A/N: Here's the first real chapter! Enjoy! We don't own Yugioh GX or Yugioh 5D's.

Spirits talking (human or duel monster) is in quotes and italics.

It was mid-afternoon, a cloudy day outside. Just a typical day in Neo Domino City, and people were going about their regular business. The only thing even slightly off about this day was the brown-haired teenage boy visiting an old cemetery. Not that there was anything wrong with visiting a cemetery, but it would make more sense to visit one that had been used in the last couple of centuries rather than one that had been closed down over 1,000 years ago.

The boy with the two-tone hair stared at the grave before him, a dull look on his face. Out of all the graves he could have chosen, this was the one that called to him the most. Not Sho Marufuji's, or Johan Andersen's, but this one. The one with the name Manjoume on it.

"Why's this happening...?" he asked nobody in particular, his voice barely more than a whisper.

He knew better than to stand here—the pain was always worse when he visited their graves. Yet there he was, reading the tombstone, ignoring the last name and the name of the woman's husband. Asuka. Born May 5, 1999. Died September 15, 2092.

He spent a great deal of time at this grave simply because of an ancient regret. He had loved Asuka, yet, because of his...condition, she had married Jun Manjoume. The regret: he had never told her how he felt about her because of it. Why bother? She was married by the time he got the chance.

"Damn it..." he cursed.

A little winged spirit appeared beside him, a sad look in its big eyes. The Winged Kuriboh really wished his partner would stop coming here all the time. All it did was make him hurt more.

"Kuri..."

Another spirit appeared on the boy's other side—a humanoid creature with dragon wings and a third eye on her forehead. Two different colored eyes looked at the boy in concern.

"Judai... Maybe we should leave..." she said gently.

The boy, Judai, ignored her.

"Kurii, kurii..." Winged Kuriboh agreed with the other, whom it called Yubel, also trying to get their friend to leave this place.

Judai didn't listen to that one, either. He was lost in thought, going over everything—the friends he'd lost, the regrets he had... All of it.

"They're gone... All of them... And I never..."

Tears welled up in Judai's eyes.

"Kuri, kuri... Kurii kurii kurii..." the little spirit tried again, saying that this place was way too depressing and it wasn't good for him to stand around moping all day. It wasn't like it helped him any.

Yubel tried to help it in its efforts. "Judai, he's right. We should go someplace else, okay? Come on, let's get out of here."

Again, Judai didn't hear her. He started crying, and his friends feared the worst was coming—another breakdown. Whenever he'd break down, he shouted to the heavens, and it could take him hours to calm down at all. What was worse was the fact that he never heard a word the two spirits said until he was done ranting, when he was slightly more calm.

Their fears were confirmed by Judai's next words. "Why me!? Why is this happening to me!? I keep losing people, and I can't do anything about it! I can't take it anymore!"

"Judai!" Yubel cried. "Please don't do this again! Look, while you're standing around here feeling sorry for yourself, something like Zero Reverse might be happening again!"

She hoped to get his attention—sadly, though, this was where he was and what he was doing when that had happened, too. About seventeen years ago, give or take.

Judai stopped, and the spirits held their breaths, waiting, hoping.

After a moment, he said, "Right..."

The spirits breathed a sigh of relief, glad that they had gotten his attention before it had gotten too bad. Judai started walking away. He stopped, glancing back over his shoulder at Asuka's grave, then he ran off.

Yusei Fudo was many things. Intelligent, a great friend, an amazing duelist, and a Signer, to name a few. But what he wasn't was a miracle-worker. And it was starting to look like it would take a miracle for him to actually get to one of these dates of his on time.

"Hey! Yusei!" he heard Jack call. "Quit messing with that dumb thing and come help me with this damn refrigerator before it blows!"

Yusei sighed, putting his comb down. He turned to his roommate.

"What did you do now, Jack?" he asked.

"And what makes you think I did it!?" Jack demanded.

Yusei crossed his arms, looking thoughtful, and said, "Hmm, let's see. Well, who was it that broke the TV when it got a little fuzzy? Who broke the stove, trying to cook by himself? Jack, a word of advice: If you don't know how it works and something seems off to you, leave it to me, okay?"

"Whatever! Stop wasting time scolding me, and hurry up and fix it!"

Yusei sighed again and pulled out his phone, dialing a number.

"Hey, uh, Aki?" he said when she picked up. "I'm...gonna be a little late...again."

An hour later, Yusei wiped the sweat off his brow, a wrench still held in his opposite hand.

"Okay. I think she's cooled down some," he said. "Just do me a favor, Jack. Leave it alone until I get back?" Without waiting for an answer, he climbed aboard his D-Wheel and started it up, ready to leave. "Now, if you'll excuse me, Jack, I had a date with Aki that was supposed to have started an hour ago."

"Hold on!" Jack said as Yusei drove off. "And just what do you expect me to do with this while you're gone!?" he demanded, half a cup of ramen in his hand. "Yusei!"

Aki was getting tired of this. It never failed—every time she and Yusei planned a date, some sort of emergency popped up that Yusei had to attend to, whether it was missing children or Jack blowing stuff up. It was starting to look like she would never have a normal date with Yusei.

It took the guy about an hour after their date should have started to show up for her, which made her grateful that they hadn't bothered getting reservations anywhere. "Hey, there," he said. "Sorry I'm so late."

"It's fine. So? What was it this time? Aliens invading?" she asked sarcastically, arms crossed and glaring.

"No. Jack just broke another appliance, causing it to overheat to the point where it was ready to explode again," Yusei answered casually.

Crow drove up just then. "Hey, Yusei! I could use a hand here, buddy! You got a minute?" he asked.

"Sorry, Crow," Yusei answered. "Did you forget I had a date today?"

"Come on, man!" Crow said incredulously. "You were supposed to have started that an hour ago! Are you telling me you're still not done? Now what happened?"

"I'll tell you later."

"Well, then, I'll make this quick. You wouldn't know where I could find a Miss Angela Manjoume, would you? I've looked everywhere for her, and she's nowhere in sight! Honestly, it's like her house is invisible or something. What do you think, Yus?"

Yusei sighed. "I think you're looking in the wrong town, Crow. Try taking the north interstate to the city of Dice, cross the Dragon Heart bridge there, then find Blue Star Street, and she should live around there somewhere."

Yusei ought to know where she lived—he'd helped her move when the moving truck had broken down.

Crow crossed his arms, muttering, "Man, I hate out of town deliveries." To Yusei, he said, "Well, anyway, thanks, bro! Good luck with your date, pal! I'm rooting for ya!" He saluted him with a wink and a grin.

"Thanks, man." Silently, Yusei added, I'll sure need it. Aloud, he went on, "Good luck with Miss Manjoume. I hear she's quite the hot-head."

"No need to worry about me, buddy," Crow told him. "Just focus on your date. And remember, we're all behind ya, so make this date a good one, 'kay?"

Yusei nodded and held out a fist. Crow smiled and bumped fists with his friend.

"Well, I gotta run," Crow said. "See ya tonight, man! Don't forget to tell me how it went, okay?"

Yusei nodded. Crow gave another salute and drove off.

That's when Yusei turned back to his date. "Look, Aki, I'm sorry for the—"

"Oh, drop it," she cut him off. "Let's just go before King Kong decides to climb the Security tower or something."

She walked past him, looking annoyed. Yusei followed, guilt creeping up on him.

Great. Aki's really mad this time, he thought. Why does this always happen?

Sheesh, this woman's all business, isn't she? Tell her I want to contact the dead, she sets up the circle for the séance before I even tell her who or why.

It was true. Judai wanted to contact the dead, so he had stopped at a fortune-teller's home, seeking out a woman by the name of Misty. She had thought, at first, that he wanted her to read him, but he had corrected that quickly. He already knew, after all, that his life would never get any better. The raven-haired woman had just gone along with it.

Blue eyes turned on him as she asked for the name of the spirit they would be contacting. Those eyes widened when he said that he wanted to contact an ancient woman named Asuka Tenjoin.

"Okay. Let's see if I've got this," Misty said. "You want me to perform a séance to contact a 2,000-year-old woman? Why?"

"Can you do it or not?" Judai asked, evading the question.

Yubel appeared again. "Uh, Judai? Is this a good idea? Maybe we shouldn't. I mean, won't seeing her only hurt you again?"

Misty looked thoughtful.

I have to do this, Judai told Yubel.

"But why? What does that matter now? You know you'll never see her again afterward."

"Well, I suppose I could," Misty said, preventing Judai from answering Yubel. "Still, that's an odd request, young man. Why contact such an ancient spirit, anyway?"

He hesitated, trying to think up some excuse. Finally, he said, "Ancestor...of someone I know." That wasn't a lie—he knew Angela Manjoume, her descendant, after all. "Do you always ask so many questions when someone comes to you for something?"

Misty gazed into his eyes. Whatever she saw must have been downright depressing because she looked deeply saddened after a moment.

"Alright," she said. "But know this. The pain in your heart won't fade away just by saying this..."

Judai didn't answer. He had already figured as much, though he was hoping it might lessen a bit, at least.

"Do you still want to do this?" Misty asked him.

"Judai, please say no," Yubel begged. "It's okay to have a few regrets in life."

Truth be told, this wasn't the first time Judai had contacted the dead. The previous month, it was Sho. Now, every so often, that spirit showed up for a visit.

Judai hesitated for only a moment before he said, "Yes... Yes, I do."

"Very well, then," Misty said. "Take my hands, and close your eyes."

It was amazing! It was stupendous! It was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence! Yusei and Aki had actually had a peaceful and uninterrupted drive to the restaurant! No challenges to duel, no calls from anyone... Nothing!

Of course, it was too good to be true. Right outside of the restaurant, Rua and Ruka were in a heap of trouble. Rua was in the middle of a duel with a muscular man with long hair pulled back into a ponytail.

"Ha! You're weaker than my grandma, kid!" the man taunted. "Why not just give up and give me your decks and duel disks already!?"

"Yusei!" Aki said. "Look there! Isn't that Rua dueling someone!?"

"Yeah," he said, parking his D-Wheel. "Wonder what's up."

He ran over to see what was going on, Aki following close behind.

"Rua!" Ruka cried, worried, as her brother fell to the ground. "Are you okay!?"

"I'm...fine," he managed. "Ruka...d-don't worry... I'll p-protect you...I promise... I'll...win this thing...no matter what..."

That wasn't very reassuring. "Rua..."

Yusei looked, wondering even more what had happened. Rua had blood dripping down from a cut on his forehead, and that was only one among many cuts covering his little body. He was bruised and burned as well. In his condition, he could hardly stand, let alone duel. But, to protect Ruka, Yusei knew the kid would never give up this duel.

The man laughed, watching Rua struggle to get to his feet. "Boy, are you an idiot! Give up, already! You can't even stand up, let alone play a card!"

"Y-yeah...? Well...we'll see...about..."

He fell down again. He looked ready to pass out.

"Hey. Why not try picking on someone your own size?" Yusei intervened.

The man looked at him. "And just who do you think you are? We're in the middle of a duel here! So back off!"

"Yusei!" Ruka cheered, happy to see him.

Rua glanced up from the ground. "...Yusei...?"

Yusei walked over and knelt down in front of his friend. "Hey. Rua. Mind if I take it from here?"

"W-well..."

He was about to say no, but his vision blurred. As much as he wanted to continue, he had to admit that he couldn't right now. Not in his condition.

"Urg... S-sure, Yusei. G-go ahead, I g-guess..." he stammered.

Yusei took Rua's cards and placed them on his own duel disk, then stepped in front of his weakened friend defensively.

"I'm your opponent now," he said.

The man laughed. "Whatever, dude. It's your funeral."

"Be careful, Yusei!" Ruka warned. "He fights dirty! He's got a device that deals all battle damage to his opponent as real damage!"

"What?" Yusei turned to Rua as Ruka ran over to her brother. "Is that what happened, Rua?"

"Y-yeah... That c-creep's real tough, Yusei... W-watch your b-back, okay...?"

Yusei nodded as Ruka pulled Rua into her arms.

"Thanks," he said. "And don't worry. I'll be sure to put this guy in his place!"

He glared over his shoulder at the thug before turning back to make sure his friend was alright. Ruka nodded. Rua looked up, grinning, and gave Yusei a weak thumbs up before passing out. Yusei turned back to the creep, and the duel resumed.

Aki sighed as she watched this all go down. Well, here we go again. You know, I think I'll go ask Misty why our luck's so bad lately. Maybe there's a reason for all this, she thought. "Yusei!" He turned, and she went on, "I'm going home. Sorry, but I can't do this again right now. We both know how it will end."

Yusei sighed, knowing she was right. After all, now he would have to get Rua to the hospital, so there was no way they'd have any time to do anything. He nodded and apologized for the ruined date.

"Just make sure Rua's okay, okay?" Aki added.

He nodded and drew a card. Aki turned away, worried about the consequences of their failed relationship, and headed off to see Misty. Hopefully she could shed some light on not only why their dates were always interrupted, but why people always got hurt when they tried anything.

Everything was quiet as Misty tried to channel the long-dead spirit. She and Judai sat around a small, round table with only the flickering candles lighting the room. She told Judai to close his eyes and concentrate, and the séance began.

"Asuka Tenjoin... Please, hear my call, and appear!"

A strange wind blew through, blowing out the candles. All was silent for a moment.

"There's someone here..." Misty said. "Oh, great spirit, if you can hear us, please, give us a sign. And, if you are Asuka, then there's someone here to see you."

They opened their eyes to find a single Duel Monsters card face-down on the table. Misty stared at it for a moment.

Finally, she said, "The spirit has sent us a message... Let's see what it means."

She flipped over the card, and Judai saw a monster he hadn't seen in a long time—Etoile Cyber.

Misty wasn't sure what to make of it. "An interesting sign. What could it mean, though?"

Judai was having trouble breathing. His chest felt compressed all of a sudden, as if something were wrapped around it too tightly. "Asuka..." he whispered.

"Last chance, Judai," Yubel said. "Stop this before it's too late!"

She was begging, and she didn't beg. After all, this wasn't any better for him than standing around in graveyards all day, and the two seemed to come hand in hand lately.

"I see... So she is here..." Misty said. "Oh, dear spirit. Asuka Tenjoin. Please listen to what I have to say. Your precious friend has something important to tell you. Please hear him out."

She looked at Judai, signaling for him to speak.

"Asuka... I'm sorry," he said. "I should have told you this a long time ago, but...I love you. I always have, and I always will..."

A cold wind blew through, and the card changed: Hidden Affection. Then, slowly, it changed into The Unhappy Maiden.

"She's telling us that she felt the same way and is sad to have lost you..."

Judai was silent. He had thought that getting that off his chest would make him feel better, but it hadn't.

A feeling of unbearable sadness filled the room, as if the spirit couldn't handle being here. After that, everything returned to normal.

"...She's gone..." Misty said.

Yubel looked at Judai worriedly, certain that encounter had to hurt. "Judai...?"

He didn't speak, which wasn't very reassuring for the duel spirits. Yubel was certain they'd end up back in that graveyard that she and Winged Kuriboh had just convinced him to leave.

"Well, apparently she has the same regrets, young man," Misty said, breaking the silence. "Perhaps that's why it was so easy to reach her."

"Kurii...?" Winged Kuriboh asked cautiously, worried by Judai's continued silence.

It took another moment for the brunette to find his voice. "Thanks... And don't call me 'young,'" he said. "I'm way older than you..."

He got up to leave and was almost to the door when Misty spoke.

"Perhaps that shall soon change..."

Judai looked at her. She had her eyes closed.

"...Yusei Fudo... Do you know him...?"

"Yusei...?" Judai asked, eyes widening slightly.

"Carly!? Mikage!?" a woman's voice yelled from outside. "What's going on here?"

Misty grinned. "Perhaps she knows, dear one..."

"What? Who?" Judai asked.

A spirit with blue hair and gray eyes appeared beside him, taking on the appearance of a teenager. A regular visitor since last month's séance, Sho Marufuji. "Aniki... The Security's outside... I think there's trouble out there..."

Judai headed outside to check it out. He had seen how Security treated the people in Satellite the last time he was here, after all.

When Judai got outside, he saw a girl in a striped shirt and a yellow vest with her hands cuffed behind her back. A woman in a gray dress with brown eyes and purple hair was, apparently, arresting her, making her the first Security officer Judai had seen who didn't wear a uniform. Before them both stood a woman with red hair, longer toward the front, and brown eyes. Her outfit was just as eccentric as many he had seen in recent years: a short, black dress with a red and white one over top that was open in the front and longer in the back. Honestly, modern fashion would never make sense to him.

"I swear!" the girl said, sweating. "I wasn't spying on government secrets on purpose! I was just following a scoop! Uh, that had nothing to do with the government, of course!" She laughed awkwardly.

The red-head didn't seem to be following. "...What?"

"See...?" Sho said, pointing. "I think they're up to something again..."

"You can tell it to the judge later!" the Security officer said. "Wait til Jack hears about this one." She smiled at the thought.

Judai knew those three. One of them was Mikage Sagiri. Last he'd checked, she worked for Jack Atlas. Of course, that was when that guy had still been the dueling King. Judai was pretty sure he wasn't anymore, having lost that Fortune Cup to some guy whose name Judai hadn't cared to figure out. The accused was Carly Nagisa, a wacky reporter whose stories he occasionally read. Finally, there was Aki Izayoi, the Black Rose Witch. He had seen her duel during the Fortune Cup when her identity was blown. That was the only duel of that event he had seen, actually.

Carly growled. "So that's it, huh!? You're just trying to get me in trouble with Jack again! I should have known that was it! After all, I was nowhere near you guys! I was just minding my own business, taking pictures of a strange, glowing rock!"

Strange glowing rock? Okay, that was a story Judai wanted to read...assuming, of course, that Carly didn't get arrested for trying to publish it.

"Which, it just so happens, Security was sent to retrieve, so there!" Mikage said, sounding every bit the immature teenager.

"That's a violation of freedom of the press!" Carly protested. "I found it first!"

"But we found the energy signal long before you showed up!"

Aki blinked. "Just a moment. What did you guys find?"

"You don't know that for a fact!" Carly retorted.

"Oh, don't I?"

The two women growled at each other. Judai figured it was time to stop standing on the sidelines. He walked over, playing the concerned bystander. "What's going on here?" he asked.

"You don't need to worry, sir," Aki told him. "We've got this, okay?"

"That's right," Mikage agreed. "Everything's under control. Now move along."

Carly growled again. "You just want Jack all to yourself! I bet you planted that there on purpose!"

"What did you say!?" Mikage demanded.

Aki sweat. "It's not as bad as it looks. Don't worry, I've got this." She smiled at him reassuringly.

Judai just raised his eyebrow.

"You heard me!" Carly went on. "You put that rainbow-colored stone there! You just knew I'd find out about it and come to write a story! Admit your guilt! The people deserve to know that you abuse your power!"

Aki shook that part off and tried to ask again. "You guys found a strange, rainbow-colored stone? Where is it now?"

"My apologies, Miss Izayoi. But this one shouldn't be of any concern to you," Mikage told her. "We don't think it's dangerous or anything. We did take it to the lab for further research, though."

"So, if it's not dangerous, why keep it a secret?" Carly grilled. "The people deserve to know the truth, you know!"

"Because it emitted a mysterious electromagnetic energy that we're not ready to share with anyone yet. We still don't know for sure what it really is, so we plan on letting Dr. Fudo look at it first."

Judai started at the name. "Fudo?"

Aki didn't look much happier than Judai felt. "Oh..."

"Don't worry, Miss Izayoi. This one's not an emergency, so it shouldn't interrupt your date," Mikage assured her.

Aki humphed. Sure it won't. And I'm sure Godzilla won't attack tomorrow, either... Besides, my date already ended. She sighed, then said, "Okay, then. Well, good luck with that."

"What's wrong, Aki?" Carly asked. "Don't tell me it happened again!"

"Oh, it happened again, alright! Jack broke another electronic, Crow needed directions, and Rua and Ruka got attacked," Aki vented. I just hope Rua's going to be okay. Curse this damn curse of ours! It's always getting people hurt! Maybe it's time to quit trying, already.

"I'm sorry," Mikage told her.

"Cheer up!" Carly said happily—odd, considering she was still in handcuffs. "It'll all work out someday! You two are meant to be together!"

Aki humphed again and muttered, "Maybe."

It had taken Judai this long to process Mikage's words, specifically that one that started with a "D."

"Your date... You're Yusei's girlfriend?" he asked her nervously. Maybe I should leave...

"Yes..." Muttering, she added, "For now, at least." Louder, she asked, "Why do you ask?"

That was the last answer he wanted, the last thing he needed—to run into Yusei's girlfriend. He stared at her for a moment before he was able to speak again.

"No reason," he said quietly.

"Who's Yusei...?" Sho asked. "You don't mean the one from back then, do you...?"

Judai didn't answer him. He did, however, take the time to wish that Sho would stop speaking in that movie-ghost voice. He didn't recall Daitokuji ever sounding like anything out of a horror movie. Of course, it could just be that his memory was failing him.

"Say, does anyone else feel that?" Aki asked suddenly.

"Feel what?" Carly asked. "What's going on now? Are we in trouble again?"

"What is it, Miss Izayoi?"

"I feel...another presence here..."

Her arm started glowing, revealing a claw-shaped birthmark on her arm, startling Judai slightly. As for what it revealed to her, well...

"What!?" she said, startled, looking right at Sho.

"What!? What do you see!? What is it!? What's going on, Aki!?"

She stared for a moment before asking, "Who...are you?"

Sho looked around for a moment, then sweat. "She's looking at me, isn't she...?"

"Uh... I think so, pal..." Judai said, sweating. Psychic...and a friend of Yusei's... Great...

"So, you see it, too?" Aki asked him. "Just who are you?"

The other two stared, confused.

Judai looked at her for a moment before saying, "Nobody. Absolutely nobody."

Aki looked at him in silence for a moment before saying, "So, you're just psychic, then? I mean, you're talking to a phantom."

"Wait, a WHAAT!?" Carly shrieked, looking around frantically. "Where!? Where's the ghost!? I hate ghosts! They're pale and cold and scary! Oh! And they throw things at people, too! AND—"

"Hey!" Judai cut her off, angry. "That's my best friend you're talking about!"

"I'm not a poltergeist, people," Sho muttered. "Learn the difference already. Sheesh."

"Oh!" Aki said. "Sorry for your loss, then."

Carly stared with her mouth agape, stunned speechless—which Judai believed might have been a first for her, based on his first impression.

Judai looked away to hide the tears welling up in his eyes.

"Aniki... It's okay... I'm right here, see...?" Sho soothed.

If anything, this brought Judai closer to tears. Sure, Sho was here, but he was still dead as a doornail. Intangible. Untouchable. To most, invisible.

"Aniki..."

"And this is why I told you not to do that," Yubel said gently, concerned. "You're hurting even more now, aren't you?"

Quietly, Judai said, "Leave me alone..."

"Don't worry. You'll see him again someday," Aki said, trying to comfort him.

He started trembling. "No..."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Judai shook his head, not willing to get into it with another living soul. After all, that would mean making friends and losing them later.

"It's okay, Aniki..." Sho said. "The world can't last forever... I'm sure you'll be okay by then..."

Aki's eyes widened. "Hold on! What's that mean?" she asked, stunned.

"What?" Carly asked. "What did it say? Aki?"

"Miss Izayoi?"

Judai was silent, not sure if he believed Sho and knowing he didn't want to answer Aki's question.

"Okay, what's he talking about?" Aki asked Judai. "Just what are you trying to hide?"

There was another moment of hesitation. Judai still wasn't looking at the three when he said, "Please, just leave me alone..."

"Aki!" an all-too-familiar voice said.

Aki, Mikage, and Carly all turned their attention to the new arrival. Judai did as well, but his was a wary gaze, and he hoped he wouldn't be seen, standing slightly blocked from view by the three ladies.

Great. I thought she went home. What's she doing here, of all places? Yusei wondered. "Look, I'm sorry about today. Can you ever forgive me?"

"Sure, why not?" Aki said, clearly not happy.

Yusei sighed and turned to Mikage. "Okay, Mikage, what was it you wanted?" he asked.

Aki humphed. I knew it. I knew that's why he came here. Looks like I made the right choice about quitting that date, too. She sighed.

"Well, Doctor, we just acquired a mysterious stone that we think you should look into," Mikage answered.

"A stone?"

"Yes, sir. Have a look."

She released her hold on Carly for a moment and showed Yusei some pictures of whatever it was they were investigating.

Sho looked at Judai and cocked his head toward Yusei. "So, is that..."

"Shut up!" Judai hissed, remembering full-well that Yusei had seen Yubel and Daitokuji all those years ago.

"Did she say doctor?" Yubel asked, confused. "I thought he was a duelist?"

"So, then, it is—"

"I said, shut up!" Judai snapped.

Unfortunately, that earned him exactly what he didn't want—Yusei's attention. The man in the blue jacket looked right at him. What he saw confused him so much, it took him a second to recover.

"Wait, Judai...?" he asked finally.