(Y/n) (l/n) ~

Running into an annoying music-obsessed blader was NOT in my to-do list today.

Still feeling blank about Daigo Kurogami cheating in yesterday's battle, I thought I should try to clear my mind and feel something particular about the incident. So in hope of finding a peaceful place to think, I went to the town's main market and entered a random shop.

Maybe anyone will think why would I go to the market if I want to be peaceful. My definition of a peaceful place is where I'm away from bladers, especially the Beyclub. Yeah, there's also a forest on the outskirts of the town but it's dangerously near the Shakadera dojo. At least one of the monkey members will be hanging from the branches of trees (I'm talking about Xander, Ukyo and Yugo). No peace at all.

Then, there are the streets of Beigoma. You may think I can just wander the streets and may not run into anyone, but half the town knows that the twins are always on patrol. And by my luck with people, I'll definitely run into them.

My home was also one place, but it's getting boring there day by day. Same rooms, same chairs, same bed, same walls. I hate it. If anyone knows of some technology that can change your house map or wall colours as required, then let me know. There's nothing new or interesting there anymore.

Besides, everyone knows my address now so it isn't exactly peaceful there. Especially because of Valt and Rantaro. Even if I don't open the door for anyone, those people would never stop knocking. It's annoying as hell.

Considering all this, the market was the most appropriate place for me to find some peace. No blader in their sane mind would ogle the shops when the Regionals are up. The twins also wouldn't come here because there's nothing they'd find interesting. The Beyclub will be either at the Beypark, or in school. And the monkeys of the dojo would definitely don't get tree branches in the city market.

Sure there was a crowd of buyers and shopkeepers, but no acquaintances, so my tongue will be at rest. I like when I don't have to speak much.

The random complex I entered happened to be a nice and quiet music shop. Not many people were here, which was a bonus on my part.

Feeling content, I grinned to myself and walked down two or three aisles that displayed guitars and violins. I didn't have to buy anything, but I still noticed the different kinds of music instruments and song albums put on sale.

After some half an hour of peace and quietness, someone's annoying voice cut through my thoughts. "Hey, kid!"

I flinched and walked around a corner to come across a very old and angry shopkeeper. "I noticed you just standing there for the past ten minutes. What's your deal? You look kinda suspicious too..." He squinted his eyes.

I chuckled awkwardly. "I'm, uh, finding something good to buy."

He looked skeptical, but nodded anyway. "As long as you don't plan on stealing anythi-"

"Oh no, no, no," I waved my hands in front of me. "I'm just here to buy, um, an album. Yeah...just an album."

He waved his hand dismissively, walking back to his desk and sitting down again.

This world is so cruel. So much for seeking peace!

Thinking of acting natural, I aimlessly stopped in front of a shelf that had music albums stacked on it. Randomly, I picked up a disk and read its title.

Top ten songs of
🌟️ ZAC THE SUNRISE!🌟

I immediately cringed and a disgusted expression made its way on my face. Of all the singers out there, I had to come across Zachary's songs?

I suddenly had a terrifying image of one of my friends catching me here with this album in my hand.

Please, god no. I'd crawl into a basket, hide myself there and die of embarrassment.

Scared that my thoughts would come true, I hastily extended up my hand to keep the CD back on the display shelf but apparently, luck wasn't on my side. Embarrassment, though, was.

"(Y/n) (l/n), mm...hmm?" A melodious voice sang my name.

As quickly and gracefully I could, I finished putting the album back on the shelf. Once I turned my head to look at the owner of the voice, I cleared my throat and studied his features, trying to place him.

My first observation: He loves music.

My second observation: My first observation was not the first.

I realized I've already seen him somewhere before, so of course that wasn't my first ever observation.

Not even trying to continue the conversation, and my body still facing the shelf, I focused on his attire. The zipline of his jacket was lined with piano keys. He had a wireless set of headphones around his neck. And when I noticed the four silver rings on both of his hands, I was suddenly very sure that he's someone important and I should know him.

"I see Zac's company has affected you," he noted, looking up at the album I just kept on the shelf. Somebody kill me.

"Do I know you?" I crossed my arms, returning my gaze at the album I just kept. I thought it was better to not to explain him that I haven't been in Zachary's 'company', because if I do so, it'll raise undesired suspicions in his mind.

Not that I had any relevant explanations to offer.

"Orochi Ginba..." he hummed his name in a musical tone. "Your next opponent in the Regionals."

Okay, now I'm really embarrassed.

I knew he was important. I was supposed to know him. He's my next opponent afterall!

Immediately, all information about him came crashing down at me like a skyscraper falling apart in an earthquake.

Orochi Ginba; Omni Odax; attack type; Blast Beat; battled Shu in the Districts; quite strong; can tell burst finishes with just hearing; called the Boy With The Perfect Ears; keeps chewing bubble gums; can make good bubbles-Wait, what?

Okay, scratch that. Too much information. System error occurred. Brain malfunctioned. Embarrassment level reached infinity-Ugh. Stop!

"So?" I asked, glancing at him from the corner of my eye.

Orochi was chewing a gum in his mouth, in the middle of making a bubble. His hands were in his pockets and eyes closed. I stared at his hair that was styled in dreadlocks. Honestly, this was the first person I'd ever met to have hair done like that. Of course I was fascinated.

His cheeks puffed a little when he made the bubble. He kept increasing its size until it popped, and Orochi pushed the gum back in his mouth.

"Is this fate or coincidence?" He mused. "I wonder why we came across each other today."

Now, I was an expert at interpreting the meaning of somebody's hinting words, so his intentions came quite obvious to me. A smirk made its way on my lips as I understood he wants a battle.

"The sound of metal clashing against metal is quite melodious, isn't it?" I asked back.

At first, Orochi looked quite shocked at how I made the reference of a beybattle and music alike. Then he closed his eyes, smiling down and placed his headphones back on his ears.

It was 10:49 a.m., and the day had barely begun.

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

The Beypark.

I decided to choose the Beypark as the location for our battle. Assuming Valt, Daigo and Rantaro would be practicing at the Beyclub as usual, the chances of meeting someone in the Beypark were few.

Well, except for Shu because he practices there only. But for obvious reasons, I didn't mind Shu's company as much as I did of the Beyclub. He's the most sane one among all of them.

But guess what? It was my bad luck.

No, my merciless bad luck.

Wait, my stupid merciless bad luck.

I found the two most unexpected bladers practicing with each other in the park. Dear readers, now it's your turn to take a guess. I'll give you a chocolate if you're correct.

Battling Orochi was completely fine from my part because I trusted my skills (Yep, that's my ego speaking). We have our next battle against each other so we both would need to train for ourselves. I don't see a problem in that. Orochi can see my battling style and I can see Orochi's.

Still, there's really so little he can do even after seeing my moves before the official battle. I always win, and I'll always keep winning. He never stood a chance anyway.

Here's the answer to that guess question: Rantaro and Hoji. I don't know what exactly these bladers are doing here together, and why exactly are they practising with each other?

Seeing us, both of them stood up from their launching positions and Rantaro walked up to the side of the stadium in front of me.

"So, you and Hoji became friends?" I stated, stopping just in front of him, down the platform. "I'm sure that Murasaki annoyance will be angry."

Rantaro chewed on his lollipop and glanced at Orochi, who was standing a little away. "So, you and Orochi became friends? I'm sure that Shu awesomeness will be jealous."

I tilted my head expressionlessly. "Couldn't give relevant explanations so you're mirroring my own statements?" I smirked. "So smooth, Rantaro. Really."

Rantaro narrowed his eyes suspiciously at me, and then transferred his glance at Orochi again. From the corner of my eye, I saw him chewing a bubble gum again, apparently not so much interested in our conversation. Hoji, by the way, was having a very hard time interpreting if me and Rantaro are friends or not.

"Move, Kiyama," I ordered.

"Hold up," he said, looking astounded. "Are you actually going to battle this punk?"

Why doesn't this person believe that I'll battle Orochi? Maybe he's kidding.

I studied him. Rantaro looked completely serious. Then again, so did I.

"Any problem with that?" I asked.

"Wait," he jumped down the platform, landing a few feet beside me. I turned my head towards him and raised an eyebrow questioningly. He explained, "From how much I know you, you aren't naïve but right now you sure as hell are acting like one. He obviously wants to see and decipher your moves before the real battle. Don't you realize it?"

Before I could reply, Orochi, who was getting impatient because of the delay, said, "Let's begin the battle already."

Rantaro put his fan in between me and Orochi. "Dude, I fully realise what you're trying to do here. I'm not letting her fall for it. Back off."

I waved my hand in disapproval. "If you think he'll see and decipher my moves, then you should know I'll also see and decipher his moves," I paused for special effects and then continued dramatically, "I'm not a gambler. And neither would I ever be. Because I always win."

Rantaro rolled his eyes and muttered something about cocky bladers. I walked up to stand on one side of the stadium. Hoji, who was as silent as a chair this whole time, squeaked awkwardly, "Ahn! Uh, ahem, I will be the referee."

Orochi had a permanent smirk on his face as he took his usual left-handed frog-like launching stance. Gripping my launcher hard, I took Flux Boost's stance. Right-handed.

"First Battle," Hoji called. "Ready? Set!"

"Three...two...one...LET IT RIP!!"

Odax and Sparyon were launched into the stadium with opposite spin directions. Odax's movements were completely unpredictable and unstable as the bey ran around the stadium without any proper rhythm. And yet, Orochi was so intently listening to the sound like it made sense to him (which it actually did).

Each one of his next move was blatantly confusing. You'd think Odax is circling around the stadium in a definite loop, but the next moment it will change its direction and be out of the way before you execute your planned attack. Yeah, Sparyon also changes direction in between the battle but it's planned in a definite pattern, not so puzzling.

Ah, of course I know the reason why it happens. It's Orochi's hearing ability and Odax's confusion tip. But that's not the point here. The whole thing is about how to conquer it.

I've just gotta be careful.

Odax hit the wall of the stadium and lunged at Sparyon. My bey easily dodged and came back at Odax. But this time, it was Odax's turn to dodge. This game of hit-and-dodge continued for a while until I started to lose control over my 'be careful' strategy.

Come on (Y/n), don't get too agitated. Think carefully before attacking. Think about the consequences. Think about his skills. Think abou-You know what? Screw this. There's no way I can ever lose to anyone, no matter what. It's not just my thing to be careful.

No fear. No hesitation. No loss. That's my favourite strategy, and the very secret of my winning streak. Gotten me in trouble plenty of times, but let's not speak of that.

"Show your Flux Boost, partner!" I demanded. "Speed up."

Orochi popped another bubble. "Hear the rocking sound of my Blast Beat!"

Damn, his line is better than mine.

Odax and Sparyon circled each other like a predator circles its prey, except for there was no prey. There were just two predators fighting for victory. The collision sent sparks flying throughout the stadium and both beys were thrown apart, only to be connected again.

"Splendid, (Y/n). Splendid," Orochi sounded desperate. "That's the best duet I've ever had with anyone. And this is coming from someone who has battled Shu Kurenai before."

I smirked at the praise. Since I've lost to Shu that day, I've only worked to be better than him. I know that Theodore was just trying to mess with my mind that day, but him saying that Shu is stronger than me, hit deep.

I've always believed that I'm the strongest blader there is, so having around people who constantly say that Shu is better than me, is intolerable. I lost to him in the Districts. And that reputation, once lost, is very hard to get back.

Only another blader would understand how I feel about it.

Odax was repeatedly attacking Sparyon from all sides, no doubt the result of Blast Beat. But Sparyon was too good at being hard and stubborn. It just won't take the damage, rather absorbed Odax's stamina during each hit.

"Come on, Orochi," I urged. "I thought you were better than this."

"Hang in there, Odax. Keep attacking..."

Odax may be powerful, dazing and melodious. Orochi can be skillful, brilliant and attentive. But there was no competing me and my bey. After some more seconds of watching Orochi struggle, I ordered Sparyon to do its final attack.

Omni Odax was straight in three pieces, out of the stadium.

"Stone Sparyon with a burst finish," Hoji sighed. "(Y/n) (l/n) wins."

Orochi's eyes displayed shock, but his expression was more like he was expecting this to happen. It was like he thought of something and it came true. A few feet away from me, Rantaro grumbled, "Now you two can go away." I gave him a hard glare and he shut himself up.

"Hm...hmh," Orochi recomposed himself and put up his headphones, picking his bey. I did the same. "Sparyon is an...interesting bey. That was a quite strange note in the end. Both definite and indefinite somehow."

I don't know how he can differ the sound when it's just metal clashing against metal. I didn't know how can he tell the 'note' of my special move. Heck, I didn't understand how he can differ the sound of my bey from his, because they both sounded pretty same to me. Nevertheless, I pretended to understand.

Haha. I used do that very often, back when I was little. You should also try it. Don't understand something? Just pretend to.

"I'll get going," Orochi stated, simultaneously humming a tone. Once he was gone and out of sight, I turned my attention back to the two very embarrassed bladers accompanying me: Hoji and Rantaro. The latter opened his mouth to say something, but I held up my hand.

"I won't tell Valt and Murasaki," I teased. Rantaro rolled his eyes.

"We just wanted to practise a little," Hoji explained. "You know, we both are battling our best friends next. I don't know if you'll understand-"

"She wouldn't," Rantaro disagreed.

"-but it's really hard because all of us expect each other to do our best and win tomorrow. Wakiya is a strong opponent and considers me as his rival. I just want to give him a good fight."

"Yeah," Rantaro said. "I've already lost to Valt in the Districts, but I'm willing to face him more fiercely this time. I just want to prove myself worthy enough of battling him...wait, not prove exactly. He's my friend, but, you know-"

"To be honest," I interrupted him. "I'm not getting a word you two are saying. These kind of things go above my head, so I'll let you pass this time." Hoji and Rantaro sighed in relief, until I added: "But if I ever see you both together again, I'll not hesitate to mock you mercilessly."

Rantaro shuddered whereas Hoji looked quite confused. The former explained him, "Dude, she insults like hell. You wouldn't wanna get caught anywhere around. If you've heard of the phrase 'insulting to death', then take it from me. It was made for (Y/n)."

"Um, what?" Hoji asked confusingly.

"Here it comes," I muttered. "Grandma Rantaro's stories."

"Once upon a time," Rantaro said dramatically. I groaned. "There was a girl named (Y/n) (l/n). She'd went to the market and was now going back to her home. On the way, she came across a random auntie that had an attitude worse than Goldilocks-"

"Goldilocks?" Hoji asked.

"He's talking about that Murasaki annoyance," I replied casually.

"Oh."

Rantaro continued, "So, that woman was so fake and cocky that she might as well be Goldilocks' female form. I mean, if Goldilocks was a female, he would've been exactly like her-"

"Um, I think we get it," Hoji said.

"Of course," Rantaro cleared his throat. "So, I was saying that (Y/n) insulted that woman so much that she died right on that spot. The end. Moral of the story: (Y/n) is savage. She can insult to death."

Hoji looked like he wanted to hit Rantaro for wasting his time.

While I, on the other hand, did hit him for wasting my time.

Hoji turned to me awkwardly. "You're acting like this is his normal behaviour and you're used to this."

"It is and I am."

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

I walked to the Regionals' arena in a good mood. Today's battles included Rantaro versus Valt and Hoji versus Wakiya. I met the two of those four yesterday, and by the looks of it, they both have trained pretty hard.

Wakiya and Valt have strength, while Rantaro and Hoji have willpower. I don't mean to sound like a crappy critique, but I think the strong ones will win today. I mean, willpower alone can't help you achieve victory. Heck, willpower can't even guarantee your win. It's just strength that matters in the end.

That's what I've learnt. I also once used to think that a person can accomplish anything if he has enough determination, but Lui proved it all wrong. He had power. He was powerful. I had so much to lose and so much to gain, but I lost all. It was just power that mattered in the end.

It may look like I'm walking on Lui's footsteps right now. Well, in a way, I really am. He taught me power is everything, and to be honest, he wasn't wrong. That's what shaped me into what I am today. I'm powerful. I win almost everytime I battle. That wouldn't have happened if Lui hadn't treated me badly and made me dream of taking revenge. That drive pushed me to the edge and it's still making me better each day.

Then there's Ashtem, who gave me a purpose. He encouraged me and helped me in making my blading career. Overall, it was Lui and Theodore who contributed a LOT in making me reach this far.

And I hate both of them.

Don't ask.

"Hey, what's happening there?" I heard someone say.

I snapped to reality and looked around me to see a crowd of seven or eight gathered a little away.

"Some stupid kids," someone else said. Just as I was watching, the crowd dispersed almost as soon as it had gathered, signifying that whatever it was, it was nothing so interesting. But the way that person said 'some stupid kids,' I think I might know who are they.

People walking by, were still glancing behind them, but no one stopped for long. Suspiciously, I followed the glances, and soon, came across a grinning Valt, talking to someone familiar. Toko and Nika had knowing expressions on their faces, staring at that other person.

I looked at him, and cringed just like I did when I came across one of Zac the Sunrise's albums in the store yesterday.

The person was dressed exactly like the all too familiar Zachary Kaneguro. His blonde hair were easily noticable, and those red streaks distinguished him even more, confirming his identity. He was wearing black shades on his eyes, and a white mask over his mouth.

Please don't tell me he thinks he can't be recognized like that. Everything about that attire literally screams, 'I'm Zac the Sunrise, the brightest star in the universe!'

Oh God.

I approached the twins and struggled to find a proper word to speak. After some moments of awkward stares and blinking, I sighed. "What's going on here?"

Toko laughed sheepishly and pointed at Valt and Zachary, who had now started talking, walking down the path in front of us. "You know who is him, don't you?"

I nodded.

"He things he cannot be recognised," Nika added and the twins also started walking in the same direction. I followed close.

"Isn't Valt equally stupid?" Toko asked.

"Yeah," Nika laughed. "The fact that Valt isn't recognising him, is even funnier than Zac thinking he succeeded in disguising himself."

I actually smiled at that. Just as it is said, one and one makes eleven; one stupid and one stupid, makes eleven stupids.

Once we reached the audience area, I got separated from the twins. Zac said goodbye to Valt, and went to sit on his throne. Valt ran off to find Rantaro and I made my way towards the audience area.

There, I spotted Daigo, alone, standing at the stairs between the sets of spectators' seats. He was looking up at the sun, loosening his jacket's collar. Feeling hot, huh?

I wanted to just walk past, letting him have some space. But there's this dark part of my mind which is telling me to mock him for his actions. If this person isn't guilty of what he did to Yugo, then I might as well make him feel it.

At the same time, my goodness (which is normally as rare as a talking clock and as small as a bacteria cell) is telling me to leave him alone. I still don't know the reason why he did that. I should try to understand his point of view first. I still don't know what condition he was in during that time. To what extent has the dark affected him. And how vulnerable he still is to that darkness.

I took a deep breath, but as usual, my dark thoughts were dominant. Insanity always wins in my case.

Letting my cruelty dictate my behaviour, I walked up to him with a normal expression on my face. "Pretty hot, isn't it?"

"(Y-Y/n)," he turned around grudgingly, and wiped his forehead with his jacket sleeve. "Yeah, it is."

I looked up at the sky, then back at him. "I wonder if it's the heat of the sun, or the burden of a victory, or the guilt of some insensible action..."

His jaw tightened, and he gave me a warning expression. I returned the favour by a taunting smirk.

After barely one second of intense staring, Daigo turned around and walked away while I continued my way towards the Beyclub's usual spot.

The boy couldn't hold my gaze for even two seconds.

How pathetic.

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In 4125 words.

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