Author's Note: Yes, I'm pretty much making the two bond over their one common thread, which is Yuma.

"Where's Yuma?"

Kotori jumped when she closed her locker, only to reveal Shark leaning against the one beside hers, an irritated look on his face.

"Uh, hey Shark?" Kotori fumbled with he bag before slinging it across her shoulders. "He's sick, actually," she said when she had composed herself again. "Been sick ever since we got back from the WDC Eve. He thinks he ate something bad and got food poisoning, but I think it's just nerves for the tournament," she explained.

They began walking outside, toward the gates of the school, at a leisurely pace.

"Nerves?" he asked, seemingly surprised.

"Yeah. He may act all confident, but he's really not. He's been messaging me all day about card strategies, if you want proof."

"So he's not just-"

"He's not avoiding you, if that's what you're thinking," Kotori reassured him. "I may have seen you leave early, but every duelist in the finals has something on their mind and their own problems too, so I didn't tell him you left. He's not resentful that you didn't search him out." She smiled as she added, "He thought you were pretty elusive, actually."

"I try." Shark shrugged.

"So why'd you leave, if you don't mind me asking?" Kotori inquired, cocking her head to look at him as his face darkened.

"Not my kind of crowd," he said evasively. "Didn't like the food either. Glad I didn't stay if Yuma's telling the truth."

"Trust me, he's not. He's a terrible liar. Transparent, really."

"Are you a good one?"

"Better than him, but I think honesty is the best policy when it comes to having each other's backs, and I don't really hate you enough to bother with the effort of making up an intricate lie," she said slyly, seeing right through the intent of his question. "Don't underestimate me, Shark, I know what you're trying to imply." Kotori shoved him playfully.

He reflexively rubbed his arm where she hit and frowned. "I'm not worr-"

"You totally are. Who's lying now, Shark?" She grinned.

He sighed. "Alright fine, you've made your point," he said finally as they crossed the threshold of the school gates. "Just make sure Yuma's here tomorrow."

"Sure thing!"