Shark's POV

Everything Rio said was stuck in my mind.

How can I protect "her"? Who do I protect "her" from? Is "she" someone I know? If so, who is "she"?

Suddenly, the bell rang. Megan nudged my elbow, "It's duel period, now. Come on,S hark, let's go tag duel someone."

I stood up and walked away. "No thanks." Honestly, why does Megan even bother? She tries way too hard to get attention.

Before I went out the door, they opened and a girl with red hair, tied in a thick braid, came darting in. She rushed over to Tomboy Izu and started talking to her.

It wasn't hard to figure out what they're talking about because the girl started yelling, "WHAT?! How irresponsible of you! Forgetting your deck on the first day?!"

Izu protested, but, "Library, shmibrary, how will you make friends, there? People are hardly there, at this time of day," was the girl's reply. She took out her deck and handed it to Izu. "Here! Use it for today, but bring yours tomorrow!"

I saw Izu's mouth, moving, again, but more yells. "Yes! It's my precious deck! It you lose it or drop it or ruin it in any way, you owe me! But look, this is Duel Period!" Izu sighed as she took her friend's deck. She never was a big fan of dueling.

Izu left with Tyler and the girl. I don't know why, but I trailed behind them. Until, Tomboy Izu, finally, noticed me. "So what are you doing, Mr. Stalker-Pants?"

"We're going to the same place, so why not?" I answered. "You got a problem with it, Tomboy Izu?"

Izu frowned upon being called by her childhood nickname. Tyler and the girl laughed.

And then, I heard footsteps.

A herd of them.

Soon, a bunch of boys got in front of me and started to bicker, "How dare you call Izuna a tomboy!"

"Why being so mean to the pretty girl!"

"Don't you dare go after her, she's ours!"

Then, I heard a giggle. It was... Izu?

Right now, she was smiling a bright, gentle smile. I stepped back, scared about how unnatural it was to see Tomboy Izu smile. Scariest thing ever, really. She told all of the boys, in a light, feathery  voice, "Oh, please. Don't fight over me! I'm very delicate, in case you never knew. So if you all try to throw yourself at me..." Suddenly, Izu gave them a glare, "I'll leave you in my tracks, then run you over!"

The boys stared at Izu, then sighed, dreamly. "Wow. Even when Izu is angry, she's pretty!"

All the boys scrammed, satisfied with their visit to their goddess, as Izu groaned, "These people..."

We walked outside, where the field was packed. I put on my duel gazer as the girl started fussing with Izu, "Now because you forgot your deck, don't tell me you also forgot your duel gazer!"

Izu said she'll put it on, if she takes back her deck. The girl gave in, only because she didn't trust Izu with her deck and was worried ever since she let her hold onto it. I looked around the field and watched other's duel.

"Izuna!"

I looked the other way and saw Yuma and his friends, running over to us. He approached Izu and asked, "You're in the second-year class?"

"She's older than she looks," I explained.

Yuma glanced at me, "You know her, Shark?"

"We met, back then, at a carnival. Shark also dueled my sister, in the Nationals," Izu looked away. Looks like she still isn't fond of her sister. She's always been like that.

But I wonder how Saira is...

Suddenly, Izu fell to her knees. Yuma's friends all helped her up. Bronk and Caswell asked her if she was all right.

Just then, I caught a glimpse of Izu's eyes. They were violet. The same eye color that Saira's were!

"Reginald. Protect her. She is important... Don't let her fall into the wrong hands," Izu whispered, then collapsed into Caswell's and Bronk's arms.

"No way, I'm actually holding her in my arms!" Caswell exclaimed.

"Don't forget, I'm holding her, too," Bronk reminded him.

I stared at Izu. What did she say?! It's just like what Rio said. But who are they talking about?

"We should take her to the infirmary, quick!" Tori cried. So we did, but all I cared about was what Izu said. Rio and Izu probably have something in common.

Izuna's POV

"She's going to kill us, Izuna! What are we going to do?" I heard the fear in Kotori's voice.. I turned back to her, to see that she was trying her very best to look brave. Kotori's a strong girl. I know that for a fact.

"If there were any other way, I would've gone with it, but I'm sorry," her violet eyes gave off the impression that she was truly sorry.

Tetsuo turned to me. "What are you doing, Izuna? Do something!"

"I..." I looked upon my friends. These people that I have gotten to know. Kotori, Tetsuo, Takashi, and Tokunosuke. It felt wrong to do what I'm about to do... but I made this decision a long time ago.

"Come on, Izuna. You know why you were here in the first place."

I slowly nod, knowing very well since the beginning. I knew all along that this day was bound to come. But why do I still hesitate?

"I promised to follow you till the very end and do as you say... So if it's your choice to let them-."

"No! No, I get it. I just..." This wasn't how I wanted to say goodbye. I looked back at everyone.

"Izuna, what are you...?" Takashi noticed me approach them and grew fearful.

I walked up to Kotori and gave her a small smile, "Goodbye to you, who has always been there for me."

Her tears finally fell from her eyes as I walked up to Tetsuo, "Goodbye to you, who pushed me forward to become a good person."

I walked up to Takashi, taking him by the hand, "Goodbye to you, who always happy to learn and understand new things."

I walk up to Tokunosuke bending down to get to his eye level, "Goodbye to you, who had looked towards the brighter side of things."

Then, I slowly back away towards Saira. I let out a small smile, "And goodbye to me, who failed you guys as a hero."

Crescent Cut

"This is the final goodbye."

...

I woke up, and realized I was laying in a bed. That dream...

"Hey, you're awake!" Yuma sighed in relief. I sat, up straight and saw Shark, Tara, Tyler, and all of Yuma's friends, standing around the bed.

"What happened?" I rubbed my dizzy head.

"You past out so we brought you to the infirmary," a girl with green hair said. "I'm Tori Meadows-."

The girl with glasses butted in front of her,"I'm Cathy, but call me Cat."

Tara pointed at the kid with blue hair hair and the tall one, "Caswell and Bronk carried you here. The little guy, Flip, here, was admiring your sleeping face."

Flip shook his hands,"Nuh-uh! I was trying to see if Izuna had a fever or not!"

Tyler laughed.

I looked at Shark. He's been keeping quiet the whole time. "What's with you, Stalker-Pants? Cat got your tongue? If you have something to say, then say it," I told him.

Shark took a deep breath, "You wouldn't mind explaining why your eyes were purple back there, would you?"

I blinked. My eyes...purple?

Everyone else looked at each other, trying to figure out if my eyes did turn purple.

I looked down, then turned away. "Can you guys leave me alone? It's not you guys, I just..."I grabbed onto the blanket.

All my friends left as I went under the covers. Clenching my fist tightly, I started to cry.

Why now, Saira. Why?