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Chapter Two: You're not what I expected.

When Yugi went out with his friends the next day, he could honestly admit that he enjoyed himself, regardless of the fact that his grandfather and Atemu were still on his mind constantly. He managed to put on a smile and relax.

Through the trips to the mall, arcade and plenty of fast food places - -thanks to Jou's and Honda's appetites- - Yugi looked for any sign of Atemu, and even though Jou told him that they looked similar, it must not have been that much of difference because nine times out of ten, if Atemu was famous businessman like Seto Kaiba, he would've been stopped by now.

He tried not to let the disappointment of not finding any clues about Atemu get to him, but the more he thought about it, the more frustrated he became.

"Yugi?" Anzu asked from beside him. "Are you okay? You're stabbing your cake like it did something to you."

Yugi flushed. They had decided to rest at coffee shop before going back to their homes. He stopped his movements and looked down at the mangled strawberry cake. Setting the fork aside, he gave Anzu a weak smile.

"I'm fine-"

"You're not," Anzu countered smoothly, her ocean-blue eyes softening in understanding. "You just lost your grandfather, and you're obsessing over Atemu…"

"I'm not obsessing," Yugi snapped. His tone caused Jou and Honda to turn to them. "I just want to find him and ask him why he did what he did, that's all."

Anzu snorted and gave him a bitter smile. "That's called obsessing over something. I saw how you were looking into every magazine stand we passed by today. You were looking for any hint of Atemu weren't you?"

Yugi remained silent, since he couldn't deny Anzu's point. She was right. He hated it when she was so damn perceptive.

"You can't keep doing this," Anzu continued, softly. "It's like Jou said the other night. Atemu will turn up again so just be patient…okay?"

"Yeah, okay." His answer must've been satisfying enough because Anzu gave him a wide smile and patted him on the shoulder.

She slid out of the booth. "I'm heading home now." She slid on her jacket and tossed some yen on the table. "Are you going to be okay all alone tonight, Yugi?"

Yugi shrugged. "I'll be fine." He had to get used to being alone sometime or other. "And besides, you have to get ready to fly to New York soon, don't you?"

"Yes," she replied with a hint of excitement. "But I won't leave you alone until you're ready, I mean you're still going to college and everything, right?"

That had been a topic that no one had breached until now. He hadn't told them he wasn't attending college to study archeology like he had planned before. He couldn't leave them in the dark about his plans, since they had done so much for him, but then again whether he told them or not, they were going to worry.

"No, I'm not going to college. Grandpa's funeral and then paying off medical bills took up what he left behind, and I don't trust anyone to watch the shop while I'm away at class."

"So you're taking over the Game Shop now?" Jou asked with a sad expression. "I'm sure Grandpa would still want you to go to-"

"I know he would Jou," Yugi interrupted smoothly, "but I think this option is better for me, so let's not argue about it, okay? Especially since you guys are going off to college in September."

"I'm not sure I want to go now," Jou said. "I mean me, you, and Honda were all planning to go to Domino University. It won't be the same without you."

"Definitely," Honda agreed. "The idea is looking less tempting."

Yugi shook his head, fighting back tears at they were doing for him. "Don't do this," he protested. "You two promise me that you'll still go to college and become engineers like you wanted."

When Jou and Honda looked uncertain, Yugi pressed on. He didn't want them to give up their dreams just because he had to. It wouldn't be fair to them at all, and he felt guilty enough as it was for his grandpa. So he decided to put down one last card. It wasn't wise, nor in his best interest, but if got the others to do what they should…

"If you don't go," Yugi stated, "I'll no longer be your friend, and I promise you won't be welcome at the Game Shop."

"Hey!" Jou cried out, his amber eyes darkening in anger. "That's a little extreme, isn't it? We're trying to support you."

Yugi usually flinched under Jou's glare, but held his ground this time. "And I understand that, but this is only going to make me feel guilty, Jou! You're acting like we're never going to see each other again if you go to college."

"That's not the point they're trying to get across, Yugi," Anzu said quietly. By this point, the group had drawn the attention of a few other customers in the café. "They don't want you to be alone, is all."

Yugi slid silently out of the booth, dropping yen on the table next to Anzu's money. "I'm not arguing about this now." He glared at Honda and Jou that for once made them flinch. "Come talk to me when you've changed your minds."

Ignoring his friends' protests, Yugi stalked outside. He set off into a run once his feet hit the concrete. He didn't slow down until he saw the Game Shop down the street. Panting, Yugi put his hands on his knees to catch his breath as sweat dripped into his eyes.

He knew he shouldn't have run off like that, especially after all his friends had done for him these last few weeks. But he couldn't bear the guilt he knew he was going to feel if his friends didn't pursue their dreams. Giving them an ultimatum had been his only choice.

Once he caught his breath, he noticed a black Mercedes parked in front of the Game Shop with the door on the driver's side open.

Yugi blinked before walking over. He used caution, since it wasn't the brightest idea to check out a car belonging to someone he didn't know. His grandfather always told Yugi that his curiosity was one of his few weaknesses.

Peeking in to the classy car, Yugi felt his insides grow cold when he met ruby-red eyes staring back at him intensely. He screamed and jumped back, his heart pounding against his chest.

Yugi watched with a sense of dread as the man stepped out of the car and closed the door shut. When the man stepped forward, Yugi stepped back. This continued until Yugi's back collided with the glass door of the Game Shop

"W-who are you?" he asked, as the man stopped mere inches away from him. He shuddered when the smell of spices and sand infiltrated his senses.

"Atemu," the man whispered, "Atemu Ishigami."

Yugi's brain took too long for his liking for everything to click together, but when it finally did, anger rushed through him like a tidal wave.

"You're Atemu Ishigami?" Looking into Atemu's smug features, he couldn't deny that Atemu Ishigami was a more handsome, and even tanner version of himself.

"Yes." Atemu stepped back a fraction and smiled. "You're Yugi Motou, correct? Solomon Motou's only living grandson?"

"I'm his only grandson," Yugi said, letting the anger show in his words. "I've been meaning to speak to you."

"Oh?" Atemu pulled his full lips into a smirk, which only served to irritate Yugi even further. "What is it that you wanted to speak about, hmm? The million yen that I gave to help with your grandfather's funeral?"

"How did you-" Atemu's gloved hand slid over Yugi's mouth, cutting off the questions he wanted to ask.

"I figured you'd have that same stubborn pride as your grandfather did." Atemu shrugged. "He was a hard-working man and didn't take to charity lightly. He didn't ask anyone for anything unless absolutely necessary."

That statement shocked Yugi to the core and made him suddenly realize that this Atemu must've known his grandfather once upon time, but what he didn't understand is why he never met Atemu before. He had been introduced to all of his grandfather's colleagues in the past.

What was so special, or rather, not special, about Atemu?

"What do you want from me?" Yugi asked, after Atemu dropped his hand. Yugi's anger slowly faded, and curiosity was replacing it.

Atemu's irritating smirk once again made itself known as he directed his gaze to the closed Game Shop.

"Why don't we take this discussion inside? I'll explain everything."

Yugi at that moment finally understood that his grandfather was right all along…

Yugi's curiosity was a big weakness, and it was going to get him in trouble. He just didn't expect this trouble to be in the form of the handsome Atemu Ishigami.


End Chapter Two.