(GS3) Home Field: Espoir Mansion

[Hope]

Hana finished weaving the reverse energy past a few more threads of the uniform. It was getting a sort of silver color from its original white sheen, the trims were starting glow red. In Hana's opinion, it looked like a really fashionable outfit. Void coated school uniform!

Her phone vibrated and she checked the message. Austrailia-kun? Last she checked, he was a Link Joker general. Ha he gotten the reverse lifted? Either way, it looks as if he wanted to meet up and it's not everyday that Underground King and invader general texts for a meet up.

She changed into the finished school shirt and wore a leather coat above it, giving a nice overall light and dark contrast between her hair and torso. The red glow was a nice touch. She headed out to Gotem City.

[Cherry]

Yugure was very much nearly knocked down by the bouncing Haruka borderline tackling her. Thankfully, as sturdy as knight training made her, she managed to stay up, and hug her beloved back. Had she not felt sick, she could've answered with more resilience. He was really excited, enough to make someone forget a war was going on. Cheery outlooks like that were... quite something awe-inspiring.

"H-Heeeey!"

The soldier couldn't respond with as much enthusiasm, but tried. Alfred and Ezel offered her gold stars, and she told them to shove them up their-

"Good to see you lookin' happy."

Yugure put her attention back on Haruka, giving him a quick peck.

[Jello]

He gave a sheepish grin after the kiss, happy to see her. There wasn't much time left before he would probably have to off and disappear again, unless Sera would give him the opportunity. Not much time left after all, sadly. Even Haruka knew that the good life was coming to an end soon... It was a depressing thought to realize that all the times he shared with Yukino and Hana and everyone will just as quickly come to an end as they had come to him after death. It's like some sick twisted joke to give him back everything in reach, then take it away again.

That made his stomach nearly lurch forward. He tried to keep a cool and composed posture for her though, just to keep her spirits up as well. He brought her in extra close, pressing his forehead to hers. He blinked for a moment, adjusting his vision to get a good look at her from this close.

"Hey, I need to tell you something..."

He took a slightly deep breath, before moving back an inch or so, being able to see her eyes clearly. Making the message clear was better than just up and disappearing on the girl. There was no way he could forgive himself for that.

"Sera... Will be strong enough to get at his work again tomorrow. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets near full control by then. So I probably won't be here tomorrow... or the next day. Chances are we might not meet again for a bit. And the chances of us meeting again, as in Haruka and Yukino, are low... Severely." He pressed his lips to her forehead for a moment, with a slight hum to them. Releasing his small kiss, and looked back at her again.

"I'm sorry Yukino, that I put you through so much stress after all this time, only to up and vanish from your life. At least I can confirm for you today isn't a dream. And, thank you, for existing in my life. It's been a hell of a ride, darling." Haruka brushed part of Yukino's hair behind her ear, trying to maintain a smiling face. That face was slowly deteriorating, despite the enthusiasm and joviality he had sprung forth with only a moment ago.

[Cherry]

As expected, happy days were not meant to last. To be honest, Yugure was prepared for this as a natural pessimist, always trying to tiptoe around Sera, and knowing full well that cancerous angel wouldn't give in and at least let the boy stay. It was easy to tell Haruka was despairing over this. That's why, when he separated their foreheads, she almost said "please don't go". Not just for a rigid soldier who can't live in peace, but for a boy who deserved his right to live. Tomorrow, the Seed will take his place back in the war as the invader overlord. It would be a long time before the couple got to be together again.

But the chances of meeting as Haruka and Yukino were low?

Ridiculous.

Hearing his apology - his goodbye only made it more outrageous. Yugure proceeded to headbutt him.

"Don't you talk to me like that", the queen demanded. "Not only am I going to bring you back, I'm going to bring you back as who you are right now. Thank me then, apologize to me then, do none of it now!"

The thing about being a pessimist is that it didn't really register when it came to loved ones. Blind optimism? Probably. A general had to be able to raise morale for themselves and others. Yet, this wasn't a clouded bet. No, she was positive they'd be holding hands like always at the end of this.

"I kept on this 'ride' because I love you, and I'm keeping on it because I love you."

[Jello]

"O-Oww!" Haruka rubbed his forehead slightly, keeping his other arm wrapped around Yukino's waist. She was upset with that little bit of information apparently. He didn't process what she said at first, but when he finally did... Wow she was actually much angrier than he assumed she would. For some reason he believed she would be a bit more upset or wanting to spend the day happily.

She was angry at him. But a loving anger. Tough love? No, different than that. She really wanted to believe he was going to come back, as Haruka Nakahara. He sighed with a slight smile, letting a painful wince out still from the headbutt.

"O-Okay... I'll come back to you then. I expect you to make sure it happens though. Not like I can control it really... Can I ask you to do me a favor though?" Haruka awkwardly looked away, still holding on to her waist. He sort of fumbled around in the annals of his thoughts til they got hazy. His request was really simple but he needed her permission. In fact they did this on a regular basis.

But this was different for him. For a lot of reasons. But he needed this.

[Cherry]

Despite their relationship, Yugure wasn't really a textbook example of a romanticist. She wasn't into sappy goodbyes, nor into hoping for a happy ending. The woman was going to make the happy ending happen, and still hold her hatred and rage. Even if some of that wrath pours out in a promise to retrieve her lover, it was simply her brand of violent affection. Of course she'll make it happen, she wouldn't be here if she gave up. Haruka spoke of a request, which naturally, the girl would dutifully hear out and perform.

"What is it?"

[Jello]

Haruka was actually a little bit of a dork sometimes and didn't know when he was allowed to be spoiled or when it was the wrong time. Right now he really wanted to be spoiled but didn't know if it was the right time.

He fidgeted for a moment encased in a furious blush, unable to maintain eye contact for longer than a solid two seconds. Finally after enough beating around the bush, he looked at her with a little pout.

He was really quiet.

Somewhere in-between a mutter and a whisper.

"K-k-kiss me..."

That was the best he could muster at the time. Embarrassment was really getting to him right about now. If only he was super courageous and brash all the time.

[Cherry]

Yugure missed Haruka being a little fumbling dork. This act of nerves and fidgeting was part of why she loved him - he's adorable. All he wanted was a kiss, too. Giving a little giggle at his quiet stuttering, her arms draped around his shoulders, tugging him closer to deliver his gift: her soft lips to his. It was one of the rare times she was gentle, not exactly forcing him toward her, but just carefully pulling. During the longing embrace, the queen's hands slowly traveled backward to Haruka's cheeks, caressing them with thumbs.

[Jello]

Before he could change his mind on the request, as if he wanted to anyways, a soft pair of lips closed over this own. He let out a soft moan in response. Haruka was actually caught off guard, despite him being the one who requested the kiss.

He felt all the motions and tactile touches from Yukino. He got chills from feeling her hands on his face. They were cool to the touch, yet warning like an embrace all the same. Haruka felt lost in a space-time vaccuum. He's had these moments plenty of times in his life, but he still wishes he could stop time and stay that way.

Pulling away only slightly, he looks at her.

His eyes only slightly glazing over.

"One more..." He proceeds to kiss her himself this time. And again. And again. It took no time at all to turn that one request into a series of kisses. Spoiled boy.

Haruka was happy this way. If this was all he got before everything ended... Then so be it. He was happy with his gauntlet of slightly more forceful kisses than the last, as long as he had what he wanted for so long. A lover who would reciprocate the same for him. It set off a tingly feeling in his chest, rising to his throat.

This was all he needed for the night.

[Cherry]

Hearing Haruka moan might have set her off more than it should have. She refrained from letting out a little bratty whine over him pulling back. He was the one who asked for the kiss, but that didn't mean she wasn't going to complain when it was over. "One more", he said. Then it turned into another, an extra, one last, more, just an barrage of lip-locking. The woman was getting what she'd have griped out, clearly signaled by her moaning and happy giggling. A new kind of high was starting to be reached with the assortment of pills from earlier kicking in. Yugure was starting to feel light-headed, and that made melting into this loving embrace all the easier and all the better.

"Haaa... ruuuu... kaaaaa..."

The dizzy queen was lost in the growing euphoria, crying her beloved's name as she leaned forward, keeping up with his growing kiss-aggro, and giving herself to him.

[Cherry]

Yugure's eyes slowly opened, quickly blinking in order to get adjusted to the light out of the window. At some point in the night, the couple wound up in her bedroom. Haruka was still asleep next to her, and it would be the last time she sees him like that for awhile. Fighting against the gravity of medicated drowsiness, the soldier got up. "I'll see you soon" was a little note posted on the back of her door. About to depart from her room, she noted a text from Satoshi on her phone. Scrolling to open it, the message almost instantly set off her fury. Slamming a fist into the wall - Nebula Lord was gathering for a challenge to her. If he were to win, his harvest of everyone else would proceed without her interference.

"Neeeeebulaaaaaa Loooooooooord...!"

The woman growled with a deep, ferocious tone filled with anger. "Chance to turn the tide of war" translated to: "Chance to murder a commander and get your friend back".

Her door slammed shut as she left to prepare.

A message was sent to the members of the Cardfight Club.

"We're going to Hawaii."

[Hope]

Hana sent a reply:
"I just managed to defeat Freeze Ray Dragon and Dark Band. Now suddenly Hawaii? Don't slack Nee-san pls, but sure I can use some R&R with an obligatory beach episode. I have stuff you can wear from photoshoots and stuff if you want, I think my clothes fit you now. Cash money lol. - Hana Isabella Espoir"

[Cherry]

"Good work. Now we're going to kill Nebula Lord."

Yugure didn't even respond to the beach part...

[Golden Sage NovaRaizer]

Darren replied to Yugure:

Hawaii sounds like a fun distraction, Yuki. I'm gonna be plus 2 though. I'm sure it'll be fine.

[Jello]

Awakening at the slam of the door, Haruka quickly cuddled back into a sleeping position, reaching his arm over to tap Yukino. His stomach had knots and hurt like a quick jab to the gut on repeat.

Who was now obviously absent, causing Haruka to sit up. He rubbed eyes, realizing she was already gone. Nothing too out of the ordinary. She tended to do that often, either that or Haruka himself would be gone at all hours of the morning for school or something. Scratching his head, he checked a message he received from Yukino herself.

Hawaii.

Haruka was delighted, until he realized what that gut feeling was supposed to be. Sera's grip on Haruka was back. He had finally regained enough strength to take the host body over if he felt, and that made Haruka extremely anxious to be around his loved ones. He breathed in with a few thoughts on his mind. Should he go? What are the benefits are going besides an obligatory beach episode? Seeing Yukino in a bikini was obvious one but Haruka had seen something similar a few times anyways so it wasn't like he was missing out on anything ground breaking for him.

He ran his hands through his hair, feeling the heat in his temples and chest rising, signifying Sera's conscious emerging. He probably had words for Haruka right about now, since they were finally alone.

Why does she have to bite so hard?

I seriously thought you had something relevant to say for once and yet again you prove me wrong.

What? It's not like I'm taking over the world yet or anything. Besides, I'm inherently obtaining bits of your personality. Hence why recently I've been using more conjunctions and such.

You still sound like an alien to me.

Because I have your voice. But maybe a half-step lower.

Haruka shook his head. Sera was actually comic relief right now and didn't seem to have anything too malicious on the mind.

But yeah, If I were you and I had me inside of me, I probably wouldn't go anywhere near them. Just because I'm like, and technically am you, doesn't mean that I no longer want to finish what I started. Plenty of those people are targets... Primarily that lovely girl you spend nights in bed with.

Which one?

Th-The one you were with last night....

Ah... Right. Yukino.

There's another?

Remember Hana-

Speak no more. It is clear to me again. Those are some very vivid images you have kept stored up in there-

Pleasestoplookingthroughmymemory!!!

Haruka sighed, flopping down on the bed, gripping lightly at the sheets. He was already missing Yukino's warmth. More so, he missed all of his friends and the relationships he had finally established after so much time. Because of some stupid Seed planted in him, he was suddenly the villain and was susceptible to being completely eradicated by those he loved, only because of this stupid other half. He was gritting his teeth at this point.

I'm sorry.

You're... Wait. What?

You heard me.

Right. They can hear each other's thoughts, so Sera must know exactly how Haruka feels about everything. And considering Sera is more and more human by the moment, he must be feeling really hated, dejected, and lonely as of recently...

Guess they were more alike than they thought.