Puzzle Pieces

by serena.jones.585

Chapter 0, Piece 0: Preface "That? Oh, it's a puzzle, but the box is missing, so I'm not sure what the picture is." "Couldn't someone just put together and see?" "I suppose they could, but how? You'd pull out a handful of pieces, but you wouldn't know if they were sky or water or anything. There'd be no way to see how they relate. And you'd never know if a piece was missing."

32. Piece 24

Chapter 32, Piece 24 * * * * * * * *

"Are you sure you want to do this?" Yugi asked. "It's your car."

"Do you have another option?" Otogi replied. "Your grandfather can't, my father won't. None of us can get any credit. The car's free and clear. We'll get the money and go straight to the printer."

"Ryuji, it's your car," Yugi repeated. "If we miss the payments, they'll take your car."

"So we just won't miss a payment."

Yugi looked miserable. "Maybe-"

"Maybe we're out of 'maybes'. This should give us six months, and if we really do have an audience out there, it will last even longer." Otogi reached across his friend and grabbed the car's title from the glove box. "Go big or go home. Didn't Yami always play to win?"

"Yami wouldn't have sold someone else's chariot," Yugi sighed as they both got out of the car.

It was frightening how quick, easy, and friendly the loan service was. The nice man helped them complete the paperwork, while the pretty lady verified the title and the insurance. The interest and fees were Yakuza-level high. Far faster than Yugi expected, they were leaving, funds deposited instantly.

"We'll get it back." Yugi's jaw was set. "I promise. We will get your car back. This will work, I know it will."