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It had been a few days already, since Yusuke first started to pay more attention to Ryuji’s actions in battle, and how much they contrasted with his own.
They were quite different in many aspects, and their fighting styles was one of them: Yusuke relied on precise attacks with his katana, trying to keep a defensive stance otherwise; Ryuji was impulsive, relying more on brute strength than planned attacks, often risking getting hit so he could deal as much damage as possible.
Those differences also extended to their magic: Yusuke was quite similar to ice: cold, distant… Unpleasant to the touch, so most people would keep their distance. Meanwhile, Ryuji was spontaneous, bright, intense… Sometimes in a loud, unpredictable, and aggressive way, but always fascinating to watch.
Ryuji’s carelessness in battle sometimes worried Yusuke, but he couldn’t deny that it also made him quite the formidable ally on the battlefield. Soon, Yusuke started to fight next to him, watching his back, while Ryuji did the same for him. Together, they improved their strengths, and compensated for their weaknesses—an incredible duo, in every way.
It was difficult for Yusuke to focus on anything that day. As much as he wanted—maybe needed—to distract himself, it didn’t take long for his mind to return to his worries and unpleasant thoughts.
“Say, Yusu…” Ryuji’s voice called his attention. “Something’s been bothering you, right?”
As usual, Ryuji was quite perceptive to those things.
“It’s nothing.”
“C’mon, man…” Ryuji leaned in his direction, lightly touching his forearm. “You know you can talk to me about this stuff.”
Yusuke sighed. He hadn’t meant to trouble Ryuji with his problems, but, at the same time, he felt like they would crush his chest from the inside if he didn’t let them out.
“That exhibition I mentioned before…” he said in a low voice. “I thought everything had been decided already, but they contacted me yesterday. Apparently, despite me being their first choice, they don’t want to associate their event with the Madarame scandal.”
Ryuji stared at him, wide-eyed. “Wait… So they just kicked you out of it?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
Slowly, Ryuji’s surprise gave place to anger. “That’s… That’s bullshit! Who are those guys?”
Something in his question worried Yusuke. “Why are you asking?”
“I’m gonna talk to them. They chose you for your art, so they can’t just back away now because of Madarame!”
Yusuke shook his head. “No, I understand their motives.”
“Well, I fucking don’t!” Ryuji crossed his arms. “Where can I find them?”
In moments like those, Ryuji’s impulsiveness could be quite troublesome… Thankfully, Yusuke was already used to dealing with it by that point.
“Please, forget about this matter,” said Yusuke. “It will be worse if we get into an argument with them. This kind of people tends to keep grudges, and I don’t want to make enemies out of them.”
His argument seemed to be effective in calming Ryuji’s fury, making him think. “But… There must be something we can do!”
“I don’t think so.” A small sigh left Yusuke’s lips. “I can only hope that this scandal dies down before the next event I sign up for.”
Ryuji lowered his head, deflated. “That’s really wrong… Those guys should be looking at your art, not stupid shit like this.”
“Yes… It feels unfair.” Yusuke thought briefly. “But I suppose it’s better like this. I want people to see my art for what it is… I don’t want them to compare it to those pieces I once created for Madarame.”
“I wish there was something I could do to help…”
Yusuke offered him a slight smile. “Knowing that you care so much already helps.”
Ryuji simply observed him for a moment. “Really, Yusu…” He grunted in frustration, then threw his arm around Yusuke’s shoulders. “C’mon, let’s go grab some food. All this bullshit made me hungry.”
“Sounds good to me.”
As they walked together, those comparisons Yusuke sometimes made came back to his mind. Even in moments like those, when he clearly wasn’t thinking rationally, Ryuji’s willingness to do anything for those he held dear was still impressive. As he thought, Ryuji was like the lightning he commanded: beautiful, striking, fearless…
Enough to make Yusuke wish he could be more like him.
Yusuke invited Ryuji to visit him after his class ended that afternoon, and soon he was there, walking inside with a slightly curious expression.
“Hey, Yusu… What did you wanna talk about?”
Yusuke could barely contain an excited grin. “Actually, I wanted to show you something.”
“What is it?”
“Just a moment.” Yusuke reached for his sketchbook, searching it for the right pages. “Since I won’t be participating in that exhibition, I’ve decided to dedicate my free time to a personal project, instead.”
“Yeah?” Ryuji sat beside Yusuke on the bed, glancing at his sketchbook. “Show me, then!”
“I only have a few sketches for now, but I couldn’t wait longer to share them with you.” Yusuke placed the sketchbook between them, supported by their legs. “Look.”
As soon as Ryuji looked at that sketch, his eyes widened. “Wait… Is that Arsene?”
Yusuke smiled, pleased. “Yes. I’ve combined characteristics of the persona and its user, as well as the element they command. In Akira’s case, his ability to change his persona at will makes him quite flexible, which is a good trait for a leader. I focused on Arsene’s darkness, but added hints of different elements as well.”
“I can see it! Damn, Aki looks so cool…”
“I’m glad you think so.”
Saying that, Yusuke turned the page.
“Ah,” said Ryuji, “it’s Ann and Carmen! Man… She’s so gorgeous!” He chuckled. “I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side, though…”
“Me neither,” Yusuke agreed. “I believe the flames match her personality quite well… Passionate and true, but capable of destroying those who oppose her.”
“Sure sounds like our Ann. No one can stop her when she gets something in her mind.”
Next page.
“Holy shit, is that Mona?” Ryuji laughed. “Man, he’ll love this!”
“I tried to focus on the contrast between his small size, and his strong resolve.”
“Yeah. I liked the wind, too… Makes it feel even more epic.”
Next page.
“Queen! Wow… The blues really fit her.”
Yusuke nodded. “I tried to express how reliable our oldest member is. Both her mental fortitude and physical strength.”
“And you got it right.” Ryuji observed the sketch for a moment longer. “Dude, how can she be so cool?”
“She truly is quite admirable.”
Next page.
“Ah, it’s Oracle! Those tentacles make it creepy, but in a cool way…” He laughed briefly. “Maybe to compensate for how cute she looks.”
“It’s impressive how such a small girl can be so strong-willed.”
“Yeah… Just don’t let Futaba hear you saying that.”
“Of course.”
Next page.
“Ah, that’s our Noir, always so classy…” Ryuji thought for a moment. “Even when she’s swinging that axe around like it weighs nothing.”
“Indeed. Her movements are always graceful, regardless of the strength behind them.
Yusuke’s heart raced as he turned to the next page, revealing the final sketch. He looked at Ryuji, who stared at the drawing, surprised.
“That’s…”
“You, of course,” said Yusuke.
Ryuji glanced at him, then back at the drawing. “Dude! You made one of me?”
The question almost made Yusuke laugh. “Yours was the first one. The one that inspired all the others.”
“Really?”
Yusuke nodded. “I couldn’t help but notice how much your fighting style said about your personality. Especially when you use electricity.” He couldn’t hold back a smile. “You act with confidence, without ever holding back, always giving it your all. Out of battle as well… You don’t accept things quietly, and are always fighting for justice in your own way. Like when they revoked my right to participate in that exhibition: I simply accepted it, but you were still ready to fight for me.” Yusuke lowered his eyes to that sketch, adding in a lower voice. “So bright and bold, and true to yourself… Truly, a breathtaking sight.”
Ryuji simply observed him, silently, for a while. “So… Is this how you see me?”
“There is much more,” said Yusuke, “but, unfortunately, there is only so much I can translate into an image.”
Yusuke risked a glance at Ryuji, who had his eyes, once again, on that sketch. He had a soft, content smile on his face, which made Yusuke feel prouder of his creations.
“What about you?” asked Ryuji, after a while.
Yusuke sighed. “No matter how much I thought about it, nothing came to mind. I can see how ice fits me… I’m considered a cold person by many. But there isn’t much more to it.”
Ryuji furrowed his brow. “You kidding, Yusu?” He paused briefly. “Well, I guess you can’t see yourself fighting…”
Those words grabbed Yusuke’s attention. “What do you mean?”
“I’m not as good as you with words, but…” He thought for a moment, a slight smile taking his lips. “It’s damn beautiful. The way you use your sword, like… You don’t just wave it around, it’s like you really know what you wanna hit, and then you do, and it’s perfect. Your magic too… It’s like, amazing, y’know? Pretty, and powerful, and always in control…” He laughed briefly. “It really fits you.”
A slight warmth went up Yusuke’s neck, reaching the tips of his ears. Unaware of it, Ryuji continued.
“You said I’m like electricity ’cause I follow my feelings… You ain’t that different, but not ’cause you’re cold. It’s more ’cause you have so much control… You can keep a level head no matter what happens. Like when you’re painting, y’know?” He smiled at Yusuke. “That’s why I don’t need to hold back when we’re fighting together… I know I can be impulsive, ’cause you’re there to make sure I don’t go too far.”
His words made something click in Yusuke’s mind. “And I can be cautious, because I know you’re there to make me act when it matters.”
“Yeah!” Ryuji widened his smile. “Guess we’re really good for each other, then.”
“We are.” Yusuke took that sketchbook, turning the page to a blank one. “I feel like I can sketch the final piece now.”
“Nice! You better make it really cool.”
Yusuke didn’t answer, focused on transferring those thoughts into lines, which slowly took a clearer form, until Yusuke was satisfied with it. He looked at Ryuji, who observed him in expectation.
“Done?”
Yusuke nodded, then offered him the sketchbook. Ryuji looked at it, and his expression immediately changed into something Yusuke couldn’t properly name.
“That’s… Us?”
“I made some changes to my original plan,” Yusuke admitted. “I suppose I’ve realized that, more than as individuals, our true strength shines when we’re together. In the Metaverse, and out of it.” He made a small pause, unsure if he should continue—in the end, he decided to properly voice his feelings this time. “And, for that reason, I hope we will never part ways. I wouldn’t be my best self without you by my side.”
Ryuji stayed silent for a long while, and part of Yusuke started to fear that his sketch had upset him in some way. But his fears didn’t last, since soon Ryuji finally spoke.
“I… really like it.”
Yusuke’s chest became lighter. “I’m glad to hear it.”
To his surprise, however, instead of smiling, Ryuji seemed about to cry.
“Ryuji?”
Ryuji shook his head. “My bad, I just… wasn’t expecting it.” He finally looked away from that drawing, meeting Yusuke’s gaze. “I want us to stay together too, Yusu. Forever, if that’s possible.”
Those words made Yusuke’s heart jump, leaving him unsure of how to respond. In an action moved more by feelings than rational thoughts, he placed his hand over Ryuji’s, looking into his eyes.
“Shall I take this as a promise?” he asked.
Slowly, Ryuji’s expression softened into a smile. “Yeah.”
After a single moment of hesitation, they closed that small distance between them, allowing their lips to softly touch. It was good… Not only the kiss, but finally being able to understand those feelings he had carried in his chest for so long, and share them with that person who completed him in such an unexpected, but beautiful way.
They were, undoubtedly, an extraordinary sight to witness.