Day 2: Yugi was an ambitious figure, never one to see failure in success. But his worst challenge comes in the form of a handsome barista that always managed to put his tongue, and his heart, in knots.

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He was always told he was an ambitious man. One that did things with promise and always turned out successful when he achieved it. So why was one turning out to be his most difficult challenge yet. Well there were many reasons for it but the biggest one is how to approach it.

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It was another warm June day and the café was the same bustling center point in Domino that everyone comes to for a nice cup of coffee or tea paired with a sweet treat to get them through the day. The line reached the door and a small figure sighed as he stepped inside right into the end of it. It was the same every day and every day was met with the same result in mind for the one figure. One would ask what troubled this youthful lad fresh out of high school for a number of years now and was currently neck deep in his personal project spearheaded by KaibaCorp. thanks to his connections with the man upstairs that approved of his idea and left him as director. The project itself was going along swimmingly but there was only one stubborn blockage that was currently putting all creative ideas to a grinding halt. The line moved as orders were taken and paid for with rapid succession and the male lost in thought didn't notice until a familiar baritone called for his attention and nearly jumped, frozen in place as playful scarlet eyes looked towards him with a genuine smile.

"Prompt as always, Yugi. Shall I ready your usual order?" The man behind the counter spoke as he, Yugi as he was referred to, stepped up to the counter slowly. This man, this wondrous beauty of a barista, was the reason that his mind halted on all things creatively. It was a few months ago where the strapping young male walked into the café at the request of a co-worker that told him that their jelly rolls and freshly made breads were the pinnacle of a quick but satisfying brunch paired with some of the best tea that side of town. Curious about it, he took up the offer to go there and that was the first moment he walked in on perfection...

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The door opened to the long line and the boy felt exasperated at the thought of standing in such a long line. "When he told me that this place had some of the best, he didn't mention that it would be swarmed like this. Kaiba would gut me if I return late." he mumbled, ready to turn right back out the door to perhaps try a bit later when the smooth baritone of the barista at the counter called out a name and turned his eyes back to the line. Now he was a lad of short stature so to make a single attempt to look anywhere but the sides of the line made it near impossible to see the one who held such a gorgeous but powerful voice. He had to know, his mind begged as his hand released from the handle of the door to stand in the line. The line was slow moving but not agonizingly so, finding himself one person behind reaching the counter within a mere five minutes.

With the distance now closer than he was before, the lad decided to peek around the woman standing before him to see who such a voice belonged to and his eyes were graced with a figure so exceptional, he felt his tongue caught in his throat. The man that stood there could've been easily mistaken for a brother should he had one secretly living away from home that he didn't know about but that wasn't the case here. That was just a mere case of happenstance. Dusky, sun-kissed skin unhidden from the uniform of the café was decorated with a mild selection of jewelry considering the job he took, a silver ring resting upon his left hand while a banded bracelet was on the right that grasped onto a single tall cup. Slender fingers holding a marker were making tics for the woman's order, a charismatic smile spread over his face as he read back her order. She nodded happily and he gave her the total as he set the cup to the side for someone to grab.

He watched the exchange all while blissfully unaware of how quick it was done, lost to the grace and perfection of the barista behind the counter. Hair of obsidian and crimson shared the same style as his own though goldenrod bangs stretched into the expanse while also framing angled cheeks. A pointed nose and firm, full lips was just a minor detail in comparison to the real treat that was those burning, sharp scarlet eyes that warmed to the sight of him. "You can come up now, sir. What would you like to order?" The male squeaked in finding himself caught in his distraction of observation before he stepped forward. This was his first time there, he admitted in embarrassment, taking the time to look up to the menu above that listed the day specials amidst the regular items available throughout the day. The man behind the counter chuckled, a warming sound that had the other's heart fluttering like a hummingbird. First time was the question directed towards him and the small male nodded. "What...do you recommend?" The barista gave a small smile as he looked up to the menu and all that they had. He offered a few select choices and something to pair with it and for the small lad, all of it sounded good.

Too good. A small smile crossed his face before making his selection and the barista nodded before asking for a name to write on the cup. "Ah yes...it's Yugi." Another nod and Yugi handed over the yen to pay, hand shaking as those slender fingers took the money and handed him his change before turning to get things ready. Stepping to the side, Yugi waited but couldn't help himself as he peeked over the counter to watch the barista prepare his tea. Everything was done with such a smooth grace he wondered why waste that in a café. He could be so much more if he had to think of a different profession for the man behind the counter; a dancer, a pianist, an artist...anything. But Yugi felt asking would be invasive and shook his head to clear his thoughts though a particular one decided it didn't want to leave. The one where he wanted to speak to this lovely barista more.

Even go so far as to ask...for a number. But that would be too soon! Too forward! And Yugi can't even admit yet that he had fallen completely head over heels for someone he only met once! He fidgeted where he stood as he tried to collect his thoughts together and think of a proper approach but lost in thought, he didn't hear his name being called a few times. It was only when he realized a presence was beside him did he stopped the mental tirade and looked to see the barista there, name tag in full view to read the name there. "You seem lost in thought so I brought you your order." Yugi swallowed as he took the bag and cup of tea, smiling to show his gratitude. "Thank you...Atemu." The barista, known as Atemu, returned the smile before moving back to the counter with a wave. "Come again soon, Yugi~" He gave a nod as he left the café and strode back to work. As he went to take a sip of the tea, he caught sight of his name and looked to it with a faint blush crossing his face. The elegant scrawl with its loops and lines made his name more eye catching than it ever was before.

He has to give it to Atemu for such creative calligraphy...and also steeping some really delicious tea. Yugi regretted the fact the cup was empty by the time he reached KaibaCorp's main entryway. He still had the pastry though and he will make sure to savor the sweet treat while working at his desk.

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Since that day, Yugi has made a pattern for himself. Around the same time, during its peak hours, Yugi would visit the café on that particular day, knowing that Atemu was working the register alongside making the orders with help. Yugi used that time in line to man up the courage to talk to Atemu, ask him anything that would warm up the other to his presence as more than a customer. He would get the same order which Atemu would easily familiarize himself with and was already telling him the price of his tea and pastry before he stopped before the counter. But each time he got there, each blasted time he looked into those glittering eyes and smiling face, Yugi seized up. He passed the yen silently and stood to the side to wait, mentally berating himself that he had one last chance to talk to the lovely barista before he had to return back to work.

And that second chance turns to dust just as quick as the first. Atemu handed him his bag with the café logo printed on the outside and his tea, said his goodbye to the young male and Yugi was out the door with nary an accomplishment towards getting acquainted. Yugi groaned later that evening, head perched upon his desk with papers spread across the surface. Luckily, none of them were important towards the project but he could feel the mounting headache of his own cowardice. Why was it so hard to talk to one man? He had been in front of corporate officials to pitch his ideas, stood before the cold and collected Seto Kaiba with ambition geared towards new developments. He was always told his spirit was great and vibrant and that nothing could pose a challenge to him.

Except asking a gorgeous barista for his number.

"Ugh! What is it that keeps me from asking him one little question?!" Yugi bemoaned as he sat up, shuffling papers across his desk with a few fluttering to the ground harmlessly. It was insane to think about but it just tied Yugi's heartstrings in tiny knots. He couldn't think to really fathom why he was in such a desirable need to have this acquaintance. It felt absolutely childish and Yugi was sure he was much out of his league if not vice versa. Sure the poor guy must tire of seeing him so much. "Maybe I should give up...I'm not making any sort of progress that would even hint at my intentions. Though I know for a fact a good looking guy like Atemu isn't something you see walking down the street every day." It would certainly be a waste to pass up on such potential.

And Yugi's little ambitious heart wouldn't allow it either.

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Today was the day, Yugi was sure of it. He practiced twenty times in the mirror before leaving for work and another five times in the washroom before lunch. He had his lines prepared and his will sturdy. He. Will. Do. It. So determined was he that when he looked upon the familiar café that he was surprised that the usual long line wasn't present this time around. Practically nonexistent to where Yugi could see through the polished glass door to Atemu at the counter, a book laid across it and pencil settled in his left hand. There were people inside, settled at tables engrossed with their own activity but it wasn't swarmed. There was no line stretched to the door, no rambunctious customers ready to indulge in another sweet pastry or savory lox bagel with their tea or coffee. The knowledge of this had deterred Yugi a little, so used to using the line as a buffer to prepare him to face Atemu.

With his bright eyes and smile that always melt his heart and leave his mind blank to a promising conversation even if it was but a mere minute of his time.

But Yugi was determined, ambitious. He had the need for success this time and if he couldn't do it now, what's to say he would ever have this confidence again. Shoulders squared and chest puffed with fingers adjusting the pale pink tie paired with his favorite lavender shirt and white vest, Yugi nodded to himself in the reflection shown in the glass as he stepped inside. The tinkling of the bell above the door bringing the scarlet gaze to meet Yugi's own violet and just like that...the air was wrenched from his sails. "Hello again, Yugi. Just the sight I desired to see on such a slow day." Atemu greeted as he set the pencil down, smiling softly towards the petite male who swallowed thickly as he made his way to the counter. Yugi had to say something, spark a conversation starter. Do anything but stand there with his mouth open and ready to catch flies! But what to say...

His eyes drifted around the light crowd, commenting that he didn't expect it to be this slow and Atemu agreed, ringing up the usual order without a second thought. "Guess people had their own thing to do today." he hummed, giving the total to Yugi and he went to pull out the yen for it. Come on, Yugi, this is your chance! His brain yelled at him as the yen was passed between them and Atemu handed him his change. His eye caught sight of the book on the counter, seeing it was a rather impressive collection of advanced Sudoku puzzles. By the amount of pages that were near the end of the book, it seemed Atemu had been kept busy over time with it and made note of it as the other went to prepare his tea. "Oh yes, Sudoku is a real brain teaser that I love. Numerical puzzles are such fun." Atemu replied, bringing a small smile to Yugi's face though his subconscious was now snapping at him that Sudoku wasn't the set of numbers he was aiming for.

Good for conversation but his end goal was a phone number!

Fingers tapped on the counter as Yugi tried to wrack his brain for a better attempt at leading the other onto the topic of sharing personal contact information but he was coming up with so many blanks, he was beginning to question his own integrity of keeping those same holes from ever showing in his programs. By kami's will, how was this so difficult?! Lost in thought again left Yugi unaware that Atemu was watching him closely, a small smile spread across his face as he picked up the marker used to mark the cups and wrote something down. He tucked it into the pastry bag, leaving just enough in view for Yugi's eye to hopefully catch if he wasn't too absentminded in seeing it, and finished with the tea once it was steeped just right. Taking both in hand, Atemu stepped around the counter and towards the smaller male, catching his attention as he held both items to him.

"See you again soon, I hope." he spoke gently and Yugi nodded, taking the bag and cup. "...same time next week then." Atemu laughed and nodded, perhaps sooner he teased before rounding back around the counter to return to his puzzle. Yugi blinked, a small flush crossing his face as he turned and left the café but upon stepping outside, his mind jolted with the fact that once more, he was unsuccessful towards his goal. Not wanting to have a mini fit in sight of the barista, Yugi started back to work, a puff in his cheeks as he lamented over once more not getting what he wanted to say out. Game over, he thought with a huff as he decided to drown his failures in the sweet pastry he bought when he saw the folded napkin tucked in the bag. Violet hues blinked in confusion as he paused, setting his cup on a newspaper box to take out the napkin, seeing something written on it.

The elegant scrawl that wrote his name so beautifully was articulated in a manner that he failed to do multiple times. It was indirect, sure, but the meaning was still all the same and Yugi couldn't help the wide smile to cross his face as he held the note to his chest.

"You have quite the ambitious heart, little one. Here's my number. All you had to do was ask~

- Atemu"