Shu Kurenai ~

"The semifinals will be conducted for three points. The first blader to obtain three points would be the winner. Ringout finishes and survivor finishes worth one point each, while burst finish means two points. Okay?" The referee explained us. (Y/n) and I nodded our heads in reply.

"First Battle!"

We both took our stances. While I was quite careful, (Y/n) took Flux Boost's stance. At least I know that Flux Boost is a counter-clockwise move so if she goes with clockwise, she wouldn't use it. Her right hand was holding the ripcord, so that implies Sparyon's speed will be fast from the beginning.

I need to think about it. If she's going with Flux Boost's stance, she'll definitely use it. But again, if the spin is clockwise, she wouldn't. That day when I battled her at her house, she didn't use her moves on me, so I don't even have any personal experience. I've only seen her moves when she battled the others. Maybe she hid them from me purposely, saving the real show for our big battle. Clever.

"Ready? Set!" Referee announced.

"Three...Two...One...LET IT RIP!!"

With incredible launches, Spryzen and Sparyon were released into the stadium. Okay, she went clockwise.

Both beys circled around the stadium, chasing each other. But because Sparyon was faster, it reached Spryzen in no time.

"Strike it from behind!" (Y/n) demanded.

"Dodge it! Get away, Spryzen," I countered.

Spryzen dodged Sparyon's hit by moving away from its path. Then it moved sideways and continued from where it left, but Sparyon was ahead this time. Now I had the chance to hit it from behind. But before I could do anything, (Y/n) did.

"Turn around and hit it!"

Everything happened so quickly that I only had the time to think: Wait, how?

In a flash, Sparyon looped around and headed straight for Spryzen. The collision happened with so much force that both beys were thrown out of the stadium, landing behind us.

"Simultaneous ringout finish. It's a draw! No points awarded," the referee was quick.

(Y/n) stood there in shock, just like me. I didn't know how Spryzen manage to draw against such a strange and powerful attack. It was almost as if I had gotten lucky. (Y/n) must have been real angry, because she glared at me before turning around to pick up her bey. Damn.

"My, my!" Hanami yelped. "This is the first time in the tournaments when someone has survived Sparyon's first hit. Shu Kurenai tied with The Golden Blader (Y/n) (l/n)! Keep your eyes open, 'cuz I think this battle's gonna be even more explosive!"

I turned around and took a deep breath, picking Spryzen from the floor. The pain in my shoulder was slowly seeping in again and if this battle continues for too long, both my injury will become worse and my chances of winning will decrease.

Turning around, I glanced at Valt who was standing there and looking at me with a worried expression. Rantaro and Daigo were talking about something, their eyes fixed on (Y/n) the whole time. Ken's puppets were talking to the twins, who were looking from me to (Y/n) with a conflicted expression.

How hard it would be for those little kids to choose one from me and (Y/n)? I don't know who of them is cheering for me and who for (Y/n), but I sure knew that Valt wants me to win. We made a promise even before we met her.

And I'll not break it.

"Second battle!" Referee announced.

We both took our stances again. This time, (Y/n) didn't go with Flux Boost's one. Her stance was different. She was in a sitting position and launching with her left hand. It was like the one she used when she battled Valt at the basketball club. I don't know if that's for a special move or not but I need to be careful, especially when she looks so angry. Her teeth were gritted and her red eyes could be literally glowing with fury.

I knew why. She always has this habit of bursting her opponent's bey in first strike. But Spryzen survived it and she didn't even get a ringout finish. I'm sure she'll stop toying around this time and actually be serious.

"Ready? Set!" Referee said.

"Three...Two...One...LET IT RIP!!"

Spryzen and Sparyon were launched into the stadium and just like the previous battle, it was clockwise. Both beys circled around the stadium, chasing each other until (Y/n) commanded, "Claim the centre!"

Sparyon quickly obeyed her and ran for the centre, claiming it his. The bey stood there spinning just like that, without losing any stamina.

Okay, I admit this is new to me. I've never seen it battle from the centre before. Overmore, Sparyon's just standing there, almost like it's waiting for me to attack first. Wonder what she has up her sleeve...

When I couldn't find any other solution than attacking first, I yelled, "Okay, Spryzen! Go for it."

Spryzen obeyed and ran for Sparyon, striking it with incredible force but the other bey didn't budge. Again. Again. Then again. Spryzen kept launching repeated attacks at Sparyon, but it didn't help. It was like the bey was really pinned in place.

Another strike, and Spryzen was thrown away from the centre.

"Alright. No time better than now! Spryzen, Counter Break!" I ordered, activating my aura. Red flames shimmered around me as Spryzen turned and lunged at Sparyon who was still spinning, majestically claiming the centre.

"Charge at it," (Y/n) said, activating her aura. "Axe Counter!"

Those words were new to me. I watched the move desperately. When Spryzen was about to attack again, Sparyon quickly left the centre and ran straight for it. Both beys collided with blinding light and Sparyon went straight through Spryzen, bursting it in its wake.

I stood there wide-eyed as the three pieces fell onto the stadium, landing with a brutal spark.

"Stone Sparyon with a burst finish! (Y/n) (l/n) gets two points," the referee announced.

"Oooh!" Hanami exclaimed. "Did you see that?! (Y/n) (l/n) just bursted Shu Kurenai's bey and let me tell you, no one has been able to score a single point against him yet! Bladers, keep your eyes open for more action 'cuz we might not witness such a battle again!"

My eyes weren't just open.

They were wide open.

Axe Counter was something. It not only bursted my bey but also failed Counter Break. That thing can't be called just a special move. It was up more than just a few notches. How come I didn't know about it till now? Now I realized what the angry expression on (Y/n)'s face meant. She was completely serious now.

"SHUU!!" I heard a familiar voice in the audience. Valt was grinning like the crazy person he is. "Remember? You and me. In the finals!"

I took a deep breath and picked up the pieces of Spryzen with my left hand, assembling it with difficulty. This is not right. My injury is getting worse. I already knew that longer the battle goes on, more my chances of winning will decrease but I hadn't made any progress yet. The score was two to zero in (Y/n)'s favour. One more point and I'll lose.

"Third battle," referee said like the referee he was.

We both took our stances yet again. (Y/n) went with Flux Boost this time. Wait, when she has a move like Axe Counter, then why's she not opting for it?

I was confused for a moment, but quickly recovered. Yes I was surprised, but I knew better not to question her strategies because that girl always exactly knew what she's doing. If she's going for Flux Boost, it would be for a very good reason.

"Ready? Set!" The referee said.

"Three...Two...One...LET IT RIP!!"

Both beys jumped into the stadium for the third time. (Y/n) went with counter-clockwise this time. Sparyon was circling around the stadium with violent speed, while Spryzen was a little slower than it.

"Push Spryzen to the centre!" (Y/n) commanded.

No! This is taking too much. There's no way I'm letting her force Spryzen in the centre. If that happens, I wouldn't be able to use Counter Break before she strikes. And if she hits first, it's the end of the game!

Sparyon met Spryzen on the slope of the stadium quickly, head-to-head because it was counterclockwise. It pushed at Spryzen violently, forcing it inwards into stadium.

"Hang in there, Spryzen!" I encouraged. Both beys were constantly pushing against each other, sparks flowing in the stadium because of the opposite direction of their spins.

"What are you doing?" (Y/n) muttered, maybe to her bey? "Be quick. We gotta win."

After what seemed like days, the stamina of both the beys finally ran out and they got separated from each other, circling weakly in the stadium.

"Eh! Which one will stop first?!" Hanami said. "Don't ask me, just keep your eyes wide open!"

Both the beys kept wobbling and finally came to a stop near the centre. Yes! Sparyon stopped before.

"Storm Spryzen with a survivor finish. Shu Kurenai gets one point," the referee announced and the crowd cheered loud (Valt even louder).

Both of us bent down and picked our beys. Well that was quite close but I just managed to score. If I actually wanna win, I should try harder. I merely got lucky again.

I glanced at (Y/n), who was eagerly talking to her bey. I looked at Spryzen in my hand. Do I talk to him very less? Valt and (Y/n) seem to be very talkative with their beys...

"Fourth battle," the referee said.

We both took our stances yet again and when I saw (Y/n) standing in Axe Counter's stance, I tensed a little. That move ain't no joke. I need an explosive strategy to win. Considering last time Spryzen bursted, this battle will be a piece of cake huh?

Valt Aoi ~

"Remember how the second battle ended when she used Axe Counter?" Daigo said thoughtfully.

"But I don't know," Honcho said. "Shu is a member of the Supreme Four whereas (Y/n) IS the Golden Blader. We exactly can't say anything."

"I personally don't think Shu is going down so easily," Ken (Keru) said. "He's not the type to fall for the same trick twice."

"Exactly!" I agreed. "He promised me to meet in the finals so he'll definitely reach there! I can see it in his eyes."

"You think Shu's injury is preventing him from battling properly?" Daigo inquired.

"Yeah, about that..." Ken (Besu) said.

"I don't think this battle is even fair," Keru finished.

Oh right, I actually forgot about that. Which reminds me, me and (Y/n) had an argument. I still don't understand why she didn't tell me about his injury before.

"Ready? Set!" the referee said.

"Three...Two...One...LET IT RIP!!"

All eyes were glued on the screen above, as Sparyon and Spryzen were launched into the stadium yet again. This battle could be the last one.

"Strengthen your defences!" (Y/n) demanded. "Take the centre."

Sparyon didn't need to be told twice. It immediately claimed the centre, spinning clockwise. Everyone knew where this was going. Spryzen kept launching powerful assaults at Sparyon, but it didn't move.

"Anyone catch that?!" Hanami exclaimed. "This is just like the second battle. I'm kinda afraid of the consequences here!"

"Spryzen!" Shu said, activating his famous red and golden aura. "Counter Break!"

"Go at it now!" (Y/n) yelled, getting engulfed in her own aura. "Axe Counter!"

"This is exactly the same," Nika murmured in fear.

"I dunno," Toko said. "I don't want any of them to lose."

All of us held our breaths when Sparyon moved away from the centre and charged at Spryzen. Shu's gotta do something different than the last time.

"Dodge that, Spryzen. I know you can!" Shu said. My eyes widened at it and there were sudden gasps from the audience too. Just as Sparyon was about to hit Spryzen, Spryzen moved away from it, successfully dodging the attack.

"Awesome!" I said happily, glancing at (Y/n). The expression on her face didn't change from what happened just now. Is it possible that she knew it beforehand? She knew Shu will try to dodge it? How?!

Now both the beys were away from the centre, circling weakly around it. Their stamina was low after that heavy attack. The attack that didn't even hit. I don't think with so less stamina, any one of them will be able to go on or—

"Sparyon, speed up!" (Y/n) yelled.

"Spryzen, attack!" Shu called.

I turned to look at Daigo, who was as bewildered as I was. I opened my mouth to ask if what they were doing was really possible but before I could say anything, Daigo shrugged. "I don't think they follow the laws of physics."

Both the beys lunged at each other, leaving sparks in their wake, colliding at the centre.

Burst!

The unmistakable sound of the bursting of a bey was all that was heard and there lay six pieces in the stadium.

"Who won?" Shu.
"Who lost?" (Y/n).
Both of them asked simultaneously.

"You hear that?" Honcho said in annoyance. "She's so negative."

I grinned. It's sometimes funny how much Honcho hates her.

"Yeah," Daigo replied. "That girl basically radiates negativity."

"Ha!" Ken (Keru) sang in a mocking tone. "Afterall, she's (Y/n) (l/n), the most negative person in the world~!"

I watched closely. The referee was still silent and the audience were murmuring amongst themselves. Everything depends on this. Who exactly won?

"It was simultaneous," Daigo said, grabbing my attention. "I saw it."

"Yeah," Ken (Besu) agreed. "It'll be the fifth battle now when—"

"Storm Spryzen with a burst finish," the referee announced. "Shu Kurenai wins by a score of three to two."

Daigo and Ken shared a look.

"I think I need to get my eyesight checked," Ken (Besu) said.

Daigo shrugged. "We can be wrong. Afterall, referee is the closest one standing near the stadium."

"Yes!" Shu cheered happily and then lifted the hair on his right eye as his signature gesture whenever he wins a battle. (Y/n) just sighed in disappointment. They both picked up their beys from the stadium and turned around to walk away, without saying anything.

What did you expect? Neither of them are talkative.

"Let's go," I said to the others, already running halfway towards the waiting room.

Four minutes and when we reached there, I saw (Y/n) frowning at Shu, while he had a hand on his right shoulder.

"HEY!!" I yelled at them. Shu abruptly turned towards me and (Y/n) picked up her bag to go.

"Wait..." I said, but trailed off when I saw her glare. Guess she's still mad about that day. There was utter silence for some seconds before I heard a familiar voice behind me.

"Why?" It was Honcho. I turned around to look him, Ken and Daigo standing there, blocking the exit while (Y/n) stood in front of them, giving them a hard glare. The twins were a little away, scared and not knowing what to do.

"Outta the way," she growled.

"Not until you tell us what's going on," Daigo countered.

"Get away or I'll have to make you," she challenged.

Honcho ignored her and turned to me. "Valt?"

I didn't say anything and looked at the ground. Seeing this, Honcho whined. "Man, I hate when you do this. Fill me in. What did I miss?"

"I-I'm sorry," I looked up at her. Though she hid it from me that Shu was injured but when she lost the battle, I finally realised my mistake. "I shouldn't have said that."

"Wait," Shu said with widened eyes, realizing something serious was going on. "What happened here?"

"Yeah!" Ken (Besu) agreed.

"Why don't you ever tell us about such things?" Ken (Keru) finished.

"I don't care. You hear me?!" (Y/n) yelled at me and then turned her attention back to the three of them. "Now let me go."

Okayyy, this was more difficult that I thought. (Y/n) was very angry, nevertheless I grinned and hugged her hard.

"Ugh. Not the clingy caterpillar again," she said in annoyance and pushed me off. I fell on my butt, but I kept grinning.

"Not until you forgive me."

"Just tell us what's going on!" Daigo said. "Maybe we can help?"

She glared at me once more before looking away. There was complete silence for a whole good minute and I felt all eyes on me.

"You're not going to say anything?" I asked her expectantly.

"Took you long enough to realize that," Daigo said sarcastically.

"Duh. When she normally doesn't say anything, why would she speak now?" Honcho said.

"Yeah," I agreed, lowering my gaze and began, "Actually, that day..." I narrated the whole argument to all of them. The twins were silent the whole time.

By the time I was done, Shu was looking at me in shock. "You accused her because you thought—Valt, it was me! I was the one who asked her to not to tell about it to anyone."

"I know! I realize that now," I said in shame, then turned to her. "I'm sorry."

Silence.

"Please (Y/n)..."

Silence.

"Really."

"No."

"Sorry."

"Okay, fine," (Y/n) sighed and then growled at the three shocked bladers standing in the doorway. "Can I go now?"

"Y-Yeahh," Honcho said, moving out of the way.

"Goodbye..." Toko muttered sheepishly.

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In 2977 words.

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