Entrenched Love

Kamui

I had been cardfighting to pass the time. I glanced nervously at the clock.

Tick, tick, tick.

Aichi should be back by now. I saw the same look on my opponent's face.

"23k at your Vanguard!"

I barely heard Naoki say it, as I could only hear the pounding of my heart in my ears and Aichi walked in at last.

Aichi's blank expression confused me.

He explained the note, and the tournament.

Shin, the store manager, looked up from his computer.

"The website says the tournament requires teams of five. So far I've registered Aichi. Who else wants to be registered?"

"Me, the Great Kamui! I will help get Kai back!" I exclaimed.

"I will help," Misaki said.

"All right...," Shin trailed off. "Aichi, Misaki, and Kamui. We need two more."

"Naoki and Shingo?" Aichi said as he looked at them.

They both nodded.

"Well, that settles it," Shin said with a small smile. He looked up from his computer as he finished typing. "You guys need a team name."

I looked to Aichi, "it's up to you, bro. You decide."

Aichi looked down in thought. "It's a team name, so everyone should have a say. Everyone should put a name on a piece of paper into a bag and Shin will draw a random slip. Sound fair?"

Everyone took the time to process it and then agreed. As instructed, we all got a piece of paper and everyone wrote their idea of a team name. After all the slips were put into a small bag, the bag was shook and Shin pulled out a piece of paper. Everyone looked at him eagerly.

"Team Wavebreakers."

I smiled. I liked it. Judging from the look on Misaki's face, it was hers.

"We can overcome anything. We will get through this. We will get Kai."

It was Aichi. His voice broke on Kai's name, and when I looked at him, he was smiling with tears streaming his face.

"Are you okay, bro?" I had to ask.

He nodded. "Yes. I just need to get to Kai. I don't want to be here without him."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The sun was shining brightly. Kai and Aichi had come hand in hand to the card shop. I was certainly confused.

"Uhhhhh, guys?" I asked.

"Look, Kai and I have something to say. To everyone. Please accept us."

Kai remained silent, looking at the floor.

Misaki looked up from her book. "What is it?"

Aichi blushed and looked up at Kai.
"I'm in love with Kai, and I don't want to hide anymore."

Kai looked at Aichi, and actually smiled. Kai. Kai smiled.

I smiled, too. "Whatever makes you happy, Aichi. Love is love."

Aichi smiled, throwing his arms around Kai's waist. "I love you, Kai. I don't want to be here without you."

Kai blushed a deep red, and leaned down to place his lips gently against Aichi's. "I love you, Aichi."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I remember it clearly. I had never seen Kai or Aichi so happy. I wanted them to be happy. If this is what had to be done, then so be it.

Misaki spoke up. "We should practice for tomorrow. I think we should revise our decks. A new shipment of cards just got here."

Naoki nodded and looked back to our fighting table. "Misaki's right. We must be prepared for anything. Get ready, guys."

The rest of the day was spent revising our decks and improving our play skills. I refuse to lose at the tournament tomorrow.