Prologue
Outside POV
November 2, 2029
Two silhouettes stand by the glass back wall to the dimly-lit Seto Kaiba's office. The smaller shadow turns on the fluid television screen to view a previously recorded telecast.
A young, black haired man with brown eyes comes on the screen. "Hello, this is Shane Devlin. We've had an update in the case of Seto Kaiba, dead at 38. The world still mourns the loss. He was found dead floating on the coast of the Pacific Ocean on October 25. The autopsy reveals head trauma and hypothermia. Mr. Kaiba had been dead for over 6 hours when he was found by police. The case was ruled as a suicide. A suicide note was found in Mr. Kaiba's home, addressed to an A.C.K. In the note, the CEO revealed he 'just can't handle life without my puppy anymore.' Authorities expect this 'puppy' to be a Mr. Katsuya Jounochi, who was found in exactly the same predicament April 25, 2029."
"In a related story, Domino City's KaibaCorp headquarters has indeed named a new CEO. The company would like to keep the identity a secret, but the press released a statement."
The young, redheaded intern—who stoically gave the statement—came upon the screen.
"'We believe the person replacing Mr. Kaiba will do their job well. Said person has the same head of business as Mr. Kaiba, and perhaps the new CEO will let the company reach its full potential.' The new CEO supposedly has a lot to live up to, and in time, we shall see how well this person does." His right eye twitches slightly, allowing the form watching the screen to chuckle quietly. That was a secret sign acknowledging the secret bond between the two. As the person switches the screen off, a murmur can be heard.
"Indeed, Shane. I hope I do well." The new CEO chuckled, a bittersweet sound.
"I hope so, too," the journalist murmured. The brown eyed gazed locked with a pair of passion-overflowed blue rimmed hazel eyes.
They took a look at the shorter figure's rolled-back sleeve to gaze at the time travel device strapped to the aforementioned arm. It was an invention of Seto Kaiba, undoubtedly.
The person sets the dials on the lightweight device for October 25, 2009. The day everything went downhill.
"Are you sure you can do this? According to my parents, Seto Kaiba wasn't easy to reason with," Shane murmured.
"Neither am I. This won't be easy, but I have to try. It's why you love me. That's your own fault for loving someone as crazy as me. But crazy as you are, I love you, too," The almost-lusty reply came with a long, but chaste, kiss to Shane's lips.
Shane sighed as he pulled away. He just had to fall in love with a stubborn CEO.
The unknown individual collected their thoughts before pressing the button that would propel the traveler to the past.
I know about the whole space-time continuum gibberish, but I have a deep feeling things weren't supposed to end this way. Seto and Katsuya were supposed to be together. I shouldn't be the CEO of KaibaCorp, at least not yet. Seto told me a month ago why Katsuya took his life, and hopefully I'll be able to go the right time. I have nothing to lose…so perhaps things will be better. Maybe I can save our future through their past…and improve my present.
As the slender hand pressed lightly on a lit green button, a dimensional tear opened up and a bright purple light engulfed the room. As the human instantaneously stepped through the tear, the figure could be seen—feminine.
"Return to me," Shane called in a murmur. The woman turned over her shoulder and smiled luminously before she disappeared completely with the light.
Her final words hung in the silent air: "I always do."