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Shizuka watched her brother pace back and forth in front of her, eyeing the cordless phone on the small table between them each time he passed it.
“I’m sure he’ll call back soon,” Katsuya said, pausing in his pacing to look at her before resuming, the words probably meant equally to reassure himself as well as her, for he’d been at it now for at least five minutes. To his credit, he’d tried to stay seated on the sofa beside her, but fidgeting could only contain his restlessness for so long.
Shizuka did not fault him for this though, as she knew he preferred action over stillness, letting his emotions propel him forward as a way to conquer the tension that had arisen.
And his worry was warranted. They needed to get to the hospital on the other side of Domino City in less than ninety minutes for her two month follow-up appointment – the one that would reveal whether the corneas of her eyes were healing as they should be.
Shizuka stared down at her hands, trying to quell her own worry. It would not be easy to secure another appointment with the specialist. By the time they could secure one again, any further intervention that may be needed could come too late.
She nearly jumped when the phone rang, the sound filling the small apartment Katsuya shared with their father.
Her brother lunged for the phone.
“Hello?” Katsuya greeted, voice laced with anticipation.
Shizuka could faintly hear Otogi’s voice on the other end from where she sat. Though she could not make out what was said, she knew it could not be good from the way her brother’s face fell at the other’s words. Her own hopes sank at the likely implication.
“Ah, man. Okay, thanks for trying, Otogi,” Katsuya replied and hung up the phone.
He ran a hand through his hair. “He said he tried everything he could the last twenty minutes but still hasn’t been able to get the car to start. He’s seeing if he can find someone else.”
Worry began to gnaw at her. “Is Honda available today?”
Katsuya shook his head. “He’s stuck at work; I’ll try to call him though.” He reached for the phone and began to dial.
Shizuka looked away, raking her brain for what they could do next. It would take too long by bicycle at this point, and a taxi was likely not an option, considering how expensive they were. They had just enough left from the 3,000,000 yen Yugi had won at Duelist Kingdom to cover her appointment today. She didn’t have much pocket change with her. Just enough for a few meals. That was probably all Katsuya had managed to put away as well from the odd jobs he took up when he ended up having to support their father as well.
Shizuka frowned, looking down at her hands.
“He’s not picking up,” Katsuya shared, placing the phone down again.
Perhaps noting Shizuka’s sadness, he came and sat beside her on the sofa. “We’ll figure something out, I promise you,” he reassured.
Shizuka felt a small sad smile tug at her lips. “I thought that once I had the operation, I’d stop feeling like such a burden on everyone.”
“Shizuka, you’ve never been a burden,” her brother insisted, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “I don’t know what other people have told you, because I wasn’t always there when I should have been, but looking out for one another is just what you do when you love someone.”
Shizuka nodded, head still hung low. After her operation, she no longer received a government stipend and discounts for her near blindness. Though she was grateful for her sight, she couldn’t help but feel that one hardship had been replaced with another. “I know you’re right. Sometimes the unkind things people have said over the years take hold. I guess I just didn’t expect to feel so helpless again.”
Katsuya pulled her close and she leaned into his warmth. “It gets easier,” he said. “Just remember, you’re never alone, even when you think you are. The thought of you got me through some of the toughest moments.”
He really was right. The last few months alone had proven that. She lifted her head. She could face this, no matter how it turned out, and she wouldn’t have to do it alone. Shizuka shot him a small but encouraging smile, which he returned.
Her brother got up from the seat beside her. “Now let’s see who else we can call.” One hand absently in his pocket now, he fiddled with something that slipped to the ground when he turned abruptly to pick up the phone. He did not appear to notice.
She got up from the sofa and bent to pick it up. It was a pale purple handkerchief; the edges lined in dark purple. What caught Shizuka’s attention were the initials on one corner: K.M. She only knew one person with those initials. Shizuka waited while her brother left a voicemail for Anzu.
“Hopefully she’ll get back to us soon,” Katsuya said a little worriedly, turning to face her.
Shizuka held out the item to give back to him. “Why do you have Mai’s handkerchief?”
Jounouchi snatched it from her outstretched hand, looking suddenly flustered. “I just ran out of clean ones,” he eventually replied defensively.
“Have you heard from her lately?” Shizuka ventured further.
“No,” he replied, expression one of disappointment, though whether it was from Anzu not picking up or not hearing from Mai since the end of Battle City, she wasn’t sure.
“She’s probably busy kicking some duelist’s butt,” he continued, looking down at the handkerchief. “I ended up with this the day she gave me her entrance card during Duelist Kingdom. She seemed so harsh at first, but she turned out to have a good heart. Anyways, I meant to give it back to her.”
He closed his hand around the kerchief and looked back up at Shizuka before chuckling. “I don’t know how kindly she’d say it, but if she were here, she’d remind us to keep going. I’ll never forget the chance she gave me then, nor the one we’ve all been given thanks to Yugi and his other self, and we sure as hell aren’t squandering it feeling sorry for ourselves.”
Shizuka nodded, eyes bright and expression determined. She had little doubt that that is what Mai would have encouraged. It was Mai’s kindness that had allowed her to make it in time to support her brother through Battle City.
This time, they both jumped as the phone rang. Jounouchi whipped around to answer it, stuffing the kerchief back in his pocket.
Shizuka could make out Anzu’s voice on the line. Her brother’s expression grew hopeful as she spoke. Shizuka clasped her hands together as she waited.
“In fifteen minutes? Okay, we’ll be outside. Thanks, Anzu!” Katsuya replied. “Yeah, she’s right here,” and he took a step towards Shizuka, offering her the phone. “Anzu wants to say hello.”
Shizuka took the phone from her brother. “Hello?”
“Hey Shizuka! How are you?” Anzu greeted cheerfully.
“Better thanks to you,” Shizuka replied with a smile.
“I’m glad I could help you out. I hope everything goes well at your appointment,” Anzu said.
“Thanks, Anzu. Aside from some occasional blurriness, I’m hopeful. And hey, will we still be seeing you tonight at Yugi’s?” she asked.
“Wouldn’t miss it, I do have to get back to practice now, but fill us in then,” Anzu replied.
“Okay, see you then!” Shizuka answered and ended the call.
“It turns out the mother of one of Anzu’s dance friends lives nearby and she’s available,” Jounouchi explained excitedly. “She’ll be here soon, so grab your jacket and bag, we’ll wait outside.”
Shizuka did not need to be told twice. They waited near the entrance of the apartment complex. It was a windy autumn day, so they both wore their jackets.
Fifteen minutes ticked by, but no one had stopped at the complex yet. They now had a little less than an hour to get to the hospital.
Finally, about twenty minutes past one in the afternoon, a modest, golden car pulled up and stopped in front of them while rolling the window down.
They were greeted by a middle-aged woman with dark, long hair who reminded Shizuka of an actress she’d seen in a television drama years ago.
Once she’d confirmed who they were, they slid into the backseat and were off.
After inquiring about Shizuka’s condition, the conversation soon turned to Katsuya’s dueling career and plans. She had many questions about the game that her brother did his best to answer.
The time passed quickly, and it wasn’t long before they reached the hospital.
“I’d be happy to take you home as well,” the woman, Mrs. Joan, offered. “I’ll just be running some errands in the meantime. What time should I return?”
“It shouldn’t be more than two hours,” he replied, before they both thanked her profusely.
Once inside, she checked in for her appointment and waited to be taken in so they could perform the initial evaluation and dilate her eyes prior to the examination.
Eventually, her name was called, and they both followed the nurse into the exam room.
To her relief, the vision chart didn’t give her too much trouble, and her eye pressure was normal. The eye drops for dilation stung a bit, but she was used to it. They were left alone for the next thirty minutes to allow the drops to take effect.
“That’s the first time I’ve been able to read most of the chart,” Shizuka shared in awe while they waited. “I just hope the blurriness that occurs sometimes isn’t anything serious.” What she didn’t ask was, was I foolish for leaving the hospital early after the operation? Is there more I could have done?
“No use in worrying too much about it, Shizuka,” Katsuya urged. “I’m going to be here no matter what.”
He proceeded to distract her with silly anecdotes of Honda’s dog and Yugi’s grandfather, and she allowed herself to laugh with him.
Soon the doctor arrived and began the examination, shining bright lights into her eyes that always made her wince, as he asked her to look this way and that.
“The cornea seems to be healing well,” the doctor finally announced. “The blurriness you mentioned is common and should subside in a few months. Keep using the prescribed eyedrops for the rest of the year.”
“I will,” Shizuka assured, feeling lighter than she had in days upon the news. Katsuya appeared equally relieved, beaming over at her.
Back outside, her brother wrapped his arm around her shoulder while they waited to be picked up. “Nothing can stop you now!” he exclaimed.
And for the first time, she truly allowed herself to dream of the possibilities that were once closed to her. Careers and travel - dreams that may never have been if her brother hadn’t opened his heart to become friends with Yugi.
Mrs. Joan showed up as promised and they both squeezed into the backseat, now full of shopping bags.
“How did the appointment go?” Mrs. Joan asked.
“Everything looks good,” Shizuka shared happily.
“Oh, great! I’m glad to hear that,” Mrs. Joan replied. “Now, are either of you hungry? We can stop somewhere on the way?”
“There’s a sweet shop around here,” Katsuya said. “I’d like to get something to celebrate.”
“Sure, lead the way,” Mrs. Joan instructed.
They each left the shop smiling. Mrs. Joan had curated a box of pastries to take home, and Shizuka and her brother pooled their snack money to purchase a simple chocolate cake to share with their friends tonight.
It was well past five when Mrs. Joan dropped them off at the apartments and they waved goodbye, thanking her again for her kindness.
Once inside, Katsuya left Shizuka in the sitting area while he put the cake in the refrigerator to keep it cool.
How worried they’d both been just hours ago. But the thoughtfulness of friends and strangers had pulled them through, reminding her again that she wasn’t alone and to never lose hope.
However, one thing from today still niggled at her. Why had neither she nor Katsuya heard from Mai? Perhaps she didn’t realize how fondly they’d come to think of her, or maybe she really was just busy. Either way, a phone call letting her know they were thinking of her today couldn’t hurt.
Shizuka pulled out the small flip phone her mother had gotten her for essential calls and found Mai’s number saved in her contacts. The phone rang twice before Mai picked up.
“Hello?” Mai greeted.
“Hi, Mai!” Shizuka responded warmly. “How are you? My brother and I were thinking about you today, so I thought I’d give you a call.”
Her brother had wandered back into the room and nearly spat out his water in surprise when he realized who she was talking to.
“Aww, that’s so sweet,” Mai replied, clearly flattered. “I’m well. I’m in China for a tournament this month.”
Jounouchi put down his glass of water and plopped down in the seat beside her, unable to hide his curiosity.
“That’s great to hear, and I’m sure you’ll do well. How are you enjoying your time in China?” Shizuka asked.
“I’m staying in the city, so it’s very lively. There’s always something new to explore.” Then, asked in a more playful tone, “Say, what got you and Jounouchi thinking about me anyway?”
“Today was my first examination since my surgery, Shizuka explained. “I was pretty nervous about it, and we had some issues finding a way there. Luckily, it all worked out, but it was my brother who reminded me of your kindness during Duelist Kingdom and Battle City. It kept our spirits up while we searched for a way to the hospital.”
She noticed her brother fidgeting in the seat next to her, clearly a bit embarrassed at the revelation.
“He did?” Mai asked surprisedly. “I’m truly touched you both think so highly of me. I’m just glad I could help my friends.”
“Yes, he did,” Shizuka assured. “He’s actually right here.” She held out the phone to her brother with an encouraging smile. Caught off guard and a bit flustered, he hesitated before taking the phone and raising it to his ear.
“Hey, Mai,” he greeted, expression uncertain.
Shizuka couldn’t make out what Mai was saying, but based on her brother’s spreading blush, it was probably complimentary.
“I’m pretty good,” Katsuya answered. “And you really did help us out.”
Mai spoke again on the other end of the line.
“You’re visiting in December?” Katsuya clarified. “Yeah, that’d be great. I’ll let the group know, maybe we can do something festive.”
Her brother smiled to himself as he listened to Mai. Suddenly, his expression shifted to one of annoyance. “This ‘kid’ has been getting even stronger, Mai,” he answered. “You’ll see, come December. You better have your deck ready.”
Shizuka could hear Mai’s laughter before she responded.
Katsuya, who had been frowning as she spoke, appeared surprised once again.
“Good to talk to you too,” he said before taking on a determined look upon Mai’s reply. “I look forward to it,” and ended the call.
When he got up without saying anything, Shizuka rose and followed him into the kitchen.
“I hope you’re not upset I called her,” Shizuka said quietly.
Katsuya turned to look at her with a reassuring smile. “No,” he responded, before crossing his arms. “But don’t get any funny ideas about her and me. She may be pretty and all, but that doesn’t mean-“ he looked away, blushing. “Just leave it alone.”
Shizuka smiled knowingly. “Don’t give up before you’ve even tried.” She turned and left the kitchen before he could respond, as she could hear her phone ringing. It was probably their mother checking up on how everything had gone.
Katsuya’s spluttering still audible, Shizuka chuckled to herself as she reached for the phone lying on the sofa.
Her brother was courageous, but even he needed a push in some areas, just as she did in facing her newfound independence. Though she was learning that such freedom came with its own responsibilities, she was comforted by the knowledge that she would never have to go it alone.