NOTE: This is not a ship or anything.

💜

Lane Valhalla is confused.

Never in his life, he would feel something like this and he needs an answer because it keeps hunting him in his dreams.

And he's going to get the answer today.

"Where are you going, Lane?"

Ferocious yellow eyes follow the source of the voice that belongs to his mentor - Shu Kurenai - the source of his confusion.

Fierce looking bright crimson eyes that have a burning passion in blading but behind this cool exterior lies a compassionate teacher who keeps anno- guiding him until now.

Grunting in annoyance, he walks away. "Just getting some fresh air and don't follow me!" He harshly shouts at him and he disappears from the albino's sight.

Meanwhile, Shu is curious but for some reason, something is telling him that he should just stay.

Something is going to happen this day.

💜

Valt Aoi was having a peaceful moment in the training room while sitting comfortably on the sofa and watching the beautiful scene of a sunset from above.

Tomorrow is Lane and Shu vs Hyuga and Hikaru battle and he's so excited to watch!

The moment of tranquil silence break when he hears a heavy footstep from behind.

He thought it was Honcho so he excitedly turn around only to find himself flabbergast

Standing in front of him is a tall boy with a spiked-up magenta hairstyle with lighter pink highlights, ferocious yellow eyes, magenta markings on his face, and wearing a dark-blue sweatshirt

It was none other than Lane Valhalla

Valt breathed slowly to manage his composure and smile nicely "Hey there Lane" he greeted nicely and push away all the uncomfortable feelings creeping up on him.

The bluenette feels more awkward when Lane just stares at him intimidating aura and does not say a single thing.

Unreadable yellow eyes meet confuse brown eyes.

"Is there something I can help" Valt continue to talk to make the situation less awkward than it was?

"You're Shu's best friend I am right?" Lane finally spoke since he came here

Valt's sweat drop at his answer but neither less he's appreciating his response. In return, he nods

"Yes?" He answers more like a question

"Tell me why he's doing this?" Lane asks with a serious face

"Doing what?" Valt, ask back with gears running on his head at his odd question.

"You know perfectly what I'm asking" Lane narrows his eyes dangerously like a wild animal, as a hint of warning that he doesn't appreciate a useless answer.

Valt doesn't appreciate the behavior so he fights back bravely "Well, you have to collaborate more so I can answer your question properly"

Lane mentally curses in annoyance but reprimands himself because he was the one who needs something.

"It's way too obvious the reason why Shu team up with me but I'm asking why he's going too far for me" Lane elaborate

Brown eyes soften in understanding at his statement that make Lane uncomfortable with the way Valt looks at him

Lane reminds him of Shu, the way he looks after him. So kind and gentle like they understand and care for him.

He's not used to that kind of stare. None of his family ever look at him like that.

"Because he doesn't want you to suffer the same fate as him"

Lane's train of thought vanishes and looks at Valt in confusion and surprise. He repeated what he had just said and laughed incredulously

"Ha!? hahahahaha! Shu? Pfft- No way" Lane is waiting at Valt to tell him it was a joke.

"But I'm telling the truth"

Five words make Lane shut up and he can feel Valt is not joking his eyes look at him seriously.

Lane settles down quietly and Valt sigh.

"Do you know Red Eye?" Now Valt is the one who's asking now

The magenta boy shakes his head and watches intently as Valt grabs his tablet and types something.

Valt the walk forward and showed him the tablet with a picture of a certain young blader.

But what Lane found intriguing is that the blader has long white hair - that remind him of someone, a white sleeveless tailcoat, a black and red bodysuit underneath, and a matching gauntlet on his left arm, and the most stand out the most is the black and red streaked mask that only showed his eyes and mouth

"Who's this guy?" Lane ask curiously and for reason, he caught a pang of guilt and sadness in Valt's eyes

"This Shu Kurenai when he falls in the depths of darkness only to seek power to the point he breaks other beys," Valt said bitterly and darkly

That revelation took Lane by surprise

"W-what?" Lane asks breathlessly. He never thought Shu - out of all people - will fall into the darkness, let alone break other beys. He's inclining to believe Valt but the sorrow on those brown eyes doesn't look like he's lying

"What happened?" Lane asks and he won't go home without knowing the full story.

Valt sighed in sadness, this will be a long day

💜

Lane still couldn't believe what he just found out.

He walks down the street back to the old factory with his head held down, still consume by the information he found out

The only thing he knows about Shu is that he's a Japanese blader, a prodigy and part of the Supreme Four, Rank 2 in S - ranking, and a Legendary blader

But he never knew he had such a dark past.

All this time, he's been trying to help and save him and it took him time to realize that

He's always wary of his kindness from the start but it's sincere.

A part of guilt stroke his heart when he realized how many worries and problems he's been causing Shu.

All this time, he's only listening to Lucifer because he has no one...

But maybe- no this time, he has Shu and should listen to his teacher who only showed kindness and care for him.

This is the first time someone is doing this for him, not even his family. So, maybe that's why he's having a hard time recognizing the kindness Shu's giving to him

He never thought someone would care for him despite all the things he did.

Lane quickly wipes the tears that flow on his cheeks.

"Oh hey Lane you came back"

He looks up to see his teacher looking at him with those gentle eyes again.

Oh, he's back at the old factory already. He silently wishes Shu didn't see him cry.

"Yeah," He said and thankfully his voice didn't crack and got something in his pocket that make Shu surprised

An uncharacteristic smile forms on Lane's lips, as his usual intense yellow eyes look softened that Shu had never seen before and he has this light aura behind him, unlike the usual heavy and dark aura that makes everyone fear.

Lane held up his bey - Lucifer The End who radiate an unfamiliar yet beautiful crimson flare

"Let's practice," Lane said nicely

Shu was taken aback at his sudden change of behavior but appreciate it anyway

Shu smiles in return and shows World Spryzen who shines in response.

The albino doesn't know what happens when he goes away earlier but he's happy to see something good happening to Lane.

💜

"I'm a t-terrible s-student," Lane said in a trembling voice that is near crying that make Valt startle in surprise and he immediately stand up and put his hands on his shoulder

Lane is shocked at the gentle hands put on his shoulder, he looks surprised to see a Valt smiling at him softly yet at the same time so bright

"I know we're not close and you're wary of me, but I just want you to know that the moment you realize your mistakes, you are already an amazing person Lane because not everyone is capable of doing that. And I bet Shu is proud to have someone like you to be his student" Valt said in full sincerity and genuineness.

A ray of light shone above Lane at the newfound hope.

At that moment, he wants to be a strong and amazing blader like his teacher: Shu Kurenai

💜

A/N: I know this is cringe and OOC but I hope it turns out ok.