My thanks to all those who reviewed the first chapter—it was your words that inspired this prompt update despite my reservations. I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it~!
Warning: Mutilated Sushi!
Disclaimer: I do not own Yu-Gi-Oh!
O-o-O-o-O
Yami stared speechlessly at the message, it was challenging him and mocking him at the same time.
Curse the odious man! It was despicable, preposterous! How dare he write something like that! He may be a "nobody" for his majesty's standards but not an unfeeling nobody! Yami bristled with indignation. Why would Kaiba write something so insulting, he wondered? It was obvious the rude remark was a reply to Marik's message but surely the former message was done in jest? Yami was certain the number belonged to some random sushi bar, a public bathhouse or knowing Marik, a sleazy brothel! It can't possibly be his personal number…can it?
However, there were too many flaws with the reason he gave himself and he didn't feel completed contented with the answer. If it hadn't been what it appeared to be then why did Kaiba react so badly to it? His response certainly added gravity to the matter.
Yami ran his hand over the page and tapped the numbers with his fingers. He was sorely tempted to whip out his cell phone and dial it, it would at least, provide some satisfaction to his curiosity.
Fingers wandered down and lightly traced the characters of Kaiba's message; like a spell, it stayed his hands from carrying out the deed and made him reluctant to make that call. Of course, whether he called or not was not up to the "Ice Prince" to dictate but there was something in that the message that deterred him—curbing the initial impulse to act.
A nervous laugh bubbled up Yami's throat. He was looking into the incident too much; there couldn't be more than what it was on the surface. He was being paranoid and foolish.
With a long sigh, he closed the book and placed it back into his bag. Leaning back into the seat, he shifted slightly, there was a good hour or so before he reached his destination so he might as well make himself comfortable. Since he could not afford to live close to the centre, he had to make do with commuting back and forth whenever it was required, the disadvantages of that was the travel expenses hurt his pocket immensely. If he had secured work today then he wouldn't have minded but alas, he had failed miserably. Not only was he late for his audition that he didn't get the job; he was scolded by Mai-san in front of two revered celebrities and became a victim to their perverse teasing.
No, today was definitely not his day!
Deciding not to think about it anymore, Yami closed his eyes and allowed his body to sway gently to the rhythm of the train...soon Mutou Yami was fast asleep.
O-o-O-o-O
Yami glimpsed at the clock and suppressed a yawn. It was 3.35AM and he had another three and a half hour to go before his shift ended, already he was so tired.
Anzu's glanced up from the magazine she was leisurely perusing on the counter and stared at the figure beside her. Azure coloured eyes looked at him with concern.
"Hey, Yami," she said. "Do you want a coffee? I'll get you one."
Yami smiled and nodded. He watched as his shift partner walk over to the coffee machine and filled out a cup for him; the fragrant smell of Arabica coffee filled the small store. Carefully making her way back to Yami with the hot beverage, she placed it on the counter in front of him.
"Here, drink this though try not to burn yourself. I don't want to be responsible for you not being able to work because of a scalded tongue!"
Her companion shook his head and gave her a lopsided grin. Picking up the paper cup, he blew into it. Aromatic steam rose and tickled his nose. Taking a small sip, he grimaced at the bitter taste; he really wasn't a fan of coffee but since it helped keep him awake, he drank it.
Resting her chin on the palm of her hand, Anzu watched him with keen interest.
"Something else on you mind today, Yami?" she asked finally. "You seemed a little preoccupied."
Yami's body went rigid for a second and then relaxed again; placing the coffee on the counter he stared into it. "Yeah, I missed the auditions,' he said as casually as he could, trying hard to not let the disappointment seep into the tone.
"What? Again? Oh, Yami, I am sorry to hear that!" the girl uttered sympathetically, her free hand reaching out and clasping his, giving it a light tender squeeze. "Did Mai-san give you an earful for it?"
The tri-coloured head bobbed slightly and Anzu tightened her grip. "Poor Yami!" she exclaimed and Yami blushed. Gazing down at the hand resting on his, he coloured even more. He had a crush on his cheerful colleague for as long as he could remember, her lively and caring character had him charmed and he would look forward to his shifts as it meant he could spend time with her—the extra pay for the night rota was an added bonus, of course!
Unfortunately, he could never confess to her, he barely had time for himself let alone spare time to date. Besides, dating cost money and he could ill-afford that expense.
Mai-san was right about him working so hard for his brother. Yuugi, his younger sibling was attending university in another town so he needed to provide the funds for his brother's studies. Being just the two of them, he had promised his dying grandfather he would look after Yuugi for as long as the latter needed him to; it was the reason he skimped and saved studiously and it was the reason he was willing to take on whatever jobs that came his way despite his qualms about the nature of it.
Looking back on his first "Boy Love" experience, he thought he was going to die from the shame. The noises he had to make: the kissing, the sucking, the panting, the moaning and the climaxing was so embarrassing, complemented with the sound of creaking bed that dictated the speed of his moans and the wet squelching noises that influenced the volume of his cries, he felt like a whore rather than an actor. He was so nervous that mistakes were made after mistakes; not that his "lover" minded, he looked as though he was up for a couple more rounds of "vocal humping" judging by the look on his face! Finally, he had managed to get through it after umpteen takes and he burst into tears from the relief.
Mai-san called him "a baby"!
Luckily, he had gotten used to it now and he was able to see the sex scenes as another "job" though it still made his body hot when hearing it done. Mai-san said he had an "uke's voice," one that compelled men to "fuck him senseless and make him cry". How many masochists he had played up to date? He can't even remember anymore. Upon reflection, was that the reason Marik-sensei teased him so? If that was the case, he really was screwed—in more ways than one!
With a heavy sigh, he patted Anzu's hand with his free one and slid the other free. Regrettably, he was not in a position to be a relationship, perhaps when he has got his "lucky break" he'd be able to consider it. For the time being, it was pointless to encourage it.
"Come on, the chiller cabinets needs to be refilled for the morning rush hour, we had better get a move on or Manager-san is going to tell us off. I think, for me, Mai-san's reproach was enough for one day."
Anzu pouted slightly at the mention of work but closed the magazine and pushed off the counter. "Okay, I'll stock-up the beverages then," she offered and Yami nodded a response.
Hopefully, the time would pass quicker now they were occupied.
O-o-O-o-O
Seven o' clock saw the two retiring employees idling in the staff room. Yami yawned and stretched lazily, the movement was slow and graceful. The door of the staff room opened and Manager-san appeared.
"Here, Yami-kun take this,' he said, placing a small plastic bag with the store's logo on the table.
"Thank you so much, Sudo-san," Yami called out gratefully to the departing figure.
Anzu walked over to the table and peered into the bag, it was filled with onigiri* and Sushi bentos*. Picking one up she inspected it. "Still eating this stuff? They expired yesterday, you know."
Yami shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "As long as I eat the ones with the fish and meat first, the vegetarians one will last for a few more days. Besides, it's free and I save on a few meals so I can't complain."
Shaking her head resignedly, Anzu replied, "One of these days, you're going to get food poisoning, Yami. You really should take care for yourself a little bit more. Why don't we go out for breakfast, I'll pay!"
It was Yami's turn to shake his head. "I know you are trying to save your money for dance school so don't squander it unnecessarily. I will be fine! I've been surviving on this stuff for over a year now and I am still alive so don't worry."
Anzu looked at him intently, a frown imprinted on her pretty features, then after much thought she grinned and said brightly, "You know, I am sure someone will recognise that talent of yours. It is wasted not being properly broadcasted for all to hear. I think you have a beautiful voice; it is soothing and arresting when you are calm; and strong and vibrant when you are angry or determined. The variants are amazing and so emotional. You really do deserve a break!"
Yami stared down at his shoe as he toed the tiled floor and said nothing. He, too, hoped something would happen soon because after meeting Kaiba-sensei and Marik-sensei, he felt oddly discontented.
O-o-O-o-O
Opening the door of his apartment, Yami's cell phone rang. Dropping the bags on the living room table, he dug it out of his pocket and looked at the display.
"Mama-san*," it read.
Pushing the receive button, he placed the phone on his ear. "Good morning, Mai-san," he said with feigned cheerfulness. He was actually very tired and wanted nothing more than to eat something light and then collapse in his bed but if Mai-san calls at eight in the morning—it must be important.
"Come to my office now, something's just came up," his manager exclaimed excitedly. "I'll fill you on the details when you get here, so don't be long!" Then she hung up, leaving a very tired, perplexed and curious Yami listening to the dead tone.
With a deep sigh, he picked up the food bag, selected a bento from the collection and placed the rest neatly into the fridge. After taking a bottle of water from the shelf, he packed his breakfast in his bag and headed out to his agent's office.
O-o-O-o-O
Half an hour later, Yami arrived at Mai's office in a very bad mood. The journey to was horrendous to say the least! He had forgotten it was still rush hour and he was not prepared for it. Aside from his person and his breakfast being squashed within an inch of their lives by the sea of hot and sweaty bodies…he was groped! He only managed to stop the assailant by putting on his "old man" voice and requested "groper-san" to move his hand a little to the middle so he could rub his haemorrhoid—it was getting very itchy from all that attention he was lavishing on his rear! Needless to say, the attack abruptly stopped and the rest of the journey remained uneventful.
Mai-san took one look at the figure approaching her desk and said, "You look like crap!"
Yami grunted a reply. Mai-san was not a morning person and her mood reflected it.
Pulling out a chair and slumping into it, he put his bag on his lap and opened it. Gingerly peering inside it, he pulled out the bento. The misshapen box was beyond recognisable and so were its contents.
"What in heavens is that?" asked the curious woman.
"My breakfast," replied the tired male.
"Which is…?"
"A Sushi bento," sighed Yami. "It's a little squashed."
"No shit! It looks as though a Sumo Wrestler sat on it…no scrap that, it looks as though a Sumo Wrestler first sat on it and then belly-flopped on it after!"
Yami ignored Mai-san's sarcastic remark and proceeded to open it. Taking off the cover, his heart sank. The pieces of food were compressed so badly, it had almost merged with each other, making it look like one large starchy pancake! It didn't look too appetising at all!
Fully aware of Mai-san peering over the desk to stare at his meal, he picked up the pair of chopsticks and pulled them apart.
Mai's eyes widened slightly.
Next he mixed the soya sauce together with the wasabi mustard in the little slot provided then selected a piece of flattened roll and dipped it in the sauce.
"Ewwwww…" was the response from the observing female.
Yami pretended he didn't hear the sound of revulsion and began eating.
"It's food and it is perfectly edible so why waste it?" he reasoned.
"It looks like cra—"
"It's food, Mai-san! he empathised with a scowl, relieved when Mai grimaced and raised her hands in silent defeat; he decided to change the subject. "So what was it you wanted to see me about?"
"Oh yes, I completely forgot about the news when that…" she jerked her chin at the bento, "…appeared! Anyway, I received a call this morning informing me of an audition for an anime that was going to be dubbed soon. It appears there may be a suitable part for you in it."
"Oh?" Yami responded in between mouthfuls. "And what is the story about and what is the role?"
Reclining into the chair, Mai-san began briefing her charge. "Well, the story is about three bishies that are assigned to protect a princess because she is special or something or another. Two of the boys falls in love with her and their rivalry pulls them apart; forcing one to leave and become evil thus attempting to destroy the world in a fit of jealousy. You know, the same old good versus evil with a woman thrown in for good measures kinda blah, blah, blah…"
Yami rolled his eyes at the description; trust Mai-san to make a fascinating story sound interesting as a leaking faucet!
"If you get the part, you will play one of the hero's subordinate and friend."
"I see and when is the audition?"
"In two hours time."
"Oh okay… And who plays the main characters or has that not be decided yet?" asked Yami, curiously, stabbing his food with the wooden utensil in order to separate it. A small piece came off and he skilfully picked it up.
"Oh, two of them have been decided! You'll never guess who it is!"
Yami paused with the morsel halfway to his mouth. The barely concealed excitement in Mai-san's voice revealed everything; she had been exactly the same after meeting them…
A soft thud indicated the piece of sushi Yami was holding had dropped back into the plastic tray.
No! It can't be…
"It's them, Yami! It's the 'Ice-Prince', Kaiba-san and 'Playboy' Marik-san!"
Rendered speechless, Yami looked at the remaining food in front of him; for some strange reason, his appetite had dissipated and he didn't feel hungry anymore…
Oh, Shit! he thought with a feeling akin to dread. I am so screwed!
~TBC~
O-o-O-o-O
A/N: I think this is going to be an interesting respite from all the drangst I have been drowning in.
For a fic that was a result of a whim, I should stress there will not be much of a plot to speak of and what little there is, the characters are running away with it! So just kick back and enjoy the OoCness and randomness of whatever the characters has to offer; you might be pleasantly surprised~!
As always, your thoughts are eagerly anticipated and much appreciated. Thank you so much for reading.
*Onigiri – Rice balls wrapped in seaweed. A Japanese snack.
*Sushi Bentos – Sushi (vinegar rice with assorted toppings and fillings) lunchboxes.
*Mama-san – A woman in charge of brothels, escort clubs, bars and the like.