Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh.

A/N: A huge, huge thank you to Yarsian for being the first reviewer. This chapter is dedicated to you.

It was still raining by the time school let up and though my preference was to walk to Kaiba Corp, I had the feeling that the sight of the CEO arriving without a limo (with an umbrella, no less) would send some of employees to an early grave, especially the females. Therefore, rather reluctantly, I made my way to the vehicle that was waiting outside the school gates.

I just had my hand on the door handle when a voice I much rather not have had heard, resounded in my head with all the force of a sledgehammer. "So close," I muttered, disgruntled and annoyed. I had half a mind to completely ignore her but this was the second time she had willfully sought me out. I couldn't help the 'why' that flitted through my head. I slowly (and grudgingly) turned around and was met with the, very much unwanted, image of Mazaki with a blue umbrella over her head.

"Kaiba-kun, I was…um wondering if we could talk," Mazaki said in an uncharacteristically subdued, but nonetheless, a strong voice. Funny, she stuttered a bit. Heh, I knew my looks were going to be too much for her one day. And here I thought she was different. I let a rather smug smirk develop on my face. Her eyebrows twitched and I had the notion that she was well aware of what went through my head.

"Oh please, Kaiba-kun, I didn't stutter because I thought you were good looking, so you can just wipe that smirk off your face." This time, her voice was of the old Mazaki. Better this version than the infuriatingly calm one from the morning. Tch, females and their rapid mood-swings.

"But you do think I'm good-looking Mazaki. Don't deny it," I teased. Somehow, her earlier atypical expression had me on edge. I couldn't explain why I had the inexplicable urge to make sure that she wasn't ever that gloomy again. I liked how she treated me as any other, common, person…most of the time. And I was known to bring out the worst in her (did she even have a best counterpart?) so, logically, I used it to my advantage. I liked the fact that she told me off. As irritating as it often was (and on more than one occasion, I had to restrain myself from shoving something in that mouth to shut her up), it was also a nice change of pace.

"You might've kept it hidden till now, but it's about time you showed your fan girlish side."

Her eyes grew stormy and her nostrils flared. She took a deep breath, calming herself down and spoke through clenched teeth. "Whatever. I was just going to clear up a few things. I didn't do what I did this morning out of pity… and I'm pretty sure that's what you saw it as. It was genuine kindness, if you know what that is."

"I am well aware what genuine kindness is, not that you're ever going to be fortunate enough to be on the receiving end of it from me. And I think I'll decide whether it was pity or not." I sneered.

"Yeah, well I'm not asking for it. And if you think that I pity you, well, shows how much you really know about me." There it was again. That…that…look. That unsuitable disappointed look. Seriously, what on God's green earth was wrong with this exasperating girl?

"I'm not interested in getting to know you. Anyway, I'm late so if you're done wasting my time, I'll be leaving." I once again placed my hand on the door-handle and opened the door. Before I had been fully enclosed in my limo, Mazaki grasped the door and shoved her face in.

"Good evening Kaiba-kun," she muttered with a bitter smile on her face. I was prepared to believe that she was being sarcastic but that bitter smile quickly erased that notion. Her voice wasn't sincere, but rather, hollowed. She gave a slight nod and shut the door.

The state of being in confusion is not something I preferred. In fact, I had a certain detestation for it. Confusion lead to lack of control. It raised questions and I couldn't leave questions unanswered. Confusion was exactly the state of my mind at that moment. Questions were erupting here and there within my head and my brain was working frantically to find any possible reasons for Mazaki's abrupt change in personality. It was bizarre and, recently, my curiosity was piquing more than I thought appropriate. But when the reason behind said curiosity was the cheerleader, it was downright aggravating. I couldn't help but ponder on this new development until we arrived at the grandeur headquarters of Kaiba Corp.

I had shed my school jacket in the car and had donned on my signature trench coat. It was simple enough in design, white in color, similar to the one that defined me at Duelist Kingdom. I walked in through the front doors of KC, silently basking in the familiarity of the place and the authority I exuded. This, this was my kingdom; the place I ruled with an iron-fist. I was a strict employer and I felt no guilt in admitting that. If I had been otherwise, Kaiba Corp would not be at the top of the gaming world. If my employees had some sort of problem with the manner things were run here, they were familiar with the route to the exit. I was aware of the fact that some people were bothered that I fired on a regular basis. Only incompetent fools, who had trouble following the simplest commands, were ordered to leave. I wasn't one to sack a person over anything frivolous. Had I been asked, I would've easily been able to justify every single one of my firings. KC prided itself in hiring the best of the best, and if the best were lacking even infinitesimally, they were dismissed. I didn't believe in second chances. I never received one.

I received a few greetings from my employees as I made my way to the elevators. Naturally, I didn't respond and they weren't surprised. I waited for the 'ding' of the elevators as I thought of Mokuba. I reminded myself to call him as soon I was within the sanctuary that was my office. The elevator arrived and I sent a silent thank you to the heaven's above for sparing me the pain of having to endure the company of anyone during the ride. I stepped in, pressed the button indicating the top floor and waited, impatiently.

Once again, Mazaki's image passed through my mind and I frowned. As much as I loathed admitting it, I could no longer find within me the ability to continue to deny the fact that her reformed (for the better) attitude had piqued my interest…and curiosity. Whenever I was unfortunate enough to find that I had free time at my disposal, I would feel my mind drift to inconsequential situations…such as Mazaki's 180-transformation. Never mind that such an event was almost as rare as a blue moon, it still pissed me off that I, Seto Kaiba, was able to dwell on these annoyances. Yes, Mazaki's sudden pathetic modification was an annoyance because it differed from the norm. And I despised anything such.

The very much welcomed "ding" interrupted my thoughts as I stepped out from the elevator and onto my floor.

"Good afternoon Mr. Kaiba," greeted my secretary. Pondering momentarily whether she deserved a reply, I decided that putting up with me permitted such a blessing.

"Hn." A grunt accompanied by a rather stiff but nonetheless present nod was more than what anyone ever had the pleasure of receiving from me.

Momentarily frazzled, she shook her head a bit and widened her smile. Well, if she expected me to return that, she had another thing coming. Ignoring her second gesture, I continued to tread towards my office door. Gazing briefly at the inscribed CEO, I allowed a miniscule feeling of pride to course through me. I grasped the cool metal of the door-handle, turned it, and entered my haven.

Suppressing a groan that threatened to escape my lips at the sight of the ridiculous amount of paperwork awaiting me at my desk, I took out my cell phone and speed dialed Mokuba's number. Sinking into my chair and leaning into it fully, I rested my arm over my eyes and waited for the voice that had the uncanny ability to uplift me from the dreariest of moods.

"Hello." Ah, alas.

"Mokuba, are you at home?" My voiced might've seemed rather gruff to a member of the outside world, but my brother could, undoubtedly, detect that imperceptible softness that belonged only to him. And that was all that mattered.

"Ya, I'm home, Big Brother. Um…" My brother stuttering...in front of me. Surprising. And once again, my curiosity as to the reason behind the nervous disability began to creep towards the edge of my awareness.

"What is it, Mokuba?" I allowed my voice to invite a gentleness of tone to it so as to decrease the obvious discomfort my brother was failing to veil.

"You know you can ask me anything."

"Um…Seto, actually, a friend asked me if I could come over to her place tonight. She thought it might be fun if we did homework together. She said that I could stay for dinner too. So can I go? Please?"

He was still nervous, though not so much as before. My action proved to be successful. If there was one thing I despised more than Yugi and his gang of retards, it was my brother feeling uncomfortable around me. More than enough people did anyway, not that I minded. My brother however was different, if only because he held the title. But there was more to it than that. A feeling that lingered, much as I tried to dismiss it, or at the very least, ignore it. His comfort was a constant reminder that I was still Seto, his Seto; that I hadn't lost my humanity; that I hadn't malformed into my Step-Father. It brought me a sense of completion, of satisfaction. A vaguely nauseous sensation erupted whenever I caught a even a gist of his distress.

"You are more than welcome to go, Mokuba. If it's alright with her parents."

"Really? Thanks, Big Brother. Oh and don't worry. She said she cleared everything with her parents."

"Can I at least know her name or would that be too much?" I teased him a little. Occasionally I allowed for a little fun, but only with Mokuba.

"Her name's Mikan, Seto." His voice had adopted an excited tone. Good.

"And I want you to meet her. Actually, she wants to meet you." Not so good.

"No."

"Seto, please. Just a quick hello and that's it. I'm not asking for lengthy conversation. And besides, she is the first friend I want to introduce you to. Well, it's the other way around." I was once again about to decline when I heard sniffles.

That decided it.

"…" And then a grudging "Fine." And they believed me to be cold. If only they were aware that mere sniffles had the distinct power to bring Seto Kaiba down. Not that that fact was ever going to carry the pleasure of entering anyone else's ears.

Mokuba and I conversed for a few moments longer on trivialities before I decided that work demanded my attention. Reluctanly, I bid my brother a farewell and closed my phone.

Contrary to popular belief, I did allow for some relaxation. But only with my brother.

If only I suspected even a little how that tid-bit of my life would change. Right in front of my eyes.