Monday, 05/14/2001, 7:52 a.m.
Domino High School, second floor, Class B.
A dim light filtered through the windows, illuminating the room inside.
Outside, the sky was gray with white cracks.
The scent of wet earth drifted in with the gusts of wind.
Rain was pouring down heavily over Domino City. Its sound blended with several voices in an unintelligible murmur of footsteps and distant creaks.
Only five students were in sight.
At a desk in the back of the classroom, Shin stared at the weather unfolding with a vacant expression, his head resting on his right hand.
Some sparrows flew past the window under the downpour. Shin followed them with his gaze, sighing, until they disappeared from view.
"Haaa..."
A second later, Yugi and Anzu entered the classroom. Their steps echoed against the floor. Both quickly fixed their eyes on Shin.
Frowning, Shin glanced sideways at the entrance. One of his eyebrows arched, and a small smile curled his lips.
Anzu and Yugi placed their school supplies on their desks and then walked over to Shin's seat. Anzu raised her hand and greeted him in a soft voice. A smile painted her lips.
"Hey, Shin. How's it going? Congrats on the championship, by the way."
Yugi mirrored her greeting with an excited tone, his expression calm.
"Hi, Shin. I knew you'd win! Congratulations! Though I regret not being able to see the duel live. I watched the replay."
Shin nodded to both of them and then murmured his greeting, his face calm. A small smile tugged at his lips.
"Thanks, guys. How was your weekend?"
Yugi scrunched up his nose and answered in a frustrated tone.
"I think I'm starting to really hate math. I spent almost the whole time studying. Mom won't leave me alone after my last test grade."
After a brief shared chuckle, Anzu raised a finger to her lips and commented playfully.
"Hehe. Me...? Girl's secret!"
Yugi shrugged and shook his head toward Shin. Shin glanced at the girl for a second and then spoke in a calm voice. His gaze returned to the view of Domino City through the windows. The rain seemed to be easing in the distance.
"Such a mysterious girl, huh? You got a haircut, right? ...The ends, I can tell. You're also wearing a new jacket, so I'd say you went shopping. And... that blue hairclip is new, isn't it?"
Huffing, Anzu tilted her head and crossed her arms, her face slightly red. She glanced sideways at Shin's figure as he gazed melancholically at the horizon. A few rays of sunlight lit up his figure, and in the distance, the gray sky was beginning to show a faint blue with white clouds.
"Humph."
Frowning, Anzu muttered in an annoyed voice, her expression nervous and her face red.
"You noticed?"
Shin turned and nodded, looking her straight in the eyes. His reply was brief, his tone calm.
"Hum. It's a bad habit of mine. Sorry. I spoke too much and out of turn."
Resting her cheek in the palm of her hand, Anzu bit her lower lip and then spoke in a frustrated tone, her face blushing and her words halting.
"Th-that's not something you do to a girl, Shin! Y-you have to make it up to me somehow! That's it!"
Blinking a few times with a confused face, Shin muttered with a slight grimace of discomfort, his voice shaky.
"Make it up to you? W-what do you mean?"
Stomping closer to him, Anzu leaned in and whispered in his ear with a determined expression, her face extremely red and her voice faltering. Shin squirmed in his seat, his brow furrowed.
"I-I want you to take me on a date, Shin!"
Then, Anzu slammed both hands on the desk. Her breathing was heavy, and her cheeks were burning. Her words came out sharply.
"Today, this afternoon. No excuses."
Shin jumped in his seat, eyes wide open, then nodded silently, swallowing hard.
"Gulp."
Anzu returned to her desk, sat down stiffly, and hid her head in her hands. A sharp squeal escaped her a second later.
"Kyah!"
Shin and Yugi stared at Anzu with confused expressions and open mouths. Then they looked at each other, and Shin asked in a dry voice:
"What just happened?"
Yugi scratched his head and then raised his hands in bewilderment. His words came out in a lost tone.
"No idea... But... I think she asked you out... Scary!"
At that moment, Anzu suddenly lifted her head from the desk and turned toward Yugi with a piercing look, her words carrying a final tone.
"Yugi."
Yugi flinched in place, then ran to his desk, whispering with his eyes shut:
"Sorry, Shin! Good luck!"
Shin blinked a few times before sighing, his expression dark.
"Haaa..."
Rolling his eyes, Shin muttered in a frustrated tone, his gaze fixed on Anzu's back.
"That girl. Is she really in love with me? What a pain. Heh... though I gotta admit, I didn't see that coming."