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After Ange’s scrumptious dinner in the battleship cruise’s canteen, Valt decides to go out for some fresh air. The sea breeze is very relaxing while the pitch black sky is the perfect canvas for bright stars and everything is illuminated by gentle moonlight.
“The stars are absolutely beautiful tonight!”, the champion thought to himself.
He spots Kris - BC Sol’s manager and his boss- standing on the ship’s deck. Having no idea what she is doing outside and at this hour, he approaches her.
- The stars are so pretty tonight!
- Hi Valt! What brings you out here?
- I wanted some fresh air but why are YOU out here?
- I’m here for some star gazing. I’ve always liked to do this, me and Free did it when we were children quite frequently.
- Let’s stargaze together then!
After a small moment of silence for stargazing, Valt asks a question:
- If you were a star, which star would you be, Kris?
- Hmm I’m not sure… What do you think?
- I think you would be the moon!
- The moon’s not a star, Valt …
- But it shines in the dark, stars do that right?
- The moon shines, yes… but it doesn’t shine on its own, it shines because the Sun’s light reflects on it, making the Moon appear bright. But why do you think I’d be the Moon?
- I think the moonlight is very gentle, kind of like you, it’s not hot or harsh like the Sun.
- That’s nice of you Valt, although… I think I’ll never be a star. I don’t think that I can shine bright like one in anything in life. If you want to look at a real star, Free’s what you are looking for.
- Yeah! Free has always been a star, he’s super duper strong and works very hard!
Kris then talks about how she has always envied Free, since they were even children. At that time, she had dreams to become the world’s best blader. But she wasn't cut for being one and decided to quit afterwards. She remarks that she was pretty good and won some battles, however, she couldn’t keep up with everyone else and fell behind. She claims that she despised blading afterwards but still became the team’s owner after her grandfather’s passing; she promises to tell him more details when they have the time.
- I rarely talk about things this personal to people, you’re the first one to ever hear this.
- I like this quite a lot! I feel that this helps me get to know people better!
- How about you then? What was it like for you when you were starting out?
Valt says that he was when he first began blading, everyone was much better than him - especially Shu. He misses the Beigoma Academy beyclub, where his love for beyblade truly flourished with the guidance and care of his teammates - Rantaro, Diago, Ken, Wakia, and Shu. He talks about how his perspective on blading has changed during the course of being in BC Sol - battling and training with bladers from all over the world and learning lots from all of them. He also talks about Free, about his determination, and how Free made him open his eyes to the wider blading world, etc. Free was, and still is, a good rival to him and always made him want to get better. While on the topic, Valt talks about Rantaro - he was always a good friend and supporter for him; He’s very grateful to know his Honcho and still remembers how happy Rantaro was when he got into BC Sol
- I still wonder how you got to know and scouted me Kris?
- I was keeping my eyes on different bladers that would have potential in the international blading world, you caught my attention while competing in the national Japanese tournament. Trad was rather against the idea of me scouting you, but that’s not important at the moment. Anyhow, you held your own against Lui. I even thought that you could win, not for that scratch in the stadium though.
- Don’t remind me about that scratch… I am still angry about it till this day!!!!
- Well, it is what it is. But look at you now, you are the world champion, all of those events are crucial points on your journey there. Speaking of the champion title, how are you feeling about it now?
- I have a feeling that some people could beat me.
Kris has a very surprised expression upon hearing that but stays quiet as Valt continues:
- Look at all of these talented bladers on the cruise, they show up with abilities and beys that I’ve never seen before! I can’t wait to battle them! I do see that some of them have the capability to take me down though... But I’ll train even harder to keep this title!
Hearing him say that and seeing his signature grin, Kris is very pleased:
- That’s the Valt I know.
The two then discuss about the different bladers on the ship. Valt remembers their conversation during the first battles of the cruise and how amazing they were. Valt currently has his eyes on Aiger while Kris has her interest piqued by Phi - he’s very mysterious but also alluring, according to her. The beyblade world is constantly changing, with talents coming from far and wide wanting to become the best, all training hard for their own goals. Champions constantly rise and fall in this day and age. No one’s position is truly stable. Perhaps our champion is finally feeling the heat from the new generation of bladers and he feels somewhat uneasy. A thought pops into Valt’s head:
“Maybe this is what Free felt when he was the champion, and that is why he has to work so hard to keep his title (and sometimes resorting to rather harmful methods…).”
- To be honest, I feel a bit uneasy about what the future has in store… Has Free ever felt like this?
- It’s ok to feel this way, Valt. It’s natural. I’m also certain that Free felt the pressure during his time too.
- Well, if this world champion thing doesn’t work out, I can still always help mom out with the bakery.
The statement left the manager pleasantly surprised. For a boy that has always loved beyblade and always participated in it constantly, it’s odd that he thinks about a plan beyond it. Honestly, this change is welcomed. It’s nice that he’s thinking about other options. The world of competitive sport has always been very unstable - a single loss or a devastating injury can ruin an athlete’s career forever. Her mind jumps to Free during the God Blader’s Cup and how close he got to never being able to pull a ripcord again. This memory serves as a grave reminder about how she always has to care about her bladers and ensure their wellbeing. She was too careless with Free. After her train of thought is over, she proceeds to continue the conversation.
- Whatever path you decide to go on, I’ll try my best to support you with what I have.
- Thanks Kris. I appreciate it, you’ve helped me a lot!
- We should go back inside, it’s getting late. We’re leaving the ship tomorrow.
- Ugh.. bummer… I want to try their stadium though… But it’s still so unreal that I got to be here in the first place! I’ve never been on a cruise before.
- It’s unreal for me too. I’ve been on a cruise before but never on this grand of a scale. Let’s go back.
- Yeah, I'm pretty tired from all of the talking… But wait, hold on!
- Huh?
- What about me? What do you think I’d be as a star?
- I think that you would be the Sun, bright and warm, just like the one on BC Sol’s crest.
On their way back to the cabin, the team owner suddenly stops due to one realization: She forgot her key card in her office before leaving for dinner. She informs her team member about the missing card and asks him if he has his own. The blader confidently claims that he certainly has the card, leading him to search his pockets. After a few minutes of fabric rustling and the ocean waves, Valt’s face is completely frozen with shock. Some seconds pass, and yelling of the following contents can be heard across the entire ship:
“I FORGOT MY CARD IN THE CANTEEN!!!!”
“I should’ve been more careful next time…”, Kris says in defeat and a sigh.