Monday, 05/07/2001, 12:31 p.m.
Domino High School, second floor, class B.
The sun streamed strongly through the windows. Many students could be seen using whatever they had on hand to fan themselves—books, notebooks, or paper fans.
The aroma of various types of food floated in the air. Several kinds of dishes were visible all over the place.
The chatter was constant, accompanied by the sound of distant footsteps, chopsticks clinking, and the cadence of noise inside the classroom.
"Grrr… zzz…"
Bakura was snoring peacefully at his desk. A poorly closed bento lay beside his head.
Yugi, Anzu, Jonouchi, and Hiroto were gathered, having lunch around two desks pushed together in the middle of the room, all in silence.
Closing her red bento, Anzu looked toward a specific desk located at the back of the classroom, her brow furrowed. The seat in question was empty. A murmur escaped her lips, her tone uncertain.
"Isn't he taking a bit too long?"
Putting her bento away in her brown bag, Anzu stood up and spoke while looking at her friends.
"I'm going to take a walk, guys. Don't wait for me."
As the group nodded, Anzu left the classroom into the hallway. Jonouchi's choked voice could be heard from afar shortly after.
"Alright, who wants to be my next opponent?!"
A few minutes later…
Turning down a hallway to the left, Anzu arrived in front of a large glass window overlooking the city.
The usual noise continued, and a smell of cleaning products filled the air.
With his back to Anzu, a student with medium-length black hair stood leaning against the railing next to the window, gazing into the distance with a thoughtful expression.
No one else was in sight.
Quickening her pace, Anzu opened her eyes slightly in recognition and then smiled, speaking in a relieved tone.
"Shin! I finally found you!"
But Shin kept his gaze on the view, his face lost in thought. Then, now closer to him, Anzu spoke again, this time with a frustrated tone.
"Hey, Shin. Are you listening to me?"
Shin blinked a couple of times, looking puzzled, and then turned his head toward Anzu. His words came out in a nervous tone. An awkward smile marked his lips.
"Anzu. I thought someone else was being called. Forgive me."
Leaning against the railing with a small smile on her lips, Anzu asked while looking at the horizon. The sunlight lit up her face, flushed and sweaty. Her breathing was slightly labored.
"By the way… What are you doing here alone? You know you can be with us, right?"
Nodding, Shin murmured with closed eyes, his expression calm.
"I know."
Biting her lip, Anzu glanced sideways at Shin's face. He looked peaceful. Then she asked, resting her head in her hands.
"So? Why do you keep away from us?"
Opening his eyes, Shin sighed. His gaze met Anzu's and then he spoke in a soft voice.
"Haaa… I guess… I'm resisting letting go of the past… accepting my new life here. It's hard to explain."
Silence took over the moment for a few seconds.
Anzu slowly lowered her head and then murmured with a blushing face.
"I can't speak for my friends here. But… but I'll support you in whatever you need, Shin. You just have to say the word. I owe you a lot."
Looking intently at Anzu's hunched, trembling figure, Shin smiled warmly. A sincere whisper escaped his lips.
"Thank you. You're truly a ray of sunshine, girl. Hmm. And Anzu?"
Raising her head and meeting Shin's gaze, Anzu looked at him with a puzzled expression, her face extremely red and her voice faltering.
"Uh-uh? What is it?"
Shin spoke with a warm voice and a kind expression.
"… Never change."
Clutching her face with her hands abruptly, Anzu began to mutter incoherently, her face red and her breathing erratic.
"I-I. Shin. Wh-why you? I. What do you… mean by… that? Do you? I-I—"
Meanwhile, Shin reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a few cards. Selecting one and putting the rest away, he spoke in a firm voice. A wide smile marked his lips. Taking one of Anzu's hands, he handed her the card.
"Here. Take good care of it."
Anzu looked at the card in her hand with a confused expression, her gaze shifting between Shin and the object.
Wingweaver LV7 ∆Light∆ (Normal) {Fairy} [2750ATK/2400DEF]
"A six-winged fairy who prays for peace and hope."
The card's image showed a small six-winged fairy, blue and feathered, with long purple hair and a round white halo over her head, her eyes closed. She wore a long golden dress and a dark green necklace around her neck. Her feet were bare, and her expression was serene.
Blinking a few times, Anzu spoke in a confused voice.
"I-I. Thought that… Oh, no. I-I. Kyah!"
Then, Anzu ran off with an extremely red face. Her scream echoed loudly down the hallway.
"Shin, you idiot!"
Blinking with a puzzled look, Shin watched as Anzu's figure vanished around the corner at full speed. A confused murmur escaped his lips.
"What the hell is wrong with that girl?"