[blinks] Woah, little accident with spacing last chapter. Hope you didn't mind.
Disclaimer: (I forgot this last chapter.) Need I spell it out? I don't own it.
Warnings:
[holds megaphone] Run little kiddies and homophobic people! This is a warning… I repeat, this is a warning! This story continues yaoi… shounen-ai, or whatever you want to call it! That means male/male relationships… so all you stupid or prejudiced people out there, run while you still can!
There's also swearing, character bashing and sexual implications (later on).
Reminders:
This is still in Yami's POV. That will not change if not specified.
This is also still Yami/Seto. That will not change. That fits into the warning category… if you don't like that couple, then get the hell outta here!
Sorry for not updating sooner… holidays make me especially lazy.
[ponders] Would this fic be considered AU, or at least semi-AU? Someone give me your opinion!
By the way, didn't I say that the yaoi was coming next chapter in the prologue? Eh, either I didn't put up the notice or no one noticed.
//words, sentences, whatever// = Yami's thoughts
~
How To Boil Water
It was well into the evening after we finished dinner when Yugi and I sat down and took time to go through the documents. Enclosed were sheets listing the courses available to be taken at Domino High.
Myself, Yami Yugi, King of Games, sat there with my right eye twitching furiously. Yugi was still snickering about what had happened… I had told him over dinner. I wish I hadn't. Right after I finished, he choked, then fell to the floor laughing. If he hadn't spit his food out, I think he'd have choked and died too.
So, trying to ignore Yugi, I scanned through the options quickly, some part of me hoping that cooking wasn't on the list. Then maybe I could get out of it…
Then again, there really is no such luck, especially since the 'Almighty Power Up There' was against me in every way possible.
I groaned as I neared the bottom of the list. There it was… cooking, listed with a brief description of what was expected. Yugi noticed that and began giggling uncontrollably again.
I whipped my head around to glare at him. "Yugi, you've been laughing about that ever since dinner. We had dinner at 7:00 p.m. It's 11:00 p.m. right now. Can't you give it a rest?
Yugi covered his mouth with both hands, but his attempts were futile. It just made it worse – he started laughing even harder.
"But Yami! The very THOUGHT of seeing you cooking is hilarious! I mean, you?! Of all people…" With that, Yugi began laughing all over again.
…I will not dignify that with an answer.
"And to think you have to graduate at the top of the class! Yami, you're never going to make it…"
"Thanks, my dear hikari." I replied sarcastically.
"Not that I want you to go, mind you." Yugi said, and even though a goofy grin was still plastered on his face, I could sense the sincerity in the tone of his voice. "You are my yami, one of my best friends, and my almost brother… I wouldn't want to see you die! Again." He added, under his breath.
Disregarding his last statement, I managed a smile. "Thanks Yugi."
"So, good luck!" Yugi said, giving me a thumbs up.
We both turned back to our checklist, and completed filling out the papers. After much thought, I finally decided on my courses… cooking being one of them of course. I shuddered involuntarily.
Just then, Yugi's grandfather popped into the room. "We've got some leftover strawberries… want some?" He directed the question at both of us, but I myself felt that some person was making him do this just to spite me.
I gagged and immediately rushed out of the room.
Seems that the near death experience has caused me to grow a distinct dislike for strawberries…
~
As the rest of the summer holidays slowly dragged by, I awaited the first day of school. As much as I dreaded the thought of humiliating myself in cooking class, and the fact that I might not see the years to come, there was one reason why I wanted to go.
…which I don't really want to talk about.
Then again, Yugi had the courtesy to bring it up on the day right before the first day of school.
"You know," Yugi stated as he bounced into my room, "tomorrow's the first day of school."
I sighed, sitting up from my face down position on the bed. "I know."
"We'll be seeing Jou tomorrow."
"Mmhmm."
"And Anzu."
"Great…"
"And Honda."
"Joy."
"And Ryou."
"That's great… Yugi, why would I care?"
"And Bakura. Yami Bakura."
I raised my eyebrows in disbelief. "Bakura's going to school? That tomb robber? It never occurred to me that he'd need an education…"
Yugi nodded, with a glint in his eyes I didn't exactly like. "Yeah. And so are many other people we know. Too many to name."
I faced him, meeting his gaze. "Yugi, may I ask what you're trying to get at?"
Yugi's somewhat demonic grin flashed out full-fledged. "And Kaiba. Seto Kaiba. You know that?"
I choked, then gulped. "You know?"
Yugi laughed. "Oh come on, I noticed you had the hots for him ever since Battle City ended… hell, during Battle City! I'm not your lighter half for nothing."
I fell back onto my face down position. "And people say you're innocent." I said, my voice slightly muffled by the pillow covering my mouth.
Yugi poked me. "Aw come on… I just want to help."
I sat up, facing the wall, as if talking to myself. "Give me one good example of how you'd be able to help me. It's hard enough to keep the secret to myself… but it's even harder to control myself! Do you know how flipping hard it is not to jump and ravish him when we're in the same room? It doesn't help that also wears leather… aah!"
Yugi sniggered. "Thanks for sharing."
I plopped back onto the pillows. I had more to say… but that outburst was honest and informative enough. I didn't feel a need to go any further.
And after that… well, let's just say I had an, er… nice dream of a certain brown haired, blue eyed, teenage CEO of KaibaCorp…
~
Meanwhile, in the realm of heaven…
A bout of hearty laughter echoed through the endless expanse of paradise. It had been sounding for at least a few days now… and the leader of the Fates (it was a male) couldn't bear it anymore. The suspense was killing him and he wanted answers now!
"Almighty One, if you may grace me with an answer to one of my many questions…?"
Though the 'Almighty Power Up There' stopped laughing, it still spoke with a rather amused tone. "Speak."
"May I ask why you altered the test of Yami Yugi? To such an extent?"
"Well…" it paused. "We haven't had a good source of entertainment in quite a while…"
The leader blinked. "Oh."
"And to see the former pharaoh cooking! What a sight that will be…" it chuckled.
The supernatural being nodded. "I see…"
~
The first day of school had arrived. I woke up with an extremely unpleasant feeling in my stomach… and I had this inexplicable urge to throw up. Who would've thought that cooking classes would have such an effect on you?
Bu-ut… that was beside the point. I peeled off my pajamas and changed into the standard uniform… identical to Yugi's, except a few sizes larger. Grabbing my backpack, I headed downstairs, where Yugi was waiting anxiously for me.
"C'mon Yami… we don't want to be late the first day back!" Yugi half ordered, half exclaimed, prodding me out the door. I nodded vaguely before getting lost in a sea of thoughts.
Yes, I've found out that after spending a while in the modern age, I've become a very absorbed in thinking… more than a few times I've been lost in my head.
So, shutting Yugi out along with the rest of the world, I began thinking.
//I've long since found out that I wasn't interested in women… I'm pretty sure I wasn't into them even in my past life. I think that 'date' with Anzu confirmed that… and yet she still didn't seem to get the clue. She still goes giddy around me… somewhat. It's not like I didn't do all I could to avoid her.//
Thunk. Yugi looked over… I had just walked smack into a stop sign. I didn't seem to notice though.
//So sue me, I'm gay. Big deal.//
Bang. This time I ran into a telephone pole. Absentmindedly, I rubbed my forehead, and continued walking aimlessly.
//Ok… you gotta admit… Seto is very attractive… and no, I'm not going after him only for his looks. I like him for his character… now don't think I'm going crazy here. I know there's more to him than what meets the eye.//
Smack. A thud sounded as I walked into a brick wall conveniently positioned in our path. Either that or I think it was a fence.
//True… Seto may be an arrogant bastard at times… but it makes me wonder… what's his life outside of school and that company he runs?//
Thud. I rammed into a random bystander, and I apologized… distantly. She seemed to accept it and hurried off to wherever she needed to go.
//Maybe it's just a silly little crush now… but can't I dream?//
Screech. A car braked centimeters away from me… and I vaguely heard the driver swear and yell some threats.
Focusing back into the real world, I waved away his comments and shouted back, "Yeah, fuck you too." I followed after Yugi and into the school… we're at school already?
As we made our way to where the students were gathered, Yugi turned to me, his expression a cross between worry and bemused interest. How he carried that out I did not know, but I was a little miffed. Yugi was short of bursting out laughing right then and there.
I glared at him. "What?"
Yugi started chortling. "Yami, are you sure you're ok?"
My glare intensified, as with his giggling (which I deem evil). "Why?"
"You've been very deep in thought lately. Either you just like to muse, or your brain has little space left to think about anything else."
"What're you implying?"
"I'm implying that you spend all your time obsessing over you know who!"
I promptly whacked Yugi upside the head.
"Ow… but you know that's true, Yami. You gotta admit… you're madly in love. Either that or it's just lust."
Just then, the line moved up, and it was my turn. Facing a grumpy looking administrator, I gulped.
"Your name." She said, sounding as if she'd rather be anywhere else save here.
"Yami Mutou."
Handing me a list and a school map, she peered at me over her glasses, as if telling me to get the hell out of here.
Which I did, mind you. I bolted – fast.
Oh boy… hell, here I come.
~
After being told our homeroom classes, our schedules were distributed out to us. Unfortunately, no one I knew remotely well was in the same homeroom as me… hopefully they'll pop up in some other class?
Nah, that's pretty improbable.
So anyways, as I was saying, we got our schedules. I noticed I had cooking… EVERY DAY?! WHAT?! They never said ANYTHING about cooking classes being every day!!!
I slumped in my seat, groaning.
~
Nevertheless, the day dragged by without me having to kill/mind crush anyone, go insane, or anything else that might prove hazardous to my health (yeah, like school isn't). And, much to my good fortune (what good fortune?), I ended up in the same math class as Ryou, the same language (Japanese) class as Yugi, and the same geography class as Jou… even though he wasn't that big of a help at least there were some familiar faces around.
Then the dreaded hour came… the last period… cooking…
I groaned inwardly as I walked as slowly as I could to the classroom.
I opened the door, and the majority of the class was already there. Looking around the group of around twenty students or so, my jaw nearly dropped all the way to the floor when I noticed two – rather, three, individuals in particular.
All I need to say is: Seto, Bakura, and Anzu.
Out of ALL the people I know, it HAD to be those three.
Anzu… I had nothing against her, but she's kind of annoying. Screw that, she's very annoying… at times. Bakura… past life, tomb robber… does that say enough for you? I don't appreciate people depriving my ancestors of their riches… especially when they were already dead. And Seto… let's just say I'm going to have a little problem concentrating in class…
I quickly surveyed the room, taking in its build, and the places that might prove dangerous to me. Well, it was set out kind of like a science lab… except there were stoves and ovens. Instead of single desks set out in rows, it was made up of single workstations – complete with sinks, cooking devices, and whatever else… I haven't learnt all the classifications yet.
In the front of the room was a whole lineup of chairs set up in three rows. Seeing as to almost everyone was already here, I began searching for a chair that wasn't already taken.
Nabbing an empty seat in the middle row (the only one left) I looked around me…
And directly to my right was Seto… GAH!
Resisting the urge to panic and run, I turned to my left, only to find Anzu sitting there.
I choked. Of all the seats I managed to get…
Hearing my choke, both the brunettes turned to see what was the cause… both blinked, and then…
Well, Anzu nearly leapt onto me. "Yami!" she exclaimed. "It's great to see you here! I never knew you were one to learn how to cook!"
Was she aware that she was clutching my arm?
"It's a long story…" I explained uneasily, hoping she'd take the clue and let go of my limb (I value my body parts, thanks). I began willing her to let go of me, and unconsciously stared to the direction opposite of the girl…
…and looked straight into another set of blue eyes.
Hoping I wasn't blushing (I really gotta stop acting like a lovesick fool…), I turned back to Anzu. Said girl was still clinging onto me like a parasite.
"Um… Anzu? Can you… let go of me?"
"Oh… sorry." Anzu said, blushing like one of those obsessed schoolgirls. She probably was… but, wanting to keep my lunch in my stomach, I tried to ignore her.
Turning to the boy on my right, I decided I had to talk to him to kill time. Besides, some part of me was pushing to do so.
That very part of me was also the part that held all of my pent up desire…
"So… Seto, why are you here?"
While looking stunned that I said something to him, I was also half relieved that he didn't immediately react to the fact that I had used his first name. Actually, to tell the truth, I had expected him to snap back and tell me to a) leave him alone or b) never address him by his first name.
But, he didn't. So let's not go there.
He gazed upfront, not looking at me. Not that I had anticipated him being friendly, but a small naïve part of me had secretly wished that he'd be slightly more… responsive. Call it false hope… or maybe even a stupid fantasy.
Said boy mumbled something incoherent. I had to strain to hear him… and even so, all I was able to catch was a few words along the lines of 'blackmail' and 'Mokuba'.
Blinking, I turned to my left, only to find that Anzu went somewhere else… probably on a bathroom break or something. Letting out a breath of relief, my breathing quickly hitched in its release and I… well, stared,
Gawked openly would be more like it though, because Bakura was sitting exactly one seat away from me.
Our gazes met, and that blasted tomb robber smirked. "What's the matter pharaoh?"
I glared. "What are you doing here?"
"I'm in class!" he said, voice laced with irritation… and somehow, amusement. What the humour was in this I didn't know, but how Bakura executed the task of multiple tones… was… strange.
"Uh huh. And you want to learn how to cook because…?" I shot back.
"Ryou began threatening me. Said I was constantly burning his 'property'." He frowned. "I don't know what crawled up his pants, but if he was a girl, I'd swear he was going a major mood swing." Bakura scowled. "And people say that I'M the mean and abusive one. At least Ryou doesn't hit me…"
"That still doesn't explain why you're here." I retorted, not caring one bit if I was sounding hostile or not.
"Well." Bakura said, his signature sadistic grin gracing his features. "Ryou promised me that if I stopped wreaking havoc on the furniture and appliances at home, I could, instead, burn a few square meters of the school, using their stoves and equipment. Heh heh heh…" the tomb robber rubbed his hands together like a little child who had just been rewarded with a lollipop. "Unfortunately," he said, acting slightly more serious, "I can't burn the whole school. Shame."
Shame indeed, I thought, and just as I was about it voice my opinion, a heard a squeal from under the chair.
"BAKURA, HOW DARE YOU!" a not so faint squeaking voice sounded. Anzu crawled up from under the chairs, her hair in disarray and uniform disheveled.
Bakura smirked. "How dare I what?"
Angrily standing to tower over Bakura, she glowered down at the tomb robber (who wasn't at all intimidated, might I add). "You shoved me down under all the chairs and you're asking me 'how dare I what'? You… you!" She made a move to strangle Bakura while I watched, mildly entertained. Much to my surprise, Seto, too, was gazing at them with the slightest bit of curiosity and interest.
Just as Anzu clamped her hands around the spirit's neck, an obnoxious yet terribly familiar voice spoke. "Miss Mazaki, is that any way to treat your fellow classmates? Sit down, please."
As the whole class quieted down, and as I looked up front, my jaw dropped open as a recognized that horrid red and white suit.
Damnit.
The introductions began, while I slunk down in my seat, wishing I were anywhere but here. Anywhere. Anywhere at all…
"Greetings, class." The man, our teacher began. "I am going to teach the cooking class… and as you all should know, my name is Pegasus J. Crawford… inventor of Duel Monsters and now, your new cooking teacher! By the way, you may address me as Mr. Pegasus."
While a great number of students looked like they were in bliss, and another number were staring at said man in fascination and awe, us four were sitting there, Bakura, looking ready to gag, Anzu, with an expression of disgust that looked incredibly fake, me, with an expression of disbelief, and Seto, staring up with an equal expression of disbelief.
Resting my face behind my hands, I thought, 'Why me?'.
The man babbled on, mainly about what we were going to do throughout the year, what fun we were going to have, what we were going to learn, and so on. I had thought that that egomaniac might have talked all about himself and his life, but most unexpectedly this man did have some good points. Then again, that wasn't going to make me appreciate him as a teacher.
Also makes me wonder whatever made him come teach at Domino High instead of doing, what, running his company as president?
After the run through, our first lesson began. Pegasus quickly explained and covered the standard procedures and rules of the school kitchen.
"Now, I want you guys to be working in partners. You may work with whomever you like – "
The class immediately hustled and bustled about, with friends turning to one another, students eyeing people, wondering who they should partner up with. I myself began wondering who I was going to paired up with.
"Someone who knows about newfangled inventions, I hope…" I mulled, lazily eyeing the individuals.
"Aah aah ahh!" Pegasus said, wagging his finger at us like we were no more than little three year olds. "You guys didn't even let me finish. There's a catch!"
The lot of the teenagers groaned, sounding as disappointed as could be. Everyone settled down and again, focused their attention to our teacher. I myself was feeling a little apprehensive… what if I was paired up with someone disagreeable?
Our instructor smiled, rather childishly, in a sense… acting a good deal younger than his age. "You may only partner up with someone you are sitting beside."
Instantly, the class cheered up, seeing as to how almost everyone sat beside a friend. Arrangements were speedily laid out, as pairs were quickly made.
Glancing at the two people beside me, I sighed. This leaves me with little choice…
Turning to the teen on my right, I nudged him with my elbow, succeeding in getting his attention. However, instead of the somewhat distant boy I was faced with earlier, Seto had apparently turned back to the rival I knew so well – cold and defensive.
"Don't be thinking any minute that I'm going to partner up with you." Evidently some things still stuck.
Not at all fazed for a second, I caught a glimpse of who was sitting beside him. Another one of those giddy/obsessed/crazed schoolgirls/fangirls. At the moment, she was staring at Seto, blushing and nervously wringing her hands together.
Resisting the urge to impale the girl, I pointed as discreetly as possible. "Would you rather be partners with one of your fangirls? Your call."
Catching a quick glimpse over his shoulder, he turned back just as rapidly. Looking behind me, he looked down at me. "Why don't you partner up with Miss Mary Sue? You two are so buddy-buddy anyways."
Grabbing the front of his shirt, I pulled him down (height difference…) and hissed into his ear. "I don't WANT to work with Anzu! Now can you please make up your mind before she asks me?!"
Casting another look behind himself, he nodded. The two of us got up and walked to a set of sinks, stoves, and whatever. Anzu looked positively livid… and turned to the tomb robber beside her. Bakura raised an eyebrow before following her to the work station next to us.
Set out before every pair of students was a kettle and a pair of gloves. I guess we weren't doing anything too messy today… it does explain the absence of aprons.
"Ok!" Pegasus clapped his hands, demanding the utmost attention of every pupil. "Today… we are going to learn one of the most basic things in cooking… turning on the stove and boiling water!"
He sounds too excited…
Instructing us step by step, Pegasus carried out the procedure so we could all see. Some students knew what to do… while others stared on, making sure they took in every exact detail.
Seto had better know how to do this…
When his overly long and fruity demonstration, everyone began filling their kettles posthaste. While Seto seemed to have an inkling of what to do, and what not to do, I was staring at the stove like it was a weapon of mass destruction.
Which in fact, as I was told by Yugi, if used correctly, it would have devastating results on innocent bystanders…
But, watching as Seto filled the kettle, and turned on the stove, I made sure to learn whatever thrown at us.
…after all, I did have to graduate top of the class…
"Remember!" Pegasus said, once again, sounding too cheerful for his own good. "When the kettle starts steaming, and when it starts steaming A LOT, you must pick it up and place it in a safe spot! Be careful! You all should know that boiling water is HOT."
With all that said and done, everyone sat back and waited… after all, so I've been told, boiling water takes a matter of a few minutes.
A sudden interruption jarred my train of thoughts. "So, Yami… why are you in class? Cooking class, I mean."
Turning to the boy sitting next to me, I blinked. Seto sat there, most likely expecting an answer.
I gulped, apprehensively watching the kettle let off columns of steam. "Um… can I talk to you later? That thing is steaming…"
The CEO snorted. "Oh please Yami, it's just done boiling. Why don't you try picking it up?"
My eyes widened. "Me?" I half yelled.
He frowned. "If you're planning on making any progress, you should start by doing something? Yami, this is only our first lesson."
I nodded, anxiously eyeing the steaming kettle.
"Now, hold the kettle by the handle," he dictated while I did as he told, "and make sure that you aren't touching it directly. Then, lift it up, and place it on that spiral thingy…" he pointed, "the other one, and set it down. Simple enough?"
I let out a sigh of relief. "At least I managed to do that…"
He shook his head, the slightest of smiles adorning his features. "Seriously Yami, I really think you should start learning more about the modern world… if you're planning on getting anywhere."
I socked him playfully in the arm. "What do you know?"
I could tell he was shocked outright, but that didn't really matter to me. At least not at that moment. An unearthly shriek/wail broke the peaceful atmosphere of the classroom, turning everyone's heads.
"BAKURA!"
"What?" Bakura looked at Anzu, raising an eyebrow, acting innocent. Well, for one thing, he was still holding a just finished boiling kettle. Another thing was that it was tipped forward. And last but not least, Anzu's front was soaked. With what was probably burning hot water.
The girl screamed in what seemed to be pain, until Pegasus quickly ushered the girl off to the nurses' office.
Bakura smiled, somewhat sadistically. "Whoops."
~
(To be continued…)
Hmm… what was Yami's original test? You'll find out.
I apologize again for the lateness and crappiness of this chapter. I'm well aware of the lack of humour and out of characterness… some anyways. Sorry… my writing's very inconsistent. I manage to produce some decent stuff once in a while… and at other times it's just a load of crud. _ Man, do I ever envy you good writers out there…
I realize that Yami's acting kinda like a lovesick idiot, and that the yaoi is one-sided… that will change. Just bear with me…
It might take a while for me to update again. Sorry.
Anyways… my birthday's coming up. Not that anyone would care, but can you review for a present? Please?
Satori Opaque
