Point of View — Grandmother, Yuki Chiyo
Meanwhile, their grandmother paced the house with a restless heart. She had already looked out the window at least ten times, anxiously waiting for her granddaughters. To calm herself, she prepared tea, then sat in front of the door, staring at it with anguish.
Her thoughts drifted as the steam rose from the cup.
Was I too harsh on Hikari? She's only fifteen… and she doesn't even remember her parents. I should have been gentler with her. Are they alright?This reminds me of the day Hikari arrived…
It was snowing when a police officer knocked on my door.When I opened it, I saw a little girl with big red eyes and white hair, shivering from cold and fear. Her clothes were torn, and around her neck hung a small silver key on a worn leather cord. She looked like a frightened little rabbit. So adorable…
"Are you Yuki Chiyo?" the officer asked.
"Yes. That's me. What is it?"
"I'm from the port authority. I have news. Your son and his wife… died in a cruise accident. The ship went down. He left behind this letter… and this child. The letter is addressed to you."
He handed me a note scribbled in haste. I remember the words clearly:
"Mom, I don't have much time. If you're reading this, it means I'm gone. The parents of this child were on the ship as well. They died saving me. So I want you to take care of Miyako and this girl for me. Her name is Hikari. She's five years old. I guess this is goodbye. I love you, Mom. I love you too, Miyako.— From Yuki Genji to Yuki Chiyo."
I cried. I hadn't cried like that in years. But even through my tears, I looked at the girl.
"What happened to her parents?"
"They died… she was the only survivor."
That was the moment I decided.
I knelt, hugged the child, stroked her hair, and whispered:
"From today on… you're a Yuki."
In that moment, I wasn't just adopting a child. I was gaining a granddaughter.
A small sound broke my thoughts.
"Nheew…"
I came back to the present as the door opened. My granddaughters had finally returned—dirty and exhausted. Miyako's eyes were swollen and red, clearly from crying. Hikari had scratches on her arms… and both had lost their bags.
"What happened to you two?!"
"We… had a problem. The police helped, everything's fine now."
"What do you mean, 'a problem'?!"
"Miyako was kidnapped… but we handled it."
"Miyako?! You're okay, right?! Did they hurt you?!"
"Grandma… Miyako's safe now. But she's tired and filthy. Let's shower first, okay?"
Miyako only nodded, drained.
"Alright… you'll explain everything tomorrow."
"Grandma, we need to leave early. We have to give testimony."
Hikari seemed different… more mature.
Then I watched Hikari guide her sister to the bath. Like the elder sibling… but she wasn't.
Point of View — Miyako (Next Day)
After yesterday, Hikari feels different. More mature. Responsible. There's something in her… a calm aura, as if everything is already under control. As if acting like that comes naturally to her.
Following the officer's instructions, we're heading to the headquarters of the Awakened Duelist Association. The train ride was long. It's obvious how this district is richer than ours. Probably the richest area in Satellite… and yet, it would still look miserable next to even the poorest neighborhood in Neo Domino.
The building is huge. Five floors high, with a smoked-glass facade and silver metal panels. Above the automatic door, the association's symbol—a stylized eye over a duel disk—stands out discreetly.
Outside, a sober plaque reads:"Satellite Branch — Awakened Duelist Association."
Inside, the lobby is spotless. Cold lights, porcelain floor, sofas along the walls. A receptionist sits behind a counter near guards and security cameras. The upper floors require a pass—used for testing rooms, offices, and laboratories.
As soon as we step through the glass doors, a cold wave of air conditioning hits us, along with a faint smell of eucalyptus, like the building had been cleaned moments ago. A pristine white hall stretches ahead, lit by embedded LED panels. The floor is so polished it reflects our hesitant footsteps.
It feels like a piece of Neo Domino hidden in the heart of Satellite.
"This place is cleaner than our entire house…"
For a moment, I hesitate. I don't know if I'm here as a guest… or as an intruder.
Am I supposed to be here? Or is this a mistake? Should I even be walking beside Hikari like this?
"I'm here to register as an awakened duelist. I awakened yesterday, and the officer who helped me gave me this letter," Hikari says, handing a slip of paper.
The receptionist reads it and her eyes widen slightly.
"Full names, please?"
"Yuki Hikari."
"Yuki Miyako."
"Very well. Please wait a moment in the lounge while I confirm some information."
She makes a discreet call.
"Mr. Yamamoto… the Level 12 awakening has arrived."
Soon after, she calls us back with a polite, but strangely alert tone.
"Thank you for waiting. Please fill out this form."
Hikari fills it out quickly and hands it back.
"Very well. Hikari, please come with me. We need to run some tests."
Point of View — Chief Yamamoto
"I hope the time I wasted coming all the way from Neo Domino was worth it. The data better be real…"
"Sir Yamamoto, the readings from yesterday are accurate. They're astounding. She awakened yesterday and already has a Level 12 Synchro monster!"
"This… this is the first case in 50 years."
A Level 12 Synchro… stable aura… she's perfect. A true prodigy.
"Mark that girl. Make sure she gets into the Academy."
"Yes, sir. Her sister also shows remarkable potential. She already has an aura, even without awakening. We estimate she'll reach at least Level 8 once she does."
Hm… interesting. Very interesting.
"I've got an idea. We haven't tested her yet, correct?"
"Not yet, sir."
"Then use her. We'll test the Awakening Drug on the sister. She already has an aura—she'll awaken eventually anyway. And if it works, we can accelerate the process."
"Understood, Chief Yamamoto!"
Point of View — Miyako
Why did this doctor ask me to follow him?
He led me into a room, opened a metal case, and inside was a single syringe… filled with a translucent green liquid.
"You have great potential, Miyako. This drug is in its testing phase, but it was created to hasten awakening. What would usually take one or two years… could happen right now. So… do you accept?"
I stared at the syringe. My chest tightened. My eyes burned.
If I accept… I awaken. But…
Hikari already awakened… and she'll probably have a successful life.
And me…? Am I going to be left behind…?
If I accept, I awaken. But what if I'm not strong enough? What if… I fail?
I looked at my hands. At my sister.
What if I can't keep up… what if I ruin everything?
Then I remembered Hikari's expression—the way she seemed more distant now. More untouchable.
No… I can't allow that. I'm the older sister. I have to be strong.
I have to build our future.
I clenched my fists.
"So… do you accept the treatment?"
I hesitated. But deep down, I already knew my answer.
If it means catching up to Hikari… then I accept.