Your POV 

My eyes scanned the room we were in, taking everything in. Two beige bean bags chairs seated in front a curved TV and a classic beyblade stadium. A white table stood next to the right side of each bean bag, so far only an ice tea on either of them.

The three windows on either side of the room showcased the setting winter sun, and the beautiful Antarctic landscape. See through walkways made out of glass connected each chair to the entrance. Just behind the bean bags was a circle table, undoubtedly for business conferences. Outside the table was couches that surrounded the table and provided seats.

"Wow," I breathed out. "You must be richer than even Wakiya now."

"This plane is just for business," Shu waved his hand, gesturing to the plane. He handed our bags to a butler waiting nearby. The butler promptly walked off to stow them away safely. "I don't want to flaunt my wealth off."

"That's an admirable thing to do, Shu," I whispered to him. I truly meant it. People these days, the bragging and importance of wealth is increasing and impacting other people's lives. People see each other as the social class they belong in, rather than the personality. Leave it up to Shu to be that HUMBLE.

The albino smiled back. "Thanks, (y/n). It means a lot coming from you."

I looked at him closely. I could see the way his white hair fell down to his shoulders, the way his scarlet hues was ready to analyze and outsmart anything. I could count the number of eyelashes he had, the number of hairs in his eyebrow. 

bring bring 

Feeling a vibration coming from Shu's pocket, I jumped back suddenly. The phone call had interrupted our silence and...the magical moment. It dawned on me just how close to Shu Kurenai I had been, and my cheeks heated up. 

I hadn't even realized I had been leaning onto Shu. It just felt natural. Like gravity was pulling us closer to each other. Oh gosh, that's cheesy. 

"Hello?" Shu answered the call, a faint pink tinge of his own on his cheeks. A broad smile suddenly appeared on his face. Could it be his girlfriend? My heart twanged at the thought for some unknown reason. "Yes, I'm heading back now. You're still in America, right? Ok, good. Yeah, (y/n)'s with me. Hold on, how's the pa-"

At this point he turned away from me and started talking in a low voice into the phone, obviously having a private conversation. Not meaning to intrude on anything, I turned my head away and walked towards the bean bag. I collapsed down, letting the fatigue take over the anger from before and the awkwardness. 

Not wanting to think about anything, I let myself zone out for a moment. I wasn't sleeping, but I wasn't mentally present in the world. Nothing was on my mind, however. They was lots of things to think about, but right now my brain couldn't process any of it. It was all too overwhelming. I would rather think about nothing right now. 

"Sorry, (y/n)."

I opened my eyes and blinked. Shu had taken a seat on the bean bag next to mine. He somehow still managed to look professional and proper while sitting on the bag of fabric, when I just looked like a deformed creature. "For what?"

"My phone disturbed the...moment," Shu had paused for a while, thinking about what to call that thing that happened between us. My ears heated up just thinking about it. "Valt's just anxious to see you."

At this, all the exhaustion was sapped out of my body. I sat upright, looking at Shu. "Valt? That's who was calling you?"

"Um, yeah," Shu's forehead creased. I slouched back down into the bean bag, feeling outright embarrassed. "Were you expecting somebody?"

"N-No," I stammered, looking away. "Well, yes. I was kinda...expecting your girlfriend."

"My girlfriend?" Shu blinked in confusion. He suddenly grinned and let out a laugh. I realized I hadn't heard that sound in years. Laughter. Of another person. It was so heart-warming and lifting, I nearly forgot about the situation confusing situation I was in. Why would he be laughing? "(y/n), I don't know what magazines you've been reading, but I am single."

"You're single?" I bolted upright again. My eyes widened in shock. I was truly surprised. I guess I really believed that Shu Kurenai had a girlfriend. "Really?"

"I didn't know you found me to be a player," Shu frowned. Oh shoot. "Did you expect me to always have a girlfriend?"

"No, no," I shook my head, waving my arms frantically. It's just that...you could have any person you wanted. I bit the insides of my cheek, refraining myself from saying that.  "I don't see you that way. I-I just, I don't know, never mind me. Anyways, Valt's in America then?"

Still suspicious, Shu nodded, though something shifted in his eye that didn't relate to the previous situation but rather to the question regarding Valt. Maybe it was just the light. I ignored it. "Yeah. But he can't see you. I'm sorry, (y/n), but he has something to take care of."

"Oh," I couldn't help but feel a little bummed. "Okay, then."

Awkward silence suddenly filled the room. Luckily, two butlers came to the rescue. Each one was carrying a plate with two Spriggan beybreads on them. All of the awkwardness melted away at the sight of the delicious goodies. 

My mouth watered at the sight of them. I haven't had them in two years. How did I survive? Nothing could compare the yumminess these pastries contained. As soon as the plate landed on the table, I reached out at a single bey bread and munched down.

Immediately, the warm, sweet taste of Chiharu's bread filled my mouth. Gosh, Chiharu was one talented woman. It was the perfect combination of sticky sweetness and healthiness. No wonder Valt rose to the top leagues so quickly. Beybreads are freaking powerful.

I finished one in a matter of seconds. Swallowing the last piece of bread down, I let out a satisfied exhale. I caught Shu looking at me, half in shock, half in amusement and we both laughed, and what was left of the awkwardness faded away. 

The laughter from before was different than this. We had shared laughter together. It felt like an amazing bond, something we could connect to and only we could understand. Somehow, leaving the world just made me appreciate it even more. 

"Sorry it's just Spriggan," Shu finished his last piece. "I didn't know what the evolved Xcalius looked like."

"Oh yeah," I was suddenly reminded that nobody has seen my new bey. "You haven't seen Xcalius yet. Well, feast your eyes on..."

I stood up proudly, grinning like an idiot as I showed off the evolved Xcalius. The blade embedded in the middle now was double-sided. Flames of scarlet and gold engraved the stellar white bey, and pure gold accented the black sword. 

(A/N: just pretend the purple & pink bits are red & gold, and this bey has two swords. btw, this bey irl is a stamina type, but i'm keeping Xcalius as a attack type. irl, it's also not a turbo bey, but shhh. just pretend it is, ok?)

"Xcalius X4 Vertical Claw!" I announced with delight. I glanced down at Shu hopefully, waiting for his reaction. To my relief and joy, he looked awed at the sight. "So you like it?"

"It looks..." Shu trailed off, thinking for a word to describe it. "Magnificent. I can't wait to battle it."

"Ooh, let's battle right now!" I jumped at the idea, beyond excited. Sure, I had been training for the past few years, but it isn't the same as battling. It doesn't give the same adrenaline, the same pressure that pushes you to be better. 

Shu shook his head sadly. "Sorry, (y/n), but Spriggan is back in America. Besides- " at this he smirked smugly, "- I'm working on a new move, and I only want to battle the true champion when I'm at my best."

"Fair enough," I sat back down onto the bean bag. "But watch out. I've perfected a move and I'm currently making an even better one!"

"I can't wait for the battle," Shu grinned broadly. "But first, I feel like Aiga would like to challenge you once news that you're the number one leaks out. He's just like Valt was."

"A mini Valt," I smiled at the thought. "I look forward to battling Aiga. I would like to crush him, but he seems like a formidable challenge. Tell me about him."

Shu was promptly given an iPad from a nearby butler as soon as I said this. I shifted in my seat, feeling a little uncomfortable. I felt at little weirded out. There was so many people listening in the our conversation. I wanted this to be a private conversation. Shu seemed to sense what I was thinking and waved a hand at all nearby butlers, dismissing them. "Privacy, please."

They all nodded and left at once. Shu had so much power and wealth. "Have you gotten used to your power yet?"

On a previous phone call, Shu had told me that the power he had scared him a little. He shook his head, white shaggy hair falling down. "It's honestly so weird. One moment, I'm living in a tiny apartment, the next, I'm expected to live in a mansion surrounded by bodyguards with butlers and maids. I'm just a teenager. Yet I'm seen as one of the most powerful influences on this world."

"But you are a good role model," I smiled at him softly. He smiled back, and my heart fluttered for what seemed like the millionth time today. You're perfect, Shu. 

"Thanks."

Crimson orbs swirled with gratitude and appreciation. A moment passed, and I realized we were staring at each other again. Coughing, I looked away in embarrassment. My cheeks felt like they were on fire for the hundredth time today. What is wrong with me?

Shu looked away as well, faint pink growing on his cheeks. Shaking his head, he turned the iPad in his hand on. The TV screen in front of us flickered to life, and I realized that the two devices were connected. Shu pressed some buttons on the iPad, and a profile of a blader popped up on the screen. 

The picture of the blader looked similar to Valt, except he has lighter skin, turquoise eyes, wears red clothing and his hair and eyebrows are maroon. He has a red letter "A" tattooed on his left cheek, and a bandage strip on his right cheek. His hair is pinned back by four hair clips; 2 on each side of his temple.

His profile data stated that he was only eleven years old, Japanese, from a farm near Beigoma and currently attending Beigoma Academy. His bey is known as Z Achilles A4 11 Xtend. 

"Aiga Akabane," I whispered. So this was the prodigy of beyblade himself. My voice returned the it's normal volume. "He seems weird. Have you met him before?"

"No, I haven't," Shu shook his head. "But I've heard a lot about him from Valt. They know each other well. The reason why Aiga started blading was to defeat Valt. His determinedness to become world champion has so far earned him victory in every official battle."

"He really is like Valt," I noted. "He attends Beigoma Academy, right? So Fubuki must know him as well."

"Yeah," Shu replied. "Fubuki is the reason why Aiga came to Beigoma, because Aiga wanted to battle him. Fubuki has been known to be Valt's successor, you know, being the captain of the Bey Club and everything."

"Really?" I asked. "I would've thought Fubuki was your successor. Anyways, Aiga's like Valt?"

"Sorta," Shu shrugged. "He's more hotheaded, though. And brags about his victories more than Valt did."

"Hm," I frowned, thinking of what else I needed to know before going into battle with Aiga. "His bey is a Turbo one, Z Achilles?"

Shu nodded. "It's a balance-type. Aiga really has a bond with that bey. He's having more conversations with the aura than we did at his age."

I opened my mouth to respond, but then the screen flashed red before showcasing Hanami, live from Japan. Hanami looked freaked out with excitement and shocked. My forehead creased. What could have possibly happened? "Breaking news! Breaking news, everyone! Aiga Akabane, rookie who has just defeated Lui, has lost to another newcomer!"

"Another newcomer?" I repeated in disbelief. Just when I was coming to terms that Aiga's this prodigy child of beyblade, another person shows up. This was just getting too unreal. "This newcomer's even better than Aiga?"

"We have just received word from the WBBA," Hanami scrambled to get some pieces of paper. He hastily read everything out. "After the Longinus Cup, Aiga Akabane was challenged to a battle by a blader who has never been seen before. Aiga lost easily to this mysterious person. However, since it wasn't an official match, the WBBA announces that in the official stat book, Aiga is still a better blader than the challenger."

At this, Hanami let out a relieved exhale. I, however, was not too sure if we should all be relieved. The fact that the battle was unofficial, doesn't changes who the winner of the battle was. If the person didn't cheat in any way, than there truly is a person more powerful than Aiga Akabane. No way. 

Hanami picked up a paper and continued reading, his behavior much more calmed now. "The challenger is rumored to be Phi, the person who challenged world champion Valt Aoi just a few days ago! People has been saying Phi is immortal and posses unmatched power!"

"People actually believe that Phi is all that?" Shu raised his eyebrows in surprise. I opened my mouth to agree with the albino, when a voice came over the speakers. 

"Sorry to interrupt Mr. Kurenai," the voice began. Shu gave a curt nod into the camera that lead directly into the pilot's room, letting the pilot know that it was alright to speak. "But it is currently one in the morning in America."

"Already?" Shu looked shocked. I didn't feel sleepy at all considering it's midday in Antarctica, but Shu had been living in New York for years now. I guess we had just gotten carried away with all the talking and excitement. His eyes met mine. "Then we should go to sleep, (y/n)."

The way he said my name made my cheeks heat up. I don't know why, don't ask me. "Okay."

"There's some beds in another room," Shu began to stand up. Of course there's some beds. What doesn't this plane have? "I'll show you."

I smiled, getting up to. "Thanks."

Smiling back at me, the owner of the Raging Bulls made his way throughout the large jet, finally arriving at neat room with a TV, closet, table, couch and a single bed. I turned to look at him. "We're not sleeping together?"

Realizing how wrong that sounded, my face flushed with bright crimson and I waved my arms frantically. This was the most humiliation I have ever done to myself. Gosh, why do I have to be so stupid all the time? "T-That's not what I meant! I-I-I thought that considering it's rare to have proper bedrooms on a plane, you would only have one. I didn't want to sleep with you on a double bed, but on a two singles! N-Not that you repulse me-"

Shu let out an airy, breathy laugh that silenced me right away. The effect this person has on me, damn it. "It's alright, (y/n). I know you're tired. There's a lot to take in. Go to sleep."

"O-Okay," I mumbled, still feeling my cheeks burn. I entered the room and started closing the door, leaving ajar so I could just see Shu's right entrancing scarlet orb. I whispered into the night, "Goodnight, Shu."

Without moving or batting an eye, he responded back in a breath. "Goodnight, (y/n)."

Smiling softly, I closed the door on him. I quickly showered, got dressed and brushed my teeth in a record time of two minutes. Sighing, I collapsed onto the bed, snuggling under the covers. 

Maybe if I wasn't so tired, I would've fangirled at little from all the close contacts with Shu. I mean, who wouldn't? But tonight, sleep was just so tempting.

I raised my head slightly to peak out the window. The plane was high above civilization, and if I looked down only the light grey clouds would be visible. But the night couldn't be clearer. Millions of stars embedded into a stunning night sky. The moon glowed spectacularly, shining a light on the earth.

It was perfect.

With a sudden jolt, I realized I never really got to say goodbye to my temporary home in Antarctica. I was too busy thinking about beyblade and Shu and coming back to everyone that I forgot the place that I had been. 

Sure, that cave could never replace my with everyone, but that was the place where I had trained for the past few years. The place where I had gotten stronger, matured and grew as a person. I laid back down and closed my eyes.

An image of all my friends from beyblade popped up in my head, and instantly, I wanted to go home as soon as possible. I have to be patient. Just 24 hours more and I'll be back. 

A small smile graced my lips as I allowed sleep to take over. 

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sorry i was gone for so long, school starting again in Australia ;-;

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Word count: 2984