The camp was over and they headed home. Everyone was exhausted from the events that happened during the camp. But everyone was talking about one thing. The newly formed friendship of the school. Some of them were happy about that and some not. Specially Kazuki who wanted to be a friend of Lui's so badly, but Shu took that chance away from him. That's how he felt.

Shu was laying in the couch gazing at the ceiling above him. He was bored. So, he thought of taking a walk. He closed the door walking to the warm evening of Beigoma. He hadn't seen the beyclub since five days. He just came today morning from the camp and slept the whole afternoon, but now he didn't feel tired anymore. He wished the beyclub was in the bey park.

Shu hurried his steps toward the bey park. When he was there, he heard familiar shouts a smile tucked his lips. His wish came true the beyclub was there. Wakiya and Honcho were battling and Valt was cheering. Daigo seem to be the ref and Hoji stood by the side. "Maybe the new member of their beyclub " Shu thought.

He started to walk toward them. No-one saw him because they were concentrating on the on going battle. Shu didn't disturb them as he watched the battle from a distance. Wakiya won the battle and the blonde jumped up, pumping his wrist as he gave the other a cocky smile. 

"See Honcho? I won! No-one can beat my Wyvern" Wakiya said, placing his hands on his hips.

"Really? I'll beat you next time, Goldilocks" Honcho yelled back at him, enraged. 

"What did you say?" Wakiya yelled back, charging towards Honcho.

Shu chuckled and everyone went silent. They all looked at him in surprised. Almost as if he just returned from death itself. 

 Valt was the first to react. "Shuuuuu" he yelled, tackling him to a hug.

"Hey" Shu said ruffling his hair as he smiled. Others joined quickly to the group hug wasting no time in hugging their friend close. 

"We missed you" Daigo said, giving him a smile.

Hoji watched them from a distant, smiling at them. Shu waved at him which Hoji gladly returned. When they pulled away, Shu gasped for breath. "You guys almost killed me"

Honcho smiled. "Come on man, we missed you a lot. Hoji is the new member of the Beyclub by the way"

Shu smiled. "I guessed that"

"So, aren't we gonna meet you in the team battles?" Daigo asked.

Shu shook his head. "I don't think we can "

"Oh a weird thing happen yesterday Shu. You won't believe me. Lui called me and  he said he love beybread" Valt said as he started to describe the incident.

Shu started to laugh as Wakiya started to describe about his experience with Kazuki. They all watched him as the albino blader tried harder to stop his laughter. At last Shu stopped, wiping the tears from his eyes.

"What's so funny?" Honcho asked.

Shu started to describe all the incidents that happened in the camp and the game they played. When he finished, all of them started to laugh.

"Seriously, Wakiya you did that?" Honcho asked with a lofty grin. 

They all stopped laughing and looked at Shu. "That means you're friends with Lui?"

Shu shrugged. "Not good friends, just friends"

"Told you guys you can be friends" Valt cheered.

"Got to go guys, see you later" Shu said getting up. The others waved and parted their ways with one last goodbye. Valt joined with Shu. The two best friends walked side by side just like the old times. 

"So, what it feels like to be friends with Lui? "Valt asked, looking at Shu.

"Nothing special. Just like other friends I have" Shu answered.

They talked for a bit as they parted away, bidding farewell. Shu went to his apartment and closed the door sinking himself into the eerie silence that was always there. He sighed, shaking his head as he walked into his room to take a wash, finishing yet another day. 

Next day, he went to school. Shu could feel the difference Lui's speech made in the others. It was almost like a whole new world inside the Rideout Academy.  Students smiled at him. Some of them even talked to him. Before the morning bell rang, Fubuki came running towards him. "Shu, I heard you became friends with Lui! That's so cool!" The younger cheered. " When are we going to train!?"

Shu smiled, nodding. "When you have free time, you can call me up. We can train together as always"

Fubuki chuckled. "Thanks, I'll meet you at the lunch!"

Shu nodded waving at the little boy. The albino walked to his locker and pulled out his Math books. He walked into the class and sat down beside Lui. But they didn't talk. As the agreed with each other, the grudge was over and that was it, nothing more.  The time flew by and soon, it was already the time for lunch. Shu walked to the cafeteria. He spotted Fubuki. Shu smiled at the boy sitting beside him.

"How's your day?" Shu asked.

"It's good" Fubuki said, beaming.  Then he started to describe his day enthusiastically. Shu rested his head on his palm, listening to the stories of the younger boy. That's when he heard someone sitting on the table. He looked up to meet with the familiar faces of Katana, Lui, Shinki and Gou.

"Hey Shu" Gou called. "Who is this young guy? "He asked, ruffling Fubuki's hair.

Fubuki looked at him with an awed expression. "You're Gou right? The captain of the team Rideout?"

Gou smiled. "Yeah, are you a blader?"

Fubuki nodded eagerly. "Can I join the club?" His voice was filled with hope. His crimson eyes gleaming with enthusiasm. 

Gou smiled. "Of course"

Fubuki grinned nodding along happily as he continued to eat. That's when Gou noticed the glaring contest of Shu and Lui "Cut it out guys, you two are friends, right?" Shinki asked.

"We ain't" They yelled in sync.

"Anyway Shu, today we have a swimming competitions, Lui and Gou are participating . Wanna come and cheer for them?" Katana asked.

Shu hesitated a bit. Swimming pools were not his best choice and he had a bad history with that. But Shu agreed. "O-ok"

Lui smirked. "Why? you scared of pools or something?"

Shu frowned.  "Shut up, flame hair"

Lui growled. "What did you call me, Albino?"

Shu huffed, "That's racism. I'm leaving."

The other classes also went quickly. Shu put his books to the locker as he headed to the pools. He wasn't sure whether he should go or not. But he couldn't take down the offer of his friends. When he reached there, he saw Katana and Shinki cheering for Gou and Lui. And Lui looked annoyed by all the cheering. Shu went to his friends and stood beside them, arms crossed over his chest. He saw Kazuki, also in a swimsuit. He seemed to be a participant. Their coach came as the swimmers took their places and the competition began. Lui was indeed a good swimmer and so was Gou and Kazuki put up a pretty good fight. They all watched as they swam across the pool and Shu was amazed how good Lui was. For him swimming pools felt like death traps.  

Flashback

He was only five years old when it happened. He remembered sitting near his uncle's pool playing alone while the adults talked with each other by the other side of the pool. He did hear the footsteps closing behind him, but didn't know what happened until he felt himself tripping on his own toys. The next thing he knew was that the cold water was seeping through his clothes and he breathed water. His lungs painfully squeezing and his heart was beating violently against his chest. Then, everything went black until he woke up inside his uncle's mansion surrounded by concerned adults. 

He later got to know that one of his cousins accidentally bumped on him while playing and it was his father who saved him that day. But that painful horrific memory changed his opinion about water generally. Shu wasn't sure when he will be able to escape from that painful memory. 

End of the flashback

Shu shook his head taking his attention back to the competition. Anyone can tell that Lui was going to win and as Shu's guessed Lui won the first place and Gou the second. Third place went to Kazuki but he definitely didn't seem happy about that. Katana cheered, as he went towards the swimming pool to congratulate his friends. Shu thought staying where he was would be good, but Shinki took his wrist dragging him  to the pools before Shu could protest.

"Congrats you two" Katana said.

Gou smiled. "I really thought I could beat Lui this time"

Lui huffed. "In your dreams"

The others also congratulated them before leaving. And Shu wanted to leave as soon as he can but the others didn't let him. Soon there was only them and Kazuki's gang left inside the swimming area. Shu stayed there, shifting from leg to leg. Eagerly waiting to leave the place, but before he could, he felt someone walking up to him from behind. He was about to turn back when he felt someone pushing him against the clear blue water, with a loud splash he fell in. He tensed as the memory flashed through his mind. He felt himself drowning as his lungs filled with water.  Shu knew he was panicking when his heart started to race and the flashed of memories became surreal but before he passed out completely, the last thing he felt was two strong hands wrapping around his waist and the flash of blue hair. 

---

Kazuki felt bewildered cause he lost again and he hated the friendship between the two rivals. He wanted to be a friend of Lui but he never seem to get the chance to do that. He looked at Shu who was standing near the pool as a cruel idea popped inside his mind. He slowly advanced towards him as he pushed the boy into the swimming pool.

 Gou looked at Kazuki. "Are you crazy?"

Kazuki smirked. Lui looked into the water to see Shu coming to the surface and glare at Kazuki but it didn't happen.  Lui paled as he jumped into the water without thinking for another second. He could see Shu in the water. His eyes were closed. Lui quickly swam to him as he wrapped his arm around his waist pulling him to the surface laying him on the cool tiled floor beside the pool.

"Is he breathing?" Katana asked, looking at the pale boy.

Gou quickly checked his pulse. "Yeah"

Lui didn't waste a single minute as he took off his tie and unbuttoned his shirt. Then he placed his hands on his chest, slowly pressing his hands. But Shu didn't even budge. Then he remembered the next step. He looked at the lips of the unconscious male. He leaned in but right at that moment Shu opened his eyes. They locked their eyes for a second as Lui quickly took his head away. Shu coughed out water which had filled in his lungs. He tried to sit down holding his head from one of his hands. Bangs shadowing the paled expression on his face.

Lui got up and headed straight towards Kazuki who was smirking at him. He punched him right at the face, enraged. He growled shouting at the boy. "He would've died, you idiot?"

"C'mon I never thought that baby is scared of water" Kazuki snarled.

Lui punched him again. Even Gou didn't stop him this time. "Just get lost or I'll kill you right here"

Kazuki didn't needed to be warned twice. He knew what Lui was capable of. He gingerly touched his bruised cheekbone and threw a one last glare at Shu's side and left the room without another word. Lui walked to Shu who was trying to even his breathing pattern.   Gou was rubbing his back comfortingly. Lui sat down in front of him.

The other three got up. "Lui stay with him. We'll bring our stuff and let's head back" Lui nodded as the other three went.

Lui looked at Shu again. His shoulders were shaking, it didn't take him much time to realize that Shu was crying. Lui stared at him for a long second. He was never the person to comfort someone, but seeing Shu like this didn't felt right. So, the White Tyrant got closer to Shu and wrapped his arms around his skinny frame. Lui could tell that Shu was surprised because his whole body tensed but after a minute Shu hugged him back burying his head on Lui's chest. They stayed like that for few minutes and pulled away.

"Are you alright now?" Lui asked as Shu nodded.

"You can't go to beigoma like this. My place is nearby, come and get changed" Lui said.

Shu didn't answer right away. He hesitated, but eventually nodded. Lui got up and helped Shu to get up. The other three came to them after a while with their belongings. The five boys quietly walked. Shu didn't talk. His eyes were fixed on the ground. The other four boys gave him concerned glances. Lui stopped in front of a house. "This is my place " He waved at the others as  he signaled Shu to follow him. Shu looked at the house which was painted in light blue colour and it was a modest home with a beautiful structure. Shu followed Lui quietly inside. 

"Mom, I'm home" He said, taking off his shoes at the front porch. Shu followed his actions as Lui led him towards a staircase before looking back to the living room again, "I'm with a friend mom" He said, continuing to walk up the stairs. 

He opened his cupboard and took out a white t - shirt and  a pair of shorts. "That's the bathroom. you can go in and change"

Shu nodded, taking the clothes as we walked into the bathroom door. After getting in, he stripped off from his wet clothes which was still hugging his skin. He put on the fresh shorts and the t-shirt.  Then came out asking Lui an extra bag to put the wet clothes. Then he looked around the room. It was simple and clean. It's painted in light blue colour and there was few photos of Lui and his families. And there was a place where he kept his trophies. He saw Lui sitting on his bed he signaled him to sit beside him.

"Thanks" Shu said.

Lui nodded. "So wanna tell me why are you scared? "

Shu looked at his hands, unable to form an answer.

"It's okay of you don't want to" Lui quickly added.

"No it's okay" Shu said and he started to describe his experience when he was younger. He finished and looked at Lui to see a smirk on his face or some mocking words. But he didn't tell anything.

"I would've been scared if that happened to me too " Lui said.

Shu looked surprised. "Y-yeah" then he smiled. "Thanks for listening"

Lui nodded and they heard the door open. "Dad is here" Lui said as he stood up. "Come on I'll introduce you to my family.

The headed downstairs. Lui really had a loving family. Lui walked to the living room. Shu never thought Lui has any siblings but he had two sisters younger than him. One seem to be Nika's age and the other one seem to be three or four.

"This is my friend" Lui said taking everyone's attention.

They all turned to look at Shu and froze. Of course they all knew what happened at the nationals. "Wait you're Shu Kurenai? " his sister asked.

"Yeah we made up" Lui said.

Lui ' s mom smiled as he walked to Shu. "It's good know you Shu" he said ruffling his hair.

Shu gave her a smile. "Me too"

"I'm Lui's Dad" Mr Shirasagi said giving his hand.

Shu nodded taking the hand and shaking it.

"This is Liya and the youngest one is Lucy" Lui said pointing at his two sisters.

"Are you really Shu Kurenai like the genius blader " Liya asked his eyes widen with surprise.

"Yeah " Shu answered.

"Can I get an autograph or a photo I can show it to my classmates that Shu Kurenai came to our house?" Liya said.

Lui growled. "Come on your brother is better than him take mine"

"Everyone know you're my brother dummy" Liya said sticking out her tongue. 

Shu chuckled. The youngest girl crawl to Shu. She smiled. "Hey" she said giggling.

Shu knelt down beside him as he ruffled her hair. She raised her hands telling him to pick her up so he did smiling at her cuteness. "Aww you're so cute" 

Lui just made a growl as he looked at him. "I didn't know Lui had such cute little sisters"

"Dinner is ready I think Shu would be staying to dinner too right? " Mrs Shirasagi asked looking at Shu.

Shu shrugged. "Sure why not?"

They all sat down  around the table. They talked about various things like Lui ' s cute childhood stories which Lui growled telling them to stop. After they finished Mrs Shirasagi called Shu.

"Shu you can stay over if you want to we can inform your parents"

"No I should head home and my parents work overseas so I usually live alone" Shu answered.

"Then I'll drop you" Mr Shirasagi said getting up.

"I can take the bus" Shu said.

"It's not a problem son I'll drop you" he said as Shu nodded and took his belongings. "Thanks guys I spent an amazing time here" he said bowing.

"Your always welcome Shu" Lui's mom said.

"I'll go with them" Lui said heading out which Shu took by surprise and Shu was about to head out when a little voice called him. "Shu are you coming back" Lucy asked tears welling up in her eyes.

"Dont cry I'll come back to see you" Shu said lightly kissing her forehead.

She nodded. "Pinky promise?"

"Yeah pinky promise " Shu said Shu waved at them as he headed out and get on to their car.

They drive to Beigoma and to the apartment complex of Shu. "This is my stop good bye" Shu said waving at them. Lui just nodded as his dad waved back.

Shu went to his apartment and locked the door. Today was indeed a long day but the most special thing he remembered was that Lui  's face was only few inches away from him when he opened his eyes. The red eyed blader shook his head as a light pink blush crept over his cheeks.

I swear this chapter is shit.