Your POV

Someone is going to die. 

Once I get out of this awkward and humiliating situation, someone is going to perish. Namely, Valt Aoi. The little brat left me and Shu together! Alone! His lame excuse of 'I see someone Toko and Nika', doesn't work on me! It doesn't take one hour to catch up, and I'm pretty sure the twins are on the other side of the world. 

Normally it wouldn't be that bad being alone with Shu, but it just happened to be when we were watching this Chinese romance movie, 'My Best Summer'. A romance movie. Valt chose this movie as well, so I'm beginning to suspect that he had planned this whole thing. 

The amount of times Shu and I have been called a couple in a mere span of an hour. I gritted my teeth and clutched the cup-holder tightly as a flash went off in the back corner. It seems like Hanami will have something to talk about tonight. 

Meanwhile, the person next to me made no sign of embarrassment, his eyes fixed onto the movie. Huh. Maybe I should do that.

I regret that. Only five minutes of watching the movie, and tears were already staining my cheeks. Shu gasped, "(y/n)!"

"I-I'm sorry Shu," I sniffled, tears streaming even though I averted my attention from the screen. Stupid period, making me so sad. "I-It's just so sad. Yu Huai's life is s-so sad, and he didn't even get to confess! A-And his mother-"

Strong arms wrapped around me instantly, taking me by surprise. A familiar warmth radiated from then, and I smiled softly before burying my head into Shu's shoulder. "S-Sorry I get so emotional."

"Don't worry about it," Shu smiled back. "How about we leave, then? The movie is nearly going to end anyways, and Valt has been gone for so long I'm beginning to think he's been kidnapped."

"I wouldn't be surprised," I laughed, surprisingly feeling better already. Shu stood up, and I joined him looking like a mess. "Let's go."

We slowly made our way out of the cinemas, our legs feeling like complete jelly. Well, only mine were. 

"Leaving already?" the young cinema usher asked us, a suspicious frown on his face as he blocked the exit. 

I pointed to my face. "Obviously. And don't tell me Yu Huai's life isn't worth crying over."

"She's just a bit emotional," Shu chuckled sheepishly.

The usher opened the door, still a little suspicious but not as much. "Are you sure? This movie is good for dates."

"We're not on a date!" Shu and I chorused in unison for the millionth time today, blushing. Valt is so going to die. The usher grinned slyly, all signs of suspicion evaporating for the first time. 

"Sure, sure."

I opened my mouth back to tell him to stop using that tone on us when he shut the door to the cinema again. Exhaling in irritation, I narrowed my eyes and glanced the area around us, wary that Valt might be laughing at us from behind a plant or something. 

"He's not here," Shu told me, stuffing the phone he was just on back into his pocket. "Stop glaring at those poor people."

"Was not!" I

"If you say so," Shu said in amusement. "Anyways, Valt just texted me. He's on the rooftop of the mall."

The rooftop? I frowned. There was no doubt that that was a lie, a plan just to get Shu and me to spend time together and to get 'Operation: Sh(y/n)' to succeed, while inflicting embarrassment on the two of us while Valt laughed from the sidelines. Why would Valt be at the rooftop when there is a bakery in the mall? This was a plain lie. Surely Shu knew that. But then why is he telling me this? 

Unless...

I frowned even more. Unless he wants to be together with me. Alone. I could feel my cheeks heating up just at the thought of it. Damn my stupid hormones! I'm getting so emotional at the littlest things!

I glanced at Shu, trying to figure out if that's what he was thinking, but he only smiled at me gently, which, of course, reddened my cheeks even more. 

Actually...you know what? On second thought, spending time alone with Shu isn't bad. Why am I making it out to be horrible, like I actually have a crush on him? I don't, obviously, we're only best friends. If we're only best friends, then this shouldn't be uncomfortable. I'm just overthinking things. Adding on, the rooftop is empty, so there won't be any people thinking that we're dating.

And now that I think about it, I actually do want to spend more time with Shu. I left him for years, and I should make it up to him. And maybe, just maybe, I could tell him about the weird angry feelings I've been getting lately. Shu will help me, I know he will. 

Besides, if my feelings start to grow for Shu...having a crush can't be that bad, right?

"Let's go then," I answered before whispering knowingly, "Smooth move, Shu."

His eyes sparkled in amusement and mischief. "I don't know what you're talking about."

"Hmm, okay," I played along in mirth. "Lead the way to the rooftop."

"Alright."

What happened next was so fast. Shu took my hand in his and began leading me through the big mall. At this, tingles shot up my arm and pink flushed onto my face. A mixture of shock, embarrassment and just a little bit of happiness bursted out in my chest. It was such an odd feeling. And that small piece of happiness from Shu grabbing my hand sent my cheeks into a state of hot pink. 

I clenched my other hand, desperately wishing to the heavens that I would stop blushing. It isn't that big of a deal! Friends do that all the time, right? And I'm pretty sure Shu isn't blushing! Well, his face isn't facing me so I can't tell, but I know Shu's hormones aren't as crazy as mine. 

Actually, you know what? This holding-hand-but-not-really thing actually feels kind of nice. Without the embarrassment and shock, it feels like pure warmth and joy spreading throughout my body coming from Shu's touch. I blushed again, but this time I didn't try to get ride of it. If Shu got to hold-my-hand-but-not-really the whole time he lead me to the rooftop, then I was quite glad that this mall was big. 

"(y/n)?" 

"Y-Yes?" I cursed myself for stuttering like the twelve year old me used to with Shu. What am I, in love with him? Impossible. 

"We're here," Shu gestured to the area around him, his hand leaving mine in the process and triggering a wave of disappointment in me that I tried to ignore. I was so busy focusing on our hands that I hadn't realized we had already made it to our destination. I wish the mall was bigger. 

But I wasn't complaining. The rooftop seemed beautiful, and it was completely empty except for that camera I suspect Valt of. The floor was made of hardened clay, and it was fenced off from the rest of New York with glass panels that came up to our chest. 

A few lamps were placed at the corner of the rooftop, the only light source here. A couple of succulents and dark green plants accented the whitish glow. Other then that, the rooftop was completely devoid of objects. 

However, the skyline made up for it. Big skyscrapers and neat roads filled with busy cars and the bustling residents of New York. It gave off a lively, happy vibe. It was nearly identical to the horizon at Raging Bull's, except it was going to sunset soon here and I knew the city would completely transform at that. 

I leaned my arms on the top of the glass railings and Shu copied my position. A calm wind blew, running through our hair and swaying it gently. A smile arose on my face. "New York's beautiful, isn't it?"

"Amazing," Shu agreed with me, a hint of pride in his voice for his new home. 

We stayed in silence for a few minutes, but it wasn't awkward. It was comfortable and familiar as our eyes continued to trail across New York. After taking as much of the city in as I was able to, I closed my eyes and let the wind caress my face. 

I wanted to think things through. I wanted to examine my feelings. I wanted to figure out what to do. But I couldn't, because as soon as I closed my eyes, that image came back.

The image of Xcalius bounded in fiery chains, sapping the power from him as I could only watch helplessly. It haunted me. Everything about that picture did. How weak I felt at that moment. How supernatural it seemed. How I knew that that voice could eventually destroy me. Everything about it haunted me. 

'I'm coming after the beyblade world. And I'm going to destroy each person. One by one. Starting with you!"

I've fought many battles, gone against many threats. But none have been as serious as this one. This one feels as though it's going to escalate into life and death. Not only that, I suspect magic being used. Magic. 

Long ago, I would've laughed at myself for believing in such a thing. Magic doesn't exist, right? It's a figment of imagination that only exists in children's stories. It's seen as such a childish word. Yet, it feels as though there is a force as strong as magic in the hands of the voice. 

Even if it's not magic or any force like that, that voice is still seriously powerful. It could only be a dream, but I know it's not. It was so vivid and fresh, the emotions, the colours, everything. And Xcalius was glowing after I experience that dream, radiating an unhealthy glow. 

Not only that, but ever since I boarded the Battleship Cruise, I've constantly been feeling angry and jealous of all the next generation bladers who are just hitting their prime when I know mine is going to pass soon. I've been unfairly judging them, as if I had some sort of prejudice towards those of their generation.

It's like I'm a monster. I want everything to revolve around me, don't I? Despicable. Moreover, my inner feelings shocked me.

It...scared me.

I couldn't help but feel disgusted by myself, feeling so weak and being so unfair. I'm not supposed to be weak. I'm supposed to be strong. I need to be strong. For everyone. Because I know the threat by the voice isn't an empty one.

The weight in my pocket from Xcalius felt like a reminder. A reminder that I needed to be strong for it, even if I'm weak. I just have to. 

"(y/n)?" 

My thoughts evaporated into thin air and I blinked from the light. Suddenly New York was in front of me again, with Shu at my side. I wondered just how long I had zoned out. I felt his hand envelope mine again, but this time it was more like a tight, concern grip. Scarlet shone with worry. "Are you alright? You're shaking."

I opened my mouth to reply that I was perfectly fine and I was not shaking, but I then realized that Shu was right. My whole body was shaking. "I'm fine. Honestly, I didn't even notice."

"What were you thinking about?"

"Huh?"

Shu gestured to my body, frowning, "Surely you must have been thinking about something to shake you up like this. What was it?"

I hesitated, unsure whether I should tell him the truth. Would Shu believe me if I told him what was going on? Usually I would trust that he trusts me enough to believe me, but this time it involves a magic-like force. That seems unbelievable. 

Not only that, what is he going to think? That I'm a weakling? That I need him to protect me 24/7? 

Sensing my hesitance, Shu added more gently, "Only tell me if you feel like it though, yeah?"

Something about his gentleness made me choose to tell him everything in less than a split-second. I gripped onto his hands tightly, too bothered to blush now. "I-I'm...scared."

"Of what?" His frown deepened. 

Of everything. 

Of being weak. 

Of myself. 

I wanted to tell him, ask him why I've been feeling so...unreasonable lately. But, I'm ashamed of acting and thinking like that. I don't want Shu to see me like that. Anybody would dislike somebody like that. 

"Of the voice," I whispered, tears starting to form in frustration. Then the whole thing just bursted out, and I told Shu everything. The nightmare I have been having. Just not the part of me being so stupid. I know, I should tell him. But I just can't. 

And anyways, I'm not lying. I'm just not telling the whole truth.

When I had finished telling Shu the whole story, tears were flowing openly. For the second time today, Shu's arms wrapped around me tightly, emitting some kind of warmth that I felt only from him.  

He had a frown on his face, and his unfocused eyes indicated that he was deep in thought. 

"What are you thinking about, Shu?"

Shu closed his eyes. "About what the voice wants."

My eyes widened. "Y-You actually believe me about the voice? That it's a real threat?"

"Well," Shu opened his eyes, still half in deep thought. "If it's making you this scared, it's probably a gut feeling, and they're usually right.  And if you believe it, I believe it. I don't think you're lying."

"Thanks, Shu," I smiled softly, squeezing him a little tighter. The reason why I didn't tell anyone else but Shu, is that he is the only person I am completely sure would trust me. Even knowing that, I still felt glad for him.

"If you get anymore dreams or anything," he looked me in the eye. "Call me, alright? You don't have to fight alone all the time."

"I know," I glanced to the floor in shame. "I just don't want anyone to get hurt."

"But nobody wants you hurt either," Shu let go and stepped back, wind blowing in his hair again. I found myself missing his touch. "Remember that, okay?"

"Okay," I mumbled, feeling a bit like a child. 

"And it's not just you I'm looking out for," Shu added, his eyes flickering to my pocket. "Xcalius as well. Beys are always targeted when their owners are. After all, we're not complete without our partner, are we?"

"I hope Xcalius will be alright," I whispered, clutching the object in my pocket tightly. 

"It's strong, like you. It will be more than alright," Shu tried to comfort me, but even I could sense the hidden doubt in those words. Nevertheless, the strong voice that covered the doubt relaxed me. I could feel the tears already slowing down, coming to a halt. 

My cheeks were losing their blotchy red acquired after the crying, and my overall body temperature seemed to drop to a more normal one. I let the wind touch my face again as I returned to face the horizon again. 

The sun was slowly fading, its golden light projected like a display across the world before it disappeared for the night. Small, twinkling lights were already beginning to light up the sky that was slowly reaching a sapphire blue. 

"Hey Shu?" The words came out as foggy puffs as the air around it decreased. 

"Yeah?"

"Thanks for everything."

With that, I nestled my head into his shoulder. It seemed like a perfect fit, or maybe that was just my childish, wishful thinking.

A sense of calm clouded my mind, almost like an oasis. Everything is so busy right now, with problems and challenges arising from what seemed like everywhere. Yet Shu took me away with his words, a place where I was able to take a break from everything and just think things through. 

It was almost as if Shu was my oasis. 

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sorry if you found this chapter hella cringy or cheesy

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Word count: 2695