Origami: So, you just want to let go of a burden you've had for a long time?
Akio scoffed at himself.
Akio: Prolly. But it's a really stupid reason, huh?
Silence ensued between them, but Kyouka broke it immediately.
Kyouka: Hmm, I'd say otherwise.
Akio looked at Kyouka, who was smiling.
Kyouka: You can let it out if you want, I don't think he has a problem with it.
Akio: Yeah but...
Origami interrupted him out of the blue.
Origami: You still hold a grudge against me, right?
Akio: No, I mean... sort of but...
Origami: Just admit it, you don't need to hold it in.
Origami's sounded like he was burdened by something as well. It was oddly somber.
Origami: Don't worry. Because in the end, you're not hurting anybody.
This frustrated Akio a little, so he slammed at Origami's table quickly in reflex.
Akio: What?!
Origami: You're not going to hurt anybody, except for me.
Akio calmed down, his mouth being somewhat open before sitting back down.
I jumped to conclusions, that was a dumb move.
Akio: My bad.
Origami: Don't say sorry for what you did, I'm the one who should be saying that.
Taking a sip from her cup, Kyouka then spoke.
Kyouka: Well... the SAGA girls aren't really part of this affair of yours. But can you accept Kanayama's request?
Origami was silent for a moment.
Origami: I accept.
Alright then, let's get ready... Amarok.
Akio: You comin' Takecchi?
Takeru was a little startled while he ate.
Takeru: Ah! S-sure...
Akio: Right, off we go then.
Everyone stood up and left when they finished, with Takeru helping up Origami.
Beniko: I think I just got into some serious stuff in here, I'll leave as well.
Akio: No biggie, it's fine!
Beniko looked to the street and back to Akio.
Beniko: Right then, Kanayama. I'll see you around!
Beniko ran back to her home, waving them goodbye.
Origami: The donuts were better than they were last year, I'll admit.
Kyouka: What'd they taste like?
Origami: Mediocre, that's what it tasted like.
Akio scoffed and shook his head, smiling.
That's what Watanabe-senpai said when we last went here.
...
The crew walked to the park where Kyouka and Beniko fought.
Kyouka: What a coincidence, Beniko and I went against each other here.
Akio: Oh really?
Kyouka: Yeah, she won on the last round since it rained.
Akio: Rain? How did she leave without some form of fever?
Kyouka looked at Akio with a little smile.
Kyouka: We had a hot bath afterward, simple.
Takeru and Origami then arrived.
Origami: You can let me go now, thanks.
Takeru: A-are you sure?
Origami: Mhm, I'll try to get the feel of the place first. That's just what I do sometimes.
Origami roamed about with his cane for a moment, before returning to the stadium.
Origami: I think we have to begin now?
He plucked out the handle of his cane, revealing it to be a ripcord launcher similar to the Sword Launcher.
Ooh, well that's very convenient!
Akio: Hoho, that's cool!
Akio looked at it with his hand on his chin, impressed with his work.
Origami: A friend of mine made this back then, so I don't fumble around trying to find it.
Akio: Well, he must be a good friend. Especially considering how you've single-handedly destroyed our school.
Origami's eyebrows furrowed but relaxed immediately after.
Origami: So you still truly hate me.
Akio looked at Origami without a word for a while.
Akio: Yeah, I still do.
Origami: If that's how you feel then, let's settle this.
Origami spoke with the same voice he had earlier in the café as he got into position.
Akio: Good, good!
Akio gave a big smile, albeit nervously. His heart was racing, and he was sweating a little.
I'm going up against Origami Izayoi... one of the strongest Bladers in the IYBO.
...
But I couldn't care any less at this point, I'm gonna beat the living hell out of him!
Kyouka: Do we start it now? Or...
Akio's voice raised while he was focused on the stadium.
Akio: Yeah!
Kyouka nodded and raised her arm to count down.
Kyouka: Three, two, one...
Kyouka dropped her arm, and both of them began to launch their Beys.
(In unison): Go shoot!
Origami launched his Bey with blistering speed. As if he didn't pull out the ripcord in the first place.
That's quick!
I know, Amarok. But just try to think about the battle, will ya'?
What do you think I'm doing right now? Drooling over a top?
A'ight then! Let's do this!
Both Beys rode on the ridge and picked up speed before eventually meeting in the center.
Akio: Now, beat 'em to a pulp!
Amarok and Orichalcum raced towards the center.
Origami: You're surprisingly fast, I'll give you that.
Orichalcum tilted at an angle, slipping past Amarok and turning sharply behind it.
Origami: But that wasn't the smartest move I've seen.
Orichalcum pushed Amarok to the wall.
Jeez! What's up with this guy's weight?
Man... So this is how it feels like to be hit by a car!
Oi, don't give up on me now! The battle's literally just starting!
I'm not, I'm just saying that this guy's strong.
Great, now keep going!
With its rubber blades, it bounced off of the wall and into Orichalcum, disorienting it and pushing it off where it was, before arcing back to knock it out.
Akio (shouting): Rah!
Orichalcum landed on its Driver inside the edge of the wall, causing it to gain a boost of speed before rejoining the stadium.
Origami: Phantasm Boost.
Orichalcum and Amarok collided in the center, pushing each other back.
Akio: Damn! Seriously, this dude's Bey is heavier than a truck!
What was I expecting from an Energy Layer in the Formula System...?
The two Beys pushed even further, and it reached a point where one of Amarok's blades got stuck on one of Orichalcum's gaps.
Akio: Guh!
Origami: Out you go.
Orichalcum threw Amarok into the wall once more, causing it to wobble around for a bit while Orichalcum comfortably took the center.
Akio: Hey, hey, hey! Get back up!
I'm trying to, but my back's hurtin'!
What the? You know what, I'm just not gonna question that, just get back in it!
Amarok tilted violently, bouncing on its disc twice and scraping before regaining its balance and speed.
Akio: Attaboy! Now, show 'em hell!
Amarok circled around the stadium and sent a barrage of attacks towards it, which progressively got faster and faster with each hit.
Akio: Go, go, go!
Akio angrily cried out as he sent each attack to Orichalcum, slightly unsettling Origami and Takeru.
Origami: This guy...
Takeru: A-are you okay?
Akio: Damn right, I am!
Orichalcum's ring began to retract, signifying that it was about to lose spin.
Akio: Hit it outta the park, Amarok!
Amarok sent its final hit, but as it did, Orichalcum's ring fully retracted and made a full circle.
Origami: That rage isn't going to get you anywhere.
Orichalcum barely dodged Amarok and advanced forward so as to get into its blind spot.
Origami: But I'm not in any position to say that, aren't I?
Akio: What do you think?
Amarok kept on speeding up, then it hit the wall with its rubber wing to bounce off of it.
Akio: Bullet Claw!
It struck Orichalcum with two consecutive hits of great force, blasting out of the stadium without any resistance from Orichalcum.
Origami: You're very strong, it seems like you take after your senior.
Amarok circled around the stadium and leaped into Akio's hand, where he caught it.
Akio: Thanks for the compliment, really appreciate it. Before you start going on about me being pissed though and do some sort of monologue, lemme tell ya' somethin'.
Akio wiped his forehead with his hand.
Akio: This is only for you, and you alone. And I'd be more than happy to break your Bey.
Origami picked his Bey up from the ground.
Origami: It looks like you don't understand... it's not me you're aiming for.
Akio interrupted him with a strong voice.
Akio: Oh, piss off! Tell that to Futaba's face, will you? Our team's been fallin' apart ever since you did that to Watanabe.
Origami's eyes widened.
Akio: And not only us, but this whole damn prefecture also fell off after you and your friends in Tozakura after that run last year.
Akio got into position once more.
Origami: As I said earlier...
He then looked at Origami with a serious expression on his face, even though he wouldn't see it.
Akio: Yeah, you'll make me understand, huh?
Origami let off a sigh.
Origami: Yes. We'll deal with this, and I'll try to make you understand.
Origami got into a stance once more, and the two prepared for the next battle.
Judgin' by what I just picked up earlier, Orichalcum's got an outer ring with reinforced metal plates that widens and splits into four when he's spinnin' quickly. And when the thing's beginning to lose it, it goes back in.
Takeru: Akio-san...?
Takeru weakly called out for Akio, catching his attention.
Akio: What is it?
Takeru: Are you sure we should go on? Because...
Akio swiftly cut him off.
Akio: Takeru, this is my problem. Not yours, just go sit back and watch.
Takeru opened his mouth but was unable to say anything after taking it back. Instead, he just let Kyouka count down again.
Kyouka: Three, two, one...
(In unison): Go shoot!
Both of them launched in unison and Orichalcum went straight for the center, Amarok however, circled around as it approached Orichalcum in order to gain momentum while closing the distance between them.
Akio: Don't give him any room!
Before Orichalcum reached the center, Amarok pushed it off and sent a chain of attacks towards it, like a buzzsaw cutting through something.
Akio: Wraith Frenzy!
Orichalcum was blasted to the wall, but tilted at an angle, allowing it to slide through it with the length of one of its segments and regain balance.
Origami: Orichalcum, fight back!
Orichalcum tilted at an angle, unveiling more of the ball tip's surface to increase its speed.
Origami: Accel Moment!
Orichalcum dashed towards Amarok with blindingly fast speed, knocking it back a fair distance.
Akio: Tch, eat on this!
Amarok's rubber spikes came into contact as soon as it regained balance, causing it to do the same to Orichalcum.
Origami: Impressive.
Orichalcum repeated its move from earlier, blowing both of them back.
Akio: Come on! Square up!
Both of them did it again and again, sending a barrage of attacks towards each other.
This is good prey, I'll admit!
Yeah, good to hear that.
But I'm concerned about ya' kiddo.
Ugh, what now?
You've been actin' weirdly since you've met with that Origami guy. What happened between the two of ya'?
I explained it earlier, didn't I? Now shut up and get going!
This isn't going to end well, I just know it.
It won't if you keep yapping to no end!
Akio: Crush him!
Amarok and Orichalcum went at it and became faster than earlier.
Origami: I'm not going to be.
They hit each other several more times, until Orichalcum caught Amarok in one of its gaps, hooking it and throwing it a fair distance away to make it vulnerable.
Akio: Stand up!
Orichalcum turned sharply and collided with Amarok, where it pushed it off with one of its wings while stationary.
Origami: Hm?
Amarok regained balance and turned a little to gain more momentum as it charged towards Orichalcum, who was slightly mid-air and flipped over on its side.
Akio: It's over!
Amarok lifted Orichalcum into the air with great force, blasting it a couple of feet away.
Origami: That was... what he said before he lost.
Akio's eyes widened in anger and didn't even realize that Orichalcum was about to drop onto it.
Akio: You piece of sh*t...
Origami: Phantasmal Crash.
Amarok tilted and reached out upwards, where it clashed with Orichalcum.
Akio: Gah! Come on, push harder!
The two clashed against each other, with Amarok struggling due to the gravitational force paired with Orichalcum's heaviness.
Origami: Sorry for this.
Orichalcum landed a final hit, which blew it out of the stadium with immense force.
Akio: Amarok!
Akio looked at Origami, gritting his teeth in anger. But all he saw was Orichalcum all alone in the stadium.
Akio: You won, no surprise. But I'll get ya' on the next one!
Origami remained silent, as he let Orichalcum spin in the center until it run out of stamina.
Origami: I apologize.
You cheeky mole, what's he thinkin' now?
Akio: Damned show-off, you tryna piss me off more?
Origami: No, this... this is for compensation.
Akio's eyebrows frowned.
Akio: Compensation? So your win ain't enough? You tryna screw with me?
Akio was about to try and hit Origami but thought otherwise when he looked at him.
Izayoi-san... he's...
Tears rolled down his face, but his expression remained the same.
He's crying?
Origami: I apologize, for what I've done.
Everyone stared at him in shock, but Akio gained composure immediately.
No, no. He's just acting to throw me off.
Akio backed off.
Akio: Good one, you'll probably land an Oscar nomination if ya' go to Hollywood. That don't matter though, quit wasting my time and let's get on with it!
Origami stood still for a moment before wiping off his tears and getting into position.
Origami: Yeah, this isn't time to cry.
Before starting her countdown, she gave Akio one last look.
Kyouka: Th-three, two, one...
(In unison): Go shoot!
Both Beys landed in sync and Orichalcum instantly took towards Amarok's line.
Going on the offensive right off the bat? That's not for you, dimwit!
Amarok veered left and went to the other side of the stadium, evading Orichalcum.
Akio: Idiot!
The spikes on Amarok's Driver made contact with the floor and caused it to dash towards Orichalcum.
Origami: ...Orichalcum.
Orichalcum responded in kind with a counter by dashing towards Amarok, clashing in the center.
Akio: Come on, push it!
Orichalcum pushed further, but instead, it turned left to escape Amarok.
Akio: What are you doing?!
Amarok slipped through, causing it to lose balance for a bit before immediately regaining its balance.
This little prick...
Instead of moving away, Amarok wobbled in place violently.
Akio: Pick it up, Amarok!
It reached the point where it was fast enough to get back up, and when it did, it had thrice the speed it had from earlier.
Akio: Jolt Drive!
Amarok pushed Orichalcum into the wall, destabilizing it. This allowed Amarok to bounce off towards the other wall.
Origami: Endure it... Orichalcum!
Akio: Amarok! Bullet Claw!
Amarok reached Orichalcum, slamming into it.
Akio: Cave his skull in!
The two clashed against each other for several seconds before Orichalcum somehow gained a boost in strength, blasting off Amarok to the other side.
Akio: How'd that happen?
Akio looked at Orichalcum and saw that the disc had reached the mid-point.
Disc synergy? No, the Disc didn't have anything to note aside from being a circle. Unless it's...
Akio quietly muttered to himself.
Akio: Clever guy.
That isn't enough to stop me though!
Akio: Amarok, pay 'em back!
Amarok was about to attack but Orichalcum was already close to where he was without even realizing it, resulting in Amarok being dragged on the wall by Orichaclum.
He's super fast! Where'd this guy come from?
Origami: I'll have to end this quickly.
Akio gritted his teeth and talked to Origami with a deep voice.
Akio: So much for 'trying' to make me understand.
Orichalcum was knocked away by Amarok once more towards the center, where it immediately turned sharply towards Orichalcum, lifting it towards the air.
Akio: Get out of here!
Amarok followed up by dragging one of its blades along the wall as it leaped upwards, utilizing the heat produced by the friction from the wall. It engulfed that blade in a bright flame as it went over Origami.
Akio: And never, appear in front of me, again!
Amarok slammed Orichalcum from mid-air, producing a large surge of energy as it did.
Akio: Incinerate Claw!
Orichalcum was sent flying towards the stadium, but it landed just fine due to its Driver.
Huh? What kind of bullsh*t is this?!
Akio stared in shock, and Origami talked to him as he did so.
Origami: We'll talk after this.
As it landed, it released large waves of energy due to how heavy Orichalcum was and the impact Amarok's hit had.
Origami: For now, please bear with me.
Amarok landed at an angle, making it drop down running.
Akio: Why should I then? You're really confusing me man.
Amarok and Orichalcum collided in the center, for what seemed to be the umpteenth time.
Origami: I want to clear up any misunderstandings you have about me.
Akio: Misunderstandings, my foot.
Amarok pushed against Orichalcum with great strength, forcing in its ring inside.
This should be easier, now that his ring's pushed in.
Akio: Burst him, now!
Amarok sent a strong hit towards Orichalcum but endured it.
Not enough kick, let's try again!
Amarok followed up by dashing towards it, but Orichalcum evaded it with blindingly-fast speed.
Origami: Let's end this right here, right now.
Akio: Hm?
Orichalcum tilted and lifted Amarok into the air.
Origami: Hup!
Orichalcum jumped off of the wall, going up vertically while being surrounded by a strong wind that resembled a drill.
Origami: Phantasmal Lance!
Orichalcum rose upwards along with Amarok, putting pressure on it as it did.
Akio: Holy hell!
It rose up 7 feet into the air, and eventually Bursted Amarok in the air.
Akio: Amarok!
Amarok's parts and Orichalcum descended at the same time.
...
I lost...
Origami: You're really strong, Kanayama-san.
Akio: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Akio answered looking up to the sky, shaking his head with each word he said.
Origami: Look, I know how you feel.
Akio: Uh-huh.
Akio lowered his head, looking at Origami.
Akio: I'm still mad with ya'. You didn't drive your point home as well.
Akio picked up Amarok's parts and rebuilt it. He then turned back and left them.
Akio: I hope I don't see you soon.
Quietly, he walked away.
Why'd I even call for a match between him anyways?
...
He walked through the streets without a word.
Akio: What if he was actually being genuine though...?
Out of nowhere, Amarok spoke to him.
I didn't expect ya' to be that dense, kiddo.
Dense? What do you mean by that, eh?
I'm just saying, it's in yer' nature to understand people. You don't normally jump the gun and immediately beat them up for no reason.
I just lose my cool sometimes, I'm not some sort of big brother figure y'all see me as.
But still, this isn't like you. Try listening to him, he might have something to tell to you.
Akio stopped in a spot without people and muttered to himself.
Akio: I'll think about it.
Akio continued walking, when all of a sudden someone called out to him.
Akio! Come back here for a second!
Akio turned back and saw Takeru.
Akio: Takecchi? What happened?
Takeru panted as he spoke.
Takeru: I-Izayoi-san, he wants a word with you.
Akio: Huh? Nah, I don't wanna see his dumb face again.
Akio turned back but Takeru held him.
Takeru: No, seriously! He wants to say something to you.
Letting off a sigh, he looked at Takeru.
Akio: What now?
Takeru: Just... I-I think he wants to get rid of something that he's been with for a while.
Akio gazed at Takeru for a moment, before gritting his teeth, looking away.
Akio: Fine.
Takeru: R-really?
Akio: Yeah, just leave us alone though.
Takeru nodded and led him back to Origami.
...
The pair arrived at where Kyouka and Origami were.
Takeru: Izayoi-san, A-Akio's here now.
Origami sat with Kyouka under a tree.
Kyouka: Well then, there's my cue. I'll see you later, boys.
Kyouka left the group and headed home.
Takeru: I-if you excuse me, I'll leave too.
Akio: Sure, no problem.
Takeru waved goodbye to Akio before leaving. As both Origami and Akio were left alone, silence ensued for a moment, until Akio broke that silence.
Akio: Why'd ya' call me here?
Origami let off a small sigh.
Origami: Look, even though you still hate me. I just wanna say that I'm...
He paused for a bit then gulped.
Origami: I'm really sorry, but I don't think this would amount to anything.
Akio: Sort of.
Origami: Good to see you've calmed down.
Akio: A small walk does wonders to your mood sometimes.
Origami stood up.
Origami: I'll also say that... I want to put this all behind us.
He walked towards Akio, getting closer to him.
Origami: I want to try and help rebuild your club.
Akio's eyes shifted to Origami.
Akio: What?
Origami: Alright, I just want to pay my debts to you.
Akio stepped back a little.
Origami: I just realized the extent of my actions... And though I don't expect to get along well, I'll try my best to help you all.
Akio was silent for a moment, before laughing hysterically.
Akio: So that's all you wanted to say to me?
Origami was confused, while Akio continued laughing.
Akio: Well then, try your best to get along with everyone.
He stopped laughing and gave Origami a serious look.
Akio: Because I think our relationship ain't gonna be smooth.
Akio gave one last grin before Origami replied.
Origami: Heh, you're right about that.
[To Be Continued...]
Chapter 14 is out! I'm REALLY sorry for the huge delay, I'll also be moving release dates to either Saturday or Sunday instead.
![[Image: 134.png]](https://www.serebii.net/pokedex-swsh/icon/134.png){kind=icon}