Shou wasn't particularly sure how it had happened. He hadn't been expecting it, especially after all of these years.
All that Shou knew was that, somehow, he had crossed paths with Judai again.
It wasn't as if Shou wasn't happy to see Judai, because he was. However, when Shou saw Judai standing in the pet care aisle of the store, he was suddenly left floundering with uncertainties he hadn't had to contend with since his childhood. Would it be okay to walk up to him? If he tried to talk to Judai, would he even want to see him?
Shou vaguely wondered why the simple act of seeing Judai was able to disturb his universe so easily.
Although some of their friends had kept in contact with Judai or had somehow managed to regain his contact information, Shou had not been one of them. It wasn't that he hadn't wanted to talk to or see Judai again. Life had just...gotten in the way. Shou had gotten so wrapped up in taking care of his brother, trying to fulfill his brother's dreams which, he reminded himself, were also his dreams and supporting himself.
There just...hadn't been time.
However, now that wasn't the case. Shou knew that now he had a chance to make up for lost time. Five years of lost time.
If Judai even wanted to see him, that was.
Shou, finally remembering himself, cast aside his doubts. Judai had never been one to hold a grudge.
Walking down the aisle, Shou's lips turned up in a small smile as he tapped Judai on the shoulder. Judai, who had been examining the prices of the various types of cat food, looked up with a puzzled expression. Upon recognizing him, the brown eyes that Shou was so familiar with brightened.
"Shou! What are you doing here?" Judai asked and his voice was as warm as Shou remembered. He hadn't realized how much he had missed hearing that voice.
"Shopping. What else?" It was then that Judai took Shou by surprise. Sweeping him up in a hug, Judai held him tightly.
Although the embrace could only have lasted a few seconds, time seemed to slow. For what felt like minutes, Shou remained in Judai's arms. Vaguely, he was aware of his heart pounding in his chest and his face growing warm.
When Judai finally released him, Shou was speechless. It was a relief when Judai spoke first.
"Sorry. Got a little too excited." Shou nodded dumbly and they stood in silence for a few seconds. However, Shou noted that Judai's cheeks had developed a tinge of pink as he looked him up and down.
"So...you've gotten taller." Judai noted. Shou nodded again, coming out of his daze somewhat.
"Yeah, I guess I have." Suddenly, Judai grinned slyly.
"You're still shorter than me, though." Shou snorted, rolling his eyes. He admitted to himself that Judai was, unfortunately, correct. When Judai had hugged him, Shou had only just been able to rest his chin on his shoulder.
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever." Judai snickered as he turned back to the cans of cat food.
"Before, when I asked what you were doing here, I didn't mean in the store. I meant in this town." Shou looked at him strangely.
"I should be asking you that. I live here." Judai turned back to him, clearly surprised.
"Seriously?" Then he grinned.
"Well, that's good, because, to answer your question, I'm looking for a place to live."
"Really?" He asked.
"Yeah. I'm about ready to settle down. Besides, there's another reason that I need to find a permanent home." Judai's expression turned sombre for a moment, but as soon as the look appeared, it was gone.
"This town is close to my family, or as close as I want to be anyway. Plus, it has a decent number of apartments for rent and a couple of them are in my price range." Judai had gone back to examining the cat food while he talked and, just as he finished speaking, he plucked a few of the cans from the shelf. Shou watched, puzzled.
"Well, it'll be nice to have you nearby...Um, did you get a cat?" He couldn't help but wonder how Judai had managed to get a cat when he had been traveling.
"Oh, yeah. I've had one for a while now. You remember Professor Daitokuji's cat, Pharaoh, right?" Shou nodded.
"Well, I've had him with me since I started traveling. He's actually part of why I want to find a place to live now." That sombre expression returned to Judai's face.
"He's getting older and it wouldn't be fair for me to keep moving him around. Even if I wasn't ready to settle down, it would be incredibly selfish for me to try to find another home for him. He's gotten pretty attached to me ever since we started traveling." Shou nodded in understanding.
"So, where are you staying right now?" Shou asked.
"A hotel. Although, it's pretty expensive, even more so because they allow pets." Shou raised an eyebrow.
"Why go to all of that trouble? Couldn't you just stay with your parents for free until you can find a place?" Judai looked horrified by the prospect.
"If I have no other choice, I'm going to have to. Still, I really would rather not." Shou nodded again, unwilling to pry further. Judai sighed.
"I need to find a place soon, though. Otherwise, I'm going to run out of spending money." Shou hummed in thought, his lips pressing into a thin line. He wanted to help Judai, but he wasn't able to think of many viable options. While the idea of asking Judai if he wanted to stay with him until he could find his own place was appealing, he didn't know if it was exactly practical.
Shou's apartment was small, to say the least. He didn't have a guest bedroom and, while he could let Judai sleep on the couch, he was sure Pharaoh had his own needs that had to be met.
However, there was one thing he could do for Judai.
"Well, if you want, I could ask my landlady if there are any apartments available in our building." Shou offered. Judai flashed him a grateful smile.
"That would be great, actually. Thanks." Shou nodded, smiling as well.
"It's no problem. However, I need a way to let you know what she says." Judai grinned slyly again.
"If you wanted my number, you could have just asked." He teased and although Shou knew he was only joking, he could've sworn that there was something...flirtatious to the way that Judai had said it.
"That's not...I didn't…" Shou stumbled over his words, his face flushing. He had to have been mistaken. Judai couldn't have been flirting with him, why would he?
"Calm down, I was only kidding! Here, give me your phone." Shou nodded dumbly and did as he was told. He watched as Judai pulled out his own phone and began inputting his contact information.
His mind, however, was occupied.
Although he tried to ignore it, Shou had to admit to himself that a part of him was disappointed that Judai had been joking.
Shou was beginning to worry about these...feelings and thoughts that Judai was inspiring in him. Oh, he was familiar enough with them, to be sure. He had experienced crushes before. Judai had even been the object of his affections once, albeit briefly.
It had been back in Duel Academy, a brief infatuation that had begun when the two of them had first met. Shou had been in awe of Judai's abilities and his open personality had drawn him in. However, it had not been long before Shou had truly shifted Judai into the role of "big bro".
Shou had not expected to have these feelings towards Judai, not again and certainly not now. He could only hope that they would fade again before they interfered too heavily with their friendship.
"There! Now you have my number and I have yours." Judai's voice brought Shou back from his thoughts. Taking his phone from Judai's grasp, he pocketed it. Judai grinned at him, that wide, bright grin that had made Shou's heart race. It's affect had not waned and Shou gave small, shy grin in return feeling his cheeks color again.
Thankfully, Judai didn't seem to notice.
"So...text me later. Or, I'll text you. Whatever comes first, but I've gotta get going now, it's getting close to Pharaoh's feeding time." Without waiting for a response, Judai rushed towards the registers.
"Bye." By the time Shou managed to respond, Judai was out of sight, leaving him to deal with all of the emotions he had stirred up.