Chapter 7: Sophie/Julian

I could not face anyone after that battle with Damian Hart. I had disappointed everyone. The Konzern family name would be forever tarnished by this event. How could I face those who had once looked up to me for advice and guidance? I chose to isolate myself from all, especially my teammates. I knew that that may not have been the best action for Team Excalibur, but I simply could not look at them without feeling an overwhelming surge of guilt and shame at my weakness.

One of the places I had chosen to haunt was my beloved Hall of Music. The notes of the pianoforte drifted along the corridors, relaxing my stress somewhat.

I was so focused on my practice that I only sensed her presence when she was directly behind me. I allowed the notes to fade away and addressed Sophie without turning around.

"Leave,"

Not to be deterred, she took a seat beside me on the stool and folded her arms in the elegant style that was hers and no one else's. I could feel her gaze boring into me with those deep green eyes of hers.

"I do not wish to speak, Sophie,"

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice in the matter, Julian. Whether you like it or not, you're going to have to talk about this,"

After a lengthy pause, during which I smoothed imaginary wrinkles on my pants, I finally decided to voice my thoughts. This day was long overdue.

"To be the best-that is always what I have worked towards. To honour the Konzern family name, nothing less than perfection is expected. And Beyblade is no different. When Damian Hart defeated me so effortlessly, I felt as though I had stained my legacy, as though I would be known from that moment on as a failure,"

It was strange to hear these words from my own mouth; I had always portrayed myself as cool, calm and collected. But, I suppose that everyone has their breaking point, and this was it for me. After a moment or two, I felt her cool, soft hands on my shoulders. My heart rate began to accelerate, and I tried my absolute best not to relax too much under her touch. What is this spell that she casts over me?

"Mistakes aren't meant to be scoffed at, simply to be learnt from. We will all make them at some point. You shouldn't focus on perfection; instead try to put your best foot forward and improve yourself from there. We need you to do this, for yourself as well as for Team Excalibur. We can recover from this loss, but we need our leader,"

"You deserve a much better person than this sniveling rat," There was another matter I was referring to, but she may not understand that now.

"This so-called 'rat' has excelled in many areas before, and this should be no different, only that you rise again better than you were before, with a new experience to add to your memories,"

I finally broke down, leaning against her shoulder. It was a bit more comfortable than it should have been for a platonic friendship, but that suited me just fine. I basked in this comfort for as long as I could, knowing that this may very well be the last day she would allow me to be this close to her.

When my tears subsided, I held her gaze steadily, and uttered words I had never thought to say to anyone, much less to her.

"Thank you, Sophie. I am indebted to you,"

"It was merely what I had to do,"

I once again surprised her as well as myself that day. I wrapped my arms around her in a slight hug, filling me with indescribable warmth. After this rare display of affection, we rejoined Klaus and Wales.

"You've had enough of a reprieve, training starts as of this moment," My voice reverberated around the room, filled with a new confidence that inspired all of us.

"It's good to have you back, Julian," Wales smiled "Sophie really worked wonders on you,"

"Indeed she did," I stared at her, wishing I could say how I really felt about this beautiful girl.