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As the clock struck midnight, Kazuko shifted her weight to lightly push against Yugi’s chest in an attempt to wake him. She knew better than to use her words. Kazuko didn’t want to risk waking Yugi’s parents or grandfather, which would lead to awkward questions about why she was here at all. So she wordlessly pushed at Yugi until his eyes fluttered open, shifting as he slowly blinked his eyes open. “Kaz,” he said softly, quietly. “What’s going on?”
“I just wanted to say happy birthday,” she whispered, eyeing towards the door before turning back to him with a grin. “I’m glad I met you.”
He rolled his eyes, always a little bit annoyed whenever he was woken up. Despite this, he was smiling slightly. “I’m glad I met you too,” he said, his arm wrapping around her waist and yanking her closer to him. He pressed a kiss to her forehead before he’d fallen back asleep.
She must have fallen back asleep herself because when she opened her eyes again, light was already pouring in from the window. She glanced over at the clock and realized that it was now around four am. Kazuko jumped out of the bed, grabbing her bag and sneaking back out through the window. She’d, of course, be back again later today.
For now, she rushed back home to make sure she was there before her parents woke up for work and before Sumiko rose. Princess, as usual, suggested that it might be wiser to merely inform her parents where she was going each night. As usual, Kazuko pointed out her parents would freak out over that. Not that she knew how they’d react to anything for certain as she never really saw them much to begin with. Regardless, she was back home before anyone could notice she’d been missing.
She made sure that there was breakfast for her family. Her mother asked about how things were going with Yugi and her father said nothing. Sumiko remembered Yugi’s birthday was today and asked to come along. Kazuko had agreed, figuring that Jonouchi more than likely was bringing Shizuka. Kazuko suspected that Sumiko would like to see Shizuka again.
At around eight in the morning, they departed from the house. Kazuko left her board at home, making sure to keep Sumiko close. Anzu had picked the venue and as a group, they poured their money together. When they came up short, Kaiba stepped in and bridged the remaining funds. He insisted that it wasn’t because he cared about Yugi, just that it was a birthday gift. Kazuko had let it be. It hadn’t been worth the argument and she didn’t want Kaiba to feel pressured to admit that he considered them friends. Kazuko had volunteered to be the one to distract Yugi while Honda and Jonouchi set up the venue. Anzu had agreed to watch Sumiko while she did so.
Kazuko was grinning as she entered the shop. “Hey, birthday boy,” she said, leaning over the counter. “Don’t tell me your grandpa is making you work on your birthday.”
“Nah,” he said as he placed his deck on the counter with a small smirk. “I was merely adjusting my deck. Care for a Duel?”
“You bet.”