A/N: This is the continuation of the Happiness Trilogy. In this section of the trilogy, the story focuses on Yugi and Atemu's relationship. Atemu realizes his feelings are truly love and decides to propose to Yugi. However, events in their lives seem to get in the way. Will Atemu be able to propose to Yugi in order to keep his happiness or with the events in their lives be too much for her to handle?
I suggest reading Finding Happiness first before continuing if you have not already. I will be using references from the first installment of the Happiness Trilogy.
Below is a short list of people who are in the story but may not be recognized since I picked the names.
Salihah: Atemu's mother
Akemi: Yugi's mother
Kano: Yugi's father (I consider him alive, but he is just a traveling businessman who works for big companies. His opinion of typical bosses plays into his reaction to Yugi's relationship with Atemu.)
All other characters in the story should have their original names from the series.
Warnings: female Yugi, character death, language, lemons
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh!
Chapter One: Enter the Father
Yugi lifted the cover of the pot, checking the rice. The aroma filled the room, distracting the young woman. She closed her eyes to take in the smell, twirling her body in the process. A woman gasping caused to stop. Yugi opened her eyes to see Akemi gripping onto a large pot of miso soup, slightly glaring at her.
"You need to be careful Yugi, we don't want to waste the food."
"I'm sorry Mother," Yugi apologized, "I got caught up in the moment. I just want everything to be perfect for Father."
"I know honey. We haven't seen your father in a year. And since he has an extended weekend due to Labor Appreciation Day, he can actually visit."
Yugi nodded as she chopped the green peppers.
"How come Anzu didn't want to stay?"
"She wanted to be with her family." Yugi smiled, knowing that Honda was going to surprise her best friend.
"Will Atemu be joining us?"
"I told him not too. He should be with his family today."
It had been a month since the press conference. Atemu and Yugi had a strong relationship, although it was a long distance relationship.
"Why?"
Yugi stopped her slicing. "I want to tell Father without him here, just in case."
Akemi nodded in understanding and went back to setting the table.
"When do you think Father and Grandpa will be here?"
Akemi shrugged with a smile. "Whenever your father's plane comes in."
Yugi bit her lip.
"Did Father ever talk to you about the rumors?"
Akemi turned to her only daughter, whose gaze had fallen to the floor. She reached her hand out, touching Yugi's shoulder in a comforting manner. Yugi picked up her gaze to her mother.
"Yugi, your father loves you. He will know not to believe the rumors."
Yugi shifted her gaze back to the floor.
"But what about the truth?"
Akemi took a deep breath. Her husband was never keen on big corporate businessmen, mostly because he worked for them. The fact that Yugi was dating such a person wouldn't be easy for her husband to hear.
Akemi lifted Yugi's chin, forcing her daughter to look into her eyes.
"Yugi, if you truly like Atemu, then don't worry about your father. He will support you. It just might take awhile."
Akemi smiled, causing Yugi to smile. Yugi wrapped her arms around her mother, giving her a fierce hug.
"Thanks Mother."
A knock came from the door.
"That's probably them," Akemi said, releasing her daughter. Yugi nodded and went to the door. She wiped her hands on her apron before opening the wooden door. On the other side of the threshold stood two men; both had similar features, although one was much taller. Yugi wrapped her arms around the taller one.
"Father!" Tears streamed down her cheeks, happy to once again see her father. Kano returned the hug, for he missed his daughter just as much.
"Hello my little star."
"I have missed you so much Father!"
"As have I my dear Yugi."
Yugi gave a tour of the home to Kano who had never seen it before. He studied the little nuances she placed everywhere which gave her place flare. He smiled, until he came across a picture which stood proudly atop the mantle.
It was a picture of Yugi and a boy, who had his arm around her waist.
Kano grabbed the frame, looking at it more closely. Yugi sensed her father stop, causing her to follow suit. She turned to see the picture in his hand. She froze.
"Yugi, who is this?"
Kano turned the picture so she could see the photograph. Yugi gulped before she smiled.
"That is a friend of mind."
Her father was skeptical.
"A friend?" He raised his brow in question.
"Honey, you should sit down for a moment."
Kano stared at his wife, who urged her husband to sit. Kano narrowed his eyes, knowing whatever they were going to tell him he wasn't going to like. And it had something to do with this boy in the picture.
He didn't follow his wife's advice and continued to stand.
"Is this your boyfriend?"
Yugi nodded, but feared one question.
"What is his name?"
That was the question.
"Son," Sugoroku stated, knowing Yugi becoming uncomfortable, "let's not talk about Yugi's love life. You just came back from your business trip. You should talk about your travels."
"Well," Kano began, staring at Sugoroku, "I would like to know about what my family has been up to, especially my only daughter."
Kano turned back to Yugi.
"Who is he?"
"Well…"
The four jumped slightly as a hard knock rang through the house. Kano swiftly strolled over to the front door.
"Father, I can get the door. This is my house." Yugi shouted as she followed him.
"It's alright, I am already there."
Kano opened the door. A tall man, about 5" 11' leaned against the door frame. The older man scanned the visitor quickly. He had brown hair and brown eyes to match. This is not the man in the photo, Kano thought.
"May I help you?"
The young man bowed in respect.
"I was wondering if Miss Mutou was here."
"Get out of here Masato!
The two men turned to face Yugi, who was clearly irate by the presence of the visitor.
"Come on Yugi," Masato cooed with confidence, "you should be with me."
"I have a boyfriend Masato," Yugi snapped, "and even if I didn't you would never be."
Masato pouted.
"But I am so much better for you than…"
"Would you like me to explain to my father how you tried to take advantage of me in my own house?"
Kano glared at Masato. Seeing the death stare in Kano's eyes, he raised his hands in defense.
"I did no..."
"Leave this place. NOW!" Kano's voice boomed throughout the house, making the sound even more intense as it bounced off the walls.
Masato ran down the walkway, almost slamming into his own car, before driving away.
"Good job Father."
Kano smiled warmly at his daughter, touching her cheek.
"No one is going to hurt my little girl."
Yugi smiled.
"Now," Kano began, changing his tone, "back to the boy in the picture."
The smile faded.
"Well, his name is…" Yugi stopped, unsure how to continue.
Kano sensed Yugi's uneasiness. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Yugi," Kano said in a calm, serene tone, "you don't have to be afraid to tell me. I am your father and I will…"
"Atemu Massri."
Kano blinked at his daughter's outburst. He lifted his hand off her shoulder.
"What?"
"His name is Atemu Massri Father." Yugi proclaimed, staring straight into her father's violet eyes, despite the fear she had.
Kano stepped back as the words sank into his brain.
"Atemu Massri," Kano repeated, "is that what you said?"
Yugi nodded, keeping a straight face, hiding her fear from him.
"Atemu Massri, as in the vice president of the Massri-Wong company?" Kano asked, his eyes deeply focused on his only daughter.
Yugi nodded again, only not so determined. His steadfast gaze began to break her.
He clenched his fists at the thought of that corporate boy dating his daughter. This man had a horrible reputation, dating all sorts of women then rejecting them overnight. Even his recent engagement with the other vice president ended as quickly as it began. Then a thought struck him. He released his fists, his eyes soften.
"Yugi, those rumors about a scandal in the Massri-Wong engagement, were you apart of that?"
The recent memories of the paparazzi and the press conference flooded her mind. All the lies and attention had been hard on her. The emotions she had felt over a month ago ran through her body. Tears trickled from her eyes.
"She was pulled into it Kano," Akemi answered on her daughter's behalf, "but she was not the direct cause."
Kano turned to his wife, arms folded.
"What do you mean, 'not the direct cause'?"
"Atemu fell for Yugi while he was with Vivian." Sugoroku interjected. "He broke of the engagement to be with Yugi."
He looked back at Yugi.
"And you allowed him to be with you?"
All she could do is nod; the emotions still affected her tongue.
"Oh, my poor baby!" Kano wrapped his arms around Yugi. She perked up by the sudden action.
"My poor baby, Atemu has been playing you. He pulled you into this relationship, didn't he? He used his charm and charisma to entice you into this relationship, didn't he? And you, having such a gentle, kind heart, are too nice to say no."
Kano pulled away from the hug. He stroked Yugi's hair.
"Do you want Daddy to kick him out?"
"No!" Yugi protested, stopping the tears. "Father, Atemu would have broken the engagement even if he never met me. He was not happy with Vivian. Sure I have a kind heart, and maybe I trusted him too quickly, but I don't judge people on reputation alone. I have known Atemu for over six months. He has helped me when I was in a robbery, when I left for Tokyo and when the rumors began."
"Which he caused by his reputation, no doubt."
"No Father," Yugi sighed, "that man who was at the door earlier, Masato, and Vivian told the press lies. They are the reason the rumors started."
"Yugi," Kano spoke in a deep tone, "all rumors have a hint of truth in them. So what happened that spurred the rumors?"
Yugi sunk into the sofa.
"I was at a club during the second week of October. Atemu came with his cousin to the same club. We started dancing. After a while I got bumped from behind and…and I kissed him." The last part of her story was rushed due to her nerves, worried about her father's reaction.
"He never should have danced with you."
"I asked him to dance," Yugi stated firmly, "and I am glad I did. I have not been happy like this since Katsuya and I were together."
Kano placed his hand over his heart.
"If only he was here today, you would already be married to a fine boy."
"Father!"
"I like him Kano," Akemi added, trying to sooth the situation, "despite his background. You should give Atemu a chance."
Kano grunted and turned his back to her.
"I make no guarantees."
Tears formed in Yugi's eyes once more. Her father's stubbornness was breaking her heart. She turned away and walked swiftly to her bedroom, slamming the door. Yugi flopped on the bed. I knew my father wouldn't like it but… sobs clouded the rest of her thoughts. A cold, white pillow caught her tears.
A soft ringing could be heard from her side table.
Yugi lifted her head. Her phone was alit with the incoming call. She reached over, taking the phone in her hand and flipping it open.
"Hello Yugi!"
"Hi Atemu." She tried to sound cheerful.
"Yugi, what's wrong?" Atemu asked with concern, hearing the sorrow in her voice.
"I talked to my father."
"And?" Yugi heard Atemu say.
"He's not thrilled."
"Yugi…"
"Don't worry Atemu. I'm not going to let my father's opinion end our relationship."
Yet in her heart, she knew it would be difficult to please both her boyfriend and her father.
Drama Already? Yes, that is what I like.
Labor Appreciation Day or kinroukansha no hi is a real November "holiday" in Japan. It is closely related to Labor Day here in the United States.
I am not entirely thrilled with the outcome of this chapter, but it was necessary. I promise it will get better. :) Please read and review.