Toko and Nika Aoi had known Ryota for years, since they were all in elementary school, and they had become close due to their older brothers being good friends. Now that they were all a part of the Beigoma Academy Beyclub, they were near inseperable. It got to the point where they were three of the five members of the club who were chosen to go head-to-head with the other teams in the national tournament after Nika qualified for the individual leg . . . but they had lost to the Black Hole Beyclub in the second round. At least they had lost to friends, they had chosen to agree.

"D'you think we should get him flowers?" Nika suggested while she and her twin were on the way to the hospital. "I've some extra yen in my pocket."

"Nothing wrong with that!" Toko agreed. He was carrying a small basket of their mother's fresh bread, all shaped like Ryota's bey Raiju.

"Perfect!" Nika squealed.

Around the corner from the hospital was a small flower shop, run by a kind Dutch lady. After deliberating over a few different colorful bouquets, the twins decided to get Ryota a bunch of peonies, a flower that represents good health. They were excited to see him: because of school, they hadn't been able to make much time to visit their sick friend.

Storm clouds began to gather in the sky overhead as Toko and Nika entered the hospital, carrying their gifts. When they approached Ryota's room on the second floor, Nika found herself getting nervous: she had heard so many horror stories about what could happen when one went through chemotherapy.

And when Toko opened the door, Nika was so shocked that she nearly dropped the bouquet. There was Ryota, reading a book, bald. There were all sorts of machines hooked up to him, and he looked as gaunt as a zombie in a movie. But when he saw his friends, Ryota smiled.

"Hey, guys." His voice was weak and feeble.

Nika already felt like crying. Ryota had been deteriorating so much quicker than she thought.

"W-we brought you some of our mom's bread," Toko stuttered, finally breaking the awful silence.

"Yay!" Ryota cheered before bursting into a fit of coughs.

"H-hey, take it easy!" Nika reminded him as she and her brother headed towards his bed.

"Sorry," Ryota mumbled. "Mom told me not to talk too loudly."

"So, I'm guessing Daigo's already visited you today?" Toko asked as he handed Ryota a bread roll. Ryota immediately put down his book and took a bite, careful not to talk with a mouthful of food.

"Yeah, he did." he said after swallowing. "Ken came, too. Y'know, I really think they'd make a good couple!"

"Trust me, everyone agrees with you." Toko promised with an almost annoyed sigh.

"I've been shipping them for a year now." Nika went on as she placed Ryota's flowers on his nightstand.

"What's 'shipping?'"

Nika, Toko, and Ryota all turned to glance at the entrance. A middle-aged man wearing glasses had entered the room. He had spiky salt and pepper hair, and his dress shirt was untucked. He had a cautious smile on his face, and he was holding a stuffed dog in one hand.

"Who're you?" Nika demanded, resting her hands on her hips.

"Yeah, what gives?" Toko added.

"Relax, guys." Ryota assured them. "I think I know who he is." The happiness had drained from his voice, never a good sign: even when stuck in bed, he was always so happy.

"Huh?" The twins turned to look at him.

"Hi, Ryota," the man said as he walked towards the boy. "I haven't seen you since you were a toddler!"

Ryota frowned, gripping the blanket in his now bony fists.

"So you finally decided to show your face, huh? I asked you to come here 'cause I want answers." he told the man in a stern tone.

Nika exchanged glances with her brother as they both realized who this man was: it was probably best to leave.

"Uh - see you later, hon," Nika bid her friend.

"Bye, you two." Ryota said solemnly.

With that, Toko and Nika left, shutting the door behind them to give father and son some privacy. They had planned to visit the park for some training after visiting Ryota, so that was where they headed next. There, they found Shu doing some solo training at the pavilion. Nika had had a crush on him when she was younger, but she had lost feelings years ago. Her brother Valt had known him since they were in kindergarten together, so Shu had long been considered a part of the family, especially since his parents weren't around often.

"Hey! What's up, Shu?" Toko greeted his friend.

"Didn't expect to see you here, guys." Shu replied after a launch. "How's Ryota?"

"Not good," Nika admitted. "His head's been shaved."

Shu's bright crimson eyes seemed to dim. He let out a heavy sigh as his bey, Legend Spryzen, shot up out of the stadium; he caught him with ease.

"I should visit him before I leave," he concluded.

"Huh? Wait, whaddya mean?" Nika confronted him.

"Don't you remember? I signed with that Singaporean team at the university Wakiya and Hoji are attending." Shu reminded them. "They asked me to help whip 'em into shape."

"C'mon, that means hardly anyone from the OG beyclub is left in Japan!" Toko complained.

Shu smiled with pity at his young friends.

"You can always hang out with the Black Hole Beyclub." he reminded them.

"But Jin scares the shit outta us!" Nika snapped, almost on the verge of tears now. "And I've no idea what'll happen to Daigo when Ryota dies!"

Tension enveloped the three as Nika's words sank in. Shu scowled deeply at her.

"If, Nika." he corrected her sharply. "Let's keep it at 'if.'"

Nika gulped as the young man stared her down.

"E-even if he does die," Toko reassured his sister, "we've still got all the others to keep us company."

Shu's Adam's apple bobbed up and down in his throat as he turned back to the stadium, readying his launcher.

"Let it . . . rip!"

~

After Ryota's father had left, Ryota took out his cellphone to dial up his brother. He had discarded the dog plush for now - he didn't know how he felt about it. It just seemed so . . . fake.

"Hey, Ryota. Everything okay?"

"Hi, Daigo," Ryota replied. "Dad finally visited me today."

Ryota could practically hear Daigo stiffen up on the other end.

"How'd you like 'im?" he finally asked, anxious to hear an answer.

Ryota took a deep breath.

"He seems nice," he admitted, "but he seemed to blame everything on Mom. I don't think that's fair."

"Such a pure heart," Daigo sighed. "I think both of 'em are at fault."

"But at least Mom works hard to provide for us," Ryota argued. "You might earn money from tournaments and public battles, but you don't have a steady job - Mom does."

On the other end of the line, Daigo sighed for a second time and ran a hand through his hair. He hadn't really been focusing on taking care of himself, so his hair was slightly greasy from not washing it.

"Want me to come over again?" he offered. "Visiting hours don't end for a while: we can snuggle for a bit till you fall asleep."

Ryota smiled. He was used to the dreary, lonely environment of the hospital, but it always helped to have someone hold his hand when he got scared. And boy, was he scared. He was scared that he might never be able to leave again. The nurses and doctors didn't smile anymore when they talked to him.

"That sounds good," he agreed.

"Okay, I'll be there in fifteen," Daigo promised. "Love you, kiddo. See you soon."

"I love you, too," Ryota responded, and he hung up the phone. He looked over at the German Shepard plush his father had gotten him. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to cuddle with it for a while.