"H-hawawa... I-I'm so nervous..."

Kurosaki was shaking from head to toe as she staggered robotically towards the door. Her hands and legs were trembling with each step, it made me feel bad for her...

"Uh... you want me to escort you over, Kurosaki-san?"

"N-n-no! I-it's fine, T-Takamine-san...!"

Kurosaki was smiling, but it was out of pure nervousness. She looked like she was about to have a nervous breakdown any second.

"I think you should go with her, Takamine-san."

Lucina-sensei encouraged me to help Kurosaki out. I stood and gave a thumbs up.

"I'll make sure she safely gets there."

I turned to Kurosaki and took her hand, squeezing tight to stop it trembling and help stabilise herself. Together, we exited the room and started heading to the arena.

"Kurosaki-san, you've got this. Take a deep breath and relax. We've practised like hell for this moment, remember?"

Kurosaki gulped and nodded, inhaling sharply before exhaling. She pulled the sunglasses resting on her forehead over her eyes and took another deep breath, her hand hovering over her thumping chest as she tried to clear her mind.

"T-Takamine-san, I still feel like I'm going to keel over and die..."

"That's okay, it's normal to be a little nervous before a big fight like this. The fact you aren't shaking anymore is already a great step."

Kurosaki, who hadn't even realised the deep breaths helped steel her nerves, looked at her now steady hand in surprise.

"Y-you're right... I-I did stop shaking..."

I let go of her hand, smiling.

"You even remembered to wear your sunglasses to. Have you taken some anti-nausea tablets?"

"I-I did, but I don't think they're going to help very much..."

Considering Kurosaki's sickness couldn't be stopped by even stronger meds in the past, this was more of a "maybe we'll get lucky and it will work" precaution.

"That's fine. Just stick to how we did it before. Don't look at the digital space when you can, try to finish the game quickly, and try to distract yourself if you feel sick."

Kurosaki nodded furiously.

"I-I'll keep that in mind...!"

"Good. I'm confident you'll be fine anyways. We played a whole match in the digital space at one point using these same tactics. A fight like this will be a walk in the park for you."

"I-I hope so... b-but, my opponent..."

"Christopher— I mean, Christ-san, huh? He's a Category Joker, so we don't actually know his ranking."

For all we know, he could be on the same level as Kuyou, Jouraku, and Etou. Well, technically speaking, the same thing could apply to Kurosaki too, since her Category Zero is seriously misleading...

"T-that's what scares me the most... w-what if he's better than me...? If that's the case, then things will get so much more harder..."

"Don't sweat the small details. If you overhype your opponent too much, you might start to doubt your own abilities. How long have you played Thegrea for?"

"U-umm... i-it's embarrassing to say, but... I-I've been playing her for over a decade..."

How the hell did she not get bored of her yet...?

"Then don't doubt all the experiences you've had with her. The cards, plays, and in-and-outs of that deck are ingrained into every fibre of your being. Etou-san might be a Category Ace... but I know you're the real Category Ace when it comes to using Thegrea."

Kurosaki's eyes widened and she started blushing. She averted her gaze and a small smile appeared on her lips.

"Thank you... Takamine-san."

I stopped as we reached the entrance of the tunnel that would lead into the arena.

"This is where we part ways, huh?"

Kurosaki took another deep breath, trying to steel her nerves. She nodded, turning around to look forward into the arena.

"I-I'm still scared, Takamine-san..."

"I know... but you've got this, Kurosaki-san! Everyone in GEN Academy is rooting for you!"

An image of Kuyou staring daggers at me and Kurosaki popped into my head.

"And, if they aren't... get your revenge and show them to not underestimate Kurosaki Yuuma!"

Kurosaki's eyes widened. She lowered her head, before nodding.

"I-I'll... get my revenge."

Even though she looked so harmless, watching her say those coldhearted words made me think...

They were a perfect fit her.

You could feel in her aura that blooming under her pure white innocence was a cruel destruction tempered by the vile world.

"Hell yeah. And, no matter what the outcome... I'll be waiting for you outside, right here, when you're done."

"I-I'll see you after the game then... Takamine-san..."

"Good luck! I believe in you, Kurosaki-san!"

I shouted once last words of encouragement before seeing her off. Then, I sprinted back to the GEN Academy room to not miss Kurosaki's fight.

"I'm not late, right?!"

"You made it just back in time, Minoru-kun."

Momoka greeted me, gesturing towards the screen where a blue card was descending in front of both Kurosaki and Christ.

"Thank god..."

I sat down, leaning forward to watch intently as Kurosaki grabbed hers like it was a sword while Christ clapped it between his hands, looking like he was doing a prayer.

A burst of special effects ignited the card, realising their decks. A purple crest of blooming lilies appeared over Kurosaki's deck while a white cross with a complicated magic circle appeared over Christ's deck.

The system decided Kurosaki would go first.

Damn it, that would be the worst possible start for her... her decks prefers to go second so she can use Meyrig, so being hemmed into that would greatly damage her chances of winning.

"Ouch, I'm going second...? That's not good."

Christ spoke with a thick southern accent. At the very least, it looked like he wanted to go first with his deck, so maybe there was a silver lining to this...

After Kurosaki drew five cards, she opened one of her eyes slightly to see what was in her hand.

We had trained for quite awhile to make her know what cards she had just from squinting alone, limiting the need for Kurosaki to open her eyes widely since that would make her take in the digital world.

Another thing we trained in was using the cards with her eyes closed. After peeking at her hand, Kurosaki would remember the position of all her cards and then envision her hand in her mind. Then, she would deploy cards based on their position in her hand.

This one took way longer to get down, and it still wasn't perfect, but since Kurosaki could quickly peek at her hand to refresh her memory, it wasn't the end of the world.

"You ready, lass?"

Kurosaki nodded as she completed her mulligan. Christ slicked back his blonde hair before kissing the cross on his necklace.

"Stand up, (the!) Vanguard!"

"K-Knight of Integrity, Thegrea...!"

"Sage of Horoscopy, Sron!"

A Keter on Keter match? This will be interesting to see play out.

"S-stand and draw... I discard to ride Player of the Lovely Harp, Adorphas...! I-I get the Energy Generator... turn end."

Kurosaki:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw! I discard to ride Sage of Elixir, Eliron! I draw off Sron and get the Energy Generator with 3 energy! They won't be staying around long though, since I energyblast 3 to draw with my discarded Biscotti! Eliron, make her repent! (8000)"

Looks like Christ used Solrairon. Somehow, I shouldn't be surprised, considering he was a god-loving Christian and Solrairon is a pope...

"N-no guard...!"

"Drive check! (Chivalmya) My faith has blessed me. O father who art in heaven, I thank thee for the crit! (8000 > 18000/1 > 2)"

"D-damage checks...! (Brilliant Dragon, Bradiark, Gallant Mechanical Agility, Valtrossa & Liael)"

"Turn end."

Kurosaki:
Hand: 5
Damage: 2
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 8
Damage: 0
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

"S-stand, draw, charge... I-I discard to ride Player of the Beautiful Chord, Elegenia...! A-Adorphas's skill, I soulblast to draw 2 then discard... Bradiark's skill, I energyblast 3 to add the discarded card back to hand... I-I call Valtrossa & Liel... their skill, I botdeck a card and counterblast to scry 5 and call... C-Cerrgaon! I call another Cerrgaon... b-boosted by Cerrgaon, Elegenia attacks...! (10000 > 18000) Cerrgaon's skill...! (18000 > 23000)"

So far, things were going smoothly for Kurosaki. She might have been stuttering and shaking a little from being watched by so many people, but thanks to her training, she wasn't showing any signs of being sick just yet.

"No guard!"

"D-drive check...! (Oath of Vengeance, Thegrea)"

"Huh. You're using the same deck as Jinrai's Ace? And here I thought this was Amorta..."

Kurosaki nodded in confirmation. I guess she was unabashedly proud of being a Thegrea main.

"What a head-scratcher. Damage check! (Academic of Records, Writin)"

"C-Cerrgaon's skill... retire, scry 2, add one to hand... boosted by my other Cerrgaon, Valtrossa attacks...! (10000 > 23000)"

"No guard! (Divine Sister, Dacquoise)"

"C-Cerrgaon retires, I scry 2, add one to hand... t-turn end!"

Kurosaki:
Hand: 8
Damage: 2
Energy: 0
XXO
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 8
Damage: 2
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge! I discard to ride Sage of Robust, Stogron! Eliron's skill, when she's rode upon by Stogron, I declare either normal or trigger unit, then reveal the top card of my deck. If I reveal the same card type I declared, I get to put it to hand. If not, I leave it on top or put it on soul. Statistically speaking, normal unit is the more likely choice, so I'm going with that! (Academic Of Endeavouring, Effoll) Looks like I was right. O father who art in heaven, I thank thee! Stogron, make her repent! (10000)"

Up until now, Christ had been playing conservatively, not committing any cards early. It's probably due to Solrairon having a bunch of support being name-locked to him, but I really thought I'd see him drop a Wisdom into Teithfallt into Cerrgaon line by now.

"N-Natilla guards! (25000) H-her skill, she goes to soul end of battle!"

"Over to pass? Drive check! (Bringer of Protection, Cethlan) Nope, doesn't seem like it. Turn end!"

Either way, this seemed to work out well for Kurosaki, as her deck would fold easily to any form of early rush. Compared to how crippled she usually would be going first, this wasn't too bad of a spot to be in.

Kurosaki:
Hand: 7
Damage: 2
Energy: 0
XXO
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 10
Damage: 2
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"S-stand, draw, and charge... the sword of light that cuts away evil and protects the weak... promise to always shine radiantly within our hands! I ride my avatar, One Who Walks the Path of Light, Thegrea! M-Maple's skill, revive her... Biscotti's skill, I energyblast 3 to draw... T-Thegrea's skill! I c-counterblast, scry 5, a-and..."

As Kurosaki peeked at her top five, her eyes widened wide in pure shock. Then, feeling a surge of nausea hit her, she immediately closed them shut and covered her mouth, shoving all five cards back to the deck.

"That bad, huh?"

Christ laughed, thinking she was playing up her reaction to whiffing Thegrea's skill. I felt bad for Kurosaki though... this was her debut game to the world, and things were going horribly.

Not only was she forced to go first, but she also failed Thegrea's skill. The only way this could have gone worse is if she didn't have the set order.

"I-I call none..."

Kurosaki swallowed hard, trying to fight back the sudden dizziness that lingered in her mind and made her chest feel tight. She took a deep breath and began deploying cards again.

"I-I set Oath of Vengeance... I-I call Cerrgaon... V-Valtrossa attacks... (10000)"

At the very least, she had Oath. If she didn't, I think there was a decent chance she'd start playing Retrospective Dragon after this game...

"Biscotti guards! Her skill, counterblast to draw! (15000)"

"T-Thegrea attacks... (13000) Adamas Bloodriver!"

"Chivalmya! (25000) Two to pass, lass."

"T-Twin Drive!! (Brilliant Dragon, Bradiark, Knight of Evil Slash, Meyrig) N-nothing... b-boosted by Cerrgaon, Maple attacks...! (10000 > 23000)"

"No guard! (Academic of Ingathering, Harvestein)"

"C-Cerrgaon retires, scry 2... add one to hand. M-Maple's skill... s-since I have a Thegrea vanguard, I soulblast my grade 0 Thegrea to add a card from soul with the same grade... I-I add back Natilla, then Maple goes into soul... t-turn end!"

Kurosaki:
Hand: 10
Damage: 2
Energy: 0
XXO
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 9
Damage: 3
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge. O father who art in heaven, I pray to thee. Grant upon my hands your blessing, grant upon my mind your wisdom, and grant upon my heart your love. A test upon my faith, this is my pilgrimage towards the light of heaven! I ride my avatar, Great Sage of Heavenly Law, Solrairon!"

As Christ rode his avatar, he kissed the cross on his necklace again. At the same time, the scenery around them transformed into a blindingly bright rendition of heaven, with a large pearly gate standing behind Christ framed by golden skies and fluffy clouds.

"Stogron's skill! When rode upon by Solrairon, I call him and Eliron from my soul! Eliron's skill! Since I have a Solrairon vanguard, I reveal Effoll in my hand to draw and put him on top of my deck. I call Divine Sister, Dacquoise and Academic of Records, Writin! Now, let us enter battle— join your hands together in prayer, lass. For the great pope is speaking!"

Kurosaki, being the gullible dork she is, really put her hands together... she takes things a bit too literally.

"Solrairon's skill, I soulblast and declare either normal or trigger unit. Then, I reveal the top card of my deck, and if it's the same type as what I declared, Solrairon gains a red text skill to bless my units with +5k! I'm declaring normal unit! (Academic of Endeavouring, Effoll) And to no one's surprise, I am correct. He returns to the top and everyone gets the pope's blessing! (10000 > 15000) (13000 > 18000) (13000 > 18000) (8000 > 13000) (8000 > 13000) Stogron attacks! (15000)"

"V-Valtrossa, intercept! (18000)"

"Stogron's skill! Since I revealed a normal unit off Solrairon, I retire him to countercharge! Boosted by Dacquoise, Writin attacks! (18000 > 31000) Writin's skill! Since I revealed a normal unit off Solrairon, he gets +10k! (31000 > 41000)"

That was a stupidly big numbers to hit on turn 3... could Kurosaki really guard it all?

"N-Natilla and Disma guard! (43000) Natilla goes to soul..."

"Likewise, Writin goes to soul too! Now, boosted by Eliron, Solrairon will make you repent! (18000 > 31000) Solrairon's skill! I counterblast to scry 2, call a card from among them, then top or botdeck the rest. As you can guess, I'm calling Effoll and botdecking the other! Dacquoise's skill! When a unit is placed by card ability, I counterblast to draw! And since it was placed by Solrairon, it gets +5k too! (8000 > 13000 > 18000) Effoll's skill! Since I have a Solrairon vanguard, I counterblast to scry 5 and call two units from among them!"

Christ smirked.

"Every good pope needs an equally good nun to work by his side, wouldn't you agree?"

"I-I... I guess so...? I-I'm not really religious, though..."

Poor Kurosaki... I can't believe her first opponent is also a huge evangelist... out of all the whacky characters she could fight, she gets this guy? Talk about some lame RNG.

"I like how you think, lass. Because it's time for the great pope's nun to take centre stage! I call Academic of Anatomisation, Lectures (10000 > 15000) and the strongest nun— Divine Sister, Bugne! (13000 > 18000) Bugne's skill! When she's called from deck, she gets +15k! (18000 > 33000) And since I called two, Effoll puts a normal unit from hand to the top of my deck. Now, wash her sins away, Solrairon! Forgiving Repent!"

"N-no guard...!"

"Good choice, lass. Let our father who art in heaven forgive your misdeeds. He shall guide you towards the light! Twin Drive!! (Divine Sister, Biscotti, Bringer of Distant Sounds, Araunus) O father who art in heaven, I thank thee for the heal! Power to Bugne! (33000 > 43000)"

"D-damage check...! (Epee De Justice, Thegrea)"

"Boosted by Effoll, Lectures attacks! (15000 > 33000)"

"R-Ricula and Blade Feather guard...! (43000)"

"Lectures's skill! Since I revealed a normal unit off Solrairon, I put him into soul and countercharge! And since he was called from deck, I draw! Bugne attacks! (43000)"

"N-no guard! (Blade Feather Dragon) C-critical... (13000 > 23000)"

"It seems my unwavering faith is making me the stronger pilgrim here. Too bad I'm all out of ammo, lass. Turn end."

Christ smiled, making finger guns and blew the top of them like he was putting out smoke.

Kurosaki:
Hand: 6
Damage: 4
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 10
Damage: 2
Energy: 6
OXX
XXX

"S-stand, draw, and charge..."

Kurosaki took a deep breath. She still didn't have a good grasp on her circuits, so when she raised the card in her hand, it was unintentionally ignited in a blaze of red flames.

"The flaming sword of justice that upholds law and forgives destruction... promise to always seek revenge and swear upon the vow within our hands! Persona Ride my avatar, Epee De Justice, Thegrea! (13000 > 28000)"

This was a huge turning point for Kurosaki— not only was she was at four while Christ was at two, but there was also considerable difference in their hand size. As such, it was crucial for her to close the gap, otherwise he would run ahead in this game.

"Oath's skill! I-I draw 2 and get +5k on Persona! J-Justice's skill! She gains Light's name, then I put a Dark Thegrea from deck into soul! Justice's other skill! I discard to superior ride from my soul...! The sword of darkness that swallows the light and exacts retribution... promise to always avenge mercilessly within our hands! Persona Ride my avatar, One Who Blooms in the Dark, Thegrea! (13000 > 43000)"

Kurosaki's circuits began going haywire again, igniting the entire battlefield in a blaze of purple flames, a stark contrast from the heavenly light that crowded Christ's during his turn. In fact, one could say Kurosaki summoned hell with how much fire there was...

"E-Exalted's skill! I soulblast to call him! (10000 > 40000) I-I call Bradiark! (8000 > 38000) H-his skill, he gets +2k and I scry 1... p-put it on top. (38000 > 40000)"

Kurosaki's nervous fidgeting made it obvious that it was 90% likely a trigger on top. She took a deep breath, hugging her torso tightly before lifting her head. Opening both her eyes, she stared straight into Christ's eyes with a soft gaze.

"I-I attack with Thegrea...! (43000) A-and then..."

Flashing claret red, the circuits on Kurosaki's body changed colour. Starting from her fingertips, running all the way up to the right side of her face through her arm were the corrupted circuits that formed a Roman numeral on her cheek.

"Hermit ability, activate."

IX.

"Encompassing Shield! U-until end of turn... my vanguard gets +5k and drive +1! (43000 > 48000/2d > 3d) Adamas Bloodriver!"

"An Arcana similar to Sousei-san's, huh? No guard! Come at me, lass!"

"T-Triple Drive!!! (Blade Feather Dragon) C-critical trigger! P-power to Bradiark, critical to vanguard! (40000 > 50000) (48000/1 > 2/3d) (Brilliant Dragon, Bradiark, Knight of Clarion Strings, Ricula) H-heal trigger! R-recovering a damage, power to Exalted! (40000 > 50000)"

"Damage checks! (Divine Sister, Bugne, Academic of Anatomisation, Lectures) No triggers."

"T-Thegrea's skill! I counterblast and discard to restand the vanguard with drive -1...! (48000/2/3d > 2d) B-Bradiark's skill in drop, I energyblast 3 and remove him to add back the discarded card! Thegrea attacks again...! (48000/2/2d) Adamas Bloodrevolt!"

"Cethlan shields me!"

"T-Twin Drive!! (Knight of Evil Slash, Meyrig, Divine Sister, Natilla) F-front trigger! (50000 > 60000) (48000 > 58000/2/2d) (50000 > 60000) B-Bradiark attacks! (60000)"

"No guard! (Academic of Endeavouring, Effoll) No trigger either. I see, this is God issuing me a challenge... then so be it. I shall it head on!"

I think you just got really unlucky with damage triggers, actually...

"E-Exalted! (60000)"

"I shall begin with a Biscotti! Her skill, energyblast 3 to draw! I guard with another Biscotti and do the same thing yet again! Then I add Alpacc, who gets +5k shield, Araunus, and Dacquoise! (13000 > 18000 > 23000 > 43000 > 58000 > 63000)"

"T-that's all from me... t-turn end..."

Kurosaki:
Hand: 13
Damage: 3
Energy: 0
XXX
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 5
Damage: 5
Energy: 0
OXX
XXX

"Stand, draw, and charge. My faith has blessed me! I topdecked the best card in this situation! O father who art in heaven, I thank thee! Grant upon my hands your blessing, grant upon my mind your wisdom, and grant upon my heart your love. A solidification upon my faith, this pilgrimage into the light of heaven! Persona Ride, Great Sage of Heavenly Law, Solrairon! (13000 > 23000) (13000 > 23000)"

Looks like Christ managed to draw into his Persona Ride... he kissed the cross on his necklace again.

"I call Writin! (13000 > 23000) Then, the Writin in soul's skill! Since I have a Solrairon vanguard, I bind it to stack a normal unit from my drop zone. I'm putting Bugne on top! Now, let us put our hands together in prayer, lass! Solrairon' skill! I soulblast and guess the type of the top card of my deck. I'm going with normal unit! (Divine Sister, Bugne) Who would've thought? All my units get +5k! (23000 > 28000) (23000 > 28000) (23000 > 28000) (8000 > 13000) (8000 > 13000) (8000 > 13000) Boosted by Effoll, Writin attacks! His skill, +10k! (28000 > 38000 > 51000)"

"N-no guard! (One Who Blooms in the Dark, Thegrea)"

"Writin goes to soul! Boosted by Eliron, Solrairon makes you repent! (28000 > 41000) Solrairon's skill! I counterblast, scry 2, call Bugne and botdeck the other! Bugne's skill, she gets +15k! (23000 > 28000 > 43000) Dacquoise's skill! I counterblast to draw and give +5k! (43000 > 48000) Wash her sins away— Forgiving Repent!"

"E-Esras, perfect guard!"

"Twin Drive!! (Blade Feather Dragon) Critical trigger! All to Bugne! (48000 > 58000/1 > 2) (Academic of Ingathering, Harvestein) Bugne attacks! (58000/2)"

What a powerful swing... if Kurosaki couldn't stop this one, she would lose!

"O-once more, Esras perfect guards!"

"Boosted by Dacquoise, my other Bugne attacks! (28000 > 41000)"

"N-no guard... (Divine Sister, Biscotti)"

"Turn end!"

Kurosaki:
Hand: 9
Damage: 5
Energy: 0
XXX
OOO

Christ:
Hand: 8
Damage: 5
Energy: 3
XXX
XXX

"S-stand, draw, and charge... the flaming sword of justice that upholds law and forgives destruction... promise to always seek revenge and swear upon the vow within our hands! Persona Ride my avatar, Epee De Justice, Thegrea! (8000 > 23000) (13000 > 28000) (10000 > 25000) M-Maple revives from drop and Justice gains Dark's name! I switch Maple and Bradiark... (10000 > 25000) T-then, I discard to superior ride from my soul...! The sword of light that cuts away evil and protects the weak... promise to always shine radiantly within our hands! Persona Ride my avatar, One Who Walks the Path of Light, Thegrea! (25000 > 40000) (28000 > 43000) (25000 > 40000) B-Bradiark's skill, I energyblast 3 and remove it to add back the discarded card to hand! I pull back Exalted and call Biscotti! (10000 > 40000) B-Biscotti's skill, since I've Persona Ride this turn, I counterblast to scry 3... I put one card on the top of my deck and botdeck the rest..."

Kurosaki took a deep breath, steadying herself. The longer the fight dragged out, the more her face was growing pale. Despite all our precautions, the stress of being in the digital world while nauseous was gradually getting to her.

I wish I was in the stands right now, so she could hear me supporting and cheering for her... it might be meaningless coming from me, but... if she could hear my voice...

I would scream at her to engrave the name "Kurosaki Yuuma" into the hearts of everyone currently watching her.

Kurosaki stumbled a little, gripping the table to regain her balance. Her breathing got heavier.

"Haa... haa... t-two minutes..."

She muttered to herself, narrowing her eyebrows. Squeezing her eyes tightly shut, Kurosaki grit her teeth, trying to power through the sickness wrenching her body.

"T-that's all the time I have left... to hang on... a-and all the time I need..."

As she raised her head, recklessly pushing through the pain, she shot her watery eyes wide open.

"T-to defeat you!"

With that painful roar, Kurosaki filled the rest of her circles.

"I-I call Cerrgaon and Meyrig! B-boosted by Meyrig, Maple attacks! Cerrgaon's skill! (40000 > 48000)"

"No guard."

Despite saying those losing words, Christ's smile turned into a wild smirk.

"Damage check. (Great Sage of Heavenly Law, Solrairon)"

As, just as the system was about to register it as his sixth damage, giving him the loss—

The circuits on Christ's body awakened.

Shining pure gold, nearly turning milky white, they all lit up at once, running berserk before congealing in his neck where his cross laid. Popping the top button of his shirt, he revealed the Roman numeral engraved on his chest.

X.

"Fortune ability, activate."

"Graceful Hymn! When I take my sixth damage, if I reveal a normal unit, I choose a card from my damage zone and heal it!"

"That's just a better version of Rezael's Divine Skill!"

Unable to contain my shock, I shouted that aloud while my jaw dropped. Kurosaki's eyes widened, a bead of cold sweat running down her cheek. Somehow, Christ just barely managed to escape the clutches of death thanks to his opportunistic Arcana.

"My god begets me. This is the true power of a believer! God brings miracles to those who worship him!"

"I-I'm not done... n-not yet! Boosted by Cerrgaon... T-Thegrea attacks! (43000 > 58000) Adamas Reincarnation!"

"Sanctitude, cease her!"

"T-Twin Drive!! (Divine Sister, Natilla) F-front trigger! (40000 > 50000) (51000 > 60000) (40000 > 50000) (Epee De Justice, Thegrea) N-no trigger... Light Thegrea's skill! I-I discard to restand Maple! E-Exalted's skill, I soulblast to call him! B-boosted by Exalted, Biscotti attacks...! (50000 > 60000)"

"Ahh..."

Christ looked up at the lights on the ceiling, then the burning blue flames that encircled around him and Kurosaki.

"So this— this is what it's like to be trapped in the deepest lairs of hell."

Christ kissed the cross on his necklace and held it up to the light.

"O father who art in heaven. Thou hast blest me with one miracle... now, more than ever, I pray to thee for an answer. Tell me, am I meant to ascend to heaven? Or am I fated to stay trapped in hell?"

Clutching the cross tightly, Christ picked up the top card of his deck.

"Like Jesus, I shall revive from the dead... this game isn't over until my flesh, blood, and spirit are all dead! Damage check!"

He flipped the top card over, but narrowed his eyes seeing what it was.

"Ah... so this is your answer, my lord. My faith simply was not strong enough... compared to hers. (Divine Sister, Bugne) Good game, lass."

Christ sighed, lowering his arm. However, before he could even say "good game" to her, Kurosaki immediately ejected herself from the digital world, rushing past him to enter the tunnels with a spluttering cough.

Thanks to Christ's unnecessary theatrics, Kurosaki had reached her utmost limits— she must have been throwing up. I got up and rushed over to be by her side as quickly as possible.

"Kurosaki-san! Kurosaki-san!"

Reaching the tunnel, I shouted her name out as I saw her staggering towards the exit, clinging to the wall as support.

"T-Takamine-san..."

Kurosaki's shameful expression and dejected voice was all I needed to see to know she had vomited on the floor.

"It's okay, I'm here now! You did great out there, Kurosaki-san! You won! You seriously won that fight!"

As Kurosaki was about to keel over, I caught her in my arms. Throwing her arm around my shoulder, I helped her walk down the tunnel.

"I-I did... somehow... but..."

She peeked over her shoulder, wiping her mouth with the back of her sleeve.

"It's okay, we'll tell the staff members and get someone to clean it up... let's just be grateful you managed to hold it out until the end."

Kurosaki closed her eyes and nodded.

"I-I feel so lightheaded, Takamine-san..."

"Yeah, I can imagine... let's get you plenty of water and a place to lie down when we get back."

As we exited the tunnel, I stopped as Kurosaki came to a grinding halt.

Turning to her to see if she was okay, I saw an expression of pure shock etched upon her face.

As I swivelled my head around to see what she was so surprised by—

"Yuuma!"

"Yuuma."

Standing at the entrance of the tunnel were two people—

A woman with wine coloured hair and a man with blonde hair, both wearing claret sunglasses.

Kurosaki slowly let go of my body and stumbled towards them, tears in her eyes.

"Mommy... daddy...!"

They were Kurosaki's parents.

My eyes widened as I recognised the man with blonde hair.

It was the legendary street racer, Takanori Yuuto.

Kurosaki cried as she wrapped her arms around the two of them, hugging them tightly while burying her face into her father's chest.

He smiled slightly, putting a hand on her head and stroking it gently.

"You did great out there, Yuuma."

"Daddy... what are you doing here...? I-I thought you were still in England for that grand championship...!"

"Ah... let's just say I wanted to surprise you."

"He says that to look cool in front of you, but actually he ended up buying plane tickets immediately when I told him you were competing in the Tri-deity Circuit."

"Eh?! Really?!"

Kurosaki's mother laughed as her father nodded sheepishly.

"Well... I wouldn't miss my little girl's debut for anything in the world."

My heart started hurting.

"Daddy... you shouldn't have... that race is important for you too!"

He leaned down and kissed her on the head.

"You're more important than that to me. I promised I would be there for you no matter what, didn't I?"

Kurosaki giggled happily.

"Oh, Yuuma... your face..."

Kurosaki's mother, noticing the vomit sticking to the corners of Kurosaki's lips, stepped forward and took out a tissue, wiping it away.

"So you ended up being sick anyways? Poor baby..."

She held her daughter tightly, stroking her head. Kurosaki nodded, hugging her mother back.

"Are you feeling better at least?"

Her father was also worried for her after hearing that.

"Y-yeah... my chest feels much lighter letting it all out."

"I'm glad then... actually, we should get some sick bags for you in case."

"Oh... t-that would've been a good idea, yeah..."

Kurosaki laughed, feeling silly for not thinking about that.

...so this is what Kurosaki's parents are like, huh?

I stood at the side, watching them with empty eyes.

No wonder she's such a daddy's girl.

I wanted to be happy for her... that her parents came to watch her... and even surprise her like this after her fight...

I looked behind me, peering into the tunnel.

I could see myself walking out of it with my head low, my hands in my pockets.

Then I looked where Kurosaki and her parents stood, and imagined it.

My mommy and daddy standing there, waiting for me.

But that vague image vanished into thin air.

Popped like a bubble.

Because at the end of my fight, there was no one was waiting for me.

If I was lucky, they might have been watching me on TV.

I squeezed my phone that was in my pocket.

But that too, was wishful thinking...

I put a hand to my face, trying to kill the pain—

If I just call it "pain", I'd only be lying to myself.

It was envy.

Pure and simple.

I wanted to kill the envy in my heart.

Because I desperately wanted what Kurosaki had.

A parent who would do anything to be here for me.

I screamed in my heart.

So, why the hell couldn't you do it, mommy...?

A childish thought like that erupted in my eroding mind.

The answer was obvious.

I just... wanted things to go my way.

To feel like a priority in her life.

That was all I wanted.

"T-Takamine-san, are you okay?"

But when I heard Kurosaki's gentle voice call out to me, I knew I couldn't be mad at her.

This wasn't her fault.

It was my fault for feeling this way.

I would be a terrible friend if I felt that sort of envy towards her.

But it wouldn't go away.

It wouldn't go away at all.

I can't forgive myself for thinking this way.

I put on a smile, even if something else festered uglily in my chest.

"Yeah, I'm fine. Do you want some alone time with your parents, or...?"

"I-it's not that... it's just, Takamine-san was making such a sad face..."

I grit the back of my teeth. I let out a hollow laugh.

"Nah, I'm fine. I think I'm just tired, that's all."

I couldn't even look her in the eyes, or even at her parents.

I felt like something would break if I did.

Walking across this tight rope of ravenous emotions.

"You're Yuuma's friend, right?"

I raised my head as her father towered over me, his shadow casting on my body.

"Y-yeah, I am..."

Seeing him up close, he was way more threatening than how he looks in the media... especially that deep scar on his cheek. That thing looked hardcore.

"What's your name?"

Even though I was ready to hear something else, I was taken back to see him take an interest in me.

"I'm... Takamine Minoru."

When I said that name, he raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"...coincidences can be freaky, huh?"

"Huh?"

"Nothing... don't worry."

Now I was even more confused... did he know who I was or something?

"Thank you for being Yuuma's friend. As her father... it means a lot for you to treat her so kindly."

I panicked as he bowed to me. He's moving too fast, I can't get a read on him at all...

"Y-you don't have to thank me over that! It's nothing at all! I'm just doing anything a friend would do!"

"Still, I really appreciate it."

"Darling, you're being too formal... you'll scare Yuuma's friend away."

"Ah..."

Kurosaki's father raised his body, scratching the back of his head.

"My apologies."

"Don't mind him, he's just really overprotective about her."

Kurosaki's mother reassured me before hugging his arm.

"O-of course I'd be... she's our daughter after all."

"Hehe... I'm glad daddy cares so much about me, but don't worry! I'll be fine now!"

Kurosaki laughed, hugging him as well.

"I hope so... I was so anxious for you during that fight. I didn't want to see you get humiliated by others if you got sick."

Kurosaki's father wrapped an arm each around both of them, creating one big family hug.

"I was confident you would be fine. But... well, a small part of me was worried sick too. I'm proud of you for winning though, sunshine."

Kurosaki's mother laughed before kissing her on the forehead.

"Thank you, mommy... daddy... I hope you'll keep watching all my fights!"

"Of course we will. Even if daddy has to go back to England, I'll still be here no matter what."

"Yeah. I'll try my best to stay here as long as possible, but you never know with these organisers..."

"It's okay! I'm just glad to see you again daddy..."

"Yuuma..."

Kurosaki's father held her tighter as she squeezed his body with her arms.

"Let's win each of our respective battles together, Yuuma."

"Yeah! Let's win together, daddy!"

What a nice family...

The two of them smiled brightly at each other.

I averted my gaze and lowered my head.

I closed my eyes, tightening the fists hidden in my pockets.

It was frustrating...

I took out my phone and checked my messages.

"Did you see my fight, mommy?"

I sent that message over four hours ago.

She still hasn't read it.