Is this story any good, in terms of structure?
"Black…..Rose….Dragon," Akiza enunciated the card's name, examining it. "And you say this is mine?"
"That it is," I repeated for emphasis. "Every duelist needs their trademark and now you have your own." I could tell that Akiza was overjoyed at this. How could I tell? She used her shirt as a makeshift tissue to dry her tears.
"First you take me in, and now you've given me a powerful card with which I can build my deck around," the dancer sobbed in joy. "I don't know to say, except—" She struggled to complete her thought and instead, leapt off the couch and wrapped her arms around me in a binding hug.
"You're the best thing that could ever happen to a girl," she said in my ear.
"No sweat," I wheezed. "But I'd like it if I could breathe now."
"I'm sorry," Akiza quickly apologized while smoothing out my blazer and muscle shirt. "I'm just overcome with so many emotions, Yusei. It's hard to keep them inside me and do nothing."
"I'm glad you like the card," I retorted back, catching my breath and regaining my composure. "I'll have to leave you alone for a while."
"What? How come?" she asked disheartened.
"I have a job, just like Crow," I reminded her. "When I'm not here working on my ride, I'm out in the city, fixing things for other people." I located my toolbox and placed in the compartment located in the crescent.
"Are you sure you have to go?" Akiza fidgeted nervously. "You can just stay here, with me."
"Come now, Akiza," I tried to reassure her. "That card didn't come cheap. Here, money isn't handed out by drunk and horny guys. We have to work for it." She bowed her head as I grabbed my helmet off the floor.
"I'll come back, I promise," I continued. "Just be calm." I hopped back on my runner, brought it to life, and revved out the open garage door.
(To an omniscient POV)
"Okay, okay, don't panic," Akiza said, feeling anxious. "He has a job to do in order to make money. I have to understand that." Her breathing rate teetered close to frantic, and she was trying her best to stay under control.
"I have…to resist…..the temptation," she strained, doing whatever she could do to stay sane. "I can't do it." As if her right hand had a mind of its own, she stepped over to her backpack, reached into it, and pulled out an open pack of a cigarettes and a pink colored lighter.
"It's the only way," she uttered feeling embarrassed. Akiza placed one stick in her mouth and just as she was about to light it, she spied a smooth wooden chest sitting on the other side of the workshop.
"What could be in that? And why didn't I notice it before?" she wondered in her head after spitting her cigarette back into its pack and tossing it, plus the lighter, into her backpack. The dancer skipped over to the chest, pushed the lid open, and became amazed by what she saw inside.
The chest contained countless cards that Yusei, Jack, and Crow came across in their dueling careers but had no use right away. Looking closer, Akiza spied a few cards that piqued her interest.
"What do we have here?" she said to herself, picking up a few cards. "Evil Thorn, Twilight Rose Knight, and Mark of the Rose. I could use these." The dancer lost track of time after that, digging through the trunk and picking out cards to upgrade her deck. They were only plant or plant oriented cards and Akiza didn't think the guys had any major use for them anyway.
"I'm sure they won't mind," the dancer thought to herself, stacking her new and improved deck together. "Look out world: here comes Akiza, with a more powerful deck." She shoveled the leftover cards back inside the chest and walked back to her couch.
"I suddenly feel…greasy," she spoke in a hushed tone, looking over every square inch of her arms. "I don't think they'll mind if I use their shower. After all, it's just me here." Akiza reached in her backpack and pulled another pair of shorts, a tank top, and bar of soap, a shampoo bottle, and some conditioner spray.
"Now where's their bathroom?" she pondered to herself, going off in search of hot water.
(Back to Yusei's POV)
As soon as I was finished with my work for the day, I hopped on my ride and quickly got on the fast track to home. Akiza sounded like she might have anxiety issues or something before I left. I had to make sure she was fine by herself.
When I got back inside the workshop and parked my runner, I noticed that Akiza wasn't on the couch anymore, but her stuff was still by the coat rack. That's when I noticed a faint but sweet and fruity scent wafting through the air, plus the sound of running water.
"She must've found the shower," I concluded to myself. "It's probably been a while since she might've last scrubbed." I hung my helmet up and made my way up to the kitchen. Working all day sure can build up an appetite.
I stacked together another hoagie stuffed with roast beef and chopped peppers. In case you haven't figured it out yet, Crow got the idea to make his own spicy pepper sauce after watching every spicy food challenge from that "Man v. Food" show. Any of the leftovers were fair game to be eaten.
After I took a few bites of my sandwich, I heard the running water sound trail off and eventually stop. Akiza must be finished by now. A few minutes passed until I heard footsteps coming up the stairs. Akiza emerged in a tight tank top that showed off her…..ahem, assets and sand colored short shorts.
"So, what do you think? Do I look polished?" the dancer eagerly quizzed me.
"I…..uh….um….er…" I tried to piece words together but couldn't. Either Akiza was flaunting her looks around or perhaps this is how she looks off the clock. I think I like it.
I'm sorry for switching to a different POV for a spell, but it was the only way I could advance the story and reveal a side of Akiza not seen yet by Yusei. Hope you all liked this part. Review if you wish and stay tuned.
