//------------------------------// // Turn 11: Where My Heart Is // Story: Crossover Into Chaos // by dabestgamer //------------------------------// Akiza sat alone in the classroom as she stared silently through the window beside her. The sun shone overhead in the sky. The students had already emptied out of the room to go home. Akiza’s father sighed. “I thought I asked you to not get involved, Akiza,” he said. “I can’t do that. My friends might be in trouble,” she replied. “I understand that, but I just don’t want to see you get hurt. Yusei is facing some potentially harsh consequences if he gets arrested. I don’t want to see you taken into custody as well.” “So you’d rather just have me watch as my friend gets taken away?” The senator found himself unable to answer the question, but not because he didn’t know the answer. “Dad…” Akiza mumbled. “I’m sorry…” he said as he turned away. Akiza took a deep breath. “I really don’t want to disappoint you, Dad. But…” Akiza sat on the couch in the living room. Several minutes passed before she noticed her mother sitting next to her. “You understand how we feel, right?” she asked her daughter. “Of course, I do,” Akiza answered. “But…” She stared right at her mother. The elder woman glanced deep into her daughter’s eyes. There was nothing there but determination, yet a melancholic feel. Her mother decided to break the silence. “If that’s how you feel… then you’ll have to convince your father.” “Thank you, Mom. But… how?” Akiza found herself in her mother’s embrace. “I think you know the answer, sweetie,” she replied as she released her daughter. “I suppose everything that’s happened has taken quite a toll on you if you didn’t see it right away.” “What do you mean?” “I remember you telling me something your friend, Yusei Fudo, taught you during one of our family dinners together…” Akiza grabbed her schoolbag and stood up, turning towards the classroom door. “Today, Dad. Today.” Twilight yawned as she passed through the curtains. She looked around confused. The area was vacant. “Yusei?” she called out. Trotting forward, she noticed the machines around her were turned off and that the Duel Runners were missing. “He’s probably out with Blister,” she concluded. “But…” “I might’ve broken the law before, but not one like this. I’m pretty sure what might happen to me, if I get caught, would make the Facility look like a juvenile hall. You, on the other hand, will probably be tested on by scientists. Even if you use magic to escape, they’ll eventually find a way to capture you. You might even die.” “Is it really safe for him to be out there?” Twilight wondered. “I hope he’s—” Her thoughts were interrupted at the sight of two Duel Runners, dragging carts along, halting before her. “Yusei!” Twilight said, with a relief. “Oh, you’re up,” Yusei replied, removing his helmet. “You’re quite the sleeper there, horsey,” Blister remarked. “It’s ‘pony’,” she corrected. “Same difference to me.” Twilight groaned. “It’s all right, Twilight,” Yusei said. Twilight glared at Blister once more before turning to Yusei. “Was I really out that long?” she asked. “Yeah, you slept in a good deal,” Blister answered. “I wasn’t asking you.” “Twilight, Blister, enough,” Yusei interjected. “What were you guys doing, anyway?” “We went to get a few more supplies.” “Isn’t it dangerous to be driving around up there, Yusei? You know…” “The Satellite isn’t as easily monitored as New Domino City itself, given its current state,” Blister replied. “Didn’t Yusei tell you that this used to be his home?” “Yeah…?” “He knows this place like the back of his hand and knows which directions to go to avoid getting spotted easily, even with these carts we’ve lugged around.” “Still a bit risky, isn’t it?” “It is, but we don’t have much of a choice.” The two humans moved to turn on the computers. “Well… did you find out anything new last night?” Twilight inquired. “Decoding this information is pretty tough. All we’ve been able to figure out is that the search warrant for Yusei’s apartment was rushed. Basically, whoever wants you managed to pull some strings and slipped the warrant through,” Blister continued. “So what does that mean?” “Someone has an agenda. And I doubt it’s just for scientific research,” Yusei answered. “What kind of agenda?” “We’ve still only been able to scratch the surface. We should be able to pull some more information out of this,” Blister stated. “Anyway, I’m gonna head back to Martha’s.” “But why?” Yusei asked. “So I can least maintain an alibi on the surface. I doubt they’d catch me even if they found me out, but at least it’ll be harder for them to locate you.” Blister placed his helmet back on and boarded his Runner. “See you guys later,” he said, before driving off. Twilight turned towards Yusei, who was typing on the computer. “Let me guess,” she started. “You’re going to try to find out more?” “Yep.” “Is it really that difficult?” “Classified information that is meant to be kept confidential will usually be encrypted, in the event that any of the data got leaked or stolen.” “You mean like what Blister did?” “Exactly.” “You think you can handle it?” “I should be able to. There was a bit of code that caught my eye a while ago. It may give us a hint at what we’re up against.” “Hey… Yusei?” “Yes?” “I’m sorry.” “For what?” Yusei turned towards Twilight. “I feel like I’m a burden, not being able to help you deal with the situation. And you’re going out of your way to help me, even though your other friends are missing.” “Like I said, you’re my friend, too, Twilight. Besides, taking into consideration all the recent events, I have a strong hunch it’s all connected somehow.” “I suppose you’re right. I’m starting to get the same feeling myself. If only we could find out what that connection is…” “I’m positive the data that Blister obtained, at least, has some clue.” “And that would help us see the bigger picture.” “Right. That’s the idea.” “Mom, I’m home!” Akiza called as she passed through the doorway. “Welcome home, dear,” her mother greeted. “Your father is waiting for you out back.” “He is?” “Of course. You didn’t think he’d forget, did you? I suggest you go see him now since he’ll be leaving for work again in an hour or so.” “Right.” Akiza followed her mother to the spacious lawn that was behind their mansion. “It’s been a while since we’ve been able to do this, Akiza,” her father said, his Duel Disk firmly placed on his left arm. “Yes… it has, Dad.” Akiza placed her Duel Disk on her arm with her cards in the Deck slot. “I remember the last time we Dueled… it was so long ago… it was just after—” “Is something wrong, Akiza?” her father asked. “No. Not at all,” Akiza answered. Both she and the senator activated their Duel Disks. “Dad… I’ll make you see…” “Akiza. Hideo. Good luck,” Akiza’s mother cheered. “Thank you, Setsuko,” the senator replied. “Are you ready, Akiza? Let’s start.” “Right,” Akiza said. DUEL! Akiza (LP 4000) VS Hideo (LP 4000) “I’ll go first,” Hideo declared, drawing a card. “I’ll Set a monster and end my turn.” Akiza paused. “Is something wrong?” he asked. “No… no. Not at all,” his daughter answered. “That’s an odd move. He’s never played this way before…” she thought. “It’s my turn! I Summon Botanical Lion!” A large feline with a mane in the shape and color of rose petals emerged in front of Akiza. Botanical Lion LV: 4 ATK: 1600 “Botanical Lion’s effect increases its ATK by 300 for every Plant-Type monster I control!” 1 * 300 = 300 Botanical Lion LV: 4 ATK: 1600 + 300 = 1900 “Botanical Lion? I’ve never seen that card in your Deck before, Akiza,” Hideo commented. “You must’ve changed your Deck not too long ago.” “I definitely have,” Akiza smiled. “I can’t stop trying to improve myself, or my friends will leave me behind.” “I see.” “Battle! Botanical Lion, attack the Set monster!” she commanded. Her beast lunged forward at the hidden monster, forcing it to reveal itself. Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter LV: 2 DEF: 100 “What the?!” Akiza exclaimed. The small, white-furred canine was slashed by Akiza’s lion. “At this moment, I activate the Flip Effect of Ryko, Lightsworn Hunter! It can destroy one card on the field!” the senator stated. An explosion occurred where Akiza’s beast stood. The smoke cleared and the lion was nowhere to be seen. “Next, I send three cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard,” Hideo continued. “Lightsworn…” Akiza mumbled. “So you’ve changed your Deck as well.” “That’s right. I’ve been improving myself as well. We never finished our first Duel after you received your Deck that day. After you came back to us, I knew the day would come when we would finally truly enjoy a Duel together. But after seeing you with Yusei… and competing in the WRGP… I knew the Deck that I had wasn’t going to be strong enough to defeat yours. After all, Plants are your specialty. So on what little free time I had from work, I decided to put my effort into a Deck with a lot more potency.” “It’s not a bad choice. I think it fits,” Akiza complimented. “And it makes sense. The closer two Duelists are in strength, the more fun the battle between them can be.” “Exactly. Lightsworns. They are the embodiment of light and justice.” “A powerful force, to be sure. But… this Duel isn’t over yet.” “Let’s continue, then.” “Right. From my hand, I activate the Field Spell Black Garden!” Akiza declared. Several thorny vines emerged from the ground and encircled the field around the two Duelists. “While this card is face-up, when either of us Normal Summons or Special Summons a monster… that monster’s ATK is halved and a Rose Token is Special Summoned in Attack Position on the opponent’s side of the field. I’ll Set one card face-down and end my turn.” “Then it’s my turn,” Hideo declared. “I activate the Spell Card Terraforming.” “What?!” “This card lets me add a Field Spell from my Deck to my hand! And I choose Realm of Light.” “This is bad…” “I now activate the Field Spell Realm of Light!” The plant-filled surroundings began to vanish while the image of a large ancient city appeared behind the senator. “With the appearance of a new Field Spell, Black Garden is destroyed. I now Summon Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress!” A white-robed mage appeared beside Akiza’s father. Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress LV: 4 ATK: 1700 “Lyla! Attack Akiza directly!” he commanded. The white mage pointed its staff towards his daughter. A beam of light shot from the edge and struck her. Akiza LP: 4000 – 1700 = 2300 “Next, I activate Lyla’s monster effect. I can switch it to Defense Position and destroy one Spell or Trap Card you control. However, after activating this effect, Lyla cannot change Battle Positions until the end of my next turn.” Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress LV: 4 DEF: 200 Another beam of light shot from the staff towards Akiza’s Set card. “Wall of Thorns, huh?” Hideo observed. “If I attack a Plant-Type monster, that card would destroy all my Attack Position monsters. Had I left Black Garden on the field, a Rose Token would’ve been Summoned to your field after I Summon a monster of my own. Since the only monster you would control is a Plant-Type monster, the conditions would have been set to activate your Trap.” “So you saw through it, didn’t you?” “Of course. In my prime, I was a very avid Duelist myself. I’ve competed in a number of small tournaments honing my skills before I finally settled down and got into politics. Now, during the End Phase, I have to send three cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard, due to Lyla’s effect. Next, when one or more cards are sent from my Deck to the Graveyard, Realm of Light gains one Shine Counter.” Realm of Light Shine Counters: 0 + 1 = 1 “For each Shine Counter on Realm of Light, all of my “Lightsworn” monsters gain 100 ATK.” 1 * 100 = 100 Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress LV: 4 ATK: 1700 + 100 = 1800 “Next, I activate the effect of Wulf, Lightsworn Beast from my Graveyard. When it’s sent from the Deck to the Graveyard, it gets Special Summoned to my field!” Wulf, Lightsworn Beast LV: 4 ATK: 2100 + 100 = 2200 “With that, I end my turn,” Hideo concluded. “My turn, then!” Akiza declared, drawing a card. “I Summon Lonefire Blossom!” Lonefire Blossom LV: 3 ATK: 500 “Lonefire Blossom’s effect activates! Once per turn, I can Tribute a Plant-Type monster to Summon another Plant-Type monster from my Deck! I Tribute Lonefire Blossom to Special Summon Tytannial, Princess of Camellias!” A humanoid figure emerged from the rose that appeared before Akiza. Several vines, covered in thorns, extended from beneath the creature. Tytannial, Princess of Camellias LV: 8 ATK: 2800 “Battle! Tytannial, attack Wulf!” Two of the vines lashed at her father’s beast, vanquishing it. 2800 – 2200 = 600 Hideo LP: 4000 – 600 = 3400 “I’ll Set one card face-down and end my turn,” Akiza concluded. “My turn,” Hideo stated. “I activate the Spell Solar Recharge. I discard one “Lightsworn” monster from my hand and draw two cards. Then I send two cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. With that, Realm of Light gains another Shine Counter.” Realm of Light Shine Counters: 1 + 1 = 2 “With two Shine Counters, all of my “Lightsworn” monsters gain 200 ATK.” 2 * 100 = 200 Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress LV: 4 ATK: 1700 + 200 = 1900 “Lyla still can’t change Battle Positions this turn,” Akiza stated. “True,” her father replied. “That’s why I’m going to Tribute Lyla so I can Tribute Summon Celestia, Lightsworn Angel.” The mage vanished as it was replaced with an armored, angelic human figure with pure white wings holding a long, thin rod. Celestia, Lightsworn Angel LV: 5 ATK: 2300 + 200 = 2500 “When Celestia is Tribute Summoned by Tributing a “Lightsworn” monster, I can send four cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard…” Realm of Light Shine Counters: 2 + 1 = 3 3 * 100 = 300 Celestia, Lightsworn Angel LV: 5 ATK: 2300 + 300 = 2600 “Then I can target up to two cards you control and destroy them. I’ll choose Tytannial and your Set card!” Hideo continued. The angel held up its rod and aimed it at Akiza’s cards. “At this moment, I activate Tytannial’s monster effect!” she countered. “When a card on the field is targeted for an effect, I can Tribute a Plant-Type monster I control to negate it!” Vines extended from underneath Akiza’s monster, constricting the Lightsworn and vanquishing it. The plant-like humanoid disappeared shortly after. “I end my turn,” Hideo finished. Glancing at his daughter, he noticed she was breathing heavily. “It’s about that. Isn’t it?” “My turn!” Akiza declared. “I Summon the Tuner Monster Twilight Rose Knight!” Twilight Rose Knight LV: 3 ATK: 1000 “When Twilight Rose Knight is Summoned, I can Special Summon a Level 4 or below Plant-Type monster from my hand! Come forth, Lord Poison!” Lord Poison LV: 4 ATK: 1500 “Their total LV… is 7…” Hideo observed. “I tune Level 3 Twilight Rose Knight with Level 4 Lord Poison!” Akiza continued. 3 + 4 = 7 “Chilling flames engulf the entire world. Pitch-dark flower, set into bloom! Synchro Summon! Appear now, Black Rose Dragon!” Black Rose Dragon LV: 7 ATK: 2400 “It’s here. Akiza’s ace monster,” the old senator thought. “Go, Black Rose Dragon! Direct attack!” Akiza commanded. “Black Rose Flare!” The large dragon shot flames from its mouth, striking her father. Hideo LP: 3400 – 2400 = 1000 “I can feel it…” Hideo noticed. “It’s been so long since I experienced this feeling… I forgot what it was like.” Akiza was breathing heavily. “Just a little more,” she thought. “Your mind’s made up, isn’t it?” her father asked. “Huh?” “I’ve noticed it more and more as we Dueled. It’s hard to miss, Akiza.” “What do you mean?” “For you, this isn’t just about the two of us Dueling for the first time in years. It’s about Yusei, isn’t it?” Akiza remained silent. “I thought as much.” “I told you before… I can’t abandon my friends.” Akiza said. “Through this Duel…” “If that’s how you feel… then you’ll have to convince your father.” “Thank you, Mom. But… how?” Akiza found herself in her mother’s embrace. “I think you know the answer, sweetie,” she replied as she released her daughter. “I suppose everything that’s happened has taken quite a toll on you if you didn’t see it right away.” “What do you mean?” “I remember you telling me something your friend, Yusei Fudo, taught you during one of our family dinners together… you told us that Dueling is another way for a Duelist to express themselves. Rather than talk to him, daughter to father… perhaps you can talk to him… Duelist to Duelist.” “Wait… does this mean…?” “I worry about your safety just like your father does. But I can see you truly want to help your friends. And, as your mother, I will support you every step of the way. I know your father will see how strong your feelings are if you Duel him.” “This is… a bit unlike you, Mom. I don’t remember a time when your wishes conflicted with Dad’s.” “You haven’t been around us long enough to see them. But being the politician that he is, he can make a very compelling argument. Occasionally, he slips up… but for the most part, he’s been right. Despite our disagreements, I still love him.” “I see…” “You’ve grown into a strong woman, Akiza. And I’m proud of that. But I guess… watching you has encouraged me to do the same. I’d like to believe that the same thing happened to your father over the past several months.” “You think so?” “I do. So when it’s time to Duel… show him how you truly feel. I know you can.” “I’ll show you my resolve,” Akiza thought, determined. “I’ll tell you what… if I win, you will do as I’ve asked of you. If you win… I won’t stop you,” Hideo offered. “Don’t say it like that!” Akiza shouted as she hung her head. Her parents were surprised by her outburst. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I don’t… I don’t want you to disapprove of my choices… my decisions… I don’t want to disappoint you.” Hideo paused for a moment before speaking again. “Do you accept my conditions?” Akiza remained silent. “Akiza…” Setsuko mumbled. “Well, Akiza?” Hideo said. “All right… I accept,” Akiza finally answered. Yusei let out a low groan. “What is it, Yusei?” Twilight asked. “I might’ve found something… but I have no way of figuring out what it is.” “What do you mean?” Twilight walked up beside Yusei’s chair. “Here…” Yusei pulled up a diagram with some oddly-shaped characters. “Most of this code, I’ve been able to decipher… but not these. This looks like a whole different language on its own, except there are no historic records of these characters being used before.” Twilight glanced at the figures and symbols on the screen. Her head tilted, trying to figure out the reason behind their familiarity to her. “I feel like… I’ve seen this before…” “Twilight?” Yusei said. “OH MY GOSH!” Twilight exclaimed. “What is it?” “I think I’ve seen this language before!” “You have?” “It’s from an ancient obscure Equestrian culture. The only times I’ve seen it in my library were from ancient spell books. Princess Celestia once lectured me on it, but she didn’t go over it too much when she was actively teaching me.” “So you think you can translate what it says?” “I’m not sure. I might be able to. Like I said, she didn’t go over it too much with me. It’d be a lot easier if I had access to the books in my library…” “I see…” “Is there anything in that data that tells us what it says without having to go through the trouble of translating it?” “Unfortunately, no. All the data I’ve managed to decipher amounts to this. We already know that someone’s pulling the strings behind Sector Security because of the rushed warrant. If they’re planning something more than whatever it is that’s in this language, they obviously haven’t hidden it in their system. In fact, they might’ve been in the process of translating their plan with the search warrant itself into this language.” “So Blister might’ve stolen the data before they could do that?” “Right, and whatever we have right here may only just be a small piece of the puzzle.” “I… guess it’s better than nothing. I’ll see if I can translate it.” “All right. I’ll print out a copy so it’s easier for you to work with.” “It’s my turn!” Hideo declared. “I Special Summon Judgment Dragon!” A large dragon descended from the skies behind Akiza’s father. Judgment Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 3000 “Summoning a monster with 3000 ATK straight from the hand...?” Akiza said. “Judgment Dragon is a monster that can be Special Summoned if I have four or more “Lightsworn” monsters with different names in my Graveyard,” her father replied. “Normally… I’d want to activate Judgment Dragon’s effect to destroy all cards on the field, except itself…” “However, that effect requires you to pay 1000 Life Points.” Hideo LP: 1000 “That’s right,” Hideo continued. “I don’t have enough Life Points to activate the effect without losing the Duel. So in that case… I Normal Summon Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner!” Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner LV: 3 ATK: 1000 + 300 = 1300 “Once per turn, by discarding a card from my hand, Lumina’s effect allows me to Special Summon a Level 4 or below “Lightsworn” monster from my Graveyard! Revive, Lyla!” Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress LV: 4 ATK: 1700 + 300 = 2000 “I now activate Lyla’s effect. I’ll switch it to Defense Position!” Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress LV: 4 DEF: 200 “Then I’ll destroy your Set card!” The mage pointed its staff at Akiza’s card. “Not so fast!” Akiza countered. “At this moment, I’ll activate the targeted card! The Quick-Play Spell Forbidden Lance! Until the End Phase of this turn, one monster on the field will become unaffected by other Spells and Traps, but it will also lose 800 ATK. I choose Judgment Dragon!” Judgment Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 3000 – 800 = 2200 “With only 2200 ATK, it’s not strong enough to defeat Black Rose Dragon.” Black Rose Dragon LV: 7 ATK: 2400 “In that case, I’ll equip Judgment Dragon with the Equip Spell Raregold Armor,” Hideo continued. Bright, golden armor appeared on his dragon. “While I control the monster equipped with Raregold Armor, you can’t attack any other monster I control. I’ll Set one card face-down. Then, during the End Phase, Forbidden Lance’s effect disappears, so Judgment Dragon’s ATK returns to normal.” Judgment Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 2200 + 800 = 3000 “Next, Lyla’s effect sends three cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard. Then, Lumina’s effect sends three more cards to the Graveyard. Lastly, Judgment Dragon’s effect sends four cards from the top of my Deck to the Graveyard.” “Ten cards sent to the Graveyard…” Akiza observed. “Since I sent cards from my Deck to the Graveyard three times, Realm of Light gains three Shine Counters,” Hideo added. Realm of Light Shine Counters: 3 + 3 = 6 “With that, my “Lightsworn” monsters gain an additional 300 ATK.” 6 * 100 = 600 Lyla, Lightsworn Sorceress LV: 4 ATK: 1700 + 600 = 2300 Lumina, Lightsworn Summoner LV: 3 ATK: 1000 + 600 = 1600 “Now that that’s done… I end my turn,” Hideo concluded. Akiza glanced at her father’s field of cards. “He’s thought this through… Black Rose Dragon’s effect… by banishing a Plant-Type monster from my Graveyard, I can switch a monster from Defense to Attack Position and reduce its ATK to 0 until the End Phase. Normally, that would give me a clear shot at his Life Points… but because of the Equip Spell Raregold Armor… I can only attack Judgment Dragon. That card was meant to defend against Black Rose Dragon’s effect. And then there’s that Set card… in this situation… it must be there for the possibility that I get rid of Raregold Armor…” She stared at the only card in her hand. “With only this card in my hand… and only Black Rose Dragon on my field… it’s not enough…” she thought. “But…” She recalled a certain phrase that Yusei once told her. “As long as I believe in my Deck… it will answer me!” Yusei’s words echoed in her mind. “It’s the same here!” Akiza thought. “I won’t give up… until the very end! It’s my turn!” she declared, smiling at her newly drawn card. The senator became wide-eyed at her daughter’s expression. “I activate the Quick-Play Spell Book of Moon! This card changes a monster on the field to face-down Defense Position! And I choose Judgment Dragon!” “What?!” Hideo exclaimed. He watched as his dragon vanished into a horizontal face-down card. “Since Equip Spells cannot be equipped to face-down monsters, Raregold Armor is destroyed!” Akiza continued. The image of the Equip Spell in front of her father shattered. “And now… I activate Black Rose Dragon’s monster effect! Once per turn, I can banish a Plant-Type monster from my Graveyard and switch one monster on your field from Defense to Attack Position and reduce its ATK to 0 until the End Phase! Rose Restriction!” Hideo’s Judgment Dragon emerged from the card once more, smothered in thorny vines. Judgment Dragon LV: 8 ATK: 3000 – 3000 = 0 “0 ATK…” he mumbled. “If this attack hits…” Setsuko said. “Black Rose Dragon! Attack Judgment Dragon!” Akiza commanded. “Black Rose Flare!” Her dragon opened its mouth, preparing to shoot flames at its target. “Do you think you’ve won, Akiza?” the senator asked. “What?” “I activate the Trap Card Mirror Force! When the opponent’s monster attacks, this card destroys all of the opponent’s monsters in Attack Position!” A transparent barrier formed between the two dragons. “It’s over.” “Yes, it is. But not the way you think it is.” “Huh?” Akiza grabbed the last card in her hand. “At this moment, I activate the Quick-Play Spell Forbidden Dress from my hand! Until the End Phase, one monster on the field loses 600 ATK but it cannot be targeted or destroyed by card effects!” “What?!” Black Rose Dragon LV: 7 ATK: 2400 – 600 = 1800 Flames shot out from the dragon’s mouth, striking the barrier. “I see… so this is your resolve…” he thought, watching the barrier shatter. The flames scorched Judgment Dragon, vanquishing it. 1800 – 0 = 1800 Hideo LP: 1000 – 1800 = 0 The remaining monsters faded. “Dad…” Akiza began. “Hideo…” Setsuko mumbled. “It can’t be helped. You win. You’re free to do as you choose,” the senator stated, closing his eyes. “But Dad—” Akiza was interrupted by her father holding his palm forward, motioning for her to stop. Hideo opened his eyes and smiled. “I’m actually glad we had this Duel, Akiza. But I want you to know this…” “Yes…?” “Don’t say it like that!” Akiza shouted as she hung her head. Her parents were surprised by her outburst. Tears began to roll down her cheeks. “I don’t… I don’t want you to disapprove of my choices… my decisions… I don’t want to disappoint you.” “You’ve grown a lot over the past several months, and I think you’re responsible enough to make your own well-weighted decisions. For that reason… I will always be proud of you. Even now,” Hideo said. “You’re… okay with me helping Yusei?” Akiza asked, as her father walked up to her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “While it may worry me that you’re putting yourself in danger… but you’ve made up your mind and I can’t stop you. Go. Go to your friends.” With those words, Akiza quietly sobbed as she and her father hugged each other tightly. “Thank you…” she said. After a moment of embracing each other, Akiza began to walk towards the front door. “I promise… I’ll be careful.” “Are you okay with this?” Setsuko asked, as soon as Akiza was out of sight. “I’m uneasy about this, Setsuko. She’s not only putting herself in danger… but putting us at risk, too. I don’t want to take this risk, but I’m in no position to stop her without making her hate me again. I’d sooner throw away my job than let that happen again.” “Hideo…” “Let’s just hope… that she knows what she’s doing.”