Halfshipping (Bakura Ryo/Nosaka Miho)
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((takes place directly after the Monster World arc in the Toei anime "season 0"))
. . .
Ryo pulled the door open with his good hand, the other tucked against his chest with his book bag hooked over the elbow. It felt all stiff and it kind of hurt to move it even a little—he supposed a puncture wound right through the hand would probably hurt for a while, but it was going to make school a little more difficult.
The other thing that might make school a little more difficult…
Ryo swallowed past the nervous lump in his throat as he finally wiggled the sliding door to the classroom open. He was still seated near Yugi and the others…how were they going to react to him today? He hadn't been able to talk to them for a few days, the hospital had kept him over after treating his wound because they suspected he might have caused the damage himself (if only they knew). They had helped him during the game but…how would they feel now…
He hesitated before he went through the open door. His bag felt super heavy all of a sudden. What if they were angry? What if they didn't want to see him? Would he have to transfer again? He wasn't even sure he was brave enough to go through this door—
And then a shape rocketed out of the room and practically slammed into him, sending them both back a few staggered, yelping steps.
"Bakura-kun!" squealed the high pitched voice of Nosaka Miho. "Bakura-kun, you're finally back!"
Her arms were almost tootight around his waist and she was crushing his bad hand into his chest.
"Um—ah—Nosaka-san, could you—"
Miho squeaked and immediately released him, bouncing back. It took Ryo a second to get his bearings back, steadying himself on his feet. Miho waited with wide, sparkling eyes. Her hands were clutched together over her chest and a huge smile lit up her face.
"Miho is sorry! Miho didn't mean to crush your hand," she said, bowing quickly. "But Miho was just so happy that you're back!"
Ryo found himself curiously unable to quite breathe right. The lump in his throat rose a little bit, and he pressed his good hand to his mouth for a moment, feeling tears prickle suddenly at his eyes.
"I…I'm glad to be back," he was able to mumble, dropping his hand from his mouth. "But…Nosaka-san…"
"You can call Miho Miho," she said, laughing. "It's okay!"
Ryo ducked his head, feeling a warmth rise to his cheeks.
"Miho…san," he said. "I…I want to apologize at least, for getting you all wrapped up in all…that. And I understand if you don't—"
Miho simply grabbed his good hand, squeezing it between her palms. His words lodged in his throat, and he looked up, feeling the tears prickle again.
Miho still just smiled. He couldn't remember the last time he had seen such warmth, pouring all out of someone's eyes so unguarded the way they did with her.
"Miho thinks that you were really brave, Bakura-kun," she said. "And you helped save everyone."
She pulled his hand up between them, still holding it tight.
"And before it got scary, Miho thinks that game was lots of fun! Miho would love to play it with you again sometime."
She tilted her head and smiled brighter, bangs rustling over her face.
Ryo couldn't stop the tears this time. First one eye, and then the other. He tried to hide it with his bad hand as he ducked his head, his other still in Miho's warm grip.
"T-thank you," he mumbled. "Thank…you…"
Miho blinked, her eyes getting wide.
"What? What did Miho do for a thank you?"
Ryo quickly rubbed the tears away from his eyes. He felt like if he kept looking at her, at the open face with the bright eyes that hadn't for even a second looked at him with fear, he was going to start sobbing again.
"It's nothing," he said. "I—"
"Hey, hang on, is that Bakura-kun already back?" another voice called from the room. Anzu?
"Stop hogging him, Miho! Let him in the classroom!" Jonouchi shouted.
"Miho is coming!" Miho shouted back. "Miho thinks Jonouchi should take notes for Bakura-kun because his hand is hurt!"
"Whaaa? Why're you signing me up! You know I don't take notes!"
"Miho thinks you should learn!"
"I have to agree with her," Ryo heard Yugi say with a laugh.
Ryo blinked quickly, trying to hold back the tears.
"Come on, Bakura-kun! Everyone's waiting for us!" Miho said.
Then Miho took his hand, and with a smile, she pulled him into the classroom, leading him out of the dark hallway and into the bright classroom.
. . .
A/N: I love Miho okay I need more of her. Next is Hairshipping (Honda x Yami Yugi).
