Double-edged sword

The future

"Lean! Where are you? Lean!"

Shu ran around the training centre. Lean had just started to become a more responsible Blader, had just started making friends, and now Shu couldn't find him. Lean was supposed to be here. Actually, Shu was pretty sure Lean had ran away from him. Shu's training methods weren't that bad! Right?

"Lean!"

Shu slowed to a stop. Lean wasn't in those rooms. He wasn't in the atelier either. Where could he be?

Shu looked around and thought of it. Where would he go if he was trying to hide?

The big training hall. Everyone was there, and it was easy to blend in with all the people. Shu had done that a few times as well, trying to run from annoying parents who believed he should give their children extra attention. Being one of the best blading coaches in the world did make Shu's life harder. Shu wouldn't trade it for anything, though.

"You'd better be there, Lean," Shu muttered under his breath. "I'm not running through the whole city to find you."

Shu quickly made his way over. In front of the doors, he stopped. There wasn't any sound coming from inside. This was highly unusual. It wasn't even a school day. His Blader should all be there, should all be training and making lots and lots of noise. It was too quiet. This was suspicious.

What had his Bladers done this time?

Well, there was nothing to do but to try and find out, right?

Shu opened the door. He slowly walked further inside.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SHU!"

Yells came from all across the room. Shu was frozen in shock. All of his Bladers were there. They had decorated the training hall with red and gold balloons and there were two long tables, one with food and the other, just under the flatscreen, full of presents. On the railing was a red banner reading:

HAPPY 16th BIRTHDAY, SHU!

Shu was completely speechless.

"You didn't think we'd forget your birthday, right?" Daniel asked. He threw an arm around Shu's shoulders. "Oh, how this makes me feel old!"

"You're only eighteen," Cathy commented.

"Your point?"

Laughter went through the room. Shu was still completely astonished, letting his gaze wander over the room. They really were all here. Each and every one of his Bladers, of his coaches, his friends. Even Valt had come!

Shu was touched. Lean stood awkwardly close to him.

"Fubuki asked me to lead you here," Lean said, looking embarrassed. "I couldn't just say no, after all."

"Oh, Lean." Shu smiled at him. His latest student was really coming out of his shell, learning to be part of a group, a community. Shu was so proud of him.

"We thought since last year you weren't there for your actual birthday," Fubuki explained, "that at least this year, you'd get a real party. It's your 16th after all. It's important, right guys?"

Cheers went through the room.

"16 is very important," Daniel said. "You're finally a man!"

"You really think Shu's gonna drive a car?"

Teasing and banter was all around Shu. They laughed and bickered, and it was so peaceful, so light-hearted. Seeing them all here together drove home just how warm and kind his team was. How much he cared about them, how much they cared for him and for each other. It was beautiful, really.