CH 48: Present

"Really?" She asked, surprised. At her moment of desperation, she didn't expect anybody to take her side. But even when she heard he wanted to be her partner, she still couldn't believe it. Their opponents weren't some random duelists, they were legends! Yet he still partnered up with her while looking as carefree as always!

Alexis :"Ali, I appreciate it, but do you know how bad my situation is?"

Ali :"Of course I do. And that's why I'm going to be your partner."

Alexis :"But these are professionals. And we're going to duel in the area of their specialty. The chances of us losing are high."

He suddenly laughed. She expected many things. Seriousness, worry, nervousness. But she didn't expect him to laugh. Just throw his head back and laugh loudly as if she said the funniest thing ever.

Ali, chuckling :"Lose against those clowns. You can be really funny sometimes, sweetheart."

Alexis :"I'm being serious."

Ali :"So am I. Listen, I understand why you're nervous. But really, winning really won't be as hard as you expect."

Alexis :"Of course it will be! These are professionals. Some of the best in tag duels!"

Ali :"And I'm the best there ever was. Alexis, the only reason why you're so nervous is one, because it's your first time dueling a professional, and two, because of the fear of getting expelled. Believe me, after the duel, you'll think it was dumb to be so nervous."

Alexis :"But-"

Ali :"No buts. Stop being so negative already. Nothing will change and neither will you win the duel by just crying about it."

Alexis :"... Sigh, fine... I'm sorry about this. Not only did I get myself in such trouble, I even dragged you into it."

Ali, chuckling :"Don't worry about it. I already told you, I'm happy to help."

"Really?" She asked, surprised. The only two people who she thought of at the moment of panic were Zane and Ali. But her thoughts were locked on the noiret. She didn't know if it was because of him being the toughest guy around or for another reason, but a feeling in her guts told her that Ali would definitely be able to help her. "I basically called you to fight someone off for me. Someone of that size, at that. Did you see how big that guy was? He was huge. You could've really gotten hurt."

"Yet he was the one who ran away with his tail between his legs." He smirked :"He was big, sure. But these muscles aren't for show, sweet cheeks." Looking at him flex while wiggling his eyebrows comically, she couldn't help but let out a cute jiggle. Seeing the tension slowly leaving her, he smiled gently :"Seriously, don't worry about it. I'm an asshole. The biggest in the school. But I'm one that will definitely help his friend. And we're friends, aren't we?"

Huh, so he could smile like that too. She knew she'd learn a lot of things about him lately, but she didn't expect to see some sides she was seeing. Who would've thought the biggest asshole in the school who didn't give two shits about anything but his best friend/gym buddy Zane, best friend Jaden, her and DP would be so caring? Certainly not anybody who had dueled him.

"Yeah, we're friends." She smiled back, relieved at him not being annoyed or angry at her :"Is that why you volunteered on the spot to be my partner? I know you told me to not worry about it, but again, these guys are big shots."

Ali :"And I'm the biggest shot there is. I'm serious, alright? Listen, I'm 100% sure about winning even just by myself. And I'm 90% sure you'd win by yourself against them too! Don't underestimate how much you've grown lately. I would be disappointed in myself if my first student lost to those two clowns. Even though you've been learning from me for around a month or so, I've still taught you enough to win against people like them. And together? Believe me, I'm completely sure about winning this thing."

"Seriously, you're too confident." She sighed, but couldn't wipe the smile or the blush that appeared because of the praises :"Well... alright, I guess you did win an overwhelming victory against Dr Crowler the first time I saw you."

At the mention of Crowler, a giant grin spread on Ali's face. She didn't know why, but looking at the smile on the handsome face of the noiret brought a smile to her own face as well. Amused, she raised an eyebrow :"Seriously, why are you so happy today? Does the DP you talked about have something to do with Dr Crowler?"

Ali, grinning :"Oh, you'll know, sweetie. And you'll lose it when you do."

Alexis :"Fine, I'll wait. But this duel will be hard. We may be strong by ourselves, but tag duels aren't just about personal strength. Compatibility and synergy play a huge role."

Ali, grinning :"Oh, I'm sure we're hella compatible. You think I'd want to date you if we weren't compatible?"

Alexis :"Oh, so you want to date me?"

Ali, shrugging :"Why not? You're pretty, sexy, confident, and my type personality wise as well. You're the best girl I know in this academy."

Alexis :"Yeah, you did say that. *Smirking teasingly* But you sure it's not just because you find me attractive?"

Ali :"Nope. If it was just that, I'd simply want to have sex with you. Not have a romantic relationship."

A line firmly separating the two, huh? So he truly thought highly of her even beyond her looks. It was flattering. She hummed curiously :"So are you in love with me?" But he shook his head :"I don't know. I'm not trying to be cryptic, I really don't know. I've never experienced romantic love before, so I don't know heads or tails about my own feelings. Sure, I've been very fond of anybody I've dated, but I don't think I've ever loved anybody."

Huh, so he could be as clueless as her sometimes, huh? It was actually refreshing. He was always the know-it-all of dueling. Always Mr badass and godfather of dueling or something. So seeing his imperfections was quite welcome. She found it cute actually.

She didn't know why, but she found herself smiling and wanting to tease him about it :"So even the big bad Ali has things he's bad at, huh?" Causing him to roll his eyes playfully :"Oh, please, everybody is like that with love. It's weird, alright?" Causing her to chuckle in amusement as he continued :"I don't know if this is love or not. I feel like it's too early and undeveloped to be called love. But I'm fond of you. As I said, you have everything that I look for in a partner. And as we spend time together, the more fond of you I become."

She nodded. She didn't know anything about love or dating either. It's not like she was asexual, she found others attractive as well. She was just passionate about dueling and didn't have time for love until now. But just like him, she found him growing on her as time passed.

He was the most handsome boy she knew and had seen. She found his honesty and how he didn't care about other people's thoughts appealing. His carefree and cruel nature, even though opposite to her own serious nature, was quite attractive. Especially his mischievous and caring moments looked really cute to her. She found his childishness at times actually adorable. His skills, strength, knowledge and techniques as a duelist had earned her admiration. And when it was needed, she knew that he was one of the most reliable people she knew.

"True. I guess I can say the same things about myself." She found herself smiling. Before it turned into a teasing one :"Yet you still haven't asked me to date you." Causing him to smirk :"Who knows, maybe I'm waiting for you to confess instead?"

Alexis :"Oh? So you want to be chased instead?'

Ali, shrugging :"I think I'd want the girl a lot more attractive if she was the one who confessed first."

Alexis, amused :"Then I guess I'll think about it when I sort out my thoughts and feelings."

Ali, chuckling :"Then I guess I'll be waiting for you to take the first step?"

Alexis, shrugging :"If you want it that way, sure. You know I'm not romantic and stuff like other girls. who knows, maybe confessing instead of getting confessed to will be a nice change of pace. But you will need to wait a bit till I've figured out my own feelings, you know?"

Ali :"Fine by me. I'm quite patient if I want to be. And I'm pretty sure it won't take long with how we spend everyday together."

Alexis :"We'll have to see then. I guess you did call them mini dates, didn't you?"

"Yup. And I actually have a mini date planned right here that you'll actually enjoy a lot." He smirked, reaching behind him. But he was interrupted by the door sliding open, revealing Zane and Jaden. "Hey, Ali. How are you, Alexis?" Zane greeted as he entered with Jaden :"What's up, guys?! You okay, Alexis?"

"Yo." Ali nodded, high-fiving them as Alexis smiled :"Oh, hey, you two. What's up? What are you doing here?"

Jaden :"To obviously pay you a visit, silly!"

Zane :"Yeah, I heard about what happened last night. Are you alright?"

Alexis :"Yeah, I'm okay. Nothing's broken or anything, but Miss Fontaine insisted that I relax a bit. By the way, why are you two together? You make an odd pair. No offense."

Zane :"No, it's alright. I was coming here when I saw Jaden alone in the card shop. He decided to come with me and pay you a visit."

Alexis :"Oh, that's sweet of you both. Thanks. I'm fine though, so there isn't anything to worry about."

Zane :"I see. Glad to hear that. So how did it go with the Chancellor, Al?"

"Well, it got a bit complicated." He shrugged before explaining everything. After he told them everything, Zane had a thoughtful expression while Jaden was all excited :"Seriously?! You're going to duel such big shots?! Man, that's cool as heck! Maybe I should've gone inside that Abandoned Dorm to get such a cool duel too."

Zane :"Normally, I would admire your courage. But the stakes are high, so they really can't be happy or enjoy the duel. They'll be expelled if they make a mistake in a duel against professionals."

Jaden :"Ah, you're right. Damn, what a bummer... dueling against those two without worry would be so fun and cool."

Zane :"Yeah, it's not everyday you can duel against champions like them. You two could especially learn a lot about tag dueling from them. But unfortunately, you're not dueling for the fun of it."

Alexis :"Sigh, yeah, unfortunately."

"Oh, stop being so dramatic." Ali groaned, before smirking :"And besides, I have just what you need to be happy and to boost your confidence in winning this duel." As they grew curious, he reached behind him and took out something. Holding it out for Alexis, the blonde saw a deck.

Confused, she grabbed it and looked through the cards. Eyes growing wide in shock at what cards she saw. Cyber Angel cards! All of them! She was surprised at the Cyber Angel deck that he handed her, before her eyes went wide as she turned to him :"A-Ali, you don't mean..."

Causing him to smirk :"Yup, it's yours." Leaving her baffled :"W-what? But why? T-this is a very strong deck! A single Cyber Angel has become an ace in my deck, yet this is a deck made entirely out of Cyber Angel cards!"

Hearing her, the two boys were surprised too. Jaden didn't know much about Alexis's deck, so even though he was surprised that Ali just handed her a full deck, he didn't understand much of it. Zane on the other hand, who knew about Alexis's Cyber Angel Dakini, was shocked. He knew that was a heavy hitter of her deck, so hearing the noiret giving her a Cyber Angel themed deck was shocking.