Chapter Text
A/N: Hello, everyone. 2020 has been difficult but I am alright and so is my family. I now have enough motivation to type the rest of the story and the others I have that have been on hiatus since the start od the year. But note, I will now be posting once a month for each of my fan stories. Twice if I feel motivated enough. All I ask now is that you be patient and stick with me through this journey. Now please, enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh! Nor claim it’s plot or characters as my own. This story is non-profit and is purely fan-made. I only own Iris and any other characters that were not in the show or manga.
Chapter 8
Monday had come once again. Iris was the first to wake in the Mutou household to prepare the morning meal before moving to start the laundry that did not join the rest over the weekend. While the washing machine did its purpose, she then returned to the kitchen to prepare and pack her cousins bento. She would have made another for Jonouchi, but she felt that the lad was too headstrong and was not the type to owe anyone multiple favors. Speaking of Yugi’s friends, during the popularity contest some interesting events happened. Jonouchi embarrassing himself on stage, the sabotage that nearly ruined Anzu’s performance, Miho and Anzu’s swimwear ripped to shreds, to the red-headed Kaoruko, who suddenly dumped a bucket of water over herself on stage in front of the whole student body. No doubt Pharaoh had a hand in it somehow.
Once seeing Yugi off Iris helped her grandfather with the shop. Apparently, he had received new deliveries over the weekend, thus helped him with the inventory check and display the new games as per her grandfather’s instruction.
“Iris, take a look at this!” Sugoroku called her, thus turned her head towards his direction. He was holding something in his hands, a grin on his face. Iris raised a brow, confused to what the old man was up to until he fully showed her the item.
“Is that a Harpy Lady costume?”
Her grandfather nodded, his grin grew wider. “It’s one of the few other Duel Monster costumes that arrived from Industrial Illusions. Halloween will be in a couple of months, I thought I’d stock up on them in advance.”
Iris couldn’t help but show an awkward smile. She had completely forgotten that her last employer manufactured those. It goes to show just how eccentric he is. “Way to prepare, Jii-chan.”
Sugoroku’s chest warmed at the complement his granddaughter gave him. The two of them then returned to stocking the shop and tending to customers until noon time. There were also a couple of boys flirting with Iris when she was managing the counter. And let’s just say they received the smack on their rear-ends for their crass behaviour. But when time came towards early afternoon, Sugoroku was struck with an idea.
“Iris, I’ve been thinking.” The tone her Jii-chan had made her feel weary all of a sudden.
“Yes?” she urged despite her unease as she paused in wiping the counter.
The senior fiddled his thumbs as he has the decency to look ashamed. “Would you mind, if it’s not too much trouble, could possibly advertise some of the costumes?”
Iris stared at her grandfather for a long while, but as he started squirm under her gaze, she gave him an incredulous look. “What brought this up? Truthfully I don’t mind, but you have to give me a reason.”
“If I were to say that it is to boost our stores sales and that I missed seeing my granddaughter to wear cute costumes and be the shops mascot, would you even mind?” Well she did ask for a reason. But that,
“Jii-chan, that was a poor excuse of a reason. And what do you even mean by that? I wore costumes, too. And so does Yugi.”
“True, but you completely stopped doing so when you turned nine years old. I haven’t seen you wearing any since.” Sugoroku kept on insisting. Iris flushed on that accusation.
“T-That’s not true! I’ve worn costumes before after that.” Her grandfather raised a brow at that, not convinced in the slightest.
“Oh really? Then name one costume, then. Just one.” Taking the chance the young woman was about to answer when he cut her off.
“And formal dresses are not in that category.”
“.....nk.”*
“Iris!” Sugoroku was aghast at the swear that left her granddaughters mouth.
“Sorry!”
“You better be sure not to let Yugi know of such language, young lady.”
Iris looked away from the scolding look of her jii-chan. It is hilarious really. Her soul older than the man before her is the one being scolded like a child.
“I won’t.” Her grandpa smiled in satisfaction at her answer before going back to the topic.
“So, about those costumes?”
She just sighed before finally agreeing with a smile on her face. “When will I start?”
Sugoroku grinned. “Right now!”
*†*‡*†*
Yugi smiled widely. The reason being that his friends are coming over to his house for a group study in both their Science and Math homework.
“Are you sure your jii-chan and cousin won’t mind?” Anzu asked again to make sure that were not intruding.
Yugi Shook his head. “They won’t mind, Anzu. I’m sure they’d be happy to have you guys over!”
“If you’re sure...”
“Really glad that we get to work on these homework together. Math just keeps getting harder and harder. What do you even need those numbers for?” Jonouchi grouched, scratching his head in irritation.
“The fact that it keeps structures like homes and buildings from falling over?” Honda answer teasingly with a sarcastic remark to which got his friend irked.
“Whatever. And no one asked you!”
The group laughed at two’s usual antics, not noticing that they’ve arrived at their destination. And thus it was Miho that shifted their attention back to the present.
“Hey, Yugi. Why are there a lot of people in front of the shop?” because really. You cannot possibly the cluster of people outside the storefront. And mentioning it has garnered her friends’ immediate attention.
Yugi was, of course, perplexed. “That’s weird. Jii-chan should have told me if the shop was having sale or I would have come home a lot earlier.”
“Please consider the Kame Game shop for your gaming needs. Please consider us!” a familiar voice reaches their ears. The group rushed the last few steps and quickly reached the crowed. Excusing themselves, they pushed through the cluster until they’ve reached the other side.
“Is that...?” The friends looked at each other before returning their gaze back to Yugi’s cousin.
“Please consider us!” Iris spoke with a smile on her face as she handed out the store’s flyers. Despite wearing the dress and wig, no one can mistake those eyes of hers.
“Iris?” The friends gasped. This immediately caught said young woman’s attention.
“Oh. Hey, guys! School’s over, I see.” She smiled. Face flushed. She then gestured them to come inside the shop. The front was not the place to hang around. But the teenager’s paused by the entrance.
“What are you wearing?” Honda went straight to the point.
Iris blinked before smiling before giving them a twirl. “What do you guys think? Not bad for someone as old as me. The Aromage costumes are still new but they’ll sell very well for girls around Miho and Anzu’s age.”
“Aromage... Wait-the Duel Monsters card, that Aromage: Rosemary?” Yugi asked in earnest as he looked at his cousin over carefully. And honestly, she looked pretty good.
Anzu, who was very curious, asked. “What bought this on?”
Iris let out an airy laugh. “This is actually jii-chan’s idea. Hear asked me to wear some of the costumes to advertise for Halloween. You can say I’m the stores mascot for the while.”
Yugi let out a sigh. “Oh, jii-chan. How long does this last?”
“Not that long. Just the whole week.” She told them with a smile.
“And you don’t mind? Really?” the blonde of their group incredulously asked.
The short young woman shook her head. “I don’t mind. Plus, I’m helping the store get more customers.” She then turned to the crowd that were asking for her attention.
“I need to take care of the crowd right now. You guys head on in, I’ll be finished soon enough.”
The group of friends watched Yugi’s cousin give out flyers for a few more seconds before heading inside to do their homework.
*†*‡*†*
Two days have passed and the Same Game shop have grown in popularity by the younger locals. Two days since Yugi’s cousin have gained a fan base through pictures, videos and word-of-mouth.
It was also those circumstances during lunch that Yugi began to develop a protective streak towards his cousin.
“Hey, Mutou!” said person as well as his friends, turned their heads towards the voice that called him. It was a guy from another class accompanied by two more of his friends.
“Yes.” Yugi answered in confusion written on his face.
“Is it true that the mascot girl is a relative of yours?” the red head asked them as he and his friends walked towards their desk, that they’ve combined together so that the friends could all eat together. His phone in his hand.
Yugi had an uncomfortable feeling bubbling in his stomach but replied nonetheless. “Yes, she’s my cousin. Why?”
The red head, no doubt the leader of their group, high fived his friends, grins on their faces. “Dude, that’s so cool. My older brother passed by your shop this morning and sent me a picture of your cousin wearing this cool tribal-looking costume. He also told me through text that she did a little dance, too.”
“What?”
“Yeah. He already posted it on VTube, too.”
At that, Yugi and his friends took out their respective mobile phones and opened the site. They searched after asking for the title. As they did this none of them noticed that that others on the classroom dis the exact same thing.
Once they found what the video mentioned, they watch as, indeed, Iris, Yuigi’s cousin, did a short dance performance for the gathered crowd. It was a tribal dance of sorts, the movement was smooth. And the fact that the costume she wore was the Maiden with Eyes of Blue. The silver wig flowed like water from her movements, her face, serene, smile on her lips. At face value she looked like the genuine character.
Those who’ve watched were in awe. But in Yugi’s case, it was a pout of annoyance.
“Hey, Mutou. Is your cousin seeing anyone?” the teen with red hair brazenly asked.
“Excuse me?” Anzu cut in, appalled that they outright just said that with no tact whatsoever.
Yugi frowned aa he looked at the teen. The feeling of protectiveness fluttering inside him. “No, I don’t.”
“Sweet! Hey, do you mind if I ask her out? Like you said, she’s single-”
“I don’t think you understand.” Yugi promptly cut him off. “My cousin doesn’t date, nor has she dated anyone at all since she hit her teen-age years.”
“You’re kidding?” Miho gasped in disbelief.
The teen shrugged. “I wish I am. But you can try if you want after school.”
Catching the tone of finality everyone returned to their own activities until the bell rang that signaled that lunch break was over and resumed their classes.
Jonouchi was trying to catch Yugi’s attention during their history period. When he did, he whispered, “Hey, Yugi. Isn’t that a little strange? About your cousin, I mean. Are you serious about that?”
The others clearly heard because of their close seating positions. They should be paying attention in their lesson, they really should. But curiosity is eating them away.
Yugi ducked behind his book and just nodded. Anzu risked her question.
“Why is that? Is she shy?”
“Isn’t that a normal thing?” Honda added his opinion.
Yugi looked up to see that their teacher has not caught them, yet. But despite that he answered. “It’s not really my place to pry but I can say this much. It’s because of what she told me and jii-chan when he asked her. She said, and I quote; It’s because my heart already belongs to another. You don’t know them, but I do. I don’t know when, or where, but I will find him someday.”
“That’s so romantic!” Both Anzu and Miho could not help but squeal. Both having stars trucked expressions.
“Oh, gross!” Jonouchi gagged but Honda was smart enough to not react.
“Oi! You kids back there pay attention!” they flinched as they got caught.
“Yes, sensei!”
*†*‡*†*
School ended for the day and the group was heading to the Same Game shop to just hang out until the day was over. Though Miho and Anzu in particular were in high spirits. They wanted know more of what Yugi told them about his cousin. But Yugi, genuinely, has nothing more to say. What he told them earlier was the only piece of knowledge he knows. Truth be told, he was in the same wavelength as the two. He really wished to know more.
As expected, there was once again a decent amount of people crowding in front of the store. Some of them were from Domino High.
“They don’t waste time, do they?” Honda commented before they made their way through the gaggle of people. Once they arrived in front, Iris greeted them.
“Hey, guys! Welcome home, Yugi.” It was no surprise that their jaws dropped when they saw what her costume was this time. Though they don’t know which Monster it was, the design was reminiscent to Dark Magician.
Yugi snapped out of his daze and immediately looked around. And just aa he thought, boys his age and older were all ogling his cousin. Or more specifically, the skin she showed. And they were taking pictures and videos. The feeling from earlier resurfaced. So, with eyes closed paired with a smile, he walked towards his cousin. Who was currently giving out flyers.
“Hey, Iris. Do you mind coming inside for a bit?”
“Not really. Why ever for?” she tilted her head curiously.
Yugi was about to say his excuse of a reason but Anzu cut him off. “There was a guy at school that asked Yugi if you were seeing anyone.”
“But Yugi said that you weren’t and have been for a long time.” Miho followed after her friend.
“And he quoted that your heart belonged to another—”
“And it’s so romantic!” both girls’ voices filled with uncontrollable giddiness, cheeks flushed with excitement.
Iris’ eyes widened in surprise before she looked at her cousin. Who really looked like he wanted the ground to swallow him up. A wan smile appears on her lips as she closed her eyes.
“I see. Well, seeing as the lot of you are curious, this is beat discussed inside. I’ll tell jii-chan that I’ll stop early today.”
By chance or by sensing it, the sudden shift of energy the group of friends stepped inside and up towards the upstairs living room as they waited for Iris to change clothes.
Yugi came back from the kitchen with snacks and drinks for everyone as they waited. It was several minutes later that they were joined by his cousin, wearing a purple gradient hair, beneath that was a shihakoshu and hakama pair in beige. Her hair was tied up in a half ponytail.
“Wow, Iris! You look pretty!” Miho gushed a complement as she clapped from her seat.
“Y-You would look p-pretty also, Miho-chan!” Honda told this towards the person of his affections. Hopeful of gaining her favor. But in true Miho fashion, it was ignored completely.
Iris thanked the girl before taking her seat on the ottoman seeing as all available seats were occupied. “So, before we begin, on the fact that aside from Jonouchi is anyone else not a fan of the subject we will soon discuss?”
“Not really—Ow!” the blonde of their group was elbowed, curtesy of Anzu.
“No, not at all! Please, continue!”
Iris scratched the side of her cheek. “Hmm. Before I begin, I must ask a question. In your own words or understanding, what is love?”
The reaction the question received varied from the obvious red flushed faces to chocking on their spit. All natural and nothing to be ashamed of.
“W-W-What brought this on?”
“I-I can’t say that, it’s embarrassing!”
“W-Why would I explain my love for Miho?”
“Like you’re confident enough to talk!”
“Is this r-really necessary?” Yugi asked his cousin, who was, in that moment, biting her lower lip as to not laugh and offend his already flustered friends.
Iris calmed and cleared her throat after hearing the plea in her cousins voice. “Alright, enough of that. You kids don’t have to be embarrassed by such a question and your reactions are normal.”
“Kids? Aren’t you the same age as us?”
The young woman raised a brow at Honda’s direction. “I’m seventeen years old, if you’ve forgotten. And I’ll be eighteen in in a couple of months.”
“Oh.....right.” at least he had the decency to look embarrassed.
“Well,” Anzu spoke first, a bit of blush remained on her cheeks. “to me, love is a feeling that fills you like no other. Like having your name called by someone.”
“To me it gives me a fuzzy and warm feeling inside!” Miho filled with her own explanation.
“To me it is a burning passion that courses through my body, igniting every nerves with an unforgettable sensation that you cannot live without once you have it!”
“Whoa, whoa. Settle down Casanova.” Iris tried to get Honda to settle down before he tips over the recliner with his weight. Once done she turned to her cousin.
“And you, Yugi? What do you think?” said teen flinched when he realized that the attention was shifted to him.
“Um... I’m not really sure, but...to me it’s like calling someone’s name or when you think of someone.”
Irish nodded with a smile. “Those are very good points. Though we just call it love, it isn’t something you can summarize with one word.”
“Really?”
“There’s love where you’re satisfied as long as your beloved is happy, and love where you absolutely have to be loved by them. Love where you’re happy to be near them and love where your desire for more. That’s why it’s difficult to define. That’s just the way I see it though.” Iris paused to take a sip of her juice. She looked down of her reflection on the liquids surface as she continued.
“When you think of that person, your heart feels warm, you want to see them smile, you want them to rely on you. I’m sure those are feelings of love.”
‘That’s how I felt about him. I loved it when he smiled for me. I wanted to be with him forever. These precious and painful feelings are definitely love.’ Remembering the smile that painted his face with a childlike air makes her heart even beat to this day.
“Iris? Iris?” she immediately returned to the present once her cousin snapped her out of it. She keeps forgetting to not show such emotions of her past relating to him to others. Especially to Yugi and his friends. For surely they will be involved in the journey soon enough.
“I’m sorry. My thoughts ran away from me. Okay, next question but first for the girls. Tell me, have any of you receive any love letters? Finding the in your shoe lockers or under your desk to be precise?”
“Well, that’s—”
“Miho and Anzu have! It’s always in the shoe lockers every morning before class starts!”
“Almost every morning.” Anzu corrected her friends explanation.
“Why the sudden roundabout questions? Aren’t you going to explain to us on why you don’t date? Isn’t that the reason why we’re here?”
“Jonouchi!” his friends reprimanded him of his rude question but did not deny it themselves. But surprisingly it was all water off a ducks back for Iris.
“I’m completely aware but there is a reason for it. Because even though this is about me, I will say this to you all as a reminder.”
Yugi and everyone else was confused by this. “What do you mean?”, he asked.
Pushing back her glasses before they slipped any further, Iris leaned forward with her arms resting on her crossed left leg. “As much as this feeling you receive from another. You must remember that you have someone to love first.”
Jonouchi raised a brow in confusion. “Someone to love first? You’re not making any sense.”
“As much as you love others, you must love yourself first and foremost. A boy who doesn’t confess his feelings in person is worthless. You should go around as if you have a secret admirer. That’s the secret to every pretty girl’s success.”
“W-What...?” the others were taken aback by what she said. Where did this even come from?
Iris sighed. “Listen. A boy who doesn’t confess his feelings in person is worthless. Because unless feelings are expressed wholeheartedly they are worthless. If those feelings, if that love is meant to be acknowledged what point is there in holding it back? You should go around as if you have secret admirers. That’s a secret to every pretty girl’s success. That is what the quote meant. Without self-worth, without love directed inward how else is anyone meant to understand another’s feelings of love? What room is there for you to love another if you never give any for yourself?” they flinched back on the way she looked at them. It was uncomfortable but don’t have the power to deny it. It was like she knew somehow in some way the secrets they hid themselves. The relaxed once her eyes and features softened.
“Never forget your self-worth or else you’ll never find happiness with yourself or that special someone.” Yugi, Anzu, Jonouchi, Honda and Miho considered her words. They were not sure how but they will.
“And for you information Jonouchi, I have dated and have had a relationship before but that guy and I already broke up.”
They weren’t sure if they heard it, but it was like a record screeching to an abrupt halt played loudly in their heads. With wide eyes they turned to Yugi’s cousin, drinkin the remains of her juice. They swore that they’ve nearly missed what she said but thank god for the lack of any other noise in the room.
“What?!?” was their unified reaction.
“Who, how?”
“When did this happen?”
“What did the guy look like? Was he hot?”
“Please tell me you have pictures?”
Iris just smiled as she answered their questions. Disappointing Miho and Anzu that she has no pictures of her previous relation. “Guys, it’s been two years since we broke up. He didn’t like it but I’ve put my point across his thick, stubborn skull and ego. We’re on mutual terms now. Strictly professional. ...But it doesn’t stop the oaf from flirting from time to time.”
Yugi was completely surprised from what he heard. The others didn’t seem to have noticed. He blinked a few times as he felt something in his chest. He wasn’t sure what it was but it annoyed him a little bit.
“Since the mystery of my love life is solved, why not stay for dinner?” at the mention of dinner, the others noticed the time and was surprised that it was already a quarter to six. They didn’t think that they’d be there for that long. The girls did not want to be a bother but hesitantly accepted the invitation and proceeded to call their respective parents. Same with Honda and Jonouchi wholeheartedly accepted. Yugi was happy that his friends can stay a little longer and they can chat more.
Dinner that night was lively.
Later that evening the bedroom to Yugi’s quietly opened and Iris walked in and stopped besides the bed that contained her slumbering cousin. Dreaming of happy things. She smiled and learned down to give him a kiss on his forehead. She held back a giggle as he snuggled deeper in his blanket.
She turned and immediately saw the Puzzle placed innocently on Yugi’s desk table. The light of the quarter moon shown down made it shine. Iris walked towards the table, starring at the treasure for a few more minutes before hesitantly picking it up with careful but nervous hands. Warmth spread through her hands, making her nearly drop it but was fortunate enough to not let that happen.
She began to caress the Puzzles surface and the eye of Ra in the center. If anyone else were awake they would have seen the pain, sadness, love and longing in her eyes. She the cradled the Puzzle to her bosoms, desperately wishing for the arms of the items original owner to embrace her like he did in the past. But she knows that such a thing will never happen less he is fully conscious, but even then he will not remember. He will remember the past nor her because his memories is the seal, his soul trapped in the Puzzle. Their times together, their adventure, their feelings—he won’t remember a speck of it until the end. But it will already be too late. She had to make sure, to be absolutely certain, that nothing, nothing will tie him down on this plain and move on to Aaru. It’s what he deserves after everything.
Freeing the Puzzle from her embrace, she gave a chaste kiss on the eye before placing it back on the table. It was a brief contact but everything was conveyed into it. She then left her cousins room as quietly as she entered and closed the door behind her.
Returning back to her room, she locked her door and went towards her window in short but quick strides. Opening the window she double checked to see if anyone was in the neighbourhood at that hour before deeming it all clear and used levitation to go to the roof.
She sat down before completely laying on her back. The night was chilly but she was not bothered by it, she had experienced more colder temperatures. She turned her gaze skywards, the moon and stars were beautiful. Shame that the artificial lights made them loose their brilliance. People in this age should really cut back on the energy. Less they loose what they take for granted.
She scoffed. “I’m one to talk.” Tears gathered then flowed down her face. She should not have said that to Yugi and his friends. Self-worth? For her to say things that she herself have non left was laughable. Irony never tasted so bitter.
“... I’m such a hypocrite.” She stated with a bittersweet smile as she quietly cried on the rooftop of the game shop. Alone from the start, alone until the end.
“This is my fate.”
TBC