Wind Underneath your Wings Ch 1
It all happened in a flash, just yesterday he promised the kids that he would participate in the WRPG. And now he was being sent flying across the road to his doom. The wheel on Blackbird had locked up, making Crow lose control of the duel runner.
His shoulder was in pain, and he could not lift his arm. He had to wait for help as his injury made it impossible for him to drive on his own.
'This can't be happening.'
Crow had a fractured shoulder. There was no feasible way for him to partake in the tournament his arm would not heal in time. Saying he was upset was an understatement. In a fit of frustration he runs away from his teammates.
Once he calms down, he times Akiza before the match. Passing along his and the children's hopes.
The battle against team Unicorn was a tough one. Turns out them running into Crow and challenging Yusei to a duel during the practice was all a part of their plan. Andre used a different deck that time in hopes that team 5D's planed around that. Jack was completely dumbstruck when Andre used a new deck strategy that hard countered Jack's playstyle. He did play his best it wasn't enough. Jack lost and passed the baton to Akiza.
She managed to put Stardust dragon on the field for Yusei, but in the end, Andre defeated her. Akiza took the lose pretty hard. After getting the acceptance she wanted, she ended up losing.
"I couldn't don anything." She whispered. "I talked a big game to join the team, but I learned just how inexperienced I am as a D-Wheeler."
"No ones perfect." Crow says. "Dueling is fun because we inexperienced and help each other."
They heard a commotion and looked towards the track.
"Let's go cheer for Yusei." Crow said.
Yusei defeated all of the members of team Unicorn. They passed their first hurdle of the WRPG.
There was time before their next match. Off the circuit life continued on as usual. Crow had to figure out how to do his deliveries or else he would make less money. His go to idea was to ask Yusei for help with the big deliveries while crow handled the smaller ones. Crow could easily do deliveries that did not require him to drive. That was the idea he settled on. There were smaller packages that needed to be delivered. He picked out certain small packages that could be delivered on foot and fit them into his bright yellow messenger bag and put on his jacket before heading out. This would be a first that he delivered the mail on foot. He felt like a young delivery boy from stories that took place before technology was prominent. Unfortunately, no duel runner meant that his task would take longer.
His job had taken him to a place that should have been Crow's radar a long time ago. His travels brought him to the community center in the city. It was close by Poppo Time and Crow had never been aware of this building. From inside he could hear cheers. It caught his attention enough for him to forget about putting the mail in the Dropbox and go inside.
There was a plethora of people inside of the building. He could still hear the noise of cheers roaring in the air. He followed the sound to a duel arena where a duel was taking place.
"Hello." Standing next to Crow was a women dressed in a prim and proper dark blue suit with a skirt. She had on stockings with a skull and cross-bone patterns all over it. Her red hair was split into two ponytails. Hair hat and messenger bag also adorned the skull and cross-bone design, along with the broach on her chest. "Is there anything I can help you with? Are you dropping off something."
It took Crow some time to realize that he still had the mail in his hand. "Oh um I came to drop this off."
The woman took the mail eyeing Crow carefully before tilting her head. "Are you here to watch the tournament?"
"What is this?" Crow asks.
"This is the Little League Grand Prix. It basically a tournament for the younger duelists of the city." She replies. "Me and my sisters set it up so the kids could have some fun. With all the buzz around the WRPG we figured it would be exciting."
Crow liked this idea. Most kids love dueling but just were not old enough to participate in any major tournaments.
"Are you a duelist? Would you be interested in being a duel coach for the community center?" She asks.
Crow should have declined. He was unsure of how this spontaneous offer would affect his schedule. His mind went to his time with Pearson and how he had taught the kids back then. He remembered how much he enjoyed teaching the kids even if he was only repeating what Pearson had told him. Maybe now is a chance for him to find his own footing when it comes to teaching.
"Sure! I'll be a coach." He took the offer.
"Great!" Ryoko quickly took him away to the office to get him registered as a volunteer. It did not take here long to show Crow around the community center. The outside had a few picnic tables. Complete with a park area for kids. Crow lamented on how he would love to bring the orphans her to play one day. There was a room with desks lined up and a chalkboard. This room was the used for pretty much everything, it was known as the miscellaneous room. The tour came to a quick end.
"That is it. Whenever you want to volunteer just come by and sign in. I am looking forward to having you." Ryoko said before walking back to the office.
Just like that he was the newest member of the community center. Back at Poppo Time, Crow had explained his day's activities.
"What!" Jack's voice roared. "You signed up to tutor brats when you already have a commitment to the team!"
"I thought it would be a good opportunity for me." Crow knew this was going to be the outcome when he told his friends. Well at least when it came to Jack. It wasn't like he was going to abandon his teammates. "I can find a balance. I plan on going on our off days."
"If Crow says he can do both I believe in him." Yusei said.
"Thanks, Yus." It was great to have some kind of encouragement.
"We don't need anyone who's attention is divided." Jack grumbles.
"I am focused one hundred percent. It is not like I can do much with a broken shoulder." Crow gesture to his shoulder.
Crow excused himself to his room. Not because he didn't want to deal with Jack, though that was part of it, he had to figure out what to do for his coaching gig. He had no formal training at all. Sure he taught the orphans back on Satellite, but this was a completely different ballpark. He was sure that coach's made plans on what to teach. At least that was what Pearson did with them.
He had to pull himself together. He agreed to this position, and he was going to give it his all. As long as it was for a kid, he will make a miracle happen.