Knight in Red

While Kaoru had grown close to Yasuhiko, he was much more curious about Daisuke: his knight in red armor. Apart of him worried he might've become too attached to Kite, but could one blame him after all he'd done for him? He was the only reason he logged on anymore and everyday he waited for his name to flash that he was online, but it hadn't in months.

Blackrose was especially disappointed by his inactivity, eventually confessing that she might've been in love. Kaoru had considered Kite as more of an older brother, and perhaps he needed to be that person for Daisuke, now. He wanted to know what had tainted him so deeply. Where was that bright smile that cheered him up in even the darkest of times? He used to be so optimistic and funny, but that person had completely disappeared.

"Hey! Kaoru! Over here!" the teen smiled as he approached Shouta, who was leaning against his motorcycle, "Want a ride home?"

"...U-uh...well..." the University student chuckled as he revealed a second helmet.

"It'll be fine! I won't go too fast! I used to take Daisuke home after soccer practice!"

"...Well—ah! A-Actually, I can't! Thanks! Perhaps another time?" Shouta raised a brow as the sophomore hurried after the avoidant Daisuke. He followed him to the row of bikes lined up against the rail and sent a friendly wave, trying his hardest to earn a smile from the bitter boy.

"...Why are you being so nice all of a sudden? I thought you hated me." Kaoru blinked.

"...N-No...I couldn't...hate you. Even before I knew you were Kite, I just thought you were weird." Daisuke rolled his eyes as he knelt to unlock his bike, "...Can I...walk with you?"

"I have to go to work." Kaoru lowered his eyes.

"...Why...won't you log in?"

"It's none of your business, okay?! I-..." he cut off, seeing how upset he'd made him, "...Later."

Maybe Kite really was gone. The teen heaved a sigh and started down the sidewalk alone. He absentmindedly brought his thumb along his charm of Mia in attempt to cheer himself up, but it only made him miss her more. Kite had once distracted him from that gaping hole that had formed within him, but now that feeling was coming back.

"...Mom?..." he called from the front door, "Mom?..." it was still a little early for her to be home, so he threw his bag to the side and headed into his room. He'd tried to change as Kite had encouraged: to become social and work to his full potential. It was because of Kite that he'd managed to skip a whole grade! When his parents divorced, it was Kite who stayed up all night to listen to him cry from his monitor. He'd always been there for him, even when he'd once felt jealousy towards the red player, and a bit of resentment. He laughed at those memories now, realizing how childish they were.

"...Offline..." Kaoru sadly uttered as his eyes naturally glanced at Kite's dulled name. Perhaps it was better their friendship died this way, while their memories together were still good.

"Hey Elk! Wanna play today?"

It was a message from Blackrose.

"Actually, I want to talk to you. Let's meet in Mac Anu."

At the Chaos Gate, a pink-haired Heavyblade appeared and approached with blue-haired Wavemaster in concern. She looked worried, but he assured her it was nothing serious.

The two walked to the back of the alleyway before Elk voiced his thoughts, surprising the girl with the mention of his name: Kite.

"I told you I moved to Tokyo and...I made some friends, right? Well, I...also met Kite...in the real world." Blackrose looked surprised, but also a bit envious. Still, she remained quiet.

"He's...different. He doesn't like this game anymore."

"Do you mean to say...that he won't log on again?" Elk shrugged.

"I don't know, but...even after we realized our identities, he's only avoided me."

"Really?...So...that's all you wanted to talk about?" the Wavemaster buried his face in his gloved hands.

"I...I'm depressed, Blackrose. I'm upset that...he won't look at me anymore. I already lost Mia and now..." tears welled in his eyes, "...What did I do to deserve this abandonment?"

"Elk..." Blackrose wrapped her arms around him, despite it being a mere virtual image, "...I won't abandon you and Kite...I'm sure he hasn't, either. Maybe he just needs some time alone. He told me that there have been some things going on at home...before he stopped logging on completely. Maybe those things haven't been resolved."

"...I hope he's okay. I'm so worried." the girl sadly smiled.

"Kite's strong. I know he'll be okay, just wait."

"Mm. Thank you, Blackrose. I was worried you'd be mad."

"What? Why would I be mad?" Elk sheepishly dropped his gaze, "Haha! Elk, let's play! I won't be able to log on for a while because of tennis, so I want to make this last night count!"

"Did you make it to another tournament?" Blackrose beamed.

"Yep! We'll be playing in Tokyo next weekend, so drag your butts over to watch us dominate!"

Blackrose sent out official online invitations to everyone, including Shouta and Yasuhiko. The three of them agreed to go together, though they weren't sure how they'd drag Daisuke along. Akira really would've wanted to see him, but that didn't seem plausible with how he'd been acting lately.

"I'll try to talk to him." Shouta volunteered as they caught sight of the dark-eyed boy reading some sports magazine. The two wished him luck, but even the handsome University student couldn't earn a glance in his direction! He looked more pissed off than usual and Kaoru decided he'd be the next to try.

With a deep breath, he approached the former hero with a wide grin, though Daisuke only rolled his eyes.

"Can't you just leave me alone?" his tone was softer this time, but still annoyed, "I'm busy."

"Daisuke...um..." he cleared his throat, "Blackrose is having her tennis tournament. She really wants you to come."

Finally, their eyes met and Kaoru's heart skipped a beat. Did he finally have his attention?!

"...I have work."

"—but! Kite!—"

"My name is not KITE! It's Daisuke! Why can't you people just let me be?!" Kaoru bit back his lip as the boy closed his magazine and stormed off. Shouta and Yasuhiko rushed up from behind to comfort him, but that didn't stop the tears from falling.

It wasn't the scolding that had gotten to him: it was the harsh reality that his friend really had changed.