Chapter 24: The Maidens
"I can't believe it! I'm doomed!"
Someone tapped his shoulder as he turned his head. There she was, holding her notebook, a gentle smile on her face.
"I can help tutor you a little… if you want?"
"S-Sure…"
How could he have been so blind? His heart raced as he bolted through the school, looking around… Where was she?
Jonouchi slowed down, taking a few breaths to steady himself.
This wasn't the time to panic or to get caught breaking any rules.
"Akane-chan! We're gonna eat up on the roof, wanna go with?"
"Sure! Be there in a minute!"
The roof…
Jonouchi turned tail and ran in the other direction… nearly bumping into another student as he did so.
"Oof! Sorry!"
She reached out and took his arm, making him pause, turning in her direction… a girl around his age, with long white hair and brilliant blue eyes. Her eyes were cold as she stared him down.
"Whatever you see up there… Don't. You. DARE run away." She narrowed her eyes. "Or I will be waiting for you."
Jonouchi swallowed hard, giving a nod, hurrying up the stairs.
The higher he climbed, the heavier and hotter the air became.
He shrugged off his uniform coat, throwing it over his shoulder, the closer he got.
He looked at the handle of the door, hovering his hand over it.
It was burning hot, the heat was radiating off of it making the handle glow red.
His heart skipped a beat when he heard a sob on the other side. He wrapped his jacket around his hand before bracing himself… and throwing the door open.
He was blown back by a blast of hot air, slamming him into the corridor wall.
It was so hot… it was so hot, for a moment, he feared there was a fire somewhere up here… when he looked up, his eyes grew wide.
Akane was sitting, curled up with her knees to her chest, sobbing, her head down… A massive black dragon looming over her, the wings forming a protective barrier.
It turned to him, its crimson eyes gleaming with a warning.
He noted she had her headphones on, her hands clamped tightly over them, trying to focus on the music she was listening to. She didn't see him… She couldn't hear him.
But the dragon did. The dragon never took its eyes off him as he approached.
The image was familiar. The image of a powerful beast, protecting a young maiden.
The same image on the card he treasured so dearly.
"Red-Eyes…" He whispered, his heart sinking.
What… What exactly was going on here?
"Don't. You. DARE run away."
That girl…
… Whatever the danger, I don't care.
Jonouchi threw aside his jacket, approaching the dragon, his head held high.
Red-Eyes snarled, opening their mouth, a spark emerging in warning.
"Easy… Easy…" He held up a hand. "It's okay. I promise I'm not here to hurt her!"
The dragon snorted, before leaning back over her.
He moved his other hand to the deck box attached to his belt, flicking it open.
Goddess of Luck, smile on me today…
He drew a card, before showing it to the dragon.
"I know you wanna keep her safe… Please, just let me help her too!"
The dragon looked at the card, studying it before looking down at Akane then back to Jonouchi. It leaned its head forward, staring him right in the eyes.
"... Yes…" The dragon spoke. "I see it within your soul. I trust you with my charge. Guardian of the Maiden with Eyes of Red."
The dragon moved away, allowing Jonouchi to be able to reach Akane now, the heat starting to subside.
He hurried over to her, kneeling before her.
"Akane… Akane, I'm right here." He rested his hands over hers. "I'm here…"
Akane gasped, looking up, revealing that her face was stricken with tears.
"J… J… Jounouchi-kun…" She hiccuped, wiping at her eyes. "W-When did you…?"
Jonouchi smiled a little.
"Just a few minutes. Had to prove myself.." He frowned. "Are-Oh what am I saying? Of course you're not okay right now… but I wanna help make it okay." He wiped at her tears. "I-If you'll let me…"
Akane hiccuped again, leaning into his hand.
"Surprised you didn't run away at the sight of Crimson."
Jonouchi chuckled a little, stroking her cheek with his thumb.
"Now, why'd I be afraid of my favorite dragon?" He glanced over to where the dragon was. "I think she's beautiful… I mean it's a shock but… she's even more beautiful in real life, y'know?"
"Isn't she?" Akane sniffled, rubbing at one of her eyes. "J-Jonouchi-kun I…"
Jonouchi offered an arm to her, warmth in his gaze.
"It's okay… You can go at your own pace. I promise, Akane. I'm not gonna run away."
Akane sniffled again before throwing herself into his arms, burying her face in shoulder, sobbing.
Jonouchi wrapped his arms around her, tightly, cradling her against him. He tucked her head under his chin.
"I gotcha… I know you tried so hard to tell me… Yugi explained a little bit… and I'm so sorry you got that ruined. That wasn't okay… None of this was okay… And if you're mad or upset, I'm right here. I got ya."
She looked up, her eyes still shiny with tears.
"You… You mean that?"
Jonouchi smiled gently, giving a nod.
"I promise…" He blushed a little, giving a sheepish look. "I… I've had something I wanted to tell ya too but… I don't wanna make you feel pressured either."
Akane gave a small smile in return, huddling close to him.
"I just wanted to tell you… how amazing you are… and so much more but… I just don't know if I have the words right now."
"And that's okay." Jonouchi nuzzled the top of her head, stroking her hair a little. "We can go slow if you wanna… I think you're pretty amazing too y'know… smart, kind…" His face heated up, mumbling something.
"Hm?"
"... Beautiful…"
Akane turned bright red at this.
"Jonouchi…"
Jonouchi chuckled, grinning sheepishly.
"I'm sorry if I'm kinda hopeless at this… but… Can I be honest for a sec?"
She tilted her head in confusion.
He took a deep breath.
"I've been wanting to ask you out on a date for weeks and had NO idea how to even do that, cause you're amazing and I'm… I'm me…"
"But… I like you as you are." Akane said, brushing his bangs out of his face.
Jonouchi leaned into her hand.
"And I like you the way you are too…" He smiled sheepishly. "Can I make this up to ya? Treat you like the maiden you are?"
"I… I would like that a lot." Akane huddled up to him. "Katsuya…"
Jonouchi tucked her head under his, keeping her close.
"Akane… I'm really happy right now. I know it's not ideal but… I'm really happy I got this chance." He chuckled. "Though uh… question? Are.. you the only dragon girl here?"
"You ran into Kisa-chan."
"Yup… and I mean it when I say this… this is a shock, not gonna lie but I'm alright with it… I'm more than okay with it."
He wasn't sure why.. but this was familiar. The dragon, resting nearby, watching them with a careful gaze… holding her in his arms.
It's… right.
Crimson sat silently, resting her head on her front claws.
So his instincts are intact... Then soon enough he'll remember.
As will the others.
oooooo
The second he got his bearings, Yugi ran out of the school.
He only had one thing on his mind.
The remnants of the magic fading away as he stumbled a little but he wasn't slowing down.
"Careful. Don't forget anything." Yami cautioned.
Yugi texted his sister to go with Mokuba, deciding at this moment he could shirk responsibilities for just one day.
This neighborhood was quiet. He couldn't remember the last time he had been down this way, not in years. As he slowed to a walk, he kept an eye out. He used to walk this way in elementary school all the time. He couldn't forget it even if he tried.
I have to be sure she's okay… I can't just leave her alone.
He broke into a jog when he spotted the apartment building Anzu's family called home. He hurried inside, slowing down in the first hallway.
The second door to the right. A little nameplate, reading: "Mazaki."
Yugi knocked gingerly on the door.
It wasn't long until it opened a crack.
Anzu peered through the door, her eyes widening. She sniffled, shaking her head.
"Yugi…"
"It's okay…" He dug through his jacket pocket, producing a lighter, flicking it on. "We can burn that file to heck."
Her eyes widened before she opened the door fully.
"When did you start carrying that?"
"A while ago." He shrugged, his gaze softening. "Are you okay?"
Anzu crossed her arms, shrugging, lowering her head.
"No… I… She was gonna ruin my life…"
"I know." Yugi frowned. "You didn't deserve that. Any of that."
Anzu sniffled, taking a step back inside, allowing him to enter the apartment.
He quickly took off his shoes before following her further in. He looked around, noting it seemed her parents weren't home yet.
"Folks still at work?"
"Mom's got a temporary thing in Hokkaido, Dad won't be home till really late… It's great for when you wanna cry alone." She wiped at her eyes. "Sorry… Sorry, I got you into this mess."
"Anzu, that wasn't a mess, that was Ms. Chuono having some kinda breakdown." Yugi frowned, touching her shoulder. "I'm not gonna let her get away with what she did. She humiliated Akane, Jonouchi and you. That was NOT okay at all."
"And her snitch?"
"I'm pretty sure Bakura-san is gonna get beaten up by Honda and Jonouchi if he's not careful."
Anzu sniffled.
"Good… " She moved to the couch, sinking down into it.
Yugi sat down beside her, offering an arm. She looked up at him before huddling close, curling up against his side, sobbing.
"I don't wanna lose my dream, Yugi… I thought my future shattered…" She whimpered. "I can't… I've been working so hard!"
"I know… and you won't." Yugi stroked her back, gazing at her. "You're still on track. She can't blab. She won't be able to."
"With the curse you put on her, I'd be shocked if she'll ever have a "good makeup day" again…"
Shush you.
Anzu smiled a little.
"You think?"
"I know so. We could either burn those pictures…"
"I'd like that."
"Or we can go to someone who has seniority with the teachers, like Mahad-sensei… and get more backing from people like my Dad and Pegasus-san."
"... No way Kaiba's rich dad would help US out. We're nobodies."
Yugi chuckled.
"I wouldn't say that, Anzu. You're a force to be reckoned with. I see the way you lead others, when they open their eyes and see you the way I do."
She blushed, shaking her head.
"If it's the way I see you, I'd doubt it… You're the one others listen to."
"Not that often."
"Jonouchi, Honda, Miho and myself would disagree… Akane too I bet and Nat."
Yugi smirked.
"If you could tell that to Nat, I'd love to see it."
Anzu giggled a little.
"I'll tell her off for ya…"
He wiped at her eyes, humming softly.
"That can wait though. Let's focus on you. What can I do to help right now?"
"Can…. Can we just sit here and watch dramas or something?" She sniffled. "Or listen to something?"
"Sure thing."
He leaned back as she huddled closer, her head resting on his shoulder as they started to go through her phone together.
"... Anzu?"
"Hm?"
"... I'm a little afraid of how much you and Nat talk with all of these podcasts."
"Shush and put this one on."
Yugi chuckled, leaning his head back.
"Alright, alright. Whatever the fair lady wants, she gets."
I just… hope you realize how amazing you are to me.
He held her closer, resting his head against hers.
Please… Let me have the strength to protect her.