A/N: Hello everybody! I present to you chapter 7. You guys are so awesome! I've been receiving some of the best reviews I've ever had. So, thank you so much for your amazing support because I'm glad that this story is receiving a lot of positive comments and that you all like it so much. I have to mention this but, basically someone messaged me saying that I've inspired them to write a Yu-Gi-Oh fanfic! That's insane! I cannot believe that. So, thank you again to that person it's really good to hear that! I hope you all like the latest chapter and a review is always appreciated.


Chapter 7: Growth

"I can't believe I woke up late!" Anzu was presently rushing to school. The alarm had decided to fail, in its event to wake her up. To make matters worse, she unintentionally put on her new white socks that Mai had bought her. At home the day before, she was debating whether to wear them or not. When she woke up, she didn't have time to think about her actions. And now here she was, running madly, whilst panting to herself.

Anzu charges into the school building and quickly changes into her indoor shoes. Once she'd closed her locker, she dashes to the classroom. She roughly opens the door. The students flinch slightly at Anzu's appearance, as she had her head slumped and her breathing was unsteady. "Are you all right Anzu?" Bakura asks her, worriedly. She whips up her head, causing her hair to flip back and away from her face. She smiles awkwardly.

"Yes…" She pants. "I just woke up late."

"That's not like you," Ryuji points out. He turns and looks at the classroom clock. "We still have about 8 minutes until class starts."

Anzu sweat drops and finally catches her breath. She then goes and sits at her desk. Honda catches a glimpse of Anzu's new fashion attire, before she sits down. "I wonder if something happened yesterday."

"What do you mean?" Ryuji questions him.

"Don't tell me you forgot. Anzu went to help out at the game shop, remember?" He reminds him.

Ryuji narrows his eyes at him. "Why would you think that something had happened?"

Honda points towards Anzu's legs. "Look. She's wearing thigh highs to school."

"So…?"

"She never wears that to school. Only a small percentage of the girls here do."

Ryuji sighs. "Are you trying to say that Yugi did something that caused her to wear them?"

"Exactly my point!"

Ryuji face palms. "You're an idiot."

Bakura interrupts their conversation. He taps Ryuji on the shoulder and shows him a piece paper, which had pictures printed on it. "Sorry to interrupt you two. But, I wanted to show you these Otogi. I thought these might be useful for our assignment."

Ryuji takes the paper from him and quickly skims through the images. "These are great Bakura. We'll definitely use them for our presentation."

"Thank you Otogi. I wasn't sure if we should have more or not."

Ryuji shakes he head. "Nope, these are plenty."

Bakura then turns to Honda, who had his finger pressed against his forehead, to show that he was thinking deeply. "How is your assignment going Honda?"

Honda's head snaps up, as if an idea suddenly sparked up in his head. "I've got it. It must be ovulation."

Bakura opens his mouth awkwardly at his reply, whilst also sweat dropping, whilst Ryuji face palmed again. "Um…is that what your assignment is about?"

"What? No! I'm on about the reason for Anzu's sudden change in her socks." Ryuji then bashes him on the head. "Ow! Hey!"

"You really are stupid. You know nothing about girls," Ryuji disses him.

"Oh. And you do!?"

"More than you do anyway."

"Hey, Honda?" Bakura asks, in a gentle tone. The other two stop their little quarrel.

"What's up?"

"I have a favour to ask of you. Do you think you could talk to Jonouchi about what's going on between him and Yugi?"

"Why me?"

"Well, you've known Jonouchi longer than us two."

Honda scratches his head annoyingly. "You do realise, I'm not the one for sappy talk."

"It should be you Honda. Even if you don't want to. We need to help them two to come together with whatever's going on." Ryuji explains.

Honda sighs dynamically, but agrees. "Okay fine. But, I'll speak to him at the end of the day."

At the end of school, Honda goes over to Katsuya and asks to speak with him once everyone else had left. Katsuya was curious at first, but agrees and waits for everyone to leave. Honda looks at Ryuji and Bakura who were about to leave. They gesture at him and then wave goodbye to the two of them. The classroom was now empty. The two were silent for a brief moment.

Honda lets out a sigh, before speaking. "So, what's going on with you and Yugi?"

Katsuya looks out of the window. "Nothing," he states simply.

"Don't play dumb! You two have been avoiding each other for a while. It's really starting to piss me off!" Honda becomes infuriated.

"Tsk. It's nothing to worry about. I can't really explain it."

"And why can't you explain it?" Katsuya doesn't reply. He continues to gaze out of the window. Honda raises his hands up. "Fine. Just forget it! If you don't want to tell me, then so be it." Honda then grabs his belongings and leaves the classroom.

Katsuya sighs. Sorry Honda. I can't tell you what's going on.


The next day. "Okay you guys! Huddle time!" Honda exclaims to Bakura, Ryuji and Anzu.

"What for?" Anzu questions.

The four of them were hanging outside of the classroom, during lunch. Yugi was currently eating alone in the classroom, whilst Katsuya had gone someplace else. "Just huddle already. We need to sort out the problem between Jonouchi and Yugi." The three comply and huddle in a circle.

"How did the talk go with Jonouchi yesterday?" Bakura asks.

"Terrible. He wouldn't tell me anything. Said he can't explain it or something."

"So, how are we going to get those two to make up?" Ryuji asks.

The four of them think for a moment. "We should get those two alone, so that they can talk things over," Anzu suggests.

"Good idea," Bakura agrees, "But, how do we get them alone? And where could they talk?"

"I've got it!" Honda explains. He whispers the idea to them. They nod in comprehension and put the plan into motion.

Honda and Ryuji head down the hallway, to go and find Katsuya. Meanwhile, Anzu and Bakura enter into the classroom and walk towards Yugi. He had finished eating and was currently playing on his DS. "Hey, Yugi," Anzu interrupted him. He paused his game and turned to face them.

"Oh, hi Anzu and Bakura."

"We were just wondering if you wanted to join us on the roof."

"We were going to play duel monsters," Bakura explains.

"Sure. I'd love to play. Just let me save my game play." He saves his current game progress, and then puts his DS into his bag. He stands up and follows the other two out of the classroom.

In the meantime, Honda and Ryuji were walking with Katsuya towards the roof. They arrived before the other three, and Honda and Ryuji allowed Katsuya to step onto the rooftop first. Ryuji waited by the door for the others, while Honda slowly followed behind Katsuya.

The other three had arrived at the bottom of the stairs. Anzu and Bakura let Yugi go up first. Ryuji saw Yugi coming. He whistles, to signal to Honda. Honda walks back to Ryuji. As he does so, Yugi enters onto the rooftop. Once he'd stepped away from the door, Honda and Ryuji push Yugi forward and they run inside and lock the door.

"Honda! Otogi!" Yugi yells.

Katsuya runs to the door and starts banging on it. "You jerks! Let us out!"

Honda responds from the other side of the door. "Not until you two have made up!"

"Tsk! I'm going to kill you once I get out!" He hears Honda and Ryuji laughing to themselves.

"It doesn't look like they're going to open the door," Yugi clarifies.

"Seems so…" Katsuya moves away from the door and begins walking to the other end of the roof. "I'm sure you wouldn't want them eavesdropping." Yugi nods and follows Katsuya.

Katsuya stops and waits for Yugi to walk up beside him. They remain quiet for a few minutes, just enjoying the view. Katsuya decides to break the ice. "Look Yugi…I'm sorry for what I said the other day. I didn't mean it."

Yugi slumps his head a little. "I'm sorry too. I guess…I was angry at myself."

"I won't try and force you anymore. But…you need to tell her eventually how you feel. Even if the end result is not what you'd hoped for."

"I know. I'm still uncertain though."

Katsuya smirks and gives Yugi a pat on the back. "All I can say is, good luck!" He gives him a thumbs up. Yugi smiles and nods. "Now then." Katsuya turns back and heads towards the roof door. Not too long after, Yugi follows him. Katsuya knocks on the door. "Open up! We've talked!"

Honda slowly opens the door and begins grinning childishly. "I'll let you two back in if you two…ugh!" Katsuya had punched him in the face. "What the hell Jonouchi?!"

"That's for locking us out!"


"Are you ready to go?" Anzu asks Yugi, as he was replacing his indoor shoes with his outdoor shoes.

"Yeah, I'm ready," he grabs his bag and places it on his shoulders. The two of them were about to leave when the other four noticed them, as they entered into the shoe locker room.

"Hey you two!" Ryuji shouts to them, causing Anzu and Yugi to turn and face them. The four walk up to them. "We're going to burger world now. Did you want to join us?"

"Yeah! They're doing this new super mega ultra-huge hotdog!" Honda exclaims happily.

"Sorry guys. We're busy today," Yugi explains quite bashfully.

"Oh. I see, you're both working on the assignment right?" Katsuya assumes.

Anzu shakes her head. "No. We're going bowling."

"Awesome. I hope you guys have fun," Bakura says, completely oblivious to the other three boys' shocked faces.

"Thanks. Let's go Yugi." Anzu and Yugi leave the school's entrance.

Bakura turns around to find that Katsuya and Honda had fallen onto the flour, whilst Ryuji stood there, not moving. "Are you guys okay?"

"How can he be so hopeless?" Honda mutters to himself.

"She's making it so easy for you Yugi." Katsuya says.

"Are they going to be okay?" Bakura points to the two on the floor, whilst looking at Ryuji.

Ryuji snaps out of his shock and folds his arms. "Yeah, don't worry Bakura. It's just them two being themselves."

Yugi and Anzu were silently walking. The bowling centre was quite far, approximately 20 minutes from the school. Anzu was trying to calm down, since the butterflies, which were swarming around in her stomach, were not helping. She accidently let's out a small sigh, causing Yugi to look at her. "Is something wrong?" He asks her.

"Huh?" She turns to him, but quickly averts her gaze in the direction she was walking. "Oh, no. I, um. I'm just relieved that you and Jonouchi were able to patch things up."

"Yeah. I'm glad we solved the issue."

"I'm sorry we lied to you. We didn't know what else to do…"

"That's okay. I see why you did it," he reassures her. The two carry on walking quietly all the rest of the way to the bowling centre. Anzu couldn't bring herself to look at him, as she was so nervous. She was glad that they were going together, but she wasn't sure on how to tell him about how she feels about him. She texted Mai this morning, to tell her that they were going bowling together today. Mai's response was: "Good job girl! Make sure to have fun okay. Oh, in case things get 'wild', wear that set a bought you!" After that, Anzu quickly ended the conversation.

15 minutes later, the two had arrived at the bowling centre. "I'll pay for it," Yugi offers. However, Anzu was reluctant towards his offer.

"I can pay my half. You don't need to pay for me," she says almost bashfully.

"But I don't mind, really."

"But…"

He stops her. "It's fine really. I want to," once he'd finished his sentence, he went up to the clerk and payed.

Whilst Yugi's attention was at the counter desk, Anzu was nervously fidgeting to herself. Calm down already Anzu! He's just paying for you. She closes her eyes and lets out a deep breath to relax herself. Once she'd opened her eyes, Yugi was walking up to her to give her the bowling shoes. She thanks him and changes her shoes.

The clerk tells Yugi that their alley was at the end. Yugi gives the clerk their school shoes. They then make their way to the bowling alley. "It's been a while since I've been bowling," Yugi states, "I don't even think I'll be any good."

"I haven't been in while either. Don't worry, I'm sure you'll do better than me," she tells him.

Yugi laughs awkwardly and starts rubbing the back of his head. "Well, the last time I did bowling…I accidently hit someone in the back of the legs with the ball, because it was too heavy for me."

"Oh no!"

"Luckily they weren't badly hurt. But, I had to continue bowling with my grandpa's help," he blushes slightly.

"How old were you?"

"I think, I was 9." Anzu starts giggling. Yugi looks at her embarrassed. "What's so funny?"

She stops giggling. "Just…the fact that you were so small then." Yugi's blush fades away and he sulks a little. Realising what she'd just said, she quickly tells him, "But, you've grown so much. I see you've had another growth spurt, you're nearly tall as me now."

"I have?" He compares the height between the two of them. She was right, Yugi had grown a little. "I didn't notice."

They arrive at their bowling alley. Anzu types in their names into the system. "You should go first Anzu."

"No, you should go first. You payed for me anyway," she protests.

"But."

"No buts! You first," she forces him to go first. Yugi sighs and gives in.

"All right," he surprises Anzu, as he unpredictably takes off his blue jacket.

"W-what are you doing?!" She bursts out.

He looks at her confused. "I'm just taking off my jacket. It's a bit warm in here."

"O-of course you are. Sorry, ignore me," she hides her face from him, since she had a slight blush on her cheeks. What am I so nervous for? Yugi brushes off her odd reaction, and goes up to get one of the bowling balls. From the comer of her eye, she watches Yugi. She was admiring his physique. It didn't occur to her before, but he'd gotten quite muscular especially on his arms. Even though she couldn't see them through his white shirt, she could tell. She felt her face becoming warm again. He's definitely not little anymore.

Yugi picks up one of the bowling balls and positions himself in front of the bowling alley. He thinks momentarily, his eyes narrowed with concentration. He swings his arm back and then forward. He lets go of the ball. To Yugi's and Anzu's amazement, he gets a strike.

"Wow! A strike already?" Anzu applauses him. He turns and smiles at her awkwardly, not really sure on how to explain how he did that. She crosses her arms. "Are you sure you haven't been in a while?" She playfully asks him.

"I promise I haven't. I really don't know where that came from," he explains.

"You do really live up to your title."

"I guess I do…" He goes for a second turn, this time only knocking down 7 pins. "Must have been luck the first time."

They were now onto their second game. Anzu was currently taking her turn. She'd knocked down 9 of the pins and she was focusing on getting this all important par. Yugi had won the first game, but now they were relatively even in this game. Anzu lets go of the ball and was hoping for it to hit the last pin. "Yes!" To her delight, the last pin falls. She was now ahead of Yugi. "Try and beat that!"

"You're good Anzu. I'll try and top that." He goes to collect his bowling ball. Again, he positions himself the way he has been for each turn. However, he droops his head all of a sudden, as if he'd just remembered something.

"What's wrong Yugi? I thought you said you were going to try and top my score," she playfully begins giggling, "don't tell me you've given up?"

"Anzu…" his tone lowered.

She immediately stops her sniggering. "Yes? Err…what is it?"

He lifts his head back up, but he doesn't face her. "You don't need to hang around me Anzu."

She puts on a confused faced. "Huh? What do you mean?"

"I know…that it's not me who you want to be around."

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm saying that you don't need to force yourself to be around me."

Anzu quickly stands up, and then slams her hands down onto the bowling touchpad system. "W-what's that supposed to mean?!" Yugi turns to look at her. His eyes widen, as her eyes have started tearing.

"Anzu? Why are you?"

"I-I get it now. You don't want me around you," She wipes away some of her fallen tears, "why didn't you just tell me I was an annoyance to you?" Anzu grabs her schoolbag.

"Anzu wait! I didn't mean…" She didn't listen to what he had to say, as she had already ran towards the clerk. She quickly took off the bowling shoes and gave them to the clerk. He returned her school shoes to her. She didn't even put her shoes back on, because she was too busy running away from Yugi. She runs out of the building and heads home, crying.

Yugi, who hadn't chased after her, was collapsed on the floor. His eyes wide with shock. I made her cry. No, I made 'Anzu' cry. Why did I say those things? I'm so selfish and thoughtless! I didn't think.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid! Anzu had her face buried within her duvet covers. Her hair was a mess, and her eyes were red from her constant flowing tears. I'm so stupid! I knew he would never like me!