Hi there! Sorry about this one coming out really late.

Also, just for the sake of updating faster, if anyone has any ideas for the story or any criticism (because I will go back and edit it after it's finished), I will really appreciate it. Thank you!

Disclaimer: As if it wasn't obvious already, I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh

"Crow!" Yusei called out after the bell from their last class called. It was the end of the day, and after his curiosity loomed over him the whole day, Yusei was finally able to confront Crow about his comment from lunch. "Crow!" Yusei yelled again.

"Huh?" Crow stated confusedly while turning towards the source of the noise.

"Hey." Yusei said and ran to catch up with Crow. "What did you mean earlier? About the homecoming date?"

Crow feigned innocence. "I have no idea what you mean." Yusei glared back. After several moments under Yusei's intense stare, Crow complied and answered his friend's questions. "Well, it's just...ya know...Akiza seems to be your perfect match." A blank expression was plastered onto the raven-haired teen's once curious face. "Look, before you start denying it, let me ask you a question. How do you really feel about Akiza?"

"We're friends."

Crow laughed, obviously unconvinced. "Fine. Whatever you say. How would you describe her?"

"She's nice."

"That's all?" Crow scoffed. "You have to dig harder, man."

Yusei rolled his eyes. "Whatever."

All of a sudden, a weight was placed upon both of their shoulders. "What's up? Haven't seen you two in a while."

The two teens turned around to see none other than Kalin. Crow grinned, his once serious facade slipping. "Hey, Kessler. How was detention?"

Kalin scowled. "Same as always. Teachers staring at you as if you did something wrong. It's always the same."

"Well maybe if you stopped getting yourself in trouble, you wouldn't be in this mess," Jack rebuked, coming out of seemingly nowhere. "Be more like...I don't know...me."

Rolling his eyes, Kalin smirked. "I'm glad some things never change."

"What's that supposed to mean!" Jack bellowed.

Opting to ignore Jack's attempt to start an argument, Kalin turned back towards Crow and Yusei. "So fill me in on what I missed these past few days."

Crow scratched the back of his head. "It's complicated to do that when you haven't met a certain someone."

Kalin winked at Crow, having heard the last bits of conversation between him and Yusei. "Ahh. So I've heard that our Yusei has finally found a match, eh? Now Yusei, you be sure to make sure she doesn't miss her curfew. Oh! Remember to pull out her chair and take her coat too." Kalin teased.

Noticing the light blush crossing Yusei's otherwise stoic face, Crow continued, "Don't forget to hold her hand or to open the door for her either." After having Yusei's face turn a shade of red that would put a tomato to shame, Crow and Kalin burst into laughter and high-fived.

Jack, not understanding any part of the conversation, cut in. "Am I missing something here?" However, instead of having anyone explain, Crow and Kalin laughed even harder. Jack growled and glanced at Yusei in an attempt to find answers, yet Yusei dismissed it all with a wave. Why doesn't anyone ever fill me in with these things? Jack raged internally.

After realizing Jack was ready to start a fight, Yusei motioned for Jack to come closer. Once Jack was in whispering range, Yusei began. "They're talking about Akiza and me."

"Ahh...that girl you like?" Jack verified.

"We're just friends."

"Why are you so defensive about it? You've never cared about what other people thought before." Jack encouraged.

"I already told you. Akiza and I are just friends." Yusei stated with finality. To make his point, he walked away from the group without another word and headed towards his red motor-bike.

After he sped away, Crow turned back to the others. "He totally likes her."

"Definitely!" Kalin and Jack chorused.

That night:

Yusei was in his room staring silently at the wall which was covered in posters of a motor-bike race that was going to occur in several weeks. "Do I like Akiza?" He said, thinking aloud. "I definitely care for her, but is there something more?"

A voice in his mind responded. Think about it. How did you feel when others teased her? Even when it was Crow, how did you react?

"It was wrong! Anyone would have done the same." Yusei protested.

But why did you take it upon yourself to do it? Face it. You care about her.

"So what if I do?!" Yusei screamed. Realizing that he was in an empty room with only his thoughts to occupy him, he chuckled softly to himself. "I guess I do then. There. I said it. I like Akiza, but that's not going to change anything."

Or is it.

The next day:

Akiza smiled and hummed softly to herself while getting ready for school that morning. Wow. It's hard to believe that just a month ago I was dreading school. Now, everything seems...brighter.

Even people around her had noticed the difference. Her family wanted to know what changed her attitude. Other students would deem her approachable and start conversations with her. Akiza quietly chuckled to herself. She was finally happy.

Sayer had finally decided to leave her alone but would show up once in a while to check on Akiza. There's no reason why he should. Carly, Crow, Jack, and especially Yusei are loyal friends. They would never betray me. Akiza sighed. Sayer is too paranoid sometimes.

Akiza walked to the front of the mansion and approached her ride. Her chauffeur opened the door, and they started their journey towards school. While in the back, she glanced around at the limo's furnishings. I can't believe this is my life now. It's too good to be true sometimes. It was then that AKiza realized that this might only be temporary. Remember Akiza, even if your friends would never betray you, live in the moment. You never know when this all will disappear.

In school, Akiza made more friends, yet she never abandoned her true friends. They all had a bond...she could feel it. She could also feel that her bond with Yusei was different but chose not to dwell on that.

She had to remind herself in school that while it was fine to extend her trust, her true friends would never ask for anything but her companionship. It was for this reason that she had only some close friends aside from the original four she had started with.

Once she made it to her school, she waited for the chauffeur to open the door. After thanking him, she made her way to the rendezvous point. The first to see Akiza, Yusei waved her over. When she made it to them, she noticed someone whom she hadn't met.

"Hello," Akiza greeted.

"Hey. You must be Akiza. Yusei had told me a lot about you. I'm Kalin."

"I've been looking forward to meeting you." She smiled. "Everyone talks about you."

Giving her a small hug while smirking at Yusei's appalled expression, he laughed. "I'm sure they do."

"Of course. Not as much as me though." Jack objected. Carly could only giggle at his theatrics.

"Well, I've missed enough of my suspension as it is. See ya later." Kalin said while leaving.

Yusei motioned for the rest to follow. "We should be going as well. School starts soon."

As they walked the halls, Akiza smiled and waved at several people they passed.

"It sure seems that someone's been having a good day," Crow remarked. "What's up? Did someone confess to you last night?"

"Oh? No. It's just a beautiful day." Akiza answered, curious at what he was hinting at. When her back was turned, Yusei nudged Crow in the stomach with his elbow as a warning. Once they were in the school meeting grounds, the group was prepared to disperse to go to their lockers.

"Akiza..." Yusei began as soon as they were alone. He then attempted to find a coherent sentence to say. What are you doing, Yusei!? You're only friends! Stop before you make a fool out of yourself! "You...you have a nice smile."

"Oh? Thank-you." She said, smiling. 'You do too."

"Um..." Rubbing the back of his neck out of pure nervousness, he continued. "Just...don't forget to smile."

Akiza nodded in acknowledgement and made her way to her locker while making a mental note to always smile.