Chapter 26: Interloper

Zorc narrowed his eyes, gazing at a looking glass, depicting the events of the last game against the Pharaoh.

Yugi's transformation… the way the boy was in full control of his abilities with that confident smile on his face.

"Yamir, you're losing your touch." He rested one of his cheeks against his hand. "I don't believe this is what you intended, hm?"

Yamir winced. Beside him, Akhenaden smirked, crossing his arms.

"If you ask me, he's made it worse. Now the Jackal Boy is going to grow in power. That's two pests for the price of one, hm?"

Yamir narrowed his eyes.

"Like your son?"

Akhenaden winced.

Zorc held up a hand, motioning for silence as the torches on either side of his throne sparked, their flames dancing, casting sinister shadows along the floor.

"Silence. There is another problem now." Zorc swiped a finger along the looking glass, focusing on an image of Jonouchi and Yugi talking, the blond clearly able to see the Pharaoh now. "He's growing his numbers. What do you think that means?"

"That… we need to be weary…" Akhenaden murmured. "Ensure he dies before anything else comes through?"

"You have no subtlety. Yamir can't risk his host going to prison."

Yamir huffed, raising an eyebrow, deciding to remain silent.

"There better be a backup plan to this. As the boy grows in power, so will the power of those he is close to. The girl, the former guard, the bloody old priest - you realize we need to act sooner rather than later?"

Yamir took a deep breath, folding his arms behind his back.

"And I do have a plan. I have my OWN ways after all."

Zorc motioned for him to continue.

Yamir walked forward, resting a hand on the looking glass. The glass filled with smoke, twisting and turning, taking on a shape.

Yamir smiled fondly at the image.

"I believe she will do wonders…"

oooooo

Why? Why did I introduce them?

It had been a week since Jonouchi had found out the secret of the puzzle… and if Yugi said his life was any easier, he'd be lying through his teeth. He was happy that Yami and Jonouchi got along…

"You know, you should listen to Yami more. I mean, if you wanna get anywhere with Anzu - have you even asked her out properly yet?"

"Yes, he does need to listen to me more."

Yugi groaned, covering his ears, walking ahead of them into the school.

"You guys can stop ANYTIME!"

Jonouchi and Yami exchanged a wicked grin.

"Never."

"Why would I stop? I said if you stuck by me she'd be yours in no time."

"If I had a card for every time I heard that maybe I'd have a quarter of Seto's collection…" He mumbled, opening his shoe locker up.

He stopped short, realizing something else was in there. He reached in, pulling out a white envelope, sealed with a heart sticker.

What the…?

"What's this?" Yami leaned over his shoulder. "A letter?"

"I-"

Jonouchi swiped it out of his hands.

"HEY!"

"Not just any letter. A LOVE LETTER! Look at this!"

"Shh! Not so loud!" He jumped up, trying to swipe it back. "You want the others to hear-"

"Hear what?" Honda peered around the corner, Miho right beside him. "What's the big deal?"

"Yugi got a love letter."

"From Anzu!?" Miho gasped.

Yugi turned bright red, putting his face in his hands.

Maybe Natsuki was right about curses. I'm definitely being cursed with EVERYONE NEEDING TO BE IN MY BUSINESS ALL THE TIME NOW!

Yami nudged Jonouchi, gesturing to him.

"Let him read it."

Jonouchi offered it back to him.

"Let's find out."

Yugi's face was burning bright red as he hastily opened the letter.

"I swear if Ms. Chuono catches us-"

"Her makeup will crack like glass." Yami cut in, grinning. "Just as intended."

"You, shut up." He muttered.

I swear, between my family, Jonouchi and HIM, I'm never gonna get a moment's peace again…

The scent of lillies wafted up from within as he looked it over.

"Hello.

I'm sure you're surprised to suddenly receive a letter like this… The truth is, I wanted to tell you my true feelings, that I've had for a long time now…

Could we meet just once?

I'll be waiting at Domino Park.

- Kageyama Risa."

Yugi's heart sank, trying to wrack his brain for answers. Risa? When did he meet a girl with that name?

"Risa…" Jonouchi hummed in thought. "Does a girl with that name even go here?"

Yugi winced.

While the others seemed oblivious to the energy shift, he could feel it intensely. The energy around him crackled as a dark presence loomed over him.

"Are the Gods mocking me right now?!"

"Yami. Yami, we're in public. Calm down!"

"YOU GO TO THAT PARK AND TURN THAT INTERLOPER DOWN. DO YOU HEAR ME!? YOU. TURN HER. DOWN."

"Y-Yami, Yami, please! Calm down!"

Yami bristled, taking a few deep breaths.

"Just… don't do anything you'd regret. You only have one life - use that wisely."

Yugi frowned, nodding as Yami disappeared from view, back into the puzzle, the cacophony of sound resumed all around him.

"-Yugi? Hey!"

He snapped out of it, looking up at Jonouchi.

"You don't have to meet that Risa girl."

Honda scoffed.

"Please, it'd be cruel to stand her up like that. What if it was Akane-"

Jonouchi glared daggers at him.

"Don't you dare bring Akane into this."

"Okay, okay, boundary acknowledged!"

"What are you all yelling about this time?"

Everyone froze up as Anzu made her way to them, a curious look in her eyes.

"What's the matter?"

"Uh…" Miho fiddled with her fingers. "Um…"

"Yugi uh…"

"Hm?" Anzu looked at him. "What's the matter?"

"I… have to meet someone after school."

Anzu looked at the letter, narrowing her eyes.

She held out a hand to him.

Very reluctantly, he handed it over.

Anzu read it over, going silent… the others wincing, bracing themselves.

After a moment, she laughed.

"What a coward. You've never met her?"

Yugi shook his head.

"No Duel Monsters tournaments?"

"No."

"Not related to any of your Dad's excavation team?"

"No…"

Anzu handed it back.

"It's probably some middle school kid from Nat's school. Best to just turn her down politely and move on with your life. Rip the bandage off now."

Yugi winced. The way she was talking… The way her eyes narrowed.

Oh. She's mad…

But why!?

Yugi hastily crumbled up the letter, throwing it back into his locker.

"We need to get to class.. Also, Yugi, I brought your lunch today! Hope that's okay!" Anzu called over her shoulder as she hurried off.

"... Okay, is it just me or did she just feel threatened by that letter?" Honda whispered.

Miho nodded.

"Oh, super threatened…"

"Why!?" Yugi squeaked a little. "I didn't do anything, right!?"

"You didn't." Jonouchi sighed. "That's the problem. Matters of the heart are… tricky…"

"Yeah, like you're one with all the answers Mr. "I almost got us all busted because I couldn't help myself."-"

"YOU WANNA GO!? I WILL FIGHT YOU RIGHT HERE!"

Yugi sighed, bringing a hand to his face.

And so starts another day at school…

Ohhh this is awkward…