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[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

She responded with a single nod. “Yeah, I did.” 

Honestly, she was so used to Yuma not having too much money on him, even on days like today. And it was usually her who had paid for extra food anyways. It wasn’t a bother, even if it probably should be the other way around. Kotori didn’t care. 

“I don’t mind, but if you say so.”

When they had gotten to the festival and Yuma tugged on her hand, she could feel her heart skip a beat. Her face was tinted red once again. Though it had faded once it was only to get her attention for funnel cakes. 

Of course--

“Yeah, sure let’s go!” She chimed. 

“Eh? You brought extra money to spend on me? Shouldn’t it be the other way around, though?” Yuma pondered a moment. 

He knew that Akari and Granny always told him that if he went anywhere with a girl for any reason, he’d have to be the buyer since it was the ‘manly’ thing to do. But how could he? He never had money on him, even being the World Duel Champion. That was because he always forgot it at home. He’s not used to having money. Plus, Akari figured she’d save it all for him in a private bank account since she knew he’d probably just spend it on duel cards and candy. 

“You should keep your money,” he said with a smile, “I think I have enough for at least six servings of cotton candy anyway.”

Once they reached the hustle and bustle of the festival, Yuma gently tugged on Kotori’s hand and pointed in the direction of the funnel cake stand. 

“Kotori, Kotori! Maybe we should start with funnel cakes! Do you want to get some with me?” 

[littlebirdofhope]

PSA: I don't care if we start a millon threads with eachother and not one of them gets done

Its about having fun and growing into your muse and expanding your character. 

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

As not funny that was supposed to be, Kotori couldn’t help but giggle. “No, it’s just easier for some people, I guess.”

“…Tori seems to just be a shortened version of your birth name. Does Yuma call you that because he is too lazy for the entire word?”

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Well yes? And no? Kotori is my full name, but I don’t mind being called Tori if that’s what you want to call me.”

Cue Astral’s eyes blinking curiously at her, “But is that not what Yuma calls you by? I would think that is what you would want to be called by.”

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“No, Kotori.” She said, pointing at herself. 

“Tori.”

She almost seems worried.

[littlebirdofhope]

ceruleanxapparitiion

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Astral?”

[littlebirdofhope]

Did you know Yuto has a boyfriend?

✧･ﾟ:*✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

“Really?”

“That’s so cute!”

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Great! Sorry for the misunderstanding by the way!" And with that, Kotori gave Yuto a quick and gentle peck on the cheek. 

"Can I kiss you?" [DON'T WORRY, I HAVE A PLAN . ]

Grey eyes blinked at such a brave question shortly after just meeting. Yuto couldn’t help but slightly tilt his head at her, keeping his normal facade but still feeling confused. “Kotori, may I ask why you want to…?”

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Ah-- I didn't mean on your lips or anything! Just a little peck on the cheek." She mused, a light blush now tinting her cheeks as she clasped her hands behind her back. 

"Can I kiss you?" [DON'T WORRY, I HAVE A PLAN . ]

Grey eyes blinked at such a brave question shortly after just meeting. Yuto couldn’t help but slightly tilt his head at her, keeping his normal facade but still feeling confused. “Kotori, may I ask why you want to…?”

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"Yeah, we really should! Hey, I brought some extra money too just in case you spend all of yours. I hope that's okay!"

Oh, please. She knew it was all the more okay. Because knowing Yuma, he would more likely spend all of his money on food at the festival and leave himself broke within a couple of hours-- perhaps less? She wasn't sure actually. Time to make a mental note to count the hours until then. 

The Cheerleader gently grabbed a hold of Yuma's hand, her heart piratically skipping a beat as she noticed the hand holding. And with that, a light blush decorated her cheeks. 

Yuma gave her a goofy grin, knowing full and well that even though she was joking, it would probably end up being true. He did have a ravenous appetite - more like a ‘foodlust’. He wasn’t hoping for just cotton candy either. No, he wanted to possibly eat something from every stand the festival had to offer.

The clock struck noon and the school bell rang. The teacher wished them fun and safety at the festival today before dismissing his class. Then everyone began to rush out of the door and that’s when Yuma sprung to his feet, nearly knocking his chair backward. His shiny eyes beamed with excitement.

"Come on, Kotori," he said as he reached out to her, "Let’s go! We should get there before the lines get too long and the food gets cold!"

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

There was only the sound of crying now as Kotori couldn't give the other a coherent response. And it had gone on for perhaps a few more minutes before she managed to take a deep breath and calm down. 

She didn't know if Yuma or anyone else was okay. She didn't even know how she had gotten out of Heartland in the first place. 

"Yeah... he was a wonderful person, but I don't know if he escaped or not. I'm not even sure how I managed to. The last time I checked, Heartland was just fine."

"I see," he said, keeping a calm tone in his voice. He continued to hold her, allowing her to let out all her tears while she still could. "So you do know him.”

Just the thought of Heartland’s savior possibly not existing anymore… it tightened the talons on Yuto’s heart, piercing deeper, bleeding slowly, without mercy. He had to close his eyes in order to contain himself. 

’Yuma…' Yuto's thoughts stirred a moment.

"What an honor it must have been…" His lifeless grey eyes reopened, still possessing a glimmer of tears. "Do you know if he escaped as well? Since you made it here to this dimension, there’s a possibility that he may have, too."

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

"I'm not annoying, stop calling me that!"

"Can you be anymore annoying?”

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

She nodded and soon enough, wrapped her arms around Yuto. Now hugging him, she as well had tightened her hold on him. 

"Y-yeah, Yuma and I go to-- well.. went to school together." Kotori confirmed, correcting herself along the way. Heartland was gone now, there was nothing she could do about that. And the very thought made her want to cry even more than she already had been. 

Truthfully, she hoped it was all just a dream. A horrible, terrible dream that she'd soon wake up from. But it wasn't. This was real, the harsh reality that had fell upon the citizens of Heartland.

Oh no, perhaps telling her the news really was a bad idea. Seeing the girl slowly break apart at the seams - Yuto had no choice but to approach her again, grabbing her hand to yank her up to her feet and into a tight embrace. 

Feeling the emotion pour out of her almost made Yuto cry himself. He had no idea who this stranger was, but she had the same home as he did. Telling her such a horrible thing without warning was cruel. Especially knowing that she was from the kindhearted city of Heartland. 

"I’m sorry," he murmured, as he felt her body tremble. He tightened his arms around her, knowing that he personally would want someone to hold him during a time like this. He remembered clinging to Shun after the incident happened.

But the name Kotori had called out… Yuma? Did she mean that Yuma? The World Duel Champion who saved Heartland from destruction once before? This young woman knew about him, too? Maybe there was a connection. 

"Kotori?" Yuto’s grey eyes shimmered with a sad depth to them. "You wouldn’t happen to be talking about Yuma Tsukumo, would you…?"

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

She then, had gone dead silent. How could Heartland have been destroyed? Who would have done such a horrible thing? So many questions were now pouring in her mind, and if she stayed in thought much longer-- she could mentally drown. 

                         Or at least, that's how it felt.

"No.. no way.." She murmured. And then it hit her. What about Yuma and the others? No.. no. nonononononono.

                                       They were all dead, weren't they?

Pushing Yuto away, Kotori stood up, taking a few steps back as tears were now rolling down her cheeks. The poor girl was now shaking, but it was something she hadn't noticed just yet. 

Turning away from the other, the Cheerleader glanced around, as if looking for her friends. 

 "Yuma! Yuma--! Where are you?!"

And of course, there was no answer. A pathetic attempt to call out to the one she was most fond of. And with that, she fell to her knees.

"Noooo------!!!"

That question dug deep, jagged talons into his heart, ice cold. He couldn’t tell which would be worse, her knowing or her remaining in the innocent bliss.

But if she was here, she had to have escaped Heartland’s downfall just like he did, right? This was still the Standard Dimension, after all. She must’ve hopped through a warp of sorts. He wouldn’t know unless he asked, but that meant informing her about what happened. But it was probably for the best.

His body shook before he could utter out a word, though. Talking about it would yank him back into the destruction he was forced to survive through. 

"You don’t know…?" his voice was trembling, hushed. "It… was destroyed."

[littlebirdofhope]

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* F L Y *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

A squeak escaped the Cheerleader as the other had rested his hands upon her shoulders. She was so confused. What was wrong? There had to be something, otherwise he wouldn't be acting the way he was right now.

Nodding slowly, Kotori sat still as her concerned expression stayed with her. 

"Yes, I'm from Heartland.. why? Did something happen?"

A small sigh of relief brushed past his lips as his body eased out of tension. He laid there with this girl at his side, his eyes closing briefly, just so he can solely focus on breathing. 

"Ah. Well, my name is Yuto."

Once calm, he looked over at Kotori again, but this time he noticed something crucial. Something he should’ve seen right from the beginning. 

"Wait… that uniform!" He quickly sat up and leaned closer to her, putting both his hands on her shoulders. His eyes stared in disbelief at the all-too-familiar schoolgirl outfit of his hometown. But there was absolutely no mistaking it. 

In a shaky voice, he whispered, “Heartland…?”

[littlebirdofhope]

i forgot to post this with the other koto edits because it was in a different folder but here’s a high school/college aged kotori (or at least how I imagine her when she gets a lil older:3 )

[littlebirdofhope]

[x] By @aderu1313