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"You're still looking for Opera?... and some of your cards are missing? Don't worry, Yuzu; I'm sure you'll find it eventually… What makes you think I have it?... Okay, let me look at my stuff… Oh look, I had the cards with me in my bag… Sure, I'll give it to you after our anniversary date tonight… I love you, Yuzu. I'm sorry about making you worry… goodbye." Yuya put the phone away into his pocket. Looking at his duel disk, he checked to ensure the card was in near-mint condition.
Sighing, he turned towards a figure that was in front of him. "I know it seems a little desperate of me to go this far. And… I'm not sure you would remember anything that has happened or be aware of what is happening…" Yuya shook his head, trying to find the words that were hanging in his throat.
"I know you should be back with your rightful owner; I know I shouldn't be touching her cards… I know I shouldn't have to put duplicates of her hairclips into your hair, but…" Feeling the strength leave his legs, he sat back down.
"… you are the closest I can find to her. I want to make this perfect; this is our anniversary. The first one we have where we didn't have to lie about our relationship… Forgive me. I just want to…" Before he could finish, he felt a pair of arms around him; they might've felt artificial, but he felt some comfort from them.
Looking up, he saw a young girl, slightly shorter than Yuzu, wearing a purple and pink dress with musical notes on the bottom hem and chest. Her hair was pink with a white ribbon and gold hair ties. On her hair was a pair of white hair clips with round blue gems.
Smiling, he steadied himself on the young girl while standing back up. "Thank you… Opera… can we try one more time again? We did it about twelve times already, but I need to ensure that…" Before he could finish, Opera extended her hand toward him. With a smile, he took her hand and returned to practicing his steps.
'I got to make it Perfect… Yuzu's worth all of this.'
Two teenagers were walking down a dimming street as the sun began to set in the distance. One of the two was a Pinkette wearing a light pink Boufant, which seemed to complement her hair quite well. One may say that looking from an eagle eye point of view, she would look like a pink rose.
Hand in hand, she held onto the hand of a red and green-haired boy who was wearing a mint green dress shirt and black dress pants. Currently, the boy was attempting to lead his Pinkette girlfriend through the city as they finished with a relaxed and comfy meal at a pretty nice restaurant. After a small stroll and rest in the park, the two found themselves where they are.
"Yuya, where are we going?" She asked her boyfriend as he kept leading the both of them away from their homes.
"It's a surprise, Yuzu." Yuzu would've protested his reasoning. She would've demanded more information from him… yet it was something about how he said it, the lively childish excitement with his words. It was like they were playing a fun game, just the two of them: she simply didn't know the objective of it.
Soon, they found themselves at You Show, where the two of them snuck inside the building. It seems appropriate for them to end their date here. With how much of their lives are involved in this very school, it seems inevitable for You Show to end up as a destination.
Yet there were still questions that had to be answered…
"So Yuya, care to tell me what this surprise is?..." She received no response.
"Yuya, I know you can hear me. What is the…" She turned around to see Yuya messing with a few settings on his Duel Disk as the Arena they found themselves in lit up. Yet, funnily enough, only the Arena proper was lit, where the crowds and observers would be, was still pitch black. It was as if the two of them were illuminated by the limelight.
She started having guesses about her surprise from Yuya. Some of those guesses caused every voice in her head to scream at her, 'Don't say a thing! He has something else in mind; this is not a Duel!'
She waited there as Yuya messed with his Duel Disk for another minute before he turned his attention away from it. The smile he gave was definitely calmer than usual to Yuzu's eyes. It was almost as if he was planning all this from the start…
"Well, let's see if those electives were worth it." Yuya said contently as if he was allowing himself to entirely focus on whatever he had planned… 'wait, did Yuya just say he took those electives for this!?'
"Um, Yuya… what is all of this? I mean, tonight has been great, but why did you bring us here? Why are you activating the solid-state system? Why are you…"
"Yuzu… do you remember when this school opened those many years ago?" Yuya said abruptly. For a brief second, she thought about scolding him for his rude behavior, but it was how his voice carried those words. It sounded soft and peaceful, oh how peaceful it sounded. It was probably the most at peace she had seen her boyfriend in such a long time… she couldn't scold him. It would be akin to scolding an angel.
"Remember when the school's circuit breaker caught fire that day, causing us to shut down for the month?"
Yuzu pondered that question for a minute before a light giggle left her mouth." Oh yeah, that incident. Dad practically had nightmares since that day. He had to be talked down from building walls with a fire door in front of it."
She had another light giggle as she remembered the days when things were a little happier and more… peaceful.
Yuya remained silent as his eyes seemed to wander through nostalgia as well. Then his eyes traveled to Yuzu, his Yuzu.
“Well… do you remember…”
"What's wrong, Yuya?" A young pink-haired girl in a pink dress asked a young green and red-haired boy who was currently hiding in a mess of blankets and sheets on his bed. Their parents were currently talking over the repairs and expenses. Her dad brought her to see Yuya, saying something about how she could help 'cheer him up.'
Yuya's goggles were currently covering his eyes as he curled into his legs, where he hugged them closely; the muffled sound of sniffles could be heard.
A brief pause was then followed by Yuya's voice, but it was croaked and weak. "… it's been closed for so long, and they don't even know when they will even get it fixed. What if they can't fix it? What if the school doesn't work… how can I even be a great Dueltrainer like Dad and bring smiles to people…" His voice got weaker and weaker by the second until it became a borderline whisper.
Silence covered the entire room. For a second, Yuya thought Yuzu had left, so he peaked at the barrier that his arms created. Instead, he saw Yuzu with a pout and her arms crossed. She then knelt before him, never once relenting in that pout.
"Don't be silly. You Show is still there!" She said with an absoluteness to it that Yuya couldn't mistake. Yet, there was something with this voice… it was a very soft voice… like one that lulls calm peace.
"But Yuzu…"
"No, Yuya! You Show is still there. It wasn't burnt down. You Show is still working… it's just… needs time. Like when you get a bobo on your knee, it takes time for it to heal, but it will heal."
Something about that seemed to have stuck with Yuya, maybe because it was like the time Mom or Dad would comfort him. But… it's different. The encouragement in her voice, the sureness that resonated, was something that Yuya couldn't really put his finger on…
It was then Yuzu sat down next to him. She went as far as grabbing Yuya's blanket just to wrap the two of them in it. For some reason, Yuya's face was feeling a little warm.
"I guess the fire burned out more than that grey box."
"N-no Yuzu, that's not true…" It was then young Yuya felt pulled towards the pinkette as the angry pouting girl held him close to her… just like mom and dad would.
He simply did nothing. He allowed Yuzu to hug him with all the force her little arms could give. There, Yuya felt something he couldn't feel since that fire: he felt at peace.
He closed his eyes as a smile that could no longer hide revealed itself…
"And you fell asleep there…"
Yuya's dreamy look was shattered with a snap glance at his girlfriend.
"No, I wasn't."
"Yes, you were."
"No, I wasn't. If anything, I was feeling a little comfortable there…"
"You were snoring."
Yuya's mouth went from open to close at that moment as if he lost the ability to even argue at that very moment.
Yuya shook his head briefly, "Anyways, that's not important here…"
The sound of a giggle gently filled the air as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him. "Aww, what's wrong? You were so cute back then…"
Yuya slightly hiccuped in shock at that compliment.
"B But, I'm not cute. I'm cool!"
"You're neither. You are…"
It was then Yuzu got very close to her boyfriend's ear. There she whispered one line. "You are the most adorable Yuya in the world." Then she gave her Yuya a quick peck on the cheek. A peck she would follow up with a giggle as she retracted her lips.
Yuya didn't respond; instead, he allowed Yuzu to have her moment of happiness. Despite the teasing Yuzu gave him, he wouldn't mind because, in the end, she gave him a moment of happiness for both of them to share.
Happiness that would be given and shared over and over again.
So there he stood, holding that happiness as close as he could before he remembered why they were here… but why couldn't this feeling last a little longer?
So Yuya, with a warm smile and gentle arms, became the one who would whisper. His voice was tender and soft. A peace resonated that Yuzu hadn't seen in such a long time from him.
"To be honest… I wanted to do this when we graduated… remember that deal we freed ourselves from?"
"Yuya, you don't have to fret. We're together; that's all that…"
"I… wanted to do this as my way of telling the world the truth and to make all the waiting you had to do worth it. Now though… the feeling never changes; it could never change, and I haven't been this happy in such a long time. I've been practicing this for almost a full week and…"
"Yuya… is everything okay?" Now Yuzu was getting concerned. A week? What has he been doing this whole week? What has been going through Yuya's mind this entire time?
"… Yes, everything is okay. It couldn't get any better…" Tears started welling, yet the smile was still strong. His happiness was burning hot, so hot his eyes mistook the joy for pain.
It was then Yuya embraced Yuzu, his arms gently yet firmly holding his treasure. No anxiety, no stress, just a warm hug that could heal any soul.
Yuya took a few calm breaths before he released the hug. Then he would let go of Yuzu, but not all at once. It was almost as if his body didn't want to let go of her. So it would instead take as long as it could to release her.
First, his hands would slowly uncross, then his arms would drag along Yuzu's arms. With each second that dragged, the arms barely dragged a centimeter.
Soon though, both Yuya and Yuzu could hold each other's hands. It was here; he stopped the release. It was here his hands lingered.
It was then Yuya simply said only one thing to Yuzu. That one thing of 3 words would linger within Yuzu's ears for a beautiful moment.
"Happy Anniversary, Yuzu." In the background, she could hear a faint humming as the Solid-state system activated entirely. Yuya started walking backward while still holding her hand. Slowly as the distance was gained, allowing his hand to slip from her grasp, his eyes never leaving hers. The field started getting dark behind Yuya, with the only light source coming from behind Yuzu.
As he walked backward, a piano could be heard playing in the background, followed by the strings of violins gracing the air with its draw of the bow. Yuya was seen turning on a microphone in his chest pocket. Taking a deep breath, he started singing.
I tried to hide from you, but I failed. I tried to lie to you, but how I failed. And even in my darkest time, you gave me light. I never knew this kind of love, could feel so right.
The spotlight focused on Yuya's torso; darkness began covering his lower body. He allowed his eyes to close.
When I'm in your arms, I find myself believing. We could be anywhere; so I can keep on dreaming.
When he opened his eyes, the light returned, with the field suddenly transformed into a meadow. A breeze was blowing around both Yuya and Yuzu. It was like they were transported to a different world.
Whenever you're close to me, you're like the sun, you feel like the sun. And every day you're telling me, I am the one, I am the one; who makes you shine.
A bright light enveloped the Arena for less than a second, they both found themselves in front of a small river. The water separates them both. Behind Yuya was a thick blanket of fog.
And I know, whenever you want me to, I'll go. And even when you're not with me, I feel you there. I only have to look and see, and I'll know where.
Suddenly, the fog started gaining ground. It grew around them; even the river was becoming obscured.
When I'm holding you, the world can stop its turning. You're always gonna pull me through…
Then the fog was forced outward and away; visibility was restored.
and I won't be returning.
Slowly, he started walking towards Yuzu, his arms wide open, inviting, caring. Walking through the shallow river, his eyes never leaving hers. His voice was almost perfect; to Yuzu's ears, it was almost angelic.
Whenever you're close to me, you're like the sun, you feel like the sun. And every day you're telling me, I am the one, I am the one who makes you shine.
When he got close enough, he made one final step and embraced Yuzu. His eyes closed as a content smile formed. A smile that was strengthened when he felt Yuzu return the embrace.
You're like the sun. You keep me warm. You're telling me.
Suddenly, the lights started dimming. All spotlights and even the sunlight started converging onto Yuya and Yuzu.
When I'm in your arms. We can be anywhere.
Swiftly yet Gently, he took Yuzu's hand into his and lifted them on high.
We can be anywhere.
While Yuya held the last note. The Arena lit up. Revealing a chorus of Melodious surrounded the two of them in a circle; She watched in amazement as all of them started to sing the chorus.
Whenever you're close to me, you're like the sun, you feel like the sun.
As soon as he stopped holding that note, he lowered Yuzu's arm. He then led Yuzu into a slow dance waltz and joined the Melodius in singing.
And every day you telling me, I am the one, I am the one who makes you shine.
Soon she felt herself spinning as the two spun in the center of the stage. The Arena flashed; they danced alone in front of the audience in the city's Arena. All they did was a waltz, and Yuya sang. She could feel them moving faster as if Yuya couldn't contain his excitement. All he wanted was here.
Whenever you're close to me, you're like the sun, You feel like the sun.
The Arena flashed again. They were dancing on a hill overlooking the entire city. Yet neither even noticed. Instead, while they waltzed and Yuya sang, they could feel each other moving faster, as if neither couldn't contain the other's excitement.
And every day you telling me, I am the one, I am the one who makes you shine.
With both of them spinning, the Arena flashed once more. They were on a cloud with the sun rising in the background. Yuya stopped dancing and held Yuzu closely, his lips mere centimeters from Yuzu's.
You're like the sun, You're like the sun.
Immediately, with their eyes closed, they kissed. The sun in the background fully rises, blinding the two in light.
As soon as the music ended, the Solid State System turned off.
Both teens were still holding each other, still kissing each other. They remained this way for a few minutes; neither seemed to be short of breath.
When they broke, it was prolonged. As if it took an eternity for their lips to remove themselves from each other.
But finally, a millimeter of space was made, yet it barely got any more expansive than that. They could both feel each other's breath on each other's lips. Then after a few moments, the taste of salt on Yuya's lips could be traced as he opened his eyes to his girlfriend's tearful face. Yet, her face still held a smile.
"You. You didn't have to…" Yuzu's eyes welled with tears as a smile larger than she could muster appeared on her face.
Then Yuya noticed tears on her face; sadly, he couldn't see her smile at the angle her head was.
He panicked momentarily, "B But Yuzu, you're worth it. All of this, Everything! It's the least I could…" He stopped talking because his mouth was obscured. It was obscured by a pair of lips starting to taste of salt. But all the same, the smile never relented.
It was here Yuya realized what his performance did for her. He allowed her to feel the same that he felt, the happiness that he felt, she was now feeling…
He gave up thinking and wondering and surrendered himself to the love his Yuzu was showing. A love that he returned in kind.
'Thank you Yuzu… Thank You.'