Yugioh: The Hope of Six

Chapter 31: Kaiser Arc - Part 3

"Yes, I think this will do. Everything is in perfect order. Nice job, Ryo." Said Chronos de Medici, impressed by the young man's paperwork. He had to admit, when Principle Samejima informed him that he was getting an assistant, he felt slightly annoyed. He was most capable of running the Obelisk Blue boy's dorm on his own. However, Samejima told Chronos the decision was made and he was overruled. His indignity became shock when he learned his new assistant was none other than Ryo Marufuji.

Last he checked, Ryo had started working on a new Dueling League with his younger brother, Sho. Samejima explained that the "Ryo" that would be working for him was not the one that graduated a couple of years ago, but in fact came from another world altogether. Chronos could hardly believe the story of this other Ryo and the circumstances of his arrival. Once he heard everything and that Judai Yuki was responsible for him being here, his tune completely changed. Throughout the following month, Chronos taught and instructed Ryo on his new position and tasks that came with it, as well as the responsibilities. To his surprise, and delight, the new Ryo took to his new job with great efficiency.

Ryo looked up at the teacher and nodded. "Thank you, sir." He said respectfully. Sure, it hadn't been easy learning from a man like Chronos, but he learned to adapt to his new work. He was very grateful to the change of pace in his life after departing from his world. No fighting, no madmen to take down, and no war. For the first time since in a long time, he felt at peace with himself.

'No... not exactly at peace.' Ryo thought while he was working. After helping to stop Leo Akaba and avenging Yusuke, he thought he could put the past behind him and move forward. That was his initial plan when he arrived in this world with Gloria and Grace. His inner peace was massively shaken when he came face to face with the Yusuke Fujiwara of this world. It was something he never expected and could not have prepared for.

Since that initial encounter, Ryo had done his upmost best to avoid his best friend's counterpart. He felt childish in doing so. After all, this Yusuke did nothing wrong and even wanted to try being his friend. The thing was, Ryo just couldn't bring himself to do the same. The pain from his past was just too great.

So far he had been successful in evading him, but his actions had not gone unnoticed. Every now and then, either Gloria or Grace would question him if he talked to Yusuke yet and straightened things out. They both told him that Yusuke had been asking about him recently, wondering if he was willing to talk with him. This made Ryo even more uncomfortable. Each time the sisters asked, Ryo told them he was just too busy to find the time. The most recent attempt had been yesterday evening.

Grace just sighed and walked away from Ryo's response, but Gloria wouldn't drop it that easily. She reminded him of his promise to talk to him and demanded that he'd better do it soon or things would "get ugly" between him and her. Ryo then told her he would talk to him the next chance he could. Gloria narrowed her eyes in suspicion but did not argue further before walking away, telling him he'd better keep his word.

When Ryo met with Gloria during her gym class earlier in the day, she seemed to be in a better mood. She didn't bring up Yusuke again, though maybe she just didn't want to mention it when she was in the middle of teaching. Still, he felt she would say something once more before long.

Ryo sighed and rubbed his forehead. He still kept his distance from Yusuke, but he knew it would need to end at some point. 'The very last thing I want is for Gloria and I to have another fight like the one that ended with us breaking up. I know I should talk to Yusuke. But, I just don't know how I can...'

"Ryo, is something the matter?" Chronos asked, concern starting to show on his face. Ryo shook his head quickly.

"No, it's nothing." He said to him. "Just remembering a matter I keep putting off."