Chapter 1: Introducing: Yugi (Sweet, and a Little Bit of a Slut)
The sun shines brightly as Yugi leaves and locks his shared apartment, the morning air still crisp from sunrise. He whistles absently as he checks the time and hurries down the street to catch the waiting bus, pulling his phone out to text his roommate as he boards.
6:16 - Morning Jounouchi!! Sorry for not waking you up like promised. You were snoring like crazy so I figured you could use some more rest lol
6:17 - Anyway, wish me luck when you can!! If I get the job we can all go out for drinks later to celebrate!
Yugi chews his purple painted nails thoughtfully as the bus begins its steady trip downtown. He’d never exactly been well off before, but Grandpa Sugoroku’s business has always been steady, and money had never felt like a problem. Then again, as a kid growing up in a toy store, it’s easy not to notice you’re poor. He always had every toy he ever wanted, and food was always on the table. Not much else mattered back then. It wasn’t until Grandpa had that fall off a ladder and busted his hip that the weight of their finances had caught up to him. Medical bills and hospital visits, managing the store, hiring on new help to ensure Grandpa actually took the time off… it had all snowballed pretty quickly. He’d cried so hard the day Grandpa told him to find a job elsewhere. To find an apartment elsewhere, in the heart of the city where the real work was, and bring some extra money in to help out. They’d both cried.
A bump in the road jolts Yugi out of his gently spiraling reverie. He peers down the road as far as he can, wondering if he’ll be able to see his destination in the distance. God knows Kaiba Corp Tower seemed tall enough in photos. The window is nice and cold, hinting at an early morning downpour. He presses his cheek into it and closes his eyes, enjoying how the crisp coolness stirs him more awake. He’ll have to try and grab a coffee while he’s there. A smile brightens his face at the thought. Anzu works full-time as a barista in the Kaiba Corp Tower cafeteria, and the idea of getting to see his long-time friend in person every day is enough incentive for this job interview, even outside of the obscene prestige and potentially life-changing income.
Kaiba Corp is the single best game-making company in the world. Almost nothing, from preschool educational accessories to high-powered competitive video games, hits the market without being touched by Kaiba Corp tech. Yugi has seen the name plastered on every box in Grandpa’s store for over half a decade, ever since the young prodigy Seto Kaiba had led a forceful takeover of his father’s empire and transformed it from military weapons contracting into a kid's game company. As a lonely, impressionable, and bullied game geek, seeing someone his own age topple a war machine in order to make toys was some serious superhero shit. Kaiba Corp has a charity for orphans , for heaven’s sake. Yugi has a poster of Seto Kaiba on his wall. And a couple of newspaper clippings. And several magazines by his desk with really great interviews and photoshoots. There were a couple issues of GQ in particular that were really -
His phone chimes, a cute little 8-bit jingle from an old Duel Monsters commercial. He pulls it out of his pocket, making sure not to catch the dinged and worn Dark Magician charm on his belt loop. A dating app notification. He shifts his back to the window, eyes darting and ears burning with guilty excitement. There were a couple small advantages to moving out - being able to date casually without sneaking around is certainly one of them. He’s not exactly looking for a partner, but it can get pretty lonely in the apartment when Jounouchi is traveling for competitions. Sometimes it’s nice just to share a bed. Or a couch. Or a table...
[Ready2Play]: morning handsome ;)
[Ready2Play]: u free tonight?
Yugi chews his lip as he types up a reply:
[Pharaoh_A]: morning handsome yourself! ;) ;)
[Pharaoh_A]: not tonight, sorry! I’m out with friends
[Pharaoh_A]: how about tomorrow? <3
A response comes back almost immediately.
[Ready2Play]: how about now? >:)
[Ready2Play]: where u at
Yugi sighs, blowing his bangs out of his eyes. These guys were so pushy. But finding men who are both into and respectful of trans guys means he was often finding himself dealing with slim pickings. If it was easier to find other trans people on this app, he’d have gone T-for-T a while ago. Oh well. This guy has been nice enough. And it’s not like Yugi’s looking for anything different.
[Pharaoh_A]: Big Boy’s all raring to go, I see.
[Ready2Play]: you know he is ;) ;) ;) And u know he’s big >:) >:)
Yugi snorts despite himself, looking around again to make sure no one can see his conversation. “Oh my god,” he mutters, both impressed and mildly turned off. Veiling sarcasm with flirtation means cis guys never catch on, apparently. He’s getting pretty good at the cat-and-mouse banter these days. Chatting online has always given him a certain confidence he never seems to find in person. It helps that cis boys are just kinda… terrible. If ‘helps’ is even the right word. At least this one is trying.
[Pharaoh_A]: well, Big Boy’s gonna have to wait until tomorrow then
[Pharaoh_A]: Pharaoh's got a job interview today
[Ready2Play]: oh shit good luck
[Ready2Play]: lmao u actually calling yourself pharoah
[Ready2Play]: hey lemme send u my phone number
[Ready2Play]: so I can text u without this app notification popping up LMAO
[Pharaoh_A]: that’s not a bad idea actually
[Pharaoh_A]: go ahead, I’ll add you
[Ready2Play]: send nudes when you do
[Ready2Play]: so i know u got it >;)
Yugi sighs again.
[Pharaoh_A]: I’ll send nudes tonight, when I feel like it ;)
—
He could not, in fact, see Kaiba Corp Tower before the bus arrived, which is an incredible feat considering the size of the damn thing. The city wind whips around Yugi’s feet as he cranes his neck up to stare, absolutely dumbfounded. Its construction and solidification as Kaiba Corp Headquarters had put Domino City solidly on the financial world map.
“Move it twerp!!”
An elbow in his side brings him sharply back to reality. Yugi shuffles aside meekly as a group of young men in sharp business suits muscle their way past him. The closest one, a greenish-blonde, pampered teen with glaring white teeth and stylish gold glasses, guffaws as they pass. “What a tourist! Never seen a tall building before, champ?” He slaps his friend jovially as the other boy mimics Yugi’s starry eyed, slack-jawed stare.
Yugi laughs awkwardly. “Oh, no, sorry… It’s a super impressive building. I’m actually here for a job interview. Are you-”
“Get OUT!” The kid interjects. “ You’re here for the interview?” He looks Yugi up and down, judgment dripping from every orifice. “What school are you from?”
“Oh, I’m not,” Yugi counters gently. “I’m 22.”
His friend snorts boorishly. “Oh my god he’s old. And short.” The blonde sneers down his nose in agreement. “Yeah, and poor, too.”
Yugi bites his lip as the teenagers laugh their way inside, now hyper aware of the safety pin that brushes against his stomach, holding a slightly mismatched button in place on his faded purple shirt. Four years after high school, and he’s still the favorite target of high school bullies. It would be insulting if it wasn’t so motivating. So insultingly motivating. He shuffles his way inside, feeling a bit meeker but trying to keep his head held high.
The lobby is just as impressive as the outside. It’s beautiful, actually; curved walls of angled silver-blue glass swim around the bustling crowd, guiding one’s eyes and feet towards the stepped fountains and flowing stairs. A cafeteria sits on the next level up, partially obscured by plantings and hanging sculptures, and tunnels lit with cool light descend under the upper level like caves leading to important-looking elevators. The smell of coffee and lilies permeates the air. Yugi breathes it all in, awestruck. The building itself feels alive.
A few scattered signs reading “APPLICANTS PROCEED UPSTAIRS” are propped up hastily around the floor, almost as an afterthought. Their shabbiness stands out like a sore thumb in the surrounding grandeur, and actually makes them very easy to follow. He makes his way up the glittering escalator, scanning ahead for other applicants. There are plenty; nearly all of them dressed to the nines in designer suits, every single one radiating a sense of smug superiority. Yugi scratches his arm nervously. He’s arrived nearly a half-hour early out of an abundance of caution (and perhaps a desire to catch a glimpse of Anzu in her work uniform…) and it was becoming clear he was by no means the only applicant to do so. A throng of them are gathered by the next set of stairs, swaggering about and bleeding arrogance.
The scent of coffee hits Yugi once again, and he turns to spot the tiny café nestled cutely in the corner by the lobby overlook. He grins as he spots a familiar figure at the counter, and he quickly scurries into line, grin spreading slowly from ear to ear as he moves up to the register.
“Good morning, what can I - Yugi!!” Anzu’s face lights up as she leans over to hug him. “You made it!! Oh my gosh I’m so thrilled for you!!”
Yugi laughs, the weight of the situation lifting off his shoulders for one glorious moment. “I haven’t made it anywhere but the cafeteria yet! Hold onto that enthusiasm for later, I’m gonna need it!” He peers nervously back at the huddle of sharply-dressed applicants milling about and sneering at each other. Anzu wrinkles her nose.
“Ew, look at all of those trust fund babies. Like they even need the money!!” she huffs. “You just know they’re all the rejects from the internship programs. You can tell by looking at them.” She pokes Yugi’s cheek with the capped end of a sharpie, pulling his attention back to her. “Just ignore them, Yugi. You’re worth a hundred of those rich little farts, and you have my enthusiasm now and later, whether you like it or not!!” She leans in close as Yugi checks his cheek for ink. “I know it’s a P/A position they’re hiring for, but did they say who you’d be working under??”
“Huh? Oh, no,” Yugi says, looking back at the agitated customers waiting behind him. “No info on that, I can’t imagine it’s anyone I’d recognize anyway. And should I, uh, can I buy something? The line’s getting kinda-”
Anzu leans forward even further. “I heard a bunch of those suits gabbing about working for Seto Kaiba,” she hisses, giving Yugi a significant look before ducking behind the pastry counter. “I doubt that!” Yugi laughs. Anzu emerges again holding a couple kuriboh cake pops and shrugs. “You’re probably right. You’ll have to let me know! I’m sure you’d love to get a good look at those tight pants all day, wouldn’t you?” She giggles at Yugi’s flustered sputtering and hands him the cake pops. “On the house, buddy! Now go knock ‘em dead!!”
Yugi blushes and waves, moving hurriedly over to the group of intimidating applicants. He smiles at a few of them as he carefully wraps the cake pops in a napkin and tucks them into his shoulder bag. Anzu always had the magical ability to revitalize him when he’s feeling most down. She’d come back for a while after graduating from dance school in New York, and Yugi was thrilled at the prospect of seeing her more often. They’d dated briefly in high school before she’d gone off pursuing her dreams, and although Yugi would never admit it, he still carried a small candle for her deep in his heart. She’s been dating a wonderful girl from her school for the last three years, so it’s not like he occupies her thoughts the same way, but still. It’s always so nice just to spend time with her.
The group turns as a big-haired blonde woman in a borderline work-inappropriate black dress and jacket approaches the group and begins barking orders. “Applicants, up the stairs please!” She yells, motioning animatedly towards the large marble staircase curving around them. “Follow me this way, no dawdling! I hope you’re all ready to walk your asses off because I will leave you behind!!” Yugi falls into line and follows the crowd obediently, casting one last gaze to the coffee stand where Anzu waves excitedly. The crowd buffets him around as they scramble, and Yugi is almost thankful for his 5-foot frame as several of his peers throw their hands over him to grab the railing, trying to push themselves as far forward as possible.
He allows himself to fall further back as they climb upwards, finally getting a good look at the remainder of the building as he trails behind. The white marble stairs crawl up and around them, spiraling in and out of glass walls that peer into various offices, labs, conference halls, and some other rooms that look confusingly technical and specialized. Yugi gawks at each and every one, brimming with joy at the opportunity to see the inner clockwork of his favorite company. One window offers a view of several exhausted-looking executive types arguing around a slowly rotating 3D model of Blue Eyes White Dragon battling Red Eyes Black Dragon. Yugi grins. Rumor has it Seto Kaiba is an avid fan of the semi-popular game Duel Monsters, and had personally overseen the partnership between Kaiba Corp and Duel Monsters’ parent company, Industrial Illusions. He’s read an unverified rumor that Blue Eyes White Dragon is Seto Kaiba's favorite card. He makes a note to tell Jounouchi - he’ll be so jealous.
Yugi and his roommate are themselves avid Duel Monsters fans - both of the older trading card game and the modern console/PC versions - and had made plans since high school to try out for the competitive gaming circuit together after graduation. Yugi had done pretty well for himself, winning several regional card tournaments and one major national console tournament, before his grandfather’s health had started declining enough that he’d had to give it up to help out more at the store. He smiles wistfully, peeking into more rooms as the group climbs ever higher. Jounouchi had kept his training up aggressively, channeling his obnoxious passion first into a successful YouTube channel that he managed between working two jobs, and finally into a highly successful, sponsored competitive gaming career. A slight pang of guilt hits Yugi in his chest. Jounouchi still begs him on a weekly basis to join his gaming adventures, and as lucrative as they’ve been for his friend, Yugi didn’t have the years of time Jounouchi had scraped out to build a following and attention from a sponsor. Jounouchi took his continued rebuttals graciously, but still showers his friend with favors that Yugi has found harder and harder to repay as the years have gone on. Games, clothes, a new smartphone and line on Jounouchi’s phone plan, and finally a free room in his apartment… Yugi needs this job so badly. He has so much kindness to repay.
He focuses his attention back to the present and is suddenly shocked to see himself towards the front of the group. He glances back down the stairs. They are now at a dizzying height, and slumped bodies of exhausted and huffing trust fund kids litter the steps for hundreds and hundreds of feet. Only about twenty applicants remain, and many are beginning to look ill. Yugi bites his thumbnail nervously, feeling a bit guilty at his competition’s collective condition, but also grateful for all the weeks he’s spent dragging his tiny legs around the city looking for work. He grips the railing and double-jumps up the stairs towards the blonde woman leading them. “E-excuse me, Miss- oh! A-are you okay??”
The blonde turns to glare at him, sweat dripping down her brow and chest as she fans herself with her jacket. “Do I look okay?? No, no, I’m not, because I was smart enough to wear flats today, knowing Mister Big Boss- ” her voice drips with poison as she says this, “-was going to pull some sadistic shit like this, but what did I have to wear on top of that?? A scoop-neckline pencil dress?? Like some kind of idiot!” She grabs the hem of her skirt and pulls it back down below her knees, and Yugi blushes crimson as he realizes how far it had ridden up. “Well kid, I hope you’re a masochist, because this... !” She gestures sweepingly to the faltering group of suited applicants, “ This is the position you’re applying for!! It’s absolute sadism!! Oh, thank god , we’re here.”
They’ve arrived at what looks to be nearly the top of the tower. Yugi gawks as he looks up at the ceiling, a tessellated dome built from various textures of blueish glass, separating this floor from the few that remain above. Behind its glittering angles, Yugi thinks he catches sight of a white-coated figure leaning over the railing, watching them. Yugi’s heart skips a beat. Is that…? It could be… it is the top floor, after all….
He loses sight of the figure as their blonde guide huffs and puffs her way up the last few steps, stomping down the empty hallway to a single pair of doors which she throws open with rage. A long conference table is spread out in front of them, lit by cheery sconces and the brilliant blue daylight pouring in from the wall of windows at the other end of the room. The remaining applicants file in, mopping their sweaty brows and flopping into seats with pained wheezing. Yugi notices several of them shoving each other out of the way to grab a seat by the door, where a large, impressive chair sits nearby, as if waiting to be pulled to that end of the table by someone important. Yugi makes sure to sit at the opposite end by the window, where the blonde has somehow materialized a duffel bag, spritzing herself with perfume while simultaneously switching from flats to stiletto heels. She reaches into the bag and pulls out a stack of pamphlets, which she hands out with professional disinterest, taking everyone’s names as she goes. Yugi takes one with a polite “thank you”, and opens the nondescript cover.
WELCOME TO KAIBA CORP
PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEE ORIENTATION
POSITION : PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO [REDACTED]
YOU : A DEDICATED WORKER WILLING TO GO THE EXTRA EXTRA MILE FOR YOUR SUPERIOR
YOUR SUPEROR : HIGH-LEVEL EXECUTIVE WITH BUSY SCHEDULE AND MORE IMPORTANT MATTERS TO ATTEND TO THAT YOUR DUTIES
YOUR DUTIES : WHATEVER YOU ARE TASKED TO DO
Yugi scrunches his nose as he pours over the text. It’s poorly formatted, riddled with typos, and clearly put together in a rush. The extremely vague job description is followed by several pages of random facts about this so-called “superior” (yikes for that wording…), including how they prefer their towels folded (in the Marie Kondo method, labels neatly removed, embroidery showing, wash after every use) and their preferred coffee (genuine Kona, fresh ground, pour over, no milk, no sugar). Yugi chews at his lip nervously. Between the vagueness of the online posting, the treacherous climb up the stairs, and now this? He can’t help but feel that this is a trap. It’s almost as if they don’t want to hire for the position. Maybe he’ll deliberately blow the interview…. Whoever this executive is, they sound like a nightmare to work for. And if he does pass the interview, the pay had better be worth it.
“This is horseshit,” an applicant at the other end of the table spits. “ Elon would never allow something like this in his application process.”
“Oh shut up , Weevil,” another one retorts. “No one buys your name dropping, so don’t pretend you’re on a first-name basis with-”
“I’ll have you know-” the first one hisses back. The entire end of the table is arguing now, feet kicking under the table. Yugi attempts to ignore it in favor of memorizing some more ‘your superior’ trivia, but it’s difficult to think over the half-whispered bickering.
“Like I said, it’s horseshit!!” the first one reiterates. “If Seto Fucking Kaiba wants an assistant so bad, why are we being put through the goddamn Hunter Trials just to get to the interview??”
Yugi peers over the top of his pamphlet. “Y...you guys think it could really be Seto Kaiba we’re interviewing with?”
“Fucking weeb,” the other one snorts at his friend, ignoring Yugi. “You still think it’s Seto Kaiba at this point? It’s clearly some bigwig with a god complex who needs to hire a crony to suck up to hi-”
The entire room, with the exception of their buxom blonde guide, flinches as the doors burst open behind them. An exceptionally stern, tall, brunette man strides into the room, white trench coat sweeping around his slender frame. The blonde claps her hands together in mock enthusiasm. “Ah-ha, speak of the Devil! Look who finally decided to show up.”
The man grabs the large chair from the door, dragging it slowly all the way around to the far side of the table, flopping down between Yugi and the blonde. Yugi hides his crimson face behind the pamphlet again.
“Greetings, applicants,” says Seto Fucking Kaiba. “I’m the bigwig with a god complex you’ll be sucking up to today. Don’t disappoint me.”