Leech

I comfortably reclined in my office chair. I had completed all my work for the day. I closed my eyes and allowed my thoughts to drift. For some reason, I thought of Katsuya Jounonochi. Involuntarily, I scowled in distaste. Why would I think of the deadbeat duelist? Somehow, he never failed to elicit a reaction from me. I wasn't completely in control around him. If I truly wanted to dismiss him, I just needed to ignore him, but I didn't. I always found an opportunity to knock him down a peg. It was his brash nature. The way he foolishly charged headfirst into things. The way he mindlessly followed Yugi like some dog. I snorted. The mutt was far beneath Yugi's notice. It disgusted me. In the Duelist Kingdom, he sported unearned bravado as if he were a top-ranked duelist, equal to Yugi when he was anything but. Standing beside greatness did not make you great. He was like a parasite, leeching off Yugi's advice and help. Pathetic. I could admit he had improved in Battle City, though. But still, relying on chance and simply believing life would go your way? I could never imagine doing that. However, I couldn't help but respect his determination. It was what separated him from the other street thugs. It was also what I loathed about him the most. No matter how many times I knocked him down, he would always get up with a defiant gleam in his eye. He'd shake off defeat easily. He always challenged me with his words or deck, although he knew he was outmatched. He really was just like a dog, never knowing when to give in the face of his betters. It was then I realized I hated him because he reminded me of myself. The boy I used to be. The boy who gambled everything on a ruthless businessman out of desperation and a desire to become greater. A scrappy underdog. That boy is gone now. Gozaburo had made sure of it.

Notes:

I'm pretty sure one of the reasons Kaiba dislikes Jounouchi so much is because he's jealous of his friendship with Yugi. Which is kind of sad because Kaiba could have a similar friendship with Yugi, but his pride and trust issues prevent him from doing so they're stuck at the awkward rival stage.