Chapter 13

The pro world

Rie halted upon the call of Saruyama, his smirk exposing his intentions as certain trouble.

"I would like a minute with you."

He asked, but there wasn't a choice. Two guards stood behind her, glaring and awaiting for her answer, she gulped dryly. Ryo went ahead and she couldn't contact him without raising suspicion and the men were ready to arrest her. Without better options, she nodded in agreement.

"Good, follow me."

With a short sneer, he led the way, they took the elevator, at all times the two men guarded her sides while Saruyama cast a glance over his shoulder, they descended to a lower floor of the hotel, she didn't see which one, her gaze was petrified onto the men who accompanied her the whole time.

The corridors looked the same as the floors above with a few exceptions, the carpets were not weaved with golden threads, but a plain red, the doors on the sides had metallic plates with cursive black letters called "Meeting room" followed by an alphabet letter. He stopped by the entrance of meeting room E.

"Ladies first."

He opened the door in a fake gallantry, following her silhouette as she entered, she corresponded the antipathy with a crossed glare. The guards stood outside, the door closed with a soft click. Is this also where he discusses his plans with Ryo?

The room had a pair of large black couches across from each other, a glass center table dividing them and a bucket with wine accompanied by glass cups and a water bottle to the side. He sits on the middle cushion, stretching his hand to offer a spot directly across from him.

"It's just casual talk, don't worry," he poured a glass of water for her, sliding it her way, then, one to himself.

There was nothing casual about his attitude, he meant business and she wasn't sold on his chivalry, this man had no qualms in hurting her before, why would it be different now? Her fingers twiddle with the edges of the light-blue gum cover of her cellphone, no way she's drinking anything he offers her.

"New phone?" he quickly caught the sight, his smirk gaining a provocative tone as he asked. "A gift from someone, maybe?"

With an annoyed twitch of her expression, she blanketed her phone with both hands, writing a message, showing him the screen with a deep frown.

[What do you want from me?]

"You do like rushing to the point, don't you? Great, that simplifies things," he shrugged off and shook his head as though her impatience was childish. "I want you to stop seeing Mr. Ryo."

Her head reared back in surprise, her eyes running to the right, the left and landing on him at the end, a wrench on her brows.

[What?]

"It's easy, I want you to break your contract. Of course I will compensate you for that," he scoffed. "You will have your debt paid without needing to ever look back to this place. All you need to do is stop coming and seeing Mr. Ryo."

She should've said no straight away, but there was this inkling curiosity in her, wondering what his manager was scheming this time.

[Why are you offering me this?]

"You are a distraction. And as a manager of a duelist, I'd like Mr. Ryo to focus on what matters: his career. Although it was initially my mistake to suggest he even has fun spending the night around here, I am willing to fix this now."

[You think he's not doing well in his duels because he's sleeping around?] she confirmed, raising a brow.

"I suppose an uneducated girl like you wouldn't understand," he poked at her, intentionally offending. "Given how you're not nearly aware of the appointments Mr. Ryo has to attend to the underground, I'm not surprised."

She snorted, irritated at his manners. But which appointments is he talking about? True enough, she doesn't know what Ryo has been doing every time he comes here before they meet up in the room.

"Listen, this is just business, if my duelist performs bad, that affects my image too, that's why we managers must strive so our duelists can be at their best form and have their best presentation on stage," his eyes squinted viciously, his tone was raspy, a little infuriated even. "You are a little wart tarnishing his perfect image to behold, and you must be removed, all I'm offering is an easy way out so everyone involved has their best interests met."

She frowned, bending over the table, showing the screen almost to his face.

[I politely refuse.]

"Why?"

There was this probing undertone to that question, he was waiting for her to slip up in her words and reveal whichever deal Ryo struck with her that enticed her so much more.

[I already have a contract and breaking it means I'd not have credit to be trusted for another contract.]

"You're saying you're completely fine selling your body? And that you don't doubt your contractor will fail their responsibilities?" he sniggered, mocking her blunt response.

[I don't trust your words, I know which deals you do and how it ended for me. So yes, I'd rather sell myself to him than to you!] she squinted her eyes, a spiteful reply.

"Not that I understand, but I suppose Mr. Ryo is a popular idol. Are you sure you do not hold any grudges for the way he 'acquired' you?"

Is he trying to put me against Ryo? Why is he so adamant about it?

[You were the one who started it.]

"And you'd rather blame me despite him partaking in the deal? Did he do you that good? That you won't even feel upset?"

That was the last straw, a nerve cracking on her head. [This is a waste of time!]

"Oh, we're getting somewhere. No, wait, don't tell me, I got it," his smirk enlarged, he let out a chuckle. "This is such an old, lame tale, the courtesan falling in love with the client, huh? Do you actually like him? Is this why you don't want to break the contract?"

Flabbergasted, her eyes widened at his egregious statement, flickering wildly, a myriad of thoughts.

In love? No, I…

Letting out an irritated huff from her flared nostrils, she slaps the table soundly, her knees knocking the glass, almost flipping the cup down.

Scowling at him, she types faster. [I get where this is going. We're done here!]

Said that, she whirled around and proceeded towards the door, he continued between burst of laugh, like the situation was so ludicrous he couldn't contain himself, her reaction alone was more than enough of an answer to his suspicions:

"Why are you angry?" her brow twitched once. "Just because he's sleeping with you, doesn't mean he loves you. You're not that special. Men do that all the time, particularly the young ones. There's no benefit in maintaining such a trade."

You're the one that doesn't understand anything.

Her fists clenched on their own, vexed at this man and his whole demeanor, a mix of adrenaline pumping in her veins, making her body hot out of the frustration piling up, consuming her inwardly the more she tried to keep up the appearance of a cold-headed woman. She staggered when his voice soared behind her:

"You think you're full of power just because he fancies you, don't you?"

He didn't move a centimeter from his seat, his snicker full of derision filling the ambience, his cruelty leaking out.

"It's fine, you're both bound to realize this is but a passing daydream you've built for yourself, as for you'll never be able to see an important person like Mr. Ryo outside, he will get tired of you like he got tired of his old ways of living, you can maybe offer a mundane comfort, but you cannot assuage his appetite for victory." He scoffed. "Keep dreaming big, but in the end, you're still deep in the well longing for the outside world, little frog."

Scrunching her face and shaking her head off in disgust at his diminishing comparisons, she held the knob and confidently opened the door, the light of the corridor intruding and blinding her sight momentarily.

His voice echoed in her ears, a dark, dim prospect uttered. "Enjoy your fantasy world while it lasts, because it won't be long."

The guards promptly jumped on her way, but Saruyama held his hand high, swaying it in a sign to let her go. Confused, they made space, she threaded furiously, puffing and huffing the whole way to the elevator. What's wrong with this man?

For an outsider, it might've come off as weird, how she was bought, forced into an unbecoming labor and was fine in refusing an offer such as his, but she wouldn't accept anything he presents and betray Ryo. That man is up to something by trying to toss her away like a peon.

Nibbling her nails with a trembling hand, a cold sweat expelled from all the pores of her nape, she replayed that conversation in her mind, he did put her in a tight spot, she technically shouldn't have reasons to refuse, it was a test to see which side she'd pick, but at the same time, if she didn't refuse, it was guaranteed the man had a trick under his sleeve, a trap for her, one she envisioned herself being thrown at the room of someone else while he laughs at her for believing him.

Her actions today raised his awareness, she knows this much. But what will be his next move? Will Ryo be in trouble because of what she said? That doubt plagued her mind, her heart squashed in her chest.

Around that time,

Ryo supported his chin on a hand, his elbow nested at the armrest on the door of the black limo, the scenario outside passing by his idle eyes as his mind drifted. A short vibration on his phone flicked him awake, his eyes broadening more at the name of the sender.

"Rie?" he mumbled to himself.

The first and only time she sent him a message was to add him as a contact, he allowed her to have his personal phone number, yet she never contacted him, he didn't know whether it was out of shame or simply because she did not find anything worth mentioning outside their meetings in person.

[Your manager had a talk with me.]

The topic made him gape astounded, his eyes squeezing annoyed. What happened? Did Saruyama pull her to the side and coerce her to meet him? Is she still there, with Saruyama? The more he thought, the more his blood boiled.

[Are you still at the hotel?]

Rie stopped walking upon receiving the sudden message. Blinking aplenty while walking on the crowded streets and typing.

[No, I left.]

[Are you alright?]

[Yes, I am, but,] her finger hesitated before writing the next part, a tad of guilt for not dealing well with the situation surging inside her. [Your manager is suspicious of us.]

[I thought so… We'll discuss it later.]

There was a cold breeze that blew past when he sent the last message, a bad feeling spurring inwardly as she read it. If she was the cause of a rupture between Ryo and his manager and that causes jeopardy to his career because of their contract...

No, stop thinking like this, Rie!

Banging her head to shoo away those possibilities, she set off to work. Her thoughts were incoherent during the whole way there, the talk to the manager resurfacing along with an image of Ryo fading into the depths of her mind as she mechanically walked up to the automatic door at the entrance, opening the store for clients.

Her bewilderment disappeared in a flinch, a dark silhouette on the other side of the door, Ryo in person. He didn't even bother hiding this time, just took off his coat and hung it on his arm. Was he waiting outside?

"Hey."

He greeted with the blandest voice she'd ever heard. The chattering from outside invading their ears, gossiping about him. His glare sharpened, flashing to the sides, people jolting at the gesture as he ignored them and entered the store boldly.

As soon as he was in, he swung his head, scouting the surroundings quickly, making sure no one else was there, he held Rie by the wrist, towing her along, the pink hair flicked at the wind, her feet tottering until he stopped suddenly behind a shelf so the people outside the store couldn't see them. Despite the abruptness, his touch wasn't rough or hurtful, but rather warm.

His straight posture as he stood right in front of her was quite intimidating, looking at her from above with that stern expression, letting go of her wrist.

"I want to talk to you."

She flung her hands aplenty, blabbering something, he gaped realizing she didn't have any device on hands. She tugged her apron twice to show him the brand of the store, as if to tell she's in the middle of her work, flustered while untucking the phone from the pocket of her pants, underneath the apron.

[Why are you here so early? Couldn't you have waited for the night?]

His eyes averted to the side for a moment, assessing the best response. "I was just passing by after a morning walk and thought I could ask."

Liar! You didn't even change clothes! To arrive here at the opening times you'd have to rush here like I did after the hotel!

His eyes blinked up and down as if ascertaining she didn't have any visible marks, though her covers covered most of her skin. A twitch tensed up her shoulders as she entwined her fingers around her phone, laying them down in front of her.

"What did Saruyama want with you?"

[Your manager wanted me to break the contract with you.]

"He did what?" there was a subtle crease on his forehead as his mouth curved down annoyed, his tone remaining guttural and arid. "I knew he distrusted us for a while, but that it got this bad," he sighed wearily, massaging his temples, foreseeing the imminent troubles. "And what did you tell him?"

[I said I'd rather sell myself to you than to him and that I didn't trust his words.]

Ryo gasped, his eyes broadening in a momentary disbelief that she actually dared say that, her cheeks colored beet red as he unashamedly looked into her eyes.

"You did not say that to his face."

[He got me mad! Saying all sorts of nonsense, calling me a wart!]

"A wart…? I don't get it, but he's onto us, that's not good and this is an understatement."

[I understand it, but I don't know how much better I could have answered, he got me by surprise.]

He watched her fingers tremble quickly as she weaved another message, biting her lips. The fox waited for him to leave to tail her when she was alone, of course Rie would feel pressured upon the sight of that man who swept her into this underground business.

"Did he do anything to you? Like threats or trying to trick you in some way?"

She paused, there was this faint, anguished and anxious glint abiding his gaze as he dedicated his attention to her. Gleaning over the corridors, a drop of sweat descended her face, her lips unsealing to whisper a word until a shadow came from the intersection, his voice timely interrupting them:

"Sir, can I help you?"

It was the same man who spoke for Rie before, putting up a forced smile, not able to hide the concern stamped in the slight wrinkles of his brows.

"Yes."

Ryo sighed subtly, thoughtlessly grabbing a packed donut from a shelf to the side, then handing it to the man. It took him a second to rummage through the inner pocket of his coat, taking his wallet out and dropping some coins at the palm of the man.

"I don't need a receipt."

"T-Thank you very much for your purchase."

The man juggled the food in one hand and took the coins into the other. Ryo grabbed the food without ceremony, pushing it Rie's way, she caught it without thinking twice, by reflex.

"For the trouble."

Saying that, he whirled around, leaving the store at the sound of the automatic door opening and closing shut. Her eyes followed him, deciphering the awkwardness of the situation.

"That guy… He's come here before, right? I know who he is now!" he hammered his closed fist onto his palm. "He's that duelist that's been the talk lately. But man, is he not afraid of being seen in public like that?"

Rie smiled wryly again, from what she knows of him, he probably doesn't care. That's right, Ryo was never a person that cared about appearances, he'd just act freely not bothering whether he's infamous and the people outside understood with a glance to not mess with him. Due to this brashness of his, he came here.

He wasn't particularly different from any other time, despite still using the same clothes he spent the night with, he was as stoic as always, but the fact he came here this early after hearing what happened… That's unusual, her chest fluttered a bit. A click in her head as she stared at the packed custard-cream filled donut.

Was Ryo… worried about me?

Her lips unglued naturally at the realization, maybe she's getting better at reading him, or is this a silly assumption of hers? Given what his manager says, it's possible there's some truth to it, at least the part of Ryo being fond of her, but how far that fondness goes is a whole new story.

The voice of her colleague startled her from the side? "Was he bothering you or something? Or… Flirting with you?"

A flush sailed up her cheeks, her head moving hectically from one side to the other while she fidgeted.

[No, he just needed something from the store urgently.]

"What did he ask you, then?"

Squinting her eyes in shame, she lied a bit there, pointing at the first thing that came into her mind, the batteries.

"Again? Weird, what is he always buying those batteries for? His duel disk?! And he didn't even take them in the end! Anyways, if he harasses you or scares other clients or something, don't just hide it 'cause he's a celebrity, right?" he folded his arms, prodding his head at her.

She assured with a quick move of her head, her colleague nodding back, satisfied at the response. When he left, she breathed deeply, releasing all the air she held back, laying her hand onto her bosom, it pumped up and down at her erratic heartbeats.

Don't get too hyped, Rie, you fool…

At the front of a huge card store,

A giant queue of people stretches onto the sidewalk, under the blistering sun. At the left entrance of the store, guards control the number of people passing so it's not overcrowded; beyond the front glass wall, inside the establishment there's a table on which the acclaimed Edo Phoenix sits, giving autographs, a smile on his face as the squeals and loud chatter make the noisy ambience.

Behind him, there are standing boards marketing the new cards. The flashes and clicks of pictures, girls fawning at the unexpectedly good angles and the surprised face of their idol don't bother him, his composure maintained flawlessly, he even waved at the fans.

Somewhere on that queue, Rie stood, flapping a catalogue impatiently, puffing her cheeks in a sulky pout, the high neck of her tiered frilly light-blue dress cramping her breath a bit. A dispirited sigh escaped her after concluding there are still hundreds of people in front.

A burst of agitated voices called her attention, a commotion near the entrance, she had to tilt right and stretch her head up to see over the throng gathered there, the bouncers guarding the area ended up having to prevent people from coming across the out of limits line demarking a path to their right.

Her eyes broadened in shock, catching a glimpse of that teal-blue hair. He didn't pay attention to the exaggerated screeches of the fans nor the annoyed glares and mean comments.

Ryo is here too?

A tiny smile tugged at her lips, he's a duelist after all. But what did he come for? Browsing through the catalogue on her hands, it only marks Edo Phoenix as the celebrity of the day, and he's supposed to spend more than just a few hours here handing down autographs. Isn't that a bit too much?

Ryo entered the store, but his manager wasn't there. Is it fine for him to come alone or did they have a fallout? Nonetheless, it's amusing how many people were already demanding his autograph too once he fell down in popularity and the rumors about him weren't the prettiest.

"Move, idiot!"

A young man bumped onto her, knocking her shoulder ahead as she let herself be distracted and missed the timing to go forward, some impatient glares hovering over her.

The fans are really something else… But you must do this, Rie!

Walking ahead while enduring the complaints tossed at her from behind, she exercised her patience, thinking of the money she'd get for this. At last, after what seemed like an hour-long wait, her time had come: at last, she stood in front of that professional duelist.

He had such pretty blue eyes, a gentle aspect to them too and a polite smile, but there was this presence of his, something akin to that dashing impression Ryo gave in the duel arena that day, exuding a bedazzling aura. She mustered a message out of her fumbling fingers.

[Can you sign me an autograph in the name of a friend?]

Edo gaped for a moment, surprised by her way of asking it, many fans would just run their throats dry at the seconds they'd be in front of him, but she didn't say a single word, that's when it dawned on him, that trained smile of his masking his expression again as he answered, this time nodding his head.

Her facial traits remind him of someone from school, an unfocused image of a pink-haired boy coming to mind. Who was he again? From his class… It doesn't matter now.

"Sure," he pronounced, following with gestures in sign language. "Who. Name?"

Rie stood dumbfounded for a second, recomposing, a jittery sensation tickling her chest. Edo does pay a lot of attention to his fans, that professionalism and care of his was indeed an admirable side, she admits, proceeding to tell him the name in written text.

Their interaction lasted a few seconds, but it opened her mind as to how much effort duelists had to put into work, besides showing her a bit why fans were so crazy about Edo Phoenix in the first place, no wonder he's so popular being attentive like this to everyone.

Then, an image ransacked her mind, of Ryo and that standoff, bored face of his. Perhaps he'd be more popular if he treated people in a friendlier tone. Shaking her head off to herself as her mind was unable to portray such an uncanny vision, she lifted her autograph proudly, happy at the achievement.

Monthly lunch money earned, Rie!

Holding that signed frame on her hand, like a masterpiece painting, her eyes shot towards the store, and next she knew, her feet had led her there. There's a vague remembrance that Haru took her to one of those card and duel stores once, but it was so much smaller.

The spacious corridor could fit at least four or five people in its width, the size of the place similar to a storage shed, shelves filled with card packs and murals with cards, duel disks of the latest models, of the strangest designs and in all colors, patented with the Kaiba corp. brand, her eyes could barely see the stocks of products on the upper shelves.

Lost in the sea of offers and posters marketing the newest releases of the store, she walked aimlessly until she saw a wall from afar an elevator there leading to the upper and lower floors, to the underground garage. Nearby, she caught a glimpse of Ryo, using the side exit, a huge metallic door that closed with a mechanism.

Not thinking twice, she hurried there, there wasn't a need to, but their last conversation ended so abruptly, she didn't have time to explain the details about Saruyama's endeavors, it wouldn't hurt to talk to him now that he's free, would it? The door was heavier than she expected, employing all her strength, she pushed it open, just to find pairs of stairs coiling down.

The lights were on the whole time, but as soon as she reached the bottom, the luminance provided under yellow dim lights was insufficient, huge pillars supporting the base of the building, the ceiling made of concrete, lines of cracks running on it; yellow lines painted on the ground, delimiting the parking slots. Rushing her eyes around, she spotted him walking deeper into the darkness.

What is he doing here? This is the parking lot for workers or people frequenting the building.

Her short heels clacked as she tried to catch up to his speed, alerting him, he turned around at once, his coat flapping so loudly it scared her livid, she stopped on her tracks under his harsh, sharp glare.

"Why are you follow-" his mouth froze still, that severity of his expression melted away, his brows arched up slightly, amused at her presence there. "Rie?"

Landing his gaze at the frame on her hand, the signed side flipped his way, his lips sealed in a line. Her head wounded down and up, her mouth opening in a flustered yammering he couldn't understand as she free a hand to wobble it, denying her involvement with the autograph.

It wasn't necessary, but there was this urge boiling inside her that she should explain herself, like she has wronged and cheated on him in the most awful way, even though Ryo's expression didn't budge an inch from the usual lack of emotions.

Stupid lunch money! I can't believe he saw it… This is so embarrassing!

"Why are you fretting so much? I didn't say anything…"

In a clumsy move, almost letting her cellphone slip out of her grip, she untucked it from her skirt's pocket and started typing, her cheeks blushed in a deep tinge of red.

[You're misunderstanding it, I'm not a fan of his!]

He cupped a dry snicker with a hand, mocking her. "Don't worry, I won't be angry if you are. People are free to like whoever they want."

[No, I'm serious! This isn't for me, I'm getting it for a colleague!] she pointed at the name scribbled in pretty letters, indeed there was a male name there and it wasn't her brother's either.

"Is someone forcing you to be their mail girl or what?" his tone suddenly became serious.

[I wasn't forced to do this, but my colleague offered to pay me some money if I stood up in the queue for Edo Phoenix's autograph,] she sighed disheartened. [Since I had a free weekend day and he was too busy, I thought I could earn some extra coin.]

Why am I even explaining myself to him? Ryo doesn't care about such trivial things, does he..?

[What are you doing here?]

"I had a photoshoot upstairs, on the second floor."

[A photoshoot?] she blinked confused. [I didn't know you had to do this sort of stuff too…]

"This is part of the work, you won't get your pretty magazine covers with my picture stamped on it without those," he provoked with a smug smirk, her shoulders jolted at his mention. "I don't hold any autograph sections, though, and sometimes people just take a shot without any permission. I have another appointment later today too."

[This sounds difficult.]

Is he doing this every day? Is it because he's rising in popularity later?

His manager might've meant harm with his words, but with how much work a duelist has to do, and even at night he's still looking at cards. Ryo must really love dueling to spend his whole day dedicated to it.

Rie can't help but sense the gap between them. Ryo is walking in a world out of her reach, she wasn't this passionate about anything. Since the start all she's given him was trouble, yet he was kind enough to retribute so much more.

Taking an autograph of someone else for money, worrying about such silly things… I feel inadequate…

Ryo watched her brows curl up in such an angle she got wrinkles on her forehead, her faltering gazed reaching into him conflicted, with those eyes colored the same celestial hue as the bright sky outside. Somehow, Rie looked a bit smaller then.

It doesn't matter because, once my debt is paid, we will go separate ways, right? I don't think I'll ever see Ryo again from so close like this…

"Do you have something else to say?" he interrupted her derailing thoughts, breaking the unnerving silence.

Swaying her lowered head in disagreement, she kept her eyes on the ground for a second, swerving them up in a blink. A drop of sweat popped on his face as the awkward quietness and that intense gaze of hers mingled together.

Now, it's not the time to be mellow, Rie. If you were this unimportant, Ryo wouldn't have done this much.

Her lips slit open, the words ready on the tip of her tongue, his heartbeats pacing a tad faster in a subtle anxiety as to what she had to say, and he didn't quite understand why or what he was expecting to hear exactly, but right there, they heard the noisy clank and creak of the metallic door being pushed open. Both of them looked at the source of the sound, startled.

The shoes of the newcomer hit the ground with rhythmical, fast and squeaky clacks, running. They exchanged a worried glance, then that silhouette came into the dimmed lights of the underground garage, his silvery hair blowing gently, basked in light, it was none other than Edo Phoenix.

He let out a low gasp upon the sight of the two people there, his heel sliding back, his fists clenching at the predicament, he wasn't supposed to be seen and neither were they, from their astonished faces, he gathered.

"Edo Phoenix."

Ryo narrowed his eyes, standing there in a straight, menacing posture, a grave tone and a scowl. Edo tilted his head to the side a bit to look at the girl whose figure was almost fully hidden behind the duelist cloaked in dark. Is this a secret meeting or what? Did he come at a bad time?