please listen to piano ver of 'say something' while reading this

Your POV 

"I'll be fine."

It was stupid and bizarre, really, how a bey, a piece of plastic with artificial colouring could bring out such emotions in people.

But I think it's also expected, because having a bey is like having a partner, and everyone just wants to have someone like that. So when a bey breaks, things change. Especially if you're a highly respected blader. 

Broken beys symbolize hopes, wishes, dreams, goals, whatever you want to call it, all shattered. (Only Valt Aoi and Lui Shirasagijo seem to be fine with broken beys).

All of my happiness had ended with a broken bey.

And all of my anguish started with a broken bey. 

Shu Kurenai, the person whose hopes, wishes, dreams and goals got shattered, also the person I love, changed. 

Suddenly, we weren't even living in the same city anymore, let alone the same continent. Suddenly, we weren't dating and I was whisked away by Free De La Hoya in selfish hopes of forgetting about Shu.

Yet, a month after that happened, I went to Mexico, walked through a jungle, battled some psychos in a temple to find Shu. 

Then the God Blader's Cup happened, and I only found out that the person I was looking for, the person I love, was one of those psychos I battled. 

Anger, disappointment, shock, frustration and countless other emotions crashed down on my on the God Blader's Cup. Even though I won the whole tournament, I hate just thinking about it.

It felt like torture knowing that the person I loved was locked away in his own body. It felt like agony knowing that I had to be the person who bear through everything and save him.

It was unbearable. 

Beyblade changed from a simple game to connect with friends into some place filled with hate and anger, basically...war.

Can you believe that all happened because of a simple, broken bey? The broken bey wasn't even mine, yet I was somehow hit by the full force too.

But it's harder to look at somebody you love hurting than to be hurt yourself.  

Mere spectators only saw a loser who couldn't control their emotions when it came to this simple game of metal pieces that clashed with each other. I [the weakest] saw a person, the person I love [the strongest], fall to the ground for a second time.

A bey owned by the same person, the person I love, shattered. Bits of crimson, the crimson I fell in love with, flying everywhere, flecked with gold and silver.

It laid on the stadium floor, shattered. 

It's harder to look at somebody you love hurting than to be hurt yourself.

So I stood up and ran, not to escape from the sight, but rather to go towards it. Because I knew, that maybe, Spriggan wasn't the only thing that was shattering. I couldn't bear the idea of Shu shattering yet again.

"Valt, come with me."

My best friend nodded and obliged, following me as we entered the cold corridors of the arena. Hanami's distant commentary made itself into my ears.

"Phi's rampage continues. Is there no one out there who can stop this madness?"

I clenched my fingers, and for a second, I experienced the pure anger exactly like what I felt when Aiga destroyed Valt's bey. What I felt like when, I realized, Lui destroyed Shu's bey. 

But then it faded, because I was more concerned about Shu. Last time, I was prepared to engage in physical combat with Lui. I was prepared to destroy Aiga's bey. But now, years on, I had grown and matured.

Compared to my anger towards Phi, I could drown in the feelings I had for Shu. And maybe I was drowning, drowning in the ocean of crimson that I myself jumped into. 

"(y/n), you okay?" Valt asked from besides me.

I blinked, too lost in feelings and memories and oceans of crimson for a second that I forgot he was there. I attempted a weak smile. "I'm fine. Just concentrate on Shu."

Then, light flooded the long corridor and we had arrived at the main arena, where Phi was leering over Shu. "Phi!"

The call, which I wanted to be loud and fierce, turned out meek and soft. I cursed at myself silently. Here my friends were, breaking beys to stop the monster that was ultimately after me. And I couldn't even speak.

Pathetic.

"Phi!" Valt fulfilled my call for me. All eyes went to us. Shu turned around and glanced at us, crimson eyes widening. 

Crimson eyes that were filled with despair. 

My feet moved on their own, and I collapsed next to Shu, caressing his face. Before I could restrain myself because there were thousands of people watching to see a battle, not some romance story, I kissed him.

I broke apart and whispered, "I love you. So, so much."

His eyes widened again. He was shocked, obviously. So were the thousands of people watching. We had only been dating for less than a month, and now I'm declaring my love in front of international TV. 

Have I ever said those words to Shu?

"(y/n)," Shu whispered my name, softer than ever. "This isn't the end. This isn't goodbye."

"I know," I breathed back, hiccupping a little as the tears I had tried so hard to conceal started falling. "I love you."

"I love you more."

Ah, that's right.

Before we both left Japan. Before we went global. Before we broke up. Before our love story morphed into some angst horror story. 

Shu's must've remembered that time too. How could he forget? That was when we were just (y/n) (l/n) and Shu Kurenai, members of the Beigoma Academy Bey Club who were dating. Hopelessly in love with each other, as Hanami and Zac used to say. The last time we were associated together.

The next time we saw each other, it was (y/n) (l/n), blader of the legendary BC Sol. Red Eye, blader of the mythical Snake Pit.

And then (y/n) (l/n), blader who lead BC Sol to victory at the International Teams Tournament. Red Eye, or Shu Kurenai, whose mask had been shattered by the same person that destroyed his hopes, wishes and dreams.

At the God Blader's Cup, (y/n) (l/n) was known to be a feared blader from BC Sol. Shu Kurenai, a powerful blader that was held captive by Red Eye.

Finally, (y/n) (l/n) who dropped off the face of the world. Shu Kurenai, second best blader in the world and manager for the Raging Bulls.

What are we now? Broken girl who finally just repaired her crown? Broken boy who had gotten his bey, wishes, hopes and dreams shattered again?

Nobody sees us that way except for us. Majority of the world heap glamorous titles upon us, pretty words like 'world's best blader' and 'Raging Bull's owner'. 

I have so many titles, but all along, I just wanted to be (y/n) (l/n), hopelessly in love with Shu Kurenai.

Before Shu could respond, Phi cut in, eyes glittering both in disgust and triumph that I had been reduced to what he saw as a teenage love crazed girl who didn't really know what it mean to fall in love.

"And here comes the main event," Phi smirked. "Even if it is a desperate little girl who believes in the power of friendship and true love."

His voice changed into mockery on those last few words, and a couple of people in the audience laughed before getting silenced by the sharp glares of my friends.

"By the powers vested within me," Phi said regally, as if he was an emperor of multiple dark realms. "I command that Turbo Xcalius be destroyed. Judgement day has come, and I determine that Xcalius shall fall."

He flashed Dread Phoenix with its purple embedded stones for eyes that always seemed hungry for more and more. It was not satisfied with the feast of dreams and wishes and hopes.

Trembling with determination, I stood up and found my voice again, "You can try, but I'll stop you."

My voice was no longer meek and soft, but rather the exact opposite. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Shu looking at me with a mixture of surprise and admiration. I tried not to flush at that.

I found my own bey in my pocket and showcased it; for it will be the bey Phi would fall to. Or so I thought.

"Oh, give me a break!"

Raised eyebrows, everyone on stage turned around to see a familiar, hot-headed blader running onto the stage without an ounce of care for the people watching. Another familiar blader emerged, hand outstretched as he tried to chase Aiga.

"Hold up a second!" Ranjiro latched onto Aiga's arms. The latter wriggled in the former's grip.

"What are you doing? Let go of me!"

With slight force, he pushed Ranjiro to the ground and ran to us, eyes also blazing with determination. Aiga pointed to himself and announced, "I'll do it. I will defeat you! And I'm prepared to take you down right here and now!"

As he thrusted forwards his own bey, I could feel the intense aura radiating off of him. I whispered, "Aiga..."

Then I felt the presence of another, intense aura, this one contaminated by darkness. Phi smiled mirthlessly down onto Dread Phoenix. "I see. So you want in on this battle to, don't you?"

I didn't like the sinister look in Phi's eyes. I clenched my hands tightly. "No, Aiga, stop it. You won't battle Phi."

"Please, (y/n)!" he pleaded. "Just let me take care of Phi."

I looked at him directly. If I said yes to this, I knew fully well that Achilles might get destroyed. I don't think I could handle that; another bey being utterly shattered because I was too scared.

Shu [the strongest], just got destroyed. The only person stronger than him was me [the weakest]. I should be the one battling with the psycho called Phi. Not Aiga. Not anyone else.

But Aiga's eyes were brimming with determination even more now. It was unlike mine, the one I saw in the mirror everyday after Lui destroyed Spriggan years ago.

My stare belonged to someone who wanted to avenge a fallen lover, a warrior who had been training and a queen with a rightfully earned crown.

Aiga's stare belonged to someone who loved the game called beyblade, a blader who absolutely adored the game he had poured hours of training into and a mere child who just wanted to have some fun and protect his friends.

I realized something.

Knowing that, I grinned before yelling, "Blow him away with everything you've got!"

Aiga's eyes widened. "Eh?"

"I can't believe it," Ranjiro gaped.

"(y/n)!" gasped Valt.

There were mutters from the crowd, ripples of the word 'pathetic' and 'scared' and 'weak'. But Shu smiled, and that mattered more than everything else.

Grinning back, Aiga replied, "You bet."

Phi's lips curled upwards, intruding on our conversation with his destruction, "How lovely. If your wish is to be destroyed, then I shall grant it."

Phi lifted up a finger, his body enveloped yet again in his horrid aura. "Aiga Akabane, soon your Turbo Achilles will be devoured by the Lord of Destruction!"

I could only bite my lip, hoping that I had finally made a right decision.

-----------------------

 "Déjà vu, hey?"

My lips twisted into a smile. "Yeah."

It was the evening of the day of the battle. We were on the beach, as we used to do in Beigoma. 

Colours of pink and blue were painted across the sky in ridiculously puffy clouds; a scene straight out of a painting. The sun was setting, leaving the ocean glittering and us humans clinging onto the remaining wisps of heat. 

The waves lapped onto the shore, a few children squealing in delight as their parents watched fondly from afar, raising their voice to tell their child not to drop their ice-creams. 

Shu and I sat apart from the other people, legs stretched out on the soft sand. I rested my head backwards and let the sea breeze tangle itself in my hair. 

I tried not to recall the last time we had been in a situation like this. No matter how beautiful to sunset was, how sparkly the sea was, I didn't want to remember it. Not when Shu was hurting in that memory. 

"In case you're wondering, I won't turn into Red Eye again because of a broken bey," Shu chuckled. 

Embarrassed, I blushed a little. "I wasn't...okay, I was. You'll be fine though, right?"

The last word was flooded with uncertainty.

To my surprise, Shu smiled. "Yeah. I've started to see how Valt and Lui viewed their destruction. An opportunity to rise up again."

I smiled too in relief. "That sounds nice."

It was silent, and my view drifted to the sea, relishing in memories that I could never experience again.

"You ok? You seem frustrated."

"It's just...I can't seem to stop living in the past. Everything I have to compare to our days in Beigoma. And you know what? Everything pales in comparison to my happiness in Beigoma."

"Well, you're not wrong," Shu smiled. "I guess Beigoma will always be the glory days. That makes me sound so...

"Old!" we finished the sentence together before laughing. 

"We're only fourteen," Shu continued in amusement. "And yet we talk as if we're on our deathbeds. You know, what (y/n)? We've been so busy looking at our past that we forgot that we have a future ahead."

"So, what are you going to do in the future?"

Shu contemplated this. "I don't know. But I do know that I'm going to waste it if I keep thinking about the past. I think I'll just do my best. With you by my side."

I smiled and tried not to blush so much. "Um, about what I confessed in the stadium-"

"Don't worry," Shu smiled too. "I love you too."

He leaned forward and we kissed, a moment of bliss in a time of fear.

------------------------

"You two done with your make-out sesh?" Valt asked us cheekily as we entered the Raging Bulls.

Golden light filtered through the windows, basking the entire building in its warmth. It was empty except for us three and Ranjiro, Fubuki, Aiga and Kit. The four of them were blading as usual, laughing as they did so.

I laughed. "It wasn't a make-out sesh. Maybe next time?"

Shu looked like a tomato.

I laughed even more and Valt joined in. "I'm just joking!"

We sat on a bench, watching in silence the other four train. Finally, Valt voiced the question I'm sure he and Shu have been wondering about, "So, why did you hand over your battle to Aiga? I know you're not scared of Phi."

I thought about it. Coming to a conclusion, I grinned playfully. "It's a secret."

Valt pouted, "(y/n)! Tell me!"

Shu frowned, "I want to know."

He looks adorable.

"Okay, maybe you later, but not Valt," I winked.

Valt stood up and joked, "I'll make you then."

So he chased me around the room, laughter pealed around the room yet again as Shu only watched in amusement and wonder how he was best friends with one and in love with the other one.

Just like old-

I caught myself. I banished the thought. On the beach, I decided to be like Shu too. I stopped thinking about the past. 

I just did my best in the future, with Shu by my side.

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