Chapter 37
Wow.
That was the only way Yuugi could describe it. She had no capability to describe the fancy décor or the immaculate people that mingled in the room. A small ensemble played live music in the corner, dozens of round tables filling the large banquet hall as people talked and ate, either standing or sitting in a group. A large portion of the hall was empty for people to talk and dance among their peers. This was obviously another world. Everything sparkled!
A hand pressed against her lower back.
"The novelty of it will fade." Said Ryuji, giving her a wink. He wore a light gray dress shirt and vest, the bandanna gone from his head, a single earing with a die hanging from his ear. He was dressed more casually than most of the guests, but it looked good on him. His personality just didn't scream suit and tie like the rest of the men in here. He fit in, unlike Yuugi who felt her insecurities come back again.
She took a deep breath, trying to remember what Anzu had told her.
Remember what is important. Beneath the splendor are normal human beings. I'll be fine.
It helped. Some of the blinding glitter faded and she could now make out individual people.
"Come on. Let's have you meet my friends." Said Ryuji
Ryuji led her into the room, passing people until they reached a table that already had two people seated in it. One was a guy who looked a little older than Yuugi. He had dark hair that shot out at the sides, yellow highlighting portions of it. He had serious blue eyes that were highlighted by the blue in his suite. The other looked around Yuugi's age, brown hair and an open expression that split into a smile and he waved at them as they approached.
"Hey Ryuji!" said the brunet, "How it hanging?"
"Good to see you Judai." Said Ryuji, giving the smaller man a high five, then holding out a fist and bumping it with the other one.
"Who's the girl?" said the one called Judai, indicating Yuugi.
"This my friends." Said Ryuji, pushing her slightly forward. "Is Yuugi. She's the one I went on a date with yesterday."
"Nice!" said Judai, giving Yuugi the thumbs up. Yuugi almost rolled her eyes at the gesture. Obviously they had misunderstood Ryuji's intentions.
"This, Yuugi." Said Ryuji, now talking to her. "Is Judai and Yusei."
"It's nice to meet you." Said Yuugi, giving the best bow she could manage in the heels. It didn't help that Yusei was studying her quietly, not having said a word yet. The scrutiny unnerved her.
"It's a little unusual for you to bring a date." Said Judai, obviously not done with the teasing. "Well... at least a female date."
"He brought me as a favor." Said Yuugi quickly before Ryuji replied with who knew what. "And besides, the date was also a favor. I just emerged a month ago and am trying to figure things out."
"Really?" he was shocked, looking her up and down. "Dang, I can't tell. You must have adjusted quickly."
Yuugi shrugged, not sure how she felt about the comment. She sat down next to him at the table and soon found herself talking with him nonstop. The boy had an abundance of energy and was easy to talk to. The food was being served as people entered, the waiters bringing their portions as they ate and talked.
Ten minutes into the dinner, she had decided she really liked Judai. He was bright and a little nosy, but created nice friendly conversation. Plus, it was easy to keep a look out for Yami. He didn't appear to be here yet.
"You seem distracted. said Yuusei, his deep voice making her jump. It was the first time he had talked. She had been under the impression he was ignoring her as he sat on the other side of Judai. "Who are you looking for?"
"She's looking for Yami." Said Ryuji. "Who else do all the young ladies pine after?"
"Oh no Yuugi." Said Judai, pulling a sympathetic face. "You're just asking for heart break."
"I'd give up if I were you." Said Yusei, eyes still unwavering on Yuugi. "He doesn't keep a girl longer than a week, let alone do serious relationships."
"I don't believe you." Said Yuugi firmly. "Yami isn't that kind of person."
"If you don't believe me then just see for yourself." Said Yusei. He pointed behind Yuugi, who turned in her seat. Her heart dropped at the sight.
There was Yami, looking resplendent in a sharp suite and tie, the dark fabric making him look imposing and strong. Even though he was several yards away, she could still make out those crimson eyes and handsome features. Seeing him brought back her feelings in a rush, making her face heat up. They stalled a second later when she saw that he wasn't alone.
A beautiful woman stood beside him, arm laced through his, obviously being escorted by Yami. It wouldn't have been as bad if she hadn't been so beautiful, or if they hadn't looked so perfect together.
Yami's head turned in her direction and she quickly turned the back of her head to him, praying he hadn't seen her.
"See Yuugi?" said Ryuji. "He's always got some blonde around his arms. Don't believe anything he tells you."
"Do any of you know him personally?" asked Yuugi.
"I do." Said Ryuji. "Or at least I did at one point. Let's say that friendship didn't last long."
"What happened?"
Ryuji started at the glass in his hand, swirling the contents slowly. Judai and Yusei waited, obviously already familiar with the story.
"It was when my family just started entering the business." Said Ryuji. "Barely a few weeks into our new deal with Pegasus, Yami started dating my sister."
Yuugi blinked, shocked. She should have realized that Yami had dated other girls before confessing to her, but she had never heard him say anything.
"Yami insisted it was only as a cover and that they had both agreed to it with no feelings involved." Continued Ryuji, and Yuugi's heart lifted again. "But then, a few months into dating, he got her pregnant."
"What?"
Yuugi couldn't believe it, but she couldn't deny the anger in Ryuji's expression as he clenched the glass so hard she was afraid it would break.
"The jerk had the audacity to say it wasn't his." Hissed Ryuji, glaring at the table cloth. "His family got involved and he didn't have to take any responsibility over the baby. She's now gone, heavens knows where, raising it herself."
"Ryuji." Said Yuugi slowly. "I'm so sorry."
Ryuji let out a breath, expression somber. "Now do you understand? Yami is not one to keep his word."
"I'm sorry, but I can't accept that."
Ryuji whipped his head towards her, angry and surprised at her admission.
"How can you be so blind?" said Ryuji. "He doesn't care that he ruined my sister's life. He's a selfish bastard that only does things for his own benefit. No one deserves a man like him."
"I wish to hear Yami's side before passing judgement." Said Yuugi firmly. "Besides, this is a story between you and Yami. He was precious to me before I met you. If given a choice, even without knowing the details, I would choose Yami."
Her face turned red when she just realized what she had said. The table fell silent, Ryuji and Judai started at her. Even Yusei appeared shocked.
"How refreshing." Said Yusei, looking mildly amused now that he had recovered. "No one here is usually that direct or loyal. I've got to admire you little lady, even if you are misguided."
"I'm not misguided." Said Yuugi, the heat slowly leaving her face. "I just know my friend and I know he would never do that."
"Yeah, about that." Said Judai, tilting his head at her. "How do you know Yami anyway? Did he hit on you at a grocery store or something?"
"No." said Yuugi. "He goes to my school. We've-"
Yuugi was interrupted by the sound of someone talking into the microphone. The slightly raised stage held a person Yuugi immediately recognized. Pegasus was a little hard to miss with that long silver hair and bright red suit.
"Welcome ladies and gentlemen, to my little assembly." Said Pegasus, beaming at them, arms held out at his side. "I'd like to thank each and every one of you for coming to day to celebrate…"
Yuugi tuned out the rest of the speech, thinking about what Ryuji had said to her. Something was up. Forget that Yami had said that he liked her, it wasn't like him to do something like that. He was not the type of person to confess and then date someone else a second later, nor was the type to abandon someone for his own sake. Sure, Yami had come to this banquet with a date, but that didn't mean anything did it? There had to be more to the situation, much like her own date with Ryuji.
Speaking of her date, he appeared be feeling down as well, no longer sitting up straight in his seat. His face held a frown that said he was paying as much attention to the speech as Yuugi was. She felt a pang of guilt.
"Ryuji." She said softly. "Look, I think you're a good person and I know you're just trying to help, but I'm sure this has to be some sort of misunderstanding."
Ryuji pushed his chair back, standing up and looking down at her, anger and hurt in his expression. He ignored the people that glanced at him for being noisy during the speech.
"Don't say I didn't warn you Yuugi." He said.
Then he walked away, the pain in her chest growing as she watched him go. She stood up with the intention to follow him, then her eyes caught something from the side. A flash of crimson. Yami was staring straight at her.
She felt the blood drain from her face as their eyes locked onto each other.
Thanks mah friends AnimaniAshley, Hiei Dragon Girl, ForeverWildfire2.0, catgirl505, Madolche Anjelly, Yaminisu, devilface1034, V. Copperhex and guest for the reviews!
Yaminisu: I can tell I worried you greatly. Well, let's just say that I don't believe in destroying a characters already established personality for the sake of conflict. It's the best and fastest way to get your readers ticked off at you. Seriously, character deaths are less upsetting than destroying a character's personality for the sake of cheap conflict.
Dear guest: I wish to teach you something I think will help in the future. I have watched many times in fanfiction where an author will receive several reviews consisting of only "OMG update" or "When's the next chapter?". I've then seen said author get discouraged and upset about said reviews and drop the project all together. While I do not take offense and understand your enthusiasm (It makes me giggle), I am in the minority. For the future, I suggest adding other thoughts to the review other than your impatience to read the next chapter. Don't let this discourage you from reviewing (after all, we can't tell guests apart), but keep in mind the hard work the authors are doing for free for you readers and themselves. Love you all!
-King of Doors