The long awaited chapter two! This turned out much earlier than I expected, and much longer! A lot of changes were made and research involved but special thanks to all my friends in the BPS forum who helped me out whenever i needed suggestions! I love this chapter and how it came out, and I'm thrilled with how everyone was introduced and I love Yugi's personality: he's so much fun to write!
Sadly, my beta, Cat, is packing up and studying for medical school and leaving for Spain so I haven't had a chance to give this chap a second reading but when she gets the chapter back to me, I will repost this chapter with the new edited version (since I'm not sure when the third chap will be up!)
Disclaimer: Yugioh and All its characters belong to Manga-genius Kazuki Takahashi, I own nothing. This story is based off of is the Broadway musical Thoroughly Modern Millie with music by Jeanine Tesory, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan. The title and inspiration also comes from the Song All I Ever Wanted by BassHammer. The only thing I own is the plot and the plot twists.
Dedications: Dedicated to everyone who participated in my poll! Also special thanks to Tangy (Yami Yugi) Who's AMAZING fic Ten Things inspired the beginning of this chapter and the set up for Yugi's past, back story and inspiring me to change everyone's ages to young adults. And special thanks to Tay YugiMuotoLover) for coming up with Ryou's degree and his chosen occupation-Thanks girl! I never would've thought of that
As always, read, review, critique, and ask questions and whatever else you like. I love comments, reviews and critiques help me improve me work!
Orphans
The Primera Hotel was unlike any other hotel or Inn in Domino. The building had once been a small, traditional, Japanese palace. Now the inside had been completely converted into a modern style apartment complex. It was very different from the capsule rooms of Japanese hotels, or the modern hotels and traditional inns that mirrored ancient Japan. No, it was a combination of all the characteristics and advantages of a modern apartment, but with the glamour of its history.
And, of course, its affordable rent price made it an ideal place for wayward youths trying to make a living. In fact, most of the residents were only there until they landed their big break or at least a job that paid enough for them to get their own place.
The traditional sliding doors had been converted to regular doors, for easier convenience for hotel residents or any newbies checking in. Lanterns had replaced the old oil lamps with electric powered ones with light bulbs and the garden out front had been shrunk and converted into a path walkway directly from the road in the front. Most of the yard had been converted in order to make way for larger buildings and complexes. It was only because the building was about four or five stories, and its location was on the edge-skirts of town, that it avoided being demolished and replaced by a skyscraper.
The first floor had been converted into a lobby, while the remaining floors had been converted into small, one-bedroom apartments; and that was just how Yugi liked it. It was a typical Japanese apartment: the room was small, only about 70 square feet with a bed, bathroom, tiny kitchen and small windows that allowed little sunlight to hit the off-white floor tiles.
The spaces had been divided into four parts: the front hall, which led to the bedroom and the sitting room, where two couches were lined adjacent to the other against the wall with a small traditional coffee table in front of them, and a small TV with basic cable in the corner. The couches were similar to small futons with pillows in traditional Japanese designs.
Adjacent to the front door was a built in kitchen; cabinets covered two sides of the wall along with a sink, stove, cabinet and a small window above the sink, as well as a small refrigerator. Being too small for eating its only purpose was to store and cook food. Next to the kitchen was the entrance to the bedroom and the bathroom, where a majority of Yugi's life took place. Though it only contained a futon-like bed on a box-spring and a built in wardrobe, Yugi found most of his life stored in his room; and that was why he was currently there.
Sitting cross-legged on the bed with his arms crossed over his chest, his eyes narrowed in thought and frustration. The remains of his TV dinner were left on the corner of his mattress while a cluttering mass of applications, letters, rejections, brochures, newspapers and a folder used for a portfolio work were scattered across his bed. He glared at his mail as he thumbed through it and placed another rejection letter in the largest pile, resisting the urge to throw his answering machine across the room; Vivi had cut off his phone use until he paid the rest of his rent, which meant he couldn't recharge his cell either when it died on him.
The 23-year-old growled as he reevaluated his options again. His job lists had been separated into two piles: part-time jobs at food distributors and any jobs at newspapers, publishing, and any type of writing profession; the latter being the main reason why the rejection pile had grown so large over the last two weeks. His prime focus had been to try and find a job that suited his profession, but alas he knew there was a slim chance that that would be his first job.
He turned back to the first pile and thumbed through it. So far none of the restaurants and bars had called him back and, at the moment, he was unsure if that was good or bad. He was already low on cash. Vivi, the innkeeper, was stressing him to pay his late rent and he knew he needed money. However, he didn't want to reduce himself to the mediocre job of waiting tables or serving drinks unless he couldn't get anything that would further enhance his writing credentials. He was no stranger to such a profession, after all. He had paid his way through college working in a restaurant and diner, despite his mother and grandfather's constant reminders that he didn't need loans and they had more than enough to pay his tuition.
As Grateful as Yugi was, he told them the Game Shop money was their money and should be used on the shop. He had more than enough grants and jobs to pay off his loans while still in school. No need to waste their money. Besides, despite his love of games, the business life wasn't for him—much to his grandfather's chagrin and his mother's heartbreak.
He knew he'd hurt them both when he announced his plans to move to the city after college—he'd never even told them he'd changed his major to English freshman year until he graduated. He'd destroyed both their dreams and he knew it; they wouldn't let him forget. It had always been the old man's dream to keep the family business within the family: the game shop had been the core of economy in town, which he built from the ground up.
His mother envisioned her son living in town for the rest of his life, married to his grandfather's old friend's granddaughter and being a grandmother. Neither of them liked the idea that Yugi preferred a life working in an office surrounded by old books, typewriters, and wasting away behind a laptop screen or living in an imaginary world he created in his own mind and transferred to paper. His mother especially hated how he was more determined to publish his book and improve his career but had little intention of dating or marrying anyone, despite the fact he was technically bisexual.
Yugi shook his head to rid himself of the memories of home. He told his family he knew it would be hard, and he was right. But that certainly didn't stop him, though he did feel the stress. He'd been through all of this before too. This was his life! Not his grandfather's, not his mothers. It was his dreams he was following, not theirs. If they couldn't accept that then both of them were going to have to learn to get used to not seeing their youngest family member anymore, though deep down Yugi secretly hoped it wouldn't come to that. For all the pain, pressure, stress and heartbreak they put him through, Yugi still loved his family.
Besides, if he wanted a life, he wanted one he earned, not one he got because he fell in love and married rich and sat around and did nothing. Not like his mother. Yugi growled again, recalling the woman's expression when his father had arrived to congratulate him on his college graduation: the look in her eyes said it all.
Yugi always adored his father; they were fairly similar. Hell, if it hadn't been for the man's encouraging letters, phone calls and e-mails Yugi doubted he would have the spine to pursue his dream of being a writer and going to Domino, let alone planning it out for the next four years. His father even offered him his first loan, but Yugi refused, claiming he wanted to earn his own fare and living, something his father highly respected him for. "You're going to make someone a lucky spouse one day, Kiddo." Yugi chuckled at his father's closing words the previous week, before Vivi shutdown his phone privileges.
"Oh dad, if only you knew; that's the last thing on my mind." Yugi chuckled,wondering how surprised his father would be if he knew Yugi had long ceased being a virgin. "When I make it big, I'm doing it with my own hands. And I'm not letting anything—or anyone—distract me!" There was a fierce determination in his voice and eyes. The same determination that made him positive his mother's fantasy would remain that—a fantasy.
Especially not some devilishly handsome city-boy. Wait what?
Yugi shook his head and resisted the urge to smack himself when an all too familiar image of fiery ruby eyes, playful winks, and the mischievous smirk of Yami Atemu invaded his thoughts.
"Oh for God's sake, Yugi." The young man unfolded his legs and swung them over the side of the bed. "It's been two weeks, Mouto, get over it! You're a writer, not some fawning school girl!" He told himself over and over as he stomped to the kitchen and poured himself a glass of ice-water; no sense in wasting money on anything fancier then milk and water. "I came here to make a name for myself. If I'm going to date anyone, it's gonna be someone who can help me turn my manuscript into a best-seller." He smirked and chugged the drink without breathing, then wiped the excess from his mouth with his sleeve.
He'd heard of true love: he read romance novels as a teenager, and attended high school like anyone else. Stories of unrealistic teen romances, happy marriages and happily ever after's achieved through struggle, conflicts, emotional battles, and the challenges of raising a family and married life. He knew all too well that love was a double-edge sword. It was as dangerous as it was wonderful. He'd seen love turn boys into drooling monkeys and kicked dogs. He'd watched girls turn into crumbling piles of tears, begging and screaming for their boyfriends to take them back and make them whole again. Observed people fawn over their current squeeze like he or she was their entire world. He'd seen how relationships went from friendship to constant sex, to nothing but make-outs, to one-night stands, and then fall apart all at once.
His mother had married his father fresh out of college. He'd seen how his father had swooned and fawned over his mother, until he was born, before he changed to counter her over-protectiveness of him. While his mother was the one constantly holding him as an infant, his father was the one putting him on the floor and watching him learn to run before he could even crawl. How they broke up because his mother, for all her 'love' couldn't leave her home town to go with his father to America. When he wanted to take Yugi with him he had to fight her for joint custody, and even that was only because Yugi refused to even look at her unless he could at least spend some time with his father. Every summer in America with his dad was better than nothing.
He knew what love did to people: how girls put up with boys who treated them like shit and boys wasted their time, money and lives supporting their girlfriends with gifts and compliments. Even in happy marriages, and true love, one spouse would do anything to please the other, or followed them around like lovesick puppies. It was like a new form of control: except it wasn't forced. One was perfectly willing to do anything to please their Lover. They obeyed without question; worked, suffered and gave their "love" everything from time to money, their business, and their lives. He'd seen men and women in his town marry young and spend their days going to work and making babies and raising children ever day like clockwork. All because they relied on someone else to make them happy.
Yugi growled; the cup screamed in protest as its middle was crushed by angry fingers. That was the main thing he wanted to avoid: dependency on another to be happy. If that was the life his mother wanted for him then she was in for an even bigger eye-opener than she had when he'd announced his plans to move to Domino to become a writer. There was absolutely no guarantee that the happiness "love" promised would last forever, and then he would be the one who felt like his life was over before it even began if it didn't work out. Then he'd be stuck in an unhappy life, marriage, and lord knows what else. He would never allow himself to live such a boring, pedestrian, clockwork life. Never. He knew he couldn't depend on anyone but himself. Especially not Yami Atemu.
No matter how attractive the ruby-eyed city-boy was.
A loud, shrill noise broke his concentration and caused him to jump, scattering papers everywhere. He half-growled, half screamed as he glared at the phone roaring its annoying demands for attention. Knowing it could only be Vivi, he swallowed his temper and grabbed the phone.
"Hello?" He almost choked on the forced, polite response.
"You have a phone-call, so come to the front desk." The woman said in a sickeningly sweet voice.
Yugi waited for her to hang up, gathered the papers back into their portfolio and started downstairs. "Man, I hope it's a job interview."
The residents poured into the Primera lobby and made themselves comfortable on the couch, chatting away while waiting for Vivi to finish inventory so she could deliver their mail. Though it carried all the charm of a traditional Japanese inn, the old-fashioned arm-chairs, leather couches and fancy loveseats beneath the large glass window, which had replaced the former wall, contrasted nicely. It gave the appearance of the rest of the city; a fusion of the modern an ancient worlds.
Vivi sat on a cushioned metal stool behind the front desk, which was composed of a series of cabinet-shapes with a stone top where a cordless phone, computer and cash-register were set up. Behind her was a wall of plugs and keys for each room, which was recorded in numerical order as well as listing a name for each room: who was there and, more importantly, what bills they paid. Vivi turned in her chair, sorting through the day's mail and dropping them in different boxes.
The woman's dark eyes lifted for a moment to stare at the women gathered on the lobby couch. A young blond girl, with her hair cascading down in waves and wide green eyes hidden behind a pair of stylish glasses, scanned over a newspaper in a business-like manner. Across from her sat two tall, blue-eyed girls; one with short chestnut hair in a shoulder cut and the other with long indigo hair tied in a ponytail by a yellow ribbon. Both were laughing and giggling. A younger girl with innocent olive eyes and rich auburn hair that fell to her waist meekly joined in the conversation but became much livelier as the conversation continued.
"Girls!" the blond girl suddenly screamed, making everyone jump.
"Was it, Rebecca?" The brunette asked as the three composed themselves.
"Look at this!" The green-eyed blond slammed the newspaper down on the coffee table and pointed to the front-page story. Bold letters made the girls' eyes wide in horror.
Serenity's hands flew to cover her mouth. Tea, the blue-eyed brunette, read the title between gaps: "White Slavery!"
"Young girls and boys kidnapped and sold into a life of degradation and servitude!" Miho read, throwing her lavender ponytail behind her back. "Oh, how horrible!"
"It says so right here! 'Former actress Vivian Wong, missing for the last two years, is the suspected leader of a prostitution ring in southern China. Her current whereabouts are unknown, and it's is believed that she is no longer in China.' Thank heavens we live in Japan." Rebecca commented. "I mean look, most of this stuff takes place in Africa, and parts of Southern Asia."
"I wouldn't be so sure. They must have kidnappers everywhere." Serenity added, shaking.
"I agree, it says here the main targets are orphans with no families and traveling alone. How scary." Rebecca added skimming the paper while the girls crowded around her.
"Sad to be all alone in the world." Vivi said sweetly, grabbing the paper and rolling it up. "Don't you girls go worrying yourselves over such things! After all, you all have such large, wonderful, loving families waiting for you all back home!" She said cheerfully, stressing each word. "You all have nothing to worry about." She flashed a bright smile that seemed to calm the stress.
"Besides, you young ladies have much more important things to worry about." She danced around each girl, smiling as she addressed them. "Tea, you're going to be a dancer." The brunette blushed. "And Miss. Serenity, you're going to be a nurse when you finish school, correct?" The auburn haired girl blushed and nodded, as Vivi moved on to Miho. "You, Miho dear, plan on becoming an actress, correct?" Vivi didn't wait for her to answer, before she moved to Rebecca. "And Rebecca darling, a girl of such fine intelligence and determination, anything you set out for I have no doubt you will achieve it." Rebecca had always been a tough, controlled girl, but even her strict personality couldn't stop the smile that spread across her face.
"Now then," Vivi strolled away and gracefully scooped a stack of letters into her hand. "Mail's here!" her smile flashed with childish brightness as she handed each girl their mail.
"Tea, a letter from home. Rebecca, your copy of Nikkei Business(1). Serenity, also a letter from home, and Miho," She paused when she realized she didn't recognize the return address. "My, my, it seems I don't know what you've got." She explained handing the confused lavender-haired girl her mail.
"Wonder what it is?" Miho thought out-loud, undoing the seal. "I don't think I've requested anything."
"Maybe you finally got your big break?" Teas suggested, tearing open her own letter and began reading.
"One can only hope." Vivian smiled, and moved to hand her last guest his mail, until she realized he wasn't there. "Where's Yugi? Yugi!" she called. "I called him down almost ten minutes ago; where is he? Yugi!" The hotel owner growled in annoyance.
"Probably still sitting on his bed trying to sort out all that paperwork he surrounds himself with. Poor Kid." Rebecca commented, thumbing through her magazine and dog-tagged the pages she planned on going over in more detail.
"I hope he gets that job he wants." Serenity agreed. "He works so hard all day. Ever since he got here I don't think he's done anything but make phone-calls, fill out applications, and travel to Lord only knows how many places."
"He needs to get out more." Tea spoke in a casual tone of someone used to having fun and lively Saturday nights. "I admire the kid's determination but all that work can't be good for your health."
"Whatever." Rebecca rolled up her magazine and started towards the elevator. Tea and Serenity soon followed, exchanging gossip. Vivi rolled her eyes until she noticed Miho had not gone to join the crowd. In fact, she'd collapsed on the couch, a pained look on her face and her eyes glued to the paper in her shaking hands.
"Miho, darling? What's wrong?" she asked.
"My mother." Miho choked on the verge of tears. Vivi blinked confused until Miho handed her the letter she received.
"Miss. Miho Nosaka. Stop." Vivi read out loud. "We regret to inform you. Stop. That your mother, Mrs. Saraia Nosaka, has passed away…" she paused and read the final line with a mixture of shock and disbelief. "In a freak river-flood accident?" she sighed sadly and returned the letter to Miho. "Poor woman. What a way to go. My condolences to your lovely family."
"What family!" Miho sniffed. Vivi froze, her eyes suddenly lighting with curiosity before she masked it with sympathy and turned around. "Whatever do you mean, dear?"
"My mother was the only family I had left! My dad died when I was a little girl. My mother has no family and my father's only family is a distant cousin who lives in America. I doubt they even know I exist." If Miho hadn't been so distraught, she would've seen the smile slitting across Vivi's face.
"Oh darling, I had no idea!" she said dramatically placing her hands on Miho's shoulders in a comforting manner. "Sad to be all alone in the world." She said helping Miho to her feet and guided her towards the back. "Come on, let's step into my office, and I'll make you a nice, soothing cup of tea."
Too distraught to argue Miho nodded, welcoming the comfort before disappearing behind the door. "You just give me a moment, darling," Vivi gestured. "I just have to make a quick phone-call."
The second the door closed, the woman's mask of kindness vanished revealing a sinister smirk and wide almond eyes filled with a wicked gleam. She strolled over to the phone and pressed the red button, labeled as a private line.
"Hello, Budda?" She said in a hushed tone that would make any crooked salesman jealous. "It's Butterfly. I've got one for you! A real southern beauty! Let's say 400,000 Yen (2). What's there to think about? I'm giving you gold here, Budda! Take it or leave it!" She threatened until the pimp responded. "Atta boy, Budda." A smirk crossed her face. "Now then, when will the next cargo hold reach Tokyo?" She asked, examining her nails then exploded at the response. "What do you mean 3 to 6 months?!" She growled in fury.
The last shipment had been delayed two months already, and she had a business to run! Last thing she needed was too many girls in once place and cops asking questions. "If the Chinese police are on to something then you screwed up Budda! Not me! Ugh! Damn the government! The only reason it's making a fuss about missing women and busting rings is because of the damn ratio! Ugh! That stupid one-child policy was the worst decision China made since WWII!" She argued with her client. "Alright, alright! I'll keep her in the warehouse with the rest, but you'd better call me as soon as that ship leaves port! Atta boy, Budda, I'll see you in Hong Kong." She smirked before hanging up the phone, grudging that her latest shipment would be delayed at least another three months.
She looked back at the room where Miho was still waiting for her. She supposed she could wait and drug her when the shipment arrived then just say she checked out—the police had been buying that story for the last two years. Then again Miho was already becoming friendly with the rest of the girls—who hadn't failed to mention their warm, loving families. No doubt they would ask for a number or an address. No, it was too risky.
"Vivi?" She heard Miho from the other room. "Are you coming?"
A mask of kindness met the unsuspecting girl. "Coming, dear." Vivi smiled before gently shoving the girl back inside, double-checking to make sure no one was in the lobby or had seen Miho, before shutting it behind her.
Not having the patience to wait for the elevator Yugi stormed down the three flights of stairs, though he instantly regretted it when he found himself out of breath and collapsed on one of the couches in the lobby.
Vivi emerged from the back room labeled AUTHORIZED PERSONAL ONLY and gracefully slid into her stool. Her yellow dress rode up to her thighs revealed her long, thin white legs. Her long hair had been sectioned into two tails of silky onyx hair that rested peacefully over her over-sized bust. The rest of the black tresses had been done up in Asian style buns, complimenting her Chinese ethnicity. Red lipstick highlighted her lips, which she pulled into a smirk.
Yugi shivered. That smirk didn't work with her china-doll like features; nor did it compliment the creepy look in the woman's large, almond-shaped brown eyes. Vivi may have been a lovely woman, but that didn't stop Yugi from shivering whenever he saw her. His dad always said he had good instincts.
"You wanted to see me, Vivi?" He cleared his throat, and resisted the urge to flinch when the woman turned her impossibly perfect smile and sly eyes towards him.
"Yugi!" She sang his name in such a sugary coated voice that made Yugi want to cringe. "You got a phone call, and," She paused for a moment; Yugi shivered knowing the sweet look on her face was a warning of bad news. "You're late on your rent. Again."
Yugi bit his lip, bracing himself for the lecture he knew he was going to get and crossed his fingers, hoping he wouldn't get evicted. "I… haven't got a job, yet."
"You said today at three!" Vivi exploded.
"I know, I know. I'm sorry, but my interviewers haven't called me back yet! They said sometime this week. Just give me till the end of the week. I promise!" Worse comes to worse I'll swallow my pride and call dad.
Vivi growled and pinched the bridge between her eyes in frustration. "Look Yugi, I like you, and I opened this place to give kids like you a place to stay while they chase their dreams. I was a young actress once, I know how hard it is, but I have a business to run here." She said with an almost desperate plea, but her voice hadn't lost an ounce of his aggression. "You've been here two weeks and the rent you paid so far only covers one. I've only cut your phone, because I'm nice. Which reminds me," she pulled a note of the table and handed it to him. "A man form America called you, collect. I told him you weren't here so he left a message. But back to business." Yugi skimmed the note and was both relieved and disappointed to see it was only a missed call from his father.
"Tell you what, Yugi." She said sweetly, but Yugi caught the warning tone. "I'll give you one more week to get the rent. If you don't have it by then, you're on your own." She said before disappearing into the back room.
"A week." Yugi leaned back against the counter and ran a hand through his bangs. A week wasn't nearly enough time, unless he got fifty phone calls in the next twenty-four hours! And with his phone off the hook and his mobile nearly dead the problem only increased. "Kami, what am I gonna do!" he slammed his head on the desk, burying it in his arms.
"Excuse me, are you the manager?" Yugi's head shop up and he looked over his shoulder. A youth struggled to bring several heavily stuffed suitcases through the spinning door, while trying to keep the hat he wore from falling off.
Immediately, Yugi rushed over and helped him pull the bags through the door and set them down on the empty lobby couches. "Thank you very much for your assistance." The boy smiled brightly.
Yugi blinked at the accent; it didn't seem to fit someone who needed a room for rent. Then again, nothing about the boy's appearance did. The youth was about mid-height, only a few inches taller than Yugi, but shorter then Yami (Yugi mentally scolded himself for the thought) and slender. His abnormally pale skin fit his soft, cheerful features. A mane of long, silvery-white hair cascaded down his back in elegant downward spikes, shinning silver in the artificial light. Messy bangs peeked out beneath the gray sun hat he wore. The faded color making his hair and skin look brighter. His eyes were the icing on the cake: large, sharp green and bright with happiness like sun-kissed emeralds.
His clothing looked simple, but the material looked far too expensive for someone who needed to rent a room in a hotel for struggling youths. A long-sleeved shirt made of white silk that loosely hugged his slender arms was covered by a sporadic, leather buckled vest that rested snuggly on his torso; his pants were black and held in place by a gold sash, thinner than an obi, and hugged his shins and ankles with black bands; and expensive black leather shoes.
"Are you sure you're in the right place?" Yugi asked without thinking.
The boy turned to him with bewilderment and fiddled with his pockets until he pulled out a small piece of paper and read its contents. "This is the Primera Hotel for Struggling Youths, is it not?" he asked.
"Yes, it is!" Yugi said quickly, flashing his hands in apology, face red with embarrassment. "I'm sorry, that was blunt of me."
"Oh, it's quite alright." The boy smiled.
"Sorry." Yugi flushed again. "You just don't look like someone who has trouble finding a place to stay."
Again the boy looked bewildered. "Whatever do you mean?"
Yugi smiled at the boy's naivety and skimmed him over with his eyes and crossed his arms. "If I sold your outfit on the internet I could pay Vivi rent for the next three years."
The boy blushed and looked down at his outfit, then smiled. "Why, thank you. Unfortunately, I'm not exactly rich - well, not anymore, anyway."
"You lost me." Yugi blinked.
The boy dropped his bag and sat down on the couch motioning for Yugi to join him. Once the teen did so the young male began his story. "Well, clearly, I was born to a wealthy lifestyle, but it was never really an active lifestyle; save for the time I spent with my cousin. So, after I finished college, I decided I would get out on my own and make my own living. I just finished culinary school, so I figured here would be the best start."
"That's cool!" Yugi smiled. "We're in the same boat then, 'cept I wanna go up in society using my own skills." Yugi explained.
"How do you mean?" He asked curiously, intrigued by the boy.
"Well, you see," Yugi began rubbing the back of his neck, nervously. "I kind of ran away from home after I graduated. I live in a small town in the country; and that's the polite way of saying it, believe me. If not for the fact my grandpa's business brings us tourists and a substantial amount of popularity and crap, the population would be so low it can't even be called a village." Yugi snorted. "But anyway, Grandpa wanted me to inherit his business when he retires, since my dad is in America and my mom is such a housewife. She, of course, just wants me to settle down, get married and give her grandchildren until I croak." He shuddered, biting back his annoyance. "I mean I love them and all, but I gotta live my own life, you know?"
"That's very understandable." The other male nodded. "So, how did you 'runaway' as you called it?"
"Well, freshmen year I changed my major to English and literature—without telling anyone except my dad, I might add—so after I graduated, I came here to promote my books and to try to get published. My ultimate goal is to become a best-selling author, and maybe make a career in editing. To be honest, if not for my dad I probably would've chickened out."
"Ah, I see. Sounds like quite a dream." The whitenette smiled. "You mentioned your father lives in America?"
"Yeah, he's a businessman in LA. Quite popular actually." Yugi explained. "When I first moved out he said if I ever had any money trouble to give him a call, but I told him I'd rather earn my own living."
"Ah, you seem to be a strong young man." The boy smiled. "Perhaps you could help me then?" He suggested making Yugi blink. "Clearly, I don't fit in and I admit I do not know much about this area, but perhaps you can help me adapt?"
"Sure, not problem." Yugi smiled. "I'm Yugi by the way."
"My name is Ryou." The whitenette smiled, nodding his head. "And since we are both in the 'same boat' as you called it, perhaps I could assist you in making a good impression?"
"Really?" Yugi said over-eagerly, before he controlled himself. "I mean you don't have to."
Ryou just chuckled. "No need to be shy, I don't mind. I can help you and you can help me… since I have no idea where any restaurants, bakeries or pastry factories are."
Yugi couldn't help but laugh. "Sure. I'd love to help." Yugi jumped to his feet and carefully pulled Ryou to his feet. "But first we need to get you checked in."
The two strolled over to the front desk, and Yugi slammed his hand on the bell. "Vivi? Where are you!"
"That's Miss. Vivi to you." The Chinese woman emerged from the back room with an angry look.
"No fair, the girls all get to call you Vivi!" Yugi complained gesturing to Tea and Serenity, seeing them walking off the elevator.
"They have also paid their rent in full." Vivi countered.
Yugi snorted. "Whatever, Ryou needs to check in." The woman blinked following the boys thumb, pointed over his shoulder to the confused white-haired youth standing behind him.
"Hello." He smiled. "I'm Ryou Bakura, checking in please."
"Of course!" Vivi smiled cheerfully, and pulled out her book list of rents, and scanned the open rooms. "Let's see! Ah! Here's one!" she said, whirling around and pulling a key off the hook and handed it to the boy. "Room 23-C, on the third floor. Rent is due every Sunday by noon— with exceptions." Her eyes darted to Yugi who glared at her, until a bell went off in his head.
"Wait! 23-C? That's next to me. That's Miho's room!" Yugi announced, sparking the girls' attention.
"I can't stay in another girl's room!" Ryou covered his mouth, appalled.
"Oh, silly dear." Vivi laughed raucously. "Miho checked out this morning."
"What!" Tea demanded. "How! We just saw her this morning, remember?"
"Yeah!" Serenity added. "How could she have checked out so fast?"
Vivi flashed a smile. "Oh, you didn't hear? Poor dear. She was so distraught I guess she forgot to tell you."
"Tell us what?" Serenity asked. "We're her friends; she would've told us anything!"
"Well, she got a telegram this morning. Poor thing. Her mother just died. She was so upset she said she had to rush home."
"Oh dear!" Tea gasped. "That does explain it."
"Oh, good heavens. I know what that's like." Ryou sighed softly.
The three residents looked at him, bewildered.
"My parents died when I was a child." Ryou explained. "I'm an orphan."
"Really?" Vivi perked up. "Sad to be all alone in the world."
Ryou nodded.
"Here." Yugi smiled, grabbing one of Ryou's bags. "Come on, let's bring your stuff upstairs, I'll show you the way."
"No!" Vivi screamed, making everyone jump. Quickly, the women composed herself. "Miho just checked out. Her room still needs to be cleaned and refurnished."
"Oh, that's not a problem at all." Ryou insisted but Vivi was persistent.
"Absolutely not! I run a respectable hotel! I will make sure you get all the benefits that requires. Here," she pointed to the trolley-cart. "Just leave your stuff here, and I'll have my bellboys bring it up for you. Until then, why don't you all show Ryou around?" The phone interrupted her, and she immediately picked it up. "Hello?"
"Alright." Ryou smiled placing his bags on the cart, with Yugi and the girls' help.
"Yugi!" The teen jumped and bolted around. Vivi was holding out the phone to him. "It's for you!"
Eyes wide with confusion, Yugi grabbed the phone. "Hello?"
"Mr. Mouto?"
"Yes? May I ask whose calling?" Yugi replied, remembering his father's advice.
"This is Ishizu, secretary of White Dragon publishing firm. My boss loved your article and we were wondering if you were available for a second interview?"
His breath caught in his throat. "Of course! I'm free all this week." Yugi said with surprising control over his eagerness. Surprise and curiosity caused his friend to circle him. He replied to the secretary's questions, forcing his heart to stay in his chest. "Ten o'clock tomorrow morning is perfect! Yes! Thank you very much! Bye." He hung up and exhaled a large breath of air. "I've got an interview with White Dragon Publishing tomorrow!"
The girls cheered, Ryou's smile doubled in size. "Congratulations Yugi!"
"This is wonderful!" Serenity hugged him. "Yugi, this could be your big break! That's the publishing division of KaibaCorp! You work there for a year and you can get a job anywhere!"
"That's what I'm hoping!" Yugi shivered in excitement.
"Now we just need to make sure you're ready for your interview!" Tea butted in "Starting with your outfit."
"What?" Yugi squeaked not liking the mischievous look in the brunette's eyes.
"She's right, Yugi." Ryou chimed in. "First appearances are everything."
"I know, I know." Yugi took a breath. "Just wait until I tell dad. Actually, I better do that soon. If I don't call him back he'll tie up the line. At least until I get my phone privileges back." The last sentence dripped with sarcasm as Yugi looked over his shoulder.
Without looking up at him or stopping the scribbling in her date book Vivi replied. "You give me my rent, you get your benefits back. That's how it works."
Yugi opened his mouth to protest but Ryou gently tugged on his arm. "How about this Yugi, since my room needs to be cleaned, why don't we all go into town? You three can show me around the city, and maybe later we can help Yugi find an outfit appropriate for his interview?"
"Sounds perfect!" Tea clapped her hands together and dashed towards the elevator. "I'll get my purse."
"I'm free." Serenity nodded. "What about you, Yugi?"
Yugi just shook his head. Step one complete. Now for step two: getting the job. And if Ryou was willing to help him then who was he to stand in Kami's way?
"Sure why not?"
Despite the fact I know next to nothing about Japan save what I see and read in manga and anime, I still tried to keep this accurate to the Japanese culture: the hotel, the rooms, Ryou's outfit, simple stuff like that, but sadly since I'm American it WILL have that dominant clarity to it *sigh* still I'm thrilled with how it came out.
The beginning was fun to write: I wanted to give Yugi more of a back story and an explanation for his dreams and why he's not so much a cynic or a skeptic when it comes to love, he's juts independent: he wants to earn his own happiness and not rely on someone else for it (an issue that will come up quite a few times in this fic heehee) But again Special thanks to Tangy since the idea of the kids being older, out of school and struggling to being their lives (which makes much more sense for this type of fic) was inspired by re-reading her awesome new fic Ten Things! Plus for some reason With Yami and Yugi I can picture them being writers or artists: one or the other.
Also, since Yugi's relationship with his mother and grandfather is a tad strained in this, I decided to do more with Yugi's father (cool thing about him in the manga since you never see him there's an unlimited amount you can do and it would still make sense without going too far against the cannon) so yeah in this Case I decided that him having a more friendly and kindred bond with his father worked much better, and it was fun to do: I'm gonna have so much writing their conversations in the future!
Also special thanks to Tay for coming up with Ryou's occupation! I never would've thought of that!
A few notes:
(1)A weekly business magazine in Tokyo (in the Japanese anime Domino is a suburb district near or within Tokyo
(2)About 4,000 US dollars (least when the first Yugioh series was published; I have no idea how much the dollar is worth now).
Little History about what ViVi was talking about: In modern China they do to the one-child policy which states Chinese families can only have one child (any others that have to pay an extremely heavy fine) traditionally families prefer a boy for financial security in their later years, the result has led to a SEVERE differences in sex between men and women in China (if any of you know about the adoption of chinese little girls this is why) Also because of the lack of women, there have been numerous gang fights, kidnappings, etc, of women because there are so little women and men need to marry. Because bride-kidnapping and prostitution in China is heavily frowned upon and crime has sky-rocketed, the Chinese government and authorities go to great lengths to fine the kidnapped women. Not sure how serious the issue is today, but it's still a pretty BIG issue, so just a little background note there.
Next Time: You find out what happened to Miho and two new characters join the cast: three guess who? and "Vivi's" true identity (in case it isn't obvious) is revealed! Stay tuned for more from the Queen of Plot Twists! Mwahahahahahahahahahahaha!