Disclaimer: Oh boy, I don't own Yu-gi-oh (that's for sure)… Ano, right…
Summary: Ryou decides to get a job at a café and happens to witness a nasty break up between Seto Kaiba and Ryuuji Otogi. So, being the nice boy he is, he decides to help Seto out. Life wasn't complicated enough…
Couples:
Eventual RyouxSeto.
Hints of SetoxOtogi.
A/N: Thank you again Lil' Riter for the review!
Fair Game
Chapter Three
I believe that the only reason why I can live here in this world is because the greater power above pities me every so once in a while and throws me a bone… Ano, I mean creampuffs. Creampuffs are so much nicer than bones, and if they happen to fall upon my head (the greater power above felt guilty for being nice, therefore must turn this into a battle) they won't hurt. But creampuffs could get caught in your hair, and are nearly impossible to get out of your hair neatly… Oh, my, what would be harder? A handful of cream or a handful of meat? I wonder if the greater power above even lets you chose your own preference.
Oh, how sad when the mundane events of life have made me turn to the thoughts of whether or not I'd prefer to be hit upon the head with a bone or a creampuff.
I really think I'm going to cry… But then again, that just could be of the nausea and pain plaguing my body. And the even more, ano, disturbing thoughts of Yuu-gi and his leather… I shuddered again. I have always wondered what inspired Yuu-gi to dress in the way he does, but, oh, my… I fear I never have and never will gather my wits to ask him.
It's not so much the asking that bothers me (that's only about 40 of it) but more so the answer (the other 60). Over all, it's a very sensitive subject. One that requires years of slow and steady bribing and trust. Also known as, a person would be much better off if he didn't ask at all… My most reasonable hypothesis at this time is because of Yami. But then again, Yuu-gi's dressed like that for years and you'd think that Yami would end up warming up to something more… ancient Egyptian…
...Perhaps I've got it all wrong and Yuu-gi's the dark…
…Scratch that, my most reasonable hypothesis is that I've been spending far too much time with a psychopath in my head and need to get out more. They are called "darks" for I reason I suppose.
I followed Otogi with my eyes as he walked into the kitchen, retrieving a clear glass cup and filling it with tap water. He then began to pillage my cabinets, searching desperately for the something I think... I thanked him sincerely while he did this, while he murmured a "no problem," still making a mess of my kitchen. It struck me then that he may he may be indeed searching for the painkillers, and I waited a few moments, thinking that maybe he was looking for something else.
"Ryou, where are your pills…? I can't find them…"
Nope, apparently not. Otogi is a brilliant person, but sometimes has issues with thinking about the most in-your-face-ideas ever… Such as his problem with Kaiba. Talking to his boyfriend at a rocky point in their relationship never crossed his mind, yet creating a new game containing dice and Magic & Wizards was quite a walk in the park for him. I believe a true genius is one who can find and state the obvious.
But not in my case, in my case it's just being blunt and makes me seem terribly shallow and stupid.
I smiled to myself despite my thoughts and directed him towards the medicine cabinet in the bathroom. The rummaging from my kitchen stopped followed by a very slow and meek,
"oh…"
I sighed heavily, oh, what ever are we going to do with you, Otogi? I lay back down, snuggling deeper into the warm folds of the blanket on top of me… Though not very warm, the Egyptian cotton was very soft and comfortable. While I wanted to just buy a normal blue blanket, mou hitori no boku was highly insulted by this and then forced me to buy the Egyptian cotton one. I believe it went something like…
"Yes, ma'am, I'll take the blue blanket," I said, beginning to take my money out of my wallet.
"That all?" she asked me, chewing her gum apathetically.
"Yes, I- NO, dammit, wait," And which time the dark took over. And I was screaming somewhere, tucked into the depths of the Ring. He bluntly ignored my yelling and slamming against my soulroom door. He told me afterwards that he knew that I would do more harm to myself than to him. He then proceeded to buy the Egyptian cotton blanket and when we got to the cash register I managed to ram open the door long soon enough to nearly stop him.
Nearly.
We ended up with each controlling one half of my body, and sadly, I'm afraid that we sent the poor woman at the register into permanent panic because of her fear that the "albino-psycho" would kill her. She called the police and somehow we managed to escape. I feel rather bad for her… Because of a rather large dosage of shock (or a mind-wash, courtesy of dark) the poor woman will now spend her life in an insane asylum until further notice. Bakura told me this one awkward day at breakfast, after he successfully broke my microwave because he "forgot" metal forks do not go in along with the food...
That was the day that the greater power above's points went up to infinity.
Okay, well, not really… but that situation… it's too painful to bring up… I've been scarred… Otogi bought me a large 24-pack box of creampuffs to lighten my mood. Three more to get me to come out of my apartment… Boxes that is…
"Here Ryou, now, we're just going out for three hours at the most, okay?" He said, holding out a hand in front of my face. I shook my head a bit and sat up, taking the glass from him. I took two pills resting in his hand and frowned, slowly popping them in my mouth and swallowing then them down with a large gulp of water and then choking. How nice… One day and I've already had three near death experiences… embarrassment, blood loss and choking.
Great power above: infinity and one
Bakura Ryou: negative six again…
I think I'll have myself a nice long nap after (if) I survive this.
I felt Otogi's hand rubbing my back, and he was sighing. I looked up at him through watering eyes. He was shaking his head in my direction and then put his hand over his mouth and swallowed something. After I coughed a few more times I continued to peer at him curiously. He glanced at me for a moment before answering my questioning looks,
"I needed some too…"
"Oh, you weren't hurt, were you?" I said, beginning to feel bad for being so inconsiderate towards Otogi.
"Headache," he answered, stretching and then checking his watch.
"Well, it's close to twelve thirty now, we should go in ten minutes. For now just let the meds kick in, okay?"
I was taken back at his motherly and commanding tone. Hm, he's a good friend, I don't appreciate him nearly as much as I should…
"Did you get your headache from hitting your head on something when we fell?" I asked, while taking another cautious sip of my water.
"Nah," he said, waving a hand in my direction and walking behind me to the kitchen again. I heard the refrigerator door open. "Got it from you."
Ouch.
And so I sunk further into my blanket, reviewing my thoughts of how the greater power above was going to get him too… And ooooh, was the greater power above going to get him too…
I raised a hand to rub the back of my head, searching for the cut. Ah, there it was… It wasn't big, just a slight slit, nothing too bad. I felt my hair, feeling for any dried blood. None. I found that very curious and began to think I was still unconscious and having a dream. I pinched myself.
Ow.
Okay no. So then I enlisted all ten fingers to look for blood. Why was there no blood? Did I not bleed? Was I going crazy? And so my panic continued. Until I felt a hand flop atop my head.
"If you go on doing that, little Ryou, you'll end up trepanning yourself," he said, putting his face next to mine and chewing a sandwich. I paled. Thankfully, the pills were working and the horrible feeling in my stomach wasn't deciding to make a glorious come-back. But he didn't know that.
"Otogi, please, nausea…" I reminded him gently, putting a hand over my mouth, pretending I was going to spew my stomach, but was instead hiding my grin. He immediately backed away. I continued to rub my head.
"Don't worry about that, I cleaned you up," said Otogi from behind me. I snuck a glance at him over my shoulder. Yep, sometimes I don't deserve him. He may be the one to get me in trouble, but he also gets me out.
"Thanks."
After he was done his sandwich and both of us were certain that neither was going to die if they stood up, we left the apartment. We made sure to take extra care when closing the door and walking down the stairs. Otogi looked over at me, grinning like the cheshire cat. I tilted my head to the side at his sudden pick up.
His smirk suddenly turned to a look of horror and then he screamed, darted over to the banister and then latched himself to it. Was he making fun of me…? His grin vouched for this. Sure, make fun of my lack of skills to battle against gravity and momentum, it was your fault anyway! I slapped him for this. Very hard. He took the joke further by screaming once again and then latching on to other various items.
"Remove yourself from me."
"Don't wanna."
"Remove yourself from the wall."
"Don't wanna."
"Remove yourself from the stairs."
"Don't wanna."
"Remove yourself from my landlord."
…
"Gladly…"
That was the minute that my rent increased by a few extra yen.
I sighed and looked out at the over the railings to the sky above. It was a nice day and the sky was clear blue except for a few meandering and pleasant clouds. I momentarily forgot the chaos-loving best friend of mine and just focused on how good of a day it was. Well, that was until I heard a loud thump and a scream. The landlady. I immediately rushed down to go and apologize to her several times, while ushering the snickering Otogi away. Yes, I most certainly do not deserve him…
The crazy Otogi didn't really mind though and skipped down the stairs after that. I honestly didn't want a repeat of today's earlier events… He interrupted my warnings against that though with a random thought of his own.
"You know, that was a really good mayo sandwich."
I looked over at him.
"I don't know what you were eating- - but I don't have any mayo…"
Pale to green again. Hm, so I can do magic.
At Sojiwara Electronics: what's ours is yours(1
"Otogi, do you think this one would be nice..?" I asked him, while inspecting the rather dusty screen of a rather small TV. It looked nothing like my now deceased TV, and if anything much worse. Otogi did not answer me but continued to chat away on his cell-phone. I sighed and hit my head against the glass screen of the TV. It gave a pitiful "clunk" in reply. I looked up at him, only realizing then that I was dusting the TV with my hair. And since my hair is white… I sighed again.
"Otoooogiiiii!" I whined, dragging myself over to him and then clutching onto his arm. He ignored me and said calmly into his phone,
"Alright, see you then." I studied him closely. He snapped his cell shut and let out a deep breath. Then he was quiet… Too quiet-
"YEEEESSSSSS!""AAIIEE!" I shrieked in return, jumping back.
CRASH.
…and knocking over a TV.
Why, greater power above? Why?
While Walking Down the Street
"Now, not only do I need to buy a bigger and better TV for my father, but now I also need to pay for that Plasma screen…" I said, turning to glare at Otogi, " you made me break." Otogi however, was not paying attention and happily whistling while twirling his cell phone around a finger. I glared some more. And got no response. Of course. He finally looked over in my general direction and said airily.
"Finally! A date!" I pursed my lips.
"Huh?" I answered smartly. It's times like this when you really feel the need to study more for school… I heard some giggles behind me. I turned around and saw a few other teenagers standing in a group and trying not to burst out in laughter at something. I shrugged and then spun back around to talk again with Otogi.
"Have you been listening to me?" He said hotly, his eyes suddenly focusing on me rather than out in space. I sighed irritably. One day, Otogi…
"Of course…" I said, giving up my point. May as well just be happy for him.
"Really?" He pressed. I looked at him and then the ground, answering meekly.
"No."
He frowned at me, shaking his head and catching his phone in his hand. He explained to me kindly and slowly that he had called Kaiba up to speak to him and they had set up a date today to talk about things. I nodded the entire time, and said "yes" at all the appropriate times, fighting back the urge to tell him that I spoke fluent Japanese and he need not to talk so slowly and as if I were a foreigner. He bought my act, or rather, was too focused on Kaiba to do anything about it. That infernal giggling again… I turned around again, they halted behind us, striking a pose trying to cover up that they were following us. I ignored them.
"Well, here's my stop," he said, grinning and holding his thumb up at a place. I looked over at Otogi before looking at the place behind him.
I looked up. Ah, yes, the new coffee-shop. It was rather… large… Two floors and instead of walls there was just glass. It was a very modern and a warm blue color. Looked nice enough. Though I truly had no idea what Kaiba could see in it. Coffee shop hangouts just didn't seem like his type of thing. I then saw the sign. Kaiba Coffee. My jaw dropped. Oh, please… He now not only owns a company, millions of yen and an amusement park, but a coffee shop as well.
I believe he has too much spare time on his hands.
"Ja ne (2), Ryou-chan!" He said, disrupting my thoughts and then walking in. Nice to know that you'll always stand by my side, Otogi, at least until Kaiba is concerned. I began to wave goodbye when his head suddenly popped out of the door.
"Oh, and here's the answer to your problem, little Ryou," he said, pointing to a sign and then disappearing once more.
I looked over. I couldn't help but smile, ah, yes, Otogi, you are a good friend. I made a note to make sure to thank him very much when his date with Kaiba was finished. I looked at the sign, HELP WANTED—PLEASE CALL THIS NUMBER. I took one of the flyers, and inspected the café again. No, that wouldn't be a bad place to work at all. I grinned to myself. Okay, I'd just work here for a bit, get the money, leave, buy the TV and the world would be fine.
Aha, greater power above, what can you say to me now?
I suddenly heard the giggles from behind me again… I bit my lip, trying to keep my cool. Now, now, let them be, they're just trying to intimidate you. I cleared my throat and straightened my posture. I pushed the door, to find it not open. After a few strenuous moments of trying to open a door and having the people behind me laughing, I realized it was a "pull" door. I arched an eyebrow and then pulled it open with a finger and entering slowly.
When I got inside, the people ignored me. I looked around. The store was clean and pleasant, all the chairs and tables very modern indeed. All sleek, and metallic blue. Unlike Kaiba, it had a nice atmosphere to it. I looked over at the counter, noting the boy behind it tapping his fingers irritably on the marble. The blond mass of hair looked familiar, but I let it go. After a few more seconds of standing in front of the doorway and inspecting the place I went over to the counter, looking above the person there to decide what drink I wanted. I heard the tremendous laughter from outside the café. I put my hands calmly into my pockets. The boy behind the counter looked up. I was in shock, quite frankly.
"Ah-- You!" I yelled, jumping back and pointing an offending finger at the person, and my voice successfully cracking. His purple eyes watched me lazily before his head came up and then rested on his hand.
"Bakura?" he asked, curiously. I cleared my throat in an attempt to cover up my extreme reaction. He shook his head, much like Otogi had done.
"H-how have you been?"
"Pfft, I work here." I nodded, understandingly. Yes, I needed a job and ended coming to this place. I suppose this is some strange sanctuary for people with bad-luck. Somehow I doubt working for Kaiba makes it better…
"And you?" He said genuinely. I was in shock and the reply did not come immediately. Shouldn't he be in Egypt now?
"I'm fine, just came here for a quick drink before I head home."
"I see," he answered, looking me in the eyes. This was making me uncomfortable.
"Um, is it easy to get a job here..?" I finally asked. He grinned,
"Of cour-"
"MOVE IT, WHAT'S GOIN ON UP THERE?" An angry voice yelled at us. I turned around to see that a line had collected behind me.
"Ishtar, stop hitting on that girl get the line moving!" Another voice yelled from behind a door marked "manager." Marik sighed, flashing the finger at the office before looking back up at me from his tired position. I went slack jawed at the manager's rude comment and now was too embarrassed now to buy a drink. I waved to him, while beginning to walk away.
"Whoa, whoa, wait, give me a call and let's get together sometime," he said, holding out a napkin towards my direction and putting a blue pen back behind his ear. Well, that was quick. Almost as if he was waiting for me… I shooed the thought away, Marik does not stalk people…
/He gets other people to stalk people for him. /
I took it and put it into my pocket, saying good bye to him once more before stepping back outside. Well, it wouldn't be at all bad to work with Marik I suppose, even if he was a bit crazy.
That giggling again…
And I was becoming increasingly irritated with the person laughing behind me and turn around to ask them what was so funny. Then I noticed that they were giggling at me and pointing towards… well, below. I turned my head slowly.
A red stain was on my rear.
A large menacing red stain.
And it hit me rather hard with a large and terribly painful wok.
I was wearing my pants from yesterday. When the TV sparked at me and I fell over backwards. I must have landed in some of the spilled pizza sauce.
Great power above: bonus points for being laughed at and the stain, infinity and five.
Bakura Ryou: -10.
I sighed, how could this have happened again? Twice in the same day as well! I believe that this is sufficient enough proof that red foods have some sort of strange attraction to the butt of my pants.
And Otogi… Otogi.
I tore off my sweater and wrapped it around my waist, and angrily entered the café. I looked around, no, okay, they weren't on the first floor, I knew that. I waved to Marik, who didn't see me as he was busy filling a mug with tea, and some mysterious substance from a vile which he pulled from his pocket...
I went over to the elevator, thankfully no one was in it, and then entered the second floor. I was frantic at this time, that elevator ride was too slow. There they were, over in the corner.
I stormed over to Otogi, blushing brightly and very very emotionally drained. He was in the middle of a conversation with Kaiba, waving a hand around happily, while Kaiba sat there patiently and smiling slightly. They looked happy enough. I stood there for a bit, though neither noticed me until a few moments later.
"It was hilarious, but really distressing at the same time, I mean the guy could have been, why, hello, Ryou."
"Did you know about…" I started, but trailed off, wishing I had thought about this earlier. I swallowed a lump in my throat. I wish I had thought about what I was going to say before I actually went up to them and opened my mouth. Life drastically needs a rewind button. He and Kaiba raised an eyebrow at me. I hid my face in my hands, preparing to break into a sob. Kaiba took a sip of his coffee. Finally, after a few moments I gathered all my courage.
"…this…?" I said, pointing warily to my rear. Otogi watched me cluelessly, while Kaiba's face fell into a "I-could-have-stayed-home-today-face."
"Ryou, I'm trying to patch things up with Seto right now--" Kaiba snuck a glance out from under his brown bangs at us. "So, if you don't mind, I really don't want to have a look at your ass right now."
And then I wanted to explode.
"NO! THIS!" I yelled, ripping off my sweater and turning around to show him. He immediately burst into laughter. I heard Kaiba cough a snicker into his drink.
"Oo-oh, that," he said. I heard his head hit against the glass of the window as he leaned his chair back and off to the side to get a better look. Why he would need one, I don't know. I turned to glare at him again.
"Yes, that!"
"Well, yeah, I knew about it, but I didn't know you didn't know about it--"
"Ahhhhhh! If you had a red stain on your pants would you wear them?"
"Yes, draws more attention to my-"
"OTOGI, URUSAI!" I yelled, slamming a fist into the table. I paused for a moment, shaking.
"That hurt, didn't it, Ryou-chan…?"
"Urusai," I said sharply, turning an even brighter shade of red. While I rubbed my equally red fist he went quiet. I turned to face Kaiba, hands on my hips. "Kaiba-kun, good luck with that clown of a boyfriend!" I hissed at him, who in return watched me with the usual apathetic look, but this one had a tint of horror to it. Good. I beat Mou Hitori no Boku to that one, same as Yuu-gi no Yami. I then turned to Otogi, who was still grinning cockily. "And as for you! You'd better hope you get that man back, 'cause he's the only friend you've got!"
Otogi stood up now, his drink over-turned towards me and its contents spilling off the table. I had to look up at him to keep eye contact.
Oh, I shouldn't have said that. I bit back tears as Otogi's face became overtaken by a look of unfiltered hatred for me, yet he said nothing. I let out another exasperated sigh, which came out angry, but ended up being cracked mid-way through because I wanted to cry. The edges of his mouth twitched and I could tell he was itching to yell a number of good insults at me. He finally settled with "leave." I noticed out of the corner of my eye that Kaiba was watching us with some interest.
I turned away from the fuming Otogi and turned to face Kaiba. I bowed my head slightly, taking a pause so I could make sure that my voice didn't hint that I dearly wanted to burst into tears right at that moment.
"Sayonara, Kaiba-kun."
"Sayonara, Bakura," he said back, nodding his head towards me slightly, stoicly. If not that I was looking right at his smug face I wouldn't have been able to tell that he was a bit amused by this entire ordeal.
Meanie…
Shush, I have a lacking of intelligence when I'm going into extreme moods. Shush, I know I can't think of good insults anyway… But I could only think of it this way, Kaiba was being rude, and so was Otogi. They make a good annoying couple.
I could feel the heat radiating from Otogi at this point. I turned away in Otogi's direction, just to spite him and went away. Stares from bystanders and murmurs followed me the entire way. When I got downstairs I went up to Marik at the side of the counter, bowed a goodbye. He waved a lazy hand at me, his chin still resting on his fist, staring contently at the man the yelled at us, who had broken out in a case of angry red hives that covered his body.
I assume they had something to do with Marik's vile-substance (no pun intended).
I felt horrible as I walked away from the place. I was already planning out how I was going to say sorry to Otogi… Maybe I'll buy him something tomorrow and say I'm sorry, or e-mail him… call him? No, he won't like that, best to apologize in person… Life really, desperately needs a rewind button.
I was still bright crimson (nearly the color of pizza sauce I'm sure) from both embarrassment of causing such a scene, the large stain on my pants and for being angry at Otogi. I admit he was mean to not tell me, but I was even meaner for sinking to such a low level as harassing him like that. He even resisted the urge to yell many numerous insults at me, all of which would have been accurate and cold. I've seen him before when he's angry…
I felt so horrible at this point in time. What disappointing friend I turned out to be… no wonder… I wonder if that's why Yuu-gi-tachi and I never hung out more… I wiped away my tears long enough 'till I got to my apartment. Once I was sure that it was locked I burst into tears.
And life refused to hand me a tissue.
TBC…
Translations:
1- I couldn't think of any better slogans… ()
2- Something like "see you later."
A/N: Right, Ryou's head injury is not that big a deal… and him fainting and all that is mostly from shock, and not so much anything truly bad. So no flames from the doctor-types…
() What's funny is that I'm trying to explain this for the second time… Thank you for reading, please review!