A,N: Hello dear readers. Sorry for the delay, but my writing updates will go very slow for now on. Kinda had a terrible crack in back at the start of August. It is slowly getting better, but still having trouble sitting and writing over a long period of time. So sorry about that. This took so long writing, but hopefully you will still like it. I am learning Japanese too, so if you were wondering why I express myself in that way in my writing that is why. Oh, and having some few theories on the Vrains universe that the show didn't deliver. Will gain merit as the story goes on. Have fun reading.

Yusaku's p.o.v.

The white light emitted all around him and made the young Yusaku hold his breath. Fear creeped around him as he was trying to progress the situation. It was easier said than done considering the panic attack that was steadily rising in him. It was holding him in an internal hold of suffering that had him gasp viciously. It was unbearable!

"No. No. No!", he shouted in pure distress and grabbed around his ears to try and block everything off. Nothing helped as this voice creeped around like some sort of ghost.

"You lose!".

Pain radiated in his body and Yusaku couldn't keep himself from screaming. At first. Everything was just too agonizing.

"It is not real", Yusaku then whispered to himself. "This is just... a... a nightmare". And just on cue things became different. Brighter if that was possible.

"Hey, hey come on. Don't give up", this new smoothing voice said. "Think of three. Three things can get you through anything".

Yusaku blinked as he realized the door to his white cell was open. The authorities were coming to get him. Just like they always were and had last time. This time however, Yusaku was changing the script just a bit.

"Wait, what about you? Are you captured as well?", he asked his savior.

"You are safe. That is all that matters", was the only thing it responded with.

Yusaku could not live with that. The guilt he had been feeling every single time he was thinking about it. No matter how much his shrink said it had been an illusion conjured up by his own distress. A coping mechanism they called it. Yusaku believed. He still believed they were out there even though all evidence claimed they weren't. Even his beloved Crissy had not heard or seen this individual, and she had been in the incident herself. That said, she did believe him. Unlike everyone. She wanted him to keep this hope alive. That meant more to him than anything. At least one person believed him.

"I have to go now", The voice continued with and made Yusaku gasp in horror.

"No! Please don't leave!", he shouted and began to run.

Run like there was no tomorrow as he was trying to catch the voice of hope. To save his savior. But he didn't get far as a dark like creature in black colors and had fang arms, were holding him in a tight grip.

"You belong to me", the creature stated in this creepy voice. And of course, Yusaku couldn't keep himself from screaming.

"Playmaker! Playmaker Wake up!". Yusaku gasped surprised as he woke up.

He was drenched in sweat. The nightmare vividly in his mind. What had just happened? He had tons of nightmares in his life. All being consistent with the same topic somewhat. However, this time it had been different. The monster at the end was different.

"Wow. You were so out of it, I thought my voice couldn't reach you", a new voice added, making Yusaku aware that he wasn't alone.

He knew he was in the living room. He had been sleeping on the couch since Crissy had moved in. She was a girl and deserved the best comfort. He had easily relinquished his bed in favor for her. No matter how much Crissy had assured him she was fine with sleeping on the couch. It was for that reason he realized that he was actually sharing the room with Ai. He had been the one just speaking just now from the monitor case he had placed his duel disk in. Yusaku groaned as he rubbed his temples. He really should have muted him.

"Are all meat bags this loud or are you two just a special case?", Ai huffed annoyed. "How is any good A.I. supposed to get any sleep around here?".

"Ha-ha very funny. You are just a program, you don't need... wait what do you mean with us two?", Yusaku questioned and looked at Ai.

"I may be a program, but I do still need some quiet time. How can I get that when you and your girlfriend are screaming my ears off all night", Ai huffed again.

Yusaku growled annoyed. He was about to say that Crissy wasn't exactly his girlfriend. Or that he, as an odd eyeball, didn't have any ears, but in that moment, he just realized what Ai had said. He rose so quick from the sofa that his aching muscles were screaming at him, but Yusaku ignored it. Crissy was much more important. With fast steps he rushed into the bedroom. Just as Ai had told him, he found Crissy in bed tossing around. Just like him she was having a nightmare. He had a good guess at what was bothering her. After all, just like him she was having Ptsd and night terrors.

"Crissy. Crissy". He shook her very gentle. His hand resting on the blanket.

"No, no! I don't want to. Stay away!", she instead shouted and turned in bed.

"You are having a nightmare". He spoke in a gentle voice.

"Yusaku?", Crissy asked without opening her eyes.

"Yes. Just focus on my voice. You are having a nightmare", he told her again.

"I... I... they are going to get me!", she yelled.

"I will always protect you. Try to open your eyes". Crissy let out a few gasps before she finally opened her eyes. Just like him she was drenched in sweat.

"Yusaku...?".

"I am here", he said in a soothing voice.

His hand was touching her reassuring. Crissy blinked several times. Then she let out a tear-filled cry and tossed herself as his chest. She was hugging him like there was no tomorrow. Yusaku let out a slight hum. He did not like physically contact that much. His body was very sensitive, but when it was Crissy, he made an exception. He had learned not to gasp or jerk in her presence over the years. It would frighten her even more if he did. The hum was more for his sake than hers. To try and calm his own nerves and relax. Just a bit.

"It is going to be okay", he tried to reassure without touching her. He couldn't keep himself from blushing slightly though. Crissy looked so cute in his pajamas.

Crissy's p.o.v.

Time skip.

I let out a little yawn as I was staring at Yusaku and Kolter doing their usual gig. Those two could really go at it. For hours even. Not that I minded much since I used the time to get my homework done. Unlike Yusaku who swore his revenge on the knights on Hanoi I did care about my education. But after I was done, things did begin to get bored. Usually, I myself was a really great hacker, and used my time in link Vrains to gather entail as either Asteria witch or burglar cat. That is the cool thing about having 2 avatars. You can switch between both of them at will. If one of them gets caught I do switch over to the other when people at least expect it. That is how I have been able to clear my tracks so quickly and never getting caught. Kolter's security methods are a big help though. Cal Kolter is a great hacker outside of link Vrains that is. As duelist he is very mediocrity at best. Even I am a better duelist than he is. It was for that reason we each had our own role to play. Problem here was that Yusaku did not know I was Asteria witch, and Kolter helped me keep that illusion intact. Therefore, he didn't let me help either. All which caused the boredom. Not that it wasn't sweet that I could gawk at Yusaku and his extremely cute features when he wasn't looking. However, there must be something I could help Yusaku and Kolter with. Something I as Crissy could do instead of sitting here, doing nothing.

"Uhu this is a juicy news", I could then hear Kolter say and got everyone's attention. He even waved me over so I could look at the screen.

"What is it Kolter?", Yusaku asked for both of us.

"I have been tweeting my facial recognition program and ran it on the celebrity duelist known as blue angel", he told us and showed us a picture of her. At the same time another picture of a very recognizable girl with brown hair appeared next to it. "Just look. In the real-world Blue angel is actually named Skye. Skye Zaizen. As in the sister of Akira Zaizen. He is the head of security at sol technologies. The one who knows everything about everything", Kolter pointed out in major detail.

Not that it came as a big surprise to me really. Okay, that Skye is blue angel the most famous female celebrity duelist out there was a big eye opener, but the rest not so much. I mean my sister Kristina was working for Akira Zaizen, so of course I knew of his little sister. Skye and I had been spending time together quite a lot in the past because of them. That said, it had been a while since we didn't hang out much in school but... maybe this was the chance of being useful to Yusaku and Kolter. After everything they had done for me, I could finally pay them back.

"She looks better in blue", Ai commented from Yusaku's duel disk.

"So?", Yusaku asked and almost had Kolter, and I do an anime fall down. Yusaku could be so oblivious sometimes. Especially when it came to girls. Yusaku was so cute like that too.

"So? Look at what she is wearing. Noticing anything special?", Kolter hinted at.

"Eh. It is the same get-up as you Playmaker", Ai confirmed for him.

"She goes to our school?", Yusaku mused thoughtfully.

"Bingo! This is our in Yusaku. To learn about the secrets of your past, what better way than to Sol tech's big league through his sister", Kolter added in with a little smile. "All you gotta do is chat her up, become her friend and then... wait that is never going to happen. Ha-ha".

"Eh why not Kolter?", Ai questioned rather puzzled.

"Can you picture Yusaku making friends? That means he has to talk to another human being for more than two minutes without offending them", Kolter joked with a wide grin. "How you managed to befriend Crissy is still a wonder to me".

"True. He wouldn't last 2 seconds. Much less 2 minutes", Ai added in with a tease. I rolled my eyes at the display, before writing on the sign papers from my school bag.

"What about me?", I asked, holding the sign for them all to see.

"Yeah. That would be...".

"No!", Yusaku cut Kolter off with. That had me look surprised at him.

"Why?", I said with that specific sign.

"I am not letting you go back to your sister just because you want us to get to sol tech", Yusaku clarified with a huff.

Had it been any other day I would find it sweet. He was after all just looking after me. However, that had not been my intension at all. All I would do was to befriend Skye for him. It would be easy since we partly were acquaintances already. I had already begun to write some of it down on paper when...

"And don't make me curl that paper", Yusaku huffed back. "I don't care about your reasons for helping. It is still a No. That is final!".

I was staring at him with this indignant expression now. How could he dismiss me so quickly? Without even listening to me. Especially since he had promised I could help him in the real world. It made me so angry inside. Kolter had been trying to help. I know he had. Even Ai, the A.I. had caught on what was going on here. So, without any further words, I packed my things and went home. Or well back to Yusaku's place, since I was living there for the time being. That said, I had already decided we were not on speaking terms. Not until he apologized.

Yusaku's p.o.v.

Time skip. The next day.

"I can't believe you are actually going through with it", Ai uttered stunned as they both left the classroom.

School had been a drag, but that was not because of the classes. Crissy had behaved rather oddly. At first, he hadn't really noticed anything. He had arrived late back home, and Crissy were already fast asleep by then. However, in the morning, when they both had been heading to school together, like they usually do, he couldn't find her. She had already left for school. In the classroom he had found her, but not at their usual seat. She was sitting with Skye of all people. Lastly, when he approached her, he was only given the cold shoulder. Yusaku couldn't understand what was going on. All which brought him here at the school's courtyard. He had occupied a bench.

"Did you practice what you are going to say?", Ai began jabbing his ear off with. "You could take her bowling. Unless she hates that. Or maybe you should start with an eye opener. I read online that people love movie spoilers...".

"Shh. My duel disk isn't supposed to have an A.I. So, if you continue talking it will raise suspicion", Yusaku cut him off with.

More to make him stop jab his ears off than anything else. Truth to be told, the only reason he was approaching Skye was because of Crissy. Since Crissy did spend so much time together with her all of the sudden, Skye might be able to get him some insights on what was going on here.

"Just keep your mouth closed and your eye open for Skye", he continued instructing.

"Sure, but all your humans look the same", A.I. huffed and finally went quiet. He was apparently studying the premises. After a little bit of time...

"There she is!", A.I. uttered. It was too loud for Yusaku's liking. "Oh, and she is hanging out with Crissy. Wonder what that is all about?".

Yusaku almost flew up from the bench. Almost. In that moment Crissy had indeed had eye contact with him. All which caught Yusaku completely off guard. Anger and disdain were shown, before she made a soundless huff and turned her head away. Crissy had never sent him this kind of gaze before. It made him very uncomfortable. With fast steps he quickly began following them.

Crissy's p.o.v.

Earlier. In the hallway.

"Hmm I must say Crissy. This is a happy surprise", Skye mused as we both walked down the hallways of the school. "I mean we never hang out together in school. Don't you hang out with this kid... what was his name. Fuki...Fuji...".

Annoyed I pulled up one of the signs I had prepared beforehand. I knew full well that Skye was going to ask that. Call it being observant. When you don't say much, you tend to notice things beforehand.

"We had a spat. I am mad at him", I told her.

"Ah. There you go. That explains things", Skye chuckled in a low voice. "But isn't he your best friend? Surely, whatever your fight was about...".

"He offended me deeply", I huffed back at her with my body language.

"Ah. Are we talking silent treatment? Is it working?", Skye asked curiously.

In just that moment we entered the courtyard, and I felt a buzzing through my whole body. Like you are being scanned. My eyes gazed at the side, noticing Ai and Yusaku at the bench some meters away. Clearly Ai had been scanning for me and Skye. Thereby this buzzy feeling. I decided then and there to test my theory and send Yusaku an angry look of contempt. By the shocked expression I would say it was working. I quickly nodded a 'yes' to Skye. It was rude to keep her waiting for long.

"You are lucky. I don't think Akira would notice if I did that to him. He is hardly home as it is", Skye mused and sighed deeply.

I lifted eyebrows at that. Was there trouble in paradise between the Zaizen siblings? It made me think of my older sister Kristina. Just like Skye, we also had trouble in paradise. Was that a prize to pay for people working at Sol tech? If so, I wish my sister would stop working there. I know it would mean our penthouse and rich stature would disappear, but I would prefer to be poor, if it meant I would get my sister back. Back when she was a caring individual. I still remember the day I woke up from the hospital after the lost incident. How my sister had been so relieved and considerate. She had hugged me so tight; my senses were overwritten and buzzing, but I would prefer that than the cold shoulder she was having with me now. Just thinking about it now made me shutter.

"But enough about him. Let's talk about something else", Skye mused and luckily changed the topic.

I was grateful. I was reluctant to ask into her troubles with her brother. Partly because I had a hunch it would lead to the topic around my sister.

"You do know I have duel club today, right? So, we can't really hang out today". That got my attention instantly and I quickly wrote a message down on paper.

"You part of a duel club? Since when?", I asked.

"Since, since always. But I got to...".

"Can I come too?", I quickly asked.

It was not like I really wanted to join, but I had a feeling that if I didn't, I would lose my chance with Skye. That and I had something to do instead of returning back to Yusaku's place. I didn't feel like facing him now.

"Sure. I would love to have another girl in the club", Skye said in a happy tune and grabbed my arm. "We are going to have such a great time. Oh, and you can tell me all about the weird fight you had with your friend too". Then she dragged me away to who knows where. I had apparently walked right into that one.

Time skip.

"Hi everyone", Skye greeted all the members with a half-hearted cheer. Seem to me that she still was a bit reserved and shy. Unlike with me, but then again, we have known each other for a while.

"Oh, hello Skye", a male with glasses greeted. He looked like he was the president of the club or something. I did not get disappointed. "Who is this?".

"Oh, this is my friend Catherine Aidos, but everyone just calls her Crissy", Skye introduced. "She wanted to check out the duel club". I suddenly felt very shy and self-conscious when 4 males were staring at me.

"Oh, a potential new member. Welcome", the president greeted and shook my hand.

That made me instantly redraw behind Skye. I did not like this much physical contact. In these situations, I really missed having Yusaku there as back-up.

"Eh. She is... a bit shy, and eh lacks the ability to talk", Skye managed to explain. She was feeling very awkward about it though. "But that does not mean she is a bad duelist. I mean you don't need to talk to be able to win...".

"Of course,", one of the members said and chuckled. "It would be very welcomed. I mean there are many duelists who talk big but are no bite at all".

"Yeah. Shima could learn a thing or two from you", another one added with a grin.

"Speaking of Shima where is...", The president said, but got interrupted by a loud voice outside the door.

"Oh, I know why you are here! You are here to join my duel club!". That was clearly Shima. That did however make me feel a bit uncomfortable. He was so loud. It did not help on the voice that followed either.

"No. you are mistaken Shima. Really".

That was clearly Yusaku talking. It made me huff annoyed inside. Guess the plan of silent treatment backfired. He had followed us from the courtyard and now wanted to know what was up. Either that or he wanted to recruit Skye himself.

"Ah come on. Don't hide it. You wanna be as flash as me, but you never will with that old thing", Shima told. "You are so lucky you are buds with the best duelist in the club". That had me roll my eyes inside. Shima still believed they were friends.

"Eh you are the best duelist? Wow this must be a duel club of one", Yusaku said in his own brutal honesty way. I would find it cute if I wasn't mad at him.

"Oh, Yusaku with the jokes", Shima spoke confidently. "But you will end up as the joke if you don't work on upgrading your duel disk and finally get with the times pal".

In just that moment the president had enough of waiting and thereby opened the door. We did indeed find Yusaku and Shima outside the classroom.

"Speaking on time. How about showing up to meetings on time Shima", the president lectured him about.

It could be seen as funny, had it not been for Yusaku locking eyes with me in the club. He looked completely baffled that I would be here.

"Oh, eh sorry press", Shima apologized. "I was eh just busy recruiting this new member". All which clearly was his excuse for being late. However, the president of course instantly changed tune and turned towards Yusaku.

"Another new member? Why didn't you say so from the start?", The president replied with and made Yusaku, and Shima get inside the classroom.

To my horror. The only consolation was that I knew Yusaku didn't want to be here. He was anti-social as hell. However, that didn't mean I had to be here. Now that everyone was occupied with Yusaku, I quickly wrote a tiny note, ripped the paper off from my notebook and handed it to Skye, before I left the classroom.

Yusaku's p.o.v.

Yusaku huffed annoyed inside. This was not exactly what he had expected when he followed Skye and Crissy. To a duel club of all things. He was sure Skye had encouraged his friend. Crissy would never join a dueling club! Although she wasn't exactly afraid of dueling, he knew Crissy disliked it. It was because of the actions of the lost incident. She only dueled when it was necessary. Just like he did. As Playmaker however, it was essential in order to get his revenge on the knights of Hanoi. Therefore, he fought his own demons and dueled again. All to make them pay for what they did to him and the other children. Which indeed put him in this predicament. He couldn't exactly decline the invitation to the club, or he might not be able to speak with Crissy. Why was she so angry at him all of the sudden?

"What brings you to the club?", one of the male students asked.

"Especially mid semester", Skye added in. Yusaku's eyes narrowed a bit at that. Not over Skye's question, but because Crissy was behind her. She was writing down something on a piece of paper.

"Oh, maybe he saw our new duel disks?", another kid questioned with a smile. It did indeed peek Yusaku's interest.

"Oh? That is the one loaded with the latest A.I. assistant. Cool", he commented and walked closer to the boy. It also brought him closer to Skye and Crissy.

"How do you know?", Skye questioned suspiciously.

"Because Shima showed me his before. I hear they are basically impossible to get", Yusaku clarified. An annoyed huff came from Shima now.

"While yours truly were stuck waiting in hours on opening day, a certain someone who you happen to be talking to, secretly got them for free for every member of the club, because she has connections to sol tech. Oh, thank you so much Skye. Couldn't get them the day before now, could yer!", Shima complained rather annoyed.

Yusaku hummed at that. He was about to say something to defend Skye and her connections to sol tech, when he noticed that Ai was having an interesting conversation with Skye's A.I. in her duel disk. That brought red flags all over the place. He had told Ai to shut down, but of course the A.I. program just loved to push his buttons. It also didn't help that Skye noticed and called him out on it.

"Your duel disk doesn't have an A.I. right?", she asked him.

"No, why?", Yusaku replied back with.

"Because I was sure I heard...".

Luckily, she never finished because in just that moment Crissy had stuck a note in her hand as a distraction. Or so he believed. It had Skye blink in surprise as she began reading the note given to her.

"So, you are Fujiki Yusaku?", she asked. Clearly to clarify something.

"Yes. Why do you ask?", Yusaku replied stoically with.

"Ah it is nothing. Its just nice to meet you in person. Crissy tells me so much about you", Skye said and went down in a lower voice. "Is it true you and Crissy are having a spat?". Now it was Yusaku's turn to blink in surprise.

"A... a spat?".

He was completely taken aback by those words. They were not having a fight, were they? Was that why Crissy was so mad at him? Yusaku turned around in hopes on finding Crissy and figure out what was going on here. Sadly, she wasn't even here. To Yusaku's surprise and annoyance.

"Where did Crissy go?", Yusaku asked everyone in a very firm tone.

"I don't know. She was here a minute ago", Shima pondered. "Did something happen? It is unusual to see you two apart".

Yusaku hissed annoyed inside. He didn't have time to deal with Shima now. All he could think about was Crissy. With fast steps he rushed out of the classroom and down the hallways in hopes on finding her.

Normal p.o.v.

Then a lot of things happened. After the club activities, Skye Zaizen had returned home and were greeted by the robot in their apartment. There she found out her brother was still at work. Which was nothing new to her. She turned on the tv and saw her brother being on the news. A bunch of reporters asked him questions. Like if Sol tech had hired the Gore to defeat Playmaker. All which he of course declined. One of the reporters asked if they were going to see future duels like this, and another asked if they would see a duel between her avatar Blue angel and Playmaker. All which made Skye think. So, after a call from her brother, where she once again was reprimanded for speed dueling, Skye logged into Link Vrains as Blue angel. There she illustrated a live feed by two reporters known as the frog and pigeon and challenged Playmaker to a duel.

However, since it was a live feed, the knight of Hanoi was also watching. It did indeed intrigue their leader, Varis.

"An interesting turn of events", Varis said and smirked.

"Yes. I believe she will be quite useful in our battle against Playmaker", Specter agreed and left on orders from his leader.

He was now hiding in the shadows waiting for his time to strike. After 3 hours of Blue angel waiting for Playmaker to show up, the live feed was called off, and the reporters went to report something more important. It was here Specter decided to strike.

"Doesn't a gentleman know he should never stand up a lady?", he began the conversation with and got Blue angel's attention.

"You are a knight of Hanoi", Blue angel mused suspiciously.

"Indeed, I am, but I am first and foremost your biggest fan", Specter said.

"Now listen to me. I can bring Playmaker straight to you Blue angel" He continued with. All to get her sole attention, and thereby not notice him changing the atmosphere around them.

"That is what you want isn't it? In fact, I can even guarantee your victory. Would you like that?" He continued on with and smirked evilly.

"I don't need help from the knights of Hanoi!", Blue angel dismissed rather quickly.

It was something Specter expected. Not that it changed the outcome. He had already wrapped the data space around them so Blue angel would see an illusion of him and therefore would not notice him slipping a card inside her duel disk and corrupt it.

"Like I said, I am only here as a fan. My sole desire is to aid my favorite duelist so that they can defeat Playmaker", Specter mused slowly. "If you should ever find yourself in peril doing a duel do not hesitate to play the card, I just gave you. May you duel well Blue angel".

As he began leaving, the card hosting a particular virus took effect. It erased her avatars memories so Blue angel wouldn't remember this conversation at all, and thereby wouldn't know that her duel disk and now avatar was corrupted. Confused over the whole ordeal, she logged out.

Yusaku's p.o.v.

Earlier.

"Hey true Blue I need your help. All of you. If any of you happen to see Playmaker, tell him Blue angel is challenging him to a speed duel. Because that is what the whole world wants and what the whole world wants is what they'll get. I am ready to face my biggest test Playmaker, but the question is, are you?", Blue angel broadcasted on her live feed from the reporters. "Central square. One hour. Be there. Unlike you I am super easy to find and that's because I am already here".

Yusaku dismissed the broadcast pretty easily as he watched from Den City courtyard. It was here Kolter had decided to set up his hotdog truck for today, and as part time employee, Yusaku had to help him set up the café. Even though it was only a cover for their hacking business. However, truth to be told the only reason he was here was because he hoped Crissy would be here. All so they could clear out this weird misunderstanding. Right now, she was sitting at the café table drinking a soda and pretended he didn't exist. That hurt Yusaku more than he would ever admit. Crissy was after all his whole world. He was not sure what to do without her. Problem was he didn't know how to solve this either. He wanted to of course, but since Crissy refused to talk to him, how was he able to? He didn't even know what was wrong. Only that she was mad at him.

"Where did you find the time to get her all riled up?", Kolter then asked him. Yusaku at first thought he meant Crissy, but soon realized he was talking about the broadcast with Blue angel.

Or Skye as her real identity was. He ended up just shrugging causally. Like he knew or cared about why Blue angel suddenly wanted to duel him.

"So, you gonna duel her?", Ai asked curiously.

"No, for three reasons. 1. If she is my one connection to sol technologies, I can't risk her getting harmed in a speed duel. 2. I only want to fight the knights of Hanoi. And 3. I have better things to do than dueling her in link Vrains", Yusaku began explaining. After all, Crissy was much more important.

"Ah. I get it. You are a chicken. Got yer", Ai concluded which only made Yusaku roll his eyes at him. His analysis as an A.I were terrible as usual.

"If I might ask, what is more important?", Kolter mused with a little smirk.

"To talk to Crissy and solve the misunderstanding we are having of course", Yusaku responded with. He pointed at Crissy meters away from them.

"Oh, for the love of... Yusaku! You dimwit! How single minded can you get?!", Kolter sneered at him, which indeed got the Blue/pink haired males attention. "I know she is not the knights of Hanoi but come on. Girls like Crissy doesn't just get mad at you for no reason. Strap on a pair and go apologize to her!".

"But I have not done anything wrong Kolter", Yusaku dismissed with him.

"Oh, you have. Believe me", Kolter said and sighed. "You were very rude to her yesterday. Not to mention refused to listen to her plight in helping you".

"I already explained that. She is not going back to her sister to help us get into Sol tech. That is final", Yusaku growled annoyed at.

At that Kolter surprisingly flicked his forehead. It indeed made Yusaku stop up. Kolter knew how sensitive he was, so it baffled him beyond belief. Was this Kolter's way of saying he was serious?

"Use that brilliant head of yours Yusaku and think out of the box for once. Crissy was never gonna suggest that and deep down you know it. Think about it. Her sister works in sol tech, but so does Akira Zaizen. Skye's big brother. I believe our Crissy and Skye already know each other", Kolter huffed. "In other words, she only wanted to help you befriend Skye. However, someone refused to listen...".

"I offended her?", Yusaku asked.

"Bingo! Now go over there and apologize", Kolter instructed with a firm tone. "And do it properly. We can't have your fight with Crissy jeopardizes our team, now, can we?".

Yusaku let out an exhausted growl. Now that he knew the true cause, he did feel very bad about it. He never intended to hurt her feelings. He never intended to offend people either. It just sort of happened. But with Crissy he did want to make up with her. With all his heart. So, with heavy steps he began walking over to her.

Crissy's p.o.v.

"Crissy...?".

That was the first words Yusaku spoke as he approached me. But it was not like I hadn't noticed him. Sure, we were not on speaking term, but that didn't mean I renounced his existence. I had been watching him most of the time. I already had a good hunch what this was all about. Unlike Yusaku, Kolter were good at reading people and act accordingly. Sometimes I found he behaved like this big brother father figure I never knew I had. It was very welcomed though. I was sure he had explained the situation to Yusaku already. I did not get disappointed.

"Crissy. I know you are mad at me", Yusaku continued with. All which made me slurp in my soda for liquid. It was almost empty.

"And I know you... you refuse to talk to me, because I hurt your feelings?".

That sounded more like a question than a confirmation. Not that it really mattered. I knew how dense Yusaku could be sometimes. That said I still wanted an honest apology from him. He had dismissed me so quickly, broken his promise to me and offended me deeply. I know he just wanted to protect me, as he always does, and I usually doesn't mind but... I am not a damsel in distress all the time!

"I didn't mean to... I...", Yusaku let out a deep sigh, before he actually made a tiny bow to me. "I... apologize. Please talk to me again".

I lifted eyebrows at that. I didn't know that me being silent was having such an impact on him. I mean I barely mutter words as it is. If you didn't count my words on paper. That said, this apology was not at all like in these fairytales I read about. Like when a knight was very gallant to the princess, but then again, I couldn't be greedy. This is Yusaku we are talking about. Now that I think about it, I have never heard or seen Yusaku apologize to anyone in his entire life. That made my heart flutter with butterflies. Yusaku saw me and our friendship as that important. Or he would never have apologized in the first place. I quickly pulled up my notebook and wrote a few lines in it.

"You broke your promise to me". Yusaku did indeed look regretful now.

"I know. I didn't mean to...I".

I quickly pulled him down on the bench beside me now, before he could apologize again. One time was enough. Besides, he wouldn't be the Yusaku I know and love if he suddenly apologized all the time.

"Why did you refuse my help Yusaku?", I asked. "Now we are at it, what's with you every time Sol tech comes up? I know you don't want me to go back to my sister, but that can't be the only reason". Surprisingly, Yusaku went white as a ghost.

"I... I... I don't want you involved and...".

I quickly crossed over the line I had just written. It was my way of saying "Scratch that". If Yusaku had secrets he didn't want me to know about, who was I to ask him. Just because we had a fight. It would be wrong of me. So, instead I wrote:

"Are you letting me help you with Skye and everything else in the real world? Just like you promised me I could?". At that Yusaku actually relaxed a bit more.

"Yes".

That had me hug him instantly. I couldn't help it. I had missed my best friend. At the same time, I hoped Yusaku would take this as a sign of forgiveness.

Time skip.

I let out a happy squeal as we walked side by side on our way to school. Yusaku and I were officially friends again, and furthermore I had never looked prettier. Yusaku had, as an apology for being a jerk, bought me a hair pin with a few beads symbolizing a star. I had never been happier. I could not contain my excitement and had clung to his arm all the way to school. All to show my appreciation. Surprisingly, Yusaku let me do it. He was not a guy that liked much physical contact. He was even having a tiny smile on his lips. Like he was pleased or something. He even ignored Ai's annoying comments on how people online were trashing Playmaker for not dueling Blue angel yesterday. I of course understood why Yusaku had not done it. He only wanted to use his dueling skills to defeat the knights of Hanoi. All to get revenge on our tormenters. It was a bit sad really. To see Yusaku not dueling for fun. He would be an ace duelist in the dueling circuit for sure. Not that I should really lecture him. I was not any better than he was. When had it been the last time, I touched my cards? I know my monsters has been calling me over the years.

"Someone seems on good terms again", a voice then suddenly spoke, and we found Skye approaching us. My eyes lit up as I showed her my new hair pin.

"Ah. He brought you this? Nice", Skye commented. Her voice sounded cold and uninvited now. She was even having this suspicious look on her face.

"It was Fujiki Yusaku, right?", she then asked Yusaku. Just to clarify who he was.

"Yes?", Yusaku confirmed rather puzzled. He let his dueling arm fall to the side. More so Skye wouldn't notice Ai inside his duel disk than anything.

"I see", Skye said and loosened up a little bit. "I just wanted to get to know the guy Crissy talks about all the time. Wanna walk to class together?".

I lifted eyebrows at that. Was Skye jealous that Yusaku was hogging all my attention? Maybe she had actually been happy that I had tried to reach out to her in school, and now that Yusaku and I were friends, she was afraid he would take me away again? No that couldn't be it, or could it?

"So why exactly did you decide to join the duel club?", Skye asked Yusaku minutes later. "Because Crissy was there?". That question had me all confused.

"Eh? We didn't technically join...", Yusaku began, but was cut off from Skye.

"They are kinda like family, but don't ever tell my brother that". The sad tone that Skye was expressing here, had me pull at a few heartstrings.

She sounded so lonely. Boy, how I understood that feeling. It could be excruciating some times. Had Yusaku not entered my life that day we first met, I was not sure how my life would have turned out. It still scared me. To know that Skye was going through something similar did indeed make me so sad. I wish I could do something.

"I heard your brother works for Sol technologies. Some say he might run the whole company someday", Yusaku then spoke and made me face palm inside. Yusaku had of course not written the situation at all. This was the last thing she wanted to hear.

"Ah. Now the truth comes out. I knew there were something fishy about this", Skye mused in a cold tone. She was staring at me now. "You do know your friend is only nice to you Crissy, because you have connections to Sol tech, right?".

Eh?! That had me flabbergast on the inside. How the heck did she come to that conclusion. Yusaku would never do that! We had been friends for 6 years after all. If he only wanted to use me, he would already have done it by now.

"No. Your mistaken. I would never...", Yusaku tried smoothing out. It did not help.

"Yeah. Just stop with your lies. There is no way you would be Crissy's friend without wanting something in return", Skye declared in a firm tone, and was that tears in her eyes? Then she ran towards the school without looking back.

"What was that all about?", Ai asked when he was sure no one was close by.

"I think she is a bit lonely", I told them.

Truth to be told, I had a sneaky suspicion that the mean things she said about Yusaku, was in reality a reflection of herself. Of how people treated her in real life because of her stature. She wanted a true friend.

"Yeah", was the only responds Yusaku gave me.

Time skip.

"Ah Glitch!", Ai uttered from the duel disk.

We were on our way to our next class when Ai made his outburst. All which made us shush him. Luckily, no one heard him, besides us, but still. This A.I. was taking a lot of risks of exposure.

"Will you keep it down already!", Yusaku demanded of him.

"But I detected a knight of Hanoi", Ai told us. That of course got Yusaku's interest.

"Where? In link Vrains?". And by those instructions from Ai, Yusaku ran off to find a place where he wouldn't be disturbed while he logged inside Link Vrains.

That ended up being the duel club classroom since everyone was having classes now. I was tugging along because I wanted to. Besides, who would keep Yusaku out of trouble if I were not there to protect him.

"This is it", Yusaku mused as he plugged his deck into the duel disk. However, before logging in, he turned towards me with a regretful expression.

"Crissy. You have to stay here. I don't want you to get involved with the knights of Hanoi", he told me. I had already seen that coming. But then he added: "But I do need you to guard my body for me. No one must find out I am here logged in as Playmaker. Can you do that?".

I instantly saluted. It was nice being given a mission for a change. Clearly had something to do with the promise we made earlier. I would help him in the real world only. Yusaku did indeed look relieved, before he logged into Link Vrains as Playmaker. I waited some few minutes. Then I locked the door tight and made sure no one could see us from the windows. I sat down on a chair and send Kolter a message from my duel disk about what was going on. I activated my Asteria witch avatar and with quick steps I logged in as well. With a cheeky grin on my face, I landed inside Link Vrains.

"You can't run Playmaker", I singsong inside my head. "You might have told Crissy to stay put, but not Asteria Witch".

A,N: And that was that. I decided that the part with Playmaker and Blue angel is shown in the next chapter. This is a much nicer chapter ending, don't you agree? But what did you all think of this chapter? Crissy and Yusaku's little spat was cute in my eyes. That, and Yusaku can really be one tracked mind sometimes. He has terrible social and cooking skills. Unlike Crissy. The Blue angel event has officially started. Please comment on what you think.