A hand was placed on his shoulder as Mr. Genji looked at him, "Take it easy."
"--"
"You've been all over the place, Touma," Yui added.
Though he didn't feel as if he was doing anything that warranted their reaction, he stopped and smiled, taking a few deep breaths.
"Thanks," he smiled.
Mr. Genji started pouring silken smooth coffee into a mug, "Excited about the upcoming tournament, I take it?"
"Yeah," he nodded.
The white-haired owner handed him the fresh cup, to his surprise. He looked at it for a moment, confused before glancing back up at Mr. Genji.
"Is coffee going to help? I don't think energy is my problem here…" He said.
"It's my tea-coffee," Mr. Genji told him, "More relaxing than awakening. Have some."
He accepted the cup, "Sure. Thanks."
Taking the cup, he sipped the sweet, hot liquid while watching Yui tend to the seated customers, taking their orders and serving them within the next few minutes.
While taking in the soothing drink, he settled down while finishing up his shift, finishing in the next hour before turning in upstairs.
"--"
The moment he entered his room, he yawned.
Guess that stuff is really strong, isn't it? He thought.
Switching out of his barista uniform into his casual clothes, he laid down in his bed, pulling out his phone.
I remember feeling my phone vibrate earlier…He remembered.
[1 New Message from [Yusei]: Call me when you get the chance.]
It took him by somewhat surprise as the tone of the message was different from the usual, jovial nature in which Yusei texted him.
Sitting up on his bed, he rung up the Overseer:
Beep.
[--]
"Hello?" He said.
[You're a bit late. Meet me at Minoo Park.]
"...Huh? All the way out there? It's late, you know," he contested.
[It's important.]
"It can't be over the phone?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.
[No. It's important. Bring your ticket, as well.]
"...Fine."
Ending the call, he sat there for a moment, looking at his desk where the black ticket was sitting on.
Why does he want to meet up so late, anyway? Whatever…Guess I'll find out, he thought.
Throwing on a jacket and stuffing the ticket into his pocket, he descended the stairs, leaving the building as the sun had already fully settled outside, greeting him with a brisk night.
"Still, Minoo Park…? Couldn't have picked a closer spot?" He mumbled to himself, glancing at his phone.
He made his way to the train station, catching a late night ride to the outskirts of Osaka. Normally, he wouldn't do such a thing unless it was a close friend asking him to, but Yusei was an important figure–and one that has helped him, and is currently supporting him.
"--"
He watched past the window as the scenery passed by swiftly by the train's venture. In the wake of spring, the trees had shifted into the warm colors of the season's change; luscious verdant, maple brown, deep red, and yellow like the sunlight.
At this time of night, the train was practically empty to himself, arriving at his destination soon after as he disembarked, finding himself at the famous "Minoo Park" after a short walk.
In the springtime, the trees of Minoo Park had mostly taken to a colorful variation between red and yellow, leaving him glancing around as he walked inside of its bounds.
"Yo."
He looked to the left to see the red-haired Overseer standing against a tree, not waiting by any particular spot or display.
"...Why did you call me out here?" He asked.
Yusei was dressed in his all-black suit that he initially met him in, still standing by the shadows before he walked over.
"What's up?" He asked.
He raised an eyebrow as Yusei didn't reply, only walking to him silently before–
"--!"
The Overseer suddenly launched forward, attempting to hit him with a powerful elbow that he managed to guard against.
"What's your problem?!" He called out.
"--" Yusei looked at him.
As he jumped back, he was pressed by the Overseer, who used his immense swiftness to pressure him–launching a variety of sharp elbow swings towards him.
He managed to deflect and dodge each strike that came his way, though he was left perplexed as to why he was being attacked in the first place.
"Serpent-Splitter."
The technique that the Overseer invoked came from a low position in which he sprung up with an arc-swing of his elbow, cutting the air sharply as it was narrowly avoided by the young man.
…That could've been bad if it landed, he thought.
Realizing he was going to have to fight, he raised his hands, exhaling sharply between his lips.
I don't know why, but he wants to fight. If that's what he wants, I'll respond in kind. I've been wanting to try my hand at this guy again, anyway, he thought.
The speed in which Yusei approached him surely surpassed that which he experienced in their first encounter–between the fall of the surrounding spring leaves, the Overseer vanished and reappeared from his view.
He's fast, but it's nothing I can't handle! He thought.
As he stood his ground, he merely kept his eyes on the Overseer before the man was directly before him, midway through a spinning swing of his elbow–
"Heavenly Daigo Style: Cloud Dispersing Hammer."
Stomping on the concrete below of the park trail, he cracked it beneath his sole as he shot both of his fists upward together.
THUD.
By some feat either of reflexes or a simple miracle, Yusei raised his arms, guarding against the attack that unleashed a potent enough impact to blow him back several meters.
"--"
"--"
Again, Yusei dashed in–though presenting another speed to take his back in an instant.
"Stay diligent," Yusei whispered.
He swung around into a sweeping kick, attempting to take the Overseer's legs out, only for the man to jump right over the attack and counter with a spinning elbow drop.
"Lightning's Descent."
The technique from the Overseer was evaded, but the impact of his elbow meeting the concrete resulted in the material being shattered harshly.
Is he trying to kill me? He thought.
With a continued exchange, he felt it much more manageable to clash with the Overseer; seeing his attacks clearly now and even repelling him.
As he charged in again, he flexed the muscles in his arms, preparing for a blow he chose with the intent of "ending this fight."
"Heavenly Daigo Style:--"
They stared each other down before Yusei suddenly smiled, holding his arms up, "Alright, that's enough."