by Lethe
Chapter Two: Softly You Speak
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My mom called my dad down-to-earth. Here's what my sister Mnemosyne had to say:
"Yeah. It's called gravity."
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Yugi straightened his neckband carefully. He examined himself in the mirror, shifting occasionally so that he could see himself from different angles, and rearranging his jacket with a surgeon's precision.
"You're not going to meet royalty, Yugi," said Yami with a laugh. "Loosen up."
"I know, Yami, but it's Anzu! I have to look good! …Do I look good?"
"Yes, you look good," sighed Yami. "You look wonderful. Terrific."
Yugi almost couldn't believe that he had been going out with Anzu for around a third of a year. He still got this funny jolt whenever she smiled at him, or laughed, or did any number of other things that not many people would notice her doing. Like the way she tilted her head almost imperceptibly when listening to you, or that she almost never made eye contact when thinking hard, or-
"You do realize you're supposed to meet her in five minutes?" said Yami.
Yugi stared at Yami uncomprehendingly.
"In a café in the middle of downtown Domino."
Yugi gave a small, somewhat vulgar exclamation, and bolted out of the room. The spirit sighed for the umpteenth time and faded out of sight.
"Yugi! I was worried that you wouldn't come!" said Anzu, frowning at him. "Do you know how long I was waiting?"
"I'm sorry, I really am, I lost track of time…"
Preening in front of a mirror, added Yami silently.
Hey, that's not quite true.
What else would you call it, then?
"Hello?" said Anzu. "Are you talking to Yami again?"
"Um, yes. Sorry." Yugi grinned. "So, let's go inside then."
"Let's," said Anzu with a smile. She took him by the hand and they walked in.
"The school year will end in a few months," said Anzu after they had ordered. "It just seems like everything's going a bit fast, don't you think?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean," agreed Yugi.
She took a sip of her soda and then put it down. Her gaze was averted. "Yugi… You know how I said I wanted to go to New York."
Yugi's heart gave an audible thump. "Y-yes. I remember. You wanted to study ballet."
"Well, I have just about enough money saved, and I'm going when school ends." said Anzu quietly. "I probably won't be back for a long while."
Aibou, answer her!
Yugi smiled tremblingly. "Well, we'll still have e-mail and phone calls and stuff, right? Besides, the school year isn't over yet. We can just make the best of the time we have."
"You're right," said Anzu. "I just thought you would be upset with me, is all… Silly."
"You should know better," said Yugi. "What I really want is for you to be happy."
Now that was sappy, commented Yami as Anzu began crying.
What would you have said, then?
…Probably the same thing. But that doesn't change the fact that it's sappy.
Whatever you say.
"I'll miss you so much…"
"I'll miss you too, Anzu."
Anzu leaned across the table and was about to kiss Yugi, when they heard loud noises coming from outside the café.
They broke apart abruptly and turned to look.
And they saw Jonouchi and Honda, noses pressed against the window, grinning widely and laughing.
"Oh! That's great, Anzu!" said Honda. "That you managed to save enough money, I mean. Good work, man."
"I'm not a man," pointed out Anzu bluntly.
"Well, you know what I mean," he said, brushing it off. "Anyway, don't worry, either of you! I'm sure you'll both talk to each other often, right?"
"Yeah. Where's Kaiba?" said Yugi.
"He had plans with Mokuba. But I'll get to see him tomorrow, so it's okay," said Jonouchi cheerily.
"Now, about what you were doing when we saw you…" said Honda in a mock-evil voice.
Truth be told, I hadn't thought about it myself. What will happen when the school year ends? Will Seto and I be separated as well?
I'm kind of sad. But I will face the future without fear.
My love gives me that strength.
I know that Seto and I will be together no matter what.
Jonouchi smiled as Honda and Anzu began another argument, and Yugi tried to intervene. Just like always. Everything will be fine.