WHO: Killian Jones and Shizuka Jounouchi WHEN: Thursday afternoon WHAT: Shizuka wants to go swimming, so Killian kindly introduces her to the lake, which may or may not be a viable option WHERE: The lake, duh RATING: I don’t know, it’s swimming, but maybe Shizuka will accidentally drown Killian or something STATUS: Complete
There was much on Shizuka’s mind as she dug through her dresser trying to find her bathing suit, absolutely positively certain she’d seen it the other day – though growing less sure every moment – and growing frustrated. Homesickness was beginning to weigh heavily upon her, even as she refused to allow it to reflect upon her speech and physical manner. In a way, it was a little sad; she hadn’t even been in Lincoln for very long, and yet she already yearned to be back home. But at the same time, she’d been brought to the strange town against her will and was not permitted to leave, and Shizuka had never been the type to exist well without the support of her friends and family.
Most of all, though, she missed her brother. Thoughts of swimming had reminded her of the time she’d first cast off the bandages around her eyes post-surgery in time to save his life after his duel against Yuugi, a moment she still felt pride over. Throughout their childhood, he had always been the one to shield her against the cold, harsh world – against their father, mostly – and for once, she’d been able to return the favor. God, she wished he were here. He would know what to do, and if nothing else, he’d hold her and tell her everything would be all right.
The worst was she couldn’t talk to anyone about it. The conversation would inevitably lead down a road she refused to travel down, questions she did not want to answer. Her childhood experiences were things she had no desire to share; she did not want anyone’s sympathy, she did not want anyone thinking less of her because of what had happened, and she was afraid that speaking aloud would make her relive everything all over again and she might start crying and make a fool of herself. No, it was far better to avoid the topic and anything that might head in that direction.
Finally discovering her bathing suit – a cute blue two-piece she’d bought while shopping in Tokyo with Anzu what felt like forever ago – she stripped and slipped it on, critically eyeing herself in the mirror and examining her body for flaws. Frowning, she decided it didn’t matter, put on a pair of jean shorts and a simple green tank top, then piled her hair into a messy bun to keep it out of the way. Tendrils strayed, but there was little she could do about them unless she wanted to mount an all-out war, and she didn’t have time for that sort of thing. Her hair would most likely get wet anyway, if she decided to venture into the lake, so any effort she put into it would be completely wasted.
Stuffing her feet into a pair of sandals, she grabbed her purse and two towels and headed out, walking towards Killian’s house. Shizuka hadn’t seen him since they’d parted ways after their trip to the liquor store, where she’d shown him how to use a credit card and he’d been an absolutely outrageous flirt. It still surprised her; after all, he was hot, and she was nobody special. It would be nice if someone like him was interested in her, but she wasn’t about to get her hopes up.
Shizuka pushed such thoughts from her mind as she approached his house. It was quite a bit larger than hers, and she was rather impressed. Hoping he was awake – it was quite a bit past noon at this point – she rang the doorbell and waited.