I'm Not Afraid of the Dark (Yuto x Reader)

Chapter 24

You meet Sora and everyone else in the foyer just as Nico Smiley makes the final call for seating before the match starts. Yuzu gives you a quick nod in greeting and you fall into step with them as they run the remainder of the way to the arena.

Yuzu seems to realise something and slows her pace, troubled.

"Where's Yuya? He said that he'd be waiting for us."

Tate stops as well, searching for your tomato-haired friend. He sees something and points.

"Look! He's there!"

You follow his gesture to see Yuya chasing two boys out of the building. Sora notes this too and answers in his usual casual tone.

"At least he was right there."

You know that Gong and Yuya are very close, and that Yuya wouldn't risk missing his friend's duel for no good reason. Your mind is made up.

"You guys go ahead. I'll back up Yuya."

You are running before the words even leave your mouth, not giving them a chance to respond.

"(y/n), wait-"

Yuzu's parting words are lost to the wind as you round the corner in pursuit of Yuya.

By the time you catch up, things have already changed for the worst. Yuya is surrounded and completely outnumbered four-to-one.

You want to help your friend, but know that now isn't the opportune time. You need them to divulge their motives.

With this in mind, you conceal yourself behind a tree within ear-shot and wait. It isn't long before one of them speaks.

"You dope. You fell for it."

"You never should have got on Grizzlepike's bad side."

Grizzlepike... you know that name. He was the bully who had been harassing Yuya.

Yuya replies, his voice surprisingly steady.

"That doesn't matter now. Gong has nothing to do with it. Give me back his sash. Now."

The pieces finally fall into place. That's why Yuya is here. Gong never duels without his sash. He was just helping out his friend.

The boys snicker and you frown as you hear the sound of duel disks activating.

"If you want it so bad, then why don't you come and get it?!"

Another duel disk activates, which you know to be Yuya's, and you time it with your own. Yuya wasn't weak and could probably take them on his own, but it would take time - time that you didn't have if you wanted to get the sash back to Gong in time.

You step around the tree, deck at the ready.

"You boys aren't playing very nicely, now are you? Four against one isn't exactly fair."

Yuya's eyes widen in recognition, but something on his duel disk draws his attention - a call from Yuzu. He takes the opportunity to quietly fill her in on the situation while you distract his attackers.

"What do ya want girlie? This is a private party. We don't have room for weaklings."

Your answering smile is sickly sweet.

"Really? But surely a weak little girlie like myself can't be too much of a hassle to have around?"

One of the boys' mind is obviously in the gutter as his gaze rakes you from head to toe. He smiles in approval. You shiver.