Her legs buckled and she fell to her knees, trembling all over. He once asked me if I needed a bodyguard to protect me whilst my brother was missing and I said no…maybe I should have accepted the offer because he would have continued to protect me even afterward. That would have stopped him from becoming the Kaiser. I'd have prevented it. She sniffed, tears rolling down her face to splash the ground. Her sobs were drowned out by the sea.

You said you'd miss me when you graduated and I knew how you felt. But you didn't even think of me, did you? I got no calls, no letters…nothing, the Obelisk Blue remembered. The next time I saw you was when you were the Kaiser. Even when you visited Duel Academy, I got nothing from you. Yet even after all that's happened, I still love you and that's why I came to see you today…but now that I think about it, it's pointless. You'll still be the Kaiser. Not Zane.

"You lied when you said you'd miss me," Alexis remarked aloud.

"I meant it," came a voice from behind her.

Alexis did not turn and face him. "No you didn't. You've done enough. Leave me alone."

"You know me better than that, Lexy."

That tone. That nickname. Could it be that he -

Stop it Alexis, she admonished herself. You're being delusional. There's no way. "Go away, Kaiser!" she bit out.

"I'm not going anywhere." His voice remained calm.

"Kaiser…"

"That's not my name, Lex."

"It is! The person you were before is long gone…" She choked on a sob. "Stop torturing me and leave."

A heavy sigh. The Obelisk Blue felt him draw nearer until he was right behind her. His presence at such a close proximity made the breath hitch in her throat and her heart lurch.

"Don't come any closer, please…" Alexis sobbed. "You're making it worse."

Ignoring her request, he went and stood in front of her. She stared hard at the ground as he knelt down like she had done.

"Look at me."

"No…" she whispered, keeping her gaze fixed on the floor.

He tilted her face upward. Brown met grey. Alexis saw that his eyes were softened by concern and there was a light frown on his face as they searched hers. They were not flinty and hard like she had expected, nor was his expression stony and his voice cold.

"What do you see, Lex?" he asked.

"Zane…" was all she could manage before bursting into tears again, although this time it was from relief and joy. He let her cry into his shoulder.

They stood up once she had calmed down.

"I'm sorry for making you come out here," she told him sheepishly.

Zane gave her a small, sincere smile. "Don't worry about it. I'd much rather be here with you."

There was a pause. They stood almost shoulder to shoulder, staring out to sea. Like they had done before he had graduated.

"I'm glad you're back." Alexis spoke up, wiping the tears from her face. "I missed you so much."

"I missed you too," Zane replied. "It feels like ages since we were last here like this."

"Yeah. It was one of the things I missed when you left. It used to be the only time we got some peace and quiet from noisy classmates and busy lessons," she recalled. "I always looked forward to it."

"Me too."

"Your health isn't good at the moment. If I were you I'd wait until you've recovered before you start duelling." She shifted her gaze to him briefly. Her tone became serious. "I don't want a repeat of what just happened. Just when I thought you were fine I nearly lost you again…so take it easy, okay?"

"I will," he promised.

Alexis switched her gaze to the sea, which was sparkling in the spring sunlight. It was a lovely sight. Keeping her eyes on the ocean, she asked, "Zane?"

"Yes."

"I care about you. Your graduation made me realise that," she stated slowly. "But what happened afterwards and up until now has…I…"

"It's okay."

Alexis was perplexed. "Huh?"

"I know what you're going to say."

Her brown eyes widened. "Really? You know that I…I love you?"

His silver eyes looked into hers, serious yet warm. "Yes, Lexy…I feel the same way."

"Oh, Zane!" Alexis embraced him. "I'm glad. Thank you."

He gave a quiet chuckle, returning the hug. "You're welcome."

Sakura and Hilary watched them a short distance away.

"One confession down, one to go right Hil?" the pink-haired ninja winked playfully, making the brunette flush deep crimson.

"Y-yeah," she agreed awkwardly. She cleared her throat, regaining her composure and smiling at Sakura. "Two returns down, one to go."

"Yes…" Sakura nodded, her eyes returning to the couple before them. Her voice was filled with longing.