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❝𝓘'𝓵𝓵 𝓹𝓻𝓸𝓽𝓮𝓬𝓽 𝔂𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓷𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓮𝓿𝓮𝓷 𝓲𝓯 𝓲𝓽 𝓭𝓪𝓶𝓪𝓰𝓮𝓼 𝓶𝓲𝓷𝓮, 𝓪𝓼 𝓘 𝓸𝔀𝓮 𝔂𝓸𝓾 𝓽𝓱𝓪𝓽 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱.❞

-𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐣𝐢 𝐒𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐮𝐲𝐚

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(Opening here)

"We are fucked!"

Was the first thing I heard after walking into the Brilliance common room.

"Everyone please calm down." Kazane tried to control the crowd of students complaining.

"We're left with only 2 pieces, and you expect us to calm down?!"

And one of that piece is still with me. Thankfully.

"If we lose both, you know what's going to happen!"

"I know I know..." I saw Kazane held her head in distressed.

"This is why we should've had someone else stronger to keep the piece!"

"I believed in Sun Here's abilities in cardfighting, from what she told me, she got unlucky."

"She could be lying to you Ace Blade!" I heard 

"Was anyone even there?" Another student asked.

"I don't think so."

"Isn't Kisara part of the dance group?"

"She got a tummy ache earlier, so she got sent back to her dorm."

I stood beside Kazane. Putting my hand up I shushed everyone to silence.

"We'll have an event tomorrow, we can get more there." I said.

"What if we lost the the pieces?!"

"I'm even disappointed you think that, don't you remember who we are? We are Brilliants, what happened to our positive upbeat spirits? Actually, why did you all think we'll lose? Just because we have 2 chess piece left, does not mean we won't win this event."

I saw everyone's faces looked a bit hesitant.

"Then if no one is going to step in then I will, because that's what makes me a Brilliant. As the elite of this faction, I will be your sword. I'll stand by the frontlines in battle. I want us to climb up to the top. Collect all 15 pieces to get that wish. I know things are tough right now, but if we can play this out well. I'm sure we can win! Who's with me?!"

I looked around the crowd and saw one of my friends; Hiroki started to clap with a smile on his face. It soon followed by the other members of Brilliance. The claps soon turned to cheers and chants.

I deeply sighed, my lips formed into a smile as I pushed my fist into the air. Turning back, I saw Kazane who had the saddest smile. I gave her a pat on the shoulder.

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Pushing down the door handle, I entered the dark room and turned on the light. I threw my duffle bag near the laundry basket.

I stepped into the shower and took off my uniform, letting the warm water fall down onto my bare body.

After I finished, I came out of the bathroom, wearing a green shirt and a pair of white boxers.

My phone rang shortly after.

"Hello?" I picked up, casually greeting.

"Hey do you have time to talk?"

"Kazane? What's up?"

"It's just about before and all." She said in an exhausted tone.

"You're still on about that?"

"It just really got to me, it's like, I don't know how to lead a faction." She sighed.

"I told you I got you covered."

I always do, you chose me for that sort of reason, an enforcer to this hectic faction. I know you'd always feel guilty if you start enforcing rules because it felt like you're controlling them, but even if you lack leadership, you've been Ace material.

"I know, but I'm still the Ace, the leader of Brilliance. I should have the leadership skill don't I..?"

"Leadership doesn't come overnight, Kazane. Honestly it really depends on the person, if you can't lead well. It's just in your nature."

"But I'm not obedient either.. I'm just confused..."

"Well, if you'd like to try and become a better leader. I can help you with that."

"Really? You would?"

She started to sound more hopefully than when she called me earlier.

"Of course, why wouldn't I?" 

"Thank you Junji!" She squealed.

We talked for about it for an hour until the subject changed to the event tomorrow.

"Shadow Seeker is tomorrow's event right?" I asked.

"Yeah.. about that, I did want to ask you."

"Hm what is it?"

"Can I be the captain tomorrow?" She asked.

"Hmm.. well-"

"Does it sound too risky?"

"It kind of does in all honesty." I sighed. "But if you can protect yourself, I'm sure it's not going to be a huge problem."

We talked for another couple of hours, laughing at old memories back at middle school. Afterwards it just became awkward

"Hello?"

I only heard soft snores from her side of the phone.

I can't blame her for falling asleep at this hour. Might as well get some shut eye myself.

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It's time.

I was sitting down in a room along with the other members of Brilliance. Before an AI voice started speaking.

"Welcome to the Shadow Seeker event!"

A couple of party poppers explodes as confetti fell down among us. Everyone started clapping their hands with that.

"As you all know the Shadow Seeker event will take place in Tokyo Skytree. Every faction has a captain who will be the one that has all of the chess pieces, a battle royale among every faction! If the captain falls sick during the event, the captain will be changed into another member of the faction. Everyone will start in a different gate of the building! The end results will be shown after the event is finished! Remember that fighting physically will cause you to be disqualified immediately. I wish everyone good luck! Let the event begin!"

The door opened as everyone rushed out. Kazane was about to sprint out the door.

"Wait." I called out.

"What is it?" She turned back to me with a confused look.

"Can I come with you?"

"Of course!" She smiled as we walked out of the door.

I won't let anyone fight you, they'd have to fight me first. Just like what you did to me back at middle school.

"L-leave me alone!" The little me squeaked out.

"Let me think about that.. no." Eiji laughed at me throwing a can of coke at my hand.

"Oi, junior!" I looked behind Eiji to see the Ace I know today. "You can't think for bullying someone innocent, quit trying to be a smart ass when you are just an ass!" 

"K-Kazaneee!!" He trembled before running away.

"You alright?" She looked at me, her eyes looked like she caught a prey. No wonder everyone did fear her.

"Y-yeah.. thank you.." I muttered scratching the back of my head.

She did that a lot back at middle school and helped me grew stronger until at one point I stopped getting bullied because I learn to stand up for myself. That's why, I'll protect you.

I owe you that much.

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A/N: Protecc-

Man this is a short chapter reeeeeeeee
Oh well~
Next chapter tho
-w-

Ciao~ xoxo