A/N: Hello friends! This short story traces the journey of Yuki Judai after he ran away from Duel Academy. Writing this helped me express something I've been going through (to an extent) that Judai experiences in this story. I'll give more details on what that is by the end of this fic. Please enjoy, and let me know what you think.

He couldn't tell anyone. No. What would that accomplish anyways?

There was no one to go home to. If no one is waiting for you, then why limit yourself to one destination?

Judai had went through a lot during his last semester at Duel Academy. In fact, "a lot" is merely an understatement. He didn't like to think about it. He didn't like to dwell on it. Thoughts didn't need to race through his mind in order for him to feel sickeningly numb, anyhow.

Although Judai was able to rescue his dear friend…his dear love, he couldn't stay with him. He couldn't let himself grow attached. Judai needed to leave. He needed to get away from the academy that he had grown too comfortable with.

He needed an out.

And that's what he was pondering about the night before graduation. Everyone else was dancing and partying in the Obelisk Blue dorms on their last night before separating with each other. They all sang and laughed as if it would make things less painful the next day.

But Judai knew better. He knew any laughs he could spare were temporary. And that he'd be better off if he could just convince himself that they never really mattered to begin with.

The brunette cuddled his back pack close to his chest while sighing as he rested his chin on it. He peeked his eyes at the moon which glistened through the clear glass windows. The stars were especially bright this night. A noticeable difference, but only slightly.

"You don't have to leave them," Yubel appeared with a somber tone. "I've already put you through enough. Go, enjoy their company."

"I have nothing left to say," Judai shrugged carelessly, not even turning to pay Yubel any mind.

"Don't be like this, Judai. What happened to all the happiness you used to radiate?"

"Happiness? What happiness?" Judai questioned dryly. "That wasn't happiness. That was ignorance. Just the thought of it makes me cringe."

"This is all my fault."

Judai didn't respond. He had nothing to say. He stood up weakly, grabbing a few more of his belongings and hurling them into his bag.

"So you're just going to leave? You're just going to get up and run before they have any idea you're gone?"

A sigh escaped his lips, "That's the plan."

"And where are you going to go? Home?"

"What home?" Judai muttered, mindlessly looking around for more stuff.

Yubel looked up at him with a curious glare. Judai responded with a harsher stare.

"Why do you think I even came to duel academy? It wasn't so I could keep up a good pen pal relationship with my parents, that's for sure."

"Well, you do love dueling…I figured you came here to advance your ski—"

"Why do you think I like dueling, Yubel? Why?" He seethed, eyebrows narrowing. "I'll tell you why! It's because I had nothing better to do when my parents weren't around. They'd leave me in the dusk and that's why I befriended a damned trading card! Doesn't it make sense? Don't you get it?"

Yubel's eyes widened in shock. Judai simply groaned in an attempt to shake off his gruff voice. "I have no home."

Loud music blasted from a faraway speaker at the Obelisk dorms. Cheering and laughter followed, causing Judai to look at that general direction. He rolled his eyes at the ordeal.

"Well, I don't know where else you could go. Who else you could return to, considering you don't even want to bid your friends well."

"I don't need anyone to return to. I can go anywhere I want for as long as I want. The world is mine."

"And none of this bothers you? Are you not thinking up there, Judai?"

"There's nothing to think about. I don't need to say bye to my friends for them to know I care about them. They know I'd do anything for them." Just ask Johan. "It's easier this way."

Yubel sighed heavily, nodding in acceptance. "Okay, Judai. Do what you desire. I support you."

Judai forced a smile, only because he didn't want to respond.

Besides, he didn't know what to say.