Yuugi was in shock. The last thirty seconds playing on repeat in his mind, like a broken VCR. All he could see was the glint of cold steel, growing larger and larger, spelling only one thing, his death.

"Yuugi!" A voice yelled.

Instantly he was outside school grounds, in the middle of the spring night. His eyes were blurry, and he could feel himself shaking. Then he noticed a feeling of fear, but it was not his own.

"Y-Yami?" Yuugi said hesitantly. Are you okay?

Never mind me, Yami shouted in their mind. What about you!?

Me? What happened? He realised why his vision was so blurry was because their body was crying. He could not tell if the tears were his or Yami's.

We were in the middle of the Shadow Game and Ushio had the knife in his hand, and then when I went to dodge it felt like you suddenly froze up, I could not feel anything from you, even after we won and- Oh, God. I'm so sorry Yuugi. I never meant to scare you like that. Please, forgive me!

Yuugi could feel his other self's panic. We won?

Yes, we won. Ushio faced the Penalty Game, but I never should have suggested it in the first place. I scared you too much and-

Yami! Yuugi interrupted Breathe with me!

What?

Breathe with me. In-

Yuugi, what are you-

Breathe! Okay? In... Together, they closed their eyes and sucked in as much air as they could through their nose. Out... They closed their eyes and then exhaled through their mouth. In...

In... Yami repeated.

Out...

Out...

After many repeated deep breaths, their body stopped shaking. When their eyes opened, the empty street was a lot clearer. Are we okay? Yuugi asked, as he guided their body to the nearby bus stop.

I am... They sat down and hugged their arms around their self. Calmer than I was before.

That's good. Yuugi nodded.

Yami furrowed their eyebrows. But what about you Yuugi?

You can feel how I feel, right? He gripped onto their shoulders to emphasise. I'm okay right now.

Yes, but before-

Before just gave me a scare, he explained. I'm okay now.

"Yuugi..." Yami said out loud. Yuugi could feel the intense waves of guilt from him. "I am so sorry."

Yuugi shook their head and sent back feelings of assurance. You don't have to apologise Yami.

"But I do," Yami insisted. I did not account for how violently Ushio may have acted, and that put you in a dangerous situation.

Yeah, it was dangerous, but you got me out of there, right? He focussed on the memory of Yami jumping away from Ushio.

But-

"Right?"

... Yes, you are right.

If anything, I should be apologising for not being helpful and just freezing when Ushio almost stabbed us.

You could not help your reaction, Yuugi. You have nothing to apologise for.

If that's the case, I think we should both agree that we don't need to apologise. Deal?

Yuugi... "Deal."

Yuugi smiled. Let's go home, Yami.

Yes. Let us be on our way.

They stood up from the bus stop bench and walked the empty path back to Grandpa's game shop. Their arms still hugged their body as their feet scuffed the pavement. They could still faintly hear in the distance the incoherent ramblings from Ushio about a large sum of money he had discovered.

Hey, Yami?

Yes, Yuugi?

What happened at the end there? He asked, referring to the strange lights and sounds that occurred during the punishment game.

I am not entirely sure myself to be honest.

Oh... Yeah, I guess I'd already know what was happening if you knew. You were on autopilot when all of that happened, right.

It would seem that way, it was as if I instinctively knew what I was meant to do.

Maybe you used to do that sort of thing all the time before you met me?

Perhaps... I think it was the puzzle, not me, that conjured most the magic of the Shadow Game.

Yeah, I think so too. What was Ushio talking about when he said something about an eye.

Yami repeated the memory of right before the Penalty Game for Yuugi.

Was that the heat we felt on our forehead? A third eye.

I would assume so.

Then you said it only appears to those who 'trespass on our soul" while you were on autopilot. What does that mean?

Suddenly a sentence appeared at the forefront of their mind. "Those who have trespassed on my soul must face the Penalty Game," Yami quoted. Is that something from my past?

Maybe, but then why did you say 'our soul' instead of 'my?'

I am not certain, but perhaps it is because I am with you?

Is that what this is? Are we sharing a soul?

Just as Yuugi said that they came to a standstill as an inexplicable feeling of rightness swept through them.

"Woah," they exclaimed together.

What was that? Yami asked.

I don't know, Yuugi replied.

"We share a soul?" They both said aloud, and the feeling of contentment multiplied tenfold. All of their muscles began to relax, and their chest started to feel warm and fuzzy.

That felt... good, said Yuugi.

Suddenly, Yami smirked. The way you said that sounded promiscuous.

Yuugi could feel their face heating up. "Yami!"

Yami's hearty chuckle burst through Yuugi's embarrassment. Well, it did.

I didn't mean it that way, he pouted.

I know, but I could not help myself. It is far easier to think of things than to say them, there is no filter.

Yuugi could only hum angrily in response.

They let out a yawn as they entered through the back entrance of the game shop.

Hopefully, we don't wake up Grandpa.

Well, we had best be careful not to make too much noise.

Yeah, with clumsy old me?

I can take over. There is no need to worry.

Thanks, Yami.

Anytime, Yuugi.

As they walked up the stairs to their room, Yami put their foot onto the ground very lightly. Only when their foot was placed, Yami shifted their weight onto it. The result was that their footsteps created no sound, whatsoever. However, the shifting of their weight caused the building to creak around them.

This did not go as planned, said Yami.

Still quieter than I would have been.

When they reached Yuugi's room and closed the door behind them, they were faced with another issue.

What happens if we take off the puzzle? Yuugi asked.

We will not know if you never take it off.

But what if you disappear!?

We can greet each other again in the morning.

Oh... yeah. I guess we can.

They took the cord off of around their neck and placed the puzzle on Yuugi's desk, and then they let go of the artifact. Yuugi could not tell if there was much of a difference.

I am still here, Yami observed.

That's good.

Though I would hazard a guess to say that we would not be able to play Shadow Games without it.

That's alright. We don't need them all the time, right?

I should certainly hope so. You would lead an exciting though dangerous life if you needed them that often.

You find danger exciting?

I guess I do. I did somewhat enjoy myself tonight, even if it scared you.

Yami, it's alright. You helped me out when I needed it. Even if it scared the heck out me, it was still worth it. And besides. I got to meet you, didn't I?

Yes, you did. A gift all in itself.

Yuugi chuckled, and suddenly let out a large and undignified yawn.

We should head to bed, Yami suggested.

Yeah.

Yuugi and Yami went to the bathroom to brush their teeth. It still amazed Yuugi how easy it was to move around and control his movement with Yami in control at the same time. After they rinsed their mouth, they turned around to face a very difficult predicament.

Uh... Yami? Yuugi asked hesitantly.

Yes, Yuugi? Yami responded.

I... What do we do about this?

The issue was right in front of them. An activity that a person did every day of their life. There was no issue when one person was involved. But when two people were controlling the same body, it would lead to unfortunate circumstances. They could not separate for just this, as the puzzle was in another room entirely, and they were still together in the same body. Thus, Yuugi and Yami stood in front of the toilet, stumped.

Luckily, Yami had a perfectly logical and succinct response on hand for this exact situation.

Ah.