Author's Note

While I did not intend to make a change to this story, which I'd marked as completed, I wanted to segue from this story into its sequel, and this short chapter is intended to serve as the necessary transition as well as a pointer to the sequel.

I waved to the mailman as he drove off down the road. The afternoon sun blazed on my skin toastily as I strolled to the mailbox, reaching in for the modest pile of envelopes.

I walked back in a slow haze, the sun now on my back. The envelopes were mostly bills or invitations to duel events or clubs for Ryouga. I closed the house door behind me and walked into the dining room, humming to myself.

"Anything interesting?" Ryouga asked, not moving from his place in front of the TV. He was playing some kind of videogame while holding a guitar in his hand. I'd told him multiple times that he was addicted to it, but he refused to listen, claiming it was a 'healthy pastime.'

"No – actually, wait, there might be something." I called back, looking at the last envelope.

To call it an envelope was really an overstatement. It was more like a piece of paper folded in half. On top – along with our address – was written: "To Shark and Rio." Again, 'written' is an overstatement. 'Scrawled' is perhaps more accurate.

Ryouga's interest had apparently been piqued, because he paused his game – or, more likely, he had lost his game and was merely acting like he paused it – and walked over. "Well? What is it?"

I opened up the folded paper. The writing inside was of the same style as the front. It read:

"Hey guys! Yuma here! I figured we didn't get a lot of time to really let loose at our last get together, so I'm thinking of getting the gang together for another Sports Duel Tournament! Worked out great last time, so why not again? (And Shark, you leaving doesn't count! How could you have been bored anyway?!) What do you guys think? Hope you guys are in! If you are, meet us in the same place as last time, at 10 AM tomorrow. See you there!

P.S. Bring your best Kattobingu, Rio! Time for us to resolve our game from last time!

P.P.S. I'm going to beat you bad, Shark!"

I giggled to myself as Ryouga fumed over Yuma's challenge. I scanned his personal message to me again, sighing. 'Resolve our game,' huh? I'd always known it subconsciously, but it was kind of disappointing that he'd looked at what'd almost happened as just part of the challenge of the game.

But hey, guess this was my chance to change that.

"That idiot…" Ryouga rubbed his temples.

I grinned. "You in, then?"

He grunted. "Yeah, just to show that loser who's going to beat whom." I giggled again, but it was short-lived.

"How about you? Oh, wait. Of course you're in, seeing as your boyfriend is hosting." Ryouga snickered. "And he says he wants to let loose. Ooh, wonder what that means."

"Hey!" I protested. Ryouga continued snickering.

I looked back down at the letter, trying to hide my blush. I fumbled with the paper, acting like I was folding it again. Just then, something on the back caught my eye.

My heart melted.

In the same scrawling style as the rest of the card, Yuma had drawn the eight of us friends playing sports with each other, having fun and laughing carefree.

I remembered how I'd felt disappointed at the way Yuma had viewed our near lip lock, and I took it back. His innocence just made him all the more beautiful a person. All he wanted was what he'd drawn on this card. All he wanted was his friends to be happy, to have fun, and to face great challenges and keep getting stronger, together.

"WHAT?" Ryouga yelled suddenly. I nearly jumped, and then looked at where he was pointing.

I'd been so absorbed in the picture I'd missed Yuma's final words at the bottom:

"P.P.P.S. Hey Shark, I know you secretly enjoyed that hug. I'm not that type of guy, really, but if you ever just need another one to hold you over, feel free to ask – I won't judge!"

I held my sides in laughter as Ryouga fumed. Ah, Yuma was amazing.

"Your stupid… little… boyfriend." He hissed, picking up the letter with his hands trembling. I was suddenly afraid he might rip it, which scared me for some odd reason.

"Hey, wait!" I said. His eyes narrowed. "Look here," I said, taking it from him. "Looks like Yuma drew you as a girl in the picture, so it's actually ok if you're into him."

"WHAT?!" Shark leaned in close to the picture to look. "Huh? What do you mean? I look nor –"

I pulled the paper back and flicked him in the forehead. "Haha, got you."

Without dallying I raced out of the room and up the stairs.

"RIOOOO!" I laughed as I entered my room and shut the door behind me. I'd probably pay for that later, but it was worth it.

I placed the letter on my nightstand with the back, where the picture was drawn, facing towards my bed. I smiled as I leaned back on my bed, sighing.

Bring my best Kattobingu?

You got it, Yuma.

Author's Note

Again, apologies for going back on this story's status. For those interested, the sequel to this story is entitled "Dueling in Love." It can be found through my profile page or the general archive. Thanks to all who supported this story and the creation of the sequel.