I would like to start this off with saying: if you ever something that is clearly a blatant mistake - grammar, spelling, wrong character, chapter format fouled up, tell me. I found some stuff the other day in one of my stories that has since been fixed. I can't believe I missed it and no one said anything. I am so embarrassed.
Anyway, next chapter.
It wasn't very often Yuugi had to ride the bus to school, just on the days he was running a little later than usual. Today was one of those days, thanks to a news article that Sugoroku had shared with them. The newspaper was currently in Yuugi's backpack and he was excited to share it with everyone else. In addition to running late, it was Mahou's first time riding the bus to school. Sugoroku had gotten Yuugi a bus pass in case of emergencies and now Mahou had one, too.
The bus pulled up to the stop.
"Come on, Mahou!" Yuugi got on the bus, Mahou right behind him.
The bus was crammed.
"Next stop, Domino High School," announced the driver as they pulled away.
"There's a lot of people on the bus today," Yuugi commented, trying to find space for both of them to stand. "There aren't any seats open."
Mahou took a steady breath. It's just a full bus. Nothing to worry about.
"Morning, Hanasaki-kun!" she heard Yuugi greet.
She looked around and saw a small boy in a blue uniform. He had light hair and glasses. He glanced at them and went back to looking at what was in his hand.
"Do you know him?" Mahou asked Yuugi.
"That's Hanasaki-kun. He's in our class," said Yuugi.
"Ah, right," said Mahou.
"Emergency stop." The bus hit the brakes hard, sending Yuugi stumbling.
"Yuugi!" Mahou cried, seeing him disappear between people. She only managed to stay upright because she fell into someone else. "Sorry, excuse me!"
The passenger got on the bus and they drove off again. Mahou couldn't see Yuugi or hear him for that matter.
He's fine, she told herself. He's just at the back of the bus. Nothing to worry about.
She closed her eyes, trying to block out the feeling of people brushing against her, the very limited space she had to move in, and the amount of people itself.
The bus stopped near the school and the students got off. Mahou turned and looked for Yuugi. He was one of the last off, along with a brute of an upperclassman with a pompadour larger than Honda's. He was carrying a stereo and had headphones on his head. The upperclassman gave her a look and kept walking.
Yuugi looked absolutely miserable.
Mahou watched the upperclassman go into the school. "Yuugi, who was that?"
Yuugi looked at the ground.
"Yuugi," she said louder to get his attention.
"Huh? Oh, that's Souzouji-kun from Class C," he answered. "We were . . . talking . . . Come on, we're going to be late! And we have to tell the others about the news article!" Yuugi smiled and jogged into the school.
Mahou blinked and followed. Something is wrong. That Souzouji guy did something to him.
Yuugi and Mahou went into their classroom.
"Hey, guys! Look at this!" Yuugi took out the newspaper and showed them the article.
Anzu took the newspaper so they could look at it.
"Excavation in Egypt?" Honda read over her shoulder.
"Yeah," replied Yuugi.
"They found a king's grave in the Valley of the Kings," Anzu told them.
There was a picture of two older men accompanying the article.
"Starting Sunday, it'll be on display at Domino City's museum," said Yuugi.
"That sounds fun! Let's go! Let's go!" said Miho.
"The professor who found the grave is a friend of my grandpa. He said he'd show us the excavations."
"The person in the photo, right?" asked Anzu.
"Yes, the man in brown," said Mahou.
Miho was very excited. "Egypt is so mysterious. How lovely!"
Jounouchi stood off to the side looking less than enthused.
"Speaking of which, Yuugi's puzzle was also found in Egypt, right?" Anzu asked.
Yuugi looked down at the Puzzle. "Y-yeah. This is the Millennium Puzzle."
"But Yuugi, didn't your grandpa say the people who found that puzzle all died a mysterious death?" Anzu went on.
Jounouchi freaked out. "Geh! For real? Are you cursed or something, Yuugi?"
"No way!" Yuugi cried. He cupped the Puzzle in one hand. But . . . after completing this puzzle, sometimes I have lapses in my memory. Gotta keep this secret from everyone.
Honda continued looking at the news article. "Look! They found a mummy!"
"Mu-mummy!" stuttered Jounouchi. He turned away.
"What's wrong?" Honda asked him. "You look pale. Don't tell me you're scare of mummies?"
Jounouchi whipped around. "No way!" he vehemently denied.
Honda turned his head to the side and thought, Mummy. This . . . could be very good! A sly grin crossed his face.
A mummy walked around. Miho screamed in terror. She ran to Honda and hugged him. Honda returned the hug tightly.
"Miho-chan! There's nothing to fear! I will protect you . . . even if it costs me my life!"
Miho gazed up at him. "You sure are strong, Honda-kun."
Honda giggled. "All right! Let's go to the Egyptian excavation display!" He pumped his fist in the air.
"Then let's meet at one o'clock at the museum Sunday," said Anzu.
"I'll look forward to it!" said Miho.
Jounouchi was still turned away from them, a worried expression on his face. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he felt something touch his sleeve. "Ack! Mahou!"
"Jounouchi, I need your help," she said quietly.
"Yeah, sure . . ."
"Something happened to Yuugi on the bus this morning," Mahou said. "I don't know what, but I think somebody named Souzouji was involved. Can you keep an eye on him?"
"Of course, Mahou," said Jounouchi.
"Thank you."
The bell rang and they went to their seats.
Mahou didn't see hair nor hide of Souzouji since for the next three days. In fact, she would have forgotten all about it if Yuugi hadn't been depressed those three days. She had tried asking him a few times what was wrong, but was brushed off.
Mahou sat at the dining table with her sketchbook and several other reference books. She was reading from one of the books, pencil poised on her sketchbook. She looked from one to the other a few times before sketching.
Sugoroku looked over her shoulder. "What are you drawing?"
Mahou leaned away so he could see.
Egyptology and anatomy books laid open. Mahou had been drawing the human head, looking at a skull and trying to recreate the face of the mummy in the Egyptology book.
"Reading about Egypt?" he asked. "Preparing for our museum visit this weekend?"
"I'm trying to reconstruct the face," Mahou said, a little frustrated.
"Mm, the funerary masks the Egyptians wore were to guide the spirit back to their body," said Sugoroku. "If the spirit couldn't recognize their body, they couldn't return to it."
Mahou nodded. "I remember reading that their faces were really important in death. I wanted to try to give it back to them."
"Admirable, but don't expect to get it on your first try, Mahou," said Sugoroku told her. In a quieter voice, he added, "You don't have to."
Mahou gave a dejected hum.
"I'm leaving now, Grandpa!" Yuugi called, walking out.
"Be safe!" Sugoroku called back.
"Where is Yuugi going?" Mahou asked.
"To a karaoke room," replied Sugoroku. "One of his friends from school invited him."
A karaoke room? But I don't think any of them like karaoke, thought Mahou. Who would have invited him?
"Actually I'm surprised you're not going with him," Sugoroku added. "You two have been attached at the hip since you arrived here."
Something isn't right, Mahou thought. I wonder . . . what if this has to do with Yuugi's behavior?
She jumped up and hurried to clean the table. "Ah, I forgot all about it! I'm supposed to go with!"
"Leave it! You're already late!" Sugoroku told her. "Go! Go!"
Mahou ran out of the shop a few minutes later to try to catch up with Yuugi.
Yuugi sat in the karaoke room, head down and timidly jingling a set of hand bells. He sweated nervously, knowing he was in trouble.
Up on stage was Souzouji, dressed in a white suit with lots of decorative fringe and had on a pair of aviator sunglasses. "Yuugi . . . What did you just say?" Souzouji growled. He jumped off the stage and grabbed Yuugi by the front of his shirt. "Are you saying you didn't even sell one ticket?" he shouted in his face.
"I-I'm sorry, but everyone was busy today . . ." Yuugi defended weakly. "But . . . I'll listen to your songs, Souzouji . . ."
"Damn right!" yelled Souzouji. "You'll stay with me all night! And it's gonna be a live show of blood!"
The door opened.
Souzouji snarled. "What do you want? You're interrupting my time!"
Mahou slipped in and closed the door behind her. "Excuse me, I know I am late." She bowed at the waist. She was still dressed in her school blouse and skirt, but had pulled on a purple sweater.
Souzouji and Yuugi were surprised.
"Mahou . . ." whispered Yuugi.
Souzouji let go of Yuugi's shirt. "I see you did manage to get somebody to come."
"I paid at the front," Mahou said awkwardly.
"Hn, Yuugi was supposed to sell you a ticket, but I guess it's okay," said Souzouji. "Have a seat. I was just about to get started."
Mahou sat down next to Yuugi.
"What are you doing here?" Yuugi whispered.
"I knew something happened," Mahou whispered back. "You've been sad ever since I saw you with him."
Souzouji handed them both headphones. "First of all, you'll listen with these!"
Yuugi and Mahou put them on.
Souzouji plugged the jacks in. "Maximum volume!" He turned the volume dial up. He got back up on stage and grabbed the microphone. "Let's start with my favorite! Let's go!" He opened his mouth and bellowed into the microphone.
Yuugi and Mahou jumped at the noise. The backing track and the sounds coming out of Souzouji's mouth was agony, and thanks to the volume turned all the way up, it was loud! Both were cringing in their seats, trying not to throw off the headphones.
H-he can't be human! Yuugi thought.
Mahou whimpered.
The song ended.
"Yow! That made me shiver! Now before the next song, let's introduce our special guest!" Souzouji walked over to the stage curtain and pulled it back. "Ta-da!"
Yuugi and Mahou gasped.
Hanasaki was crumpled on the floor, bruises and blood all over him and his glasses were broken.
"Hanasaki-kun!" Yuugi jumped up and ran over to him.
"Heh heh heh . . . Look at the poor thing. That must hurt," mocked Souzouji. "It's your fault for stealing his tickets, Yuugi!"
"Hanasaki-kun! I'm sorry!" Yuugi told him. "I was only trying to help . . ."
Hanasaki moaned and opened his eyes. "I'm the one who should apologize, Yuugi-kun . . . This would have happened no matter what . . . I'm being punished for trying to sell that ticket to you . . . You tried to take on my burden . . . I'm really sorry . . ." His eyes slipped shut.
"Hanasaki-kun!"
The Millennium Puzzle began to glow.
Yuugi got to his feet. "How could you . . . how could you do this to my friend, Hanasaki . . . I won't forgive you . . ." He turned around and pulled the headphones off and yanked the jack out. "Now, it's game time!"
Mahou's eyes widened seeing the other Yuugi.
Yuugi glared at Souzouji.
Souzouji expression turned to confusion. "Hn? Hey, hey, hey! What's that look supposed to mean? You got something to say to me?"
Yuugi chuckled. "Souzouji, let me ask you one question! Are you a coward?"
"What?"
"If you aren't, then don't try and escape from the little game I'm going to start," said Yuugi.
"A game?" Souzouji was taken aback. I-is this really Yuugi? It's like he's possessed. . .
An unhinged grin spread across Yuugi's face. "I call it . . . the silence game! But it won't be an ordinary game of silence . . . it will be a Yami Game."
Mahou felt the blood drain from her face. Please don't be like last time. She recalled the grotesque sight and the screams for help from the wristwatch collector.
"Before I explain the rules of the game, let me get some tools!" Yuugi picked up two creepy looking clown toys that were sitting the room. He sat them down at either end of the long table, sliding one across the table to Souzouji. "This toy is called Sound Pierrot – that's French for 'clown'. By coincidence, there's two right here in this room. If you make a noise near it, a sensor reacts and it starts dancing! By the rules of the game, after the signal to start neither one of us will make a sound. We must keep perfectly silent! Not even cracking your knuckles! That's why a pierrot has been placed in front of each of us. The first one to make a sound and make the clown dance loses! Sound good?"
"What happens if you lose, Yuugi?" asked Souzouji.
"I give you my life!" announced Yuugi. "But if you lose, you have to pay the price!"
"Interesting!" said Souzouji.
They turned on the pierrots.
Yuugi went to take his seat. "Mahou-san, see to Hanasaki-kun."
Mahou nodded and got up from her seat, leaving the headphones on the cushion. As she walked by the pierrot, it started dancing.
Those are really sensitive! I wasn't even being loud and it picked up on my footsteps!
She went up to Hanasaki. He was out cold. She looked back at the two players. Yuugi was sitting with his arms and legs crossed, completely confident. Souzouji was much the same, the microphone still in his hand.
Doesn't he ever put that thing down? Mahou wondered.
Yuugi made a signal with his hand. The game had begun.
Silence . . . this is a game I'm good at, thought Mahou. "Please, turn on the light! Don't leave me in the dark!" "Shut up, you stupid brat, or I'll really give you something to cry about!" "Don't leave me in the dark! Aah! No! Stop!" "I hear so much as a peep out of you, I'll make it hurt! You'll still be able to paint, but it won't be fun. Now shut up!"
Yuugi and Souzouji stared down each other, neither of them moving.
Tch, thought Souzouji, the karaoke room is supposed to ring with my singing voice! It's not right to be silent! But, if I win this game, I'll beat you worse than Hanasaki with my "Hundred Melodies of Death"!
The game continued for several long minutes.
Mahou looked down at Hanasaki. As long as he stays unconscious, we should be fine. She looked back up at the players. They were still in the same positions. It was then Mahou noticed something alarming. Oh, no! Yuugi!
Yuugi still had his headphones around his neck, but the cord had been unplugged. Somehow, even after the moving around he did to set up the pierrots, the jack was balanced precariously on the rim of the drinking glass on the table
Mahou wasn't the only one who noticed.
Souzouji's eyes lit up. That fool hasn't realized it! When he yanked out the headphones, the jack stuck on the rim of that glass! It's only a matter of time before it tips over and makes a noise! This game is mine! Heh heh heh . . . Fall! Fall!
Mahou and Souzouji watched the jack wobble on the glass's edge.
The toy is so sensitive, Yuugi can't move! thought Mahou. I don't think he's even noticed! And I can't get his attention!
Souzouji was focused on the pierrot. My heart is pounding. Heh heh . . . This is exciting! Fall already!
The jack still didn't fall.
Souzouji's face twisted in anger. Dammit . . . When is it going to fall? Come on, fall!
Mahou nearly screamed when Souzouji's pierrot started dancing.
Souzouji was confused. The pierrot is dancing! But the jack hasn't fallen! Then what sound -?
"That's the sound of your heart!" Yuugi said, pointing at Souzouji.
He turned around and looked at the speakers behind him. "Impossible! Heartbeats from the speaker?" Souzouji looked down at his hand, horrified. "The mic . . . and I put the volume to max . . ."
"Your habit of holding onto the mic no matter how much it annoys people has done you in!" said Yuugi. "You lose, Souzouji! The Door of Darkness has been opened!" He pointed at him.
A look of horror crossed Souzouji's face. He let out a scream and put his fingers in his ears. "M-make it stop! The noise! The noise!"
Yuugi walked over to Mahou and helped a now somewhat conscious Hanasaki to his feet. He looked over his shoulder at the screaming teen.
"Rock music has eight beats, right?" he asked. "I hear that came from the basic rhythm of the heart . . . the rhythm that most stimulates a person! From now on, you can sing to the beating of your own tell-tale heart! That's just perfect for a 'human karaoke' like you!"
Yuugi helped Hanasaki out of the room, Mahou following. She closed the karaoke room door behind them. It could be some time before Souzouji was found by staff. Especially since the staff didn't seem to notice three teens, one seriously beaten, walk out.
"Y-yuugi-kun?"
"It's all right now, Hanasaki-kun," assured Yuugi.
"W-where . . . ?"
"We just left the karaoke room," Mahou answered.
"Oh . . ." Hanasaki tried to straighten himself up. "Thank you for helping me . . ." He tried to bow, but almost fell over.
"Think nothing of it," said Yuugi. "Can we walk you home?"
"You've already done enough for me," said Hanasaki. "Can you get me to the bus stop? I can get home from there."
"Okay," said Yuugi.
They walked him to the bus stop.
Mahou was stretched out on her bed, a cold cloth across her eyes. Her ears were ringing and aching from Souzouji's noise. She barely heard the tapping on her door.
"Mahou? Are you still awake?"
Mahou moved the cloth and saw Sugoroku leaning in.
He came in and sat on her bed. "Are you not feeling well?"
"I have a headache," she murmured.
"Maybe you shouldn't have gone to the karaoke room," said Sugoroku. "Speaking of which, you two came home early. Did something happen?"
"There was an electrical problem," Mahou lied.
"Well that's unfortunate," said Sugoroku. "Did you have a good time while it lasted?"
Mahou hesitated. "Karaoke isn't for me," she settled on saying.
Sugoroku chuckled warmly at her answer. "At least you tried it." He got up. "Good night."
Mahou nodded and he pulled the door so it was almost closed. She put the cloth back over her eyes.
"M-make it stop! The noise! The noise!"
Mahou pulled the cloth off and shuddered. She rolled over and curled up on her side.
I was thinking about skipping the Hard Beat chapter from the manga and just carrying right into The Man From Egypt. Then I thought about Hanasaki having a place in my childhood memory and wanted to include him. Throughout the entirety of planning these chapters, it's always been a weighing of anime versus manga – what I want to involve from each side. Including this chapter also gets readers to see the growth of Mahou before some major events in the series occur. That being said, it's very clear the next chapter is going to be dealing with the Egyptian exhibit and a certain guardian. This is a chapter I've been planning since the start of this story.