The crazy person is back (again).

Lots of emotion in this chapter; the good and the bad.

Very long chapter spanning over 6-7 months. It felt almost like it could've been its own separate fanfiction story.

Close to the end now.

Beautiful classic song "Windmills of your mind" (my favourite version is sung by Sting) is included up front.

NineInchNailed.

"When you knew that it was over

Were you suddenly aware

That the autumn leaves were turning

To the color of her hair."

~"Windmills of your mind" by Marilyn and Alan Bergman, Michel Legrand.

Yusei Fudo observed the night lights of the city as they shone in the distance, a stunning mosaic of colours.

The six friends that lived in his heart, they had all left on Sunday. Every single one. They had chosen their bright futures.

It was a Friday night after a busy week of work at Momentum Tower and Yusei Fudo had nothing to do. He had no one to call and no one to see.

He was now all alone.

When Yusei returned from Arc Cradle, Crow, Rua and Ruka jumped on him, hugging him so tightly that he thought all air evaporated from his lungs. "Yusei, you did it! YOU DID IT!"

Sherry was saying something, smiling ear to ear.

Jack was laughing, uncharacteristically happy.

Aki had stayed back a little distance away and couldn't stop crying; couldn't even look at him.

"This calls for the biggest party ever!" Crow announced, bumping his fist in the air.

"Anywhere but Poppo Time, please," Jack said, still smiling wide. "Let's go somewhere cool and upscale for once."

"Your treat?" Rua poked Jack with his elbow.

"Don't be freeloaders," Jack grumbled, crossing his arms.

"I know a few fancy places," Sherry proposed. "Leave it to me."

Ruka approached Aki who was borderline…weeping. "You okay, Aki-san?" the girl asked gently. She understood her reaction, having also shed tears of joy.

"Oh. Y-yeah," Aki managed, nearly hiccupping from sobs. Her hands still covered her face. "A-a lot has happened. Just trying to…to process."

"I'm so happy, too," Ruka nodded.

Yusei felt so pumped with adrenaline that he marvelled how he breathed without gasping or how he hadn't somehow taken off sprinting or screaming on top of his lungs. However, tingling aches started surfacing in the muscles of his legs, likely soon to spread to the rest of his body. He knew he was going to crash after everything that had happened and very soon.

And besides – as extraordinarily happy as their victory was, it still cost Bruno's life. Bruno who…didn't belong here but was an integral part of their lives. A dear friend.

Also Antimony and Z-ONE who led lives of deep misery and who have now also perished.

Unbelievable happiness and tragedy in one. He needed some time to process all of it.

"You guys mind if I head home instead?" Yusei suggested. He smiled sheepishly. "I think I need to sleep for a day…or a week."

Crow laughed and slapped his back. "Go for it, dude. You good to drive? Or is your D-Wheel gonna fly you home now, hahaha?"

"That's done now, I'm sure," Yusei laughed. "Yes, I'm good. I'm going to go." He then glanced over at Aki who was still crying. He wished she'd say something to him before he left. He considered walking over to her and maybe putting a hand on her shoulder. Maybe-

"I'm gonna leave too," Aki said quickly. She wiped her face roughly with her sleeve and met Yusei's gaze for the briefest of moments. Her eyes were huge, wet and red. There was something in her gaze… more sadness (devastation) than happiness. It startled him. Why? Also because of Bruno and others?

Aki quickly looked at her phone, typing something in there. "My parents are sending a car. It's a few minutes away. If anyone else wants a ride."

"Definitely not. I'm going out to celebrate," Jack refused. Crow, Rua, Ruka and Sherry agreed with him.

They all went their separate ways.

Yusei made it to Poppo Time (miraculously without getting into an accident on the way) and barely succeeded at dragging himself upstairs to his bedroom. There he collapsed in deep exhaustion and slept, on-and-off, for two days straight.

For the next two weeks, the city repaired itself and the members of Team 5D's attempted to return to normal life.

Jack, Crow and Yusei continued working on little engine adjustments in the garage but – without WRGPs around the corner – the effort seemed…unnecessary.

Yusei could tell that Jack had checked out by day four. He went out for coffee more frequently and for longer duration, citing that he hadn't been sleeping well, but Yusei could tell something else was eating at him. Perhaps, it was…purposelessness.

Crow was still hanging on, but…he was more distracted than usual. He started talking about tagging along with Ushio and Mikage during their afternoon highway patrols ("Just for fun! Why not?" he ranted) and in between his deliveries.

Rua and Ruka came after their classes ended at 3pm but every day turned to every other day.

Aki didn't come to see them all at Poppo Time until a week and half passed, saying that she had a lot of schoolwork to catch up on and that she hadn't been feeling well.

She surprised them with a knock on the garage door when she finally decided to come.

"Hi…everyone," Aki announced and descended the steps, clutching schoolbooks in her arms. "Sorry that I've been away." She was in the Duel Academy uniform and her hair was a little different – no Arcadia pin in sight, longer bangs purposefully styled and framing her face. Accented by a pink hairband. She looked…even prettier, if that were possible.

"Aki!" Yusei exclaimed. He felt his pulse in his throat, quick and unstable, and reproached himself for reacting that way to the presence of someone who was only a friend. He stood up, dusting off his knees, and was suddenly quite conscious of all the garage grime that was on him.

"Izayoi! It's been too long!" Crow shouted, waving at her. By comparison, he seemed completely uncaring of all the dirt that decorated him. "Wow…you look nice. Love the hair."

She approached the three friends and stopped, laughing a little. "Thanks."

"School has been keeping you that busy?" Jack remarked. Despite him also helping with the engines, his appearance was spotless – although he made sure to leave his signature silver coat hanging by the door to keep it clean.

"I fell behind some, due to our adventures. And I've got lots to study if I want to practice medicine one day," she answered timidly, tucking a stray lock behind her ear.

Crow whistled. "Wow, a big decision! Is that what you've decided you want to do?"

"I think so," she turned away, studying something on the far wall. "I'm pretty good at that sort of stuff. Biology, chemistry. Good grades so far."

Yusei finally attempted to say something, going before Crow was able to pipe in. In fact, Crow's mouth was already open when he began speaking: "I'm not surprised to hear that, Aki. I…I'm glad."

Aki again brushed back her hair and smiled absently, still looking elsewhere. "Thanks."

"I wish I knew what I wanted to do!" Crow finally jumped in and growled in frustration. "Ugh! You know what I've been thinking of doing? I'm going to go with Ushio on today's evening patrol. Why the hell not, you know?"

"You would literally be the worst patrolman in the world," Jack observed. "You'd never bust anyone. You'd start racing with them."

"Hey, shut up! That's not true," Crow sighed with exasperation. "You don't get it. At least I'm trying something new. What have you been up to?"

With that, Jack went quiet.

"Aki, do you want anything?" Yusei attempted, wiping his hands with a rag, and struggling especially with the sticky engine oil. Why was he so grimy and unkept today? He hadn't showered in two days either. He wanted to go wash his hands at least but he felt weirdly concerned that she would…disappear by the time he returned.

"Rua and Ruka are on their way," she answered a question that wasn't asked, stacking her books on the desk to free her hands. "They just needed to run to the store."

The twins joined them soon after and the group of six Signers spent just under half an hour together, catching up. Then Crow announced that he needed to go find Ushio and the rest of them dispersed. Jack also decided to leave somewhere, leaving Yusei to work on the engines alone.

It wasn't until they all left that Yusei realized that Aki had not looked at him even once during that visit.

On week three, a thick package for Yusei arrived in mail from the city of Neo Domino. Inside was a letter from Yeager, who was running as the newest mayor elect for the city.

In the letter, Yeager was inviting Yusei to join their Momentum development team. After what was revealed in the recent Arc Cradle incident, there was a new project (under a Non-Disclosure Agreement) that Yusei needed to have a direct hand in. It was a senior role and Yusei was allowed to give it a shot and walk if anything wasn't to his liking. The board of counsellors and Momentum's executive leaders voted unanimously in favour of this proposition.

Enclosed also was a contract with a shockingly generous salary and which Yaeger said was also up for negotiation. Bonus, sick days, vacation days, personal days, health benefits; the whole package.

In the closing paragraph Yeager said he looked forward to his decision and to speaking with him soon. That he hoped that Yusei would continue his heroic path and take his father's legacy into the future, attaining the greatness for himself and for the city that they all know he's capable of.

And, also, that Yeager hopes for his vote in the upcoming municipal election in July.

Yusei had to put the mail down and to take a couple of deep breaths.

This was something from beyond his wildest dreams. For an orphan with no formal education, no designations, no real work experience (his ad-hoc handyman projects couldn't count, could they?), documented prison time (and escape) and with a criminal marker on his face.

Him? They were offering this to him? What did he do to deserve this at the professional level that they required? How could he meet the expectations they surely had of him as Professor Fudo's son? What if he couldn't? He couldn't possibly know everything that they needed him to know for this role – and how could he fake otherwise?

He couldn't accept this.

He was afraid to accept this.

After three restless and anxious nights, Yusei added his signature to the package and mailed it back to the Momentum team.

His first day was going to be Monday of the coming week.

"What do you think, is this a good one?" Yusei asked Crow about another dress shirt hanging on the rack. They were all some variations of blue, gray, white or black.

He and Crow were out at the hardware store together, picking up some tools and parts, before Yusei realized that he needed some proper shirts and pants to wear to work. His closet was all jeans, t-shirts and miscellaneous athletic gear.

They walked over to a generic department store next door.

Crow examined the shirt up close, poked at the seams and pulled at some fibres and then shrugged. "Honestly, no idea. I've never worn one in my life – and I don't plan to start anytime soon."

"It seems okay but I guess I should try it on," Yusei observed. He saw that it was under regular fit, others they saw were categorized as athletic, slim, extra slim, or relaxed. He didn't understand what all these differences were. Which one was he? Was there one more appropriate for work than others?

"Do you need a tie?" Crow pondered, looking at a large selection of rolls behind glass. "Some of these are nice."

"I don't think so. But may not be a bad idea to grab one or two, just in case," Yusei agreed.

Crow looked around some more. Then he said: "You know who probably would've been great for this task? Aki. You should have asked her."

Yusei felt like his heart skipped a beat. "Well, you and I are here now."

"Want to come back with her tomorrow?" Tomorrow was Saturday, so technically that would have worked great.

Yusei fought with what to say. "Don't know if she'd be interested in that," he finally attempted an answer.

Crow snorted loudly. "You're so dumb."

Yusei glanced at him with irritation. It wasn't in his plans to talk to anyone about it but it would help get Crow off his case: "She's been… weird with me. Since the Arc Cradle."

Crow raised his eyebrows. "Can you blame her for being weird? It was a very weird experience. Geez…some days I think back and go – what the fuck was that? We lost Bruno. And there was a minute where we all thought you died there too."

Yusei looked away. Was this all it was, then?

"Hey, can we get some help?" Crow waved at a store associate that happened to pass by. "My friend here needs some shirts for his new job. Nothing too fancy, he'll be wearing a lab coat over them. Any recommendations?"

"Oh sure," the man spoke politely. "These two designers here are great – good quality, good price. You may want to go for linen or linen blends if you'll have to wear the coat all day. I'd say either slim or athletic would fit your needs best."

"Thank you so much," Yusei said honestly.

"Plus, Aki said she was sick and studying a lot more," Crow continued when the associate left them, talking as if their conversation was never interrupted. "I don't see anything out of the ordinary."

Yusei approached the aisles by the two designers and started sifting through the hangers, looking for the recommended size, fit and material.

"This one is cool," Crow murmured, fingering a fancy silk shirt on a mannequin. "Wow, that's soft. Anyway. Once again, man, with Aki…you're…you're overthinking it."

Yusei studied a light blue shirt that seemed to fit all the criteria. Crow was quiet now. And Yusei guessed what he was going to say next. He waited for it. Three…two…one…

"Just ask her to help you out with this tomorrow," Crow persevered. And then he blurted out: "Or, better yet! Finally grow a pair and ask her out for real."

"No."

The other Signer stared at him with exasperation.

"You are helping me. I'm thankful for this. And I don't want to talk about the rest right now," Yusei said, looking at the shirt again and then deciding to grab a few more of this exact one but in different colours. He stacked them over his arm. "This is not a good time, Crow."

"When is a good time?"

"Not now. Stop grilling me about this."

"You're really screwing this up," Crow said bluntly, annoyance clear in his voice. "You and I talked about this. You said you were going to wait until you figure this out. How much longer do you need?"

"I don't know." Yusei really hated this conversation. He was uncomfortable in the store and with needing to shop for all these things he didn't understand, very anxious about work in a few days, confused by strange behaviour from Aki these past few weeks and still instinctively worried about when something bad or catastrophic was going to happen next. It couldn't really be this peaceful for much longer, right? Something was going to drop on them as soon as they were going to relax, wasn't it?

And adding complexity of potentially exploring something romantic with a very precious friend – a friend with whom he absolutely could not afford to ruin anything with? He couldn't complicate his relationship with her (or with anyone)…yet. He couldn't jeopardize their Signer bond. Their destiny and responsibilities were too important.

And this was seriously not the place or the time he wanted to discuss this. He felt overwhelmed. He wanted to finish finding some shirts and pants and to go home. One thing at a time, please.

"What are you waiting for? Need another near-death experience?" Crow continued pestering, like the world's largest most annoying mosquito.

"Stop it." Yusei was visibly very unhappy.

He just wouldn't let it go – and Yusei really hated him right now: "She is not going to wait forever. Hell, maybe she's already dating somebody."

"I really don't want to talk about this, Crow," Yusei repeated sharply, raising his voice. He was this close to shouting at him to shut up.

"Well, I do," Crow frowned and crossed his arms. "I'm so annoyed with you. The smartest guy I know – acting like a total moron. Why is it so hard for you? How do you feel about her?"

I see her, I think about her, I'm always-

"How do you?!" Yusei retorted angrily.

Crow finally went silent. And stared.

The two Signers, foster brothers, and closest of friends stood between the clothing aisles, furiously glaring at each other.

Crow folded first. "Okay, you know what? Whatever, man. Do whatever you want. I'm tired of this conversation, too. I hope that when you finally ask her out in thirty years that she laughs in your stupid face and at your great white beard."

"Go away!" Yusei snapped.

"Oh I'm going. Screw you!"

"Screw you," Yusei returned.

Crow threw his arms up and stormed out of the store.

Angry and frustrated, Yusei counted six versions of slim fit shirts, went to pay for them and then departed.

Then he came back five minutes later, feeling dumber and even more embarrassed, and searched for some matching dress pants.

Crow and Yusei both apologized to each other later that evening.

They didn't unpack the root of the issue or answer the unanswered questions, but Yusei had decided then that he would wait only a little bit more when it came to Aki.

That's all he was asking for. Not today. Not tomorrow. Maybe not a week from now.

But…maybe a week after that. Or just a month after. Just…a little bit more time. That's all.

Was that really so awful of him? So selfish?

Yusei's first day at work started at 8:30am and he'd been awake for 30 hours by that point.

Anxiety twisted like a slimy snake deep in his stomach, sending cold pangs of freight into his chest whenever he imagined anything about the next 8 to 9 hours.

He marveled how he managed to button a shirt before leaving or how the zipper on his pants wasn't undone, or how he managed to drive into work safely, or how he engaged in human conversation with his newest colleagues, or how he selected the correct size of the lab coat to wear or how he hadn't yet started hallucinating from stress or lack of sleep.

You're not good enough, you don't know what you're doing, why are you here, they are all looking at you and asking this, you do not deserve this, you're going to fail, you're going to fail, you're going to fail-

Two of his teammates spent the morning showing him around the facility, taking him to all the floors (including the five underground levels) introducing him to at least fifty people; all their names and faces immediately blurred together and every room, corner and hallway in the building melted into an unsolvable maze.

Around 10am, he dared to glance at his phone for the first time and saw 5 new messages in their Team 5D's group chat.

-Crow H: Good luck on your 1st day man, kick ass over there! 8:25am

-King Jack: *thumbs up* 8:26am

-Rua: U can do it Yusei! 8:26am

-Aki Iza: Thinking of you today, Yusei, good luck! 8:30am

-Ruka: Wishing you all the best today! (｡‿｡) 8:30am

He breathed out and smiled, feeling a tiny bit of nervousness subside. His friends could never truly comprehend just how vital those messages were to him. He sent them a quick thanks and returned to where he was.

For lunchtime, he sat in the cafeteria with other workers, listening to them laugh and share stories about their families and their weekend activities, politely answering a few questions directed at him but afraid to speak or reveal too much.

They were all functioning professional people and he was an imposter among them.

Why are you here, what a joke, you don't belong here, they're all thinking this, this is the worst case of nepotism they've ever seen, you-

He had his fourth cup of coffee since 5am and chewed half a sandwich from a vending machine, feeling like his jaw was disconnected from his face.

After lunch, he sat down with a laptop at the Control Tower. He watched the purple shining waves of Momentum spin and actively listened to its rhythmic trills.

He thought of his father, perhaps having stood somewhere in a similar place. Imagined how he looked up at Momentum and how he listened to it. The excitement that this beautiful but imperfect invention must have filled him with.

Yusei let Momentum's soothing resonates fade into background and began typing the first draft of the code for the "Fortune" program.

It was to unify all the energy networks from other cities and have Neo Domino city as the apex at the centre (the axis mundi, an unfamiliar term floated out of his unconscious). By distributing the load and by including fail safes, Momentum was never going to spin out of control again.

Slowly, with each coffee-jittered keystroke and each line of code that he completed, he started to feel calmer and more focused.

He began to feel it.

He could do this.

Someone said goodnight to him, and he looked up at the colleague that helped onboard him. Suddenly it was 6pm and he hadn't moved from where he was sitting in almost 5 hours. But when Yusei appraised the work he had completed within that time, he felt (tired) satisfaction.

Yusei said his goodbyes, engulfed the remainder of the sandwich that he saved in the fridge, drove to Poppo Time and dropped on his bed.

Falling asleep before it was even 7:30pm.

Over the next two weeks, Yusei and other Team 5D's members settled into a new routine.

Crow split his time between deliveries and highway patrol with Ushio as his supervisor, returning home only after 7-8pm on most days.

Jack spent most of his mornings at Blue Eyes Mountain coffee, enjoying some solitude and doing some research into duel strategies on his laptop or following up with his sponsors. In the afternoon he went back to Poppo Time and tried taking care – or at least get started – on the small cash-only mechanic jobs the guys had taken on a few days prior:

- Oil change for a 20-year-old beater car for a hippie couple who lived across the plaza.

- Seasonal tire change for a single mom at 23 Nozawa St.

- Changing brake pads on a 14-year-old Honda Civic for a friend of Zora's.

- Checking and likely replacing battery for an electric moped for a young dude in Unit 8B.

Jack didn't have natural aptitude for these hands-on tasks but he tried and enjoyed keeping busy until Crow and Yusei returned from their day jobs. The oil change he completed successfully by himself and stood proud and smug when Yusei and Crow recognized his achievement that evening.

Yusei was at Momentum Tower 8am-6pm, Monday to Friday. On Wednesday and Friday he met Crow and Jack at the gym for an hour. On the other days, he spent 1-2 hours (and most of his Sunday) helping finish their neighbourhood mechanic services.

Rua, Ruka and Aki were busy at school and, since Poppo Time stood empty for most of the day, they only came to visit for a couple of hours on Saturday. Sunday was homework day for them.

Aki seemed mostly back to normal. She smiled and laughed and the two of them exchanged a couple of polite sentences here and there but nothing too thoughtful. He would ask her how she is – she would say "good." He would ask her how school is – she would say "good." He would ask if she needed any help with physics (remembering the few rare times she asked in the past and how he enjoyed those experiences) – she would answer "I'm okay for now." He would ask her how her D-Wheel was running, she'd say "good." He would ask to check it out anyway – always making sure to look at it at least once every couple of weeks and drive it once every 2-3 months, to ensure it continued functioning and sounding as needed – and she'd say "go ahead."

He could tell she was still distant with him but he didn't know if it was appropriate to ask her about it. Besides, what if it really was what Crow mentioned? The Arc Cradle was a difficult experience for all and she was obviously very busy with schoolwork – who was he to pry into how all this affected her?

Nevertheless, the hours the six Signers spent together on those Saturdays were some of the happiest: the friends joked, played, ordered takeout, cooked barbecue or went out to eat somewhere nearby (and cheap).

Every morning, when Yusei woke up, he studied the mark of the Crimson Dragon on his arm and waited for the shoe to drop: for something bad to happen again. Something that required his and other Signers' intervention.

Was this peace truly to last?

Was a new enemy just around the corner?

When were all of them going to be needed again?

They needed to be cautious and to remain vigilant.

When Yusei saw his first paycheque from Momentum Tower deposited into his account, he had to sit down. He stared at the amount with a glassy expression for some time.

He had an approximate idea of what it was going to be when he signed the contract, but it was another thing seeing it like this.

He felt burning in his eyes, tightness in his throat.

How could he have ever imagined something like this? That this was his life now?

After some time passed and his head and emotions cleared, he put away a portion that he wanted to give to Martha to help at the home, left a portion for rent and other necessities, and tossed the largest portion into a savings account. It still left him with some money to play.

He treated Crow and Jack to a large dinner at their favourite pub that Friday night and insisted on buying the pizzas that everyone wanted on Saturday.

Three months passed since Arc Cradle.

Spring was on its way out and summer was almost upon them.

The days were long, the greenery lush and beckoning. The afternoons were warm, the morning and evenings refreshing.

One morning Yusei awoke to realize that he didn't feel a dark fog of uncertainty hanging over his head. He felt more relaxed and more well-rested than he could remember in a long, long time.

There was a purpose in his days.

Happiness with his friends and the bond between them all – strong, resilient, immortal.

This new life: predictable, fortunate and free of the weight of heavy responsibility.

He opened his heart and let this new existence in.

He thought about Aki and what she might be doing right now.

I see you, I think about you, I'm always thinking about you, I-

He saw her in the Duel Academy uniform. Turning around and facing him. A pensive look on her face. A breeze blowing through her hair. Then her smile. "Yusei."

He wanted to see her.

He began counting down the days left until the weekend.

Team 5D's decided to go out to get dinner together instead of spending their time loitering in the garage like they always did.

It was nice to do that, even driving through some traffic in uptown neighborhood of Neo Domino. The sun was almost at the horizon and the city was lit up with all the lights from billboards, restaurants, arcades and stores. Lots of people were out and about, enjoying the warm day.

They parked their D-Wheels and walked to the cozy and well-reviewed ramen place. While walking there, Yusei watched all five of his friends walk ahead – chatting, laughing – and peaceful happiness pumped through his veins with each step he took. Enchanted, he looked around at the streetlights, signs, cars and busy passerby's; listened to the sounds of the city.

He felt happy.

Free.

They walked inside the restaurant and were given a table for six.

Yusei suddenly felt hyper-conscious of the seating arrangement, something he normally never gave any thought to.

He decided that he wanted to sit near Aki today. But if he sat across from her, wouldn't they be forced to stare at each other the whole time? Or would it be more awkward if he sat immediately next to her - that way they would need to look sideways at each other when talking and wouldn't that be even weirder?

His internal debate cost him: Crow sat down first while happily rambling about his recent traffic bust and Aki sat down across from him, engrossed in his story. Rua sat down to Aki's left, Ruka across from her brother. Realizing he was about to miss his chance, Yusei quickly grabbed the back of the chair next to Aki and nudged Jack out of the way when the ex-King attempted to sit there.

Jack glared at him and claimed the last seat.

"Hi," Aki smiled timidly when Yusei sat down next to her.

"Hi," Yusei echoed quickly and grabbed the menu, studying it with some intensity.

"Have you been to this place before?" she asked, her nose buried in her own menu.

"No," he answered. Then, trying to come off a little less uncomfortable and weird, he added: "It seems nice."

That was the extent of their private conversation for some time.

They all ordered and were waiting for their food. Crow and Jack were splitting a pitcher of beer.

"So! Our parents said they're coming back from their business trip next week!" Ruka announced happily. "Maybe you all can get to meet them, finally?"

"Ah, so they'll meet the hoodlums you've been spending all this time with? Bring it on," Crow snickered.

"These are really happy news!" Aki smiled at her.

"Looking forward to meeting them," Yusei added, also with a smile.

Ruka nodded, a blush evident on her face.

Rua joined in: "And we must show them at least one of my duels. So they know how hard I've been working and how much I've improved. So, Jack! I challenge you officially to a duel next week."

Jack had a little smirk on his face. "You're on but you'll lose badly."

"Oh you'll see!" Rua exclaimed.

Their food arrived and they all dug in.

Yusei absently reached for his chopsticks and accidentally placed his hand over Aki's hand instead. For that short-lived moment her skin was cool and as soft as silk. The unexpected skin-to-skin legitimately startled him. He jolted as if he had touched something sharp. "Sorry!" he apologized quickly, jerking his hand back.

"Oh! No, I'm sorry," she glanced at him, her face a little flushed. "I took yours, Yusei? Or are these mine?"

"Uh," he looked around his side of the table. "I think those are mine."

"I'm sorry, you're right," she quickly pushed them over to him, avoiding a touch. She reached around Rua and grabbed the second pair of utensils that he had missed and used hers instead.

"Don't worry about it," Yusei gave her a fleeting smile.

She pulled her hair back with her fingers and tied it in a high ponytail, before picking up a spoon to try the broth. Yusei watched this simple gesture from the corner of his eyes, feeling something funny in the pit of his stomach. Seeing her with her hair up for the first time, a few tresses by the sides of her face, the way that exposed her elegant neck…

He focused on the meal in front of him.

"What is Carly up to these days?" Crow asked the table after slurping on some spicy pork ramen – but looked at Jack pointedly. "We haven't seen her around in awhile."

Jack poured himself more beer from the pitcher. "Don't know."

"She stop bugging you or something?"

"She asked to see me a few times," Jack answered. "After the whole Arc Cradle fiasco. Wanted to interview me, get my side of the story. I got busy. Haven't talked much since then."

"Busy with what?" Rua butted in curiously, leaning over from the other side of the table.

"Busy with minding my own business," Jack frowned. "Buzz off. Adults are talking."

"Rude," Rua grumbled.

"If Jack gives Carly a call, I'm sure she would appreciate it lots," Aki suddenly remarked quietly.

Both Jack and Yusei stopped eating and stared at her.

Crow laughed hard. "You should come and hang out with us three more often, Aki. Telling it how it is." He looked directly at Yusei: "Unlike others."

Yusei returned to him a look that could kill.

Crow gave him a mocking grimace and took a big swing of his beer.

"Carly is a nice girl, that's all," Aki said, absently picking at the noodles with chopsticks, not noticing the other exchange. "She's been through a lot."

Jack stared at her some more, debating saying something; then he simply decided that he didn't want to talk (or exhibit any specific emotion, for that matter) and put his whole attention to his food. Yusei found himself admiring his ability just to shut down and refuse to respond under peer pressure.

He returned to his own soup, having some, when he heard Aki's quiet voice next to him: "Yusei, how is your work going at Momentum?"

He hastily chewed his food. He felt her gaze heavy on him, waiting for him patiently. Why did he stuff so much in his mouth at that moment? Swallowed. Nodded. "Sorry. Good, yes. I…uh… Well. Finally settled in. I know what they need from me and how to do it. Actually, it should be ready for official launch in a month or so."

"Really? That's great," she said.

He glanced at her.

She had her chin propped on her hand, studying him. A soft smile was playing on her lips. In the dim light of the restaurant, the lights sparkled in the warm honey-brown of her eyes, accentuated by long, dark lashes; her gaze was calm, open and unguarded. Two strands of her scarlet hair framed her face.

She was lovely. No, the loveliest.

He felt his heart jump and flutter, a skip in his breath.

He immediately looked elsewhere. Checking if their server was around and if he could ask for more water for the table. Feeling nervous. But then a touch of thrill pinched in his chest, and he thought he could try something.

"You want to see something?" he asked her. He reached into his pocket and produced his photo ID from work. Handing it to her – the millisecond in time that he grazed her hand to pass it on; the current that transferred to him. He felt a shock in his pulse, the way it jumped to light speed. But he opened himself to it. Embraced it.

Aki took it, studied it and laughed. "Why are you so serious?"

"When am I not?" he asked, suddenly finding it in himself to tease her – if she were to respond.

"Shut up," she let out a little laugh. Neither of them had anything to drink, but Yusei swore he was drunk. He saw colour high in her cheeks, even with the soft sepia light of the restaurant.

I see you, I think about you, I'm always thinking about you, I like you, I want-

Then Aki grew distant and returned to her food. He didn't understand this sudden switch.

"Show me?" Crow requested across from her, holding his hand out.

Aki tossed the ID to him.

Crow laughed: "I thought you were allowed to smile for these, Yusei."

Jack learned over and burst out laughing too. "It looks like a mugshot. Guess it's so similar there, huh? Very dungeon-y?"

"Whatever," Yusei rolled his eyes, returning to his ramen, although unable to stop himself from smiling a little bit. His friends were annoying – but they were funny.

"Can I see?" Ruka asked timidly from the other side of the table. Crow gladly showed it to her.

Ruka looked at it, smiled. "Oh, I don't know, you look han-… Anyway. Want to see, Rua?" she quickly passed it to her brother.

"Very cool, Yusei! So official!" Rua exclaimed. Then he hurled it all the way back to Yusei and he caught it.

The laughter from his friends, the playful banter... Yusei relaxed.

This was a good day. Maybe, even, a very good one.

Even being hyper-aware of Aki by his side (when was the last time he had been so physically close to her? For as long as this? Being able to speak to her privately like this, without anyone else batting an eye?).

Now, if only he knew what to talk to her about.

Rua stood up to go to the bathroom and Aki moved a little to Yusei's side to let Rua out of his seat. Her leg lightly pressed against his and stayed there – she didn't seem to notice. He savoured it. And he regretted it when, a few minutes, later she shifted away with Rua's return.

"You guys won't believe what Ushio told me yesterday," Crow decided to start talking again, having finished his soup. "Apparently, he was a huge bully in high school. Not a huge surprise there, right? But wait, there is more. You remember Mutou Y…"

Yusei zoned out. He noticed that Aki remained a little lost in thought; she had about half her soup and seemed disinterested in the rest. "Is your food okay, Aki?"

"It's fine," she sighed, absently playing with her chopsticks. "Just feeling kind of full." She glimpsed at him. "Yours good?"

"Yes. Very good," he answered and looked down at his bowl. Thinking. Debating. Then he decided just to ask (seize the moment, risk something, risk anything): "Want to try it?"

She stared, holding eye contact for a few deafening beats of his heart. Thump-thump-THUMP-THUMP. Could everyone hear it?

"Uh." She visibly struggled with what to say or do. Then her hand twitched and moved towards his plate – he saw it, clearly. He was about to push the bowl to her. But, suddenly, she yanked her hand back and looked to the other side of the table. "Uh. I'm okay, thank you. Still full. Won't finish mine, either."

"Alright." He also looked away.

Aki suddenly yelped "Ow!" and reached down to rub her shin. "Who kicked me?"

Crow laughed, rubbing the back of his head. "Oops, my bad. Was trying to kick Yusei instead. Reminding him about something."

Yusei bestowed him with a silent look of annoyance.

Crow raised his eyebrows. As if waiting for him to say or do something.

Yusei deliberately returned to eating his food, irritated with his friend's cryptic hints. What did he want now? He couldn't read his mind!

Crow sighed and muttered "Well, alright" to himself. He then focused on Aki again: "So you're done with your soup, Aki? Can I have it?"

"How can you eat more?" Rua marvelled.

"Hey, Crow-sama doesn't waste food," Crow answered proudly. "Satellite childhood rules. Anyway – I can have it, yes?" He reached for it eagerly.

"Sure," Aki pushed her plate forward towards him. She laughed lightly then: "I'm impressed. I can never finish food after others."

"Me neither," Ruka agreed. "It's icky to me, for some reason. Especially soup that someone else ate. It's like spit and stuff. Ew."

"Both your losses," Crow shrugged, already happily sipping up the delicious tonkotsu broth.

Yusei watched and wished he had volunteered for Aki's food instead, even if he felt satisfied after finishing his portion. Like it was going to bring him closer to her, in some way. To taste her…on a microscopic level?

He was kicking himself for this misstep – and admitted that he deserved that kick from Crow, after all.

"Who was the genius that decided we should have ramen today?" Jack complained after he put his empty bowl down and wiped sweat off his face. "It's way too hot today. We should be outside, on the patio, having some wings instead." He began gulping down the rest of his beer, maybe hoping it'd cool him down.

"Shit, that's a good idea. Let's do that next week?" Crow offered, leaning back in his chair with a visibly distended stomach. He then groaned and wiped some sweat underneath his gray headband. "Ugh. I'm way too full now." Summoning laughter from around the table.

When the six friends left the restaurant thirty minutes later, the evening was fully upon them. They were ready to go home, splitting up to go their separate ways.

Watching their goodbyes, Yusei's eyes lingered on Aki.

He imagined coming to meet her after school on his D-Wheel. He could take a half-day from work to pull this off. Wait for her outside. See her surprise when she would notice him. Her smile. Ask to take her home – or, better yet, to grab a coffee or a bubble tea before that.

He felt clearheaded and resolute.

Tomorrow?

Next week?

"What are you getting Aki for her birthday?" Crow suddenly asked them that Sunday morning over breakfast.

Yusei choked on a piece of bacon he'd been chewing and began coughing furiously.

"Are we supposed to get her something?" Jack grumbled, pouring coffee from a carafe.

"Gross, dude," Crow grimaced at Yusei's struggle and then glared at Jack: "I mean we don't have to but wouldn't it be crappy if we don't?"

"When is it?" Yusei managed once he cleared out his airway.

"Don't you know?" Crow raised his eyebrows. "Geez. It's this Thursday."

"You got her something?" Jack asked.

"NO. Hence why I'm asking," Crow sighed in exasperation, like he was talking to two morons.

In his defence, Yusei definitely felt like he was one.

If Crow hadn't said anything, he wouldn't have known at all. What a colossal screw up this would have been. God damn it.

"I feel like the motorcycle we built her earlier this year is enough of a present for at least three birthdays," Jack grumbled again.

"Yusei can lay that claim," Crow said. "You and I literally helped on two things."

"I'm going to get her something," Yusei announced, downing the rest of his coffee and standing up. "I'll go now." What did Aki even like these days?

"Make sure to get her something nice," Crow mumbled, poking food with his fork.

Yusei walked by what must have been a twentieth boutique or department store, feeling like they had all blurred together. He must have been to this group of stores already and circled back accidentally – otherwise, how did they all look so similar?

It's been three hours and he was nowhere closer to finding an appropriate gift to give to Aki.

"Appropriate" was the key word here and the main cause of his dilemma.

He had to get her something that was meaningful but not too meaningful, but something that was still nice and thoughtful (but not too thoughtful). Something that a good friend would get but also not just a friend, someone who had her best interests in mind, someone who showed that maybe they cared about her as a little bit more than a friend – but a gift that could be interpreted both ways, if possible? Just in case that was too daring or inappropriate of him?

Yeah.

He was struggling.

He absently passed by yet another jewelry store. Then he paused. Spun around, walked back and looked in the window display more closely.

There was a pair of small stud earrings. They were red-pink in colour, had a little jewel in the middle and were carved in shape of a rose. Under the light of the display, they shimmered like stars.

They were beautiful.

He suddenly saw vividly how they would look on Aki – when she pushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ears. When she wore her hair up in a ponytail. How they would accentuate her and sparkle with her eyes; her smile.

But…wouldn't this be too much?

The price on the little tag was…more than he'd ever spent on anyone's gift before (including on anything for himself). But…he had the money…

He stood there for some time, studying them and debating with himself.

Maybe this would help him convey what he wanted without needing to say it?

But what exactly was his message with them?

I see you, I think about you, I'm always thinking about you, I like you, I want to be with you, I-

Should he or shouldn't he?

This or something else?

What else did he see today that he imagined gifting her instead?

Finally, after some minutes passed, he nervously stepped inside the store.

He was immediately approached by a polite salesperson. "How can I help you, sir?" she asked.

"I'd like those earrings please," he said, pointing at the window. Do I? Do I? Or maybe-

"Which ones?"

"The rose ones."

"The rose-gold chandeliers here? Or these rose-gold drop earrings with a cluster of 0.25 carat diamonds? They're one of our best-sellers."

"The small ones there. Shaped like a rose," Yusei said and then added for more clarity: "Like rose. The flower." He felt like the dumbest person who had ever shopped for anything. He began sweating.

"Ah! The delicate 14k rose-gold setting with 0.10 carat diamond. They're lovely."

"Yes," he agreed numbly. He looked around. He was the only single guy in the store, others were snuggly couples shopping together. He caught a few glances and felt like they were all amused by his struggle.

Or noticing his criminal marker and counting down to when he was going to rob this place.

The salesperson slowly unlocked the glass display. Meanwhile, the store's security guard moved just a bit closer to them. Just a precaution, he was sure. "We have a larger version of these with 0.33 carats and in 18k gold," she cooed, taking out the jewelry. "Your beloved would appreciate that even more. Higher quality. Price would be, of course, three times this but-"

"I want these ones specifically," Yusei interrupted, his face on fire. "They're for…a friend."

"Ah," the salesperson said.

She carried the earrings to the cash register and Yusei followed her. There she unhurriedly began searching for a jewelry box.

It felt like being assisted by a snail.

Yusei watched the process uncomfortably, shifting his weight from side to side. He felt eyes on him (and not just the security guard's), and he couldn't tell how much of that was real and what was imaginary. He heard a giggle behind him and wondered if someone was openly laughing at his expense. Every extra second spent in this store was like being tortured.

She put the earrings into a small blue velvet box and admired them. "You've made a wonderful choice. Whoever your friend is – they'll appreciate this."

"Thanks," Yusei answered hastily. He was this close to sprinting out of here, with or without the gift. He scrambled for his wallet, pulled out a credit card and held it out to her.

"Have you shopped with us before?" she took the card.

"No."

"Would you like us to wrap this up? We have some nice wrapping paper available. We've trademarked it. You can decide between red passion, pink delight, blue desire-"

"I'll take it as is," he interrupted, feeling like falling through the ground. "Please." I have to get out of here, I can't take this anymore-

"Sure thing," she smiled politely, finishing the transaction.

When he was finally out of the store, he clutched the little box to his chest and took some gasping breaths. The air had never seemed fresher or more vital.

His shirt was sticking to him.

Well. The easy part was done.

Now he had to gift this to her.

"Wow. Holy shit! These are nice," Crow whistled, looking at the earrings.

"Really?" Yusei asked, desperate for additional validation. He felt so nervous with them. Were they as beautiful as he thought they were or were they tacky? Were they too expensive or not expensive enough? Was it a mistake? Wasn't it a mistake? He kept imagining scenarios of giving them to her and her squeals of surprise/disgust, grabbing to put them on/pushing them away, telling him thank you/no, thank you, what is this?

"Shit…they're very nice…" Crow mumbled absently. Then he looked at him with a big smile. "Oh? So that's it, huh?"

"What?"

"Yusei…you give these to her…she's gonna kiss you. Like, no joke," Crow continued smiling. "Hell, you give them to me and I kiss you. Beautiful gift."

"I…don't know…" Yusei looked away, snapping the box shut.

"You've decided then? Finally?"

"I…" Yusei tried. Stopped, gathering himself. Then he nodded: "Yes. Because…it all feels…better now. Clearer. Not just with Aki but…with everything. It's quiet. I don't feel worried anymore. Pieces have fallen into place. Not sure if I'm making sense,"

"I've been feeling the same thing," Crow confessed. "I know what you mean. It's peaceful, right? It's good. Maybe almost too good?"

"Don't jinx it," Yusei laughed lightly.

"Doubt it," Crow smiled and clapped him on the shoulder. "I think it's here to stay. Now – you, you don't screw this up. You've got this. I'm rooting for you both."

Aki's birthday was here and they made plans to meet up at Poppo Time that Thursday evening, to do a small celebration of sorts.

But that morning she sent everyone a text:

-Aki Iza: I'm so sorry guys, I know we had plans to meet today but my parents surprised me with a trip to Okinawa. We're leaving this afternoon! I need to tell my teachers. 7:13am

Yusei's thumbs lingered over the keyboard. He didn't know what to say.

Instead, he put his phone aside and headed to the shower.

When he came out, he read the rest of the messages:

-Crow H: Ew. I mean, congrats. Super jealous. Also – happy birthday! Anyway. When u coming back? 7:16am

-Ruka: Happy birthday, Aki nee-san! Wishing you all the best on your 18th on this wonderful day, for all your wishes to come true! We love you! 7:17am

-Aki Iza: 10 days! Long time. But looking forward to this time with them. Thanks everyone! 7:25am

-Crow H: HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 7:31am

-Crow H: dancing_racoon.gif 7:31am

-Rua: Okinawa, wow! Place rocks. Enjo! And happy-bday! 7:36am

Yusei got dressed and finally sent his message.

-Yusei F: Happy birthday, Aki. Have a great trip! 7:42am

His phone buzzed one more time when he arrived at work.

-King Jack: Enjoy and happy b-day 8:15am

Summer arrived, bringing with it some of the hottest days in recent memory.

Yusei felt thankful that he got to spend majority of his days inside the air-conditioned Momentum Tower (and felt bad for Crow who had to ride around in full uniform bodysuit), but regretted that he didn't see enough sunshine.

The weekend that Aki was back from Okinawa, both Yusei and Crow had to work through their days off. Yusei and his team were busy ramping up the launch of the "Fortune" mainframe program – and they discovered a few code bugs that needed to be carefully debugged and rewritten.

Crow was pulled in to help cover a blockade between Neo Domino and Satisfaction town, to catch a gang of international car exporters.

Then the weekend after, Aki and the twins began prepping for their year-end exams and needed all the time they could get to study. Especially Aki, who shared her stress with them – she had 6 exams coming up, all within short duration.

Team 5D's agreed to meet when everyone was free again.

"Your birthday is just around the corner now, man. This Saturday, right?" Crow observed when the three of them were busying at Poppo Time; one of the rare recent times they could be together like this, like the good old days.

With Yusei's recent hectic schedule and Crow needing to be on call, they had to cut down on the number of little mechanic jobs they could take on. Yusei could tell that this saddened all three of them (this was something that only they shared, it was all theirs, this time together), but there was nothing he could do. Jack especially seemed more bored, distracted and checked-out than usual.

Yusei paused. He actually forgot all about his birthday. And now he wished that it would have passed under the radar entirely. He wished not to be a nuisance for them. Everyone had been so busy. He didn't want this acknowledgement of him – especially not when they hadn't even had opportunity to celebrate Aki's birthday properly. "Right."

"What do you want?" Crow asked.

Aki's gift gathered dust on his nightside table. He wanted an opportunity to give it to her, finally.

"Honestly?" Yusei said. "Let's pretend it's a normal day and forget about it."

"Nah. Let's go to Rua and Ruka's. May be our last chance to crash there before those flaky parents of theirs finally come." The parents changed their plans in the last minute due to another business conference and didn't keep their promise to come to Neo Domino a few weeks back. The four adult Signers unanimously agreed that their parenting antics were…questionable, at best.

"Definitely would be nice to hang in the Tops for once," Jack agreed with Crow. "Tired of this slum."

Crow began typing up a message in their group chat: "Now let's see if the rest of our group is finally free."

Yusei shook his head.

The six Signers gathered at Rua and Ruka's upscale penthouse in the Tops around 6pm that Saturday. It was Yusei's 20th birthday.

Yusei debated not showing up or making up an excuse at the last minute. He studied himself in the mirror, scrutinizing each hair strand out of place, each scratch and bruise on his hands (why did he always forego the work gloves at the most inopportune times?), at how the marker on his face seemed more yellow and more unflattering than the days prior, at how unkept his usual blue jacket-black-shirt-jeans combination looked today.

Just feeling uncomfortable in his skin. The sweltering weather was surely not helping.

He changed to another black muscle shirt, threw on a long-forgotten leather jacket, then immediately tossed it when he remembered it was like 30 degrees Celsius outside. Checked that he had Aki's earrings in his pocket, multiple times. Then, finally, he headed to Rua and Ruka's.

Once there – and after the happy greetings, being that they all haven't connected in some time – it was a quick exchange of gifts.

Jack handed Aki a gift card to Blue Eyes Mountain coffee shop. "Happy belated birthday. This is the best place. Enjoy."

Rua and Ruka got her a new duel card – a White Rose Dragon, a cute effect monster that was tailored for Black Rose Dragon.

Crow gave her a picture of their WRPG's win in a flowery silver frame.

Aki was very touched and thanked each and every one of them.

Yusei's hand squeezed the little box in his pocket. But with all their friends surrounding her – no, it wouldn't be right. It would make everything so awkward, so weird. And what if Crow was right – what if she'd want to kiss him!? No, he couldn't just hand it to her publicly.

He excused himself and took this opportunity to arrange plates, water and cans of pop and other drinks on the counter, for when takeout was to arrive.

Jack approached him next and handed him a gift card to Blue Eyes Mountain coffee shop. "Happy birthday. This is the best place. Enjoy."

Rua and Ruka gave him a new duel card tailored for Stardust dragon – Stardust Veil, a spell card.

Crow also handed him a framed picture of their win from WRGP, in a simple but slick brown frame. Yusei saw exactly where it was going to stand on his desk.

Aki got him a new pair of riding gloves. Somehow, identical in style and colour to the ones he had but brand new and with pristine quality: the softest leather, the luxurious trim. His old ones were stiff, peeling, and like workers gloves by comparison.

He looked at her with big, grateful eyes. "Thank you, Aki…thank you." He meant it from the bottom of his heart.

She flashed him a quick smile.

He thanked them all, appreciating them beyond words. He didn't deserve this. He didn't deserve them – every single person here, dearest to the end. They meant the world to him.

They ordered from a few different places – sushi, Chinese, pizza – to splurge and everyone piled on whatever they wanted on their plates.

Some time, after eating and after watching Rua, Jack and Crow play enough video games, Yusei decided he was ready. A big swing of beer helped his nerves, just a little.

"Aki," Yusei approached her as she sat on the couch, talking to Ruka.

She stopped her conversation and looked up at him. "Yes, Yusei?"

"Do you think we could talk?" he asked. He tried to suppress how nervous he immediately felt. Those few sips of beer did nothing, after all. He also felt like everyone was suddenly watching them or eavesdropping on this conversation (even thought they weren't). "Just for a minute."

He noticed something like alarm in her eyes. Or even fright? Then she looked normal. She smiled quickly. Tapped her fingers on her cup of fizzy strawberry drink. "Um, sure. What's up?"

"Want to come to the terrace with me?"

"Uh," she was frozen for a few moments. That strange look of almost-fear flashed in her eyes again. Then it was gone. She placed her cup down on the coffee table and stood up, offering him a polite smile. "Okay."

He gestured courteously in that direction and she began walking there.

He caught Crow staring at him from the couch. He was giving him enthusiastic thumbs up with a wide-open mouth.

Douchebag. Could he be anymore obvious or annoying!?

Yusei hurried Aki outside before she could notice these shenanigans.

The luxurious terrace on the 50th floor overlooked a large pool and was surrounded by carefully planted trees and greenery. Yusei remembered being here only one time – when he escaped Ushio and other Public Security goonies, got tased a bunch of times, was kindly taken in by Rua and Ruka, and then dueled Rua here.

A time that felt lifetimes ago with everything that's transpired since then.

"It's beautiful here," Aki remarked, looking around in awe.

"You've never been here before?"

"No, but it's only like…my second time visiting their place. It's so nice, really."

"Yes."

She smiled and waited. Looking at him expectantly.

Yusei ran a hand through his hair, feeling anxious. "Want to walk around a bit or go sit on those benches over there?"

"We can walk around," she agreed and began walking.

He followed, walking to her left.

The sun was making its trek towards the horizon, painting the sky in brilliant orange, blue and purple hues. A light breeze caressed them, a welcome touch after the hot day. Yusei breathed it in deeply, hoping it would calm his nerves.

"How was Okinawa?" he asked, trying to break the ice a little.

"Spectacular," she answered. "We stayed at a beautiful resort there on the beach. It was such a lovely way to spend my birthday, connect with my parents and to get a break before school ramped up."

"And how did your exams go?" he asked.

"Good, I think," Aki sighed. Then she laughed quietly. "It was so exhausting. I still feel like I haven't fully recovered."

"I hope you can get some rest now."

"God, I'm so ready for it. It'll be nice to enjoy this weather and to be outside a bunch," she said and then added: "And now that I know about Rua and Ruka's amazing pool, I think I'm going to start crashing here all the time."

Yusei laughed, relaxing a little.

"You've been very busy with work too, Yusei. Are you doing okay?"

"I'm okay," he said. "Been tired, some. We're days away from launching the program. After that, I'm also looking forward to catching my breath."

"That would be great," she agreed.

Silence fell upon them as they strolled along the terrace. Yusei frantically tried thinking of another topic of conversation. He wondered if he should ask about Okinawa again, probe for more details. He didn't know much about it so maybe he could ask what the beach was like or something?

In stark contrast to him, she didn't seem uncomfortable at all.

She walked ahead a bit, did a little twirl, and crouched to touch the water in the pool. "So warm!"

Yusei approached and stopped a little distance away, studying her. She had her hair down today. She wore blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt on top, finishing the look with a pair of magenta Converse sneakers. So different to her Duel Academy uniform, or her riding suit or her corset, coat, and skirt outfit. All those looks were attractive but the simplicity and comfort of what she was wearing right now inexplicably seemed like the sexiest thing she'd ever worn.

In that stillness, she spoke up next, keeping her gaze on the calm blue water. "I didn't tell anyone this yet…and I don't know if it really matters much anymore but…I think my psychic powers are gone. For good, this time."

Yusei's eyes widened. "Are you sure?"

"Yeah," her gaze growing distant.

"When did this happen?"

"After Arc Cradle. I had the powers when Crow and I battled Sherry, they helped me heal… But now, even that is gone."

"Are you sure?" he asked again. "How?"

"I don't know," she shrugged. "The power's been odd and inconsistent for some time. Then it changed some. And now it's gone. Who knows?"

"Are you sure?" he asked a third time, too stunned to think of something more coherent.

An amused little smirk appeared on her lips. "Yes, I'm sure Yusei. Want a duel to check for yourself? I'll show you. Or, rather, I won't show you anything."

"Sorry, it's not that, it's just…" he looked away, running his hand through his hair. "I'm surprised that's all." Selfishly, he felt a pinch of excitement at the prospect of dueling her. That could be fun…real fun… "How are you feeling about it?"

She shrugged again, standing up from the squat and smoothing her jeans. "Good, I think. They were a part of me but they caused me a lot of grief. It'll be easier without them." She looked thoughtful and pensive then: "I will never have to hurt anyone with them again. Ever again. I'm happy."

Are you sure? was again forming in his mouth but he bit down on his tongue. He couldn't be that much of an idiot today. "I'm here if you ever want to talk," was what he managed to say.

She looked at him as if surprised by that response. But then she neared him and smiled gently, cocking her head to the side. "Thank you." She was now just a small distance away, like he only needed to step in and-

And what?

His eyes took in the soft contours of her face. How perfect her skin was. The imperceptible sprinkle of freckles near her nose. The long eyelashes, the way her brown eyes glowed like amber in the golden light of the sunset. How the departing sunrays illuminated the red in her hair, surrounding her in a halo of light. The pink blush high on her cheekbones, the glisten in her parted lips…

The prettiest girl, with the loveliest smile.

He smiled in return. "I just hope you're okay."

"I am."

He watched her lips as she answered and saw a sudden, very vivid image, of closing this space between them, pressing his lips against hers-

(inside a garage).

-The way her soft lips felt against his own, the little breath that escaped her, the way her mouth parted to him. How her eyes closed. His hands framed her face, thumbs resting just above her jaw, fingers on the sides of her neck and then pushing into her hair, pulling at those gorgeous red locks. Her smooth skin, her scent like lightest sunshine, the freshest spring and wild orchid and ripest rose and Aki, all Aki, only Aki and ("Yusei, Yusei," she moaned, writhing underneath him, taking it from him, her legs-)-

He winced, as if waking up from a dream. And took a cautious step away from her. What the hell!? The phantom sensation of kissing her was actively tingling on his lips, thumping through every neuron, every cell; the imagined touch of her body fizzed like electricity over his skin.

Did his intrusive thoughts win and did he actually kiss her just now? And fantasized about more? Why was he so depraved!?

"Yusei?" her voice reached him. She was probably confused with his behaviour and likely running out of patience, waiting for him to get to the reason of why he asked her out here.

The gift for her birthday was burning in his pocket. He was waiting for the right moment, but he couldn't dawdle much longer. Especially if weird, horny fantasies were starting to assault him and complicating this nerve-wracking situation even more.

"Let's sit?" Yusei desperately changed topics and gestured at a bench nearby.

And, just like that, he noticed strangeness enter her gaze again. It wasn't shyness – it looked like reluctance, indecision; like she wanted to disengage but was stuck talking to him.

What was going on?

"Um." Aki glanced at the seat. Hesitating for a little while. Then she went over and sat down, staring intently at the pool.

He sat next to her, keeping a little distance between them – but, if he wanted to, he would only need to scoot a few inches to the right to touch his leg to hers or to put an arm around her.

"Aki-" he began, keeping his eyes glued to the ground.

"What are you thinking of doing in the future, Yusei?" she interrupted in a small voice.

He paused, suddenly thrown offtrack. "Sorry?"

"Like, have you decided what you want to do in the future? You like working at Momentum Tower, yes?"

He glanced at her. She seemed to shrink into herself, leaning a little to her side of the bench. Was he making her uncomfortable? Maybe he needed to back off a bit.

"Hmm…" he considered her question, thinking. He shifted a small distance away from her, hoping it would resolve this inexplicable switch in her attitude. "Yes, I like working there. It's more than anything I could have imagined for myself. I never thought I would have this opportunity." He laughed a little then: "I thought being a garage hermit was all that was in store for me."

"Not like there is anything wrong with that?" she spoke up. "You enjoy that too?"

"Yes. I love it," he confessed. He couldn't imagine giving that up from his life – he would always need garage access to work on some little projects for the rest of his life, whether or not he had a white-collar job keeping him busy.

"What about becoming a pro-dueler? Being the King of Games?"

He smiled at that. "While it lasts. But I'm ready to move on."

"Really?" he heard genuine surprise in her voice.

"Yes," he propped his elbows on his knees, resting his chin on his fingers. He reflected: "The cards are a part of me. Stardust is my soul. They helped bring me here. They gifted this new life, this future. But I hope to never use them to resolve a conflict again. No more tournaments. I only want to play them for fun. I'm ready for that." He glimpsed at her then and saw her wide eyes watching him as she listened. That abnormal distance gone once more.

"Are you sure?" she echoed his eloquent sentiment from minutes ago and the corners of his mouth tugged upwards. She was so cute…

"Oh yes, I'm sure," he said. And then added: "Don't tell Jack this, though. He'll be over here with his D-Wheel in a heartbeat, breathing down my neck. I'm surprised he isn't here already."

Aki laughed heartily at that.

"He sleeps with his duel disk and it's always on. He has to charge it three times a day – you didn't know this?"

She laughed even harder.

He grinned openly at her reaction. He enjoyed this so much. Was there ever a time where it was just the two of them like this? Talking openly like this? The little time they had being seated at the restaurant was but a preview.

It both soothed and exhilarated him. He felt a sense of indescribable closeness. Like this is how it always should have been. It resonated and filled his lungs with every breath.

Closer. Closer. Closer.

Happiness was filling him to the brim.

I see you, I think about you, I'm always thinking about you, I like you, I want to be with you, I want you, I've-

A stray hair strand fell over her brow and into her eye. She didn't seem to notice as she laughed. His hand instinctually raised to fix it, but he caught himself in time and reached into his pocket instead, finding the packaged jewelry.

It was time.

"Aki. Listen."

She finished laughing and looked at him, a stunning smile still beaming on her face.

The brightest, the kindest, the coolest, the most beautiful girl.

I want you, I've always wanted you, please accept me, please be with me.

"Aki, I don't want you to think that I didn't get you anything for your birthday. Because I did. Of course I did."

The smile evaporated from her face. She blinked. And there it was again – that look of sadness, fear and disconnect. "Oh."

No. No! Why did she swing from being so comfortable and sweet with him to being detached and almost frightened of him? What was he saying or doing that was so wrong? He was this close to launching at her, grabbing her, shaking her, begging her to stop disconnecting from him, to tell him – to really tell him – what was going on. He would listen and he would understand and he would fix it, he would fix anything – or at least try his damn hardest – because he only wanted, he only wanted-

"Aki," he repeated urgently, something inside him was pushing him to hurry and focus on that frustrating and confusing thing later, because this was the only chance, he had to do this and he had to do this now. His heart was wobbling up and down. He played scenarios of what her reaction was going to be, and it filled him equally with thrill and panic. His hand squeezed the box and he held it out. "I have-"

She sprung to her feet quickly and walked forward, her eyes focused somewhere on the distance. She clamped her hands tightly behind her back. "You didn't ask me about what I want to do in the future, Yusei," she spoke rapidly. "So I didn't get a chance to tell you. But I've been thinking about leaving Neo Domino, leaving Japan – to study medicine elsewhere. There are so many incredible opportunities out there. Better than here."

Yusei froze with the gift in the palm of his hand, feeling like a bucket of ice was emptied over his head. "Sorry?" he asked, his muted voice coming back to him as if from great distance.

"I don't know exactly where yet but my mom brought a bunch of brochures from different universities. They're all on my desk," she continued. "There is one university from…Germany." Her voice sounded weird at that, even if it did reach his ears as if through a cotton ball. "It's supposed to be one of the best in the world."

"Oh." His hands turned cold and clammy.

"And if I did well on my exams, they might take me before graduation. So…So I hope I did well."

Yusei hastily shoved the little blue package back into his pocket and wiped his sweaty hands on his pants. He felt ill. "I see."

"Yeah," she said in a small voice.

Yusei inspected the ground, the cold gray concrete, how it was blurring suddenly. "Is that what you want to do?"

She was silent for a little while. Finally, she said: "I'm sure."

"That's great," he said.

"Yeah." It came out like a little squeak.

His nose was suddenly runny and he sniffled, wiping it with his forearm. Then he took out his phone and typed in a few things. "A gift card to your favourite bookstore Damask Rose should be in your email now. You're still planning to visit it before you go, I hope?"

"That's wonderful. There is a new series I've had my eye on. Thank you."

"You're welcome."

The sun fully slipped below the horizon, leaving behind only the shades of dark blue. The moon was hiding behind the heavy clouds. It was suddenly much colder.

Aki wrapped her arms around herself. She was visibly shivering.

He stood up from the bench. "Let's go inside."

They made their way back to their shared birthday celebration, not saying anything else.

"Well!?" Crow hissed when he caught him standing in the kitchen like a ghost, away from others. "You guys were gone for like 45 minutes! Did you do it? What did she say!?"

"Uh." Yusei's voice came out like mush. He swallowed. "No..." he said, looking down; crushed and quiet. "No."

"Oh…" Crow uttered, studying him.

Yusei expected him to interrogate him, to criticize him again, to start shouting and making a scene for everyone to hear. He waited miserably for it. Why not, at this point? He deserved it.

But Crow said nothing.

The party finished not too long after.

When they all left the penthouse and Crow, Aki and Jack departed on their respective D-Wheels, Yusei stood by his own D-Wheel for some time, examining it with unseeing eyes.

He felt like crying.

The night of his 20th birthday was when Yusei began having very vivid and odd dreams.

But in the morning, no matter how hard he tried, he could not remember anything about them. Like on a tip of his tongue, they actively eluded him whenever he felt close to recalling something. The only thing that persevered were the feelings that those dreams left: disquiet, uncertainness and regret.

Meanwhile, the sweltering summer heat continued day and night.

Like a domino piece that swayed and fell on that fateful day – all the other pieces began collapsing in quick succession.

Jack Atlas went AWOL, ignored their texts, voice messages and even emails.

Through the grapevine, Team 5D's have heard that he began dueling many others. He defeated Sherry, Team Unicorn, Kiryu. Going through all the key competitors from WRPGs. He was training for…something.

Aki's mother – Setsuko Izayoi – called Yusei during the week, asking him if he'd heard about Aki's exciting decision to study medicine in Germany – and what he thought about it. He didn't know how he kept himself from either hanging up or laughing pathetically. Why did she care about what he thought anymore? What did it matter? Well. He managed to keep it polite and professional: said something along the lines of how he supports Aki in her decision. After that phone call had ended, he sat quietly for some time.

Same day as Yeager's inauguration as a new mayor of New Domino, the "Fortune" mainframe program launched officially at Momentum Tower and solidified that Momentum was never going to destabilize again. The tragic future that Z-ONE and others were so afraid of – now fully circumvented.

The new mayor came by to congratulate Yusei and his team on the exciting achievement that day, called him "chief" and "professor", all of which embarrassed him. But Yeager didn't mean it badly – he was truly happy about the future in store for the city.

Yusei was technically contracted to finish only the "Fortune" mainframe but there was still a limitless amount of work to accomplish there. They needed to keep innovating and keep careful maintenance on the energy sources. His coworkers and superiors expected him to return after a brief break to continue working.

He was fine with that.

Team 5D's (sans Jack) got together for homemade barbeque that same evening at Poppo Time.

Crow was acting a little off. Yusei knew why – he knew that Crow had received an offer from an overseas pro league, to join their team. Yusei was waiting for him to drop that piece of news on them.

Because that league had also sent him an offer. Along with five to ten others he received on a weekly basis. All of which he threw into a pile on his desk (next to Crow's WRPG photo of all of them).

Crow asked Aki if she was looking forward to being a pro-duelist after she graduates – to which she responded irritably, telling him to back off and to stop guessing what her future was going to be.

Yusei kept his mouth shut during their banter and kept his glances at her this evening to a minimum. It was easier this way – even if the time they had was suddenly and abruptly numbered. He wondered if Aki was going to share her news shortly or if he could just give both of them up at the same time.

Then Rua and Ruka revealed that their parents wanted them to leave Neo Domino too and to come live with them in London. They were conflicted and upset.

Like they were the only ones.

Finally, Jack made a very dramatic appearance to their party and announced that he had also decided to leave Neo Domino, having received an invitation from an elite duel league. He spoke passionately about how they had achieved everything they could possibly want as a team together – so now he needed to create his own future by himself.

That their bond – precious, vital, enduring – needed to be broken.

Let's break it, then, Yusei thought masochistically.

They were all doing it already. He would oblige them.

He challenged Jack to their final duel together.

On that unexpectedly final day that Team 5D's had all together, Yusei shared with Crow everything that happened between him and Aki during their birthday celebration. It was his last chance, after all.

"So, you were right, Crow," Yusei managed. He sighed and rubbed his face. "You were right about everything." About pushing him, trying to encourage him to act sooner. He was an idiot. He overthought it. He wasted all this time. And here were the consequences.

Crow clapped him on the shoulder. Then left his hand there. "Sorry that this is how it ends."

"Me too."

They stood quietly for some time next to their D-Wheels, on an elevated road near Poppo Time plaza, overlooking the city.

Yusei absently studied his new motorcycle gloves: he couldn't stop marveling at how smooth and luxurious they felt, how perfectly they fit him.

Crow attempted: "What if you still tell her how you feel? And give her the earrings?"

Yusei shook his head. "Thought about it. What's the point?"

"So she knows. Like it's out of you, you know? So you don't live with regret."

"So she has regrets? Starts wondering if she's making the right choice? No, I'm not going to do that. I won't make her second-guess this wonderful opportunity that she's chosen."

"Long distance is a thing, don't you know?" Crow attempted.

"Trying to start something just as she's about to make this big move? Having all these expectations? That's terrible. I can't do that to her. I can't be this selfish."

"But she likes you too, dude."

"She deserves to be free."

Crow sighed and held his hand as a shade over his eyes, gazing at the start of the sunset ahead.

"Well. I'm out of the running," Yusei tried to say with a touch of humour even though every word of that sentence strangled him. "Want to tell her how you feel? You're both leaving, after all. Your paths may cross again."

Crow laughed. "I wouldn't do that to you even if she was into me. Which she isn't."

"Crow, I mean it, if there is a chance, you don't have to-"

"Don't be dumb, Yusei," Crow interrupted and waved his hand at him. "And, like, I've never been that into her anyway. I don't know why you ever concerned yourself with it. So. That's that."

The two of them accepted silence for a little more, listening to the sounds of traffic. It was almost time to go and meet Jack. He was waiting for them at Daedalus bridge.

Their final drive together, for just the three foster brothers from Satellite.

"I'm going to miss you," Yusei confessed, his throat tight. I know you've all chosen your own paths. I know our bond alone isn't enough to fulfill your future. But don't go. Please don't go. All of you, please stay.

"Me too," Crow smiled. "But you know it's not a goodbye right? I'll be back soon. We'll all visit."

Yusei didn't know why but he felt on some deeply visceral level that it wasn't the truth. But maybe he could hold it in his heart and pretend like it was – if even for just a little bit. Then he looked at him with finality and said: "You're my best friend, Crow. I love you."

"Geez, don't turn you sappy on me," Crow said with a shaking voice and turned away, wiping the back of his hand over his eyes. "Yeah, yeah, I love you too. Please, let's get out of here now."

"Aki, don't forget to smile. Because there's no one in the world with a smile better than yours."

"You're the one who made me smile, Yusei."

He thought about the words they had exchanged during her surprise (goodbye) visit, over and over again. They festered like a blister in his brain, turning to a wound.

What could he have said differently?

What should he have said differently?

The softness and warmth of her delicate hands, holding his.

How she squeezed his hands.

The phantom touch had remained. Might remain, forever.

Damn it.

Why didn't he kiss her? Even if it meant something/nothing(everything)?

Damn it.

Why didn't he at least give her that ridiculous gift?

Damn it.

Why couldn't he kiss her?

Damn it all.

Yusei tossed and turned, futilely trying to get even an hour's worth of sleep.

After talking to Ushio (how did the policeman even randomly find him?), strolling aimlessly through the neighbourhood in the late hours of the night and then pacing back and forth across Poppo Time, he considered going to bed.

It was hot in his bedroom and AC didn't seem to do anything despite being cranked to the lowest temperature.

He flipped the pillow over and over again, tried wrapping it over his head, tried opening the window to let some fresh breeze in – only to get smacked with stale warm air and closing it promptly.

The glowing blue numbers on the clock showed 4:58am.

4 hours left until they would all leave.

Even the strange dreams (nightmares?) that disquieted him and which he could not remember – even they would be a relief from this insomnia.

He flopped back on his bed, accepting that he wouldn't get to sleep on their last day.

It was all about to be over.

And then…?

-King Jack: Check out this sweet hotel, you losers. 5:26pm

-King Jack: *selfie in sunglasses by the pool* 5:26pm

-King Jack: *selfie in sunglasses at the bar* 5:26pm

-King Jack: *photo of his middle finger inside a ritzy room* 5:27pm

-Crow H: I admit it - that does look sweet. Better than this motel I'm at. 5:28pm

-Crow H: *selfie next to peeling wallpaper and a tiny grainy TV* 5:28pm

-King Jack: Loser 5:28pm

-Aki Iza: Surely there are better options out there, Crow!? Please tell me it's like 1,000 yen a night tops. 5:30pm

-Crow H: I wish! Only place in 200km range. Only here 1 night. Hope I don't get murdered. 5:35pm

-Crow H: And it's 20,000 a night, fml. 5:37pm

-King Jack: slowmotion_laughing.gif 5:37pm

-Rua: not to add salt to wound but 5:40pm

-Rua: *selfie of the two of them walking around Oxford* 5:40pm

-Ruka: It's the most beautiful place! 5:41pm

-Aki Iza: Beautiful guys! So nice to see everyone. 5:44pm

-Aki Iza: Here is where I am at right now 5:44pm

-Aki Iza: *selfie in an old-fashioned library* 5:44pm

-Aki Iza: Already need to study! 5:44pm

-Crow H: Looking good! 5:47pm

-Yusei F: *thumbs up* 6:40pm

"So when they come back to Neo Domino, they'll see that the city we saved is a wonderful place."

It was up to him to continue making this city a place that they could all be proud of.

When(never) they'd return.

Yusei threw himself into work at Momentum Tower. He worked until 8pm every night, even if there was no pressing need. They were given dinners there if they stayed late so that was helpful. One less thing to worry about.

Oftentimes he was the last person on the floor, aside from the security guard beginning his evening shift.

After that he headed to the gym and worked out until 10pm, sometimes past 11pm.

When he returned home to Poppo Time, he would take a quick shower and then pass out in bed.

The more tired he was, the faster he fell asleep, the less time he had to think.

Rinse and repeat.

Disconcerting dreams that he could not recall continued coming to him every night.

The weekdays were easy. He could occupy himself enough with work.

The weekends, however…

Poppo Time stood empty and quiet. Walking through the garage, his footsteps echoed.

Breakfast without Jack and Crow. He began skipping it – finding that a protein snack-to-go did its job enough if he got truly hungry.

Despite his sore muscles screaming from fatigue, he dragged himself to the gym on both those days as well. Anything to keep busy and to keep the hours in the day moving.

Hours dragged on, the sun was up in the sky until it seemed like 10pm daily, and the heat wave persisted.

He volunteered for more small mechanic jobs to do and spent the remainder of his free time working on those. As his hands worked, his mind calmed as well. He had control over this. He could find the parts, replace them, mold them, smooth out the faults.

He didn't have to think.

He didn't have to feel.

He made plans to visit Martha frequently and also reached out to Kiryu, wondering if he'd be interested in hanging out soon.

-Crow H: guys, check this out! 9:15am

-Crow H: *selfie holding the latest tournament trophy* 9:15am

-Ruka: Wow! Well done! 9:17am

-King Jack: Very nice. Now let's see Paul Allen's trophy. 9:18am

-King Jack: business_card.gif 9:20am

-Yusei F: Good job Crow. 9:25am

-Rua: I miss dueling many people here dont even play! 9:29am

-Crow H: wtf, for real Rua!? 9:31am

-Crow H: gross 9:31am

-Aki Iza: So sorry, just saw this guys! Been so busy! Great work Crow! 3:34pm

-Ruka: Yusei, how is Neo Domino holding up without us? 3:45pm

-Crow H: keeping out of trouble? 3:47pm

-Yusei F: *thumbs up* 4:25pm

The sweltering heat finally started to recede at the tail-end of summer.

The bare skin on Yusei's right forearm itched with the memory of the Signer mark that used to be there. Its emptiness sometimes startled him when he glimpsed at it, whenever he had momentarily forgotten that it went away (with them).

With his austere living, Yusei watched his savings account grow exponentially every month.

He began looking at listings in the Tops area – for rent and for buy. It had been his dream once. Once upon a time. Before this.

He would still need quick and easy access to a garage, however. Finding and affording something like that in this luxurious area would prove to be a challenge.

Thankfully, he was in no rush whatsoever.

He had the rest of his life ahead.

Meanwhile, the lurid dreams continued every night.

Waking up in the morning, he would spend the first couple of minutes catching his breath and calming his pulse, fighting in vain to remember what his fevered brain was showing him and then betraying him with.

His heart would pump with exultation and despair.

And the only word on his lips would be her name.

Yusei ducked away into the basement of his foster home as soon as he walked through the door – and away from Martha's upset shrieks, yelling at him to "get into the kitchen right now, boy, or so help me god!"

With Saiga's help (who helped run bookkeeping and other admin for Martha's) he had set up automatic monthly transfer of funds direct into the home's account. No need to try sneaking some cheques or cash that she'd throw back at him. This was non-negotiable and she couldn't block his transfer.

What the hell else was he going to spend the extra money on that was more important than this?

That still didn't stop her from yelling at him every time he visited and from trying to shove some envelopes into his pockets. Thankfully, whenever she tried that, he just turned and ran away from her and the kids who thought it was a fun game to try catching him.

Month in: he hadn't been caught yet, even with fairly sophisticated ambushes set up by kids around the perimeter.

Those 5km runs he did almost daily on the treadmill helped lots with this.

When eventually the kids and Martha gave up (and they always did), he would continue with the purpose of his visits: checks and maintenance of all their appliances, devices, vehicles.

Then he'd play with some of the children and stay for dinner, which was always delicious and filling.

He looked forward to these visits with all his being.

Saiga was a good companion during those times. He helped, they talked some, exchanged some stories. It was nice.

But he wasn't Crow.

He wasn't Jack.

"Crow called me recently, told me he's doin' well," Martha shared with him recently. "Sent me a few photos. Pro-dueling life been good to him. I'm proud. Jack also sent me some messages and a photo. He's very well. How are you, Yusei? Without 'em, your brothers?"

"Good," he gave her a quick smile while checking his pockets for D-Wheel and Poppo Time keys after his visit. He rolled down the right sleeve of his shirt, secretly upset by the bare skin on his forearm. "I've been busy at Momentum Tower."

She shoved a large container of beef teriyaki and rice into his hands, from tonight's dinner. "Eat up please. You're so thin. When was last time you had a homecooked meal?"

He laughed. Actually he recently realized that the slim dress shirts he bought were getting tighter, especially in the arm and chest area. He was becoming stronger. He'd need to upsize soon. "Thanks, I will."

Then she asked: "When you goin' to bring a girl to meet me, Yusei?" She paused, considered: "Or a boy. Whatever."

He winced but recovered quickly. "One day, Martha." He honestly didn't know when something like that would happen. He had no interest whatsoever (in much of anything these days).

"How about…" his foster mother began, looking to the side, as if trying to remember.

Yusei froze. Inside his mind he begged that she wouldn't speak her name. If she did, he thought he would (scream, shut down, die). She had to have known that she had left too, right? So why ask?

The long-forgotten gift was tossed deep into the back of his night table. He couldn't even return it to the store anymore.

One of the children ran up to Yusei and jumped on him, hugging him around his waist. "You coming back to visit us soon?" she asked.

"Yes, very soon," he smiled.

"We always look forward to seein' you, Yusei," Martha said happily. Thankfully forgetting what she wanted to ask.

-Aki Iza: Guys we haven't chatted in awhile. I want to hear how you've been. Any chance we could jump on a video call sometime? I miss you. 2:17pm

-Crow H: ugh I'd love to but I'm in back-to-back duels and practice over the next couple of weeks. 2:20pm

-Crow H: we're trying to get to the finals. 2:21pm

-Crow H: for real, look at this dumb schedule. 2:22pm

-Crow H: *photo showing complex matrix of duels and match-ups* 2:22pm

-King Jack: I'm also busy. 2:30pm

-Ruka: Rua and I will make the time! Even if it's just a us chatting? 2:40pm

-Aki Iza: This Saturday? Say 1pm my time, so 12pm in England and 8pm in Japan? @ Yusei F. can you join? 2:50pm

-Yusei F: I can't. You all have fun. 3:32pm

It's only been 3 weeks since fall arrived but the air outside was noticeably crisper. As if overnight, the leaves on the trees turned golden, orange and crimson.

Kiyosuke Kiryu made a visit to the city.

Yusei was delighted to see him and took him to a pub that used to be a favourite of his, Crow's and Jack's.

For the 2-3 hours there with Kiryu, Yusei felt return of something vital. It all felt a little brighter, for a bit.

They talked about their ex-Team Satisfaction days, found jokes in the depressing seriousness of the Dark Signer business, discussed new politics in Kiryu's town, talked about Yusei's work at Momentum, and made fun of some of Crow's and Jack's antics from the past and the present.

But Yusei could tell that his old friend was already looking forward to returning to his quiet little town. He didn't vibe with the fast-pace, brightness and traffic of Neo Domino. As happy as he was to visit.

And he still couldn't replace Crow or Jack. Not even close.

After they had exchanged their goodbyes and promised to meet again soon (this time Yusei pledged to make the trip to Satisfaction Town), Yusei walked around the downtown neighbourhood for some time. Watching cars and people pass him by, walking by the numerous upscale stores, glancing inside the restaurant windows and at the groups of people laughing there, at the life that went on in this city that the six of them had protected.

The temperature had dropped since the afternoon and he tucked his hands into the pockets of his dark jacket.

It's been two months since the other Signers had left Neo Domino (for good).

What he thought was going to get easier was getting harder, instead.

He lost Rua.

He lost Ruka.

He lost Aki.

But he was stupid with Aki. He never had her. He fucked that up and he owned that.

But why did he also have to lose his brothers Jack and Crow?

They didn't just grow up together. They were his closest friends. They were his family.

Why couldn't one of them stay? Any one of the six of them? Beggars couldn't be choosers.

He didn't appreciate enough the short time they had together. He thought that nothing was ever going to change. He thought their time was forever instead of a drop in the ocean of time.

He studied the ground as he walked and accidentally bumped into a few people, apologizing offhandedly.

What was he doing?

Was this the future that he fought for?

Was this the future that he stayed for?

He looked up at the street signs in front of him, not recognizing where he was. He needed to turn back and get to his D-Wheel so he could get home…at some point. To sleep. Or whatever.

What day was it?

What time was it?

He turned into a busy intersection, walking by two young women in dresses who were heading to a nice venue or a dance club. He heard their giggles as he passed and wondered if they were directed at him.

Eventually he would have to meet new people, interract with new women and make new friends.

Eventually he may need to consider sleeping with someone.

Unlike Crow and Jack, sex was rarely on his mind. With sex, he took it when it came to him (the two times in Satellite when he was 17, he had to concentrate to remember her name but it was pleasant and helpful to know that this was what it was all about) but forgot when it wasn't given. Maybe it's what would help him feel less lonely. Jack and Crow seemed to think it helped with lots of things.

Wasn't this what single people did?

Figured all this stuff out?

Found comfort in others?

The streets were booming with people out and about, but Yusei only saw the tips of his shoes as he walked.

His phone buzzed.

-King Jack: Check out a real trophy. 10:58pm

-King Jack: *photo of Jack's hand holding a huge duel cup* 10:59pm

-King Jack: Suck it Crow. 10:59pm

-Crow H: ಠ_ಠ 10:59pm

Yusei switched his phone to "silent" and shoved it back into his pocket.

An intense spasm on the right side of his abdomen awoke him with shock.

Gasping, Yusei pressed his hands hard against his stomach and sat up on the bed.

He couldn't catch his breath and panicked that he was suffocating. His heart was hammering wildly.

He swung his feet off the bed and hung his head between his knees, fighting to get air into his lungs again.

The clock on his night table showed 8:10am.

The pain in his side continued twisting and twisting, subsiding only after some minutes had passed.

His right forearm tingled with static memory of the Crimson Dragon's mark.

A storm (despair, frustration, regret, sadness) roared in his head.

The word "Aki" was bright and blood-red in the centre of his mind.

-Ruka: Another video call soon? 11:15am

-Aki Iza: Yes please! Been awhile. This Friday or Saturday? 11:16am

-Crow H: both days open for now but will let you know. Send invite? 11:30am

-Rua: im in ovb. 11:30am

-King Jack: I'll join but scheduled to have a conference that day. 11:33am

-Yusei F: I'll try but supposed to be busy both days. Sorry. 11:45am

By middle of October, the days had grown shorter and nights longer.

It rarely went above 15 degrees Celsius.

Yusei needed to replace the brake pads on the 14-year old Civic for Zora's family friend and he succeeded without a hiccup with the first set but the second set was trouble. The bolt was stuck and rusted through and he needed to apply significant force in order to turn it.

"Damn it," he exhaled as he struggled with the wrench, twisting it on the bolt.

It wouldn't budge.

He swore again and pushed all his weight against it to get it to turn.

The wrench slipped and he sliced his knuckles hard against the brake caliper.

"FUCK!" he screamed into the empty garage space.

It hurt bad.

Deep scratches appeared across the back of his fingers, beginning to bleed.

He grabbed a rag nearby, wrapped it around his hand and regarded the car in front of him with hatred.

He saw a very clear image of himself taking a pipe and trashing (his precious D-Wheel, over and over, until it resembled a shadow of itself) this car.

It was no good.

Angrily, he kicked the Civic's tire and walked away to calm himself.

None of it was working.

"Can you replicate this?" Yusei asked the tattooer, showing him a rare photo that showed the marks of the Crimson Dragon. He zoomed in on his own arm in the photo. "Same place, same size."

He was still hesitated about what he was doing here. He looked around the parlour, feeling uncertain. Like other clients and people working there were looking at him, judging his choices.

"Pretty sure," the friendly tattooer said, studying the photo. "Will probably take 2, maybe 3 hours tops. Basically just a thick outline. I don't recommend the brown colour, though. Won't age well. Black will hold."

"Alright."

"Can I take this photo?"

"Yes."

"You do know that this is kind of a big deal in this country," the tattooer said carefully. "People aren't very down with tattoos here. It's not like if you went elsewhere in the world."

"I already have this," Yusei said, motioning to his criminal mark. "Not much different, is it?"

"Yes, that's true," the tattooer concurred. "And that one is very visible. The new work can at least be covered up with long sleeves, if needed."

Yusei nodded. He thought about his day job and how nobody would ever see it in his lab coat. They obviously (and thankfully) tolerated his criminal mark already.

"Young man," an older tattooer approached their consult – a man in his 60s (or even 70s), with bright traditional ink on any surface of the skin you could see. "Just so you know. We can remove that." He grazed a finger over his own cheek for emphasis. "Yes, the laser can leave some trace or slight scarring. It's at your eye, which is notoriously challenging to remove. But even fading it can give you a different life. You don't have to keep going down this path. This choice can can close doors for you. You must decide if that's what you truly want."

Yusei looked away, thinking his words over.

He was at an impasse.

There was a time that he hated his criminal marker: how it was done to him, how violated he had been, what it meant for his future, the immediate distrust and fright that it summoned in many – still. How asymmetric it made his face look, how yellow and scar-like it looked in certain light.

However…after all the trials they faced (together)…it had become a part of him. All the experiences he'd had since acquiring it…without the marker, they didn't hold the same weight. Having it and persevering and succeeding, day-by-day, felt fundamental. He could no longer imagine looking in the mirror and not seeing it.

His right forearm still tingled where the precious mark of the Crimson Dragon used to be.

The discomfort and emptiness he felt anytime he saw that patch of skin now.

How it felt seeing those happy messages from his friends.

They were progressing and he was left behind.

If this was a way, no matter how surface-level or how superficial, to bring back what he knew and what he loved…

Because he loved them…

He glanced at examples of art hanging on the wall of the parlour. How could something so beautiful be considered wrong? When it felt so right?

"I want to," he decided.

"I've always loved you…and I always will."

When Yusei jerked awake on that rainy, gloomy October morning, his face was wet with tears.

He saw something, lived through something, it was so important - it had to have been - but why couldn't he remember? Why was he being punished like this - and what for?

His heart beat so quickly that he thought it was going to break through his ribcage; his chest felt hollow and like it was about to cave in. Once again he hyperventilated after his slumber, wondering if all these sudden episodes caused him to develop asthma.

His eyes burned but tears refused to come again and to bring relief.

Everyone…come back! COME BACK!I can't do this alone. I'm no good at it. Please return.

He scrunched his face and covered it with his hands, letting out a sort of wounded, miserable sound into the emptiness of his bedroom.

He thought about his friends, he thought about Aki, about all that is/was/should/could have been.

An autumn thunderstorm was in full swing outside, resonating with the devastated pumps of his heart.

Damn it.

Damn it all.

"Try not to move," the tattooer cautioned him, the needle gun buzzing in his hand.

There was sharp prickling just above his wrist, similar but less shocking to how it felt having the laser carve the marker on his cheek.

But this time it wasn't done to him against his will. He was choosing this.

"How was that?" the tattooer asked, waiting for his consent to proceed.

Yusei nodded. "Okay."

Then he closed his eyes and let the sensation fade into background.

Later that evening, he studied the mark of the Crimson Dragon on his forearm, identical in every way to the one he used to have, only black in colour. He felt connected to other Signers again – even if they had been ripped away.

He smiled a little, imagining their faces and their surprised reactions when (if) they'd see this on him.

When(never) they would visit.

A sense of calm washed over him, briefly displacing resentment and sorrow.

He slept peacefully that night, without the usual bewildering dreams (memories) assaulting his psyche.

He returned to the same tattoo shop a week later.

The tattooer laughed. "Back for more already? I knew it."

"Only if you think it can be done," Yusei said, showing him the pictures. "In that style."

The tattooer studied the photos in detail, deciding. "It's possible. Six dragons is a lot but if you're okay with some of my interpretation with how they'll move and interact, I can give it a shot. Where? If you want all of them, you need to give me a lot of space."

"How about all of this," Yusei suggested, rotating the entirety of his left arm.

"Whole sleeve? That'll be probably 36 to 48 hours."

"That's fine."

"Alright. Colour or black and gray or a mix of both?"

Yusei considered. "Black and gray but with splashes of colour?"

"That works. I'm excited about this, I have some ideas already. I'll share a sketch of what it might look like in 2 weeks?"

Yusei nodded, glancing at examples of art on the wall again. A few pieces caught his eye. He felt his breath catch. "Roses – is that possible to add, too? Somewhere?"

"Yes."

Yusei studied his full tattooed arm in the mirror. 40 hours of work, spread over two months, later.

It burned somewhat and was beginning to itch in places. Would get worse over the next two days. But…

He observed how Red Daemon Dragon stood out fiercely, how Black-Winged Dragon snarled at it but stayed loyally by its side.

How Power Tool Dragon protected Fairy Dragon, how they were both ready to strike.

How Stardust Dragon intertwined with Black Rose Dragon at the centre, how Stardust's wings opened towards it, how the vines of Aki's dragon reached for his.

How every one the dragons twisted and interacted with one another.

A few delicate rose blossoms bloomed at the top of his arm and near the bottom.

He felt them all on his skin and in his heart again. It was like they had never left.

If he tried to imagine his friends' reaction seeing his first tattoo – he couldn't begin to imagine what their reactions would be when(never) they'd see this one. It was tremendous.

He laughed openly to himself, feeling a rush of happiness.

The storm had calmed, leaving behind acceptance and underlying sadness.

In December, Yusei received a surprising email from someone he could never have imagined:

"Fudo Yusei. In your time we've interacted recently but it's been a very long time for me. I have thought about you and Judai Yuki fondly over the years. I hope you can forgive me for emailing you out of nowhere like this.

I hope you've been well.

If you still remember me and the adventure we shared once upon a time – I am coming to Japan next week as part of the Nameless Pharaoh's tour. They've excavated the main sarcophagus and the Millenium artifacts from the Valley of Kings and are taking them on a worldwide tour. A big piece of Egypt's (and my) history uncovered. I'll be at Neo Domino on December 13th for the exhibition of these items, until December 17th. Would you be interested in meeting up with me?

Yugi Mutou.

Yusei immediately drafted a response to yugi.mutouu80, saying he remembered, of course, and would be ecstatic to get together. Any of those December days would work great.

Yugi replied right away.

Around 7:24am local time on December 12th, the cargo plane carrying Pharaoh Atem's sarcophagus and the seven Millenium items entered the airspace of Neo Domino.

Isis' Millenium Necklace glimmered and then shone brightly.

Yusei awoke on Wednesday December 12th with his usual 7:00am alarm and began getting ready for work. He started up the coffee pot and left to take a shower.

His phone had 3 unread messages from Crow and Rua, sharing a few funny images overnight. He would get to looking at that later in the day when he had some courage.

He came out of the shower, finished getting dressed in a gray shirt and black pants, went downstairs to the kitchen and poured himself a cup of coffee. He felt some hunger pains, checked the time and decided he would stop and grab a breakfast wrap on the way.

He was about to put his coffee cup down when images - clear and bright - blew out in front of his eyes and in his brain, like an exploding caleidoscope.

The cup dropped from his limp hand.

For a few agonizing seconds he saw two separate paths of reality, one reflected in each of his eyes.

Set's sacrificial battles, getting together with Aki, dying broken and being brought back, fighting and fighting and fighting some more, the horror of the future that he had fought so hard for, the future that he erased to bring this one. Every second and every minute of that reality that he had relived nightly since his 20th birthday.

And the stream where none of this occurred, where they all were now.

He remembered it all.

The dreams (memories), vivid and tangible. Living, breathing things that they were.

Then the two paths slammed violently together, becoming one.

Yusei grabbed his head and screamed.

For Aki's jewelry, Fanfiction is refusing to let me paste links but if you want to Google, I was imagining something like "Small Rose Dior Couture Earrings."

For Yusei's final tattoo, Google "Neo Traditional Dragon and Roses". It's anyone's interpretation and imagination what the final thing looks like, really. Maybe I'll have AI draw something up for me (I have zero artistic ability).

Well anyway, Yusei is back – yay.

Next chapter is Aki's POV of the key events. It'll be emotional and depressing.

But after that…?