One day at the LeBlanc Foundation.
Sherry LeBlanc is in her office room at the top floor and seemingly doing research on her computer.
The glow of her monitor illuminated her sharp, determined gaze as she scrolled through countless articles, images, and profiles. For the past hour, she had been thoroughly investigating Fudo Yusei—a man whose reputation preceded him in every conceivable way.
From his humble beginnings as a genius engineer in Satellite to his meteoric rise as a master Duel Racer and celebrated professor of advanced mechanics, Yusei's life seemed almost too extraordinary to be real. The sheer breadth of his achievements was staggering. Sherry's lips curled slightly into a smirk, a mix of admiration and intrigue. "So, you're more than just a simple mechanic, is it?" she murmured to herself, crossing one leg elegantly over the other.
Yet, for all the accolades and triumphs, something about Yusei's story seemed incomplete. There was a depth to him that the public profiles didn't fully capture. Sherry had learned to trust her instincts, and right now, they were telling her there was more to this man than met the eye. She leaned forward, scrolling further through the search results.
That's when she stumbled upon the article. The headline was stark and grim:
"Fudo Corporation's Lab Fire Claims Life of Prominent Duelist and Doctor, Fudo Akiza."
Sherry froze, her pulse quickening. "Fudo Akiza," she repeated softly, her gaze narrowing as she read. The words on the screen struck her like sharp blows.
A fire had engulfed one of Yusei's laboratories nearly four years ago, a catastrophic event that had claimed the life of his wife, Fudo Akiza. The tragedy left Yusei as a single father, raising their then-infant daughter, Fudo Hana, alone. The article went on to detail how the accident had been officially deemed a tragic mishap involving unstable equipment, but whispers in the shadows suggested something more sinister. Possible sabotage.
Sherry clicked on the attached image. Her breath hitched slightly as a photo filled her screen. Yusei, cradling a tiny, red-haired child in his arms, stared blankly into the camera. His usually composed, confident gaze was hollow, his grief unmistakable even through the grainy photograph. The child—Hana, she presumed—clung to him, her face buried in his chest, her small frame dwarfed by his protective hold.
Sherry leaned back, her mind racing. "to think that he's a widower because of such an incident." The words tasted foreign as she spoke them aloud. It was a revelation she hadn't expected, and it changed the way she viewed him entirely.
Her thoughts turned inward. She knew all too well the weight of losing loved ones. Her own parents had been taken from her in a calculated attack, victims of their own prominence and power. The pain of that loss had driven her to build her empire—to ensure she would never be at the mercy of anyone ever again. Was Yusei the same? Was his relentless drive to innovate and achieve born from a similar pain?
Sherry's brows furrowed as she opened another tab, diving deeper into the incident. The fire, it didn't sit right with her. Official reports might have called it an accident, but the timing, the location, the whispers—everything pointed to foul play. Who would want to harm Yusei? And why?
Her eyes darted across the screen as she opened link after link, piecing together fragmented information. As she read, her admiration for Yusei grew. Despite the tragedy, despite the loss, he had persevered. He had continued his work, raising a child on his own while maintaining his reputation as a pioneer in both Duel Racing and engineering. It was remarkable.
Yet, there was something else, something unspoken that tugged at her curiosity. The articles barely mentioned Hana, save for that single photograph. What kind of father was Yusei? How had he managed to balance the demands of his career with the responsibilities of raising a child? And how much of his grief did he carry in silence?
"why is it that he is working as a mechanic now?" Sherry asks herself.
A knock at the door broke her focus. Sherry barely glanced up as Mizoguchi entered, his tall, imposing figure contrasted by his ever-respectful demeanor. "Sherry-sama," he began, bowing slightly, "the shareholders are waiting for your attendance at the meeting."
Sherry sighed, her fingers drumming against the desk impatiently. "Tell them to wait. I'll join them in five minutes."
Mizoguchi nodded. "Understood, Sherry-sama," he said before retreating.
As the door clicked shut, Sherry returned her focus to her screen. Her eyes burned with determination. "There's more to this story," she murmured. "And I intend to find out what it is."
She didn't know why she cared so much. Perhaps it was because Yusei's story mirrored hers in some ways. Or perhaps it was because she saw something in him beyond his accolades and accomplishments. Something familiar. Something unresolved.
One thing was certain: Sherry LeBlanc never ignored her instincts, and they were telling her that Yusei Fudo was a puzzle worth solving.
Two hours later, Sherry sat in the back of her sleek, black limousine, scrolling through her phone as the vehicle weaved through the bustling city streets. Her schedule for the day was packed, but her mind kept wandering back to Yusei and the revelations she had uncovered earlier. It felt like a door had opened, revealing a world she had only begun to glimpse.
She glanced up from her phone just as the limo slowed at a red light. On the sidewalk, a familiar figure caught her attention. Yusei Fudo was walking down the street, his red-haired daughter perched on his shoulders. Hana was giggling, her small hands gripping Yusei's hair as she pointed excitedly at something in the distance. The sight was so unexpected, so endearing, that Sherry couldn't help but smile.
Before she could think twice, she raised her phone and snapped a quick photo. It wasn't something she usually did, but the moment felt too genuine to let slip by. As the limo pulled away, Sherry found herself glancing at the picture, her smile lingering. "There's more to you than meets the eye, Fudo Yusei," she mused before pocketing the phone into her handbag.
After a lengthy meeting with a potential shareholder, Sherry decided to take a detour. Her destination was an old, nearly broken-down mall she'd been considering purchasing. The structure was still operational but clearly in need of significant repairs. She thought of turning it into a modern apartment complex or a high-end shopping center, but her plans were interrupted by an unexpected encounter.
As she walked through the mall's dimly lit corridors, she spotted Yusei and Hana again. This time, Hana was running ahead, her laughter echoing through the space. Before Sherry could react, the little girl darted toward her and threw her arms around her waist.
"Sherry-san!" Hana exclaimed, looking up with a beaming smile.
Sherry blinked in surprise but quickly softened, crouching to meet Hana's gaze. "Well, aren't you full of energy today?" she said warmly.
Yusei approached, his expression calm but polite. "Sherry-san, it's a surprise to see you here," he said, gently pulling Hana back and lifting her into his arms.
"Likewise," Sherry replied, standing. "Are you two here for some shopping?"
"Not exactly," Yusei said. "There's a bookstore here that hosts story-reading sessions. Hana's been looking forward to today's session; it's the continuation of a story she's been following."
Hana tugged on Yusei's sleeve, then turned to Sherry. "Do you want to come with us? It's really fun!" she asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
Sherry hesitated for a moment, glancing between the eager child and her composed father. Finally, she smiled and nodded. "Why not? I could use a little fun myself," she said, scooping Hana into her arms.
The bookstore was cozy, filled with the soft rustle of pages and the murmurs of children and parents settling in for the session. Sherry found herself sitting cross-legged on the floor, Hana perched comfortably on her lap. The storyteller began to read, recounting the adventures of a little mermaid who overcame challenges to find her place in the world.
Caught off guard but pleasantly surprised, Sherry crouched to meet her, resting a hand on the child's back. "Hello, Hana. Fancy meeting you here."
Yusei approached with a polite nod, gently pulling Hana back before lifting her into his arms. "Good to see you again," he said, his tone warm yet reserved.
"What brings you two here?" Sherry asked, rising to her feet.
"Hana's been looking forward to a story reading session at a bookstore here," Yusei explained, a fond smile tugging at his lips. "It's a continuation from the last one, and she hasn't stopped talking about it all week."
"Would you like to come too?" Hana interjected, her eyes wide with hope. "It's going to be so much fun!"
Sherry hesitated. It wasn't exactly how she'd planned to spend her afternoon. But as Hana's small hands reached for hers, an unfamiliar softness unfurled in her chest.
"All right," she said finally, scooping Hana into her arms. "Lead the way."
The bookstore was nestled in a corner of the mall, its walls lined with shelves brimming with stories. A small crowd had gathered in a cozy nook, children sitting cross-legged on cushions, their parents standing close by. Sherry took a seat, settling Hana on her lap as the storyteller began.
The story was about a young mermaid who braved the ocean's depths to gather rare pearls. Alone and determined, the mermaid faced countless challenges until she finally discovered a hidden cove, where other mermaids welcomed her as family.
Sherry listened, her hand absently smoothing Hana's hair. The tale struck a chord—she saw shades of herself in the mermaid's journey, the loneliness, the relentless pursuit, and the unexpected solace in connection. Hana, meanwhile, was enraptured, her little fingers clutching Sherry's arm as the story unfolded.
After the story session concluded, the crowd began to disperse, children chattering excitedly as their parents herded them toward the exit. Hana, however, had succumbed to the warm comfort of her father's embrace and was sound asleep in Yusei's arms. Her tiny head rested against his shoulder, her steady breaths the only sound she made.
"Thank you for joining us today," Yusei said, his voice low as to not wake his daughter.
"It was no trouble at all," Sherry replied, adjusting the strap of her handbag. Her usual polished tone was softened, carrying an air of sincerity. "She's a delightful child."
Yusei gave a faint smile, his eyes briefly glancing at Hana. "She is."
Sherry hesitated for a moment, her gaze drifting to the worn walls and flickering lights of the mall. "Has this place always been like this? It seems... neglected."
Yusei adjusted Hana slightly, his expression thoughtful. "It wasn't always like this. It used to be a bustling place when I was younger, but things have gone downhill. Repairs have been slow, and businesses are struggling to stay afloat. The management's been having trouble securing funds for renovations."
Sherry nodded, her sharp mind already analyzing the situation. "I see. That's unfortunate. This place still has a lot of potential."
"It does," Yusei agreed, his tone wistful. "For now, though, it's enough that there are still places like the bookstore keeping it alive."
Sherry regarded him for a moment, noting the way he spoke with quiet hope, even in the face of such adversity. It was a quality she rarely encountered in her world of cutthroat business.
"I should let you get her home," Sherry said, glancing at Hana whose head she gently caressed. "It's been a long day for her."
Yusei nodded. "Thank you again, Sherry. Today meant a lot to Hana—and to me."
Sherry gave him a faint smile, her expression uncharacteristically soft. "You're welcome."
As she stepped away, she turned back one last time, watching as Yusei carried his sleeping daughter through the dimly lit mall. The image stayed with her, a reminder of a simpler, warmer side of life she rarely allowed herself to indulge in.
Once outside, she pulled out her phone and dialed Mizoguchi.
"Sherry-sama?" he answered promptly.
"There's a property I want us to acquire," Sherry said, her voice laced with determination.
"Of course, Sherry-sama. Which one?"
"The old mall downtown," she replied, glancing back at the faded sign above the entrance. "I want it renovated and restored. Make it modern, but preserve its charm. Spare no expense."
There was a pause on the other end before Mizoguchi responded. "Understood. May I ask what brought this on?"
Sherry's gaze lingered on the entrance for a moment longer. "It's... memorable," she said finally, her tone thoughtful. "I spent the day there with someone. It's worth keeping alive—not just for them, but for everyone who still finds something meaningful there."
"I'll get started immediately," Mizoguchi said, his tone brisk and efficient.
As the call ended, Sherry stepped into her limo, her mind already envisioning what the mall could become. Yet, for all her focus on the future, she couldn't shake the memory of Yusei and Hana, and the warmth they had unknowingly brought to her day.
Perhaps, she thought, this project was about more than just business.
That's a wrap!
Bye bye