Sailshipping (Ryouta x Mai)
Waves washed in and out, in and out, in and out. It was calming to Mai, but she didn't really want to be calm right now. Her head was spinning with the fact that Jonouchi, of all people, had just beaten her at Duel Monsters. It was infuriating! How could that noob of a duelist have figured out her Aroma Tactic and beaten her all at the same time? Ergh, it was just because Yugi had helped him! That was the only reason that twerp had beaten her!
The waves continued their lazy journey back and forth, unperturbed by the fact that every inch they went forward, they would have to return back. How could the waves be so content to go forward only to be pulled back? It just made Mai even angrier thinking about it.
"Oy," said a voice. "Hey, you all right?"
Mai blinked. There was a tan-skinned boy looked down at her, sopping wet and blinking. Despite being wet, his black hair was trapped in messy spikes, held up by his huge goggles that looked like they would serve no actual purpose.
Mai just glared at him, hoping he would get the message and go away. But he didn't. In fact, he plopped himself down next to her.
"The ocean's nice today, huh?" he said.
"Beautiful," Mai said sarcastically, and then decided not to be subtle about it. "Look, I'm not interested in stupid pick-up lines today, so please just get your fish-stench out of here."
They boy blinked in surprise, staring at her with wide eyes. Mai glared back at him, hoping that this time he would take the not-so-subtle hint. But to her dismay, he started to laugh. First it was just a suppressed chuckle, but it quickly grew into a rolling roar of laughter, clutching his stomach and everything.
"Geez, you don't waste time," he said, once he got a hold of himself. "I wasn't really trying to pick you up, but if you don't want my company, that's okay."
Mai stared at him. Really? Just like that? That had been easier than she thought.
He popped to his feet with a grin.
"You know, the ocean's really good for cutting stress," he said, winking. "Just try listening the waves for a while."
He dusted off his swim shorts.
"Well, I'm sailing out. Don't forget – listen to the waves and calm down a little!"
Then he turned and jogged away. Mai stared after him, surprised at how well he had taken her outburst. She felt a little embarrassed now. The loss had affected her more than she thought it would. Geez, she had to get a hold of herself. This was no way for an adult like herself to act.
She started to stand, but then hesitated.
The waves rolled in, rolled out. A reverberating, pleasant sound now that she thought about it. She settled back down onto the sand.
Then she took the boy's advice, and she listened to the waves.
A/N: I probably see Ryouta as a much more interesting character than he actually is. XD I just can't help it, he seems to have so much room for interpretation. Next is Saffronshipping (Marik x Jonouchi x Mai).
