The year was 2049.

It was a certain man's 2nd Year.

With two semesters completed, the third was just beginning.

And it was during this time - in the dead of winter - that this pivotal battle occurred.

The expected clash was between B Class, who was on the verge of being promoted, and A Class, who was on the verge of being demoted.

However, the two representatives were entirely unanticipated.

The A Class leader, Ryouta Hane, had been anticipating the B Class leader, Takanori Yuuto, to meet him on the stage of their special exam.

However, the one that came face to face with him was Yuuto's partner.

Kazuraba Yukina.

Ryouta, who had been repeatedly clashing against Yuuto, and wanted to settle the score once and for all—

His grudge was crushed by Yukina instead.

Their rivalry - the mutual respect and hatred Yuuto and Ryouta held for each other - came to a standstill with his defeat from the one person Yuuto trusted above all others.

And her victory culminated in B Class being promoted to A Class...

***

...fast forward to today.

The year is 2080.

It was a certain girl's 2nd Year.

With one semester completed, and the second nearing an end, a chance to enter the Lindwurm was presented to her.

And it was during this time - in the dead of autumn - that this pivotal battle occurred.

Like history repeating itself, the two descendants of that decisive battle crossed paths again at the same school.

The daughter of the man who reigned as strongest in their year— Ryouta Kotori.

The daughter of the woman who beat the strongest in their year— Kazuraba Reona. 

Reona and Kotori stared each other in the eyes.

They were both vaguely aware of that shared past, yet remained blindly unaware of it.

"It's been awhile since we've fought, Reona-senpai."

"It has been, hasn't it? Kotori-san."

Reona's bubbly smile faded as she stepped foot into the digital world.

"So, how have you been doing?"

"I was doing fine... until I found out you were my opponent."

Kotori sighed, entering the digital world while wiping the sweat from her brow. Reona chuckled.

"Relax, you'll be fine. Just think of it as two friends playing a casual game."

"Easy for you to say... it's already bad enough the pressure from entering the Lindwurm is weighing down on me, it certainly doesn't help that I have to fight you for it. That practically reduces my chances to zero."

Kotori muttered, looking up into Reona's hollow eyes. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath through her nose.

"In other words... there's no way I can take it easy. Especially when I want to reach that stage with everyone else too."

Reona raised her eyebrows.

"I'm surprised. I didn't know you wanted to participate in the Lindwurm so badly, Kotori-san."

"Of course I do! I love Vanguard! I want to play in more tournaments, I want to play in more competitive events, and most of all, I want to play against even stronger fighters! There's a whole world of incredible people out there, and I want to be part of that world! I want to stand on the same stage as everyone else!"

Even as a bead of sweat ran down her cheek, a wide smile formed on Kotori's face.

"Ah... standing on the same stage as everyone else, huh? That's a lovely reason to fight."

Lifting her head to the dim ceiling lights, Reona smiled faintly.

"If anything, that just makes your courage to fight even more noble. Despite thinking your chances are zero, you're still going for it, even when it would be easier to give up. It's really, really admirable."

"While I appreciate the kind words, Reona-senpai... I think the simpler answer is I'm a stubborn gal. Just like my father, we're both willing to fight until the bitter end to get what we want. It's that simple, you know?"

Kotori laughed, blushing a little. Reona nodded.

"Then let's have a good game, Kotori-san."

"Of course! Best of luck to you too, Reona-senpai!"

A blue card each descended in front of them, with Reona slicing hers in half and Kotori catching hers in both hands. A burst of special effects ignited the cards, realising their decks.

A creamy beige crest of two crossing scythes appeared over Reona's deck, while a neon green crest of scattered eight stars appeared over Kotori's deck.

"Stand up, Vanguard!"

"Cavity Maligia."

"Almajestar, Pypis=Mulchie!"

The system decided Kotori would go first.

"Stand and draw! I discard to ride Almajestar, Schwart=Sparda! I get the Energy Generator and end my turn!"

Kotori:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

Reona:
Hand: 5
Damage: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand and draw. I discard to ride Hollow Raptor. I draw and get the Energy Generator with 3 energy. Raptor attacks! (8000)"

"No guard!"

"Drive check. (Steam Gunner, Tizkar)"

"Damage check! (Kitz Peak Griffin)"

"Turn end."

Kotori:
Hand: 5
Damage: 1
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

Reona:
Hand: 7
Damage: 0
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge! I discard to ride Almajestar, Turan=Dyna! Sparda's skill, I soulcharge 2! And since I soulcharged a crit, I draw! I call Bifrons! Her skill, I counterblast to scry 3, put one to hand, one to soul, and one to drop! Bifrons's second skill! Since I have an Almajestar vanguard, I soulblast and energyblast 3 to to put an "Astroea" from my deck into soul! And since I put a card, I can call a unit from my drop! I call Griffith Chimaera! Griffith's skill, since I have an Almajestar vanguard, I discard to scry 2, put  one into hand, and put the other either into soul or top of my deck! I put it on top! Then, he gets +5k! (10000 > 15000) I call Philya and Prospector! Boosted by Bifrons, Dyna attacks! (10000 > 18000)"

"No guard."

"Drive check! (Direful Doll, Alexandra) Heal trigger! I recover a damage and give Prospector +10k! (8000 > 18000)"

"Damage check. (Single Strike Shatter Colossus)"

"Prospector attacks! (18000)"

"Clenn guards. (23000)"

"Prospector's skill! He goes to soul, I scry 7, and I add an Arcetri Chimaera to hand! Boosted by Philya, Griffith attacks! She gets +5k! (15000 > 28000)"

"No guard. (Veidrock Dragon)"

"Philya goes to soul and I draw! Turn end!"

Kotori:
Hand: 7
Damage: 0
Energy: 0
XXO
OXO

Reona:
Hand: 6
Damage: 2
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge. I discard to ride Vacant Fang. Raptor's skill, I reveal the top 3 cards of my deck and put all grade 1 or greater cards into soul. Since I put two in, I draw. Tizkar's skill, I energyblast 3 to draw. Fang attacks! (10000)"

"Compared to how aggressive I've been going, your deck seems to barely do anything early game... no guard!"

"There's nothing wrong with hanging back and biding your time. Drive check. (Steam Raider, Zamuug)"

"True, it's just seeing you play so passively is spooking me out... damage check! (Opener of Heart, Philya)"

"My deck can afford to wait before taking a real swing. But can yours? Turn end."

Kotori:
Hand: 7
Damage: 1
Energy: 0
XXO
OXO

Reona:
Hand: 9
Damage: 2
Energy: 3
OXO
OOO

"It sounds like you're not taking this seriously... or rather, you're intentionally holding back."

Kotori grit the back of her teeth. Reona shook her head.

"This is honestly just the extent of what I can do now."

"Then... why did you attack my vanguard last turn?"

"Because you were on zero damage."

"That's not what I mean... if you swung into my Griffith and damage denied me, you would've set my game plan back by one whole turn. The only way for my deck to bind critical triggers is with my vanguard's skill, and that requires a counterblast to use. If you didn't give me that damage last turn, I would've had a vanilla turn, essentially buying you additional time to set up your Divine Skill turn."

"I think you've misconstrued something, Kotori-san. That isn't me holding back."

Kotori's eyes widened.

"That was me going easy on you."

Reona's facial expression remained blank.

"H... huh?"

Another bead of sweat ran down Kotori's face.

"It's no fun if both of us aren't playing the game, right? Like I said earlier... I wanted us to have a good time."

"I honestly can't tell if you're being sincere or insensitive, senpai..."

Kotori frowned before narrowing her eyes.

"But please... don't belittle me like that!"

"What do you mean?"

"You might see this as just another game... but this is a serious fight for me! So, I want you to take it seriously too!"

"But I—"

Reona raised her eyebrows as Kotori slammed the table with a burning gaze.

"That's not what I mean! I... I want to fight you at your best! I want you to go at me with everything you've got! I want to beat you when we're both going all out! Otherwise... overcoming you, someone who I've admired for a long time, won't be worth it!"

"Kotori-san..."

"Stand, draw, and charge! From the depths of the vast cosmos, transcend the gap between planetary horizons, and breathe the starlight of testament into this interlinked universe! I ride my avatar, Dualmajestar, Astroea=Bico Stella!"

In an instant, the digital world was engulfed in a celestial landscape dominated by flickering yellow stars as Kotori's circuits burned neon green.

"Dyna's skill, I call her and Sparda from soul! Bifrons's skill, I soulblast and energyblast 3 to put another Astroea into my soul and revive Philya! Boosted by Bifrons, Bico Stella attacks! (13000 > 21000) Bico's skill, I counterblast and soulblast 3! I bind all the critical and Astroea I soulblast for this cost, then perform effects according to the number of critical and Astroea in my bind! Since there's one or more, I retire a rear-guard and give my front row +5k! (10000 > 15000) (21000 > 26000) (10000 > 15000) And since there's three or more, she gets drive +1 and goes critical! (26000/1 > 2/2d > 3d) Quaking Eosinophils!"

"Ridicule Disrupter, perfect guard."

"Triple Drive!!! (Arcetri Chimaera, Stjerneborg Chimaera, Diabolos Girls, Natalia) Front trigger! (15000 > 25000) (15000 > 25000) Boosted by Sparda, Dyna attacks! (25000 > 33000)"

"Natalia and Tizkar guard. Natalia gets +5k and I energyblast 3 to draw with Tizkar. (35000)"

"Boosted by Philya, Griffith attacks! Her skill, +5k! (25000 > 38000)"

"No guard. (Stem Deviate Dragon)"

"Philya goes to soul and I draw! Turn end!"

Kotori:
Hand: 11
Damage: 1
Energy: 0
XXX
OXX

Reona:
Hand: 6
Damage: 3
Energy: 0
OXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge. With wings weaved from despair, the reaper falls from the bowels of heaven, wrapping up the noise in a silencing end roll. Like a stray feather, land upon the world in a curtain call. I ride my avatar, Fated One of Zero, Blangdmire!"

As Reona placed her card down, the space around her and Kotori became a vast stretch of infinite pure white. As far as the eye could see, there was nothing here in the digital world but a hollow plain that was devoid of any shape, form, or outlines.

Kotori grit her teeth, her circuits burning up from neon green to hot white, as she tried to summon back the familiar celestial space she had control over. However, it wasn't strong enough, as her will failed to overpower Reona's imagination.

That was how much clearer Reona's vision was of this fight.

"Vacant Fang's skill. I reveal the top 3 cards of my deck and put all the grade 1 or greater cards into soul. Since I put two in, I draw. Shatter's skill, when he's put into soul by card ability, I bind him face down to draw. I call Steam Raider, Zamuug, Veidrock Dragon, and Elaborate Wizard. Elaborate's skill, I scry 2, put one into soul, and botdeck the rest. Zamuug's skill, I counterblast to reveal the top 3 cards of my deck and put any number of them into soul. I'll put two in, and since I put one or more in, I draw. Shatter's skill once more, bind him face down to draw. Veidrock's skill, I soulcharge, then counterblast to call a grade 2 or less card from my soul. I call Sagacious Schemer. Schemer's skill, I soulblast to set Game of the Underworld from my deck. Underworld's skill, at the beginning of my battle phase, Veidrock gets Boost. Blangdmire attacks. (13000) Blangdmire's skill, I bind four cards from my soul face down to draw, and you choose two of your rear-guards to bind face down."

"I bind both Dyna and Griffith face down!"

"Then, Blangdmire gets +5k for every two face down cards in my bind. Since I have six, he gets +15k. (13000 > 28000) Relinquish Nihility!"

"Sanctitude, perfect guard!"

"Twin Drive. (Elaborate Wizard, Stem Deviate Dragon) Critical trigger. All to Schemer. (10000 > 20000/1 > 2) Boosted by Elaborate, Schemer attacks. (20000 > 28000/2)"

"No guard! (Kitz Peak Griffin, Plutonic Prospector)"

"Elaborate's skill, I counterblast to put a card from soul to hand, then bind him face down. I add Disrupter to hand. Boosted by Veidrock, Zamuug attacks. (10000 > 20000) Veidrock's skill, he gets +10k for every four face down cards in my bind. (20000 > 30000) Zamuug's skill, I energyblast 3 to give him +5k and a critical. (30000 > 35000/1 > 2)"

"Recusal Hate Dragon, perfect guard!"

"Turn end."

The digital world exited out of the white space, returning the landscape back to the celestial outer space Kotori set up.

Kotori:
Hand: 7
Damage: 3
Energy: 0
OXO
OXX

Reona:
Hand: 11
Damage: 3
Energy: 0
Bind: 7
XXX
XOO

"Stand, draw, and charge! Bico's skill! At the beginning of my ride phase, I discard to ride a copy of her from bind! From the depths of the vast cosmos, transcend the gap between planetary horizons, and breathe the starlight of testament into this interlinked universe! Persona Ride my avatar, Dualmajestar, Astroea=Bico Stella! (13000 > 23000) Bifrons's skill! I soulblast and energyblast 3 to put my last Astroea into soul and revive Stjerneborg Chimaera! (10000 > 20000) Stjerneborg's skill, I put a critical trigger from drop into my soul to give him +5k! (20000 > 25000) I call Griffith Chimaera (10000 > 20000) and Crepuscular Mage, Illyllia! Griffith's skill, I discard to scry 2, put one to hand, the other to soul, and he gets +5k! (20000 > 25000) Illyllia's skill, I put a trigger from drop into soul! Schwart's skill, I bind a critical trigger in my soul to give her +10k! (8000 > 18000)"

Kotori took a deep breath as her circuits illuminated neon green, spreading out from her heart as they traversed into her right arm to form a Roman numeral on the back of her right hand.

VII.

"Chariot ability, activate."

"Entropic Valkyrie! I choose one of my rear-guards, increase or decrease it's drive to 1, and during the battles it attacked, it can perform a drive check! With this Arcana... I command you, Stjerneborg! Boosted by Illyllia, Stjerneborg attacks with a drive check! (25000 > 33000)"

"No guard."

"Drive check! (Opener of Heart, Philya)"

"Damage check. (Steam Raider, Zamuug)"

"Boosted by Bifrons, Bico attacks! (23000 > 31000) Bico's skill, I counterblast and soulblast 3! I bind all the critical and Astroea I soulblast for this cost, then perform effects according to the number of critical and Astroea in my bind! Since there's one or more, I retire Veidrock and give my front row +5k! (25000 > 30000) (31000 > 36000) (25000 > 30000) Since there's three or more, she gets drive +1 and goes critical! (36000/1 > 2/2d > 3d) And since there's five or more, I get to restand a rear-guard! Get back up, Stjerneborg! Stjerneborg's skill, when he stands, since I have four or more critical triggers in bind, he goes critical too! (30000/1 > 2) Illyllia's skill, when a rear-guard stands in the same column as her, I soulblast to stand her! Unlimited Zodiac Eosinophils!"

"Ridicule Disrupter, perfect guard."

"Triple Drive!!! (Recusal Hate Dragon, Direful Doll, Alexandra) Heal trigger! I can't heal, but I give power to Stjerneborg! (30000 > 40000/2) (Direful Doll, Bethany) Critical trigger! Power to Stjerneborg, critical to Griffith! (40000 > 50000/2) (30000/1 > 2) Boosted by Illyllia, Stjerneborg attacks with a drive check! (50000 > 58000/2)"

"Natalia and two Faevronia guards. (13000 > 33000 > 48000 > 63000) One to pass."

"Drive check! (Arcetri Chimaera) Boosted by Sparda, Griffith attacks! (30000 > 48000/2)"

"Stem Deviate, Clenn, and Elaborate guards. Schemer intercepts. (53000)

"Turn end!"

Kotori:
Hand: 11
Damage: 3
Energy: 0
XXX
XXX

Reona:
Hand: 3
Damage: 4
Energy: 0
XXO
OOO

"Stand, draw, and charge."

Once more, the digital world was plunged into an infinite pure white.

"With wings weaved from despair, the reaper falls from the bowels of heaven, wrapping up the noise in a silencing end roll. Like a stray feather, land upon the world in a curtain call. Persona Ride Next, my true avatar. One Who Walks From Zero, Blangdmire Nexus!"

At the soles of their feet, white pincushions bloomed. While Reona dug her heels in, her expression remaining static, Kotori took a step back, trying to avoid the flowers as they sprung up around her.

"(10000 > 20000) (13000 > 23000) Blangdmire Nexus's skill. I bind four cards from my soul face down, and you choose two of your rear-guards to bind face down."

"I bind Illyllia and Bifrons face down!"

However, the more steps Kotori took, the more flowers that sprouted her place, multiplying rapidly until white pincushions covered the entire field.

"Then, Blangdmire gets +5k for every two face down cards in my bind zone. Since I have ten, he gets +25k. (23000 > 48000) Now, I can either call a face down card from my bind or draw. I'll choose to call from bind, and call Veidrock Dragon. Veidrock's skill, I soulcharge, then counterblast to call from soul my Ace unit, Funeral Procession of the Fallen, Valac. (10000 > 20000) Valac's Unique Skill. He gets +5k (20000 > 25000) and I energyblast 3 to scry 7, put a card from among them into soul, then call from my soul. I call Evoke Alchemist. I call Elaborate Wizard from hand and use his skill, scrying 2, putting one to soul, and botdecking the rest."

A lone black feather and a sole white petal fell over Reona's hollow eyes, causing a Roman numeral to appear on her left cheek.

XII.

"Hanged Man ability, activate."

"Serendipitous Abyss. For every four face down cards in my bind zone, I countercharge 1 and energycharge 3. Since I have nine, I countercharge 2 and energycharge 6."

Kotori's eyes widened as Reona instantly recovered her resources.

"Now you have just enough for to pull off full combo..."

Gritting her teeth, more beads of sweat began running down her face.

"And finally, since I have the Fated One of Zero in soul, my front row rear-guards get +5k (20000 > 25000) (25000 > 30000) and Blangdmire Nexus gains his Divine Skill. Veidrock's skill, he gets +20k. (10000 > 30000) Underworld's skill, Veidrock gets Boost. Zamuug attacks. His skill, I energyblast 3 to get +5k and a critical. (25000 > 30000/1 > 2)"

"Recusal Hate perfect guards!"

"Boosted by Evoke Alchemist, Blangdmire Nexus attacks. (48000 > 56000) Evoke's skill. He gets +5k when boosting, and a further +2k when boosting Blangdmire. (56000 > 61000 > 63000) Since I have four or more face down cards in bind, I counterblast to restand Zamuug, and since I have eight or more face down cards in bind, he gets +15k. (25000 > 40000) Blangdmire's Divine Skill."

The white pincushions under Reona's feet blossomed into red spider lilies dripping blood.

"At the beginning of the guard step, since I have eight or more face down cards in bind, he gets a critical (63000/1 > 2), you cannot call or play sentinels from hand for the rest of this turn, and all your and your vanguard's abilities are nullified until the end of your next turn."

The white pincushions under Kotori's feet exploded into red spider lilies that crawled up her legs and body.

"In the midst of havoc, find reasoning that vanquishes beyond reason, and return everything to oblivion. The abyss shall guide you off the stage... Relinquish Nihility. (63000/2)"

Breathing heavily, more sweat ran down Kotori's face as she shook her head at the looming shadow hanging over her.

"N... n-no guard...!"

"That's a dangerous game you're playing, Kotori-san."

"I know... but I don't have enough shield to stop all these attacks. If you check a critical, I'm dead either way. So, I'm going to take a chance and seize a miracle!"

"A miracle, hm? Okay."

Reona closed her eyes while Kotori braced for impact.

"Twin Drive. (Game of Underworld, One Who Walks From Zero, Blangdmire Nexus)"

The looming shadow passed through Kotori like a ghost, making her flinch with a sigh of relief.

"Oh thank god, I barely made it out...! Damage checks! (Stjerneborg Chimaera, Clerical Star Demonic Lady, Bifrons)"

As she lifted her arm, even more red spider lilies bloomed across her body, crawling up to her arms, hands, and even neck.

"It's not over just yet. Boosted by Elaborate, Valac attacks. His skill, +5k. (30000 > 38000)"

"I guard with Arcetri, Kitz Peak, and Prospector! (23000) Arcetri's skill, since I have 3 or more critical and Astroea in bind, he gets +10k shield! Kitz Peak's skill, since I have a critical in bind, he gets +5k shield! Prospector's skill, since I have 2 or more triggers in bind, he gets +10k shield! (23000 > 28000 > 33000 > 43000)"

Reona opened her eyes, irises looking even more empty than before. Kotori gulped, unnerved at how dead they looked.

"Boosted by Veidrock, Zamuug attacks. His skill, I energyblast 3 to get +5k and a critical. (40000 > 45000 > 75000/1 > 2)"

The corners of Kotori's eyes were being invaded by the long petals of the spider lilies.

"Bethany, Alexandra guard... (13000 > 28000 > 43000) Griffith and Stjerneborg intercept... (43000 > 48000 > 53000) And Arcetri, Bifrons, and Griffith guard! (53000 > 63000 > 68000 > 73000)"

Kotori heaved, her chest rising up and down, her forehead glistening with sweat, and her throat parched as her hand had been reduced to zero.

"You need 5k more shield."

Kotori's wide eyes scrambled up and down as Reona's callous words echoed in her head, trying to find a way to make up the difference. However, the only thing she could see in front of her were her own empty hands that couldn't hold anything.

"No way... it can't be..."

And soon, Kotori couldn't see anything at all.

"Losing like this... how..."

The red spider lilies bloomed over eyes, a frayed curtain putting an end to this act.

"I was only... 5k short... ahhhh! (Dualmajestar, Astroea=Bico Stella)"

In a manjushage burst, Kotori fell back as the spider lilies consumed her, causing her to sink into the white pincushions like a corpse.

"You played well, Kotori-san. Good game."

Reona stood over Kotori's lifeless body, staring mutely her own handiwork.

Despite admiring the beauty of Kotori's loss, her blank expression remaining unchanged.

Even this much couldn't move her vacant heart.

"Will someone ever show it to me again...?"

Reona knelt down, piercing a white poppy through Kotori's eye, planting it firmly inside the socket.

"That exorbitant field of death... the one daddy once showed me."

***

Meanwhile in Amaterasu, at Alba Academy.

On the fourth floor, Agon opened the door to a small office with dim lights on.

As day crossed over to the evening, the sunset was visible through the small window, casting a golden hue over a man clad in black who sat turned away on a leather swivel chair.

"Sir."

Stopping in front of the desk, Agon greeted the man clad in black with a slight bow.

"Agon-san... good, you've arrived."

Turning around in his seat, the sunlight shone over Enmitsu Mario's face briefly, before dropping away and engulfing him in the shadow of his office.

"I have yet another job for you. Think you can handle it?"

Agon looked at Mario before closing his eyes and opening them again, hard.

"And what is in it for me?"

"The same as before. I'll help realise your dreams come true."

Putting his hands together, Mario leaned forward on the desk. Agon gazed out of the window and into the golden sky.

"Last time, I failed my objective because you made me prioritise your goal over mine."

"Did you, though? I'd say clipping Takamine Minoru of his wings helped your cause. He was the one who Busujima Mari put her trust into, after all."

"While that is true, it has also made an opportunity to capture the princess even more rare."

"And that's where I come in. I'll drag Busujima out into the spotlight for you. In exchange, I want you to help pave the way for a certain client to reach the belly of the Lindwurm."

"How are you planning to make the princess appear?"

"That's a trade secret I cannot disclose, unfortunately. But rest assured, she will be there."

Agon narrowed his eyes slightly.

"And your client is?"

Mario clapped as the sun disappeared beyond the horizon, letting the dusk of night settle in.

"Please show yourself."

In an room connected to the office, a young woman with pink hair tied into two buns wearing Chinese inspired clothing stepped out.

"So, you're the one young Mar is entrusting my life with, huh?"

Agon looked over his shoulder, flinching before recomposing himself and turning around fully.

"...for a moment, I nearly thought you were someone else."

"What do you mean by that, young boy?"

"Nothing... I believe we have not met before. My name is Agon Ikuto, Category Zero."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, young Ag. You're already at Zero, huh...? Isn't that nice. Ideal, even."

She nodded sagely.

"Unfortunately, I'm only Category Joker. A far cry from surpassing One, I know."

She laughed a little before a small smile appeared on her face.

"Oh, my apologies. This old man almost forgot to tell you my name."

Agon glanced at Mario, but Mario shrugged with a smug smile.

"I am the sword saint of drifting death, Kazuraba Yukia. Shall we duel, young Ag?"

***

Meanwhile in Tsukuyomi, at Hakujou High School.

Originally built as a Western European style castle for Christian missionaries in Japan during the early 1900s, it was repurposed into a Christian college in the mid 1900s.

This led to a church being built at the heat of campus, and to this day it remains standing as one of Hakujou's most defining features.

During the early 2000s, Hakujou was repurposed once again, transforming itself into a public all girl's school, and became private during the mid 2040s.

Since the privatisation, Hakujou had gained an elite and wealthy reputation, and when the MGP debuted, the school's status skyrocketed thanks to them skimming the top crop of female cardfighters in Tsukuyomi.

Recently however, the school became co-ed, and opened itself up for boys to enter, leading to an influx of male students. However, the ratio of women to men was at 8:2, and as such, there were only two boys on the school's prestigious Cardfight club.

One was Seijuro, a stoic man who preferred taking actions over words. The other was Shirota, a people pleasing pushover who was treated as a gopher by the other members.

"Ah... my legs are killing me..."

Shirota sighed, rubbing his calves as he sat down in the church, the multi-coloured stained glass filtering a kaleidoscopic light over him as he painted heavily.

"One of these days... I should really say no..."

Putting an arm over his face, Shirota slumped in the pew.

"But you just can't, right?"

A cold can pressed against his face, causing Shirota to jump and whimper.

"H-huh?! W-who's there?!"

"It's just me, silly. Kazuraba Chiho."

Shirota looked up, seeing a woman with short pink hair and glasses presenting a cream soda to him.

"O-oh... Chiho-senpai, it's just you..."

He breathed a sigh of relief, accepting the can.

"You must be exhausted... good job today."

"Pho!"

Chiho smiled as her pet, Pho, ran around her shoulder and barked happily at Shirota.

"Yes, you did a good job today too, Pho."

She smiled, nuzzling Pho's cheek. Shirota laughed as he watched the two.

"How'd you know I end up here, senpai?"

"You always come here when you're stressed, Shirota-kun."

"A-am I that obvious...?"

"You're more obvious than when Edelweiss-san uses Coreanis's skill and puts both on top."

"Talk about a deep cup comparison..."

Shirota shuddered, remembering the time Edelweiss checked a critical into Amartinoa.

"What do you like so much about the church anyways? I feel like it loses a lot of it's charm after the first time you see it."

Chiho looked around, admiring the paintings on the glass stained windows, but not much else. Pho barked in agreement.

"If I tell you why, Chiho-senpai, I think you'll end up laughing at me..."

"I would never do such a thing. In fact, I'm a little offended you think I'm that kind of mean girl."

Chiho pouted. Shirota laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his head.

"No, I think anyone would laugh at me if they heard why..."

"Anyone?"

"Anyone, anyone. But, Chiho-senpai is a kind person who looks out for me, so... I guess I'll tell you."

"Shirota-kun?"

Raising a finger, Shirota pointed at the front of the church, where the largest glass stained window stood, depicting the Virgin Mary cradling baby Jesus.

"Over there... that's why."

"Eh... you like that painting that much? I'm surprised."

"Pho!"

Pho jumped over to Shirota, and Shirota began petting him.

"W-well, it's less about the painting... and more about what happened over there."

Without realising it, a smile appeared on Shirota's face. Seeing his brightened expression, Chiho smiled too.

"It sounds like you have a good memory there. If someone laughed at you for that, they'd just be rude."

"You think so...?"

"I know so! So, spill the tea. What happened there? Did you have your first kiss there? Did you open a super rare card? Oh, did you have some kind of revelation from God?"

"I... I met a goddess."

Chiho's face went blank.

"Eh?"

"Pho?"

Even Pho was confused as Shirota uttered those words.

"T-that's... the only way I can explain it..."

Shirota mumbled, his face going dark red. Slowly, Chiho understood, before giggling.

"Ah... not a literal goddess. But someone on that same level. I can only think of one person who'd fit that criteria."

"Pho! Pho, pho!"

Pho began jumping around excitedly, startling Shirota. Chiho scooped her pet from his lap and laughed.

"Honestly... you're way too obvious, Shirota-kun. That goddess... it's Megumi-san, isn't it?"

In the eye's mind of Shirota, he could clearly envision the first time he met Tejima Megumi.

It was after his first day at Hakujou, after being ran around ragged by his classmates and doing all sorts of odd chores for them.

He went to the church to check it out, since everyone was raving about it, but when he stepped inside, it was empty—

Except for one person.

And when he saw Tejima standing in front of that glass stained window, his heart was captured.

"Oh... what are you doing here? The church is currently off limits."

Tejima turned around, looking down at Shirota with a half-gentle, half-serious gaze.

"O-oh... s-sorry, I had no clue! I'll... I'll take my leave now! S-sorry to bother you!"

Snapping out it, Shirota tried to tuck tail and run away. However...

"Wait. I could use an extra hand. Would you mind helping me?"

Extending a hand out to him, Tejima smiled.

And just like that, she hit Shirota's fatal weakness.

He could never say no to someone in need.

"Of course!"

Without thinking twice, Shirota turned around and grabbed Tejima's extended hand, forgetting the world of difference between them in that split second.

A warmth that can never be replaced, gifted by the goddess he met that day.