I guess this is kind of AU, because I'm pretty sure there is no freshman named Aika in the series. And believe it or not, I have a plot. Hey, that rhymed.
The door flung open, and my two usual guests strolled in. "Good morning," Judai greeted, making his way to the counter. Sho followed him, muttering something I assumed to be a greeting.
Luckily for me, they didn't see me. Instead, my bold cousin walked in, throwing a mirthful glance at my huddled body. "Good morning, Judai, Sho. What brings you here?"
"Sho lost his Super Polymerization card," Judai answered cheerily, nudging his friend a little. "Right, Sho?"
"Yeah, that," his friend added. He looked down. "Sorry for the trouble, Risa."
"It's no problem at all," Risa assured. "Give me a second." She walked into the back room where she kept most of the cards. "Keep our customers company!" she whispered to me as she walked down the stairs.
"No!" I whispered in reply.
"Isn't Aika-chan here today?" Judai called after her.
Throwing me another amused glance, Risa replied, "No, she's feel kind of . . . balled up today."
Sho looked up in confusion. "Balled-up?"
"Kind of . . . huddled," Risa added. "Hidden. As in, she's hiding in—" A quick kick to my cousin's shin shut her up. "She's not here," Risa finally croaked. "I'll go and get the cards now."
Sho looked confused, but Judai seemed unbothered. "Tell her to feel better!"
I mentally slapped myself on the forehead.
"You can't hide from him forever," Risa scolded.
I snorted. "Of course I can."
Of all the stores my sister had to own, she had to have a card shop. Of all the places I had to transfer, I had to take a test for Duel Academy. It was miraculous that I got in, miraculous I ended up in Slifer Red. It was also miraculous I managed to live until now. Because while Judai was a sweet, cheerful guy, he was also a hyper, sometimes very annoying teen. And taking that into consideration, it was no wonder I had taken a liking to Manjoume instead.
Manjoume, after all, was popular, handsome, a good duelist, was destined to be a pro, and had really fantastic hair.
It was simpler to hide, I had discovered eventually. At school, at the shop, and etcetera. As far as Judai knew, I was a shy, quiet girl who didn't talk much. Which I was.
He didn't assume I was also a paranoid, freaked-out, self-conscious girl. Which I also was.
But at that point, who cared? So what if he was gorgeous and popular and a great duelist who had beautiful brown eyes? I didn't care. No, of course not. I wasn't in denial, not at all.
No, I was just a bit crazy.
