At least she didn't lie to herself. She said she was coming home to Neo Domino City . . . to Yusei. And now, she was. Aki Izayoi had accomplished her dream of becoming a doctor. After eight long years, the twenty-six year old would be going home.
"Your office looks bigger without stuff in it." Said the slim blonde-haired, green-eyed nurse name Petra flatly.
Petra had become Aki's best friend when Aki became a doctor at the hospital. Now that Aki was leaving, it hurt to see her go.
"Yeah, it does doesn't it?" said Aki. She hadn't noticed that when she first saw her office.
"We're really going to miss you, Aki. Ever since you arrived you were a good friend to all of us." Said Petra tearing up.
"You say that as if we'll never cross paths again." Says Aki.
"And who's to say we won't?! Aki, you're moving across the continent of Asia. You'll be on the other side of the world. I may never see you again." Petra responds, now sobbing.
"If I can stay in touch with my friends who are spread across the globe, then I can stay in touch with you." Says Aki, "Besides, I don't officially not have a job here til tomorrow afternoon. How about we do something together?"
Petra, who has now stopped crying, says "I have a surprise for you Aki. Come with me."
Petra leads Aki to the lounge where breaks are taken. It is quite large, large enough for a party maybe. When she opens the door, Aki is shocked.
"SURPRISE!" the staff yells at Aki.
Everyone from the nurses she worked with, to the annoying male doctors was there. Heck, even some of the paramedics were there. But Aki was most surprised to see a tall man with short, but shaggy hair with glasses. The man was in his late thirties, but looked no older than Aki, if not a few years younger. The man was the director of the hospital, Mr. Chaseman.
"Mr. Chaseman, I didn't expect to see you here. Though I didn't expect this either." Aki said.
"Well, they couldn't really do this without my approval and I did hire you, but you're a good friend Aki. I had to come." Chaseman responded.
"I see." Laughed Aki.
Before the conversation could go further, Aki was grabbed by Petra.
"Come on. We can't cut the cake without you."
When Aki saw the cake on the table, she herself started to tear up.
"I don't know what to say you guys. Thank you. I wasn't supposed to cry, but . . ." Aki said choking up.
"Just blow out the candles before we all cry." Petra said.
The party lasted well into the evening, ending past 9: 30. Aki went home to her apartment, which was now empty. All her things were boxed up, ready to be shipped to Neo Domino City.
As Aki was checking the bags for everything she needed for the next few weeks, since most of her stuff would be shipped across the continent, she thought to herself.
'I wonder if Neo Domino City has changed. Then again, Yusei has been watching over it for the past eight years. I wonder if he's changed. I doubt it. I heard Crow's back, too. I regret not staying in touch with all of them.'
With that thought, Aki's face saddened. She began to think of all the things she didn't do, but meant to over the past eight years. She thought about how she regretted no telling Yusei how she felt that night.
'He probably wouldn't return my feelings anyway. Heck, I heard he's dating Sherry now. They're perfect for each other. They both were amazing turbo duelists and she's way more beautiful than I am. '
Despite the fact that Aki was trying to stay positive, she began to feel extremely sad.
'I should've told him instead of being a wuss. Oh well, that was eight years ago. I missed my chance.'
With that, Aki finished checking her bags and went to sleep for the night.