Chapter 1: Feelings Unearthed

"Stand up the vanguard!" "I stand and draw!" "Drive check!" "I ride the vanguard!" chorus of battle terms could be heard all around the store. Misaki sighed and flipped a page of her book.

"Bring judgement to the battlefield, Soul Saver Dragon!" Aichi's voice cut into Misaki's train of thought.

She glanced up from her book to see Aichi beat another customer. Aichi sighed in exhaustion. It was his ninth win in a row.

"Hey, er, delivery of the latest expansion of Vanguard boosters?" a gruff voice emanated from the entrance.

Misaki left her counter to sign the delivery form. The delivery man wheeled the thirty or so boxes of Vanguard boosters behind the counter and left with his trolley, leaving a huge stack of boxes for Misaki to sort.

Aichi saw the delivery man leave and headed for the counter. "Hey Misaki, could I have three of those new boosters that just came in?" Misaki looked up from her packing to see Aichi's cute face. Wait, did I just think Aichi is cute? Misaki gasped inwardly and blushed slightly. Aichi didn't notice but he realised Misaki was very busy with packing, so he asked, "Need help with that Misaki? It'd be much faster if we worked together."

Misaki just stared at Aichi's warm grin and gave a slight nod. Aichi began lifting two boxes at a time to where Misaki usually kept the boxes and in five minutes, they were done. Misaki brushed a bead of pespiration from her forehead and opened one box. "Here, take your pick Aichi." Misaki held the box out for Aichi. "Er, why don't you pick two for me? I always trust your choices!" Aichi gushed and immediately blushed at his choice of words. Misaki blushed as well and picked out three packets for him. "They're on me Aichi!" Misaki said suddenly as Aichi reached for his pockets. "Take it as a form of gratitude for helping me just now!" Misaki grinned awkwardly and blushed.

Aichi nodded, dazed, and reached for the packets. His hands came into contact with Misaki's hands and he held it there, unconsciously staring into her pretty eyes. Wait a minute, did I just think Misaki has pretty eyes? Aichi thought to himself in disbelief. Misaki felt her heartbeat speed up as Aichi's hands clasped her own and held on. Why is he holding on to my hands like that? Does he like me? Misaki contemplated.

Then, a cool voice cut through their thoughts, "Hey Misaki, could I get those new boosters as well?" Aichi and Misaki turned to see Kai standing there, arms crossed as usual. Aichi claimed his boosters from her hand and retreated. Misaki scowled inwardly at Kai's intrusion. She picked out a few boosters for him and collected the payment.

She stared at her hands which Aichi had held on to not too long ago and smiled. Soon, a queue formed and everyone was buying the new boosters. It was going to be a long day for Misaki.