7. Yu-Gi-Oh ARC-V A New Story of Pendulum (Synchro Arc)

Chapter 29 Hatred Caused by Sorrow

That night, the air in Yuya's small room was heavy with silence. Neon lights from the city outside filtered faintly through the cracked shutters, their glow dulled by the distant hum of Sector Security patrols. Inside, Yuya sat cross-legged on the floor with Yuni and Bruno, while Katrina and Reisho lingered near the wall. Reisho still couldn't risk returning to Reiji, not while Aki lay unconscious in Yuni's room across the hall. The unease in the group felt like a storm pressing down, and everyone's eyes carried the same weight: worry for their scattered friends.

"Brother, Sister... how is Yuzu?" Katrina finally broke the silence, her voice small, trembling.

Yuya forced a thin smile, though his eyes betrayed the tension behind it. "We decided to hide her Underground. With the other Lancers guarding her, she'll be safe. They'll protect her no matter what." He let his hand rest briefly on his Duel Disk, as though reassuring himself. "And... thanks to Bruno, I managed to catch a glimpse of something important. The shape of the Delta Accel Synchro."

Bruno's calm expression didn't change, though his gaze sharpened. "It's no problem. I'm sure you'll master it. What you saw was only the first step, but your instincts are moving in the right direction."

Yuya nodded faintly. Even the mention of a power as legendary as the Delta Accel Synchro didn't lighten the room's mood.

"But we have worse news," Yuni said, her tone dropping like a blade. Her frown deepened as she drew out a locket hidden beneath her shirt.

Reisho's sharp eyes narrowed. "What is it? Is this about Rin... becoming a Dark Signer?"

The words fell like stones, but Yuni shook her head. "You were right about that... but it's not what we wanted to tell you." Her voice trembled as she looked down at the locket. "It's about Ruri and Rumi. They've broken down again... and now..." She squeezed the silver trinket tightly. "Not only their father... but even Ms. Kurosaki is—"

"You can't be serious..." Katrina's hands shot up to cover her mouth, horror freezing her in place. Her voice cracked. "Ms. Kurosaki was always kind. She treated me like her own daughter before Dad even came back... how could this happen?"

Yuni's fingers loosened around the locket and she let it dangle in the dim light. The metal shimmered faintly, as though carrying a heartbeat of its own. "She still has her human mind. That's why she gave us this. She entrusted her last hope to us... hoping we could save her."

Reisho folded his arms, his jaw tight. "Then tell me. Does Kurosaki Shun know?"

Katrina shook her head slowly. Her golden eyes shimmered with unfallen tears. "Not yet. He'll learn eventually... but right now? He's shut himself away. We can't reach him, and he won't come out to face us either."

"Yeah..." Yuya muttered, pushing himself to his feet. His voice carried more weariness than usual, as if the burdens of both Duelist and leader were pressing down on him. "Let's at least check on Aki. She might have woken up."

Bruno nodded firmly. "We'll come with you."

The group filed into the neighboring room. The faint scent of herbs and antiseptics filled the air. Hideo and Setsuko were seated at Aki's bedside, their expressions etched with lines of anxiety. Aki's chest rose and fell gently, her face pale but peaceful, as though trapped in a dream she couldn't yet escape.

Yuya stepped closer. "How is she? Has she woken up?"

Setsuko shook her head silently. Beside her, Hideo frowned deeply, his large hands clenched tightly together. "I wish... I wish I could tell her how sorry I am," he whispered, his voice breaking.

Reisho crouched near the bed, trying to steady the moment. "Don't worry. She's strong. She'll fight her way back."

Katrina lifted a hand to her cheek, wiping away the tears that threatened to fall. She tried to speak, but the words caught in her throat. That was when her pendant suddenly flared with light.