Chapter 6: Stake-Out
Ah… Finally free.
Natsuki grinned, folding her arms behind her head.
"Isn't free time the best? And no chores today either." She sighed happily. "This is the best day ever."
Sera hummed in thought.
"So, where are we going to go exactly? I don't think we decided." She smiled sheepishly. "I was busy reading my book…"
Ayaka smirked, pulling up an article on her phone.
"Obviously, we're going to that new place that just opened up. I got this online code where if you show it when you're seated you get a free shake!"
"Ooo!" Natsuki's grin only grew. "Yugi's been wanting to try that place. He's gonna be pretty jealous I got to eat there first."
"Should we not then?" Sera asked, tilting her head. "You two are getting along better…"
"Shush, we're not speaking of the cursed triangle." She huffed. "Today's about us."
Natsuki marched on ahead, leaving her two friends to pick up the rear.
"So… what are your bets?" Ayaka whispered.
"I bet you a free reading that she's still bitter about that." Sera replied, grinning. "It's Natsuki after all."
"The High Priestess of Salt." They laughed.
"I HEARD THAT!" Natsuki called over her shoulder. "Just for that, you're paying!"
"Okay, free drink goes to you then."
"... Okay fine."
Ayaka bolted by her.
"If you can catch me!"
"UWAH! THAT'S NOT FAIR!" Natsuki yelped as Sera bolted ahead of her as well.
Natsuki grumbled, breaking into a run.
"I HAVE SHORT LEGS!"
They laughed, keeping up the pace until the restaurant came into view. It was hard to miss with the giant burger mascot on the roof, the large sign glimmering with neon lights.
The girls came to a stop, trying to catch their breath before going to head in.
"I really hope this place has a veggie option…" Sera murmured. "I mean, I can eat something else but…"
"I checked online, don't worry." Ayaka smiled, holding up her phone. "They have tofu and blackbean burgers, so you don't have to worry."
She perked up.
"Thanks!"
"Yeah, we wouldn't make you eat somewhere you can't eat anything." Natsuki chimed in, nudging her playfully. "We love ya too much for that."
"You guys…"
Ayaka grinned.
"Shall we?"
"We shall-"
They stepped up to the door as it slid open… to their shock, finding an employee there to greet them.
"Hello, welcome to-" The waitress stopped short, staring at Natsuki in particular.
Natsuki's eyes grew wide… she couldn't miss it anywhere. Clad in the bright green uniform, her hair tied into a high ponytail… was Anzu.
"You have to go. Now." Anzu pointed over Natsuki's head.
"Why am I being punished?" She asked, crossing her arms. "Seriously, what did I do?"
Anzu bit her lip, folding her arms behind her back.
"Well… uh… this place serves only beef and your friend can't have that-"
Ayaka held the phone up in front of Anzu's face.
"Don't write a check with your mouth, you can't cash later." She narrowed her eyes. "We just want food."
"Aya, Sera, gimme a few minutes?" Natsuki cut in.
The others nodded, heading into the restaurant past Anzu.
Anzu fumbled with her hands.
"You cannot tell Yugi. Or anyone. This is a secret between us…" She looked around. "He's not coming with, is he?"
"Nooo?" Natsuki raised an eyebrow. "I didn't even tell him where I was going. We hadn't decided until we were heading out."
Anzu heaved a sigh of relief.
"Thank goodness… Sorry just… I'm saving up for something important and I can't let anyone know. If I lose this job…" She looked away. "Please, don't say anything."
Natsuki touched her arm.
"It's okay. I know how it is… and… part of you doesn't want Yugi to see you in this getup huh?"
"A… A little." She blushed. "It's kind of embarrassing. I mean look at this." She posed a little. "Don't I look ridiculous?"
"Nah, I think it's a cute outfit. Your hair looks nice like that." Natsuki smiled. "Now, can we please just pretend this didn't happen?"
Anzu pulled her into a tight hug.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you…!"
"UWAH! CHOKING, NOT HUGGING! ANZU I CAN'T BREATHE!"
"Sorry, sorry-wait, how are you here? Akira's even more protective than our teachers."
Natsuki winked.
"What Dad doesn't know won't ground us."
"Oh, naughty… Alright, right this way… but if you tell anyone…"
"I'm dead, mummified, thrown into a tomb with my greatest treasures and a ration of mummified geese and wine to live out my afterlife.." Natsuki carried on, giving a shrug.
"... You spend way too much time looking up this stuff."
"Hey, I'm not judging YOUR life choices here, so shush."
Anzu gave her a warning look.
"I mean it." She started to head to the front entrance. "I'm watching you."
Ayaka and Sera gave Natsuki looks of bewilderment when she finally joined their table.
"What was that all about?"
"Poor life choices." Natsuki quipped, grabbing up a menu. "We're getting onion rings and fries."
"That's more money."
Natsuki pointed to Anzu.
"She owes me."
"... That is cold." Ayaka nudged her. "I like it."
"Emotional blackmail…" Sera sighed. "It works. Malik knows that all too well."
They were startled by a loud shriek from the entrance.
Natsuki looked over the booth to see Anzu and Miho both yelling at a boy.
"... Whatever he did, I feel sorry for him."
oooooo
A few days had passed since then… and Yugi couldn't help but notice that Anzu's behavior went from odd to… bizarre.
"Morning Anzu-"
"I didn't talk to your sister!"
"... Okay, that's a weird way to say good morning but alright?"
What did Natsuki do to make her mad? She's not telling me anything…
Yugi hummed in thought, sketching absently in his notebook, listening to Jonouchi and Honda talk.
They were still trying to figure out where to go after school. His phone buzzed, alerting him of a new message. He checked it, sighing a bit as the conversation went on.
As far as he knew, this whole robbery situation couldnt' end soon enough.
"Hey!"
Yugi and Natsuki yelped as the door to the game shop swung open. Behind it, stood their father, his arms crossed, his eyes narrowed in disappointment.
"Where have you two been?"
"We… we went out…?" Natsuki asked. "Like always?"
"Mahad told you to go straight home, Yugi. And Natsuki, I know for a fact Ishizu ALSO told you."
"W-We're sorry! We were out with friends…"
Akira sighed, ruffling their hair.
"Go. You got chores."
"Crap."
"Can we go somewhere? - N"
"We're gonna try. I texted Dad, he said if we went in a big group it should be fine…"
"Awesome, cause Sera and Aya got busted - N."
"Greeaaat."
"So this level was ridiculous, I couldn't even get by it. Yugi had to help me and somehow he got the glitch that broke the game but gave me the high score."
"Mm…"
"Yugi… Oi!"
Yugi let out a sound as he looked up.
"Sorry, I was checking my phone. Is it okay if my sister joins us? Dad's been… kinda overprotective lately."
Jonouchi shrugged.
"Eh, what's one more? We're already inviting Magical Janitor Boy Honda-kun over here."
Honda growled.
"I said to quit calling me that!"
Miho giggled.
"I wanna go too!"
"Sure!"
Anzu stood up, grabbing her bag.
"Ahem." She narrowed her eyes. "Miho. Honda. We already have a previous engagement."
"Ah, right." Honda cleared his throat. "We'll see you later. C'mon."
"Right!" Miho hurried after them, waving to Yugi and Jonouchi. "Bye, bye!"
As they left… Yugi and Jonouchi exchanged a look.
"That was really weird. Honda ditched us yesterday too…" Jonouchi commented.
"Miho never answered my texts either…" Yugi mused. "It was really weird cause she's always prompt.."
Jonouchi looked around, making sure Mahad was NOT around.
"Well… I mean, it lines up. Maybe Anzu's training Miho to be her fellow date for hire?"
Yugi narrowed his eyes.
"Not that again. What? Are you gonna say HONDA is gonna cheat on Miho for money?"
"What… No! I mean… If he's into that…" Jonouchi mused. "You never know, the quiet, uptight ones are always-"
A hand clamped down on his shoulder.
"My, my, again?" Mahad chuckled as Jonouchi turned his head. "Ah, I can see the fear in your eyes."
"U-Uh Sensei, we weren't talking about that at all!" Jonouchi shook his head wildly. "We were just concerned for our fellow classmates!"
"Leave me out of this, that's my godfather." Yugi mumbled. "He started off on that all on his own!"
Mahad nodded, his grip on Jonouchi's shoulder tightening.
"You would do well to keep those thoughts to yourself. If Anzu, Miho or Honda heard you talking about them like that you might wind up friendless someday."
Jonouchi gulped.
"Y-Yessir… won't happen again sir…"
"But then what are they doing?" Yugi mused, popping his chin up. "Anzu's been so high strung… She even forgot to get lunch today…"
"You weren't so concerned when you got to share yours with her… I bet you liked it.." Jonouchi muttered.
"Be quiet, the adults are talking now." Mahad interrupted.
"I'm just gonna lose no matter what I say!"
"Noooo, nooo. You only lose by disrespecting your classmates. Word to the wise." Mahad smiled, leaning in a bit. "You're going to have a hard time dating with that attitude."
Jonouchi got up, grabbing his things.
"C'mon, Yugi, we're going."
"Uwah! Wait for me!"
Yugi grabbed his bag, starting to follow when Mahad put a hand in front of him.
"Huh?"
"Be careful out there." Mahad gave him a gentle look. "I know what you're going to do. You're a good friend."
"I'm gonna get to the bottom of this. I already hear enough conspiracy theories at home…"
"And?"
"... Anzu doesn't deserve that." Yugi held his head up higher. "I'm gonna get the truth. Her truth."
Mahad ruffled his hair.
"There's my favorite student."
"Uwah!" Yugi laughed before running after Jonouchi. "Bye!"
"Good luck."
Be safe…
Mahad frowned.
If need be… I know he can protect them
Let's just hope it doesn't come to that.
oooooo
Natsuki was bewildered at how fast Jonouchi had bolted out of the school. She watched him go before turning to Yugi.
"What's up with him?"
"I ask that question a lot lately." Yugi sighed. "We're tailing Anzu because of a stupid rumor."
"... Oh no… What did he do?" Natsuki asked, as they picked up the pace.
"Shh!" Jonouchi put a finger to his lips, ducking behind a corner.
Yugi huddled up beside him… Natsuki couldn't help but smile watching.
He's never had a friend like this. I knew I liked this guy… He might not be the cleverest but… hey…
She snuck out her phone, taking a picture before walking by them.
"You're acting way more suspicious just doing that." She said over her shoulder.
"H-Hey!" Yugi hurried after her. "Nat, it's called a stake out."
"Stakeout? Or being stupid?"
"... Both." He mumbled. "It's really dumb and I don't wanna explain to you what it was."
"Oh, now you're just incriminating yourself."
Natsuki sighed as they kept walking on.
Anzu… please don't be mad at me. I'm saving you a bigger headache later…
She was keeping ahead of them, knowing she was leading them right to where she was…
I hate lying and if it's gotten to this point, then the truth needs to see the light.
Yugi and Jonouchi were baffled that Natsuki seemed to know where she was going. They followed after her, exchanging a look of confusion.
"I thought she was superstitious."
"I'm supernaturally cautious." She huffed. "Also, I didn't ask to get brought into this, you all put me up to this."
"You all…?" Yugi asked, before he stopped short, as they saw where Natsuki had led them.
The large burger mascot on the building, the neon light sign… the "Now Hiring" sign in the window.
"B-Burger World!?" The boys exclaimed in shock.
"Just wait." Natsuki sighed as she walked up to the door. "Come on."
They were puzzled, standing with her.
The door opened as three employees, clad in neon green outfits greeted them.
"Hello! Welcome to-"
Jonouchi clamped his hand over his mouth.
Yugi's jaw dropped open.
Miho was bright red, Honda was staring in shock… and Anzu gave Natsuki a livid glare.
Natsuki sighed, shaking her head. She didn't even bother speaking up. She knew she wasn't going to be believed in the first place.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Jonouchi grinned.
"Well uh…"
Anzu growled.
"Leave! Now!"
"Hey, is that any way to talk to a customer?" Jonouchi continued on.
"Hey, quit it-" Yugi tugged on his arm, only to get shrugged off.
"We uh… can explain?" Honda rubbed the back of his neck.
This was not part of the plan. The plan did not involve dealing with the boy everyone considered the school's loud mouth.
"Aren't jobs prohibited by the rules?" Jonouchi tsk'd.
Yugi narrowed his eyes.
…. Ra give me strength.
He kicked Jonouchi in the shin, not hard enough to hurt, just to make him stop talking and give him a look instead.
"HEY!"
"We're just gonna… go-"
"Hey, what's the commotion here?"
They looked to see a man with bright red hair, wearing a uniform similar to Honda, approach.
"They're customers right? Hurry and seat them, you're taking up their time… also, don't yell at our customers to leave, Mazaki."
"Yessir…" Anzu murmured, leading the trio to a table.
"Anzu-" Natsuki opened her mouth. "I can-"
"Shush. You broke your promise. I don't wanna hear it from you."
Natsuki's face fell, her heart sinking.
Great… even when I try to help I get in trouble… I didn't tell them, but they were acting so weird…
Anzu stormed off without another word.
They were quiet, looking around.
"Ho boy, this is awkward…" Jonouchi muttered.
"We're in this mess thanks to you and your stupid date for hire idea!" Yugi snapped. "Now Anzu's really mad at all of us!"
Natsuki looked down.
"Anzu's never gonna talk to me again…"
Yugi frowned, bringing an arm around her shoulders.
"Hey, that's not true. She's just in a bad mood."
"And we made it worse."
"We'll talk to her. I'll take the blame." Yugi smiled, giving her a reassuring look. "C'mon, I got your back."
"Thanks, Bro…" She smiled. "So… uh… is it bad I already went here?"
"... You… went here without me?"
"Sorry?"
Yugi shook his head.
It wasn't long before Anzu returned, with a platter piled high.
The boys exchanged a worried look. They hadn't even made an order.
"Please, enjoy, valued customers!" She smiled, her eyes gleaming with mischief as she slammed it down onto the table, making it shake. "Our burgers are best enjoyed hot."
"Oh uh… You didn't have to…" Yugi smiled sheepishly… internally, his heart was racing.
He had never seen her this angry. Not since elementary school.
"I insist!" Anzu carried on, grabbing the ketchup. "And their best enjoyed with plenty of our house made ketchup!"
They watched in fear, as Anzu carefully wrote out a warning across their food.
"You tell, I will murder you in your sleep."
"A-Anzu…"
Natsuki lowered her head, her shoulders shaking.
"Hey, your beef is with me, not them." Jonouchi narrowed his eyes. "You don't have to take it out on them."
Anzu fixed them all with a glare before it broke as she heaved a sigh.
"Sorry… I guess I should be honest…" She crossed her arms, leaning against the booth.
She closed her eyes, heaving a deep sigh.
"I'm saving up so I can study abroad… Yugi, remember when I took dance classes when I was little?"
Yugi nodded.
"How could I forget?"
Yugi looked up at the stage, in awe at the young girl dancing across it. She smiled down at him, winking in his direction.
… That's when I realized I liked her more than a friend…
Anzu smiled, turning to him.
"I want to continue that. I'm saving up so I can go to America, dance on Broadway, get into my dream dance academy. The entire plan hinders on getting enough money while in school… so, I need this job desperately. We can't afford to send me abroad… It's all on me." She narrowed her eyes. "And if anyone gets in the way of my dream, I won't ever forgive them!"
"Then your secret's safe with us." Jonouchi smiled. "C'mon, I might be a loud mouth, but I'm not cruel."
"Until recently I wasn't so sure." She huffed.
"Anzu… I know you'll be an amazing dancer." Yugi looked up at her with a gentle look. "I know you can do it. I'll be cheering you on."
She blushed a bit.
"T-Thanks…"
"I mean it. I'll be first in line to get a ticket for your first show."
"Yugi…"
"Although…" Natsuki cut in, taking a bite of her burger. "Only ketchup? Lousy customer service compared to the other day."
Anzu laughed, shaking her head.
"You're all too much… Still… sorry, Natsuki. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that."
Natsuki shook her head.
"It's okay… Are we cool? No more lying?"
"No more lying. Now, those are on me. Let me get those refired for ya."
"And onion rings!" Natsuki called after her.
Anzu gave a thumbs up as she went.
"Anzu… America…" Yugi murmured, still lost in thought.
Going abroad… Following her dreams…
I know she can do it but… wow. I had no idea she was going to be this dedicated...
"Guess you need to start saving up for an apartment over there." Jonouchi hummed. "I mean, you get a decent allowance."
"W-WHAT?!" Yugi yelped.
"You heard me."
"He's got a point. She'll go to America and then what?"
Yugi turned bright red, covering his face.
"I hate both of you so much."
Natsuki huffed, elbowing him a little.
"You know I'm right. You just hate that HE agrees with me."
"Well yeah, considering the date for hire thing-"
"YOU DID WHAT?!"