Chapter 2: In Pieces
"Okay… Maybe this way…?"
"Oi! Yugi!"
Yugi jumped, nearly dropping the golden pieces in his hands, looking up at his classmate, Aigami, who was standing right in front of his desk. He had a basketball tucked under one of his arms, a gentle smile on his face.
"You wanna come play with us on the court? We could always use an extra player."
Yugi gave a sheepish smile, shaking his head.
"I'd just cause a problem for whatever team I'm on. But thank you."
Aigami, sighed, shrugging.
"Alright, but just know you're always welcome."
Aigami left without another word, calling out to his classmates he was heading out to the court with.
Yugi looked around, making sure the classroom was indeed empty before turning his attention back to the pieces in his hands.
"Okay, let's try something else."
He dug into his backpack, pulling out the golden box concealed inside, smiling as it gleamed a bit from the light above.
One of my most valued treasures…
He set it on the desk, opening it, revealing other golden pieces like the ones he was holding in his hand.
"Hm…"
He smiled, taking out a piece of paper nestled under the pieces.
"Alright, I can finally work on this in peace…"
"Hm-"
His head was pushed forward, as someone leaned against him.
"Working on the latest Curse of Tut?"
"Will you get out here!?" He yelped, batting away the hand leaning on him.
"I'm just asking, geeze. If you love that puzzle so much, why don't you marry it?"
He growled.
"Get. Out."
"Okay, okay, I'm going, geeze. Excuse me for entering the court of Pharaoh Yugi."
Uuuugh… Sisters. Can't live with 'em, can't live without 'em…
Yugi rolled his eyes.
It was harder than ever to focus on this project at home. He swore it seemed sometimes he never got a moment's peace.
I don't mind working on it here at school… but I wouldn't mind having someone to talk to… I always bring games but no one's ever… interested.
At least I have this.
"Alright, Yugi, here's the quiz." His father grinned, watching his son rifle through the golden pieces scattered across the table. "The treasure in this box is something you can see, but never seen before… What is it?"
Yugi hummed in thought.
The small girl beside him, looked up at her brother, before back at their father.
"That's boring." She grinned. "It's something you can see but never seen before!"
"Natsuki!" Yugi yelped.
"Alright, Natsuki, I got something for you then." Akira grabbed a broom by the kitchen door. "What's dusty, ignored and the key to your allowance?"
"... Sweeping the storefront…" She grumbled, getting up and taking the broom. "Have fun with your stupid ancient legos."
I swear even before she started getting into the occult section of the library at her school she's had it out for this puzzle.
"Ah!"
Yugi smiled, putting two pieces together.
"Yes!"
"Nice box."
Before Yugi could react, a boy with messy blond hair snatched up the puzzle box, looking at it curiously.
"H-Hey!" He yelped. "Jounouchi-!"
"So, what exactly is this?" He opened the lid, peering inside. "This looks pretty expensive."
"It's my treasure…" Yugi gulped. "M-May I have that back please? It's really important to me-!"
"Sure... You just gotta be able to catch it!"
Jonouchi tossed the box in the air.
Yugi gasped, reaching to grab it, only for Jonouchi to snatch it again, the boy jumping over a desk to get further away from Yugi.
"Hey! That wasn't funny!" Yugi ran around the desk to get closer to Jonouchi, trying to reach for the puzzle box. "Give it back!
Jonouchi held the box up higher, smirking.
"Always by yourself, messing with this. You're so timid."
"Come on, give it back-!" Yugi jumped up, only for it to be held out of reach. "Jonouchi, this isn't funny! I don't mess with your stuff!"
"Then man up and take it back! I'll even coach you on how to be a "big boy" not afraid of the girls." He laughed. "Come on, hit me with your best shot!"
Yugi clenched his hands into fists, his shoulders shaking.
"I…"
"Come on, what are you waiting for? I'll even get on your level."
"Don't start a fight… but you better finish it."
Yugi waited until Jonouchi moved closer, before inhaling deeply.
"YOU'RE THE WEAK ONE!" He screamed, right in his ear.
Jonouchi let out a yelp, covering his ears as the box slid from his grasp.
Yugi side stepped him, grabbing it with ease.
"I hate violence."
"Geeze, you're loud… You don't have guts but that voice… ouch!"
"Hmph." He held his head up higher. "I asked you to give it back. Repeatedly."
"And what's going on here? I mean, Jonouchi, I knew you were low but this is a new one."
Jonouchi and Yugi both let out a small sigh as they turned to the newcomer in the doorway.
A young man stood in the doorway, his hair cut short, a sash around his shoulder.
"Oh, it's "Number 1 Janitor Honda". Yugi, we're graced with royalty." Jonouchi sneered.
"B-Beautification Club! I AM NOT A JANITOR!"
Yugi kept his box closer to his chest, shaking his head.
"Here we go again… Though to be fair Honda has been doing a good job helping the school look better." Yugi muttered under his breath.
"Yeah, the student president reject, the number one member of the clean up crew."
Honda's left eye twitched.
"Excuse me, I'll have you know that I CHOSE to deny the position because we were severely understaffed and it's not like I see you picking up a mop and helping. In fact, the last time I ever saw you "help" was when you were forced to-"
Jonouchi tuned out his rambling, turning to Yugi.
"So, what exactly is this?" He whispered. "I mean, if it's so valuable, don't be stupid and take it to school."
"I'm not showing you, you'll just trick me again. Like last week."
"I'm not tricking you, it's helping you become a man! C'mon, Honda, won't you agree?"
Honda narrowed his eyes.
"That was wrong."
I remember last week "wrong" seemed pretty right to you both…
"Hey, pass it here!"
"Give it back!"
The box sailed over his head as his heart soared with it.
"Jonouchi, Honda, CUT IT OUT-!"
Yugi hugged the box even closer to his chest.
"Will you two just… go away please…?"
"I thought I heard little boys squabbling."
Both Jonouchi and Honda froze up as another student made their presence known. A beautiful young woman with short brown hair and piercing blue eyes. Behind her, a girl the same age as her with light purple hair that was tied back in a bow… and a man with brown hair, pulled into a low ponytail, dark skin and dark blue eyes. Their classmates, Anzu, Miho and their home room teacher, Mahad.
"Oh shi-"
"Language, Jonouchi." Mahad his eyes fixed in a glare. "Am I to believe you and Honda are picking on Yugi again?"
Jonouchi gulped.
"What!? I don't know what you're talking about Ishtar-Sensei…" He looked to Yugi. "Isn't that right?"
"You don't get to intimidate him." Mahad narrowed his eyes further. "Tell me the truth. Right. Now."
Yugi nodded quickly as Jonouchi and Honda glared at him.
"I walked in on this! I didn't do anything!" Honda denied. "I literally just got here!"
"Last week would suggest otherwise. It's quite unbecoming to someone who wishes to lead the class."
Jonouchi threw a glare at Anzu.
"Anzu, you snitched on us, seriously!? And to THIS teacher-!"
"Enough." Mahad held up a hand. "If you'd like to avoid detention I would recommend leaving now and not speaking any further."
Miho stepped forward, looking at Honda, batting her eyelashes.
"Hiroto-kun… You promised you'd buy me lunch today… Did you forget?"
"M-Miho…" Honda turned bright red. "I-I didn't forget. I was…" He gestured to Jonouchi. "Dealing with a third rate delinquent and his fourth rate sense of humor!"
"EXCUSE ME, I'M RIGHT HERE!"
Honda looked at him.
"You are your own. Stay outta this." He hissed, before taking Miho by the arm. "C-C'mon, Miho let's get outta here…"
"Okay! Bye, Anzu!"
Anzu smiled, waving before turning to Jonouchi, her eyes flashing with rage.
"Apologize to him. Now."
Yugi turned to Mahad.
"Is this okay…? Is… is this actually okay?"
"This is between them."
Jonouchi growled before leaving with huff, digging his hands deep into his pockets.
"Rude.." Anzu growled.
"I-It's okay, Anzu…" Yugi interjected. "I got the puzzle box back, it's okay now."
"Always so forgiving." Mahad chuckled. "Just like your mother."
Yugi smiled, blushing.
"Nah… Just try to be nice to everyone… Thanks, Mahad.."
"Don't thank me, thank Anzu." He smiled. "She heard the commotion and got me."
Anzu gave a sheepish smile, rubbing the back of her neck.
"Eheh?"
Yugi sighed in relief, peering into the box.
"All accounted for?" Anzu asked.
"Ahuh. Not like last time."
Mahad pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Don't. Remind me."
I will never tell him I waded in that disgusting gutter to find that piece…
"Well, since that's all taken care of." Anzu smiled, removing her bag off her pack, opening it to reveal bentos on the inside. "Hungry? You can eat while you work on the puzzle. I made egg and hamburger steak for yours."
Yugi's eyes widened, taking it. His heart skipped a beat, looking up at her with a grateful look.
"Anzu… you're the best…"
"I try." She giggled. "Shall we? Ishtar-sensei, are you going to join us?"
Mahad smiled, sitting down at the desk on the left of Yugi's.
"I couldn't think of anything better."