Vile: I'm here once more with the second Chapter of Numbershot 37!

Yuma: *presses against wall* What's up with this stupid new widescreen deal on FanFiction?

Vile: Yeah, I'm weirded out, too. The story domains are all ordered by story amount as a default now instead of alphabetically!

Tetsuo: It's like the site went topsy-turvy!

Vile: Eh, I'll have to get used to it. At any rate, standard disclaimer here. Enjoy!

Numbershot 37: Unhealthy Competition

Chapter 2

The bell to signify break period being over sounded, so all the students began to file back to their classes. Yuma and his friends made it back to Professor Ukyo's room, but as they did, they noticed something they didn't before: Haiga was in their class. He noticed them and shot them a dirty look before moving his hands under his chin to support it. Yuma leered at him before everyone took their seats. Then Ukyo entered the room and began his lesson. However, a few minutes into the lesson…

"Hrah-choo!" A loud sneeze was heard, startling a few of the students.

Ukyo was startled as well. He scanned the room, eyes resting on Haiga. He was aware of Haiga's condition and his stubbornness. "Haiga, please cover your mouth when you sneeze. I don't want you getting anyone sick."

The sick boy looked at the teacher with annoyance. "Just get back to the lesson. We don't have all day." He said lowly. Ukyo sighed, not willing to deal with Haiga, and went back to the lesson.

The lesson continued as usual, but throughout the day, coughs and sneezes from the sick boy were heard. Haiga did, however, decide to cover his mouth when he coughed or sneezed. Ukyo had managed to tune out his spiels, but the sound of him sniffling did get annoying. Then, out of nowhere, Sei slammed her hands on the desk. "Can you please go outside and take care of your sneezing and junk?" She yelled.

Haiga glared at her. "Learn to tune it out like the teacher did, you bloody wuss!"

"At least go get some tissues to blow your nose with, man!" Tetsuo joined in. "That sniffling is REALLY distracting!"

"I didn't ask for your input, buddy, so take your insults and shove 'em up your chubby arse!" Haiga shot back.

"All of you, stop it!" Ukyo spoke up, getting everyone's attention. "Haiga, I am aware of your condition, and I know you're most likely cranky, but that does not give you the right to act in any matter you want. This is a classroom, so you must respect your classmates. Please, go to the bathroom and blow your nose. It is not going to take you very long."

Haiga growled before standing up. "Bloody germophobic wusses…" He mumbled. All of a sudden, he tripped over something and fell to the ground, sneezing when he hit the ground. Several students started laughing, but Haiga growled as he got up off the ground. "Who the devil just did that?" He roared.

One boy stood up, a smug smirk on his face. "Whatsa matter, Haiga? Not acting all high and mighty anymore?" He said. "You should know that sick kids aren't supposed to fight! They're too weak!"

A tic mark appeared on Haiga's face. "I'll show you weak, you little-!" He was about to lung at the boy when, all of a sudden, Haiga's eyes went deathly wide. He felt his heartbeat turn heavy, and he shuddered.

"Haiga?" Yuma asked. All of a sudden, Haiga stumbled backwards and fell flat on his back. His breathing was heavy, his eyes were glazed over, and his nose was oozing snot. "Haiga!"

The smug boy dropped his smirk immediately, rushing over and feeling his head. He immediately pulled back his hand, shaking it. "Ow! His head is scalding!"

Yuma and Tetsuo quickly got up, Tetsuo picking up the passed-out boy. "Let's get him to the infirmary, now!" Tetsuo said, Yuma nodding. "Sorry about this, Sensei!" Ukyo waved them to go, and the two of them rushed out the door with Haiga in tow.

"Man, I feel like a total ass right now." The once-smug boy said.

Kotori went to Haiga's seat and gathered his belongings. "I'll talk these to the infirmary, Sensei." She said. Ukyo nodded, and Kotori rushed to join her boyfriend and best friend.

*At the Infirmary*

Haiga's nurse was sitting alone with a sad look on her face when the infirmary door was heard opening. She looked out and gasped when she saw the boy in Tetsuo's arms. "Haiga!" She cried, rushing out. Yuma and Tetsuo noticed her. "What happened?"

"Haiga was in an argument with one of the other students in class, then he suddenly doubled over and was out like a light!" Tetsuo told her.

The nurse took Haiga from him, the boy moaning in her arms. "Haiga has a bed reserved for him. Thank you for bringing him here." Yuma and Tetsuo nodded, and the nurse took Haiga into the room she was in, laying the boy in the bed. Haiga's eyes were closed, and he was breathing heavily.

Yuma then heard footsteps coming into the room, turning to see his girlfriend. "I brought Haiga's things for when he wakes up." Kotori said, laying them by the bed. She stood beside Yuma and looked at the sick boy with sympathy. "He's definitely a trooper… but even people like him need rest."

Yuma wrapped his arms around Kotori. "I'm glad that's not you lying sick in that bed, Kotori-chan." He told her. Kotori wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"I can't thank you enough for bringing Haiga here." The nurse told them. "I'll make sure he stays here until the doctor says he can go."

"Not to rain on your parade, but with his type of independent streak, he'll probably be out of that bed before the next hour." Yuma said with a grimace.

The nurse frowned. "I really hope he'll listen this time… I've been his caretaker for years. I don't want him to die."

"I'm pretty sure he'll be fine, ma'am." Kotori said.

"Please, call me Eiko." The nurse said.

"Eiko, then. He may not like getting sympathy, but I'm sure if he gets enough of it, he'll see that getting help will be a good thing." Kotori said. Eiko smiled and nodded.

"We should get back to class. Ukyo-sensei's probably waiting for us." Tetsuo said. Yuma and Kotori nodded, and the three of them turned to walk out.

"You… bloody tripes…" Haiga's voice rasped out. The three of them (as well as Eiko) turned to see Haiga with his eyes open, glaring at them. "How dare you… bring me here? I ought to get… you sick for doing this…"

Yuma glared at him. "Be quiet and stay here, Haiga." He said, dead serious. "Stop acting like you're fine. You're sick, you need help, and this is where you'll get it."

Haiga growled. "I… will never… take such... bloody useless procedures!"

"I'm afraid you have no choice, Haiga." Another voice said. Someone walked into the room.

"Ukyo-sensei!" Yuma said.

"What are you… doing here…?" Haiga choked.

Ukyo sighed. "Haiga, I talked with the principal about your past record of illness, and we have only one option. If you do not undergo the procedures and remain in the infirmary, you will be expelled from Heartland High."

Haiga's eyes widened. "You miserable…! Even you teachers… look down on me!"

"We're not looking down on you, Haiga. We're looking after you." Ukyo told him. "Think it over, Haiga. I'll let you decide at the end of the school day." He then looked at the other three students. "Let's get back to class." The three students nodded, and all four of them left.

Eiko sighed. "Get out of my sight, harpy…" Haiga told her. "Learn this… I've never… liked you…"

Eiko looked at him sadly, then turned away from him. "I don't care if you don't like me. I'm not going to let you die." She walked out of the room, closing the door.

Haiga slunk down on the bed, too weak to even move. The door opened again, and Eiko walked back in. "What now?"

"Someone brought in an envelope for you." Eiko told him, setting it on the nightstand. "I don't know what it is."

"Probably some blasted get-well card. Get lost!" Haiga watched Eiko with a glare as she left the room again. Rolling his eyes, Haiga grabbed the envelope and opened it. 'If this is a get-well card, it's as good as garbage.' Inside was a card, but not a get-well card: a Duel Monsters card. The card, however, was blank. "What the devil is this?" Then, darkness billowed out from the card, causing Haiga to struggle. He sneezed and coughed rapidly as the darkness covered him, and an aura of pink particles hovered over him briefly. The darkness and aura subsided, leaving Haiga panting. A pink "37" glowed on the left side of his neck as his yellow eyes opened, filled with darkness. "Now I'll show them…"

Vile: Oh boy, now things are getting heavy.

Kaito: *blows nose* Good thing I'm not in this story. I don't want him getting ME sick!

Vile: You're already sick, Kaito. I thought Jenaveve kept you home today!

Jenaveve: I did, but he decided to walk out. Little sneak. *drags Kaito, who sneezes, back home*

Vile: *shrugs shoulders* Sickness makes people do weird things. If you guys liked this story, leave a review for me! See ya next time!