(Y/n) (l/n) ~

"Surprised?"

"How the hell did you find where I live?!" Daigo screamed in shock.

"Didn't understand yet?" I asked mockingly. Daigo's shoulders relaxed and he put his hands in his pockets, thinking hard about it. I waited for realization to hit him.

After a moment, he finally realised. "That helpless woman—who by the way, did not look so helpless—I helped this morning? That was you in disguise!"

"Took you long enough to find out," I commented.

"I knew something was off about her. Her eyes looked so sinister," he paused and lowered his voice. "I had my doubts."

I shrugged. "Nevertheless, you fell for it."

"Your copying skills are good," he mumbled. "How did you even manage that voice?"

"That was no big deal. I've been doing these disguises for a while now. It's just practice."

"Yeah, totally knew that," he grumbled. "Wanna come in?"

"No, you come out."

"I already told you yesterd—"

"It wasn't a choice, if you'd listened properly."

"I think—Hey, since when did you start bossing me around?!"

"The pros of being my friend."

"More like, cons."

"Just come out, Daigo. Don't be such a baby."

"No, I'm not going there!" he said, lowering his voice at the end of the sentence. I groaned and rolled my eyes. I so wanted to bang my head on the door.

When will these boys stop being such annoying brats and learn to take care of themselves? Why is it always that these people get themselves in trouble, or fight among themselves and I'm the one to sort out everything? And I don't even mean any one of them. All of them are like that. Valt, Shu, Daigo, Rantaro...do I look like their counselor?

I have to babysit these people on a daily basis. First, I had to convince Valt on his Wakiya issue. Then I had to do Shu's counselling on his shoulder problem. Then there was Valt angry with me when he got to know about Shu's injury. Next, there was Valt again when he cried over Ken leaving. Then was Daigo who cheated. Him and Shu came to my house for counselling. And that brings us back to Valt and Rantaro that got dramatic over Daigo's matter.

And now it's Daigo again, who doesn't want to go to the Regionals' arena to watch our battles because apparently, after what happened, he can't bear to look into Valt's eyes.

When did my life become so complicated? It's always me either convincing, explaining or counselling them. Honestly, for how long this will I continue? And when will these people learn to stand on their own feet? Imagine I had my own problems. If that be the case, would these babies have been able to comfort me?

Ha, I don't think so.

"Look," I began, mentally trying to prepare myself for a nice statement that would comfort Daigo and make him understand that it wasn't his fault. But after ten seconds of thinking hard and trying to frame a proper sentence, I gave up. What I ended up settling on, was something around, 'I don't give a crap. I don't care at all. Either listen to what I'm saying, or go waste your life'.

"Look, Daigo," I repeated. "Running away from the situation isn't an option. It just shows how weak and cowardly you are. If you made a mistake then better you face it, or get your face punched."

"But wait—" I cut him off by grabbing the bag of his jacket and dragging him all the way out of his apartment. Then I took the key from his pocket, locked the door behind me and continued to drag him along the way.

"Wait, wait, wait—" He screamed, clawing on my hand and wrist to break free. By how it felt, I'm sure there'll be scratches by now. Oh, great. Today I got to learn one more thing about Daigo. Along with loving cats, he also has the habits of a cat. Jeez, a normal human's nails don't scratch like that.

I left his jacket as soon as we got out of the building. He groaned, got up from the ground and brushed the dirt off of his clothes. I just crossed my arms and watched him do that until he finally straightened his collar and glared at me.

"What was that for?" He demanded.

"For being a coward," I raised my chin. 

Daigo looked away and I continued. "Seriously, dude? For how long are you gonna keep doing this? Running away from everyone?"

"I'm not running away!" he screamed, and then mumbled. "I just don't wanna go to the arena today."

"And why's that?"

"Would you leave me alone?" He snapped.

"No."

He sighed. "Then?"

"Come to the arena with me."

"No."

"Don't be stubborn! I know what you're planning on."

For that statement, Daigo gave me a warning look so threatening that it sent shivers of fear down my spine. My heartbeat increased and every nerve in my body screamed in alarm.

I took a step back, but didn't change the taunting tone of my voice. "You're acting like a weakling."

"And what if I am?"

"Then you've still gotta step out of it," I argued. "'Cause you wouldn't survive that life."

Silence.

"Fine," he rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Lead the way."

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

Turns out we were late.

Valt's battle was over.

"...and the credit of this tragedy goes to (Y/n) (l/n)," Daigo grumbled.

"Shut up and keep following me," I smacked him upon the head.

I lead the way to the waiting room for bladers where I noticed Valt and Rantaro them doing some pretty normal things. And you know what I mean when I use the word normal for these people.

Valt and Rantaro were flailing their arms around, running all over the place, screaming weird stuff about...basically everything. The incharge was already passed out, apparently given up on trying to calm them. The other bladers in the room were staring at Valt and Rantaro curiously. One boy was even trying to hit them with an empty water bottle, maybe trying to...shut them up? I don't know.

All this commotion along with a calm and silent Shu, casually leaning against the lockers like he was completely used to this.

I can't blame him though. To me and Daigo too, these things have become normal over the weeks.

As soon as Valt spotted us, he stopped screaming around and ran up to me. "Cockroaches eating chickens, flying around in towels. Table and speakers, please save that brick. Flower pots and mirror squads have their squirrels kept on bedsheets! Trees hanging from the ceiling, trying to build that paper but curtains in the washing machine—"

"English, please." Daigo sighed. Rantaro quickly stepped forward and tried to explain.

"Eqadfsyogedgdvwqklijktegdvcvghbfinvyrgfbvjgsjfywfjajvhvmhavajhmvjghajvajvhbrgsdhtfghskuwliiwljwmhwkghkuywoywouiuwwuowpiwuiqkhjwhgfwhtthwcuagyusb—"

"That's even worse."

"What part of 'speak in English' you two did not understand?" I threatened, grabbing Valt's collar.

He chuckled awkwardly but didn't stop panicking. "Electric wires and stools with jasmine flowers, dancing on clouds. Six plus six equals minus nine then multiply three equals to eight hundred ninety ten. Doorbells and air conditioners drinking tasty carpets. Nagisa Shiota throwing a party—"

"Shut up," I dropped him free.

"What he means to say is," Shu sighed, walking up to us. It looked like he'd spotted me just now. Oh, he must be thinking about something really important then. "That your battle's gonna begin in two. Go stand behind the stage or you'll be late."

"Shoot!" I realized, and then glared at Valt and Rantaro. "Was that too difficult for you two to speak out?"

"We—"

"Gotta go now. Don't think this is over," I warned, turning around to walk away but not before yelling back, "Y'all better sort out things with Daigo before I come back. No need to waste time watching my battle. Go home."

"I—" Daigo began but I didn't hear anymore as I found my way towards the backstage. There was that rare smile on my face for some reason. And for the first time in years, that smile didn't disappear when I thought about it.

That day, I was revealed to the audience like Valt. Still smiling like an idiot, I walked up to the stadium but when I came face to face with my opponent, that smile turned into a smirk.

"(Y/n) (l/n)..." Orochi hummed, his hands over his headphones. "I have a feeling you're gonna lose today."

"Are you a fortune teller?" I asked, raising my chin to show dominance. My heart did a whole somersault when I saw Orochi's chin a little down. Oh, so there's a trace of fear behind that tough act afterall.

He closed his eyes and smiled. "The notes of this piano will be in my favour today."

"Oh, I don't need the support of some stupid notes," I countered. "I'll simply break the piano and shatter your rythm."

"Whoa!" Hanami screamed over the microphone. "A fearless open challenge! Our Golden Blader (Y/n) (l/n) literally insulted music in front of Orochi Ginba! That was absolutely cruel and careless. There's gotta be something up her sleeve if she's so confident!" Please shut up, Hanami.

Orochi's body stiffened. I could already see drops of sweat on his forehead. That hit deep, huh? I could only imagine the amount of confidence Orochi must've lost in the process.

He relies on music during a battle. That's what caught me last time. Though I won, my thoughts were indefinite and I was panicking half the time. But this time I've done my homework. Orochi isn't the only one who thought he could pin my weaknesses by battling me before the official match. That day, I was confused because I was trying to find a solution to his rythm.

But I was wrong. I realized I don't have to find a counter to his beat. What I've gotta do, is to just break the whole musical instrument and shatter the notes in a way that they won't be able to get fixed again.

And I swear Orochi will never be able to match the beats again.

"First Battle!" The referee announced.

We both took our stances. Orochi's was the usual left-handed frog-like position while I went with my Victory Burst (Destructive Crush) one. I focused on the centre of the stadium, allowing dark thoughts to cover up my mind. The resonance between me and Sparyon got stronger. There was risk, but where's the fun if I did not take it? I needed it to pull off that launch. That was its purpose of the original move, afterall.

When I battled Xander, I allowed the dark only a little. But even that 'little' got Xcalius desperate like never before. That day, I knew there was risk but didn't know how much. And today that I know how much, Orochi is doomed.

I like when you act like this. The great previous (Y/n) before she came here and started pretending to be nice.

Don't get your hopes up, partner. We're not destroying Odax.

Wha—Don't tell me you invited me just to pull off that pathetic new move again.

I think I was clear.

You remember the good times! Please, I promise you'll enjoy the power.'

Don't try to dominate me on this one. Take a sane look around.

Stop me if you're able.

I love it when you challenge me like this.

"Ready? Set!" The referee called. "Three...Two...One...LET IT RIP!"

Sparyon and Odax were launched into the stadium yet again with opposite spins. Sparyon went straight for the inner slope, circling around violently and cutting through the air like thunder. Odax, on the other hand, was confusingly moving around in its usual gods-know-what trajectory.

Now all I gotta do is wait for him to use Blast Beat and then it's game over. There's nothing he'd be able to do against Victory Burst if it gets initiated once.

"Odax, attack it from behind!" Orochi called.

I clicked my tongue. "Dodge it, partner."

Sparyon's momentum was intense, yet it swiftly dodged the attack and Odax collided with the stadium wall opposite to it. But Orochi didn't seem affected by this. He just waved his left hand in the air like a pianist moving his fingers on the keys and I smirked, remembering the piano's reference I made before the battle.

Just when I thought that things were going all good and normal, out of nowhere, I felt an intense surge of energy through me and my focus wavered.

What was that?

"Now hear the rocking sound of my Blast Beat!"

What—

Odax suddenly came at Sparyon straight from the front. And my defences were wide open there.

In those two seconds, so much happened.

I shook my head hard, trying to stick to my original plan. I tried my best not to get overwhelmed by the fact that Odax was challenging me right back. I wanted to believe that I wasn't capable of changing my original strategy at that moment. I knew what my initial plan was. I was fully aware of the audience watching me, the Swordflames club, Zac the Sunrise right there. Knowing fully well what might happen if I changed my decision. I knew what attack I had planned on doing. I remembered everything before the battle. But what came out of my mouth, was something totally opposite.

"For the win, partner!" I grinned, not resisting the familiar power anymore. "Destructive Crush!"

Orochi hesitated after hearing it.

If I were him, I wouldn't do that.

Odax came straight at Sparyon from the front. Sparyon lunged at it with greater speed, without fearing anything that could or could not happen. Both beys met on the inner slope of the stadium with blinding gold light. The force blew the hair from my face, me smiling like I was proud of what I'd done (which, to be honest, I really was).

The collision was like lightning. Sparyon cut right through Odax and the latter lay there in four pieces; it's energy layer in two. The rythm was really shattered. It's beat was actually broken beyond repair. It was exactly like I had thought.

Knowing that, it made me even happier.

I was so lost in the moment that I hadn't noticed their faces. Time passed in silence and it wasn't until Orochi dropped on his knees to pick up the broken pieces when I realized what the heck I just did. Astounded, I blinked at the innocent red bey that lay in the stadium like it didn't just destroy Odax.

Wow. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like what I did. It's like the old memories were refreshed. It was amazing.

I bent down and picked it up. Realization had dawned upon me and I was slowly getting scared of the consequences.

If Valt or Daigo get to know...

I tilted my head towards the audience area, silently wishing that the Beyclub wasn't there. I noticed Zac sitting on his throne beside the announcement box. He was looking at me with a determined amused expression. But luckily, the Beyclub wasn't there. Oh yeah, I'd asked them to sort things out and go home.

Then my gaze fell upon the Swordflames.

Xander was giving me a hard look all the way here. I looked at Ukyo instead. The blue boy was blinking repeatedly, apparently not able to process what just happened. Yugo was a whole lot other story. His mouth was wide open.

I sighed in relief. There wouldn't be any trouble if the Beyclub doesn't get to know. The Swordflames will hopefully keep their mouth shut. It's not like I care anyway. I do whatever I want. It shouldn't be any of the Beyclub's business.

I smiled down at Orochi, who was still so calm and silent, sitting on the opposite side of the stadium, holding the broken bey in his hand.

"I still think piano isn't the best instrument to rely on," I teased, chuckling at the end of the statement. "Get yourselves together, you weakling. Stand up."

Orochi was still silent but he glared up at me. I muttered just enough to let him hear, "I don't want the others to know. Get outta here or else."

He gritted his teeth and finally stood up. "I hate you."

I grinned right back.

And with that, Orochi turned around and walked out of the arena. I did the same.

Today's battles were over and I had no intention of staying here anymore. But just in case, I first checked the waiting rooms to see if the Beyclub really went home. You know, Valt usually has this 'Let's wait for (Y/n) to come back and we'll walk back together! Yayy!'

But fortunately, this time he really did obey. The waiting room was not empty when I arrived, but the Beyclub wasn't there either.

I mentally celebrated the relief and started to walk back home. It was one in the afternoon. The sun was still shining just as brightly, and the birds were still chirping in the trees. What else can I say? I tried my best to avoid coming across uncivilized, annoying, inhuman, weird and insane people. But I failed.

Unfortunately, the riverbank is on my way to home. Not even two minutes of the 'bright sun, chirping birds' and the solitude was gone. Just gone.

"(Y/NNN)!!"

I looked straight ahead of myself to see the four of them standing in the middle of the road. Valt was aggressively waving his hands in the air, telling me to come over. Daigo was standing there like the Daigo he is, while Rantaro was looking at the ground with an unreadable expression. Shu seemed like he wanted to run for his sanity. Apparently, he was just as irritated and uninterested as me.

"What is it?" I demanded once I reached there.

Valt didn't reply and turned towards Rantaro instead. I raised an eyebrow while they kept exchanging words in some unidentified language. From what it seemed like, it was some sort of argument where Rantaro wasn't agreeing with whatever Valt was saying.

Finally Rantaro sighed and stepped forward, directly looking into my eyes.

I glared right back.

"So..." he began, already losing his courage. "I just..." He shook his head and turned to Valt again. "No, man. I can't do this. She'll chop me into a thousand pieces and eat me for dinner today!"

"eXCUSE ME?!" I snapped in embarrassment.

"Yes, yes!" He admitted, running his hands through his hair. "You've been giving me cannibal vibes since the first day!"

"Honcho," Valt told him in a stern tone.

"Why do you sound like my mom?"

"Just do it," Valt whined, pushing him forward again. "It's not so difficult."

"Ugh Valt," Rantaro grumbled. "Remind me what's the need? She isn't even mad anymore."

"You still gotta do it."

"Why?!"

"Because I said."

Rantaro looked me in the eye again. I raised my eyebrows in question. He sighed. "Look, I'm being forced into this—"

"Honcho!" Valt scolded.

Rantaro pouted angrily but contined anyway. "I'm sort of...uhh, sorry about yesterday."

Valt nodded. "Going good, buddy."

Rantaro threw a look at Valt over his shoulder and Valt immediately shut up. Rantaro turned back to me again. "Find it...in your, uh, heart to forgi—Wait, you have a heart?"

"HONCHO!" Valt scolded again.

"Yeah, yeah," Rantaro muttered. "Find it in your heart to forgive me?"

There was silence.

For a moment, I kept looking at him.

He looked back, just as confused.

And then I realized I'm supposed to give a response. "Oh."

And there was a long silence again.

"WHAT?!" Rantaro's jaw dropped. "Oh? Oh? OH?! IS THAT REALLY WHAT YOU SAY WHEN SOMEONE APOLOGIZES? AN 'OH'? REALLY, DUDE??"

He was practically ready to lunge at me for that but Valt and Daigo held him back. I waved my hand dismissively.

What even is wrong with saying 'oh'? What else was I even expected to say?

"By the way, how'd your battle go?" Valt asked happily.

"Huh?" I paused to read his face, but didn't sense any trap. I almost thought they already know what happened and were testing if I would say the truth on being asked.

But I didn't sense anything of the sort in his expression.

A few more seconds passed and Valt nervously licked his lips. "Is...something the matter?"

"I won," was my answer.

Valt blinked and registered the information before his eyes began to sparkle. I glanced at the others to see the same normal expressions. They really didn't know. "That's so awesome!"

"I guess?" I crossed my arms.

"Come on, (Y/n) don't be such an emo. Winning is awesome!"

"I guess," I repeated.

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In 3486 words.

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