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Pairing: AichixKourin

Time: At the beginning of season 3

Kourin always admired Aichi in every possible way. He was strong, confident and impatient when it came to Vanguard. She was glad that she had someone as special as Aichi in her life. She never had friends and the only ones who would talk to her for who she was were Takuto, Rekka and Suiko. She was Kourin and not the pop idol so many people liked and adored.

"Kourin? Focus or you'll lose," said Naoki Ishida as he did his Break Ride. Kourin smiled, she didn't just have Aichi, she had lots of other friends as well now. She wasn't alone anymore, she would never be alone again.

"Sorry about that. It's my turn!" said Kourin as she drew a card from her deck. The battle ended with Kourin winning by just one single damage. She sighed. She wasn't bad or anything, but it seemed that she was the only one who wasn't improving.

"Nice work, Naoki. You have become a lot better," praised Aichi, smiling at his friends. Kourin felt a bit down that she wasn't also praised, but she would get it when she would deserve it.

"All right! Boss Lady! Let's battle!" said Naoki, aiming for the senior student. She just shot him a death glare, since he called her 'Boss Lady' again. Why did always people think of her as a gang leader, she wasn't that terrifying now was she?

"Kourin, you want to fight me next?" asked Aichi. She nodded. Her heart started to pound again, it was pounding so hard it could jump out of her chest any second.

"Stand up, Vanguard!" they yelled out and turned their starting Vanguard. The fight was intense as always, but Kourin couldn't help but being distracted by Aichi. She often asked herself how it would turn out if they would someday face each other and she needed to win, would she be able to? After 20 minutes the winner was decided. Aichi won by 2 damage. It couldn't be called even a close fight, since Kourin didn't focus very much.

"Great work, Aichi, you are stronger and stronger. I bet you could beat even Ren or Kai now," said Misaki.

"And what's wrong with you today, Kourin? You are playing horrible today, that's not your style," said Shingo, putting his Vanguard Weekly magazine on one of the deck in the Physics room.

"I don't know, I guess, today isn't my day," replied Kourin, faking a big smile. She knew how to be convincing, because she was a star after all. Nobody questioned her anymore. They played and practised a little more before the club meeting was over.

"One final match, what do you say, Aichi?" asked Kourin, hoping she would at least win one fight against Aichi that day. She had to get against Aichi, because she had never beaten him before and this was one of the ways to improve her skills.

"Sure thing! I mean, we still have at least a half hour remaining."

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

The fight lasted longetrthan the previous one Kourin and Aichi had. Kourin tried really hard to win this one. It looked pretty even, when they both were at five damage. Aichi had certainly a hard time to guard against her Jewel Knights.

"Damage check," said Kourin after Aichi attacked with Gancelot. She had to pull a heal trigger, or she would lose the game. She slowly revealed the top card of her deck to see that she drew a stand trigger.

"It was an amazing match, Kourin. You got me there for a sec."

"Yeah, Kourin! This was amazing," said Naoki and Shingo in unison. They both were impressed as how Kourin mastered the Jewel Knights so well. Even Misaki was proud that her friend managed to put such a fight against a international champion. After that they definitely ended with the club activities for the day.

"Well, see you guys tomorrrow," said Naoki and Misaki, who went home together, since their homes are on the same way. Shingo got picked up and the only ones left were Aichi and Kourin.

"Well, Takuto said he would pick me up. He just called me."

"Okay, I think, I can wait until he arrives."

"That's fine. I hate it when I have to wait somewhere by myself."

"You know, Kourin, I have never told you this, but when we battle I feel butterflies in my stomach, it's almost as exciting as fighting Kai," said Aichi, looking up at the sky and watching the sun slowly set. Kourin was shocked by this, but a wide grin appeared on her face. She was glad, that she could make Aichi feel this way, when they are fighting. Takuto came before Kourin got a chance to reply. They waved at each other and then the limousine took off.

"Did you have fun at school today?" asked Takuto. He was so nice to her, always supporting her and everything. As she lost sight of Aichi, she decided it. She would work hard to get stronger. And soon she would push Kai out of the way and make herself the only person, who Aichi will get butterflies from.

"Yeah, Takuto, I did."

REVIEW

A/N It's just my opinion, but I seriously hate this pairing. I used to like Kourin, but she started to act like Aichi was the only thing that mattered and therefore I started to dislike her as a character. But I'm satisfied with this one.