Yuma wasn't there the next day, so Kotori found herself alone once again during Duel Period. Everyone's competitive side got the best of them and they immediately went off to find some poor soul to duel, which left Kotori sitting alone on the bleachers, her D-Gazer clipped around her ear as she watched the action around her unfold. She had thought about getting a deck before and learning to duel, but it seemed expensive and her eyes had already been set on a cute pair of boots and this really snazzy high-tech netbook. Getting a deck wasn't exactly high up on her priority list.
"So, you really don't duel." Shark commented, sneaking up behind her.
She jumped, turning around. "You need to stop doing that…" Kotori moaned as she looked up, shielding her eyes from the glare of the afternoon sun. "But no, if you must know. I don't."
"Why not?" he inquired, sitting down next to her on the plastic and metal bleachers. "It's kind of a lifestyle here, don't you think you're missing out?"
"Look at you, talking more than usual," she teased. "But no, I don't feel like I'm missing out or like there's a void in my life that needs to be filled with cards. I'm happy with what I've already got."
"Friends who duel while you cheer on the sidelines?"
Oh. Well it kinda hurt when he put it like that. Kotori's cheeks puffed out in annoyance, much like Yuma's did, Shark noted. "I do tons of stuff on the sidelines, thanks."
"Like what?"
"Slap sense into Yuma when he's being a moron… encourage him when he's going to give up-"
"Give up? Since when does Yuma give up?"
Kotori frowned at the memory, of Yuma's dead eyes and weak voice and trembling limbs. "You… don't want to know," she said, nervously nudging her feet against the seat in front of hers. "It wasn't exactly a good day for him," she ended evasively. "So, how's your training going for the tournament?"
"Well enough. I'm taking a break, since no student here is worth my energy."
"Because none of them are finalists?"
"Because all of them are green," he corrected. "Like you'll be when I get around to teaching you how to duel."
"Wha-"
"I'm gonna buy you a starter kit. You can't just sit around and do nothing in Duel Period."
"Hey, I do lots of stuff during Duel Period!" she argued, standing up with her fists at her sides.
"Like?" he asked coolly.
She pouted. "Homework and studying and-"
"Cheering Yuma on?" He raised an eyebrow, waiting for her reaction.
She frowned, folding her arms across her chest. "Yeah, but that's not the point!"
Shark sighed. "It seems like you never have any fun. You can't always be a support beam, Kotori."
Her fists unclenched, brow unfurling, and she stared at him. "What?"
"You can't always support him," he repeated. "You know how the school system works. We're going to graduate and depending on our grades, we all go to different tiered schools. You're smart, Kotori. You're going to be splitting away from him soon. And it's almost like you never have any fun."
"Says Mister Serious," she shot back. "And I have fun! I go shopping and I do other things. There's lots of other hobbies than dueling, and just because I like them a little better, doesn't mean I don't have fun!"
"You'll have to show me some time, because I don't believe you." He reclined back into the seat and arms folded in his lap.
"Alright fine, why don't you come and watch me buy myself a new netbook on Friday, right before the tournament on Saturday. See me in action, or whatever… you know, 'in my element,' shopping for tech. Unless you're training?" Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. Was he really so interested in her life?
"Sure, mall, noon?"
"Fine. I'll see you then!" Kotori marched off, down the bleachers and back into the school.
Shark stared after her. How did she hang around with a group of duelists and have no interest in it herself? "You're so weird, Kotori…" he mumbled to himself as he clipped his D-Gazer over his ear and decided to try being a spectator like she always was.
Author's Note: Here's where they start branching off. They can't talk about Yuma forever, amirite?
Hope you enjoyed this chapter! Review if you wish :)