(NYC) Field: Times Square

[Helios]

Hazama was walking through the city as he was thinking of his loss in the tournament two days ago. Why am I still here? I already lost the tournament and all this place brings me is painful memories. Maybe I'm just missing one thing, though I can't point it out.

Then it became clear to him. He saw Haruki and some other guy talking. Then it hit him. Now I know what I must do.

He walks toward the two people. "Haruki, I need to tell you something. I am quitting Vanguard," he said as he approaches the guy.

[OverDrive]

When Seifer mentioned his instability Tsubasa instantly remembered how he felt towards the gold paladins, and his astonishment when Yukino explained to him about the sealed clans and how he used to use the Royal Paladins.

He takes out his deck

"Have I really bonded with you guys....." he thought.

Just then Haruki, as if reading Tsubasa's mind, gestures to him and to Seifer about the missing clans.

"Yea I was thinking the exact same thing-" but before he can finish his statement the three are interrupted by a familiar voice.

[Cipher Izanagi]

Seifer was about to open his mouth in question to the two meant when a new face interrupted their conversation. The male regarding the newcomer coldly but didn't outwardly protest against him showing up, since he seemed to know Haruki. There wasn't much he could do about it anyway, though Seifer was understandably annoyed at the interruption. He'd just have to wait since now that Haruki mentioned it, he had something else to think about. What was his clan before Great Nature? He couldn't remember how he started Vanguard or why. Everything felt kind of blank... and wrong.

[Kuro]

Just as the young man of justice was getting close to a solution to the problem at hand, another dilemma arose just as quickly. Hazama, the man Haruki defeated in the first round of the tournament, as well as his kind-of-friend from back home, had burst into the scene to tell Haruki that he was quitting vanguard.

"Woah, woah. What's going on Hazama? I thought you had fun with vanguard." Haruki put his hands up in a way to calm the situation, worried about what Hazama would say next.

[Helios]

"Vanguard, fun? Ha," Hazama starting laughing at Haruki's statement. "Look, all Vanguard is is a waste of my time, as well as a flood of mad memories. I only did this to see if I could find the answers to my father. But, no. I've come across nothing. No sign what so ever. I can't even win. I have tried out most clans and none of them suit me as a player. So, it's all a freaking waste of time."

With some sparks of anger in his statement, he hopes that they all get it.

[OverDrive]

After listening to what Hazama had to say, Tsubasa could not hold back the reply he had in his mind. He knew Hazama had his own goals but his way of approaching defeat or set backs annoyed him.

"...All I hear is a person who gives up too quickly, and clearly did not take time to bond with his clan." he said, his back turned to Hazama. "..I would think that your father deserves more than that."

He knew that he was being harsh but when it came down to parents Tsubasa had to push past many troubles in his life for those he cared about, failure may have been a setback but just as he was able to evolve his avatar, after many setbacks, he knew that Hazama could do something similar. Especially when it involved parents.

"Let him do what he wants, Haruki." he said.

[Kuro]

"Hey! You may not find it fun now, but I won't let you disrespect the game that my friends enjoy." Haruki saw the possibility that he was the catalyst to make Hazama quit vanguard, after causing his loss in the World Circuit. He looked to Tsubasa, who was trying to bring Hazama down even more.

"No, I won't let this happen. This was my mistake and I have to make it right." The young man of justice looked to Hazama once more, aiming to change his decision.

"You say you've come across no clues so far, and you say most clans haven't worked on your side, but there's still a chance for you yet Hazama. There is a justice that works through Vanguard, more powerful than you could ever imagine. It's a justice that brings people together, and you can't let a loss lead you astray from your goals."

[Helios]

"You know, I'm just tired of all this bs. This justice crap, this isn't a fictional story Haruki, this is real life. And it's not al your fault, it's partially your fault."

He turns to Tsubasa. "Man, you really are an idiot. Maybe I should call u Tsubaka. Ha, it fits perfectly. " He now gets serious, "You don't know me Tsubaka, you have know idea who I am and what my motives are. And besides, who asked for your opinion. Last time I checked, I asked for Haruki."

He turns back to Haruki, "If their is nothing that really suits my soul, then why keep going. Your not going to be 'the hero' in this case and you never will be, so stop wasting your breath.

[Cipher Izanagi]

Seifer listened quietly to all that was being said, but at the end of it... "So you're just going to give up? You're going to run away and hide like a weak little child? You're going to blame Haruki as well? No, it's your fault. I don't care whether or not you want my or anyone else's opinions. You're not the only person who suffers. You're not the only person missing something. ...If you're going to quit then fine, have at it. But all you're doing is just running away from the reality of it: you're weak." the brunette spoke bitterly in Hazama's direction. It was mostly out of built up frustrations about his own problems but the fact that someone was being this childish? It bothered him. "Tch..." after losing his cool completely, in front of both Haruki and Tsubasa, as well as a possibly gathering crowd from the other three's conversation, Seifer shoved his hands in his pockets walking off, away from the trio left standing there. He was beyond annoyed right now. He suffered just as much as others, and yet people were willing to give up, insult others and blame them. He was done with things for right now, and it was probably best if he isolated himself for a bit of time.

[Kuro]

As he saw Seifer lash out at Hazama and march out in a rage, Haruki knew that he had to fix this mess, or things would only get worse. He turned to Hazama again to change his mind.

"When I fought against you at Card Capital that long time ago Hazama, I couldn't do anything to help you. I couldn't help you before and you fell down this path, but I will help you now." He pulled out his deck and held it towards Hazama.

"Vanguard is the game that made me one with justice. I'm able to have fun with Vanguard, and I'm able to share the fun I have to others with it. There will always be something out there for you with this game, so you can't quit after you've come this far, especially if its for your family. The moment you think of giving up, think of the reason why you held on for so long."

[Helios]

He looks at Haruki and the deck he has brought out. "Stop making it worse than it already has been. And I only thought I could do something about my father, but it is just a stupid card game. What will it ever accomplish in real life situations? Now put that away before it gets thrown on the street."

[OverDrive]

Upon hearing Hazama's reaction Tsubasa puts his deck in his pocket and begins to laugh.

"...hahahahah." he turns around to Hazama."..you come here interrupting our conversation, asking for advice from Haruki..and then decide to immediately shun his opinion?" he says. "...You really are something you know that."

Tsubasa heads towards the door of the store and stops a few inches behind Hazama

"If you're not going to recognize your problems and work towards fixing them then you will never develop, and you certainly won't be able to do much for your dad, make all the insults you want it does not change the fact that you're in denial." he said, as he continued to walk.

Upon opening the door Tsubasa stops and raises his hand to wave to Haruki and says,"Good luck with this kid Haruki."

He speeds up towards Seifer, in order to address the topic they were talking about, "Hold on man." he said, as he caught up to Seifer, "We need to talk."

[Kuro]

Both of his friends turned against Hazama without giving a second thought to try and help him. Haruki was crushed by the realization that they wouldn't back him up in this fight. The young man of justice was alone with an angry Hazama, a familiar sight.

"Listen to me Hazama. Fate doesn't always work how you want it. Before, you were using this game to find clues to your father, but you can't expect all the answers to come so quickly. Justice always acts fashionably late you know." He put his deck back into his bag and started walking out of the diner, wondering if his friends would be waiting for him. Haruki looked back to Hazama for one last farewell.

"They've turned against you, but I won't let you quit. I'll be the one justice that will save everyone, including you Hazama." Haruki left the diner and looked for the others.

Hazama AF +1

[Helios]

As Haruki walks out the door, he unzips his bag and finds his Pale Moon deck right on top. I am sorry I failed you. He walks out the door with his deck in his pocket. You will be laid to rest under the stars.

[Helios]

Hazama just awoke from his bed as he didn't fall asleep until 7 o'clock this morning. He looks over at his clock which reads 4:30pm. Wasted a whole day sleeping, oh well. I needed for the news I gave yesterday to cool down anyway.

He rises from his bed, walks over to the shower, undresses, and gets in. After finishing his shower, he put on a pair of black shorts, a white shirt, a black jacket to go over the shirt, and some shoes. He walks out the door and into the elevator. Finally it dings for the bottom floor, and Hazama follows the other people out into the lobby

Well I guess time to go get dinner or something to eat, but first. He walks out the door and it only takes him two minutes to find his destination, Starbucks. He walks through the shop's door and proceeds to the cashier.

"I'll take a Grande Java Chip Frappachino," Hazama says to the barista.

"Okay, is that all for you," she replies.

"Yes, that is all."

"Your total is $4.05. Name please."

"The name is Hazama.

He hands the money over to the cashier. He waits as the other guy makes his drink.

"Order for Hazama," the guy says.

"Thank You" Hazama walks over to a table. He pulls out the chair to sit down and sip his drink.