Destined to be Yours

Chapter 86: Your Warmth

Jounouchi was first to arrive in Mai's room. Right after him was Akia who was still dragging Marik by his hand behind her. Yugi, Anzu, Honda, and Otogi went in as well. Finally, Ishizu and Rishid stayed behind the group, feeling that they shouldn't take up the space.

"Mai!" He called out to her.

"Big brother..." Shizuka whispered sadly. "Mai-san is still..."

"No...! Mai! You have to wake up!" Jounouchi panicked and kneeled next to Mai's bed, taking her hand in his. "Akia fought so hard to get you back! It can't have been too late!"

Akia, feeling the panic rise as well, looked to Marik worriedly. "B-But you released her right?"

"Yes, I'm sure of it," Marik nodded, even though he was starting to doubt himself a bit. Akia let go of his hand and kneeled next to Jounouchi. Everyone else's expression was grave. They didn't understand why Mai was not waking up.

"Mai-san... Please wake up," Akia felt tears fall down her cheeks.

"Mai, I can't live without you..." Jounouchi whispered his true feelings.

"Well now you're making me feel like the bad guy," Mai said while giggling. Shizuka then started giggling too.

"Mai-san...! What...?!" Anzu exclaimed.

"We've been pranked..." Otogi muttered.

"Huh?!" Jounouchi blinked in confusion a few times.

"Really, now?!" Akia yelled out while wiping away her tears.

Mai sat up and hugged Jounouchi's arm. "So you can't live without me, huh?" She whispered in his ear.

His face turned beet red. "N-No...! Whatever! You're both cruel!" He addressed Mai and Shizuka who couldn't stop laughing.

Akia sighed and laughed as well, feeling a wave of relief wash over her. Mai then suddenly stopped laughing when she saw Marik. She frowned. "What is he doing here?" Her voice was hostile.

"Actually, I think I have some things that I need to talk to you about, Mai-san," Akia replied. "Is it okay if we talk alone? I want to be a proper friend this time."

Hearing that, everyone cleared the room, Marik and Akia sharing an affectionate glance before he left.

Now that everyone was out, Akia sat on the bed next to her friend. "Mai-san, I want to apologize properly for keeping things from you. I just never felt the need throughout my life to confide in anyone but my brother."

"Yeah, you two are very close," Mai replied. She then put an arm around Akia's shoulder, giving her a half-hug. "It's okay, though. I know I overreacted."

"No, not at all! You didn't overreact!" Akia vehemently denied. "I want you to know how important you are to me, Mai-san. I failed as a friend by not telling you what was going on."

"Akia-chan... Thank you. This really means a lot."

"So, I decided to tell you everything. All of it. Prepare yourself!" Akia chuckled.

"Alright, hit me!"

Akia started telling Mai everything, about her past life and the Red Eyes Black Dragon. Then she told her about how she met Marik when they were young, she told her about the whole trip with her grandfather, Shadi, the Millennium Scale. She recounted what Ishizu had told them about the Ishtar tragedy, explained Marik's dark personality, and his dominant personality ultimately taking back control and releasing everyone. All Mai could do was nod slowly at all of that information.

When Akia was finally done, the blonde woman blinked a few times. "Well, you really did hit me with a lot of information... So, you and Marik are a thing now?"