"Yugi seems like a nice guy," Malik brought up casually, spreading his legs out on the soft grass. "I'm sure he'll fit in just fine."
"I'm glad you approve, Malik," Honda rolled his eyes playfully. "He can be shy at times, and quite the nervous nelly, but once he adjusts he'll be good as new."
"Nervous, eh?" Ryou tuned in. "I suppose we have more in common than I thought."
"Well, he just likes it when things work out. He doesn't really care for extra suspense or pressure. As long as he feels like he's in control of what's in his grasp, he's fine."
Jonouchi patiently elbowed Honda in the side. "Speaking of extra suspense and pressure, here comes Yugi!"
And it was supposedly fitting, because poor Yugi was sprinting towards them at full speed ahead with worry engraved on his face.
"Yugi?" They all sang in unison.
The approaching friend slid down onto the grass while gasping for breath. His face was tinted light red and a few drops of sweat were dripping down his cheeks.
"What happened?" Jonouchi pried, placing a hand on his shoulder to placate him.
"I-I—well, I…" his head kept bolting left and right as if he were checking for something. He clenched his fists and pounded them into the grass. "He's following me!" He whispered in caution.
"Who?" Ryou questioned.
"Don't even tell me!" Jonouchi seethed, narrowing his eyes all the while.
"You didn't see him again, did you?" Honda added on hastily.
Yugi swallowed a few large breaths of air and nodded in assent. "He's targeting me and I don't know why!
"WHY I OUGHTTA—"
"Jonouchi! Sit down!" Ryou ordered as calmly as possible. One soft look into the blonde's heated eyes and Jonouchi was able to collect himself. He sat down resentfully, and groaned to show his disagreement of being idle.
"Yugi, I wouldn't take it so personally if I were you," Ryou assured, already knowing who he was talking about and scooting closer to his new friend. "Yami has come after all of us in one way or another."
"He has?" Yugi gazed into Ryou's eyes. "Like how? What has he done to you that makes you want to change rooms so badly?"
The young adult's cherubic face turned solemn as suppressed memories must have surged back into the front of his mind.
"It happened last fall," he stated simply. "I was studying late in the library for a midterm exam that I was going to have the next day…." ~
~Ryou lifted his thermos of hot tea to his lips, smiling as the liquid heated up his body. It was getting too late to focus, but he figured it would be worth it to try anyways.
"I should have just studied in my room," he whined out loud. He could have, but it would have been counterproductive. All of the books he needed to research with were in the library and it was too late to simply check them out. The fact that his roommate invited up friends to drink wasn't such a welcoming thought either.
However, the moment Ryou heard a crash of thunder, he would have most definitely preferred the latter. The dorms were a good five-minute walk away from the library, and though normally it wouldn't be bad, pouring rain would definitely make it uncomfortable.
The white-haired boy lifted his head and took a look around the library. Completely empty. If it wasn't for him activating the motion censored lights, this whole place would be vastly dark.
"I can't believe it's already one in the morning!" He sighed distastefully. He had studied for about two hours. A flash of lightning and crackling of thunder followed his statement. "I'm better off going back to my room."
Ryou collected his belongings and returned the books back to their original places. He tried to put a little bit of an extra kick in his step so he could make it home before the rain.
He failed.
Within seconds the rain crashed down rapidly, attacking the ground like mini meteors from the sky. It was nature's purest form of music.
Instantly Ryou grew anxious, and the mental pressure had seemed to travel from his mind straight to his bladder. All that trickling rain pointed the student straight towards the bathroom.
Slowly he opened the door, but he was disappointed to find that the lights were not reacting to the motion and stayed off.
"Oh come on!" he whined aloud, swinging the door a few more times to try his luck.
Part of him wanted to just desert the place all together and wait until he got back to his dorm, but the other part wasn't so confident of holding his pee for that long.
"Oh whatever!" Quickly he ran in and immediately began to do his business. The darkness caused chills to run down his spine, and the rain was so loud that all other sounds were drowned out.
When finished, he shuffled over to the sink and rapidly began watching his hands.
*Clink*
Ryou swung his body around and faced the stalls.
"Who's there?" He could barely see a foot past himself, but he swore he saw a stall door swing slightly ahead of him.
The rain filled the silence and permeated within the room. For a moment Ryou was glued to his spot, too scared to move and leave himself vulnerable to the unknown source of sound.
It took him lots of words of self-encouragement to get him to turn his back and face the sink. He grabbed some paper towels to dry his hands.
*CLINK*
"Hey! Who's THERE?" He demanded once more, trying to hide the shaking sound in his voice. The wind was howling from outside, and some branches were scraping along the walls.
"It's just the weather, Ryou," he told himself. "Just suck it up and go!"
He turned to face the sinks and mirrors before him, noticing that the only thing he could see in his reflections were dark, stormy shadows of the outlines of his face.
Another bolt of lightning crashed, illuminating the bathroom for the slightest of seconds.
Lighting up the rusty, dirty bathroom stalls.
Lighting up the soapy sinks and yellow crusted walls.
Lighting up the outlines on Ryou's anxious face.
Lighting up Yami Sennen, grinning slyly in the corner.
Ryou screamed.
He shrieked as loudly as he could.
Watching the satisfaction that curled around Yami's lips.
It was a terrifying moment,
But it didn't last long.
The light disappeared as quickly as it arrived.
And so Ryou jolted out of that bathroom, bellowing profanities the whole way.
Not as if anyone could hear him over the rain.
As soon as he left, it was like no one was ever there. ~
"I think I may have heard him laugh," Ryou shivered unpleasantly. His head was hung low as he slipped out his last few words on the matter. "But it was hard to tell over my screams and the pouring rain."
Jonouchi, Honda, Malik and Yugi all sat freakishly still with pale faces and terror in their eyes.
"We should have saved that story for a camp fire out in the woods," Malik joked dryly.
"No matter how many times I hear that, I always get the creeps," Jonouchi shook his head.
"You're telling me!" Honda huffed.
"I'm sorry, Ryou," Yugi sighed, beginning to feel like he wasn't alone for once. "I can't imagine why he would do that to you!"
"He doesn't have to do anything to me. The problem with Yami is he's just there. His existence is the problem. He's never touched me, threatened me or hurt me. Honestly, I wouldn't put it pass that freak that he was just casually hanging out in the darkness of that bathroom that night for fun. He doesn't go out of his way to scare people, he just does it by being himself."
"His demonic, devilish, self," Honda spat.
"Speaking of him just being himself," Yugi began, fiddling with the cap on his container of chips. "Why didn't anyone tell me that he looks a lot like me?"
The rest of the gang exchanged glances of confusion.
"What do you mean?" Malik asked.
Yugi stuffed a chip in his mouth and began pointing at his head. "His hair," he said through a munch. "It's nearly identical to mine."
Yugi wasn't really appreciating the lost stares that his friends were feeding him. Jonouchi's eyes were growing wider by the second. "What are you talking about, Yug?"
The gamer gulped his food, followed by a quick clearing of his throat.
"You know, how his hair raises in three spikes like mine? Crimson, black, and yellow bangs?" He waved his fingers in the air where his hair was as a guide. "It's a little different than mine, but nearly the same. Definitely the first time I've seen someone else with that style."
It was annoying, really. Out of all of the times where Honda and Jonouchi were occasionally silent, this had to be one of them. The four guys and Yugi engaged in a hard core staring contest.
"Guys?"
"Yugi…"
"Yeah?"
Jonouchi sat up straight. A small cough escaped his mouth, though he kept his gaze focused onto his best friend's eyes. "I don't know how to tell you this but, Yami's hair is all black."
It was silent. A few more glances were exchanged. It was interrupted shortly after by Yugi's abrupt laughter.
"You guys are good!" The younger chuckled, stuffing another chip in his mouth. "You almost had me for a second there!"
But why wasn't Jonouchi laughing too? That was a pretty good joke he had, and he normally laughs at his own pranks, so why wouldn't he now? Why was he intently staring with a dropped jaw?"
"Jonouchi!" Yugi softened his laughter. "Laugh with me," he pleaded with a tiny grin.
But Jonouchi didn't laugh. He didn't move his face in the slightest. They all remained remarkably still.
"Guys?" Yugi asked. "What's going on?"
"Yugi," Malik began. "You said you saw Yami with hair identical to yours? Color? Formation?"
"Uh, yeah. I caught a glimpse of it earlier today, but I got a really good look like ten minutes ago."
Malik. Yugi didn't know him that well, but so far, he didn't give the student a reason to disbelieve him in any way. So why was he looking so…freaked out?
"Will someone please tell me what's going on?!"
"Yugi…Yami has had all black hair for as long as we can remember. Ever since he's been going here he's had all black hair. Usually it was smoothed back into a pony tail." Honda looked over to Jonouchi to see his expression.
"It just wouldn't make sense if he magically had the same hairdo as you, especially before he's even met you," Jonouchi finished.
Yugi nodded his head in denial. "Stop messing with me. You guys saw him today, he had the same hair style!"
"We actually didn't see him today," Honda rebutted. "We haven't seen him since earlier this year."
Yugi swore he could hear Ryou mutter "Now that's pretty personal."
"Oh…" Yugi's confidence slipped away completely. He dropped his chin and gazed into his open container of chips. "Lucky you."
()()()()()()()()()()()
"A warm welcome to all of the students at Domino University!"
All of the residents began cheering and applauding out of etiquette.
"I am President Dartz, and may I be the first to say that I am terrifically excited to begin a new school year with all of you wonderful students! The following dinner is a way to greet other peers from the various dorms and make connections before classes officially begin tomorrow. Our hardworking members of the Student Committee have organized a few main events for tonight. Immediately following dinner, there will be a Psychic doing readings in the Blue Lounge. At 8, there will be a Hypnotist in the Green Lounge to perform a show. Please feel free to enjoy the vendors and smaller activities we have set up along campus as well. I hope you all enjoy your night! Have fun, and get some well-needed rest. Thank you."
Yugi clapped subconsciously, only slightly paying attention to the front man with the long hair, and more so keeping an eye out for mysterious people who appear out of nowhere…
Like Yami.
"Hey Yug, are you okay?"
"Yeah, fine. Thanks for asking, Jou."
"Then why is your head spinning around and why does your face looks all disgruntled?"
Yugi groaned softly as he redirected his attention to his friend.
"I'm really fine. Why would I not be?"
"Everyone else is chatting and catching up. I know you're new, but there's no need to be a stranger. You look spaced out and on guard at the same time. It's weird."
Jonouchi had an honest gleam in his eye, which allowed Yugi to soften up and admit his preoccupation. "It's just, earlier you told me this dinner was a required thing to attend."
"Yeah, we all had to sign in at the front and listen to rules for like half an hour before Dartz commenced the meal."
"So where is he? Where's Yami?" Yugi sighed, feeling worked up just by spewing out the name. "He sticks out like a sore thumb and his presence is like a mosquito sucking out the comfort of everyone's lives. Why isn't he here?"
"Do you want him to be or something?" Jonouchi raised an eyebrow curiously.
"No!" The younger slammed his fist on the table. "It's just, if he's required to be here, I'd like to know where he is so he can't surprise me."
"Oh, so you're scared."
"Jonouchi!"
"It's okay," he chuckled. "He scares me too."
A Professor granted their table permission to get their food. Ryou and Malik scrambled up first, already deep in conversation about their summer lives. Honda was kicking it back with Mako. Jonouchi and Yugi gradually stood up together and made their way to the buffet tables.
"Yami won't be here," Jonouchi finally revealed while standing in line to serve himself.
"Pardon?" Yugi looked up at his friend with mesmerized eyes.
"Yeah, I wouldn't waste your energy worrying about him if I were you."
"But it's required to attend!"
"Yeah," he shrugged. "And generally most students need to show up to class to pass, but not him either."
"I don't get it!" Yugi groaned, feeling the frustration weave into his tone. "That just doesn't make sense!"
"Trust me, that's nothing new. If Yami were supposed to make sense, he'd be introducing himself to the new transfer student on his floor just like everybody else has. He wouldn't be wearing bondage and he most definitely wouldn't be creeping on you."
"He should be reported!" Yugi sneered while staring intently at the dishes of food laid out before him. He grabbed a metal spoon and aggressively began tossing noodles onto his plate.
"You think people haven't tried?" Jonouchi snorted hopelessly. "He's got the professors' wrapped around his finger. Yami gets what Yami wants. He probably threatens them all when nobody's looking."
"With those fiery eyes," Yugi huffed. "He doesn't speak, right?"
"As far as I know," Jonouchi scooped a couple hard-boiled eggs onto his plate, "Not a single student at Domino University has ever heard him speak." He shrugged doubtfully. "No one has ever really tried to provoke him, either."
"It's like he's playing hard to get or something," Yugi rolled his eyes while tossing a piece of fish on his plate.
"Well, you're good at games. Maybe you can figure him out for us."
It was a simple suggestion. One that Jonouchi probably didn't think through as much as he should have. Nevertheless, it came out to Yugi as a proposal for a challenge.
Everything Yugi heard about Yami acted as a warning to not approach him. However, his current position with the whole ordeal felt out of his grasp. If there was one thing Yugi despised, it would be being idle in a situation he could turn around for the better.
If I could just get him to speak to me. If I could just hear his voice, than all of these rumors wouldn't seem so intimidating. I just want to prove he's human, after all.
Though, that's probably easier said than done.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
"Do you believe in magic, Yugi?"
I believe in the magic of your eyes…
"I'd have to be convinced."
"Well, you'll be sure to believe in it after tonight."
It sounded so suggestive. Anzu had a way of doing that. Her voice was so sugary and light—refreshing even, like a cold lemonade on a hot summer's day. Almost everything she said sounded like an invitation to peek into her life and peel away at her personality. It was confident and strong, for she knew how to handle everything around her and yet make it seem like it belonged to everyone else too.
Her persona was the source of all her beauty. Sure, she was pretty on her own, but Yugi had already run into a bunch of ladies that night with smitten faces and boring personalities. Anzu was different. She listened to Yugi's stories during dinner and told a few of her own. Instead of offering sympathy, she gave advice through experience, which was much more helpful and beneficial to the new student.
Yugi was grateful to have made such a wonderful friend.
"This psychic is one of the best in all of Domino! Mai and I worked for days trying to find the most accurate one. He had the best reviews and was able to give me an exact reading over a phone interview just by telling him my major and hobbies."
"Sounds pretty magical to me," Yugi blushed softly.
"Definitely! He should be here any minute. Say, thanks for waiting with me! I know we had to leave the gymnasium a little early to greet this guy, but I appreciate you coming."
Yugi smiled sweetly with a nod to pardon her thanks. He had felt bad when Anzu had mentioned that she needed to excuse herself to meet the Psychic. He didn't want her to be waiting all alone. He was supposed to arrive at 5:30 and begin his readings at 6.
"Matter a fact, as a thank you, why don't you get a reading done before everyone else?"
"Huh?" Yugi grew stern.
"Yeah!" Anzu cheered, flipping her hair flirtatiously. "It only takes ten minutes to set up a table. You could get a quick reading done. That way you don't have to wait in line for like ever."
"Oh, I mean, if you're sure—"
"Definitely!"
So Yugi agreed. He didn't want to refuse Anzu's way of saying thanks. Her insistence and charm would be hard to deny, anyhow.
The Psychic arrived shortly after. Anzu and Yugi assisted him in setting up his table, which included a funky tapestry, tarot cards, and a few healing crystals.
"Is there anything else you need?" Anzu inquired.
"That's about it. I'll just wait for twenty minutes until the students arrive."
"Well actually, sir, I was wondering if you could give a reading to my dear friend Yugi. Hopefully that wouldn't be too much to ask?"
"Not at all, I'd enjoy a nice warm up!" He glanced at Yugi. "Follow me."
Yugi smiled nervously and followed the man to his closed off table.
"Take a seat, Yugi. My name is Esper Roba. It's wonderful to meet you."
"You as well," Yugi gently greeted.
Roba took a seat while running his fingers through his puffed sea green hair. He definitely suited the part, with a trippy purple cloak adorned in yellow stars. His voice was thin and airy, adding a mystic quality to the already ghostly atmosphere.
"Yugi," he began softly, pulling out his tarot cards and shuffling them with ease. "I want you to tell me your age."
Yugi widened his eyes at his request, watching him as he chose five cards with his eyes closed and carefully laying them across the table. "Is that all you need to know?"
"The cards will tell me the rest," he assured.
"I'm 21," he answered, keeping his eyes glued to the five cards set along the table.
"What a wonderful age, truly."
"Yeah, it's been nice I guess." His legs began shaking softly.
"Yugi, I want you to listen closely. Here are the five cards that depict your life."
Well, that's one way to come off entirely too dramatic.
"Uh…how?"
Roba smirked, placing his index finger on the first card faced down in the order. "This here is the card that will explain your past." With perfect ease, he glided his hand to the next card. "This one will bring light to your present." Without looking up, he moved to the third. "This is the depiction of your future."
Yugi locked eyes with Roba, whom was entirely too calm for such a trippy moment. Reality always appears altered in such occult situations.
"What about the last two?" He questioned.
"Those are miscellaneous. They will aware you of something that you may have never known about yourself."
"Oh, okay."
Well, supposedly. He couldn't be sure if he was okay. He wanted to be, but the mood was just too thick and confusing. The reading hadn't even began and Yugi was nervous beyond compare.
Roba closed his eyes and hummed softly. Without looking he began to clutch and reorganize the position of the healing crystals that were scattered along the table.
"Shall we begin?"
Yugi gulped nervously, only nodding in agreement once the silence was too uncomfortable to bare. "Yeah."
Roba smirked, swiftly facing up the first card in line. Without giving it a second glance, he hummed in satisfaction and re made eye contact with the student before him.
"Ah, Temperance."
"What does that mean?" Yugi quickly questioned.
"You must not be so worried, my friend. Temperance is a card depicting harmony and balance."
Yugi raised an eyebrow, wanting to know more.
"Your past has been one with ups and downs, but in the midst of it all, you have been able to maintain optimism and bring peace to all situations. This indeed is a good way to have been raised."
Few words were said, but they brought an impressive amount of solace to Yugi. Sure, it could have been all luck, and maybe the explanation of the card was vague, but Roba definitely wasn't wrong.
Yugi never really saw his father much since he was enlisted in the Navy, and though he loved his mom, they never really had much in common. His Grandpa was his greatest friend and guardian, and though it was a rather lonely upbringing, the two had a lot to share and learn with one another.
"Thanks?" He wasn't sure how to respond.
Roba waved his hand to the second card and smoothly flipped it over. A little light went off in his eyes.
"Ah, wonderful Yugi."
"That's a star…"
"Very perceptive," Roba snickered softly. "This signifies a light in the darkness. You must be attempting to renew yourself from a past situation that may have been difficult or holding you back. This too, is an optimistic card, and proves you are trying to better yourself and your opportunities for a better future."
Yugi tried to hold back a squeal. How spot on was that? Anzu was right, she had to be! It was indeed quite the magical moment.
Without waiting for a response, Roba flipped up the third card.
The uplifting mood instantly diminished.
Yugi watched intently as the light had dimmed from Roba's eyes.
"What's wrong?" The shaking had returned.
Roba closed his eyes and let out a sigh. He reached for a healing crystal and softly touched the back of Yugi's hand. The student opened his palm in response and wearily watched as Roba tucked it into his grasp and closed his hand around it.
"This is The Tower."
"I see…what does it mean?"
Yugi didn't really want to know, the sight of it alone had looked unpleasant. The colors were dark and gloomy, and two characters were falling out of it as fire permeated around the top.
"The tower is a dark card; however, it doesn't have to be seen pessimistically. Challenges, unforeseen events, and unpredictability will come into your life."
The shaking grew more intense, and Yugi could nearly swear everything grew colder.
"But if you can overcome these things, the end of the tunnel will be very bright."
Without hesitation, Yugi hovered his hands around the last two cards. "Tell me about these," he demanded, looking for anyway to bring a bit of relief to the situation.
Roba nodded in acceptance and flipped the fourth card.
"The moon," he hummed.
"And it's meaning?" Yugi grew anxious and uptight.
"This is a confusing card," Roba admitted with a soft look of defeat on his face. "Something in your life is not as it seems. This card depicts risk, possible conflict, and possible greatness. It is ominous and weary. The moon is like a puzzle. If you can sort the scrambled pieces together correctly, everything will work out just fine."
"And what if I can't?" Yugi inquired, tapping his fingers on the table subconsciously.
"Then you will live in confusion until it can be solved."
"And the last one!" Yugi grew somewhat temperamental. "Tell me the last one!"
Roba's face grew stern and unamused. Obediently he flipped over the last card.
"Ah, what is this?" Roba questioned rhetorically.
"Is that Adam and Eve?" Yugi responded in shock.
"Indeed it is!" Roba studied the card closely. "This is the Lovers card."
Yugi scooted back in his seat. "Does this mean I'm going to fall in love?"
"The Lovers card isn't simply about falling in love, my friend."
"What do you mean?" He clenched the crystal in his hand a little tighter.
"Yes, it does signify some sort of passion between you and another, but it also depicts difficult choices and opposite paths. It is not an easy road to walk. You and your lover will not be together on simple terms, but rather challenging ones."
Yugi slumped in his seat and sighed restlessly.
"But do not be disheartened," Roba smiled. "When the two lovers can realize that they are two sides of the same coin, their love is heightened and perfected. It is a beautiful passion that they will share."
The two stared at each other intently, until Yugi interrupted their connection with a palm to the face. He released the crystal in his other hand.
"I'm in for some hard times, aren't I?" He realized, only half noticing that Roba had stood up from his seat.
"Do not be fearful, Yugi. Life is naturally like that. At least now you know what to expect and can prepare for your journey."
After showing polite gratitude, Yugi exited the area and met Anzu back in the lounge.
"Hey Yugi!" She greeted warmly. "The students are already lining up outside. How was it?"
"Oh, it was nice," he faked his optimism.
"Great! You'll have to tell me all about it later."
"Definitely…" he dropped his gaze towards the ground. "I'll definitely do that."
A/N: Hello everyone! Hope you enjoyed this chapter. I originally planned it to include the Hypnosis show and a little surprise at the end, but this alone was already over ten pages. I figured I'd update now and work on the next chapter rather than make everyone wait longer and overfill you with too much stuff. Enjoy! Next update should be in a week tops, maybe less! Please leave feedback! All my loving.