The next day, Yusei received Akiza's text. He smiled at Akiza's explanation for the random person in the picture.
Yusei studied Akiza's room. It wasn't bad – it looked clean and neat. It contained the basics of what a student would need and a few other comforts.
Looking at Akiza's college dorm reminded Yusei that his own school was going to start soon. He had received an email earlier. Because he lived so close to his school, Yusei opted not to live in a dorm. He saw no point in renting one, and his tuition didn't exactly cover one.
Both Yusei and Akiza were attending universities. Yusei was accepted into Neo Domino City University (NDCU for short) and Akiza was accepted into Ko-oh University, respectively.
Akiza, Yusei knew, planned on becoming a doctor, helping patients and saving lives – for that, Yusei respected and admired her. He truly hoped she would become a brilliant doctor.
Yusei himself decided to become a research scientist like his father for Neo Domino City. He wanted to help the people of his city too, but in a different way than Akiza. Part of it included studying the Zero Reverse, to prevent something like that from ever happening again.
For a moment, Yusei stood there in his room. He wondered what he should text Akiza. Each time they texted, their texts always included a picture. It seemed like an unspoken tradition and Yusei intended to keep it that way.
Well, he thought, For now I'll just take a walk and see if anything inspires me.
It was late evening and city lights dotted the streets. Yusei toured the familiar streets, breathing in the crisp, cool air. He walked past what seemed to be a rose garden. Suddenly, he stopped.
Roses! That's it!
Through their texts, the couple learned more about each other, and Yusei learned that roses were Akiza's favorite flowers. Not that it would've been hard to guess since her special card was her Black Rose Dragon.
Yusei snapped a picture of himself in front of the roses, holding out one he had picked so that it looked as if he were offering it to Akiza when she saw the photo.
Yusei chuckled a little as he sent the pic.
I wonder what she'll think, Yusei thought.
As usual, he closed off with the words "I love you."
Black Rose Dragon…Crimson Dragon…
Yusei unconsciously touched his right forearm where his Mark of the Dragon used to be. Of course, now, it was gone, as the Crimson had removed the marks from all of the Signers and freed them all from the heavy burden of protecting the world.
Yusei fished into his pocket and retrieved his most precious card and friend. One that his had stuck with him through the hardest of times and helped him defeat evil and his opponents.
It was his ace, Stardust Dragon.
He fingered the card gingerly.
His dueling days were over – for now.
Dueling would always remain a part of Yusei, and he absolutely planned on continuing to do so in the future.