Yuugi was startled awake by the familiar incessant blaring of his alarm clock.

What is that ungodly racket, yelled a foreign voice in his head. It took a moment for him to realise that it was the mental voice of his new friend, Yami.

Oh, Yuugi thought. It wasn't a dream.

How is dreaming relevant right now!? Stop that infernal noise!

Yuugi brought their hand up to the alarm clock and smacked the button. You could have done it too you know, he lamented.

Well, I apologise for being upset and disoriented after being abruptly woken up by a damned harpy screaming in my ear.

Yuugi ignored his other self's grumpiness. Morning, Yami.

Yami sighed. Good morning, Yuugi.

They sat up in their bed. We have to get ready for school. Yuugi thought absently. Are you sure Ushio won't try anything?

I am certain.

Okay. They rubbed the sleep out of their eyes and began Yuugi's morning routine.

If Yuugi was embarrassed last night having to use the toilet with another person, this was nothing compared to not only having to change clothes and underwear but having to shower with another person. Luckily, Yami had standards when he would humorously embarrass his partner.

Don't think about it, don't think about it, don't think about it, don't-

The fact that that you are saying that only brings more attention to it, Yami pointed out.

Well, Yuugi asked heatedly. What else are we supposed to do?

If I knew, we wouldn't be doing this in the first place!

Yuugi groaned. Seriously, no bright ideas!?

Unless we can find a way of distracting ourselves, I have nothing.

What in the world would be more distracting than taking a shower with two people sharing the same body!?

I have no damned idea! Let us just get in there and do this as fast as possible! Yami brought their hands around their shirt.

Yuugi fought against his other self and brought their hands to a standstill. Oh god, what did I do to deserve this!

It is not my fault you solved an Ancient Egyptian puzzle with magic powers! Screw your courage to the sticking place and help me strip!

They were not entirely sure if the screams they made were inside their head or were shouted out loud.

On the bright side, Yuugi set a personal record for the fastest shower that morning, and miraculously, Yami and Yuugi were able to prevent their ever-heating face from setting fire to their eyebrows. Though the fact that they were drenched at the time may have had something to do with it.

They decided as they descended the stairs to the kitchen for breakfast, that the less they thought about it the better.

"Ah! Morning, Yuugi!" Grandpa called over his bowl of miso soup.

Mum was busy serving herself some bacon and eggs. "Morning," she greeted distractedly.

They froze.

Uh, said Yuugi. Yami, what do we tell them?

At this point, act as you normally would.

Easier said than done.

Yes, but would we rather try to explain this now when we have school to attend?

Well... no.

We can think about it later.

"Are you okay, Yuugi?" Grandpa asked.

"Oh, uh, yeah. Just thinking," he explained. Only, you know, with two of us using the same head, he thought as he took a seat next to Grandpa.

Yami failed to suppress the urge to smirk.

Grandpa gave them an evaluating look, the one where he raised an eyebrow and the corner of his mouth dragged down, quietly scoffed with a smile and then returned to his breakfast.

When they arrived at school later that morning, they found Ushio sitting in a large pile are leaves and garbage. There were stains of beer lining his trench coat, and his hands were caked with muck. The stench of an unwashed teenager was not the only thing that convinced all the other students walking by to give him a wide berth.

"This money is all mine," Ushio screamed through damaged vocal cords. "Mine!"

Yuugi frowned as he saw his eyes, still looking as if there were thousands of tiny bug scuttling across Ushio's irises. Uh... Yami?

Yes, Yuugi?

The Penalty Game ends once he's learned his lesson, right?

As far as I know.

So, he'll be alright eventually?

There is no need to worry, Yuugi, Yami assured. Ushio is receiving no more and no less than what he deserves. He will be back to normal and become a less greedy person eventually. Yet Yami could feel that his partner's emotions did not change. You are still unsure?

I don't know, I just... Yuugi scratched the back of his head. I don't know what it is, but I feel like we shouldn't have done what we did. I agree he deserves it, but...

You cannot put a finger a why it bothers you? Yami suggested.

Yeah...

I could apologise if you wanted me to.

Yuugi shook their head. No, it's not your fault, Yami. You've done nothing wrong.

Either way, if you have any issues, you are always free to consult me.

Thanks, Yami.

Anytime, Yuugi.

They continued on their way to class, briefly stopping to change their shoes. As they walked through the hallways, Yuugi looked down at the Millennium Puzzle hanging from their neck. Yuugi still could not quite believe what had happened in the last twenty-four hours. He solved a puzzle that no one else could for three thousand years, he gained the power of the Shadow Games, and most of all, his deepest wish for a friend was granted in the form of what seemed to be an ancient spirit. The only thing that he thought was weird about sharing his body with the spirit, (other than having to do things together that shall go unnamed,) was that it did not seem to bother him. In actuality, he emphatically enjoyed the feeling of having a co-pilot of his own body and mind.

I do as well, Yami agreed. Though that might be because I cannot remember anything from before I met you.

You have to admit that it is kinda weird, right?

Oh, most definitely.

They were interrupted from their thoughts by a greeting from someone leaning against the wall. "Yo, Yuugi," said the bruised and battered student. He had multiple bandages plastered onto his face.

"Ah, Jounouchi!" Yuugi exclaimed.

"Good morning." Yami greeted, despite knowing that Jounouchi would think that it was Yuugi who had said it.

"Mornin'. How are you d-" Suddenly, he stood off the wall and looked up and down Yuugi. "Woah! How'd you heal so fast?"

"Huh?" Yuugi brought his hand up to his cheek where he remembered there being a distinctly painful bruise. The was no spike of pain.

Now that I think about it, said Yami. I do not remember feeling any injuries myself, I only remember it through your memories.

How did we miss that?

We may have been distracted at the time.

That's an understatement. Yuugi took their puzzle in their hand. Was it the puzzle?

I think that is likely.

"Hey, why you staring at your jewellery like that," asked Jounouchi.

"Maybe," they replied thoughtfully. "The puzzle did it?"

"Your treasured puzzle? You solved it?"

"Yeah, I did!" Yuugi beamed.

"And then it got rid o' all your bruises and stuff?"

"Possibly," Yami commented.

Jounouchi closed his eyes and leaned his head to one side. "I dunno, that seems kinda unrealistic."

"You could try wearing it to see if it heals you," Yuugi suggested.

"Me?" he rubbed his chin. "Nah, this is nothing. Happens all the time." Jounouchi took a long look at the puzzle, then shook his head. "You can keep the treasure; I've already got a treasure of my own."

"Really, what is it?" Yuugi asked excitedly. "Can I see?"

Eager, are we?

Shut up.

Jounouchi chuckled lightly. "Sorry, but you can't see it," he exclaimed, superiorly.

Yami was about to protest and say that he was being rather mean spirited, but Jounouchi continued.

"Cause it's somethin' you can show but can't see. Wanna guess what it is?"

"Something you can show, but can't see," Yuugi repeated. That's the riddle the puzzle box had, but that doesn't seem right. Any ideas Yami?

The fact that you cannot see the treasure may mean it is not a physical thing. Perhaps it is something metaphysical, or an emotion? Yami hypothesised. "What could it be?"

"Ya give up?" Before Yuugi or Yami could respond, Jounouchi continued. "C'mon, it's friendship!" He gave them a sincere smile. "Thanks for standin' up for me yesterday, and showin' that we're friends."

Their eyes widened. Yuugi could not believe it. Jounouchi told them that he was Yuugi's friend. He always wanted a friend, and he got his wish in Yami but would have never believed that he would have more than one. He had friends. Friends, plural! Yami could not help but share the utter joy that flowed through his partner, something stirred inside himself, and that only added to the elation that Yuugi felt. They were over the moon.

Their beaming smile was almost blinding. "Anytime, Jounouchi," they said in synchronicity.

"Uh, yeah..." An awkward silence filled the hallway. Jounouchi rubbed his nose, as he struggled to maintain eye-contact. "Well, later!" Suddenly, he bolted. "See you in class," he yelled as his shoe came loose and flew through the air, headed for their face.

Yami deftly caught the shoe with what felt like practiced ease. "Wait, Jounouchi," he shouted back as he ran to catch up. "You dropped your shoe!"