Chapter 4: Date with Mahado

Yami was smiling when he went to his room that day. It was clear to anybody that he enjoyed his day, despite one embarassing incident.

That night, Mahado called asking if he was alright. He chuckled. He was more than alright, he was happy, he felt right. Mahado took it as a good sign.

The next day, Yami was surprised to see the CEO enter the game shop just to eat lunch with him, but shrugged it off, thinking that was how the CEO showed that he cares. Everyday, the CEO would turn up, eat lunch with him, give him a quick kiss in his cheek, and leave. The CEO would only smile, or smirk, or even grin, when asked why.

One particular Friday afternoon, after the two ate lunch, the two duelists sat by the counter playing duel monsters, and were in the middle of a playful banter.

"Seto, it's quite obvious who'll win the game, you know," Yami teased.

"Shut it. I'll beat you this time, you'll see," Seto answered. His life points were down to 1500 wile Yami's was down to a dangerous 600.

A few minutes later, Yami smiled, thoroughly amused apparently, as the CEO get over his shock of being beaten... again. "Would you stop smiling?" Seto said, irritated. "Sorry," Yami answered, the smile instantly vanishing.

"Hmm... like your smile better. Put it back," Seto said, smiling.

Yami stuck his tongue out and smiled, which eventually gew into a wide grin.

"That's more like it," Seto said, "Told you it suits you better. You should smile more often, you know," caressing the other's cheek when the bell rang.

"Yami?"

The former pharaoh visibly stiffened as he met Mahado's questioning gaze. The CEO pulled his hand away quickly. "Hello, Mahado," Yami said, blushing.

Mahado felt his jealously heighten but decided not to do anything. Yami was still not his so he doesn't have the right to react in any violent way. But that will soon change, he hopes.

"Good afternoon, Yami, Seto-kun," he said. Seto nodded as a reply before he rose from his seat. "It was a nice duel Yami, guess my ways are indeed worn out. I'll beat you next time, I have to get back, they're probably panicking already," the CEO said, seeing the pharaoh smile. He went to the door, nodded again at Mahado and left.

When the CEO was gone, Mahado took the seat said executive occupied earlier; noticing Yami was avoiding his gaze, clearly embarrassed.

"It's alright, Yami. I know he's your friend," he said, causing Yami to meet his gaze finally. Yami smiled and hugged him.

"Thanks. I thought you wouldn't understand," he said.

"That's where you're wrong. I deeply understand how friendship means to you, Yami," Mahado answered, receiving another hug.

"Yami?"

"Yes?"

"I was wondering."

"What?"

"If you want to go out with me on a date."

"Sure."

"Great! There's a fair this Friday, guess I'll see you then."

"What time?"

"6 pm"

"Okay. I'll be ready," Yami answered.

Yami sat on the couch, waiting for Mahado. Just in time, Mahado knocked on the door. The two decided to walk, after Yami successfully convinced the other.

A couple of minutes later, they were in one of the town's fancy restaurants, seated in a table reserved for two in the restaurant's garden. Yami shifted on his seat, Mahado was awkwardly quiet, as if he wanted to say something.

"Mahado, are you alright? You're oddly quiet, you know," Yami said.

"I'm fine, Yami, thanks for your concern," Mahado answered.

"You sure?"

"Yes."

Silence reigned the two as they ate their food. Something was bothering him, obviously, and Yami can pretty well see it.

"Yami?"

"Yes?" Yami looked up to meet Mahado's gaze.

"I'm in-love with you," Mahado confessed. Yami stared at him in shock. The guy was obviously bold about it, and perhaps it's time to move on. Well, he could take the risk. Mahado didn't seem the type of guy that would do what Lexis did. Of course part of him still loves the hypocrite of a bastard, as Joey would put it, but he can't grieve over someone that was already in the past, can he?

"Will you give me a chance, Yami? I'm sorry if I'm too straightforward but I really like you," Mahado continued. The question is, would he dare trust again?

"You have it," Yami answered. It wasn't actually an 'I love you too' but Mahado was content with it. Besides, he still has a lot of time to make the pharaoh fall in-love with him.

Mahado took his hand and enclosed it in his, squeezing it gently, soothingly.

"I promise I won't hurt you ever," Mahado assured the pharaoh. Yami smiled. "Well, come on, we have to go. We still need to go to the fair," Mahado added.

The two were laughing when they went back to the game shop. It was obvious that they enjoyed each other's company.

Yami felt content and loved. It was of no doubt that he refused such feelings when he saw Lexis. Somehow, back then; he realized that not everything was made to end in happiness. But what if he was wrong? What if his life was meant to have a 'happily ever after' in it?

Mahado felt Yami's sudden silence and stopped walking. He was carrying the dolls they got after winning each and every game in the fair easily. Well, being with the King of Games would actually guarantee that.

"You okay, Yami?" he asked. Yami nodded.

"You sure?" Mahado asked again, handing the dolls he had won for Yami.

"Thanks by the way. The looks on their faces were priceless!" Yami answered, chuckling. The two laughed.

"Well, I got to go," Mahado said after glancing at his watch.

"Thanks again, Mahado, I had fun," Yami answered.

"Winning every game," Mahado teased.

"Fine, be that way, I'm sure those dolls would haunt you. Beware," Yami answered jokingly. They laughed again. Their faces were only inches apart, and before Yami could react, Mahado captured the pharaoh's lips in a chaste sweet kiss.

"Night," Mahado said after the kiss, leaving quickly, careful so that Yami won't see him blushing. Yami stood there stunned before coming back to his senses and entered the shop.

They didn't notice one black limousine that belongs to one familiar CEO pass by in front of them.