Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was spring, Yuusei hums morosely lost in thought sitting in front of Aki's gravestone. 

Here lies a duelist, wife, friend, daughter, and doctor.  

It was too early. 

But the diagnosis was clear. 

As a doctor herself, Aki knew what was happening clearly without a single shadow of doubt. 

Unlike Yuusei. 

Yuusei who finds himself still in denial that someone like Aki could've passed away so soon, so suddenly.  

It didn't compute in his mind. 

But life moves on as much as he doesn't want it to. As much as he remains static in still, life doesn't wait for him and he's left behind once more. 

His friends are supportive, of course - Crow, Jack, and Kiryuu are all there for him when he needs them. The first two dropped their duels for him which he's grateful for, Kiryuu leaves his comfort zone and the kids he's taking care of to some people in his town and visits him every now and then to make sure he's alright. 

Yuusei feels happy and so very sad simultaneously, it's hard to reconcile the two emotions. 

He's resigned as a researcher and has himself invited by Ruka who's studying as a pastry chef to be a judge in one of their local competitions held in Neo Domino. 

Yuusei attends it of course and judges as such. 

He's the only non-professionally trained pastry taste judge on the stage and doesn't find it too off-putting. The other judges are aware of his situation and are welcoming, Ruka seems to get along well with everyone which is wonderful. 

She was the twin closest with Aki, Rua tries his best to cheer him up but he can't actually visit Yuusei at the moment as he's still participating in his first duelling tournament and it would be detrimental for him to pull out now. 

Yuusei smiles and gives Rua the push he needs and not to worry, Ruka and the rest were already here and it'll give Yuusei the peace of mind to know Rua's chasing after his dream than not so Rua gives him a teary farewell through digital communication and Yuusei cheers the younger male on as he watches him duel live in front of a crowd. 

Rua looks happy and healthy. 

He's glad. 

Yuusei wishes he never spent so much time in the laboratory as he did so he'd have more memories with Aki than not. 

But those are all things he can no longer change in the past, all he can do now is focus on the present and change that. 

So he does, he did and will continue to do so. 

The bell rings and musicians erupt onto their instruments, a melodical introduction showing off the participants. 

Ruka is going first. She's introduced as a local that grew up and had moved away and is here on a visit for the competition she's assisted in arranging. The dessert she decides on is a Lapis Legit. A thousand layer cake with vanilla on top and a special parfait delicacy she grew up with here in Neo Domino. 

Yuusei isn't familiar with it but he knows it'll be one of the top three winners based off of the crowd's roaring approval. The cakes are cut in the shape of her dragon which is beyond impressive considering they all had to make this within the shorter hour and a half given to them pre-show recorded and to be shown on stage live now a cut and hurried version of their steps. 

The light haired girl shines in the video, a smile consistently stays on her face at each and every part of the process of giving birth to the dish in front of them right now. 

Yuusei notices with amusement, Ruka has grown to be a beauty what with her own portion of the crowd wearing her merchandise and cheering for her. 

This is the first time Yuusei has ever seen a crowd so lively outside of duelling, he really did need to get out more. 

He cuts into the Lapis Legit in front of him neatly and chews on it as thoughtfully as he could as he was told to do by the other judges and allows the flavour of vanilla, cinnamon, and a twinge of caramel coated salt linger in his mouth. The texture is fluffy and crispy at the same time. 

It's an absolute delight. Yuusei's never tasted anything this delicious before and it reminds him of Aki's first attempt for a dinner date at her house that was supposed to be their main meal but became dessert. 

Yuusei gives it a 10/10 and to his delight, the other judges gives similarly high grades of 8/10, 9/10 and another 9/10. 

Ruka's assortment of fan boys goes wild with approval and cheers and the rest of the crowd breaks out into shocked murmurs and chatter. 

The winner is clear. 

Or so Yuusei thinks. There were three other contestants to go. 

The next one up is a blonde woman from France who speaks and behaves in a masculine manner in her introduction and the chosen pastry for the judges including Yuusei to judge is a… a croissant? 

It's just a croissant. 

The confusion is apparent and some even jeer, but Sherry - the French pastry chef silences the crowd with a simple statement to simply observe the judges' reaction before complaining with her choice of a pastry. 

Simplicity isn't a point reduction, on the contrary, Yuusei recalls being informed - simplicity were at times best. Considering the infamous candidness Sherry is known for, he bites into the croissant with trepidation. 

His tongue is bursting into differing flavours. Chocolate, cacao butter, and cheese implode in his mouth and Yuusei bewilderedly checks the contents of the croissant for the flavour of cheese. 

The other judges exclaim their confusion as well and the crowd appears somewhat tamed now that Sherry receives a 9/10, 8/10, 8/10, and 10/10. 

Yuusei had given one of the 8/10 not quite comfortable in the knowledge that he can taste the cheese but not see it and the way it intermingled with the other flavours is off-puttingly well blended. 

Sherry's video replay of her baking process has them astounded in the fact that no actual cheese was used, simply yeast and a secret ingredient none of the judges or crowd has been able to be discern was placed within the dough to be baked into the deceptively delicious plain looking croissant packed full with flavour in front of them. 

Third is a former duelist Yuusei overheard who had sustained an injury and has retired and gone down the path of pastries, with no official experience within pastterieres - the young man had simply built his renown presence online through social media. 

His name is Bruno and he's from Neo Domino City as well, although Yuusei has never met him before. Known as Antimony during his pro dueling years, his past duelling fans are also present in the crowd cheering Bruno on, calling him with his old stage name still. 

The yells of Antimony being repeated is deafening amongst the wide open stage under the clear and calm skies. Yuusei observes the pastry in front of him with curiousity. 

The judges are told it's an original pastry Bruno himself has created, using a mixture of traditional techniques and that of modern baking sleight of hand ones - the result is a pastry named Gear Pudding. 

It doesn't look like a gear nor a pudding, so Yuusei eats it with curiousity brewing in him as to what flavours may interest his taste buds. 

He really must thank Ruka again after this for inviting him on board this, to be on stage and hear the liveliness of a crowd despite it not being aimed at him was something he sorely missed and clearly needed to be amidst in to move on from Aki's passing. 

Chewing on the surprisingly crunchy texture the pudding has the flavour of what Yuusei likes to refer as the nostalgic days of simply consuming ramen mixed in with the sweet flavour of creamy coconut and berries. 

He gives it a 9/10 for the nostalgia factor and surprisingly favourable combinations of flavours and textures his tastebuds enjoy and the other judges to his surprise easily hands it a 9/10, 8/10, and 10/10. 

It seems the winner is not as clear as he thought it'd be. 

The crowd is brimming with excitement, people jumping up and down and clapping for Antinomy who simply humbly rubs the back of his neck and bows. 

Yuusei for some reason feels like he wants to speak to this contestant. What injury made him retire? To Yuusei's eyes he still looks capable of dueling. 

He'll talk to Antimony later, the next contestant steps up and Yuusei groans and wants to close his eyes. 

The winner so far isn't clear, but he knows Jack of all people can't compete with the other pastry chefs. He still recalls the mess of an attempt the blonde man tried to get a job as one and had used him and Crow as test subjects. 

The final contestant is introduced and everyone goes wild for the King. Jack Atlas. Not just King of Neo Domino City anymore but of the entire dueling world. 

Ruka said it was good for the contest to get more attention, hence why Yuusei and Jack were both there. Being prior 'King's of Neo Domino City once. 

Jack had refused at first and Yuusei was relieved but on the day he found out last minutely from Jack himself that Ruka had convinced him as she had liked his dessert. 

Mind boggling. 

Yuusei has no talent as a cook, let alone pastry chef. Jack has apparently been deemed acceptable enough but his memories of Jack's first attempts when they were both growing up and when they were young adults trying to make a living haunts him still. 

He eyes the perfectly innocent looking Panna Cotta with trepidation but as the other judges have delightfully cheerful expressions on their faces…

Yuusei digs in. 

It's… 

It's delightful. 

Deliciously so. 

He thinks Jack must've cheated. But with video evidence of the King himself making the sweet pastry in front of him, Yuusei gives a reluctant 10/10 with a concerned frown. It was absolutely perfect for his untrained tongue. The texture, the sweetness ratio and the presentation of it… a mint leaf and a drizzle of some kind of sweet tasting floral syrup with berries surrounding it like a floral crown...

Jack must've taken some tips from Ruka herself. 

The other judges gives 10/10, 9/10, and 10/10. 

The winner… 

Is Jack Atlas? 

Yuusei is beyond puzzled by this development and he sees Ruka give Jack a hug and the other judges break away from their seats to congratulate the participants individually. 

Yuusei starts with the one he wants to talk to. 

Antimony. Or Bruno. Yuusei will go with the name the participant wrote himself under as regardless of the fan's cheers. 

"Bruno, I'm sorry you didn't win - yours was curiously charming. I look forward to more of your work." Yuusei forthrightly speaks to the taller male who looks flattered and confused simultaneously. 

It's charmingly boyish. 

"Ah, thank you so much!" Bruno chirps and Yuusei is somewhat astounded with seeing the complete 180 of personality in pastry the male is like than his dueling counterpart self. "It's such an honour to hear that from you, I've always been a big fan of yours when you duelled!" 

"Oh." Well, this was taking a turn for the better than Yuusei had expected. "I'm also a fan of your dueling days, if you'd like - let's chat more after this. Congratulations again still for coming in third!"

They both depart from each other as another judge swoops in grasping the other's hands and Yuusei walks to the other contestant who's looking slightly disappointed. 

Ruka came second tied with Bruno at 3.6 total points. Sherry at third with 3.5. Jack … 3.9. First. 

Yuusei hopes this doesn't get to his blonde friend's head too much. 

Luckily Jack appears taken back and accepts the trophy with a frown. 

He seems unhappy. Yuusei will most likely hear about what's bothering him soon. 

He congratulates Sherry with a polite handshake and Sherry shakes back firmly and looks him in the eye with an earnestly worried expression. "Thank you for the congratulations, but Yuusei Fudou, I came here because I heard the news of Aki's passing. I was an exchange student here and friends with her back then you see... Could you tell me how her passing came to?" 

Not what he was expecting to hear from the blonde woman but Yuusei nods and regales the story with enough grief the other looks conflicted and tearful at the retelling. "I...see. I'm sorry, Fudou-san. My deepest condolences." 

It seems Sherry is done speaking and steps away but Yuusei calls after her: "I visit her gravestone every morning. You're welcome to join me." 

She looks back at him with a small smile and nods before walking away, the tenseness he noticed in her shoulders relaxed slightly. 

"Yuusei!" Jack approaches him looking slightly irrate. 

Er. "Yes?" He asks quizzically. "Congratulations Jack. I'm surprised." 

"Surprised? You gave me a perfect score." Ah. 

Jack thinks he gave him that score without merit. 

He has to quickly correct the other's misunderstanding. "I was shocked. Yours tasted just as delicious as Ruka's. I had wanted to ask you if you cheated actually or simply learnt from her?" 

There's a heavy blush on the other's face now who sputters and grumbles something along the lines Yuusei barely hears. "You can't be serious…" 

"I am though." He responds to the mumbled grumbles and Jack snaps his head back with wide eyes and scutters away. 

That's certainly new behaviour from the other male, Yuusei's never seen such a reaction from him before. 

Oh well. 

Ruka swings by to him and Yuusei returns the hug leisurely. "Congrats at coming second Ruka, I'd have preferred you win than Jack though…" 

Ruka giggles and grins at him with a twinkle in her eyes. "Don't let Jack hear you say that, you'll crush his heart!" 

Then she skips away leaving Yuusei quite befuddled overall with what's happening. 

The contest comes to an end with another performance from the same introductory musicians and the sun is now setting a brilliant bronze glow on the ocean and buildings laminating every aspect of the city. 

He thinks Aki would've loved to be here more than he would. She's always loved sweets more than him after all. 

Yuusei absentmindedly plays with a strand of his hair that's framing his face and nearly jumps out of his clothes at the close voice coming besides him. 

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" 

Oh. He turns and sees it to be Bruno, who's looking out over the ocean leaning against the edge of the seawall separating the stage from the large body of water. 

"It is. My wife would've loved this." The words escape Yuusei before he could stop himself and he sees the other male quickly look pitying. 

"Oh… I'm so sorry, what happened?" 

It's a different reaction than Sherry's grieving response similar to his own as Bruno has most likely never known Aki personally. "...cancer to cut it short." 

"Ah." Silence sweeps over the two men watching the waves hit the steep slope of the seawall beneath them and eventually, Bruno speaks up again. "I'm sorry, I know what it's like to lose someone to cancer. I lost my boyfriend to it too." 

It's Yuusei's turn to look apologetic and he squeezes the other man's arms in support. "I'm sorry as well, if you need anyone to talk to about this with, I'm happy to listen. I've done enough of my own and would be happy to lend an ear to someone else for a change." 

A brilliant smile lits up the taller male who looks at him and nods. "I'd like that very much Yuusei, thank you." 

"Of course." Yuusei isn't sure what else he can say or do now that he's offered his help and lets a yawn escape him. "...would you like to have it over coffee in the park tomorrow?" 

"That'd be great." 

With that done and dusted, they exchange contact numbers and Yuusei finds himself looking forward to his days with a bit more pep to his steps tomorrow. 

He's so very glad he didn't refuse Ruka's idea of being a judge in this contest. 

It's dark out now and Yuusei gets on his D-wheel and drives himself home. 

The unmistakeable D-Wheel Antimony has is right besides him and they both wave at each other for a short second before they make different turns to different directions to head home. 

Chapter Text

His phone is ringing. 

Yuusei cracks open an eye and slowly lifts his hand up to turn off whoever or whatever was causing the ring. 

Perhaps he should alter the tunes to different ones soon so he knows when to be alert or not…

He thinks of this for a second and turns back to his other side to hide under the blanket. 

Nah. 

A more insistent and unforgiving knock comes out in front of his door and he weeps silently realising that can only be one person. 

"Yuuuuseiiii!" Rua sings out. "I know you're in there!!! Open up!!! I didn't make it for yesterday but I totally made it for today!" 

Oh. Or not. It's Rua. Odd. "Coming!" He yells back out and thankfully the echoing knocks stop. 

He stumbles out of his bed in his pyjamas and bleariky looks at the time. 7 a.m. 

Yuusei thinks this is far too early for a house call but considering Rua, he might have just come in immediately after his flight or something. 

"Yuusei!!!" Rua cheers, arms wrapping around his shoulders. The younger male is now far taller than Yuusei is and he smiles up indulgently at the teenager. "It's been so long, oh my god I saw the pastry contest and Ruka won't make more of the Lupis Legit and I'm so saddddd !" 

The last bit was spoken so fast Yuusei knew he wouldn't have understood a single word of it, if it wasn't for the fact that's he's well versed in Rua speech and has known the boy long enough to understand the context without fully comprehending the gaggle of sounds crammed in together. 

"It has been a while, Rua. I'll try to ask Ruka if she'll be happy to make some for me and I'll share it with you, how about that?" Rua's eyes immediately lights up even more and Yuusei is tackle hugged in his own living room to the thankfully plush carpet. 

" Oh my god, you're the best Yuusei! " Echoes in between his eardrums, and Yuusei is for once grateful he hasn't taken off his sleeping ear plugs out yet for he knows he'd definitely have damaged them if he did with Rua's shrill hyper voice. "And, and - let's duel! I won my round, c'mon, c'mon! Duel me!" 

"Alright, alright." He glanced up at the clock, he still has plenty of time before he goes to Aki's gravestone. "Let's visit Aki after though, okay? A friend of hers is coming as well." 

"Oh!" The surprise in Rua's voice is obvious and he distinctly melts as he nods solemnly. "Of course, I haven't seen Aki in forever too - let's!" 

It takes less than five rounds before Yuusei has Rua on his last hundred life points and Rua stares at him baffled, his cards falling to the ground. 

"Noooo…!" He whines, eyes actually slightly wet now that Yuusei takes a closer look as he walks nearer to help the boy gather his cards and help him stand up again. "Yuusei, come back to dueling! You'll beat Jack and be the new King again except this time it's the entire dueling world or do you want to join our team before going solo duels?!" 

The invitation is well, inviting and Yuusei ruffles the green haired male's hair gently. "That's something I might actually consider, Rua. Thank you." 

Rua grins boyishly, arms behind his head in delight as he laughs. "Hehe, of course! I have really amazing ideas, don't I?!" 

Yuusei can't help but chuckle alongside him and lift his head up to clock again. "Alright, we can resume later - let's hurry up to Aki, now." 

"Sure, although you were gonna beat me anyway! And before I forget!" Chirps the hyperactive male, who hurries to his backpack and takes out a wrapped box. "I got you a little something for Aki! It's a waterproof thing for us, I hope that's okay!" 

Yuusei carefully unwraps the gift and opens it with a smile. "This is beautiful, thank you Rua. Let's place it there together." 

The younger male glows and nods enthusiastically, his pony tail nearly coming apart and Yuusei can't help but crack another grin at his excitement. "Aki would've loved this." 

"I hope she does!" Is the response he gets as Rua quickly puts his shoes back on and is already outside of the hall of Yuusei's apartment unit. "Let's go!!!" 

"Hold on!" Yuusei says back loudly as he gets himself ready, tucking the frame of the crimson signers in his wedding with several others as well to be attached on the gravestone. "I need to get some things too…" 

Yuusei grabs his D-wheel key, his wallet and phone. His change of clothes already prepared the night before to quickly change his attire into that's appropriate for the day's plans. 

He notices several messages from the French contestant and the former pro-duelist contestant.

Sherry LeBlanc : I will be arriving shortly as suggested last night around nine a.m. 

Thank you for the invite. 

I will message you when I am there. 

Bruno Borelli : I'll be at the bench under the Marjorie tree later this afternoon!

 I'm already here just lounging with a book, let me know when you're nearby later as planned! 

A photo of a chair with a book and a pair of feet that most likely belongs to the Italian male is shown. 

Yuusei's smile brightens. He's truly grateful Ruka had invited him to be a judge; these new bonds seemed promising. 

"C'mon Yuusei!" Rua pops his head back into the unit, staring curiously at Yuusei who's staring at his phone. "Are we going orrrr?" 

"Yes, yes - let's hurry." Yuusei relents to Rua who's already dragging him off by his hand to the elevator. 

The ponytail wearing male sings out his words as he skips off towards the floor's elevator: "Whoo! Time to visit Aki-nee-chan!~" Then a pause, as they both enter the steel box. "...wait, should we have invited the others too?" 

Yuusei shakes his head. "I think Jack has to go back to his base and Luca has to deal with some media appearances for the contest yesterday."

Elevator music calms Yuusei's nerves as he wonders what exactly Sherry's friendship with Aki was like to have never heard of the woman before...

"Awww!" Lua pouts out his disappointment, interrupting Yuusei's unhelpful direction his train of thought was heading into. "Well, I guess that's okayyy - I'll be here until my next round with my team, which is like - a month from now! Let's join some smaller dueling competitions here though while I'm around?!" 

Yuusei laughs and nods, hand once more heading to the other's head to ruffle it. This time, Rua dodges and places his one hand protectively over his puff of hair and redoes his hair tie once more. "Oi, oi - Yuusei-nii-san, I appreciate the sentiment of those ruffles but leave it alone. More than once and I'll have acne there!" 

What a ridiculous thing to worry about Yuusei can't help but chuckle once more but apologise as he laughs wholeheartedly, stating he'll try to keep himself in check from messing the other male's hairstyle once more. 

"Good!" Is what Rua exclaims with a huff and dashes out into the garage where his D-wheel is parked right next to Yuusei's. "Sorry, I'll take mine out first - wasn't sure where else to park it at! Wanted to surprise you too, sooo!" 

Yuusei hums. "That's alright, Rua. That was the right decision." 

Rua puts on his helmet with a whimsical grin. "Right, right?!" 

His own helmet now on, Yuusei lets Rua exit first before moving forward and leading them both. "It's been half a year since her funeral, c'mon - I'll lead the way." 

"Thanks Yuusei, I wish I could've come sooner but the championships were really far away and tight in schedule…" He rolls his eyes and waves at Rua as he revs the engines of his D-Wheels on. "...oh, yeah bad timing - okay let's go!" 

The blonde woman has already messaged his phone and Yuusei knows because he sees her name pop up more than once on his D-Wheel's notification screen, his phone connected to it. 

Sherry LeBlanc: I'm here. 

[A picture of Aki's Gravestone stands on its own with a bouquet of lilies and roses placed on the centre next to Yuusei's own freshly placed bouquet of blue flowers the other day ago - a candle lit.] 

It's beautiful, Aki would've been delighted. He recalls lilies were her mother's favourite, and thus comes second to Aki's personal favourite of roses. Why, Yuusei himself is touched beyond words by the bond that must've been shared by Aki and Sherry back during their highschool days to have such detail be recalled. 

He sends a voice message, the mic on his helmet quiets the winds and focuses on his voice only. 

"Thank you, Sherry. I'll be there in a few minutes with a friend of mine and Aki's." 

The message is sent instantly and Sherry's response is a simple ' very well'.  

Sherry reminds Yuusei of Jack in a way. He wonders if those have talked beforehand. He thinks he should introduce them. 

Rua stops right besides him as Yuusei parks himself in the graveyard's parking lot. The only other vehicle around is a limo, which must be Sherry's as there's no one else that could be here. 

...unless the blonde woman has gotten lost, but that picture he saw speaks otherwise. 

"Hello." The French woman greets them both stiffly. "Yuusei and… his friend." 

"Ah!" There's a light blush dusting the young male's face and Yuusei chuckles. "I'm Rua! Uhhhh, you battled it off with my sister, your dish was so simple but got a 9/10 from Yuusei-nii-san, that's like a really great compliment!"

The blonde woman looks taken aback as she slowly shakes the boy's hand. "Er, thank you. Your sister was a great rival. Her dish seemed spectacular and I don't understand how she was tied." 

Yuusei gives a sheepish smile and shakes his head. "Like yours Sherry, the gear pudding was an unexpectedly fantastic dish. It was nostalgic in a way, of our days before Satellite and Neo Domino City made peace with each other." 

"...perhaps. I should've interacted more with my fellow contestants." She responds thoughtfully. A hand on her chin, before Yuusei takes out the wrapped present in a box and places it on the stone. She brings her hand down and looks quietly at the framed picture now firmly placed squarely below the italicised words indicating Aki's identity. "This is wonderful, perhaps we could decorate with more pictures from her family and her friends'?" 

Yuusei gently places a hand on her shoulder, the single tear escaping Sherry has him taking out a handkerchief and offers it to her. "...that sounds wonderful, Sherry." 

"Sherry-nee-chan!" Rua exclaims distressed as he worriedly looks at the blonde woman with sadness. "Would you like a hug?" 

A small snort escapes the LeBlanc lady and she nods in affirmation. "That would be welcomed." 

Yuusei lifts his hand away from her shoulder to not get trapped under Rua's hug and asks the same question. Sherry looks up and nods at him. 

He wraps both his arms awkwardly around both Rua and Sherry. 

This is... nice. He can't help but think and eventually, Sherry moves in discomfort and Rua untangles himself as Yuusei does the same. "Thank you, you two. I'm happy to be here with friends of Aki. I hope to be friends of yours as well." 

"Of course.* Yuussi offers his love and trust easily. The other woman was Aki's friend and the bouquet and behaviour proves that. There was no reason not to offer it. "I have to be elsewhere, but Sherry - we have a get together every now and then for dinner on Sundays if you're still around." 

"Sunday, tomorrow?" Sherry sounds and looks just as surprised. "I'll be there. At where?" 

"I'll add you to our group chat for these things." He quickly does what he says and turns to see Sherry change the water for his old vase. He looks at Rua and sees him stare after her. 

Puppy love. Cute. 

"Thank you." Is the short response he receives from Sherry who has her back shown towards him. 

A tall man in a suit comes out and whispers to her ear and looks at them and bows. "Sherry-sama unfortunately has other matters to attend to now, but she appreciates the invite and will be at the location shared." 

Yuusei blinks and bows back to the butler. "Oh, of course. What's your name?" 

The butler blinks but bows again. "I am Mizoguchi. And you, Mr…?" 

"Yuusei. Fudou Yuusei." He answers. Rua answers right after him. ("Just Rua!") 

Mizoguchi nods and gives both of them a smile which he didn't have before. "I'm grateful to make your acquaintance Fudou Yuusei, Rua. Until tomorrow." 

Sherry walks after her butler and turns to them with a smile on her face as well. "Forgive Mizoguchi, he's not used to being addressed outside of myself and thank you once more. I'll see you tomorrow." 

Rua sighs like he's dreaming and Yuusei pats the boy's shoulder. "You're too young." 

"...I know!" Rua pouts. "...doesn't mean I can't dream." 

Yuusei barks out a laughter he can't stop and nearly ruffles the boy's hair and stops himself. "Just checking, I'm off to a park now after this to meet with another contestant. Would you like to come with too?" 

"If you don't mind me crashing, yeah!" Rua whoops and has his arm around Yuusei. "It's such a relief to see you still out and about, Yuusei." 

He pats the boy's arm on his shoulder and nods. "Of course, if I wasn't - I think Aki would've haunted me, and not in a good way." 

Rua frowns and wraps another arm turning the half embrace into a full one. "Aki-nee-chan wouldn't have done that, she… she might've definitely tried to make you something to cheer you up and you'll get sick from it though." 

Yuusei grins and return the embrace. "Exactly." 

"Oh!" Comes the surprised laughter from the younger male who looks decidedly embarassed and removes an arm. "Yeah, then - haha, definitely wouldn't want that! When were you supposed to meet your friend in the park, by the way?" 

Yuusei checks his wrist watch. "Afternoon at 12.30pm but I'm told he's there early enjoying the weather with a book, so we can take our time." 

Lua whoops and excitedly rocks on his feet. "Great! I was wondering, did that ice cream shop ever close down or is it still open? Let's get some! We can grab one for your friend too!" 

"Of course." Yuusei indulges the younger boy with a smile. "I'll ask what flavour he wants." 

An instantaneous response is received. Mango or Lemon gelato, please and thank you!

The flavours were amongst Yuusei's top ten. He says as such in text and received a shocked emoji react and a gif stating ice cream buddies. 

Adorable. 

Rua peeks over his shoulder and laughs. "This guy's funny." 

"He is." Yuusei agreed giving a laughing emoji react to every the gif and a heart to the flavours. 

"C'mon, let's hurry so he's not left too long away from salivating over the icecream too long." Rua urges Yuusei to stand up from the bench all three of them were sitting on in front of Aki's gravestone. "Aki might be getting jealous she's not getting an ice-cream…" 

Yuusei rolls his eyes. "I'll bring her one specifically tomorrow so she won't be anymore." 

"...fair!" Rua cuts the conversation, which is good as Yuusei has a small headache heading down the route of what ifs. "Hey,  race you to the ice cream shop?" 

Yuusei knows he's smiling and laughing too much now because his cheeks are hurting. It's like he's exercising his facial muscles not too used to the amount of happiness he's currently experiencing. "Sure. Resume our duel where we left off as well?" 

"I mean I'm already losing on that front but yeah why not!!!" Rua cheers and they're both zooming off to their D-Wheels, putting on their gear and Yuusei quickly out of memory returns the duel setting back to what they were before they both left for Aki and Sherry. 

"Duel!" They both say as they enter the highway and the road blocks off everyone else from entering their very short lived duel.