Entrenched Love

Aichi

The clock struck four. I've always liked the warm atmosphere of the small shops. The candle-coloured walls were lined with cards of all varieties.

I smiled at the purple-haired girl across from me. Her blue eyes always caught my own.

"Great game, Misaki. Your Genesis deck is turning out wonderful. The Regalia's are doing well for you."

Misaki's face tinged pink in recognition of the comment.

"You've come a long way, too, Aichi. I remember when you first learned. Long before you were a part of Team Q4. " Misaki murmured, the words flowing eloquently.

I smiled, my own blue eyes staring down.

"You were there, too, Misaki. We would never have wo-"

The door to Card Capital slid open in recognition of Kai as he entered. His troubled expression bothered me. I saw the bothered expression from Misaki, too.

"Where's Miwa?" Kai asked. His voice kept its familiar serious tone, but it didn't take a genius to know he was worried.

That was when the feeling of worry crept in.

"He's not with you?" I replied.

"No." Kai said, his sharp reply piercing.

"Oh," I murmured. "where could he be? Did you ca-"

"Of course, I've tried calling him." It was clear he was annoyed. I knew he meant well.

The door slid open, a young boy stopping in his tracks as he lays his eyes on Kai. It was Kamui. Seconds after, came his two best friends, Reiji and Eiji.

Kamui was never afraid of Kai - although he never particularly like him. It was different now.

"I'm so sorry," Kamui heaved between breaths. "I heard about Miwa."

Kai stared at him, his expression tense. "What do you mean, you heard about Miwa? " he said through clenched teeth.

Kamui's gaze dropped, and the words "Miwa's dead." were all that was heard.