Rating: K+

#12 In a good mood

She was supposed to be in a good mood. Between the successful operation, getting to be with her big brother again, meeting his friends and having them accept her as their own…

Shizuka took a deep breath, willing the cheerfulness she was supposed to be feeling into her voice.

"It's been so great getting to meet all of my brother's friends, especially you, Mai," she said, admiring the pretty blonde woman beside her. "I don't wanna sound like a lame fangirl or anything, but you are the coolest person I've ever met. So pretty, so together, so tough. You can beat anything, I can tell. And I know that I'm just a kid, so I really appreciate you being so nice to me and hanging out with me and everything.

"You know, the last time I saw my brother, he was nine, so he had to be all cool in front of his friends, pretend he didn't like me or anything. But when we were alone, he was the best. He always looked out for me, always took me to fun places like the mall or the park and junk. Once, he took me to the beach and we spent the whole day there. We weren't supposed to go there on our own and boy did he get in trouble when we got home! But he didn't even care. He was always just thinking of me and things I wanted.

"Getting separated was really hard. I know why my mom did it, but still. It would've been so much better if she could've taken him, too. It was hard staying in touch over the years, but we did, and now it's so amazing to be with him again. I can't even tell you.

"And his friends! You guys are all so cool and have been so nice to me. And… don't tell my brother I said this, 'cause it would totally freak him out, but oh boy, that Honda, he's even cuter than his voice! And so sweet! And Otogi, too. They've been so nice to me, but… well, Mai, I'll be honest with you. They make me a little nervous. I'm not used to being around boys, especially not after I got taken away from Big Brother.

"I'll bet you're never nervous around guys, are you? You have to teach me, okay? Teach me to be confident and cool and not nervous with the boys like you. Promise?"

She looked around her to make sure no one else was listening, but the only other person in the room was Rishid, and of course he couldn't possibly overhear them, so Shizuka leaned closer to Mai. "Don't tell my brother I told you this either, Mai, but he really likes you. A lot. I know I haven't really had a chance to see how he is around girls before—when he was nine he thought all girls were stupid, you know? But I see how he looks at you, and it isn't the same way he looks at Anzu. I know he's just sixteen and you're older and everything, and he's such a total dork, but he really cares about you. In your duel when it all got so scary and you… and he…" She blinked several times before continuing. "Well, you know."

She took another fortifying breath, then continued brightly, "And you care about him, too, don't you? Come on, 'fess up. You're the one who told me he could be charming when he wanted to be, right? And how at Duelist Kingdom all he could talk about was winning the prize money for my operation. You have to admit, that's a pretty amazing thing he did for me. I mean, look at me, Mai! If I would've met you a few weeks ago, you would've been nothing more than this big yellow and white and purple blur, but now I can see everything so clearly, all because of my brother. I can see how pretty you are, how your hair isn't the same blond all over but has bits that are lighter here and darker there. Heck, I can even read the fine print on that IV bag! How's that for twenty-twenty vision?

"The thing is, Mai, it's only since coming here and seeing all the stuff that's going on that I realized that my brother did more than just try and win a card game for me. He really risked everything didn't he? I know that now. And… and he's doing it again, Mai. For you." She reached over and took Mai's hand in hers and squeezed. "He's going to find a way to bring you back. I promise."

The cell phone on the nightstand rang, a shrill sound that made Shizuka jump. She picked it up. "Hello?"

"Hey Shizuka, it's Mokuba. I just wanted to let you know your brother's about to duel." He paused, and she could feel the hesitation before he added, "He'll be going up against Marik."

Shizuka swallowed. Marik. The same person who had defeated Mai and left her in this strange coma that wasn't really a coma. After spending so much time watching over Mai since she'd lost to Marik, Shizuka could almost feel the dark energy around her that made this so much worse than just being comatose.

"Anyway," Mokuba continued, "we figured you'd wanna come out to the tower and watch."

She felt her throat catch. She did want to watch, more than anything. She wanted to be there for her brother, to cheer for him as he took out that sadistic creep. But she looked down at the bed in front of her. "No, Mokuba, I think I'll stay on the ship with Mai. My brother would want to know someone's looking out for her. Tell him good luck for me, though."

"Will do," Mokuba confirmed, then Shizuka clicked END and put the cell phone back on the nightstand.

She looked down at Mai, disturbed by how troubled the older woman looked. Weren't people in comas supposed to look peaceful? Mai looked like she was having a disturbing dream. But Shizuka took another breath and screwed on another smile. "That was Mokuba, Mai, and guess what? Big Brother is dueling Marik. He's gonna kick his butt, too, just you wait and see. And then everything will be fine, I just know it." She leaned forward and kissed Mai on the forehead, then sat back down and smoothed out the hair framing Mai's face.

After a moment, her gaze drifted away from Mai toward the window; she could see the Duel Tower in the distance, where the rest of the Battle City Finals would be played. Everything has to be fine, she thought, clenching her hands in her lap. I can't lose my big brother, not now, not after just getting him back. Please let him win. Please let everything be all right. I still need him.

She closed her eyes and bowed her head, willing back the tears and the fear, reminding herself that she could see and she was together with her brother again. She was supposed to be in a good mood.