Chapter 5: Changes

The next day came quickly.

While Yugi and Natsuki both wanted another full day with their dad, school was a must. They at least took comfort that they would be seeing him when they got home.

Yugi smiled to himself as he walked onto the campus of school, still eying the puzzle around his neck.

"I can't wait to show Mahad and Anzu this."

"Oi, Yugi."

Yugi looked up, seeing Jonouchi by his locker, the boy's hands shoved into his pockets.

"Oh… Hey, Jonouchi." Yugi brought a hand around the puzzle. "What's up?"

Jonouchi glanced to the side, muttering under his breath.

"..."

"Huh? What you say? I didn't quite catch that…"

Jonouchi took a deep breath before speaking again.

"I'm sorry! There!" Jonouchi let out a sigh. "I wanted to do it on my own terms and not when I was being bossed around… and… what I did yesterday wasn't cool in the slightest… or any of the times before…"

Yugi was taken aback by this.

"Jonouchi…"

"I… was an idiot and… and…" He leaned in, gesturing to his right cheek. "Go ahead. Hit me. Just go ahead and get it over with."

"W-What!?" Yugi's eyes went wide.

"You heard me. I messed with you all year, you have literally every right to punch me and knock a tooth out even if you can. Heck, I'll help you figure out how to punch people if you don't know how!"

Yugi blinked back confusion before shaking his head, smiling.

"I'll take up the offer to defend myself but… I don't want to hurt you. You know I hate violence." Yugi put a hand to his cheek, pushing his head back up. "Instead, let me share something." He held up the puzzle for him to see. "My greatest treasure. The Millenium Puzzle."

Jonouchi's eyes went wide, remembering the pile of gold pieces in the box.

"Whoa… you actually put all that together?" He looked it over, letting out a low whistle. "Color me impressed… Man, you're way smarter than I am… patient too."

"Well, I had some help from my sister, Natsuki. And… you know, you're brave. Something I wish I was. So… don't be so hard on yourself."

Jonouchi was stunned… he didn't know how to react, just staring at him in bewilderment.

He was expecting Yugi to take him up on the offer, hit him and call it a day…

He didn't expect this.

What do I do? What do I say?

"You did what!? Oh no, don't even bother coming to see me if you don't act better."

He's a sibling too…

Aaaa what do I-...It's time to be a man. A real man.

Jonouchi took a deep breath, standing up straight.

"Then… I'll offer you something valuable too… What's something you can't see but is valued by everyone?"

Yugi's eyes went wide at hearing this. He had heard it once many times from his father… and he knew the answer… which caused a grin to come to his face.

"Jonouchi… are you…?"

Jonouchi held out a hand to him.

"Friends?"

Yugi's eyes had a happy gleam to them as he took his hand, giving a hard shake.

"Yes!"

Jonouchi grinned before pulling him into a headlock, ruffling his hair up.

"Alright! First course of business, time to show ya a thing or two about self defense. Got a lot of work to do!"

"UWAH!"

"Bwuahahaha!"

Yugi struggled at first but soon just gave in, laughing along with Jonouchi.

One of my wishes… It came true.

It really came true!

oooooo

"What!? He apologized!?"

Yugi nodded quickly as he walked the halls with Anzu.

"Yeah! He was really sincere… in his own way. But he really meant it. And…" Yugi smiled. "We're friends now! He's gonna teach me how to defend myself and everything!"

Anzu giggled.

"Well I'm glad to hear it.."

Oh, please tell me he's not gonna corrupt MY Yugi into some thug… I can't picture him trying to intimidate anyone…

"Yeah… which uh…" Yugi rubbed the back of his neck. "I hope it's okay but I told him I would be having lunch with him, Honda and Miho… Do you still wanna come with me?"

"Of course." She smiled, opening her bag up. "I already got lunch. I bought it today too!" She looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Also… It's the Stamina Bento…"

Yugi's eyes went wide.

"A-Anzu, are you sure?! That's really expensive!"

Anzu grinned, mischief gleaming in her eyes.

"I bought two, one for me, and one for my favorite King of Games." She winked.

Yugi flushed bright red.

F-Favorite… King of Games…?

A silly grin crossed his face.

"Y-You're too kind, Anzu…"

"Anything for you. Something to make up for not having much time to hang out lately… I feel really awful about all that. I promise, I'll come by soon though." She frowned a little. "Sorry…"

"N-No don't be! I understand getting busy! We'll make up for it soon!"

Anzu smiled.

"Can you show me that game your dad brought back from Egypt? What was it again…?"

"Oh! Sennett!"

"Yeah! How about next Sunday? I'll even make cookies."

"Yes! Natsuki loves your chocolate chip cookies!"

Anzu giggled.

"I remember the last time she tried to make them… Hope your oven recovered fine."

"It did… eventually." Yugi shook his head. "But yeah, it's settled then."

"It is." She smiled, nudging him a little. "I'm really happy for you… Today seems like it's going your way. Maybe that puzzle's an extra good luck charm after all."

"I certainly think so." Yugi smiled. "And thank you for not calling it cursed."

Anzu laughed a little.

"I can already tell what happened. Natsuki again?"

Yugi cleared his throat.

"'That thing is cursed'. 'That thing is evil.' "I'm gonna flush it!"

"Hm…" Anzu smirked, eying the puzzle. "I'll model the cookies I make after the puzzle then."

Yugi smiled.

"Perfect…. Shall we?"

"We shall."

They headed for the classroom, laughing up a storm.

oooooo

The end of the day had come up faster than they expected. Yugi was looking forward to heading home… although, he had a few ideas for some detours on the way.

His phone buzzed to life as he turned it back on, checking through his messages. The cacophony of the class filled the room with sound… but he quickly tuned it out.

"Sera, Aya and I are going somewhere after school. You don't have to pick me up today. See you at home! I love you! - N"

"Love you too. Be safe out there. Remember the news article this morning."

"You be careful. I bet you could swing that puzzle around and really clock someone."

Yugi rolled his eyes, putting his phone away, looking around before spotting who he wanted to see.

Jonouchi yawned, stretching his arms over his head, leaning back in his seat.

"I swear, Ishtar-Sensei can ramble for ages…"

"That's what makes him a good teacher though." Yugi chuckled, coming over. "You know, I could help ya…"

Jonouchi's eyes lit up, grinning.

"It's a deal! By the way, you wanna stop somewhere on the way home?"

Yugi nodded quickly.

"Mm-hm! There's this new place that opened up! It's called Burger World!"

"Oh, that sounds good…"

"What are you two going on about?"

Jonouchi got a wicked grin on his face, turning to see Honda and Miho were behind him. He propped his chin up on his hand, giving a mock innocent look.

"Why, if it isn't the failed class president, turned into a magical janitor, Honda!"

Honda's jaw dropped in shock before clenching his fists, his shoulders shaking.

"Oh, that is it! I should clean your clock!"

Jonouchi dug into his pocket, holding out a watch.

"Sure."

Miho and Yugi covered their mouths, trying not to laugh.

"C-C'mon, you two, knock it off!" Yugi chuckled. "You know he does a good job!"

"What? He offered to clean my clock. My watch needs polishing."

Honda slapped his hand away, rolling his eyes.

Don't justify it with a response. Don't justify it with a response, don't justify it…

"Anyways! Heckling by the third rate class delinquent with a forth rate sense of humor, aside…"

"HEY!"

"What are you two going on about?" He crossed his arms.

"Getting dinner on the way home. You want in? It's Burger World." Yugi answered.

"Hm… Maybe…"

"Oh!" Miho cut in. "I heard their food's famous!"

"Right?!"

The door opened up as Anzu peered inside.

"Um… Did I leave my bag in here…?"

Yugi pointed to her desk where her backpack was sitting.

"Right where you left it!"

She smiled, retrieving it.

"Thanks, Yugi, I'll see you Sunday-"

"Wait! You wanna go with us?"

She smiled, though it didn't… quite meet her eyes.

"Where to…? Ramen? Takoyaki?"

They all scrunched their noses up.

"Nope! You hear of Burger World?"

Anzu tensed up, folding her arms behind her back.

"Ahaha… No way! You're kidding me right?" She laughed. "That place is gross!"

Yugi tilted his head.

"Did you try it?"

"W-What!? No!" She shook her head wildly. "I heard people got food poisoning there the very first day! It's totally a risk! And Yugi, you always walk your sister home, isn't that a little irresponsible?"

Yugi narrowed his eyes, folding his arms behind his head.

"I'm off the hook. She's going out with her friends. Like we are… Anzu, are you okay?"

"I'm saying, forget it! Besides, aren't we… we supposed to go straight home?"

… Huh?

"R-Remember… the announcement Ishtar-Sensei made this morning?"

"Be cautious walking home. If you don't have to make any detours, don't. Someone recently broke out of Domino's prison a few days ago and he's still at large." Mahad narrowed his eyes. "So, don't even think about it."

Jonouchi grimaced.

"Yeah, yeah, he's just being overprotective. We're big boys, we can take care of ourselves."

Anzu narrowed her eyes, gesturing to Yugi.

"Two big boys and a short boy." Jonouchi corrected.

"HEY!" Yugi yelped. "That's not funny guys!"

Anzu took this as her chance to leave, huffing a bit as she slammed the door shut behind her.

"Well, that was weird." Honda muttered. "What is with her?"

Yugi sighed, fidgeting with the Millennium Puzzle around his neck.

"I'm not sure… She's been acting weird for a while now."

And I thought Natsuki was driving me nuts… This is new…

Jonouchi hummed in thought.

"Well… There is one theory." He smirked, motioning for the others to lean in closer.

Yugi raised an eyebrow, looking over his shoulder when he heard the door open a bit.

"Hm?"

Jonouchi rubbed his hands together.

"What if… Anzu's dating for hire? Y'know, schmoozing someone for cash. You saw the bentos Yugi and her ate right?" He narrowed his eyes. "The expensive Stamina bento… which none of us have even had besides HIM!" He gestured to Yugi.

"What does that have to do with anything!?" Yugi yelped, turning bright red.

He couldn't picture it.

He couldn't.

Not Anzu of all people!

"Jonouchi, you are the worst!"

"What? I mean, if she's dating for hire-"

Jonouchi didn't notice the looks of alarm his friends had as they backed away from his desk.

A hand clamped down firmly on his shoulder.

"Now, now, Jonouchi…" Mahad chuckled, his eyes narrowed into a fierce glare. "I wouldn't be catching you slandering and disrespecting your classmate… am I?"

Jonouchi let out a choked sound, his eyes widening in horror.

Noooo! Not this guy again!

"Wh-What!? Noooo, Anzu's a respectable, young lady who would never do something so vile!" He pointed to Honda. "I can't believe you'd accuse her of that!"

"YOU DUG YOUR GRAVE YOU CAN LIE IN IT!" He yelled, stomping to the door. "C'mon, Miho!"

"R-Right!" Miho followed after, trying to hide the worry in her eyes.

Not my best friend…

Mahad crossed his arms.

"Jonouchi. Losing. My. Patience."

"I'M SORRY, I WON'T DO IT AGAIN!" He yelped. "Don't smite me!"

"I'm terribly sorry, Yugi, but I don't think Jonouchi can go out with you and your friends today. He has to help the Beautification Club tidy up." Mahad smiled.

Jonouchi's face fell, sighing.

"Yessir…"

"Serves you right." Yugi mumbled. "Talking about Anzu like that…"

oooooo

"Hm… Hey, Hiroto?" Miho asked as she and Honda were exiting the school.

"What is it?" Honda smiled. "Wanna stop somewhere else?"

"Actually…" She smiled, batting her eyelashes. "I forgot I had an errand to take care of for my mom. Can I call you later tonight instead?"

Honda frowned a little.

"I can go with you-"

"No, no!" She took off into a jog, blowing him a kiss as she went. "I'll call you tonight!"

Honda was baffled, rubbing the back of his neck.

Did I do something wrong?

A twinge of guilt bubbled up but she shook it off. Honda could handle it, she reasoned.

She wanted to get an honest answer from her first.

She just had to catch up to her.

It wasn't long before she spotted Anzu as she ducked behind a corner.

Anzu sighed, looking around before pulling her hair up into a ponytail, pulling a yellow ribbon from her bag to tie it with.

Alright, I'll finish changing there. Least this is taken care of-

"Anzu?"

Anzu froze up, turning to Miho, her eyes going wide in shock.

"I… Miho, this isn't what it looks like."

"Not… dating for hire?"

Her left eye twitched, as the information sank in.

"... I'm going to murder Jonouchi. He put you up to this didn't he!?"

"No! Well, yes…" Miho stammered. "I was worried! You've been acting so strange and… and…" She whined a little. "You're my best friend, besties don't keep secrets right?"

Anzu sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.

"Alright that's… a hundred percent fair." She shook her head. "Alright, I'll tell you… but if you tell anyone, you're dead meat."

"Hm… Dead, mummified and buried?"

"We've been hanging out with Yugi too much." Anzu smiled, sighing a bit. "I hope he's not mad at me…"

"Last I saw, he was helping Ishtar-Sensei yell at Jonouchi…"

"GOOD!"