Chapter 7 Getting Closer
It had been a week since Akiza moved in with Martha and things were pretty happy in the house. Yusei would come over and visit every now and then just to make sure everything was good. Akiza had gotten used to living at Martha's and was truly enjoying her new life with them. Akiza knew that over the pat week her feeling for yusei had become greater than just wanting to be friends. However she didn't want to pursue the idea of having him as a boyfriend out of fear that it would ruin what they had going right now. She woke up early with the morning sun shining through her window. She then got dressed in her normal attire and headed for the shower. While Akiza was showering Martha was beginning to make pancakes downstairs and also some scrambled eggs. As Martha was getting everything plated the phone went off in the living room. She answered it to find Yusei on the other line.
"Hello?"
"Hey Martha, it's me. How are you doing this morning?" He asked sincerely.
"Good morning Yusei. I'm doing just fine over here and so is Akiza. I was just making breakfast when you called." Martha answered happily at the sound of Yusei's kind voice.
"That's good to hear. Too bad I can't have any of it." He joked.
"Well what's stopping you from coming over and having breakfast with us?" Martha questioned him hoping for him to make that joke reality.
"Unfortunately Martha I have some errands to do around the city today so I can't get there this morning." He regretted.
"That's ok. I know that you are a hard working man and that is one reason I can only imagine how happy your future wife will be." She teased and then laughed.
"You can't give me one day off from the teasing." He muttered to her softly.
"Not really since I always have fun doing it. But anyway, why have you called exactly?"
"I was actually calling u to ask if you could help me with something."
"Help you with what dear?"
"Well I was thinking about taking Akiza out to a movie today as well as take her around the city today so I was just making sure that you wouldn't mind if she and I went out for the day?" He heard no response from Martha as well as nothing on the other end of the phone for a few seconds. Suddenly Martha's voice boomed from the other line.
"That's great to hear Yusei! I'm so happy to hear that your asking me this!" She spoke back ecstatic.
"Martha, you trying to blow my ear drums off or something? He asked back with his ear well away from the phone.
"I'm sorry Yusei. She apologized realizing that she might have shouted too hard. I'm just overwhelmed with happiness that you are finally asking her out."
"Martha! Please don't put it like that or I will become too nervous." He complained to her slightly shaking at the thought of being on a date with Akiza.
"Alright, I will only tell Akiza that you are coming by later. You will have to do the rest yourself."
"That's fine. But that's all I was calling to tell you. I just thought I should just give you a heads up." Martha was more than happy to hear that what she had believed was true was indeed true. Yusei did like Akiza after all and he was finally going to open up to her. She knew that they both liked each other but agreed to herself not to push the issue for a while since Akiza was still recovering a bit.
"Well regardless Yusei, I'm happy to hear that you are interested in Akiza and I have no problem with you taking her out whatsoever. Just make sure you guys keep it simple for the first night." She teased causing him to laugh sarcastically on the other end.
"Alright Martha very funny, you got your joke in. I'm going to go now and I'll be by later today."
"Ok Yusei, take care. She said hanging up. This is great."
"What's great Martha?" Akiza asked coming downstairs freshly showered.
"That was Yusei. Martha explained turning to Akiza. He was planning to come over later today so I told him it was ok." Akiza inside her heart and mind was jumping at the knowledge that she was going to see Yusei again however she didn't want Martha knowing and decided to play it cool.
"Oh ok. I'm looking forward to seeing him." Akiza mentioned sitting down to start her breakfast.
"Akiza. You don't sound too happy about it." Martha sounded worried since she knew that Akiza was usually up in arms when Yusei was coming over.
"NO of course I'm happy about him coming over later, I'm just still a little tired is all." Akiza lied now regretting her decision to play it cool.
"Well either way, let's eat breakfast so we will be ready for when he comes over." Martha smiled heading for the table. Akiza smiled back and sat down and proceeded to eat her breakfast. She was happily eating her pancakes when Martha started asking her questions.
"Akiza, How would u like to go shopping for some new clothes today after your done eating? We can go to the Gala store since it seems to have great deals on women clothes." Akiza stopped eating and looked up at Martha with a confused look.
"Why would I need to get more clothes? I like my current ones anyway Martha." Akiza had gone back to the Arcadia Movement building a few days earlier and recovered some of her things such as her clothes and toiletries. She knew that she would need some things that she had kept with her while she was going to be living with Martha.
"But they are all pretty much the same style. Don't you want a better variety for going out and stuff like that? It would be nice to see you wear something lighter or more open."
"Why would I need to something like that? I have no reason to wear clothes like that. Besides I'm not a big shopper. I don't like wandering around shops all day." Martha laughed as she heard that which confused Akiza
"What's so funny?"
"Yusei was the same way when he was growing up. He would hate it whenever I would take him shopping cause he said that he was bored too."
Flashback 7 years ago : "Yusei, what do you like better? The plaid Black t-shirt or cotton blue one?" Martha asked holding the two shirts up.
"I don't really care what we get Martha. I already like everything I do have back at home. Can we not just leave and forget about this?" He asked her sighing with his arms crossed.
"Well sorry to disappoint you, but you need some new clothes Yusei. I know that you don't enjoy shopping like this but someday when you meet someone special you are going to have to look good for them." She explained very clearly.
"Why is that? Does appearance really matter that much in the world?"
"In certain situations, yes it does Yusei dear." She confirmed. He sighed and shook his head.
"Well I don't understand why. I believe that people should be accepted for who they are not what they wear. Clothes don't make the person after all."
"Yusei, you are starting to sound like a grownup." She giggled causing him to blush slightly.
"I'm just bored that's all. This shopping around all day just isn't my thing." He complained.
"Well ok, how about this? We will check out one more thing and then we will head back. Sound fair?" She asked him honestly.
"Alright. Thanks Martha." He finally smiled back.
End flashback
"It just feels funny hearing that from someone else after all these years." she chuckled.
"Oh I see." Akiza replied with a small laugh of her own.
"Tell me the truth Akiza, you like Yusei don't you?" Hearing this made Akiza freeze and drop the fork that she was eating with.
"Martha! Why would you say something like that so suddenly?!" She asked nervously.
"Because I can tell just by looking. Every time he is over here you show a smile you never do otherwise. Plus you always try and stay close to him as long as he is here. Anyone could tell by looking." She said with a wink. Akiza couldn't believe she made it that easy to notice. She knew that it was true that every time Yusei came over she would try and be as close as possible to him but she didn't think Martha had been watching so closely.
"Do I really show it like that?" She asked finishing up her pancakes and eggs.
"Yup and I'll bet that if you stopped and looked at him, you would see that he likes you too." Hearing this caused Akiza to blush deep red.
"I'm sure his feelings for me aren't the same as mine are for him. He just likes me as a friend and nothing more. He is a very nice and sweet person and I'm sure he could find plenty better girls than me that wouldn't be a risk to his health."
"Akiza. You shouldn't think that way about yourself just because of what has happened in the past. I know Yusei is a little slow with all this romance and dating stuff himself. But he is a great man and he would make a great boyfriend for any girl. What would you do if someone else DID take him because you were to shy to ask him first? Could you handle something like that happening" Martha asked getting some fruit from the fridge.
Akiza couldn't help but think about those last words. What WOULD she do? She did like Yusei and she did know that but could she really be a girlfriend to him? Could she and him be happy together? All these thought started to put pressure on her. But she just couldn't bring herself to ask him anything like going out on a date. She began to feel light headed and stood up from the table.
"That's why I thought we could go out and get you some new clothes. I bet Yusei would love to see you in a different and more OPEN style of clothing." She snickered like a evil cartoon villain.
"Martha!" Akiza screamed in complete shock at what she just heard.
"Relax Akiza, I was only kidding around. All I'm saying is that you should try something different that shows off who you truly are." Martha explained much nicer this time.
"But, I wouldn't feel comfortable showing off myself like that in front of others. I just don't have the courage to do something like that yet."
"Ok then. I won't force you if you truly don't want to do so. If you ever change your mind though I'll be right here waiting."
"Thanks Martha, But I'm going to get some fresh air outside for a few minutes." She said walking to the outside door. She then walked over and sat outside on a small bench near the house wondering about Martha's words. Would she always be like this? Afraid and scared of herself. 'I really do want to look good for Yusei and I wish I could be more open with him about how I feel. But is it right for me to ask for friendship or even love with everything I have done? Can I truly never find someone to love or care for because of my past? Will I always be this way, afraid and scared of moving on?' She started to cry on the bench as Martha saw her from the kitchen window.
'I hope u do find your happiness. You are truly a great person deep down and I hope that in time you will see that for yourself. I hope that what Yusei has planned helps you open up a bit because you deserve it.' She thought inside washing the dishes. Meanwhile Yusei was heading over to Martha's with two movie tickets in his pocket.
'I hope she doesn't mind me asking her out. She is nice and everything and I want to know more about her. I just hope this isn't rushing things considering all that has happened. But if nothing else I just hope this will cheer her up some more.' He then pulled up in front of Martha's about 10 mins later and noticed Akiza sitting on the bench by herself. He then turned off the runner and called out to her.
"Akiza!" He called out. She looked up and saw Yusei walking up to her.
"Yusei? What are you doing here this early? She asked surprised. Martha told me you were coming but I thought she meant in the afternoon."
"Well I just figured that if I came early since I had no jobs planned for today I could spend more time with you and Martha. He explained scratching his head. Were you crying?" He asked noticing the marks under her eyes from tears.
"N-no! I was just… forget it it's nothing!" She stammered then clammed up. 'What is wrong with me?! I can't even be honest with him!' Yusei knew that Akiza was crying about something and decided not to dig any deeper into it. Instead he thought that maybe now was a good time to bring out his gift.
"Well changing the subject, I actually came here because I wanted to ask u something." He said nervously. Akiza looked up and was stumped. She noticed that he was slightly shaky as if he was very nervous about something. 'What could he want to ask that's making him like this?' She was getting nervous herself just waiting to hear what he wanted to say.
"What is it?"
"Well I hope you don't mind, but I saw a movie at the Domino Theatre that looked interesting and I got two tickets for it. So I thought you and I could go to it together if that's ok?" Akiza froze in place and blushed crimson. She couldn't believe what she heard. He asked her out on a date!
"Me and you? Together?" She asked in disbelief.
"Yeah I guess so. He scratched his head trying to get his wording right. Unless you have other plans today already. If you and Martha do then that's just fine as well." He told her to assure her that he wouldn't be angry if she did. Yusei didn't want Akiza to know what he and Martha had talked about earlier in the morning so he acted like he didn't know anything.
"Umm… Well the truth is-" Before she could say anything Martha came out and walked to them both.
"NO, she already told me that she had nothing planned today so why not go together? Why not go out and have fun on this nice day outside?"
'Martha…your trying to help me?' Akiza thought to herself. Martha then smiled at Akiza as if to say this is your chance. 'Go for it Akiza. Now's your chance to have fun. Give Yusei a date that you both will enjoy. I will be hoping for your happiness.' Martha thought happily knowing that this was the moment that Akiza had been waiting for. Akiza smiled at Martha's kindness and turned to Yusei.
"Yusei I would love to go with u." She answered with a big smile. Yusei blushed at how cute she was with her smile. He was happy beyond compare that Akiza agreed to go out with him for the day and was now himself worried at the fact that he himself had never gone out with anyone before and worried to himself how it was going to go through wit it. 'I hope I don't mess this up for her. I want her to be happy but I have no real idea what I am doing.'
"So, did you want to eat something before you guys head out?" Martha asked snapping him back to reality.
"Well I actually thought we could grab something to eat downtown and then head to the movies after that."
"Well Martha and I just had pancakes so I'm not hungry right now." She told him feeling somewhat bad that they couldn't go out for breakfast.
"Alright that's ok then. I'll just hang out for a while inside and then we can leave. How does that sound?" He asked parking his runner and heading inside.
"Sounds great." Akiza answered right behind him with Martha smiling at the two. They all went inside with Yusei and Akiza sitting on the living room couch and Martha making tea in the kitchen. Akiza couldn't get over the fact that Yusei asked her out. She had never been asked out before and she was worried she was going to do something stupid She wasn't even sure why Yusei had asked her out.
"Um, Yusei? Can I ask you something?" She blushed.
"Sure. What's wrong?" he replied concerned.
"Nothing's wrong. I was just curious about why you asked me out. I don't think I'm someone you would want to be seen with. After all, so many people still know me as the monster psychic girl and I wouldn't want you to get into trouble because of me." She explained sadly.
"Well I feel sorry for those people who judge others for reasons like that because I know that you are truly a kind and gentle person deep down and I don't care if people see us together because I truly do want to get to know the real you better Akiza." He smiled. Akiza's heart began to race. Never has anyone in her life said these words to her, not even Sayer. Small tears of joy began flowing from her eyes.
"Thank you so much Yusei." She sniffled.
"Your welcome." He lightly embraced her which made Akiza slightly shake. She was surprised that Yusei already cared this much about her and didn't really know if she could repay his kindness. They soon broke their embrace and smiled at each other wit Akiza whipping her eyes dry. A minute later Martha came back inside the living room.
"So Yusei, What movie you going too?" Asked Martha bringing the tea.
"It's called The Changing Winds. It seems to be a romance/adventure movie about a turbo duelist who loses someone he loved and searches for her all around the world while learning how to duel as well."
"That sounds interesting. Are you into romance movies Yusei?" Akiza asked trying to find out more about him.
"It depends on if the storyline is good but yeah, I don't mind romance movies." He smiled.
"Well I have never been to a theatre before so I hope I don't embarrass you at all."
"You won't I promise." He assured her.
"Just so you guys know, I have to do some running around town today so I won't be back till later in the day." Martha mentioned.
"Alright." Yusei and Akiza said together.
"I hope its as good as it sounds." Yusei brought up hoping that it would be good for both of them.
"Me too. But I'm just happy to be going with u." Akiza smiled. Yusei blushed at her remark. His heart started to increase in rhythm. He knew that he was the one who asked Akiza out but now he was the nervous one. He quickly brushed it off and gave her a happy remark.
"And I am happy you agreed to come with me." He smiled back at her.
"Now why don't you two just kiss each other now?" Martha said jokingly.
"Martha!" They screamed together which made Martha laugh hard.
"Oh you two are so easy to tease. Anyway go and have fun on your date." She smiled.
"Thanks Martha." They said together again. After cleaning everything up they got ready and headed outside.
"So you looking forward to this?" Yusei asked Akiza.
"Yes I am. I have never done anything like this before and I'm happy that I get to do it with someone as nice as you." She blushed at her own comment. Yusei couldn't help but think about how cute she was when she got like this. 'Akiza, you have no idea how cute you look right now.
A/n: They are wearing their normal clothes in this chapter. The clothes will change as the story progresses.
"So, shall we get going?" Yusei asked inviting her on his runner.
"Yes, thank you." She jumped on behind him with her helmet on and they proceeded to drive to the theatre. A few minutes later Akiza decided to try and be the strong one by making a bold suggestion.
"Yusei?" Akiza called over the roar of the engine.
"Yes?" He called back.
"Do you have anything else planned today?"
"Not at all. Why?"
"Well I was wondering if we could spend the whole day together? I would really like to spend time with you." She asked with a slight blush.
"I was hoping we could anyway. I want to learn more about you two Akiza. Let's watch the movie first and then we can decide on the rest of the day ok?" He turned back and smiled.
"Thank you Yusei."
"Your welcome. I am hoping that I can find something that you like."
"I don't want you to go to far for me Yusei. You don't have to try to hard to make me happy." She tried to explain to him.
"It's no trouble at all. I am trying to learn more about you after all. So I need to find out what you like and don't like. You might find some new things to like yourself you know." He pointed out to her.
"I suppose that's true. After all I was told sometime ago that no one knows themselves 100%." She pointed out bluntly.
"I believe that as well. We are always learning more and ore about ourselves and others every day. That is one reason life is worth living. You never know what your going to learn tomorrow.
While Yusei was giving Akiza a ride downtown Martha was having fun thinking about the two of them together. 'I know that those two really are good for one another. I just hope that Yusei's lack of experience with women or Akiza's jumpiness doesn't cause the whole thing to come crashing down.' She worried to herself before she heard her phone ring. She went over and found Jack on the other side.
"Morning Martha."
"Well Morning Jack! It's a rare treat to have you call. So how have things been as the king?"
"Same as always around here. I go out, I duel my opponent, I win the duel, then I got fan girl chasing me all the way back to my front gate. He sighs in annoyance. It would be nice to get an actual opponent who can give me a challenge."
"What about Yusei or Crow? They always gave you a run for your money. Not to mention that Yusei and Crow HAVE both beaten you before." she told him honestly.
"Well maybe if they entered the tournaments and actually participated in these events, then I could duel them. But Yusei does not like crowds that much and Crow thinks that becoming a king if he were to beat me would not be any fun."
"Well Crow is someone who likes to be free and spread his wings just like a true bird of the sky. I'm sure that someday all three of you will spread your wings and see the world."
"Someday Martha. I will leave this city and expand my horizons as a true king of duel monsters." He stated proudly which made Martha lightly smile and laugh.
"Well if anyone can reach the top of the world, it's you Jack." She encouraged.
"Of course I will! I will become the best in the world someday! I promise that to you and all those that look up to me. He declared. So where is Yusei? I want to talk to him now if he's around."
"I'm afraid that Yusei has gone out with Akiza for the day." Martha smiled at her own words as she was happy to be able to say them.
"So they finally decided to admit their feelings for each other?"
"No Jack, Yusei and Akiza are jut going out for a day in the city. Those two have a ways to go before they are comfortable admitting that." Martha snickered.
"Well whatever. Jack sighed annoyed. If Yusei isn't there they I'm going to go then."
"Then I wish you the best day today Jack."
"Thanks Martha, good day to you too." Jack smiled before hanging up. Martha then hung up and thought about Jack leaving the city. 'I must admit I miss the days that you guys were growing up here. She began to tear up thinking about the past. I must admit that I'm feeling old watching you guys grow up and leaving me before my very eyes.' Back with Yusei and Akiza they were just reaching the outskirts of the business district of the city where the theatre was when Akiza started to wonder out of th blue something important. She then tapped Yusei on his shoulder which made him pull over and turn to her.
"What's wrong Akiza? Are you doing ok back there?" He asked somewhat concerned.
"Yes I'm just fine. I was just wondering about these marks?" She mentioned rolling up her sleeve.
"What about them?" He cocked his head.
"I was just curious about the fact that these marks haven't glowed or reacted to anything at all lately. Even though we are close together they haven't reacted at all like they used too." Yusei thought about her words and realized that she did have a very strong point. The marks of the Crimson Dragon that they shared had not glowed recently at all since the events at the Movement. 'She does make sense. Luna and Jack as well had not mentioned anything about the marks at all since then either. He thought with a concerned look. I just hope that means that maybe we can relax and just live our lives freely now without worry.'
"I agree with you that it does make you wonder what's going on. But I think we should just be happy that they are lying dormant and letting us be this close to each other without the added burning effect." He smiled. Akiza smiled back knowing that Yusei was trying to change the subject to keep her mind off the pain of the past.
"Your right Yusei. I'm sorry for bringing this up so suddenly, I was just curious and I guess it got the better of my judgement. She apologized sadly for making him stop for such a stupid reason in her mind. 'Great now I have gone and made a total fool of myself. Why can't I just forget about this mark and just be happy with myself?!' She screamed angrily at herself in her mind. Yusei saw the twitch in her eyes and put his hand to her cheek causing Akiza to snap out of it.
"Akiza? You ok?" He asked worried.
"Yes. I'm sorry to worry u with stupid things like this. I thought I was over everything but it seems I have a long way to go." She admitted.
"Well I will be by your side if you ever need consoling just like I said I would be." He assured her starting his runner up again.
"I trust u Yusei." She smiled happily making Yusei blush at the sight.
"Th-Thanks. So um, sh-shall we head to the movie now? He stuttered trying to regain himself.
"Yes please." She happily agreed. Akiza couldn't wait as she happily rode of to her first date with a great man by her side.
A/n: And so begins the first date of Yusei and Akiza. What will happen between the two of them as they try and sort out their feelings? R&R