Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

"H-hey, Valt..." Aiger called out, cursing himself for the stutter. The taller girl hummed, inclining her head to show that she was indeed listening. The Achillies blader took a deep breath to calm his racing pulse.

"I wanted to ask you something." The boy hated how utterly nervous he sounded, but was at least glad that Valt had not been facing him.

Until she did.

The Valtryek blader literally spun on her heel to face the boy who was a few steps behind her. "Yes?" The female proded, brown eyes gleaming with curiousity. A soft gentle smile on pink lips. Aiger swallowed the sudden lump in his throat and looked away, a blush making its way to his face. "What is it, Aiger?" She gently presses on.

The younger shuddered, but quickly shook his head. He shifted his attention back to the girl, staring determinely back at her. Using all the willpower he had, he proclaimed the first thing that came to mind.

"Do you wanna have battle with me?!"

The older girl blinked, taken slightly aback--while the boy internally cried at the ruined confession. Then, a bright smile lights up her features.

"Of course! C'mon then, I know a beypark nearby. Let's do this!"

Aiger groans in embaressment as he recounts the tale, while his friends all practically howl with laughter. Hiding his flushed face in his hands, he grumbles something incoherrently.

"Dang, you really butchered that confession!" Toko exclaims, shaking his head. The only male Aoi sibling was still snickering from his spot on the couch. "Who knew the 'Wild Champion' would get so shy around my big sis." He doesn't even flinch when Aiger shoots him a deadly glare--it actually only makes him chuckle even more.

"Heh, that ain't even a confession! Seriously, Aiger," Ranjiro sighs, before staring straight at the Achillies blader. "I said it once, and I'll say it again; you gotta chill."

The Akabane male huffs indignantly, but nods in understanding. That's when the boy realises, Nika hasn't said a word.

Turning his gaze to the youngest Aoi, he sees that the pink-haired girl was busy scrolling through her tab.

Toko must've notice too, as he turn to face his twin. "Hey, Nika. What're you looking at?" The boy cranes his neck to take a peek. Then his face practically lights up, a glint in green eyes not unlike the gleam that's more commonly seen in brown orbs.

'Must be a family trait,' Aiger muses, a small smirk pulls at his lips.

"What is it?" Ranjiro questions, gaze locked on the device. The youngest Aoi turns her tab around. On the screen, what looks like some sort of article is displayed. At the top it reads, 'Bey Monthly'.

"Ooh, I've heard about this!" Cap'n exclaims. Noticing our curious looks, he elaborates, "It's basically an E-magazine about blading. Anyways, when my big bro went to Spain, he got featured few times. 'Course, I started keepin' up so I could know how he's doin' and all." The blond grins smugly, evident pride on his face.

Aiger snorts, shaking his head. He opens his mouth to shoot his friend a quip, but it dies in his throat once he noticed a familiar girl at the corner of the screen. "What's that?"

Nika turns the screen back around, eyes scanning the device for a moment. Her brother does the same, an odd expression on both their faces. Finally, something clicks. "Oh," the two mutter in unison.

"It's nothing," Toko shakes his head, dismissing it with a wave. Anyone can clearly see that it is something. The Achillies blader narrow his eyes accusingly while the Aoi boy simply looks away.

"Just some gossip. You know, the usual stuff," Nika adds, shrugging.

Before anyone could say or do more, the device is unceremoniously plucked from the pink-haired girl's hands.

"Ooh, now this is some hot tea!" Ranjiro proclaims, cackling. Once the initial shock wears off, both the twins shot up to snatch the tab back. The taller male merely raises his hand higher, laughing at the two shorter bladers failed attempts.

Not liking being ignored, Aiger purses his lips, huffing. But this is his chance! Cap'n is occupied with the twins, and that leaves him vulnerable for a surprise attack. Silently getting to his feet, the brunette male positions himself accordingly.

And... There!

The Achillies blader instantly leaps, expertly snatching the device from the youngest Kiyama's hands.

"Hah, got it!" The boy cheers, smirking. "Now, let's see what this all was about," Aiger mumbles, looking over the article.

Indeed on the far corner of the screen was a picture of Valt, grinning brightly as usual. But the thing that stood out most to him was the title, in bold and all caps, which read;

Aiger practically chokes on air as he registers the headline, nearly letting go of the thin tablet. He hurriedly skims through the article. There were a few photos of Valt, along with some other people--some Aiger knew (Shu, Free) and some he didn't ('Who the heck is Daigo Kurogami?').

Apparently, they were theorizing that Valt may be in a relationship with one of the aforementioned boys; Shu is the highest candidate--there is a staggering amount of 'Shualt' shippers. For proof, they compiled a few clips, photos, and statements made by them.

A few people don't believe the rumour--saying that Valt is naturally an affectionate and hyperactive girl. One person though, commented that:

There were a few likes as well as replies, but it seemed people either agreed completely, disagree defiantly, or somewhat partially agree with the statement.

Understandable.

Aiger doesn't know whether to laugh or cry, so instead a soft huff leaves the Achillies blader. The image of Valt saying those exact words playing in his head.
It really is a ridiculous--but not entirely impossible--response for the Valtryek blader.

Suddenly, the device starts to vibrate. "Incoming!" Aiger announces, turning to face the other three. The bladers in question seem perplexed by the abrupt claim. The Aoi twins immiediately skip over to the brown-haired blader, followed by the blond one.

"It's Valt!" Nika exclaims, excited to see her dear older sister. Aiger glances at the device alarmed--he hadn't noticed who was the caller. He can practically see Toko snickering by his side. The Aoi boy gingerly taps on accept and soon the eldest of the trio of siblings comes into view.

"Hey, guys! Oh, Aiger, Ranjiro! You're there too?" Valt cheery voice rings out, a surprised (but not unpleasantly) look on her face.

"Yup, we're just here chillin'. Oh, btws, is my big bro there?" Cap'n asks, narrowing his eyes as he tilts his head side to side.

"Hmm? Oh yeah, he's here! Gimme a sec," the older blader smiles, nodding. She turns her head to the side, calling out to her best friend. A replying holler practically booms from wherever the Roktavor blader is.

"Ayy, what's up? Hey, little bro," Rantaro waves, grinning once he comes into view. The younger Kiyama waves back, a matching smirk upon his mouth.

The six bladers start chatting, nothing more than small-talk really. Valt and Rantaro both wondering about how everything's going in Japan, while their respective younger sibling(s) fret over the BC Sol duo. Aiger, himself, mostly enjoy the scene--jumping in once in a while but otherwise just silently watches them all.

Valt also inquires about how the Achillies blader is adjusting to being the new champion. The boy will never admit that the concern made him smile, almost sheepishly.

No matter how much Cap'n nudges him, smirking devilishly all the while.

"Oh! I almost forgot!" Valt claps, eyes widening. With a bright grin, she announces, "Me and Honcho will be coming to Japan." She pauses, then decides to add, "This weekend, by the way. For about...four to five days."

"It'll be nice to see you again, sis. Well, in person I mean." Toko smiles, chuckling lightly.

"Yeah. Oh, I'm gonna plan some fun stuff for us all to do!" Nika squeals excitedly, grinning all the way to her ears.

Valt smirks. But it's a bit different than her usual smiles; this one was warmer, softer, and more tender--but no less genuine and kind.

"I can't wait," Valt giggles softly.

"Hey, can I join?" Rantaro requests. The answer should be obvious really, but it was just common decency to ask rather than assume.

Both the twins nod, one more hyperly than the other.

"What about me?" Cap'n points to himself, smirking. Unlike his brother who inquires due to politeness, the younger blond simply wanted to hear them explicitly say they want him to join.

"'Course!" Nika chirps, her brother nodding along.

Aiger bites his bottom lip, wondering whether he should ask too. But a knowing look from Toko answers his unasked question. With a satisfied nod, he gazes back at the two older bladers.

"Uh, sorry guys," Valt says, looking apologetic, "But we have to get back to training."

"That's fine," the twins answer readily. It's probably a normal occurence. Since Valt's status is nothing to take lightly, the Aois obviously don't have 'family/sibling talks' as often as they would.

"Bye!" Both Rantaro and the blue-haired girl smile, echoed by the four younger bladers. The line soon disconnected.

Glancing at the clock, Aiger curses. "Damn! I gotta go!" Without even a farewell, the Achillies owner ran for dear life. Ranjiro just laughs, shaking his head while the twins roll their eyes.

A pregnant pause fills the atmosphere.

"So..." the blond male starts. His attention shifts between the two, before finally settling on the youngest. "The plan is..." Cap'n trails off for a moment, gathering his thoughts.

"...to get Aiger and Valt together, isn't?"

"Obviously," Nika replies, smirking wickedly. She has the perfect plan! Her eldest sister may be...herself, but even she can see the signs if shown to her.

Hopefully, anyways...

"Well, we can still enjoy ourselves...?" Toko observes his twin, his words more of a question than assurance. "Or do we have to help with your little schemes?" The male groans, already knowing the answer.
Well, there's no harm in hoping.

"Oh, c'mon!" Ranjiro slings an arm around the other boy. "It's gonna be fun~," he adds, literally shaking the blue-haired blader. The blond looks to the pink-haired girl for confirmation, whom excitedly nods.

A sigh escapes from Toko's pursed lips. "You're gonna do this, no matter what I say or do, aren't you?" He casts an exasperated look to his twin, who's cheshire smile only grows wider.

"Isn't that obvious?"