Chapter Text
The sun shined brightly over the small Japanese city, the sky clear and blue. A young boy, no older than 17, could be seen on his morning jog through the local park, the wind blowing through his navy hair that was pulled back with a yellow headband. A girl could be seen across the street observing the young man. She smirked as he passed without noticing her and she too, quickly broke out into a run after him. In no time at all she had caught up and was jogging at a steady pace next to him. She frowned as she heard no greeting, and looked over to the younger male who continued to stare straight ahead.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
"Huh? Wha-" Valt Aoi stumbled as he was pulled away from his daydream and looked over to the source of the question.
There, running along side him, was his old friend and rival (Y/n) (L/n).
"Oh uhh hey (Y/n)! Sorry, I didn't see you there"
She gave him a lazy smile and raised her eyebrows, signifying that she took no offence.
"Well?" she asked, wanting him to answer her previous question.
" Oh uhhh well I was just y'know, thinking about what went down at the national tournament and my battle against Lui." he mumbled looking down
"Hmm," she mused in understanding as she looked straight ahead, easily picking up on his uneasiness and disappointment. Her running pace picked up ever so slightly as she continued to speak "Well you know what they say about second place..."
"Huh?" Valt looked over at the older girl as he too sped up slightly to catch up to her. She was looking at the horizon as she ran, not meeting his eyes, but there was a small smirk playing on her pink lips.
"They're the first loser" she chimed cheekily, eyes darting over to boy next to her, so that she could witness his outraged expression
Valt's jaw dropped in shock. He was expecting reassurance or pity, not to be insulted so early in the morning. He shook his head and regained his composure whilst looking at (Y/n), who was still staring straight ahead. However, her eyes dashed back to meet Valt's and he broke out into a smile letting out a small chuckle, knowing it was all in good humor.
"Well you placed eighth, so what does that make you?" he teased back. She pushed him slightly bumping her shoulder to his gently as they continued jogging and he let out a hearty laugh as she mumbled a small 'shut up'
They continued their run in silence, the air and mood light after their playful banter.
"You know..." she started, gaze straight ahead again instead of at Valt
"Huh?" he breathed softly her sudden words catching him off gaurd
"It won't end that way next time"
He looked over at her in question but she still refused to meet his eyes
"You won't lose to Lui next time in the final round"
"Wha-"
She suddenly stopped in her tracks, causing Valt to stumble. He was forced to backtrack and stood directly in front of her, but she kept her eyes on the ground, her arms stiff at her sides, her hands in tight fists. Suddenly her head shot up and his brown eyes met her piercing stare.
"You're gonna lose to me"
"(Y/n)..." he said quietly
"So you better watch out, because I'm going to be coming at you full throttle and I expect you to be working your ass off, cause if you're not, me and Hellicate will blow you right out of the water!" she proclaimed as she pulled out her Bey and showed it to him with an outstretched arm, her (E/c) eyes shining with determination.
Valt faltered for half a moment before a massive grin crawled onto his face, and he too pulled out his own bey, showing Valtryek to (Y/n). The bey seemed to sparkle in the late day sun, and it's blue color appeared to be even brighter than usual.
"Not a chance (Y/n)! Me and my partner are heading straight to the top, but you guys are welcomed to try and stop us!" he explained, his body buzzing with excitement.
The two bladers stared at each other, smiles plastered on their faces, before (Y/n) put away Hellicate and began running once again
"C'mon! You're gonna be late to beyclub training" she said over her shoulder. Valt wasted no time going after her, and before they knew it, they were once again jogging at a comfortable rhythm, enjoying each others presence.
The two friends felt another presence approaching and looked left, only to be proven right with the appearance of their other good friend, Shu Kurenai.
"Hm? Hey Shu!" Valt greeted excitedly as the Snowy haired boy caught up to him and (Y/n)
"Sup man?" the girl also greeted casually with a smile
"Pretty slow, grandpa," Shu started, staring straight ahead before only his eyes drifted left meeting his female friend's for only a second "grandma." he finished with a smirk as he drastically increased his speed, leaving his two friends in the dust
"What?! Grrrrr!" the Bluenette growled as he picked up his pace as well, catching up to Shu
"Why you little-" the girl cut herself off with a burst of speed barely a step ahead of the two other boys, but ahead nonetheless.
The three bladers broke out into a sprint with teeth bared and low growls emitting from deep within their throats. They were tied neck and neck and neck, no one offering to back down or give in. That is, until they heard a voice yelling not far behind them.
"Move! Move! Move! Get out of the way!" A certain Blond Blader broke through between Valt and (Y/n) and took the lead with a laugh, while the other three stared at his back in shock
"Make way slow pokes!" Wakiya Murasaki taunted from his position in the front, his long blond hair trailing behind him as he ran.
"Smell you later!"
(Y/n) looked to her right to see none other than Rantaro Kiyama, lollipop in mouth, and black jacket strapped to his shoulders flying behind him, as he passed the group of four with ease.
"No you don't!" Wakiya yelled behind him before speeding up in an attempt to catch up to the other male.
"Big shots" (Y/n) muttered under her breath with a small smile, but Valt and Shu still heard her and chuckled.
"Alright," Valt stated, picking up momentum "I know a challenge when I see one!"
"Please," Shu began also picking up the pace, "this will be a walk in the park for me!"
"More like a run in the park," (Y/n) chided as she took the lead, leaving four laughing boys in her wake
**********************
"I'm never...fucking doing that...again..." (Y/n) said between heaving gasps of air. She was currently standing hunched over, her hands on her knees while she tried to regain her breath
A chorus of grunts of agreement could be heard from around her, where all her friends were in similar predicaments, sprawled across the floor of the training room, gasping for air with very little dignity left.
"Well at least I won" Valt panted out from where he was laying down
"What are you talking about? I was definitely here first." Rantaro argued also laying down and out of breath
"No it was me!" Wakiya choked out between gasps on his hands and knees
"No me" Daigo let out weakly. Him and Ken had joined their little race when they saw all their friends sprinting for the school.
"You're all delusional," (Y/n) said, breathing hard but still glaring daggers at all the men on the floor, "I was like ten feet ahead of all of you"
"pretty sure it was me..." Besu, one of Ken's puppets mused on his behalf.
"Hey guys! Delivery!" Toko Aoi announced cheerfully, carrying a large basket of fresh bread with the help of his twin sister and Ryota.
"First place gets first pick!" Nika chirped with a smile, fang sticking out slightly.
"BeyBread!?" Valt asked excitedly, quickly pushing himself off the ground and looking towards his younger siblings
"I'm coming!" Rantaro yelled, also pushing himself up into a sitting position
"Me first" Wakiya declared with a grin
"Fat chance" Daigo countered looking straight at Wakia with a ghost of a smile.
"I'm going in!" Ken joined eagerly holding up Beso and Kero
"Haven't any of you guys heard of the phrase 'ladies first'?" (Y/n) asked sarcastically with a smirk
Everyone save for Shu ran towards the young children holding the Aoi family delicacy causing the basket to go flying, the bread along with it. The bladers laughed as they reached for the air to catch the falling treats, using the fast reflexes they had obtained as a result of being such skilled bladers to their advantage, not letting a single loaf hit the ground and go to waste.
Shu smiled from the sidelines, as he too ran towards his friends to partake in the festivities and feast. The rest of the day was spent eating, battling, laughing, and talking amongst good friends, who had overtime become more so family than anything else.
~~~~~~~~~
(Y/n) smiled fondly at the memory as she looked out of the plane and saw the outlines of what she assumed were buildings over the sea of green. She missed her friends dearly but was assured that they were all doing well from the letters she had written and received from them. The events of the national tournament had been almost two years ago, but within the last year, everyone had begun on separate paths in a journey to become stronger. It had been a bittersweet farewell, but everyone was absolutely sure that this was not 'goodbye', it was just 'goodbye for now'.
But now was the time for some of their paths to cross again, for (Y/n) was currently on her way to the great country of Spain to try out for the legendary Beyclub, BC Sol.
She knew that her old friends Valt Aoi and Rantaro Kiyama were high ranking members of the club already, but her relationship with them would not help her get in, nor would she want it to. This was a chance to prove to herself, as well as all of her friends, that she had improved greatly in her time away. She was a world class blader who demanded and deserved respect, and she had just as much of a right as anyone else to compete at the world level. This was it. No second chances. No do-overs.
She smiled at her own determination. (Y/n) was confident she could do it, she had to.
"Watch out guys" she mumbled under her breath with a yawn, curling up in her seat, bringing her knees up to her chest, "You won't know what hit you, by the time I'm through."
And with that last thought, she drifted off into a peaceful slumber.