank you. Now then, on with the fic!

39 & 13 means Love

Chapter 3

Yuma was still staring at the D-Gazer even after hanging up. "Did I seriously just call her Kotori-chan?" He asked himself quietly. He let out a breath that he didn't even know he was holding. "Man, I didn't think I'd actually say it."

Astral merely looked at him. "Yuma, do all humans have difficulty speaking statements they agree with regarding love?"

Yuma looked at him. "Not all humans, but most. Even when we agree with something, we sometimes have difficulty actually saying it out loud if it would cause us to feel embarrassed."

"…Observation #23: Embarassment can lead humans to conceal what they agree with." Astral noted.

Yuma rolled his eyes in amusement. 'I'm just glad she chose to come. I can give her this, and maybe she'll know how I feel.' He thought, holding up the Structure Deck and blushing. Then, his D-Gazer began ringing. 'Is it Kotori again?' Yuma answered the call, but was thrown completely off guard.

"Yuma!" A different female voice yelled, startling Yuma and almost making him drop the Deck and D-Gazer. Rather than his green-haired friend, the caller was an annoyed-looking redhead.

"*sighs* What's wrong now, Nee-chan?" Yuma sighed, not surprised to see his sister irritated.

"Care to tell me what you're doing at the Deck Shop?" Akari asked.

"H-How'd you know?" Yuma asked, shocked.

"Tokunosuke told me when I asked him where you were. Now, care to answer me?"

"*sighs* Oh, why not? I was here to get this." Yuma explained, holding up the Structure Deck.

"Another Deck?" Akari asked, still annoyed. "How many cards do you need, Yuma?"

"It's not for me!" The boy yelled. "I bought it for Kotori!"

Akari's annoyed face changed to one of confusion. "Kotori?"

"Yeah. It's… a gift." Yuma's face was tinting slightly. Then he heard a different voice.

"Yuma-kun!" This female voice was familiar, and Yuma saw Kotori running towards him, a smile on her face.

"Hey, Kotori!" Yuma called back to her. Akari also saw her.

Then, a smirk made its way onto the Tsukumo girl's face. "Is there something going on that I should know about, Yuma?"

Yuma blushed. "It's nothing, Nee-chan." He said, putting slight emphasis on the word "nothing".

Kotori was confused, but thought it was just another of their quarrels. Then she noticed the box Yuma was holding. "Is that a Deck? Don't you already have one, Yuma?"

Yuma momentarily forgot about his sister on the call and looked at her, then at the Deck. "Oh, yeah, this thing. I, uh, I got it for you." He said, handing her the Deck.

Kotori gasped when he offered her the Deck. "For me…?" She breathed. Yuma nodded with a smile on his face, and the girl took the box. She opened it and took out the Deck, sifting through the cards. She smiled at the selection. "These are great cards! How did you know I liked Winged-Beast monsters, Yuma?"

"I had a… little help." Yuma replied, looking away. Kotori thought he was just looking away, but Yuma was glancing at Astral with an "I owe you one" look while Astral was smirking.

Kotori stopped looking through the Deck, and placed it into her coat pocket, right next to the blank card she was still unaware of. Then she leaned over and hugged Yuma tightly, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Arigatou, Yuma."

Yuma blushed madly at the feeling of her warmth, but he enjoyed the feeling. The only reply he could muster was an embarrassed laugh, but he managed to wrap his free arm around her waist. The two of them were completely oblivious that the older redhead was still on the other line. But by now, her smirk had become an "o" face, which changed into a smile.

"Oh, so that's it!" Akari remarked. "Awww... so kawaii! My little's bro's got a girlfriend!"

Yuma and Kotori were brought back to reality at the sound of Akari's voice. Kotori blushed madly, but Yuma whipped right back to her. "S-Shut up, Nee-chan!"

Akari laughed a bit. "How could I? I knew you two would end up together!"

"We're not together!" Yuma yelled.

"Suuuuuuurrrrre you're not." Akari said, laughing some more. "Anyway, I'll leave you two to whatever you were planning. Have fun, lovebirds!" The woman hung up the call.

"Man, she's annoying at times!" Yuma complained, but he noticed that Kotori was giggling.

"You two are so funny when you argue." She said, then started laughing. Her laughter was contagious, and Yuma started laughing as well. Astral watched the two of them enjoying themselves with an amused look on his face. The two continued their laughter for a few minutes before calming down.

"So… should we get going? There's plenty of time to make this a Kattobingu day!" Yuma chirped.

Kotori couldn't help but giggle. "You and Kattobingu, Yuma, but you're right. Let's go before the day ends!" 'And I run out of time to confess.' She thought at the end. Yuma grinned and grabbed her hand before rushing off toward the city. Kotori blushed when Yuma grabbed her hand, but smiled and ran to keep up with him.

However, a pair of eyes across the street watched the scene. It was Cathy. "So that's the game you're gonna play, baby bird? Fine. I'll let you have your time with him, but try to take him from me…" Her words cut off with a hiss as she followed them into the city.

Yuma and Kotori made their way into the center of the city. They were right by the Heartland Square, which seemed to have been turned into a pseudo-Duel Plaza, and several Duels were going on. It was then that Kotori noticed something. "Uh, Yuma?"

"Yeah?" He replied.

"Y-You're still holding my hand..." She said sheepishly, blushing. Yuma looked down and noticed his head still holding on to hers and blushed.

"S-Sorry." He stammered.

"It's all right, Yuma. I don't mind." She assured him, squeezing his hand slightly.

Yuma smiled at her before looking back at the scene. "Y'know, Kotori… This might be cliché coming from me, but let's hop into the action! It'll be a perfect opportunity to show off your skills with your new Deck!"

Kotori gasped and looked away. "I don't know, Yuma. I've never Dueled before, so I don't think I'm very good." She felt a hand on her shoulder, and saw Yuma looking at her with a warm smile on his face.

"You can do it. I believe in you." He told her, adding a wink that made her blush. "Now come on. Let's both Kattobingu!"

Kotori smiled and nodded, now confident thanks to Yuma backing her up. "Yeah, let's go!"

"That's the spirit!" Yuma chirped. Then, a new voice called out.

"You definitely know how to encourage someone, Yuma." Both of them recognized the voice, and Yuma smirked.

"I'd know that voice anywhere…" Yuma mused.

Vile: Oooooh... an unknown character, eh? Granted, some people will know who it is the moment they read this. ^^

Tetsuo: I don't know. Who is it?

Vile: You'll have to wait until next chapter, Tetsuo.

Yuma: Aw man, I'm anxious! Next chapter's gonna be epic!

Kotori: *giggles* *to viewers* Be sure to leave some more reviews for Vile!

Tokunosuke: And check out some of his other stories too! I read some, and they're great so far, Ura!

Vile: Thanks, guys. Well, I guess I'm out for now! Hope you liked this one!

Computer Voice: Vile, logging out.