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

Chapter 14 A Brother's Will

The moonlight filtered softly through the window, bathing the room in a calm, silver glow. Yuzu sat on the edge of her bed, the quiet hum of the night around her, as Ray's faint light shimmered nearby—her presence gentle yet vivid, like a memory that refused to fade.

"Ray," Yuzu began after a moment's hesitation, her fingers lightly brushing the silver pendant resting against her collar. "I want to ask you something."

Ray turned toward her, smiling faintly. "Sure. What's wrong?"

Yuzu inhaled, steadying herself. "How... how did you and Zarc end up together?"

The question hung in the air for a second. Ray blinked in surprise, then gave a small cough, trying to mask her sudden fluster. "Sorry about that. You caught me off guard." Her expression softened. "Why do you ask?"

Yuzu lowered her gaze, her voice small but honest. "Well, I just talked to Mom and Ryu earlier... and I realized something. I think I've started to notice my feelings for Yuya." Her tone wavered with quiet uncertainty. "But I'm nervous. I don't know what to do. I want to know... how you made it through when you felt the same way."

Ray folded her hands together, a faint sadness flickering behind her smile. "I see. It's normal to be afraid. You fear that he might reject you... Or that you might suffer like my mother did." Her eyes drifted toward the window, reflecting the soft silver light. "But you know, thanks to my dad—and Yuya's father—Zarc and I spent a lot of time together since childhood. We used to duel, laugh, and argue almost every day. During your age, I asked myself the same question you're asking now."

Yuzu listened silently, her heart beating softly in rhythm with Ray's words.

Ray's tone turned more nostalgic. "It wasn't until one cold winter morning that everything changed. I'd caught a fever and passed out during P.E. class. Zarine and Reisho were both away that day, so Zarc was the one who carried me to the nurse's office. I remember looking up at him and seeing how genuinely worried he was. That was the first time I realized how deeply he cared for me."

Her voice trembled slightly, though her smile remained. "After I recovered, I couldn't hold it in anymore. I confessed to him. I told him that I loved him... and for a moment, I thought he would walk away. But he didn't. He stayed. And that moment... that warmth... It's something I've never forgotten."

Yuzu's eyes softened, her lips curling into a gentle smile. "Ehh... that sounds so nice..."

Ray chuckled softly. "Yuzu, even though I'm inside your body, I've come to understand Yuya just as well as you have. He's not someone who runs away from emotion or care. He treasures you more than you realize."

She floated closer, her faint aura glowing with comfort. "You just need to find the right moment and tell him what's in your heart. I'm sure he'll return those feelings when you do."

Yuzu clutched her pendant, the silver reflecting the faint shimmer of Ray's light. "Okay," she said, her voice calm but full of resolve. "I'll try—once the war ends... or maybe after they return from the bases."

Ray's smile grew warmer. "No need to worry. You have me by your side."

Yuzu smiled back, the pendant gleaming softly between her fingers. "Thanks," she whispered, holding it close as the silver light filled the quiet room.

The metallic corridors of the base echoed with hurried footsteps and the fading sounds of clashing Duel Disks. Sparks and smoke lingered in the air, the faint hum of damaged circuitry flickering from broken panels. One by one, the remaining Academia students fell back, their duel disks shutting down as they collapsed in defeat.