Requested by: AX-Skye

Warning: Dark and Angst

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Shu Kurenai is regretting all the bad things he did as a Red Eye

That's the first thing he felt when he was freed from the curse of Requiem. It's been 2 months since the tragedy happened but it still keeps bugging him the night before he sleeps.

So he makes a new habit to jog in the night so he will feel a cold breeze of air caressing his silky flowy white hair which he found relaxing.

While jogging under the glowing full moon of the night for some reason his feet bring him to a random place and he found himself in the park where he and Valt tend to battle together during the early days

He decided to walk closely and sit down on the cold concrete floor and take a deep breath then look over the sky to see the beautiful stars

Looking back from where he started and from how far he got, make he realized that he's a total mess

Back in his glory days he still remembers that everyone praised and look up to him as a great blader, a prodigy, and hailed him as a member of a supreme four

But now everyone is wary of him, they might not say it but the fear and doubt in their eyes is enough to say it out loud

Others still haven't trusted him well he can't blame them because he becomes a traitor, a power-hungered blader, and a destroyer of beys

What a mess and now he doesn't know where to start now

He can't look over the bright future - if he still has one - because his dark past it's still hunting him down

The "Red Eye Accident", that's what the others called it but he honestly doesn't understand why it's called accident when he intentionally wanted to be a Red Eye in the first place

After what Lui did to him after he broke his promise to Valt and after he lose to Free it feels like everything around him is a mess and makes him pushed over the edge. Then that man came over to him to ask if he wanted to become stronger and offer to join the Snake Pit.

People call him a genius and yet he let himself be manipulated just to gain power and throw his old happy life

And that fact makes him more guilty with regrets about eating him whole alive.

He can still remember and it's still very clear in his memories how he pushed his friends away when they were just worried and cared about him, destroying other's Beys cause he thought that's where the power came and hurt Spriggan who trying to warn him

( So selfish. So Ungrateful. So pathetic )

Each of those words sends daggers to his heart that makes his breathing hitch

"Shu Kurenai is Dead"

Ahhh he can still remember that exact curse line he didn't hesitate to declare on his friends - who take effort and time just to go to Snake Pit, Mexico, and dangerous forest to find him.

When he sees the shock and hurt on their face - he honestly doesn't care and truthfully he is beyond annoyed about why the hell they were here - they will just step in his way.

He doesn't need them. They were just a distraction on his way to power and success.

And he regrets thinking that way

If those days he felt annoyed with his friends. Now he felt horrible sick just looking at them cause he has no face to show them for all the things he did

( So awful. So disgraceful )

Then he bites his bottom lip to ignore the aching of his heart

He just watches uninterested in his friends battling the shadow bladers being played their feelings to think that if they win, they will have him back knowing they win or lose - nothing will change because he is dead set on throwing away his old self into a worse version of him and at the end of the day they kick off in the Snake Pit - but he doesn't even care a single bit

Wakiya eventually once told him that when they get kicked out, they thought that he was kicked out too thinking he is not in that horrible place anymore and just hiding somewhere like training

And at that moment he felt a dread pool of sick feeling on his stomach

He makes his friends get high hopes thinking he's ok when in reality it's not and his heart clench in hard guilt

Looking back in those days, he could've done differently-no he should be done something like going off with them in the first place

But no. He didn't do a damn simple thing and decided to stay in that hellish place where young bladers are being pushed into their limits when it's clear that they are hurting too

( Just like him )

He grips his shirt tightly just thinking about why he didn't feel any remorse that time.

That cursed place of Snake Pit will surely hunt him down forever and now he's questioning himself why he doesn't have the heart to care and concern about other people

Has he become that heartless? And the answer is so damn obvious

"Shu isn't weak! You know nothing about him. He works harder than anyone. He does a lot of training and battled even he was hurt...He made really powerful techniques special techniques. This whole time, he worked incredibly hard! That's why he's one of the Spin Emperors. That's why he's strong!"

Valt declares that on other people with full of sincerity and fondness cause he means every single word from the bottom of his heart.

But instead of being grateful. He despite it. And now it's too late to appreciate his words anymore

When all things are now revealed after his loss to Lui - again - and mock him again saying he knew it was him all this time. Then the world how now turn upside down

He was supposed to walk away from the shame he got in

But Valt run over to him and desperately held his shoulder to stop with his shaking hands something that never happened before his tears start to trickle down on his supposed to be innocent but now shocked hurt hazel brown eyes.

Then he plead- no begging to explain why he is doing this with his broken voice that was uncharacteristic to his blue friend

And his answer with his desperate pleading?

"You get out my way"

( Wow. Nice reply )

Shu harshly said without showing care or even slightly concern with those broken brown eyes now looking so helpless and hurt as if his world has forsaken him which might be an exaggeration but knowing Valt for almost a year he knows that his friend is very sensitive and a crybab- has no control on his emotion.

But remembering that moment makes him realize that he's crying silently without any sound of sobbing which is the worst and that realization feels like something punching him in the gut just remembering it

And he hates the fact that he is the reason why his best friend is in that state

But it's too late now because there is no turning back when he walks away leaving his dear friends without any warning or explanation

(You're so Evil Shu )

Without his consent, a hot liquid rolls down his face and he quickly wipes it away

"WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS?!"

Isn't it obvious Valt? For the power of course. But instead of saying that he just ignores him and walks away cause he looks so weak and pathetic in that state.

Then when he got back to Snake Pit. Ashtem then asks him to undergo the Requiem project

So he needs to abandon his weak bey - Legend Spryzen - by not hesitating to throw it away.

Then the project work. Or at least that's what he thinks. Because in his desire to control Spryzen... It causes him a payback and instead he's swallowed up. In that time he's started to break by just by thinking that's where the power came from

And Valkyrie becomes one of his prey

Shu covered his ears when for some reason he can hear the sounds of bey shattering that echoed so loudly in every corner of the place

He broke Valkyrie. He broke his best friend's bey when destroying a bey means destroying people's heart

And from the depths of his memory. Shu can see the pain, hurt, betrayal, and fear swirling in Valt's eyes

"I'm done with you. Get out of my way, Valt!"

"Don't say that. Please...just...don't act like we're not friends!"

A phantom pain shot through his heart as he clutches his burning chest

( Such a traitor )

He already causes so much pain to him.

"I'll never forget what you did to me, Lui. You'll regret it soon. First, I'm gonna destroy Nightmare Luinor! Then, I'm gonna annihilate every Bey that dares to get in my way!"

The most awaited moment he's been waiting for: His revenge on Lui Shirosagi.

And he freaking succeed to beat Lui with a bonus destroying Luinor and he didn't regret a single thing about it. Hah! How do you like that Shirosagi!

Shu smirk wickedly

Although it makes him realize in the end that revenge didn't change anything he can't believe he's admitting this but he just becomes like Lui! Aggressive and cold blader.

( So freaking creepy )

That revelation sent shivers through his spine

Then the International Bladers Cup Finals with Valt as his opponent

At that moment he expect those hazel brown eyes that shone in lightness to be gone from all the things he did but instead, they intensified

"It's not right! Shu's still in there! I'M NOT GONNA STAND FOR THIS!!

"You're wrong! I'm Spryzen! Meet your fate!"

"Shu, you're the only reason I'm able to stand here today! I owe everything to you!"

"Give in. You're wasting your time."

"I'm still here, and I'm not giving up on you. I've got your back."

"Listen, Valt! I admit it, you're my best friend! It's true! That's why I can't fail! I would never be able to forgive myself if I lost this battle! I won't ever let you defeat me, Valt!"

"I came this far to give you the match you deserve. I made it, and I'm gonna win this thing!"

In the end, Valt managed to win.

"So, dude, wanna keep battling?"

That... took him by surprise. Valt, the person he hurt the most forgives him already in a short moment.

The sentiment is shared by his close friends too who he pushed away too.

Shu didn't know what he deserve to have a friend like them. It almost makes him wanna cry in sadness for guilt and happiness for gratefulness

But the nightmare is still in there

His friends already forgive him but he still couldn't forgive himself

Yes he regret a lot of things but he didn't know if he deserve the forgiveness or how he should he pay back his dear friends... especially Valt

"Valt I don't deserve you" the white-haired boy whispered in the silent night

( He doesn't know what to do anymore )

"I knew it you still haven't moved on"

Shu almost had a heart attack when a voice sudden appear on his side as he quickly turn around to see Valt sitting behind

"H-how long have you been here" Shu stammer when he finds his voice to ask

The spiky blue-haired boy shrugged "Just now"

Shu blink in disbelief thinking how the hell he didn't notice him

"So... Why I don't deserve you," Valt asks while tilting his head to make Shu freeze on his spot

It takes a moment for Shu to think what is the best answer without hurting his best friend's feelings again but he didn't find any so he sigh in defeat and just say the first thing that came to his mind

"Because you're so freaking nice but I broke your heart" Shu finally let it out

Valt stare at him "But I already forgiven you already"

Shu takes a deep breath "That's the point... you forgive me easily that I didn't know If I deserve it"

"... So you don't want to be forgiven?"

Shu almost wants to bang his head on the floor at this rate at his precious and clueless friend

"Hhihi just joking dude" Valt sniffles a laugh that makes Shu blink multiple times

"Let's say we switch roles and I'm the one who betrayed your trust but in the end, I regret all the things I did... would you still forgive me" Valt ask while smiling mysteriously

The albino look at him in confusion
"Of course, I do your my best friend you already regret things after all," he said as if he was offended

"If that's the case then what makes you think you don't deserve forgiveness on yourself?" Valt ask with a mysterious glint ok his eyes

Shu stare at him for a long time and groan but can't help to tug a warm fond smile

Valt has creative thinking... And that's the reason why many people around him like him

Then what Valt did next took him by surprise by hugging him warmly and tightly that almost make his heart stop a beat

Then Valt start to talk over his frozen shoulder in a comfortable tone
"I know the only reason you pushed everyone away is that you've been pushed over the edge in the first place and I'm sorry for never noticing your pain"

Shu's eyes widen and want to protest but the bluenette cut him over

"It's already happened in the past Shu and you already reflect on all the things you did and that's more than enough to pay for your sins"

Shu at this point wants it to cry already but refrain from doing but he can't. His eyes are already burning and without his consent years already falling on his eyes

In response, Valt rub his back to soothe the pain

"That's the meaning of having friends right? Always had each other back. I would be lying if I said I wasn't hurt by your behavior that time but you suffered too in silence. Shu, you were manipulated so it's not your fault got that?"

Shu knows every word is real and sincere and it makes him feel more able to breathe properly

"Please stop blaming yourself for things you can't control instead just look over the beautiful future you will have Shu. Doesn't mean things didn't work in the first place doesn't mean you will give up now. That's the life Shu, you will fail or succeed but what's important is you keep on living."

Then Shu chokes that turn into a sob and finally starts to let out. Slowly he hugs Valt back as if he's the only support he had in life.

Valt smiles sadly and can't hide that his eyes are glistening too

"You've been thinking that perfection is the only option but something like that doesn't exist. You are only a human to Shu so it's ok that you made mistake just remember me and the club will always be there for you" Valt reminds him

Shu bite his bottom lips and then clutch his best friend's clothes tightly as he continues to cry to let it go

They stay like that until Shu starts to feel ok and calm down and wipe his tears away

Finally, he can now start healing. It might take time but it's more than enough

"Hey Valt" Shu calls out

"Yeah?" The bluenette asks looking at him in confusion and his hazel brown eyes widen in shock at the next thing that happened

Shu holds both Valt's hands gently and stares at him with those fondly soft yet sharp crimson eyes that become more beautiful by glistening under the gaze of the full moon. His expression become soft, as a grateful and warm big smile plastered on his lips. Then a cold breeze passed by that made Shu's silky white hair dance in the rhythm that Valt couldn't take off his eyes cause he find himself astonished by his best friend to the point his heart melt at the next thing Shu said.

"Thank you Valt for never giving up on me, for always being there for me, and for making me happy. I'm so lucky that I have someone like you in my life cause you are the best friend that I could ever wish off to the point I realized I don't know what kind of life I had without you and so again thank you for everything Valt"

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