The door to Kame Game was blown open as a young man dashed out.
"Yugi! I wasn't finished talking to you!" shouted a flustered old man.
"Late for school! Talk when I'm home, grampa!"
As he ran, a reoccurring but reassuring thought entered his mind.
'One month and it's all over. No more exams, no more school.'
Not so far away, a girl stood outside her house impatiently. She sucked her tongue as she heaved a sign. She was stressed, it was clear to anyone who saw her. She relaxed as she saw a familiar face appear round the corner, racing towards her, smiling.
"Thanks for waiting, Anzu, I'm sorry, I-"
"I can't remember if I fed Akemi" Anzu raced back inside, Yugi following quickly behind her.
"Mum, has Akemi had breakfast?" Anzu shouted into the house, heading straight to her living room.
Anzu's mum was standing by the coffee table, a disgruntled little girl in her arms, one hand holding a bottle. She scowled at her daughter.
"Who knows, but she's starving at this currently moment" she peered round Anzu to see Yugi standing in the door way "Don't see enough of you"
She didn't give Yugi a chance to reply. As soon as she saw his lips part, ready for speech, she began again.
"A bit useless, aren't you? You can make it up to Akemi tonight"
"Tonight?"
"Anzu has dance rehearsal and I want one Friday night out. You can play dad for once"
Yugi nodded vigorously "Yes of course, I'd love to"
"You'd be around more often, if you'd 'love to', Yugi"
"Mum, he does what he can, he-"
"It's not enough." the mother spat "Go to school. You're late" she turned her back on the two, lightly jiggling the small girl in a calming manner.
The two left quietly but with quickly, urged to get away from Anzu's mother. As soon as they were outside, the door gently closed behind them, Anzu groaned.
"I'm too tired for this..." She whined, heading into a quick pace "You really should just stay away"
"I'm just making up for Atem. She needs someone and your mum has already decided I'm 'the one who ruined Anzu's future'. I might as well be involved"
"But you shouldn't be" Anzu ran her fingers through her hair "It isn't your problem"
"Anzu..." Yugi struggled to keep up, jogging next to her at this point "Akemi is all I, we, have left of the Pharaoh. I want to around her"
"But she isn't him"
The conversation died at those words. There was no replacing Atem. He was dearly missed. His leaving had scarred Yugi. While he was happy that the spirit was finally laid to rest, he was scarred by the ordeal. More than two years had passed, but Yugi still suffered nightmares. Atem's leaving was beautiful. He handed the title of The King of Games to Yugi, said his farewells, before walking in to the white light of the afterlife, leaving his second life behind, his goal complete. It hurt to knew he'd never return. Yugi still felt like part of him was missing.
But there was nothing that could be done. All that was left of Atem was sweet memories, world game records, and a daughter he never knew he had.
Yugi got everything. The memories were his, he was credited for the records, and he was credited for Akemi as well.
He didn't mind this really. As long as his grampa didn't know Akemi was his granddaughter. Yugi feared his Grampa's reaction if her were to find out.
The two continued to bus station silently.