(Ch. 25 Ryou's POV.)
Well… I sure didn't expect half of what happened in the last few hours to actually happen.
So let me give you the 411; you might want to sit down for this.
After coming out from Kohl's with a total amount of six shirts and four pants –I still trying to keep up with my Yami's energy– it was a wild ride, in my book. Though I was shopped out, my dark insisted we stay; he seemed fascinated by everything and everywhere we went.
Take the nearby shoe store for example; I swear he tried on every single pair that fit his size. And the baby shoes… he couldn't get over how cute they were. I have to admit though, they are pretty adorable looking.
And shiny things; that was a big interest to my Yami. As exiting the store with a nice pair of blue sneakers for myself, the older spotted the Jewelry department. He was like a moth, nearly pressing his face up against the glass that protected the jewels. Especially with gold and diamonds– that seemed to be a favorite of his.
After my dark was satisfied that he'd seen every gem there was to admire, lunch time had rolled around, and so we headed to the food court. It's not every day you see a man so astonished by all the different smell's in a room; it's a little hysterical to watch. Though I finally had to make a decision to calm my grumbling stomach.
As we ate our meals from McDonalds, I had to listen to my dark rant about the over-usage of lipstick that one of the cashier ladies back at Kohl's had applied. Finding out that this man has a humorous side to him; I cracked a few smiles here and there as he complained.
Once we finished eating, we went back out to stroll around the rest of the mall. Passing the toy store, that my Yami had to stop and stare at for a moment, we ended up at the electronics department. Personally, I don't like such things as video games, though I kind of decided to just let my other half have fun with it. He did buy me a whole new wardrobe, so I guess this was my way of thanking him.
We'd spent almost a half an hour there until my dark had grown bored with it, and moved on to the next shop that struck his interest. Again, we walked by the toy store, and again, I had to pull him away from his trance. Though he soon found another thing to stare in awe at; which was the curlier fountain that lies in the heart of the mall. He caught sight of a little girl throwing a nickel into the waters, and almost instantly afterwards, fished a quarter out from his coat pocket. "Here," he said, handing me the change. "Make a wish."
For a moment I stared in amazement; I didn't think he knew that's what the girl was doing, asking for a wish. Though his polite grin told me to go with it. And so I did. The quarter made the sound of a small bell as I flipped it into the wavy waters of the fountain, landing with a light plop. Now i did make a wish, and I could tell you what it is… but then it wouldn't come true now would it?
And so then, after exploring many other stores and such, we –for the third time– passed the toy shop. This time I finally took grief upon my Yami and let him enter the place. Though the way he acted was a bit different from when we visited the other stores; you'd think he never had a childhood.
At the first step he took, his entire face lit up. After taking everything in, my dark was off on an adventure. He wandered the isles like they held a magnificent legend to be told, or something of that matter. I kind of just stood of to the side, keeping an eye on him in case he did anything stupid. Though you can't judge a guy for liking toys to be stupid; I just never expected it to be this guy.
But never the less, there he was, pressing all of the "try me" buttons on every toy that had them. I grinned throughout the whole time we were there; he seemed to like the ones that light up or make sound the best. Playing with those little bouncy balls that light up when bounced, or hitting the keys on a mini plastic guitar. Though I had to laugh when he found a jack-in-the-box, and it scared him so badly, that he jumped a few feet.
AND SO, now my little story comes to present time, in the music shop. It was a small store, but it was relaxing to walk around and stare at the instruments that hang on the walls. My dark was taking a breather as well, looking at CD's while I admired a very beautiful saxophone. Even though I don't play a wind, I still liked all that the world of music had to offer.
As I walked idly down the shop, recalling all the different sounds each musical device made, I came to a standstill. At the front of the store, there was an extravagant upright piano, red-stained oak by the looks of it. Very similar to the one I used to own.
I approached the piano, wanting a closer view. It was the same brand and style too. "It's free to play." Said a female voice. I glanced up to the direction it came from, staring back at an employee, brown hair tied back in a ponytail. "If you want." she spoke again, nodding to the instrument and then back at me. "Oh, thank you." I replied. She gave a smile and went back to her doing.
My eyes traveled to the keys. I laid my hand on them, getting a feel for it. I know that sound geeky, but music is different for everyone, and that's just my way of getting used to new things.
I sat down on the matching bench provided, set my hands to the correct keys, and began. I got chills, the good kind, when I heard that sweet serenity of rhythm flow like a peaceful river. A river that runs from the core of my heart. Guess I'm really listening to my heart instead of the music.
Though as much as I enjoy playing, I did cut the song short because of my lack in memory. So I simply sat back and stared at the keys for a second or two, until my name was joyfully called. My head spun towards the caller; it was Mr. Mont Lee, my band instructor. "I thought I heard a similar tune." He said with a pleasant grin. "Thanks." I said with a smile.
"I trust you've been practicing hard?" questioned the man. I nodded yes. He chuckled for a moment, and then replied, "No surprise. This is your father, I assume?" I twisted my head like an owl and saw my dark standing behind me; he must've sneaked up while I was playing, and just I didn't notice it.
My eyes where a bit pleading, not knowing what to say. "N-no, I'm his guardian." Answered my Yami, upon seeing my confusion; talk about literally. "May I ask who you are?" he questioned the teacher. "I'm Michael Mont Lee," he replied, reaching a hand out to my other half. "Ryou's band instructor."
They shook hands, to my relief, and went on talking. "I have to say, he's a very gifted child when it comes to music," he complemented, making me blush. "Though it's a shame he's been ill for past school concerts–" "Concert?" interrupted my dark.
Busted.
For a moment, the older musician was speechless, but soon found his voice. "The Christmas concert. It happens yearly, but Ryou hasn't made them due to being sick." I bit my lip and tried not to look at my Yami's face as the man spoke. Though that popular awkward silence came about, and I really didn't have much of a choice but to stare at my shoes.
"Well, look at the time." stated Mr. Mont Lee, staring down at his wrist watch. "I best be get going. Have a nice afternoon you two." He waved his goodbye, and hurried from the store.
Hey, I can still feel his intimidating stare. And of course, I still have those pleading eyes. "Would you mind explaining what that man was talking about?" said my dark, crossing his arms. At a loss for words, I simply gave a smile, hopping to distract the matter.
"Ryou," he groaned, rubbing his temples with his hand. "I said I wanted no secrets. No means no." my Yami let his hand fall and stared at me with little patience. My heart was pumping with embarrassment; I didn't want to ruin his joyful mood, but it's not a pleasant answer. Nor a pleasant memory.
Suddenly, an idea popped into my head. "What time did he say it was? Maybe we outta get going, don't you think?" I improvised, standing from my seat, and walking out the entrance. "Ryou." He said sternly, following behind. I tried to ignore him, though failed at doing so; he caught up to me, and grabbed my shoulder, spinning myself around to face him.
My other half's expression was serious, but not exactly mad. "Can you please tell me?" his tone was surprisingly soft; I hadn't expected it to be. I took a deep breath and did my best to keep myself straight. "When I was eleven, I had my first school concert. I didn't tell you because I was scared you wouldn't let me go. And when you found out I wasn't home that night, you beat me… cut me…" my voice trailed off as the scenes rolled their way into my mind. I shook my head, not waning them there. "So I just pretended I was sick to avoid getting hurt."
"Yes." Spoke the older, "You can go."
I lifted my face and stared at his. He was smiling too. About a million tons were removed from my shoulders right then. "But, not until we stop at one more place." He stated with a smile, grabbing my wrist and pulling me off my feet.
But I didn't care how bad my ankle hurt.
My wish came true.
TAFG: OK... THAT was one of my favorite chapter to write xD ok, well yami still laughin over in the corner from the jack in the box thing, so i'm just gonna say, WOOT! 25 chapter done with! thank you all for staying around for this long! hugs to you all! please R&R!
Yami: haha... it made him jump.. heheehaa, where's my rubber ducky!
TAFG: -_- way to ruin things, yami...
Yu-Gi-Oh! is owned by Kazuki Takahashi.