13 The calm before the storm

The bell to end class for the day had finally sounded. Everyone who began to get out of their seats was groaning and stretching out their limbs thanks to their well-fought battles during the Exams which had ended. Riyku seemed to have been leaning against a fence on the rooftop long before the bells even went off. "Three months eh?" The male whispered to no one in particular. His crimson eyes fixated upon the students who were leaving the campus. Since the Death Games were now around the corner with the ending of Exam students would go on a Vacation during that time frame. Turning his glance away from the fence he would sigh heavily. "Still no contact from Coco... I wonder what happened to her." He muttered softly before speaking internally, 'Menu'. It was then a cybernetic screen appeared upon his personal vision. Since Coco wasn't around he had set the short-cut commands so he could pull up his menus at any time.

Name: Riyku Von Rosario.

Level: 92

Shield Points: 820/820

Mana Points: 752/752

Energy: 446/446

Form duration: 3:00:00

Age: ???

Gender: Male

Grade: 1A

Club: Non-Affiliated

Class: UnDefined

Weight: 90.71Kg

Height: 213.36Cm

Blood Type: AB

Stats: SSS

Basic Status:

Strength: 158

Toughness: 151

Agility: 158

Wisdom: 149

Intelligence: 149

Charisma: 158

Skill points to spend: 32

Buff:

+2 Mana regeneration per second

In three months he had reached level ninety-two. If he recalled what Coco had told him, it was when he reached level ninety that he would be able to Class Up; however, Coco was nowhere as of now. So the Class Up was an impossible feat presently. Looking at the two rings on his right hand both appeared silver but one held a green color gem and the other a blue color gem. It was on the same hand that the gold bracelet could be seen as well. It wasn't anything too fancy, but it was quite fashionable. "The Ring of Vitality and The Ring of Mana, as well as the Elven Bracelet..." The male whispered with a soft huff before moving the same hand to pick up a pendant; he looked over the pendant, a lovely black chain with a shadow design for a pendant would dangle. "Necklace of Shade..." He added with a soft huff and shifted his glance skyward. "The girls wouldn't stop asking me questions the morning after the incident. Where I got my accessories, who I got them from and how I did what I did. Thankfully everything has settled since then, but..." He would close his eyes as if he were scowling. "I still need to pay that bitch back for what she did. Ever since then it seems that she has been on the down low. I questioned Rick and company about her whereabouts, and what she was doing but no one knows. I even asked Racheal to look into it, but nothing came up. Damn bitch hasn't even been going to her classes it would seem..." Clicking his tongue inward he would take a moment to digress from his tension and sigh heavily.

Dismissing the status screen from his UI he would tap upon the wristband chip to bring up his cybernetic screen. In which navigated to his personal status that was on the record.

Rank: Pro(49)

Wins: 104

Losses: 1

Draws: 0

Points: 402,369

Subscribers: 0

"In the last three months, I've been challenging others as much as possible. Apparently, some rumor was spread that if they defeat me at least once they will get some kind of reward. I don't know who put that kind of bounty out for me, but it has helped me rise in the ranks and even gain back all of the points I spent on getting prepared." He sighed heavily before the door began to squeak open and four females, as well as a single male, approached him with joyous smiles. "I knew he would be up here!" Kristen called out. "Well, Isn't he always up here?" Lira added with a giggle. "Of course he is, he bought this rooftop after all," Vex added to which Mina chuckled lightly. "Something about it being nice and quiet." She seemed to add to which Riyku sighed heavily. "It was." He replied. "Well, You have yet to kick us out. "Kristen would tease to which the rest nodded and Riyku shrugged. "Whatever. So what brings you five up here?" Riyku inquired as he dismissed the menu from his wristband to give them his full attention. "How did the Exams go?" Skylar asked as he looked up at him. "Easy," Riyku replied to which the girls sighed heavily. "Everything is easy for you, isn't it?" Kristen complained. "I'll say. Everything from the battles to the tests... This man appears undefeatable." Vex stated to which Lira chuckled. "Except for his loss with Mina." To which Mina blushed lightly. "That was..." Kristen would move over to Mina and reel her into her arm. "No need to be bashful. After all, we are all friends here." She added with a teasing remark. "Yup." Skylar nodded to which Mina sighed with a soft moan. "Alright, I got it." She was rather embarrassed but it did not seem to bother Riyku in the slightest.

"So... Has anyone found out anything about this stupid reward?" Kristen questioned. "Nope," Vex stated with a shake of her head. "I've thoroughly been on the lookout for anyone acting strange. No one has appeared." She added. "Same on my end. Nothing has come up, not even off campus." Lira would pitch in. "Mina?" They all looked at her and she shook her head. "Nothing. I know I usually get the information quite fast, but... Nothing. Sorry, everyone." She would apologize to which they shook their heads. "Not your fault. This did come out of nowhere a few days after the incident after all."

Kristen stated while placing a hand upon her shoulder. From Riyku's perspective, it appeared that the girls had all gotten closer over the past three months. Tugging on his sleeve was Skylar who looked up at him. Still as feminine looking as always even for a boy. "Hm?" Riyku looked at him.

"I don't mean to dampen the mood, but you still have your duel with Barron as well as the Death Games coming up in less than a week. Are you prepared for everything?" Skylar whispered as Riyku would lend him his ear. "I am. I've done all I can up to this point." Riyku stated; the girls looking over at him and Skylar. "Done what?" Mina asked to which Riyku responded. "Prepare."

"Oh, that's right. You have been doing training day in and day out. You know sometimes I don't even know where you go." Kristen stated to which everyone looked at her. "It's true. He just vanishes at times. Do you have some sort of secret training area?" Kristen added to which Riyku shook his head. In truth, he had been visiting the Lower Quarter to gain experience points. Although, he was mainly ridding the place of scum as if to search for any clues or answers about Bell's whereabouts. "Nope." He replied to which the girls shook their head. "Probably the forest off in the distances. It is a good hunting ground for those who are planning on joining the Hunters Legion." Mina stated to which everyone looked at her, even Riyku's brow rose in interest. He had not heard anything of this, but then again his mind was preoccupied with getting stronger and gaining information on Bell so, it wasn't like he was searching for things like that.

"Speaking of which... Riyku, has Amnesia right? Do you think he was a hunter?" Lira inquired. "He could have been, but I don't know." Vex stated to which Kristen would chip in, "Probably. After all, this man is the strongest in all of the Eastern Region." To which everything began chuckling in agreement. Riyku would sigh softly and shake his head before looking back out over the students. It seemed a brawl had begun as well as a few other challenges. "So it's starting," Skylar muttered softly. "What is?" Riyku inquired. "Pregaming..." Skylar would state. "Pregaming?" Riyku was a bit confused. "Right before the annual Death Games, everyone rushes into games to gain points to prepare for the Games. It's called Pregaming because most people don't prepare in advance and they don't have time to do so during the Exam period. Of course, someone like you has no need to take part in this. But if you want to, I won't hold you back. After all the rewards are doubled during this time period before the Death Games." Kristen would explain.

"But there is a catch?" Riyku inquired to which Kristen nodded. "Of course. The loss value is also doubled. Wins and Losses still count as normal but points earned are doubled as well as points loss. Most people partake of brawl games during this time because they yield the most points. Of course, those who do partake of this time period are mostly those who plan on entering the Death Games." Kristen added to which Riyku looked from her back out at the groups who were partaking of the event. "Are you going to partake? The five of us were planning on doing it." Vex stated. Silence overtook the atmosphere before Riyku eventually gave his answer, "I guess." "Well, then you should come with us. We are going to head to the Gaming Lounge." Skylar would state to which Riyku's brow rose. "Gaming Lounge?"

"Yup the Gaming Lounge is a place for everyone to partake of games. It's mainly for those who are on standby and just want to go around challenging others for points or wins. The lounge also hosts several commodities. Such as a bar, seating for people to spectate or just overall relax and meet up, and solo gaming sessions where you can use your points to win more points." Skylar seemed to explain. 'In other words, It was like the Gambit's Arcade. Speaking of which... I haven't gone there in quite some time. Perhaps I should head over there.' Riyku spoke internally before perking up when Skylar called out to him. As he looked up he noticed that the girls seemed to have already made their way there. "I think I'll pass for today. I want to get some more training in." Riyku replied to which Skylar chuckled lightly. "Yeah... I doubt you could get much done there. Anyways if you change your mind we will be there." Skylar waved at him happily before dashing towards the door to leave the rooftop. Riyku would turn his gaze back towards the skyline to glance over it before deciding to head off towards the arcade.

Pushing through the glass doors he was greeted with a warm smile from Mimi the hostess. "Long time no see. I figured you were never going to come back." The woman stated with a teasing remark towards him. "Been caught up with Exams and what not." Riyku would reply as he approached the counter. "Mmmhmm, if you say so. So, what brings you here today?" She inquired to which Riyku would glance around and about. "Nothing much. Since Exams are over, I just figured I would take this time to unwind." Riyku would reply to her, setting his glance upon her for a mere moment. "Hey, did something happen to your eyes?" Mimi had noticed that change of color in them. "Contacts. Apparently, It was a condition for my loss in a game." Riyku would come up with a white lie; his silver tongue also coming into play as well. "Well, that makes sense. If you ask me... It makes you look even hotter than you were before." She seemed to outright display her thought process. Riyku chuckled lightly, "I see you still have not forgotten about me." He would reply to her with a tease. The woman blushed lightly, "And you forgot this pretty face?" She would attempt to woo him in to which he would shrug. "Who knows." Riyku gave a teasing smirk with his statement which caused Mimi to groan softly. "Such a tease. Anyways, If you want you should check out the games area to my left." Mimi stated as she pointed to her left where the arcade noises were coming from.

"I think I'll do just that. Also, that girl Cira Marvin. Has she been coming here?" Mimi could see the expression of ever so slight care on his face to which she happily smiled. "She has. She should be in the Gaming Ring." Mimi stated to which Riyku nodded before heading over to the left side of the place. People were hustling and bustling around games, families laughing and friends having a swell time. The more he looked at everyone the more it came apparent that doing something like this was meant to be done with friends or others in general. Shaking his head from these thoughts, "No. The recent dreams... The soul fragments... I have always been alone. That is just how I've done things in my previous lives." Of course, he would not dismiss the dreams of him and his children, girlfriends or wives from his past lives. Though when he brought those memories back, something inside of his soul pulsated.

[Do you seek power?]

A distorted voice called out to him which caused his eyes to go wide. 'Do I seek power?' He thought internally. Of course, he did. Though what was this strange feeling? It felt overwhelming, far beyond anything he could comprehend.

[I can give you power!]

The distorted voice called out to him yet again. Was this a trap? It wasn't Coco's voice. He could tell that much for sure. In fact, she seemed to have gone silent. "Where is Coco? Where is my Operator?" Riyku inquired internally.

[Do you seek power?]

The voice replied with the same questioned. It seemed he wasn't going to get an answer. So, he shook his head. "No." He muttered before here an evil chuckle would surge forth.

[You will in due time.]

And with that, it seemed the voice had completely vanished. "No, what?" A familiar voice perked up. Turning around he would bear witness to the neon blue obsessed girl. "Just a thought aloud." Riyku would state to which Cira chuckled and punched him in the arm. "You've been missing for three months and come back a loony, now isn't that something." She teased to which he shook his head. "Yeah yeah. Glad to see you are still here." Riyku would reply to which Cira chuckle at him. "Had to regain my status as Queen of Gambit's Arcade after all." She replied to which Riyku nodded. "And you did?" He asked to which Cira nodded. "I did. I also made it so girls and women can come back and play. It's not like it used to be yet, but it will get it there someday." Cira stated firmly to which Riyku nodded. "I'll look forward to that." He replied to her with slight wit before deciding to make way towards one of the games. Taking out the plastic model gun from the holster it was in he would look at the cybernetic screen before him. "Oh? Going to try and beat my new record?" Cira followed behind him with her arms behind her back and a bright smile on her face. "New record?" Riyku inquired as he shifted his glance from her to the score upon display.

[1- Cira - 9,231]

[2- Cira - 8,849]

[3- Henry - 8,739]

The list seemed to go on and on with other names from the fourth place and lower. "Oh, Henry is on here?" Riyku looked back at Cira who chuckled lightly. "I forced him to in all honesty. You see, the games here can be used to hone real skills. Right now the gun feels like some kind of feather right? Well if you do this..." Cira would take the male's wrist and slid his wristband against the scanner which then went off with a beep. Riyku's eyes would widen as he felt the weapon gain tremendous weight compared to how light it was beforehand. "I see." He regained his composure having realized that the gun adjusted it's weight to his data stored on the chip. "You get it? Wow... You have brains and brawns... Quite the combo their hot stuff." Cira would tease him before taking the gun beside him and pressing her chip against the scanner. Another beep came forth and Cira would hastily angle the gun at the screen. From the barrel seemed to come a red thin beam light. The beam seemed to point at one of the several modes which said 'practice'. Pulling the trigger would cause a light kickback and a semi-real gunshot noise. The cybernetic screen would fade into the black before fading out of black and revealing several wooden targets.

"Let's get some training. I usually do this as a warm-up for myself, but I already did the warm-up today." Cira stated as she took a stance and began firing upon the targets repeatedly. Riyku would look from the screen to her then to the screen again. Was she challenging him? A smirk curved across his face as he began to raise and lower the gun as if adjusting himself to the weight. 'Feels heavier than the Ion Gun and the Twin Tooth. Even the Atomic Gun was lighter...' The male thought to himself before attempting to pull the trigger; though when his finger touched the trigger he stopped since he noticed the same thin red beam being there as an assistant. "Is it always there?" Riyku inquired almost as if he were annoyed by it. "No. It only shows up during the mode selection and in training to help you get used to the game or if you never aimed a gun before will help you with that. You can enable it before selecting any of the other modes by hitting the check marker the lower side of your screen if you need it." Cira explained as she emptied her clip only to hit the butt of the clip which seemed to give off a beep and showed her bullet count went from zero to fifty.

"A clip size of fifty bullets for a pistol?" Riyku inquired to which Cira look over towards him and lower her gun. "It's fake obviously, but since the game tracks you by your wrist band you can upgrade your guns with points," Cira explained to which Riyku seemed to understand. "There are other games around here that allow you to do such as the racing games where you can tune up your vehicle." Cira would add just before returning her attention back to the screen. Aiming her gun and continued to fire upon the targets. Riyku would aim at a target himself and squeeze the trigger. The kickback almost sent him astray since he wasn't prepared for it, but he seemed to have held his ground fairly well. Though he missed the target it would seem. Cira chuckled lightly at the display to which she would nudge him in the stomach, "You are new to this sort of thing? I guess you aren't good at everything." Cira seemed to tease him which caused him to groan. He would stand up straight this time; even though he was holding the gun with one hand he seemed to have a steady grip on it. Aiming the barrel at a new target; he would finger the trigger which would bring up that same stream which seemed to annoy him. Squeezing the trigger he would miss yet again, but not stray with the kickback. Clicking his tongue he would lower the gun to his side and sigh heavily.

"Well, I think you got the jest of it. Let's go ahead and start it up." Cira would return to the mode selection screen before selecting a 'shoot the moving targets' mode. "Ready?" Cira looked over at Riyku who would nod and raise the gun back up. He placed his finger on the trigger as he aimed the gun at the screen; however, unlike before the thin red light wasn't visible. The screen had been split into two vertically, one for Cira and one for Riyku. On the top of the screen had a displayed score of zero. "Go!" An audio sound shouted suddenly to which Cira would begin firing upon targets with excellent aim. Riyku would pull the trigger and bam! He seemed to hit a target with ease. A smirk curved across his lips as he confirmed the theory in his head. The only reason he was missing was that he was focusing on that beam. Since there was nothing to draw his attention away, he would hit the target then the next and the next. Cira had noticed Riyku seemed to be on par with her in terms of the score so she picked up the pace. Though, it would seem Riyku would have to reload before she would; however, that did not pose a problem. Since he had a free hand he would knock the butt of the gun just like Cira with perfect timing.

'What is with this guy?' Cira seemed to have noticed that Riyku was keeping up with her quite well. "I guess I should take it up a notch." Riyku seemed just as he began to pick up the pace. For every three targets Cira took out, Riyku would take out six more. The score was now rapidly rising with Riyku coming out in the lead. Though it seemed to never end, the targets' movements seemed to have hastened and there were more of them to hit. The moment Cira missed a target an 'X' would appear on the top side of the screen. "So that's how it is. I was wondering when it would end." Riyku stated as he seemed to keep up with the hastened targets. Cira clicking her teeth as she began to push herself. As time went on so did their game. A crowd had formed around them and began to chatter on about how the movements of the target were rather unpredictable. Changing speed and angle at random. Above Cira's screen were two 'X's now and a single one above Riyku's. Though the two seemed to have quite a Gamer's smirk cross their face. Their expressions were full of enjoyment to the fullest.

Though, eventually, it would seem that the targets would begin to fade out of view as if they disappeared. This caught both of them off guard; which caused Riyku to miss once, but Cira seemed to just barely hit hers. Now the both of them were tied in marks, but Riyku still held a massive lead on the scoreboard. It wouldn't be long before the game came to an end. Cira and Riyku both missed a disappearing target which marked the end of the game. They both sighed heavily; Cira sweating from how much movement she had done, while Riyku seemed to have just broken out a sweat. It was when they smiled at each other and the crowd that surrounded them become noted with praise and cheers.

"That was so cool!"

"Wow! Good Game!"

"Ahhh!~ That's The Queen of Gambit's Arcade!"

Both of them chuckled lightly as the crowd continued to go wild. The two of them seemed to have a tough time quieting down the crowd, but after a good while of talking with the others and what not the two of them would make it into the dining area. Both sitting at the bar booth awaiting their orders. "Cola!" A glass was slid down the bar table when the drink was called out and Riyku would catch it. "Sprite!" Another call came and another glass to which Cira would catch it. Both of them tipped their glasses together before taking sips. A refreshing 'ah' sound parted their lips before they set the glasses down. "You surprised me there. I never expected you to be soo good. I take back what I said earlier." Cira stated to which Riyku chuckled at her. "No need." He replied to her. "Still, your name will start to circulate around the Arcade. The fact that you beat the Queen in a one on one match of Target Breaker is no easy feat. You would be the second person to have done it." Cira stated to which Riyku corrected her, "First." He took a sip from his glass. Cira's brow rose as if confused. "I would not count a cheater's win as a win. So I am the first to have beaten you on that game. Do not sell yourself short. You are not someone who goes down easily." Riyku stated which caused the girl to blush brightly and turn away. A soft chuckle parted his lips as he partook of his drink. Cira would do the same for some moments of silence as if to regain her composure.

"Anyways, what brings a hottie like you here?" Cira stated to which Riyku would shrug. "I like the atmosphere. Everyone tries their best to win but also has fun at the same time. It's my second time being here, but when I stepped in I felt free." Riyku stated to which Cira nodded. "I know what you mean. Most people would call it an escape, but the truth is... It is much more than that. It is like a second home for most. A place to relax and let go." Cira stated softly. Riyku looked over towards her and noticed a bit of a sad expression. "Something going on?" Riyku inquired to which Cira sighed heavily. "Yeah. My Father wants me to marry this wealthy guy's son so that way he can inherit half of the sales that the company gets." Cira would state as she fingered the tip of the glass. "Something wrong with the guy?" Riyku inquired to which Cira shook her head. "No. I mean he isn't model material like you, but he is not super ugly either. It's just... I don't like the idea of being chained down. There is no freedom. I probably won't even be able to come back here once it happens." Cira explained to which Riyku listened before shifting his glance elsewhere.

"Have you told him about how you feel?" Riyku asked to which Cira nodded. "He said since all I do is play games all day that I should at least be of some use to the family in some way. Don't get me wrong, I get where he is coming from, but like..." Cira would fall silent over her wording. "You don't want to be a bird in a cage. Something to be put on display. You want to let your wings fly and soar to heights unknown." Riyku stated or more so finished for her just before partaking of his drink. "Exactly!" Cira shouted as she looked at him. "Geez... You are strong, smart, handsome, and quite understanding. That is a deadly combo..." Cira stated to which Riyku chuckled lightly. "Are you falling?" He teased her lightly to which she blushed brightly. "Hell No!" She seemed to stammer as she looked away hastily. This only caused Riyku to chuckle lightly before finishing his glass of Cola.

"You should be careful," Riyku stated as he closed his eyes and fingered the tip of the empty glass. Cira would look back at him with a quizzed expression. "What do you mean?" She asked to which Riyku would reply, "Your feelings... May never reach me." Riyku stated softly. "I am going into the Death Games soon. Who knows what'll happen to me." Riyku added before opening his eyes and shifting them towards Cira who had invaded his personal space. "I never said I liked you or anything. However, Don't you dare die!" Cira seemed to state boldly to which Riyku's eyes perked up. He noticed the serious expression upon her face and in her eyes. "Alright. I'll come back." Riyku stated to which Cira nodded. "When you do let's play lots more games together!" She smiled brightly at him, almost too brightly in fact.

A sudden ring and vibration would come from Cira's wristband to which she pushed the answer button. "Young Miss, I am on my way to pick you up." It was Henry's voice with an audio-only feed. "Alright. I'll be waiting outside." Cira would state before hanging up the call and looking back at Riyku. "Well, my time is up. I won't be here for a good while..." She seemed quite sad when she said that. Riyku wouldn't let it go unnoticed either, "Is that so?" He questioned to which Cira would nod and step from his space. "Yup. Some family business to attend to for the next several days." Cira stated to which Riyku seemed to frown slightly. He did not need to be punched in the face word for word to figure would what she meant. It was most likely the engagement thing she spoke of. "Let me cut you a deal." Riyku's voice caught her by surprise. "A deal?" She inquired to which Riyku nodded.

"I'll come back alive and in one piece. No.. I'll even take first place on the Death Games. When I return you will listen to one request I have. All you have to do is hold off on your engagement process." Cira was stunned, shocked from what he just said. Come back alive and in one piece was hard enough, but taking First in the Death Games!? Now that was something else. She did not understand what he was trying to do but would nod silently. "Alright. It's a deal. Don't let me down." Riyku stated and before anything else could come of this conversation Henry had arrived to pick up Cira. "Young Miss, this way please." Henry would offer before noting of Riyku. "Ah, Master Riyku, How are you doing today? Have you been keeping the Young Miss company?" Henry inquired to which Riyku nodded. "More like she was keeping me company. I am quite fine, though I must be going. I need to attend to a few more matters before the end of the day." Riyku stated as he moved from his seat. Henry would bid him a farewell and proceed to take Cira as Riyku seemed to say his goodbyes as well.

Eyeing the digital clock on the wall nearby he made note of the time being a little after seven. Dusk had already taken over the sky outside as well or that was what he could tell from the windows. Giving a wave of goodbye to Mimi who was taking care of a customer she would smile at him as if indicating she noticed it before Riyku fully left the Arcade. It was now time for the male to head over to the shop where he placed the order for his suit. Stuffing his hands into the pockets of his checkered school pants he would glance around at the somewhat empty streets.

"I guess everyone is heading home and what, not surprising with what is coming up." The male muttered to himself as he arrived at the clothing store. Pushing past the doors he was greeted by the bright smile of the man named Yumi. "Welcome back Darling, here to check up on your suit?" Yumi asked and Riyku nodded. "It's not ready yet. Should be ready a few days before the Games. How did the exams go?" Yumi would make a bit of small talk seeing as how his store was dead right now. "Easy. How's the business?" Riyku inquired to which Yumi would sigh lightly. "It's always like this right before the Games. Everyone is out buying weapons or armor, or whatever they can. Speaking of which, have you prepared enough?" Yumi asked to which Riyku nodded. "I am ready. Although, I'll be checking out Deyo's shop and Natalie's shop as well." Riyku stated to which Yumi nodded. "I was surprised to find that you were business partners with them. The three of us go way back..." Yumi sighed while he reminisced about the old times. "So you've told me several times now. How you three were best friends in Grade School all the way up to your time at the University and how Deyo is in love with Natalie while you tried to support them to get them together, but they are both oblivious of each other's feelings." Riyku stated to which Yumi nodded. "They still are. Riyku, Do you think I can find someone." The man asked quite the question to which Riyku would approach him and tap upon his shoulder lightly. "There is someone out there for everyone. Even you. No one stays alone forever. I am sure the right person will come to you, or you may end up finding them." Riyku stated to which Yumi smiled brightly with teary eyes. "Awe, thanks, darling." He would attempt to hug the male but Riyku seemed to have stepped away just before that.

"Of course. Now, I'll be off. Need to hit up the other shops and check up on my orders." Riyku would turn on his heel. "Alright, tell the ladies I said hi, you playboy you." Riyku waved his hand while he left as if giving him an answer. His eyes fixated down the road a little ways towards Deyo's shop.

"Welcome!" The strong male accent of Deyo came forth. "Oh, it's you. Been a bit since ya came by." Deyo stated in realization to which Riyku nodded. "How's my order?" Riyku inquired. "Well, It's coming along. Can't say it'll be done anytime soon. So you probably won't get to test it till the Games." Deyo explained to which Riyku nodded. "It's alright." He seemed rather nonchalant about everything. "The armor as well?" He added to which Deyo nodded. "Yup. I'm working on both at the same time. Say, can you run me an errand?" Riyku's brow rose, "What do you need?" To which Deyo would reply, "I need you to deliver this to Natalie. Since I know I can trust you I am counting on you." Deyo stated as he handed Riyku an envelope. "A love letter?" Riyku bluntly asked to which Deyo became flustered and began to clear his throat. "Yeah." Riyku chuckled lightly. "Sure, but shouldn't you have asked Yumi?" Deyo would shake his head. "I've tried. He keeps telling me to take it to her myself." Deyo stated to which Riyku would examine the closed letter for a moment before placing it back on the counter. "I think you should. It's much better if you present it to her than have someone else do it. Besides, It comes off better." Riyku would suddenly turn on his heel as Deyo called out to him, but he had already left the shop. "See ya," Riyku stated before heading towards Natalie's shop now.

"Oh, Hey Riyku. Here to check up on those accessories I assume?" Natalie had been stocking her floor when she heard the bell from her door go off. "Yeah," Riyku replied to which Natalie would finish up her task and proceed back behind the counter. "Well, it won't be done until the day before the Games." Riyku would chuckle lightly which caused her brow to raise. "Something wrong?" She asked to which Riyku shook his head. "No. Just my orders for you three will all be done on the same date." Riyku stated to which she seemed to giggle lightly. "Well, we have a special customer after all. When Yumi told us what you did for the girls, we wanted to help you in any way possible. We are glad to have you as our business partner." Natalie stated warmly. "I never asked for such treatment. I just did what needed to be done." Riyku would reply with a shrug. "Even so, what you did, no one else would have done." Natalie would retort, seeing the gleam in her eyes Riyku would give in. Realizing he would never actually win against her when it came to these things. "Alright, Alright. Well, thanks for the info." He was about head out until she called out to him. "Riyku!" She shouted. "Yeah?" He turned to look at her. "Can you deliver this to Deyo?" She seemed to pull out a letter from the drawer. 'Again?' Riyku sighed internally. "Let me guess, a Love Letter?" Riyku stated bluntly. Her reaction gave him the answer he wanted. "You should deliver it yourself. It holds more meaning and shows the person you genuinely care. If you ask me from what I can tell, Deyo already likes you. So just go for it." Riyku stated.

"He likes me?" Natalie's pink face became red and full of joy. "Yup, so just give it to him," Riyku stated before leaving the shop with a goodbye. Now that everything was caught up all that was left was to return to the dorms. The evening clouds would show that time had indeed progressed faster than he anticipated. "Hmm... Maybe I'll head to Racheal's for the night instead. It is closer anyway and I haven't visited her in a while." Riyku would stuff his hands into his pockets and with his mindset decided to head to Racheal's place.