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Shu watched as the sunset filters from her hotel room curtains. Yes, she is a girl. She had been one all along but her friends were so oblivious that they didn’t find a clue. Maybe she had gotten good in acting like a girl after all these years. Some might ask why did she act like a boy? Didn’t she like to be a girl? Yes Shu loved to act as herself. To go out with friends, to fuss around in sleepovers. She liked to do what every girl did. But in her life it was impossible. Her family never expected her for who she was. They are a Japanese family, a very traditional Japanese family. In her family girls had no place. It was lame Shu knew. Because this is the 21st century. Every single being had their own equal rights. And Japan was also westernizing but her family is one of those people who like to clung into those old traditions as long as they could without letting go.
Shu sighed pressing her head against the wall as she continued to stare at nothing. She wondered what would happen if she told the truth. She wanted to see her friends faces and the thought was amusing enough for her. She desperately thought that they still think her as their friend. Yes, she did become Red Eye and she was an asshole to everyone. But not like she had any other choice to get away from that cranky family. She still is red eye. It felt like ages when she last talked to Valt and Xander.
Poor Valt… he was still trying to befriend with her or as they thought him, and Xander is obviously pissed from all the rude remarks Shu left behind. Shu couldn’t blame him, after all she almost broke Xcalibur. She surely is the first girl to attend the god bladers cup but it’s a shame that she still stand out in the crowd as a boy. She was getting sick of her fake identity. Shu take a deep breath as she spoke softly to herself. “Maybe… because I’m under Theodore’s guidance now, maybe I can tell everyone the truth”
From everyone of the world, the only person who knew Shu’s identity was Theodore. He was shocked himself at first but he helped her in every way he can. She wanted a break from her family and friends and she got it and now Shu felt it’s time to be herself. She wanted to get away from the fake shadow of a boy and live her life. When her parents find this out, they would kill her, no doubt in that but still she always felt secured when she’s with Theodore like her own father. And her friends will help her too when they find out the truth. She got up from the bed as she walked to the door and stepped outside.
For the god blader’s cup the WBBA staff had booked the bladers a complete hotel. Everyone had their own rooms and fancy comfortable dinner halls and pools to enjoy their days. She passed few groups of boys on the way. The truth if most of the rooms were occupied by boys because obviously there was more boys than girls. Shu sighed internally when she saw Valt and the beyclub in their trunks obviously heading to the pools. They looked so excited as they walked along the tiled path of the corridor.
Shu turned around thinking of heading back to her room again, This wont work she thought to herself as she took one last glance toward the group but before but before She could go back a hand stopped her. Shu looked up to see Norman. “Let’s go everyone is heading toward the pools”
Shu shook her head. “I’m tired, I’m going back”
“Don’t lie, c’mon” Norman said dragging her toward the pools. When Norman said everyone, Shu didn’t think everyone would be there. And yet there was, every one of them was there. As usual Valt was the first to notice her. “Shu” He yelled happily jogging to her. He ignored the icy cold glare Shu gave him. He took on of her arms dragging her to the pool. Everyone was dead quiet. Shu panicked. If Valt dragged her to the pool everyone will find out. Yes, it’s true that she wanted to tell the truth. Not now, not like this. Shu slapped her hands away. “Leave me alone”
But Valt didn’t give up. He tugged on her shirt, she panicked even more and…
SMACK
The sound echoed through the pool as Shu snapped. “Don’t touch me” She yelled out taking a step back in pure panic.
It took a few minutes for Shu to confirm what she had done in frenzy. She slapped Valt, she slapped her best friend. Valt looked at her with teary eyes when Honcho took a step toward her. “The hell Shu, what do you think you’re doing?”
Shu took a step back eyes widening in horror when the realization hit her. She could feel everyone’s anger cutting through her skin. Of course, they would be, Valt was one of the purest souls. Sisco looked completely pissed. “That was crossing a line Red Eye” He said punching the near by wall.
Shu took another step back but this time instead of the cold floor her leg met up with the cold surface of the water. With a yelp Shu fell into the cold water. The truth was Shu knew how to swim but the pain shooting through her ankle confirmed her that she had sprained her ankle in process. But before she could drown completely two strong pair of arms grabbed her waist and pulled her out from the water. Soon she was on the surface coughing out the left of the water inside her lungs. She looked beside her to see Theodore and a completely soaked Norman.
“You okay?” Theodore asked from his usual soft tone which was always enough to comfort and calm her down. Shu nodded warily as she held to her ankle and whispered.
“M-my ankle, I think I sprained it”
Theodore frowned seeing the swollen skin around her leg. But before he could say anything Valt talked. “Shu, I’m sorry, are you okay?”
He heard someone probably Daigo muttering. “Valt is too kind”
Shu closed her eye taking a deep breath wishing no one would see her tears welling up inside her scarlet eyes. She chose to ignore Valt as she turned to Theodore. “Let’s leave”
Shu tried to stand out but her trembling body opposed her as she almost stumbled and fell back down. Theodore caught her shoulders and spoke. “Wait, I’ll carry you”
Shu was about to reject the offer when Theodore picked her up. Shu held into him tightly not wanting to face her friends again. Shu knew one thing for sure, that she messed up so bad. They walked to the lobby in silence. Theodore set Shu down on a nearby couch as Norman excused himself for a change. Shu thanked him as he waved it away telling it’s his fault for dragging him to the pools. Theodore brought out a towel and sat down beside her. “Theodore, why didn’t we go back to my room?”
“I need to talk with you Shu” He simply said helping her to wipe off the water from her face.
“I messed up so bad” Shu agreed sighing. “I feel like I should’ve told them the truth. They deserve to know that. They are my friends. But after this I’m sure they wouldn’t even want to see my face”
Theodore placed a hand over her shoulder. “Shu, a simple sorry can make everything better. They will listen to you and might even help you”
Shu shook her head. “No. They won’t”
After that Theodore lead Shu to the room and Shu did try to apologize but before that anyone would cut her off. Simply none of them let her near Valt. They ignored her as some kind of a disease. Even Valt himself seem to avoid Shu at any cause. All of this behavior of her friends hurt Shu even more. She walked outside of the room dodging everyone’s gazes as she walked toward the lobby. She looked around without any intention when she spotted them. She froze to her spot eyeing the entering family, her family. It was her grandmother with her parents and the other uncles and aunts. ‘Probably a business meeting’ Shu thought unconsciously taking a step back. If they found her, her free days would be over. They would drag her into that hell hole again. Shu looked around and saw a room obviously from one of the bladers, she completely ignored the fact that the person in the other side would probably be angry with her after that incident. Shu knocked hurriedly she didn’t even recognize the face as she sprinted to the room and slammed the door behind her taking a deep breath.
The sword flames were talking with each other when Shu burst into the room suddenly just like as they thought he (but really, she) ran few miles. She had a horrified expression and she didn’t even recognize any of them as she sank down the door trying to calm down. Xander was hysterical to kick her out but Ruway held him back shaking his head lightly. Ukyo, Yugo and Quon also watched Shu as she leaned against the door as if to hear something. Then after few dreading seconds Shu finally looked around registering the surrounding. ‘geez’ She thought. ‘I just burst into this room; they would think I’m going mad’ Pink dusted her cheeks as Shu muttered. “Sorry”
“Get the hell out of here” Xander yelled without even giving Shu a chance to explain what’s going on. Shu sighed pulling herself up as she muttered a sorry again. Then Shu opened the door just to find her damn family walking to this exact door. Maybe to ask directions because the lobby was somehow empty today. Shu slammed the door again turning to Xander who looked completely pissed.
“I know that you’re completely pissed with me but please save my life right now”
Ukyo raised his brow. “Save your life?”
But before she could explain a knock could be heard. Shu took few steps back away from the door slapping her hands over his mouth. Ruway figured that something is wrong. He took her hand and pushed her into the closet closing the door when Xander opened the door. An old lady looked up at Xander smiling. She looked around the room and looked at the man beside her. “Are you sure Natsu?”
Natsu rubbed his temples. “Maybe just an illusion”
The old woman looked at them with an apologetic smile. “Sorry about that, he thought he saw someone I know entering this room. Have you seen a girl...I mean a boy with white hair and red eyes?”
Shu could hear everything from the tiny opening of the closet. She saw the way Xander hesitated and eventually regained his composure. “I’m afraid not ma’am”
The woman smiled again and left as Xander closed the door. Shu let out a relieved sigh as Ruway opened the closet door and Shu stepped out. She dusted her clothes looking at him. “Thanks for that”
Ruway crossed his arms. “Explain?”
Shu hesitated averting her gaze. “It’s just… I mean I…” Shu took a deep breath finally looking up at him and the others. “Sorry for bothering you all, I’ll just leave”
But Xander stopped her. He knew exactly who they were. “Why are you hiding from you own family?”
“That was your…family?” Ukyo asked as Shu looked at Xander. Of course, he remembered. He had seen them multiple times when they were young.
“long story” Shu said opening the door and looking over her shoulder. “And Xander trust me, I’m not in the wrong side”
With that she left the room. Xander snorted. “Trust him, as if I would after everything, he did for everyone.”
Shu went to her room as quickly as possible and took off her shirt feeling incredibly sweaty. She undressed herself walking to the shower. Wrapping herself around a towel she stepped out. She stared at her reflection. A gloomy girl without any happiness in her eyes. Do they even care? She questioned from rather herself. She started to get dressed and only wore a thin shirt thinking she’ll just sleep the rest of the day. She found a pair of shorts and then she got on the bed thinking about her day so far.
Christina heard everything from Xander. When they met for dinner Xander told everyone about what happened. And she noticed that Shu was not present at the dinner. Christina always cared about these younger bladers. She wondered what’s wrong with this boy. She stopped at his room door. She raised her hand to knock but stopped and without even thinking she reached to the door knob and twisted it and without hesitation the door creaked open.
“It’s not locked” She whispered to herself as she went into the room. The room was dark and Christina heard sniffing from the bed. She couldn’t exactly see the person but from the voice Christina was sure that it sounded more feminine than Shu, it sounded almost like a girl’s voice.
“Shu?” Christina asked. The figure jumped away with a frightened squeal. Christina switched on the lights. She almost gasped out loud. The figure was indeed Shu. The same scarlet red eyes and the milky white hair. But through the thin shirt he was wearing Christina could see her chest. She just stared taking every detail of her body. Slim waist, soft hands and legs and the bump on her chest… Shu almost looked like… a girl. Not almost she is a girl Christina concluded. Finally, when she felt the shock wore off her body she talked.
“Shu… you are a girl?”
Shu was still staring at her with her ruby eyes which was wide in fear. She held one of her hands against her chest as if Christina scared the hell out of her. Then when she finally registered the question, Shu made a chocking sound. Then she started to back away from Christina. Christina held out her hand.
“Wait Shu, listen to me…”
Shu finally stopped as she listened. “Shu, it’s fine okay? Everything will be fine. Now tell me, why were you hiding yourself?”
Shu wiped her face helplessly. “I don’t want to be like this, I…I’m sick of everything Christina, I just wanna kill myself”
Christina reached he and opened her hands. Shu hesitated but finally accepted the kind gesture as she melted down to the older ones embrace sobbing helplessly. Christina hugged her closed running a hand through her hair in a comforting manner. After she calmed down Christina talked. “Shu, I think you can use a little talk, what’s wrong?”
Shu didn’t pull away. But she talked after a long time she felt that someone would understand her. Shu told her everything inside her mind. She really didn’t know why she trusted Christina without even knowing her much. She only knew that Christina was the BC sol manager. When Shu finished Christina debated what to say. How cruel a family can be to be this cruel to a little child like this. Being a girl is not her fault and it’s not a mistake. Christina hugged her closer kissing her forehead. Then she uttered the words came to her mind.
“Being a girl is not a mistake Shu, it’s a gift. Don’t break down just because of the people around you think that it’s a mistake. You are special, you are unique. Just be yourself Shu, even if no one will be around you, I promise” She said taking Shu’s hand giving it a light squeeze. “I promise. I’ll be there for you”