The morning sun spilled across the dorm window, soft and pale, cutting through the faint mist over Beycoma City. The sounds outside were slow birds, traffic, the hum of a city still half asleep.
Ryo sat on the edge of his bed, his phone in hand. His launcher and Drago rested on the desk beside him, the golden frame glinting faintly in the light. For once, there was no tension in the air. No crowd, no countdown. Just quiet.
He hesitated before pressing the call button. It had been a while since he'd actually called them. Messages, sure but not a real conversation. He inhaled once, thumb hovering over the screen, then tapped it.
The ringing tone barely lasted three seconds before a familiar voice answered.
"Ryo!" Aya's voice was bright, warm, the kind that always managed to sound like home. "You never call this early. Everything okay?"
Ryo smiled faintly. "Yeah. I just… wanted to talk."
"Oh?" There was a teasing edge in her tone now. "That must mean something big happened. Did you eat yet?"
He chuckled under his breath. "Mom."
"Alright, alright," she said, but he could hear the smile through her voice. "So? What's going on?"
"I made it to the semifinals," Ryo said quietly. "I won yesterday."
For a moment, the line was silent then her voice lifted. "You! Ryo, that's amazing! Wait, hold on, your father's right here Ren! He did it! He made the semifinals!"
There was a shuffle, the faint sound of a chair scraping. Then his father's calm voice came on the line.
"Morning, Ryo."
"Hey, Dad."
"I heard," Ren said simply. "Good job."
It wasn't loud or dramatic but that was Ren. The weight of his words always carried more than their size.
Aya's voice came back in from somewhere behind him. "He's been bragging to the neighbors already. Don't let him pretend he's calm."
"I'm not bragging," Ren said, and even through the phone, Ryo could hear the faint hint of a smile behind the denial.
Ryo laughed softly. "You're really coming to see it, right? The semifinals?"
"That's the plan," Ren said. "I've already asked for the day off. We'll take the early train."
Aya hummed in agreement. "You'll recognize us easily we'll be the ones screaming louder than the crowd."
Ryo groaned, half laughing. "Please don't."
"Oh, come on," she said, playful. "You're our son. We get to embarrass you at least once."
He shook his head, smiling. "Guess I can't argue with that."
There was a pause. He could hear the distant clatter of dishes Aya was probably making breakfast while they talked.
Ren's tone softened. "You've grown, Ryo. Not just as a blader."
Ryo blinked, the words catching him off guard. "What do you mean?"
"You sound different," Ren said. "More grounded. You used to talk about winning. Now it sounds like you're fighting for something more."
Ryo didn't know what to say at first. His hand brushed over Drago's smooth frame on the desk. "Maybe I am."
His father's voice stayed calm. "Good. Just remember, power means nothing if you forget who you are."
"I won't," Ryo said quietly.
Aya returned to the call, her tone softer now. "We're proud of you, you know that?"
"Yeah," Ryo said. "I know."
The silence that followed wasn't awkward. It felt warm full. For the first time, it didn't feel like a call across distance. It felt like a conversation between family.
"I'll see you at the stadium then," Ren said.
Ryo nodded, even though they couldn't see him. "See you there."
They said their goodbyes, and the line went quiet. The soft hum of the city filled the silence again.
Ryo leaned back in his chair, staring at Drago resting in the light. The Bey's core shimmered faintly, a red-gold pulse flickering like a heartbeat.
"They're coming to see us," he said softly.
For a moment, the glow inside Drago brightened, like it understood.
Ryo smiled. "Yeah… I know. Let's make them proud."
He stood, slipping the Bey into its case, and looked out the window. The morning sun had burned away the mist, leaving the city sharp and alive beneath it. The day was waiting.
The lunch bell rang, breaking the quiet rhythm of class.
Valt was the first out of his seat. "Finally! Let's eat before I collapse!"
Shu didn't even look up from his notes. "You say that every day."
"Because it's true every day!" Valt shot back, already halfway to the door.
Ryo smiled faintly, slipping his notebook into his bag. "You're going outside again?"
"Of course," Valt said, grinning. "You're coming too."
Outside, the courtyard shimmered under soft sunlight.
Rentaro had already claimed a shaded spot under the trees, unpacking his lunch with neat precision.
Ken sat nearby, silent as always, with Keru and Besu propped beside him one smiling, one frowning.
Keru's cheerful tone came first. "Nice weather for lunch, right?"
Then Besu's grumpy voice followed. "Until someone makes a mess again."
Valt groaned. "That was one time!"
Ryo sat down, the grass cool beneath him. For once, the noise didn't bother him.
Shu joined a moment later, setting down his bento. "You're in the semifinals now, Ryo. That's impressive."
Ryo shrugged slightly. "I've worked for it."
Valt leaned closer, eyes wide. "Worked for it? You destroyed Orochi like it was nothing!"
Ryo shook his head. "It wasn't nothing."
Rentaro glanced up. "You mean you're still improving."
"Exactly." Ryo paused, watching the light flicker through the branches. "Feels different now… not like before."
Shu nodded slowly. "You're not overthinking anymore. That's the difference."
Keru tilted toward him. "So you're stronger now?"
Besu answered right after. "Or just louder inside your head?"
Ryo laughed quietly. "Maybe both."
Valt stretched his arms with a grin. "Either way, you're crushing it. We should all train together later!"
Rentaro gave him a look. "If we train, we train seriously."
Valt saluted dramatically. "Yes, sir!"
Even Shu smiled at that, small but real.
Ryo leaned back, eyes shifting between them. "So, tomorrow… it's you two in the other semifinal, right?"
Shu nodded. "Yeah. Valt versus me."
Valt's grin widened instantly. "And I'm totally winning."
Shu raised an eyebrow. "We'll see."
Ryo smiled faintly. "Guess that means I'm facing Haruto in mine."
"Whoa, really?" Valt said. "That guy's intense! You'll have to go all out!"
"I plan to," Ryo replied. His tone was calm, but the spark in his eyes said enough.
Keru's puppet wobbled toward him. "You're gonna win, right?"
Besu crossed its felt arms. "He better. We can't deal with Valt bragging alone."
Valt gasped. "Hey!"
The group laughed, even Shu shaking his head with a quiet chuckle.
For a while, they just sat there talking about school, Beys, and the semifinals.
The warmth of the sun, the sound of their voices, and the easy rhythm between them felt simple in a way Ryo hadn't known for a long time.
When the bell rang again, Valt jumped to his feet. "Okay, back to class! Let's go before Shu drags us."
Shu sighed but stood anyway. "You make it sound like I enjoy that."
As they headed back inside, Ryo walked between them, listening to the noise and laughter bounce down the hall.
It didn't feel like background anymore.
He was part of it now.
And that was enough.
Author's Note:
With the semifinals set, Ryo's next match against Haruto feels like a given but the real question is…
Who do you want to see him face in the finals?
Valt
Shu
Chapter 19 will focus on the battle between Valt and Shu.
Place your bets who do you think deserves to face Ryo in the final match?