Rio recovers from the shock of losing, returning to her interest in Yumi.
Ever since the duel with Yumi, Rio had been entirely unresponsive. Her parents had taken time out of work to watch over her personally, employing some of the world's finest physicians to monitor her condition and try to find a solution. Unfortunately, every one of them said the same thing, that there was no evident medical cause for her coma, many theorizing there may be some kind of trauma that rendered her catatonic.
Only a handful of people knew the truth of the incident, with the rest believing she'd simply been playing with some prototype technology that led to a terrible accident. Even among those with the full story, Fukuro was the only one who'd actually watched that day's events play out. He felt responsible for what had happened, never leaving Rio's side since then. What good he could do now wasn't really apparent, but he wanted to be prepared should his help be required.
"You know, it's been some time since you composed a song," he said cheerfully to Rio. Whether or not she could hear him or, if she could, being talked to would improve her condition was a mystery, but it at least allowed him to feel like he was contributing something. "I've been reading the comments on your behalf. Your fans are growing impatient." He chuckled a bit, adjusting in the finely polished chair he was seated in at her bedside.
"In a few months, the regional tournament will happen. I'm sure you'll want to be recovered by then." He paused, looking over her unmoving form tucked into bed. She'd lost weight since she fell unconscious, and with her already being so small for her age to begin with, it was worrisome. Had it been long enough for muscles to begin to atrophy? Maybe she'd need some kind of physical therapy when she woke up.
For Fukuro, at least, it was much less a question of if she'd recover but when. He saw the same fire in Rio that he did in her father all those years ago, even if it was frequently misdirected with the intention of cruelty. Since the incident, he'd made the resolution to take responsibility for his hand in that, already discussing how things should change with her parents in the future.
He sighed, knowing he was likely just talking to himself, only the beeps and hums of the various monitors and machines to keep him company. "It's a lovely day outside," he said, turning his head towards the full length window situated across from the bed looking out over the city, only to jolt back upon hearing what seemed like an unfamiliar sound.
Unsurprisingly, it appeared to be nothing. Perhaps a small muscle spasm or just the sheets shifting a bit under her quiet breath. It wasn't like it was the first time he'd mistaken any small movement or sound as a sign. Even so, it didn't stop him from getting his hopes up each time no matter how disappointing it turned out to be.
But then it happened again.
He was sure of it. Her head moved, he saw it. Was she really waking? He shouldn't get ahead of himself, no matter how promising this seemed. Pressing the call button next to the bed, he continued to watch intently for any further signs.
The doctor arrived quickly from down the hall, Fukuro informing her of the developments. "That is promising," she said, checking her vitals on one of the screens and looking for more movement. "We can't get our hopes up, though. We still have no idea what caused any of this. It could mean she's about to wake up or it could mean nothing."
They waited in tense silence for twenty minutes for anything to happen. The doctor sighed, finally turning to leave. "If anything else happens, keep me informed." She exited the room after that, returning to the one she was staying in to look over some data and catch up on some recorded episodes of her favorite variety show.
"You shouldn't fool with an old man like that," he said, a profoundly sad smile on his face. Though he tried to stay strong through this endeavor, Fukuro could feel his heart breaking more and more with each disappointment. He cherished every member of the Mabuchi family, wanting little more at this point in his life than to see them happy once more. He could see the toll it took on not only himself but her parents, blaming themselves for her condition even knowing the truth despite having nothing to do with the events that transpired.
Placing his head in his hands, he sighed quietly. While nothing would shake his conviction that Rio would awaken one day, he questioned if he'd be able to wait until that time. This notion was quickly shattered upon hearing the words, "It is."
His head rose slowly, looking towards the bed next to him. Rio's eyes had opened, though not by much. She looked as if she could fall back asleep at any second. Even so, she continued, "It is nice out."
She looked to the butler, a small smile creeping its way across her face. Fukuro couldn't help but do the same, holding back the tears of relief he wanted to shed. "That it is. Good morning, Miss Rio." The doctor was summoned back shortly after, taking some blood and examining her to see what her condition was. Her parents crashed through the door midway through, overjoyed to see their daughter awake once more.
"It was only a matter of time," her father said cheerfully as he sat on the side of her bed. "You're a Mabuchi. We don't let obstacles like this defeat us." Her mother, on the other hand, could still barely speak through her tears, squeezing her daughters hand and refusing to let go.
"Did anything interesting happen while I was gone?" she asked, completely at ease for what felt like the first time in years.
"Nothing much," he answered. "The Olympics started. Would you like to watch?"
"Maybe later," she answered. "Is there anything to eat?"
He nodded. "Of course. Fukuro, please get the kitchen to make us some food. What would you like to eat, Rio?"
"Anything," she said. After about a month of unconsciousness, she wasn't feeling particularly picky at the moment. It didn't take long before he returned with a bowl of rice porridge, thinking it would be suitably easy to digest after having nothing to eat for so long.
"Do you need help, Rio?" her mother asked, still wiping tears from her face.
"I'm fine," she said, though it was fairly obvious she was having some difficulty coordinating the spoon into her mouth at the moment. They talked for the next hour, avoiding the subject of how she came to be in a coma for the time being and simply trying to reconnect. After so long apart even before everything, it was needed.
"And then he resigns the next day," her father said with a chuckle, telling a story of a particularly funny day at work. "The office still smells like barbecue sauce to this day."
Regardless of how much she was enjoying their time together, Rio knew there were more pressing matters at hand. Reluctantly, she asked, "Father, mother, could I talk to Fukuro alone for a moment?"
They looked to each other in a small panic, wondering if she'd gotten upset with them at some point. "Of course," her mother answered. "We'll be just outside if you need us." The two departed after that, giving her the space she wanted despite how much they wanted to stay.
"They look kind of worn out," Rio said once the door closed.
"Indeed," Fukuro said. "They've been quite worried." Her father's normally prim and proper business look was heavily disheveled, lack of sleep and proper self-care mussing his formerly slicked back black hair and allowing stubble to overtake his face. Her mother was almost worse, eyes constantly swollen with tears and lacking any of the makeup she'd typically choose to wear, hair the same color as Rio's perpetually in a state of post-tornado odds and ends.
With a smirk, she said, "But you seem to be okay."
"A butler must be presentable at all times," he said with a nod.
"You never left my side."
"You are the priority of the family in any normal situation. It only makes sense I would stay here while you're in distress." He couldn't help himself from smiling contentedly. "I wouldn't want you to feel alone." They'd both gone quiet for several seconds after that, Fukuro finally asking, "What is it you would like to talk about, Miss Rio?"
Rio sighed heavily, looking towards the floor. "I had a lot of time to think," she began, trying to phrase what she wanted to say in the best way possible. The concept of an apology was somewhat new to her. "I...I saw, or maybe remembered, the things I've done to people. To you, too."
"What about it?" he asked after she'd stopped speaking.
"I...was horrible," she continued. "I hurt so many people. I hurt you. And I don't even know why I did some of the things I did. Looking at it like that, everything just...didn't make any sense. I'm so sorry. I wish I had something better to say, but I just don't know."
"I take responsibility for-"
"No, it's not your responsibility," she told him, raising her voice slightly. "I did everything I did and I ordered you to help me. I threatened you when you tried to stop me. It was all my fault, so don't try to blame yourself."
He was silent for a moment, processing the things she'd said. "This may be true, but I can't act as if I'm a blameless party. You're still a child, Miss Rio, and I am an adult. If I had done better in my responsibilities as a guardian, I doubt this situation would have ever happened."
"They're still my choices," she said. "If you really have to be like that, then...let's just say we'll both take some of the blame."
He smiled, nodding his head. "That seems like an equitable arrangement. I'll endeavor to be a more effective and responsible guardian towards you, Miss Rio."
She nodded in turn. "I just want to be better. There's just...so much I wish I could change."
"I've lived a long life filled with regrets," he told her. "One thing I've learned over all this time is that trying to change the past never accomplishes anything. Work towards a better future by making changes now."
"The last time you said something insightful like that I almost got someone killed, so you should be careful." Before they had time to share a laugh over that, Rio's thoughts immediately jumped to another subject. "Yumi," she said. "What happened to her?"
"She returned to her home. In order to make amends, the company extended a sponsorship to her and management services. If I remember correctly, she's scheduled to begin training within the next few days or so."
Rio nodded. "That's probably the least we could do." She rubbed her head in frustration. "I can't believe I did all that. All because I-" She stopped herself there, switching tracks to say, "I wanted her humiliated."
"If it can ease your guilt, know she's anything but at the moment. I last heard she won the prefectural championship not too long ago."
"I'd expect as much," Rio said with a smile. "She beat me, after all." The smile quickly faded, though, unable to withstand the regret she was feeling. "I just wish there was more I could do. Just some way to apologize."
"For now, you only need to worry about recovering." Though she nodded in agreement, she couldn't help but obsess over her wrongdoings. She wanted to make amends more than anything, but she just didn't know how that could be possible.
Yumi was showing off the card she'd just gotten to Ami, Kaguya trying desperately to hide herself in her hair out of embarrassment. The teacher entered the classroom shortly after, greeting the class who did the same in turn. After taking care of the normal classroom duties, it was on to the main event.
"There will be another new student joining our class," she said, just as unenthused as before. "She's someone many of you likely know, but please don't make a commotion. Please." It almost sound like she was begging at that last part. "Welcome your new classmate-"
Yumi really was paying attention to what the teacher was saying. No distractions or anything this time. But the moment she said that name, she knew she must have been imagining things. At least until the door open, her blood freezing in her veins at that very instant.
"Hello!" she greeted in her trademark sing-song fashion. "My name is Mabuchi Rio, and I'm so happy to be joining you today!" This couldn't be real, could it? Yet there she stood, wearing her school's uniform under a purple sweater vest like anyone else would.
It was quite obvious the class was in a state of shock and awe at the sight of someone so important meeting them so casually. "I've been home schooled all my life until this point, but it gets so lonely there sometimes. I wanted to experience what it's really like to go to school, so I hope you'll accept me and let me be friends with all of you!"
She took her seat on the opposite side of the classroom, but even there was far too close for Yumi to feel at ease. Shaking in her seat, she nearly screamed when Ami touched her shoulder. "Are you okay? What's wrong?" Suzy looked at her with concern, as well.
Waving her hand, she smiled at them. "It's...nothing. Don't worry about it." Though neither was convinced by such a response, they were forced to drop the issue for the time being as class began in earnest. While Yumi tried her hardest to focus on school, it was no use. Every so often she'd get the sensation of being stared at, her concentration shot as her anxiety grew.
Lunchtime couldn't come quickly enough. Though she had no appetite, it was at least a break from the dual assault of both learning and being watched by Rio. "Will you tell us what's going on now?" Suzy asked, the three of them having pushed their desks together as normal.
Yumi looked to her unopened food, then to her friends, then towards the large group of students all clustered around Rio. "Her," she said quietly.
"Is this, like, a...gay thing?" Kaguya asked, having decided to insert herself into the conversation and join them for a change. "I mean, that's your thing. Not trying to judge." She was at least trying her best to not be overtly homophobic even if the results weren't quite good.
She shook her head. "During the summer, we met during an event she was doing. Ever since we dueled, she's been obsessed with me. I thought I was done with her before, but now...now she's here. I don't know why. I just want her gone."
It was the first indication any of them had been given that Yumi's break wasn't all fun like she'd suggested. Suzy was the first to speak. "Well, don't worry about that now. You've got us here and she won't even be able to get near you."
Ami nodded. "You don't have to be afraid."
This did little to calm Yumi. "You don't understand. No one can stop her from getting what she wants. She'll just hurt you if you try." After saying that, she went pale, immediately taking out her phone.
"What's wrong?" Ami asked. Yumi couldn't hear her, frantically texting Sakuya, Kazuhiko, Hideo, Kyoko, and anyone else she thought could be in danger. She didn't dare so much as sigh in relief until each one of them responded to her.
"Everyone's safe," she said finally, beginning to shake again. "I don't know what she wants."
"Just try to breathe," Suzy told her. "In for five seconds, out for seven. Let's just try to be calm and think things through."
"One thing's for sure, she's not here just to learn," Kaguya said dryly. "I can spot the phonies like it's nothing, and she's as fake as they come. Pretending to be all happy and friendly. I bet she's dying over there being surrounded by all us nobodies."
"Why would she put herself in this situation?" Ami asked, utterly perplexed by this whole situation. If worst came to worst, she could always try to do something to her heart, but she generally wanted to avoid anything that major when it came to another person.
She shrugged. "Who knows. Probably does want something from Yumi, but I couldn't tell you what. She's not making any moves yet." They spent the rest of lunch trying to plot out some kind of strategy in case things went south. Yumi told them about the card professors from before and the lengths Rio went for their final duel, hoping that they could at least be prepared in the event she tried something similar.
Never before had any of them been so relieved when the day ended. Suzy and Ami had practice to go to, but given the circumstances, they intended to ditch. Kaguya did some ditching of her own, too, apparently deciding to leave without the others. Though she didn't intend to become directly involved in whatever ended up going down between the two, she did stick close enough to keep an eye on Rio in the hall. She couldn't pick up anything worth going back to report, though.
The remaining three packed their things, eager to leave the school and get some air. The stress had only been building since the morning, Yumi's threshold quite clearly having been reached. "We're finally out of there," Suzy said as they made it to the front gate. "Let's go somewhere nice. Or maybe just back to your house. Whatever you feel like doing."
Their plans were quickly interrupted by the sound of footsteps running towards them, Kaguya severely out of breath by the time she caught up. "Decided to come back?" Ami asked, her glare not even slightly hidden.
"I...watching...saw...heard..." She wiped the sweat off her forehead, leaning up against the gate to try and slow her heart rate. "She's headed here."
"Here? After us?" Kaguya nodded, still panting. "You are really out of shape. Do you smoke cigarettes, or something?" She glared back at Ami, finally recovering from the light running she had to undertake. As she did, her warning proved true as Rio walked towards the group, waving happily as if Yumi wasn't seconds away from a panic attack.
Before she could get any closer, both Suzy and Ami stood in front of Yumi. Rio stopped, looking confused. "Hello," she greeted. "It's nice to meet you both. I don't want to be rude, but I'd really like to talk to Yumi for a moment."
"Not happening," Suzy said bluntly. "Just get out of here. You've caused enough problems already." Ami nodded in agreement, Kaguya appearing like a deer in headlights unsure of which way to turn or what to do.
Ignoring the both of them, Rio spoke over them. "Yumi, could we please talk? I'm not here to hurt you."
"Don't ignore us," Ami said, trying her best to stay composed while becoming progressively more angry.
"Maybe she's looking for a fight," Suzy snarled, doing her best to imitate Kazuhiko. "You know I'm from Brooklyn, right? We're not known for letting people threaten our friends."
"Threaten?" Rio repeated, placing a hand to her mouth and laughing quietly. Despite her sweet appearance, she couldn't help but let some of her murderous intent leak out. Though she didn't come here with the intention to hurt anyone, it was more of an instinct she was trying to learn to shut off.
Even just that small amount of conversation was enough to discourage Kaguya from sticking around. "I'm out," she said. "Out." And like that, she was already headed down the street.
"It's okay," Yumi finally said. She had her hand in her pocket gripping her deck tightly, trying to muster as much confidence as she could. "I'll handle it from here," she told her friends. They both looked back at her, worry written across their faces. Forcing a smile, she nodded. "It'll be okay. I beat her before, remember?"
Reluctantly, they left the two of them alone to speak. Without them watching, Rio finally dropped her facade. "Can we talk in a more private spot? Like I said, I'm not here to hurt you. I just want to talk. I promise."
Yumi had to think it over, but she finally agreed, nodding to her friends a short ways off as she began to walk with Rio. "If it's a rematch, let's just get it over with," she said.
"It's not," Rio replied as they made their way around the side of the school building. Safely out of view of any onlookers, Rio quickly dropped to her knees and placed her head to the ground. "I'm sorry," she said."
Stumbling back a few steps, Yumi could only mumble, "What?"
"I'm sorry," she said again. "I hurt you and the people you care about because of a petty grudge. I understand that was wrong and I want to apologize properly."
"So you enrolled in my school?" Her fear was slowly being replaced with anger. "Why would you do that? Do you still want to torment me even when you're saying sorry?"
"Of course not," she said, clearly distressed herself at the thought. Looking up, her desperation was clear to see on her face. "I really do want to go to school. I realized that a lot of what was wrong with me was because I don't know how to interact with people normally, so this seemed like the best way to fix that. I didn't know they'd put me in your class."
"But you still chose my school. Why would you do that?" Rio fell silent, beginning to question her own actions now that holes were being poked in her plan. "You say you're apologizing, but all you've done is hurt me more. How could you think this was a good idea?"
"I'm sorry, you're right." She stood up, shame flowing off her in waves. "I didn't think this through. I'm sorry."
Taking a deep breath, Yumi looked at Rio with disdain. "I want you to know that I don't think I can ever forgive you for what you've done to the people I care about. Whatever you wanted to accomplish here, I can't accept any apology you make like this."
She nodded, completely defeated. "I understand. You're right."
"I can't make you leave school, but please don't do anything like this again." Without another word between them, Yumi left to rejoin her friends, the trio leaving to find something that could distract them from this terrible day.
Rio composed herself and resumed her persona, making her way through the crowd to enter into the black limousine Fukuro had waiting for her. "Was it as you expected, Miss Rio?" he asked once they were on the road.
"Marginally worse," she admitted, rubbing the sides of her head. "Why did I think this was a good idea?"
"That is an excellent question," he said. "Will you continue attending? It would be a simple matter to transfer or resume study at home."
"I...guess. It would look weird if I just quit a day after I started. I kind of have to just for appearances, at least for now." She sighed, slamming her head into her headrest. "I've just made everything worse." During her recovery process, she never stopped to think of just how poorly this could have gone. It was a simple matter to enroll mid-semester like this, too, only helping to keep her going down this extremely misguided path.
"I wish you the best of luck," Fukuro said. "For the time being, I suggest you simply leave her be. Trying anything more would only make things worse."
"You're right," she said, resigned to the mess she'd made. If she were honest with herself, she had no clue as to why she thought apologizing would work in the first place. They certainly wouldn't become friends after all of this, let alone anything more than that. There was a part of her that figured it was just a selfish attempt to absolve her of her guilt, but she truly did want to make amends.
The fact was, though, she'd have to live with what she'd done, and no amount of apologies would change that. It was a hard lesson to learn, but a necessary one. Being better is never easy.
I'm sure by now absolutely no one has missed the irony of having the Kaiba character be hopelessly in love with the Yugi character. Or the fact that no one's letting that character off the hook for several attempted murders. Still far too rich to face criminal charges, though.
We're about to the halfway point of this arc. I might have said that at some point earlier, but I never remember anything. Got the return of a character who's going to be important later (it's Fukuro, obviously) and some status quo changes that can only lead to good things.
Going to keep this short for now since I've got a lot of stuff to do right now. Thanks for reading. Always remember to just stop stalking people and quit while you're behind.