JY: So who wants to do the disclaimer? I'm bored of doing it for 6 chapters in a row! Yugi?
Yugi: -dreaming of something or someone- ...
Ryou: Why don't you pick on someone else other than Yugi? It's always him.
JY: Okay, since you say that...you do it then.
Ryou: What!
JY: If you don't, I'll do something horrible to you too! I can be really evil if I want to.
Ryou: -in a hurry- Okay okay! Disclaimer: JY doesn't own Yugioh, only the Red Butterfly! Happy now? On with the story!
Chapter 7 - Hope or Pain
"Are you sure you're not giving him another chance? You're really not changing your mind?"
"Nope, he's just thrown his last chance off the rooftop of the Kaiba Corporation building. There's no way to get it back."
Yugi and Ryou were discussing the events of yesterday in school. Yugi's body and face still stung from the beating he had received from Yami the previous day. Yugi had unknowingly dragged himself into a fight when he had thrown himself on Yami for insulting Ryou.
"You know I'm not worthy enough for you to get hurt because of me." Ryou had repeated that line for the 23rd time that day, but considering the fact that Yugi was in deep thought most of the time, Yugi might have missed Ryou saying it a few times more and miscounted.
I was so stupid to drag myself into that mess. Then again, isn't my life already in a mess? Yugi chuckled darkly to himself.
The day passed fairly quickly, Yugi able to pay enough attention to keep out of trouble with the teachers. Yami, on the other hand, failed miserably at that.
"At the rate you're going, Yami, you're never going to graduate." The sharp voice of their sensei broke the still and stuffy atmosphere of the classroom.
Yami looked like he couldn't care less. He rolled his eyes and dully replied, "Your class is extremely boring. And whether I'm gonna grad or not is my business, not yours."
And the class had to yet again watch Yami get thrown out of the classroom. They didn't find it funny anymore, since Yami was always shown the door all the time.
Then came the Art lesson. It had sort of become Yugi's favourite subject, because not only did he not have to listen to the droning of teachers, but he could also express himself better in his drawings. Their Art teacher was very nice, he set simple topics, and they could draw as they liked. Today's topic was really deep, it was to draw out what they thought of life. A simple abstract would also do, he said.
Yugi pondered over this. Life, to him, was a never-ending game, continuously spiraling down the depths of truth. You just sit on the train until it crashes off the edge of the world. You roll the dice, and it determines your next move. A game which decides your life and death. You either run, or you cling to life. Or simply hide, hide from the misery and suffering of it all. Denial. So everyone fights for survival in this world. For what? What were they supposed to be fighting for? To Yugi, if he could choose, he would rather emerge the loser of it all. Then no one would want to continue fighting with him to take over his place. Did happiness exist in his world?
All I ever wanted was for you to be happy.
A distant voice echoed in his head. Where had that come from? Which memory? Yugi shook his head and glanced at the clock. He had been thinking about the topic for half an hour, and most of the class had started on their drawings. Yugi's was still blank.
Good thing Art is a double period, Yugi thought, and he picked up his pencil. He glared at his white and empty drawing paper for a second, then started to draw.
His hand flew across the paper swiftly and silently, drafting his thoughts without a clue what he was supposed to be drawing. An abstract, supposedly. Finally, he took a step back and examined his work. To a normal person, it would have appeared as pointless and random scribblings, but to Yugi, it was a beautiful piece of art. He looked past the meaningless lines, and traced out another picture from within it. A picture within a picture.
Yugi started on his coloring materials with an hour to the bell. He snatched a glimpse of Ryou's work, who was sitting right beside him. All he saw was a blur of white on black, and what appeared to be unmistakably wings.
Change of Heart? Yugi guessed. Ryou bent over his work, making it impossible to see his picture. Yugi went back to his drawing.
Yugi finished fairly quickly, sparing some time before the bell. Sitting back in his seat, he noticed the teacher standing over him for the first time. He seemed absorbed in Yugi's painting, studying and taking all the features of it. Yugi held his breath, waiting for his comments on it. The teacher never criticised anyone, because he believed that there is no right or wrong in Art. But now, the teacher was frowning at the picture. What could have possibly gone wrong?
To Yugi's enormous relief, a smile broke across the teacher's tired features as he complimented him, "This is really good. What are you going to title it?"
Taken aback, Yugi muttered, "Hope or Pain."
"Have you finished it? Because I would like to show the class this masterpiece."
Yugi only nodded, he was speechless. The teacher walked up through the aisle and addressed the class. "
Class, I would like to have your attention for a moment. Your classmate, Yugi Mutou, has agreed for me to present you his painting, which I think contains alot of meaning."
And he held up Yugi's completed painting. A murmur broke out in the class. Beside Yugi, Ryou jerked his head up.
"There is no doubt that he had put alot of thinking into this. This painting had started as intricate lines. And this is the finished result, titled 'Hope or Pain'."
Yugi's painting had a background that was of a mixture of black and blue. Thick, black curly lines covered the gloomy surface. It gave the appearance that it was very messy.
But...but it was not the background that stirred the class, and apparently the teacher as well. It was what lied in the foreground.
There, it showed an angel that was glowing with hope and energy, but its white robes were torn and bloodied at the sleeves and hem. Its wings were also traced with blood at the edge. It was bending down on its own reflection in a pool. The smooth reflection was of the angel, but somehow shattered. A little doll lay beside the pool.
"I expect Yugi will have his reasons in sketching this complicated picture-" the teacher started, but the girl in front of Yugi interrupted, "Complicated? More like disturbing!"
The class burst into talk again at this, some agreeing with her. Yugi leaned forward to steal a preview of the girl's painting. It was brightly colored, and hearts lined the paper. Children were sitting on the swings and merry-go-round. Yugi did not look any further to understand what that meant.
The teacher looked thoughtful, then raised his voice slightly over the noise of the students. "Like I said, he must have his own reasons, so let's respect his point of view. Everyone thinks differently. If you want, go find him and ask him what it means. But not in my class," he added, as heads turned to Yugi and people started getting out of their seats.
The class settled back down obediently when the bell rang. Laughter rang out as the class once again got up and filed out through the doors of the classroom. School had ended at last. The teacher roared over the chattering heads of the students, "Hand in the work by next week!"
After getting his painting back, Yugi and Ryou tore out of the classroom as fast as they could go, muttering that they would be late for work. Yugi did not want to answer any questions, so he ran for his life, dragging Ryou with him. And so they left for Oak 3.
"A glass of fruit punch and one red wine for table 3!" Ryou's voice rang out across the counter.
Yugi hurried to get the drinks ready. Ryou sauntered over and delivered the drinks to the customers. They were as busy as any other working day, and working really hard. Yugi collapsed on a chair behind the bar top once he had the chance. Ryou did the same.
"Sooo...mind telling me what that picture of yours meant?" Ryou taunted Yugi.
Yugi blinked at Ryou. "Okay. It meant hope and pain, and that was what I thought of life."
Ryou sighed. He opened his mouth about to say something, but Yugi cut across him, "What you were drawing, was it the Change of Heart?"
"Eh? Yeah, it was."
Then a string of customers filed in and prevented Ryou from asking anymore questions, for which Yugi was grateful for.
However, after their work shift had ended and they were headed home, Ryou once again had the chance to question Yugi.
"Yugi..."
"Yeah?"
"What did your-"
But once again, Ryou couldn't finish what he wanted to say. Yugi's face had dropped suddenly upon noticing something. He broke into a run.
"Yugi? Where're you going?"
But the answer was apparent to Ryou as Yugi stopped...
"The red butterfly..."
The Red Butterfly's POV
"Red butterfly! Wait up!"
I turn when I hear someone yell. The voice was familiar. Recognition dawned on me. It was Yugi.
"Hi." Yugi was panting from running to catch up with me.
"Um, hi..." I mutter, not sure what to say. Why had he run all the way just to catch me?
"Haven't seen you around..."
Erm, why is he looking at me up and down like that?
"You study in Domino High too? Which class are you in? I haven't seen you in school before."
Oh, so that's it. He's looking at my uniform. Phew.
"I'm in the class to the left of your classroom."
He seems to be struggling to break the silence. Do I appear that cold?
"Do you like Art?" He asked hesitantly.
"Sure, it's one of my favourite subjects!" I chirp. Finally, someone who also appreciates Art. Yugi's smiling now...
Footsteps? Ah, his friend has caught up with him. Come to think of it, I don't know his name...
"Running like the wind and leaving me in your trail of dust again. Oh, hello." He turns to look at me. Oh wow...his eyes are so beautiful...
"My name is Ryou, I'm a friend of Yugi's, pleasure to meet you."
"Oh no, the pleasure's all mine!" I say, smiling back at him. He's got this cute accent...hey, what am I thinking? I can't afford to fall for any guy! No way!
"Er, if you don't mind me asking, why are you out here so late at night?" Yugi asks suspiciously. "It's eleven."
Ah, busted. As glad as I am to meet Yugi and his ever so good-looking friend, I really didn't want anyone to find out I was working. "I came back from work. Like you two."
They looked kind of shocked. What? Never seen a girl work the late shift before? Aren't they just as late?
I think I better tell them. "Please don't tell this to anyone else, you're the only people who know that I'm working late." Ryou looks like he's about to say something about this. Okay, time to use girls' not-so-secret weapon.
A little wink, a smile and a flick of the hair. By experience, I've found that charming the boys that way always work. And it seems like it did. Either because it's really dark, or I'm really tired, but I swear I saw Yugi blush. Because of the night, he looks purple though...Ryou however, had his mouth slightly open.
Another victory to me then. I'm really proud of that move...Girls, ya know? I also found that most guys find it amusing if you hit them...(A/N: For the full list on what guys like about girls, message me!)
Yugi has recovered from his moment of - what? Shock? And he's looking at me with...concern. What's going on? I feel out of place around him. He's got this weird aura that I'm not used to. The atmosphere feels too...friendly and warm.
"It's dangerous for girls to be out so late at night. I mean, there might be perverts lurking around, and you are kind of...well..."
"An easy target?"
Ryou stifled a laugh. "I think he means to say that pretty girls like you are a sure victim."
"EH! But - but-"
What the freaking hell? Yugi's turned a deep shade of - well - purple, but he isn't saying anything. Did Yugi really mean that, or did Ryou make that up? Gawd, if Ryou said what he meant...I mean, only one person's ever said that to me!
"Er...um...I'm fine, really, thanks for your concern though. I'm sorry, I've really gotta get going. Until we meet."
I turn and walk away, but Yugi's voice calls, "Wait!"
Sigh. What time am I going to reach home at this rate?
"Hmmm?"
"Would you mind if we drop by in school?"
"Why not?" I smile. At least that's something to look forward to other than all those stupid lessons.
JY: Wow! That was sooo long! I took more than six hours on my computer to finish that. Yep, finished it in one shot. Please tell me what you think! My fingers feel like they're about to fall off.
Sorry, but I'm a big fan of Art, and it also happens to my favourite and best subject. I love painting and drawing Anime. Anyone else who doesn't like Art, too bad.
If you want to know what Yugi's picture means, message me. Although I think it's kinda obvious what it means. Was listening to CAROLS by Ayumi Hamasaki when I typed it, and the title 'Hope or Pain' is also a title of one of her songs. Her songs are great!
I have a list of 25 reasons as to why guys like girls, it's hilarious, if you want it email me! Guys should see it too, they can laugh at what they unconsciously think.
Bakura will be making an appearance very soon, maybe the next chapter! Review please!
