A/N: I've never read Linwood Barclay, but can only find good things about him, such as being Canadian. Represent! :)
A/N: I am aware that bathing suits are not proper attire for hot springs but for the sake of television and my story they will be worn.
The Bachelor Kaiba Style
Week Three
It was possible Mokuba wanted to appease Kaiba's wrath after the photo shoot he had inflicted the week before. An afternoon at an onsen was one of the few pleasures Kaiba rarely had time for. If the dates continued on a similar path he may be capable of forgiving his brother. Eventually.
Yoko was the first woman out of the women's entrance. Her purple hair was piled high on her head, and she carried a towel casually over one shoulder. "Hey, Kaiba-san. Waiting for us before you get in the water? How considerate of you."
"Hn."
Kei and Aya, the other half of their group date, were quick to join them, and impressed Kaiba when they refrained from rushing him in their excitement. All three women were eye catching in their bathing suits, including Aya in her modest yellow one piece. She had opted to wear her glasses and Kaiba could not fault her. They were very much a part of who she was.
Of course, regardless of any possible enjoyment he would have during the date, Kaiba held fast to his decision of turning ever woman down. If they had met at another time or place maybe, but he would not fall for television arranged dating.
Aya graced him with a polite smile. "Shall we proceed?" she gestured to the water.
"Yes please," Yoko agreed, "Come on, Kaiba-san. I'm sure we can find somewhere secluded to get to know one another better. Without interruptions."
"What are you going to do? Recite computer code?" Kei said, smiling at Yoko's glare.
Everyone made it into the steaming water without further taunting, taking a few moments to absorb the relaxing effects. Kaiba glided a couple meters away from the women and debated ducking behind one of the large rocks if only to steal a few moments of peace.
Kei came up beside him. "Don't get too far away, Kaiba-san. You disappear in the steam and Yoko may have a heart attack."
"You're worried about Yoko?"
She gave a little laugh. "Not particularly."
A shift in the calmness of the water brought with it the woman in question. "Hey. Are you trying to take Kaiba-san away from us?"
"Hardly. I simply want to get to know Kaiba-san better before you decide it's time to molest him."
"I won't play twenty questions," Kaiba said, envisioning a mute button connected to the women's voices. Again, he was sending them all home. There was no purpose for them to learn about his inner feelings.
"Excuse me, Kaiba-san," Aya interjected, appearing to his right and effectively trapping him against the rock with the help of the other two, "I was curious about one thing, but I understand if you would like me to remain unaware."
"What?" he asked.
"Your daughter Yasmin is rarely if ever in the media. Why is that?"
"Careful, Kaiba-san," Yoko warned, "She'll sell everything you tell her."
Aya pursed her lips in annoyance. "I'm a Professional Representative, not a tabloid journalist. And as a friendly reminder, this is already national television."
Right. Kaiba locked away the thoughts of videos of him and three attractive women in an onsen spreading over the internet for millions to watch. The show was still in its taping process and at the current moment, far away from the world wide web. He hoped.
"Kaiba-san already said he wasn't going to answer questions," Kei reminded the women.
He arched an eyebrow. "I'm quite capable of speaking for myself."
"Sorry."
"In regards to your question, Aya-san, I believe it is in Yasmin's best interest to keep her away from the media. She is only three and for no reason deserves to have her childhood spoiled."
The answer appeared to satisfy Aya and she gave him a small bow. "Thank you for telling me that, Kaiba-san."
He nodded in reply.
Second week in a row that Kei found the first impression card. It was quite possible she had been a saint in her previous life, or maybe saved a burning orphanage. All she needed to do was offer the card to Kaiba-san and he would let her keep it. And maybe go buy a lottery ticket as well.
"What did you find?" Yoko splashed over to her.
"This isn't a pool, Yoko. Please stop creating waves."
The computer programmer offered no apology. Her eyes were caught on the plastic card case Kei held. "Thats-"
"Yes. And I'm going to deliver it to Kaiba-san."
"Kaiba-san!" Yoko yelled across the onsen, "Guess what Kei found?"
Tempering down her annoyance at Yoko's complete disrespect for everyone and everything, Kei calmly followed her over to where Kaiba-san was relaxing. Amazingly enough he did not hear Yoko's announcement and remained turned away from them.
"Kaiba-san!" Yoko jumped on his back, her arms wrapping around his neck.
Aya and Kei watched in astonishment and slight horror as the rest of their party vanished underneath the water. Waves were still lapping against the women when Kaiba-san emerged from the water, Yoko no longer clinging to him. He shook his head, sending water in all directions and coughed at the water in his lungs.
"Kaiba-san," Aya was the first to react, "Are you injured in anyway?"
He glowered at the women, one sheepish Yoko, ducked low in the water, specifically. "I am fine. What was the purpose of attempting to drown me?"
"This actually," Kei held out the first impression card, "I found it on the edge of the onsen."
Deep blue eyes observed the visible black card sleeve. "Give the card to Aya."
What?
"I-I'm sorry?"
"Why does Aya get the card?" Yoko protested.
"Maybe," Kaiba-san pulled himself out of the onsen, "Because I like her bathing suit."
CAMERA: Yoko, 28 yrs old, Computer Programmer
"Didn't get the first impression card tonight but I don't care." Yoko had a silly grin on her face, her eyes clouded over with fantasy. "I got to feel Kaiba-san and ladies it was five seconds of pure heaven. All those muscles and skin... soaking wet... It was totally worth it."
Week three was much better then week two. As Bakura had announced before the first date, three of the women would not be going on any dates with Kaiba. Anzu crossed her fingers that she would be one of the 'lucky' ones without a date.
Back again with date card number two, Bakura had congregated everyone into the living room for the unveiling. He eyed the women cautiously over the edge of his cards before proceeding.
"This date is for one lucky recipient to accompany Kaiba-san on a cherry blossom viewing," Bakura revealed, "Virginia."
Anzu breathed a sigh of relief that was mirrored by Bakura.
"Me?" Virginia asked from beside Anzu, "I'm so excited! Is it just for me with Kaiba. Anzu, where am I going? What do I do? What do I say?"
She laughed as her friend went from joy to panic in two breaths. "You'll be fine. Just be yourself. And don't do anything I would. Seriously. I'm trying to get sent home here."
"Don't leave yet." The blonde squeezed her hand, "I still need your wonderful knowledge and insight."
At least someone had pleasant reasons for wanting her to remain. Imagine becoming the Kaiba Seto guru, fount of all knowledge Kaiba, for the women. Interesting job description.
"Come on," Anzu pulled Virginia up from the couch, "Let's go get you ready for your hot date."
His brother looked thoroughly entertained, nearly falling off of the couch with laughter and upsetting his laptop. "She-she made you-" Mokuba took a deep breath and cracked up again while successfully falling to the floor.
The hilarity he found with Kaiba's situation was surpassing even Kaiba's expectations. His cherry blossom date with Virginia had been the epitome of boring dates. Gut bursting would not be his classification. Spending the evening sticking strictly to English dialogue was the only pleasurable part. Particularly when the accompanying camera men struggled to follow along.
"What is your fascination with my embarrassment?" Kaiba asked.
The view of Mokuba came back into the centre frame when he straightened his laptop, once again revealing the chaos he had created at the mansion in Kaiba's absence: The couch was his only clue that Mokuba was relaxing in the gaming room.
A few more snickers escaped Mokuba and he took no pains to hide his beaming grin. "I'm just really happy for all the fun you are having, Nii-sama."
"Fun?" Kaiba arched an eyebrow, "I fell into a pond of fish."
His little brothers body jerked in an attempt to stifle his laughter but Mokuba quickly gave up and revelled in Kaiba's plight, somehow managing to remain seated fourth time around.
For pity sake. There were some surprising moments to the evening but nothing he believed warranted such a reaction. "Mokuba," he said in a firm voice of reprimand, that he rarely used on his younger brother, "You wished to hear how my date progressed, but if you cannot maintain your composure the story will end here."
Mokuba's eyes widened in delight. "There's more? You mean to tell me that after Virginia climbed a tree to rescue a stray cat and suddenly developed a fear of heights that made you have to climb the tree after her were she accidentally knocked you out of the tree and into the pond it was beside, isn't the entire story? Please tell me they got all that on film."
"There were three cameramen. The miracle would be not catching the unsightly occurrence"
"Okay," Mokuba nodded, working on the composure he had lacked from the beginning of Kaiba's tale. "What happened after you went swimming? Did you end the date right then and send Virginia home? Did you... Seto." He turned disappointed eyes on his brother, "Did you make her cry?"
"No I did not make Virginia cry," Kaiba instantly defended, his eyes narrowing,
A lesser woman may have. Of course a lesser woman would not have interrupted their private time to help an scared animal. And a lesser woman would not have entered the pond to help him out for fear of damaged clothes or other such nonsense.
Mokuba struck a pose of intellectual intrigue. "Then please, continue."
"The cat's own appeared as we were getting out of the pond, and accused us of animal kidnapping just as the parks gardener came racing up to us, brandishing a kendo stick."
The imagery of Kaiba's retelling brought a smirk to his face at the memory of a short, balding man, red in the face, swinging a kendo stick above his head and nearly clocking himself with it. He had been screaming endless obscenities that Kaiba was relieved Virginia's Japanese was extremely poor.
Muffled sounds of barely contained laughter carried through the speakers.
"Otouto," again with the reprimanding voice.
Mokuba jumped up from the couch and Kaiba heard a 'be right back' before a door slammed and there was silence.
He took the temporary reprieve to look over a number of company reports that had been faxed to him and became quite distracted by work; he did not realize Mokuba returned until he was greeted for a second time through the screen.
"Seto, if I die by a ruptured spline it's all you fault."
"Hn."
"Seriously, Nii-sama. This may be the last time you see me alive."
"Just don't let Yasmin find your body."
"Hey!" Mokuba protested, smile happily in place, "Get on with your story. Does the insane gardener succeed in attacking you? Wait. I know. The cat, Virginia tried to rescue, jumps from the tree onto your head and you fall back into the pond, but this time taking everyone else with you."
Kaiba rubbed his hands over his face. "No, Mokuba."
"Oh, well then, please. Enlighten me."
"One of the camera men disarmed the gardener and spewed over dramatic tales of Kaiba Seto, CEO extraordinare, and The Bachelor." It was difficult to refrain from rolling his eyes as he relived the date from hell. "The cat lady paled and climbed the tree to hide with her cat while the gardener apologized until he was blue in the face."
When Kaiba offered no more Mokuba coaxed him on. "And..?"
He looked back at the faxes. "Nothing. Virginia requested towels from the gardener but I told her there was no time and drove her back to the mansion. I should bill her for having to get my car detailed. Again."
"How chivalrous of you," his brother replied.
Did chivalry matter? Kaiba was not aiming to impress anyone. At the very most he held the car door open for Virginia. That was considerate enough.
"You know, Seto, she could be the one. Your future wife. Stepmother for Yasmin. My beautiful sister-in-law. Yin to your Yang. Face of-"
"Enough Mokuba. Let's not project your obsession with foreign women onto me." Though it would not be the first time his little brother had tried.
With a sigh Mokuba conceded "Alright. Glad to know your date wasn't a complete bust."
"Your consideration warms me," Kaiba smiled.
"But not like Virginia could warm you."
"Goodnight Mokuba."
"I'm just saying."
"Goodnight."
Mokuba shook his head in defeat. "Yeah, yeah. Goodnight Seto. Take care of yourself."
CAMERA: Usagi, 24 yrs old, Flight Attendant
Dressed immaculately as usual, Usagi gave the camera a conceded smile, tilting her head just so in a way she thought enhanced her beauty. All it really managed to do was hide half her face behind her long blonde hair. With an air of practice to her action she flipped her hair back over her shoulder.
"I was a worried when I didn't get the personal one on one date with Kaiba-san this week. It would have been the perfect opportunity to get closer to him and Virginia is very undeserving."
Usagi shook her head disappointedly at the camera.
"She came back tonight looking dishevelled and went straight to Anzu. My girl intuition is telling me the date didn't go as happily as planned. I foresee an illiterate foreigner going home this week."
With the third date of week three in progress and the lucky five women already on their way to meet Kaiba-san, the living room of the mansion was shared by the unlucky cast-offs of the week. Nozomi sat quietly in her corner of the couch, PSP in hand, observing Usagi and Kaori's verbal displeasure at their fate and each other.
"It's because I hit Anzu in the face last week and sent her to the hospital," Kaori reasoned.
Usagi, driven by anger and conceit, took no effort in choosing her words. "You're probably right," she agreed, "Kaiba-san didn't take you on the date today because he doesn't want to risk you hurting Anzu again."
A ringlet twirled tight around her finger Kaori glared resentfully at Usagi. "And what excuse do you have for being left behind?"
"I wasn't left behind."
"Really? You didn't get a date with Kaiba-san this week. You are here. Without him. That means left behind. Don't think your blonde hair is going to carry you through, Usagi."
Her face twisted up in a mix of snarl and smile. "We had a fabulous first date at the photo shoot. Kaiba-san doesn't want the rest of you to feel jealous so he's spending time with them. It's called reverse psychology."
"Reverse psychology?" Kaori snickered, "It's called denial."
Nozomi smiled behind her PSP. Kaori and Usagi were incredibly entertaining together, but also quite mean. They equalled one another out. Maybe that would be their downfall.
Date three for week three was something special. Spend the afternoon in the kitchen with the other women making Kaiba dinner. Anzu had already decided to leave them alone before Sang-mi told her to 'find something to do and say out of her way.' Anzu got right on that, enjoying a few more chapters of her novel.
"Not joining in the festivities?" Kaiba asked, entering the plush environment of his temporary living room.
Anzu glanced up from her book. "They're here for you, Kaiba, not me."
"Not by choice," he admitted.
Kaiba moved to stand near the large front window, his hands casually thrust into his pants pockets and his gaze settled on the beautiful scenery outside. With the fading sunlight cast over Kaiba, he was captivating in the near profile Anzu observed. She took time to study Kaiba in the silence in a way she had not since Battle City. Even lost in contemplation Kaiba exuded power and control through his posture alone. He was a stunning man and had blue eyes that did things to a person if they looked in them too long. On regular occurrence Kaiba showed little facial expression beyond unimpressed, angry and bored but Anzu was enjoying all the times she saw amused curiosity lurking on his face.
"Mazaki?" There was that amused curiosity, his lips fighting against a smile.
Anzu did not resist smiling in return. "The couch is more then big enough for the two of us. You're welcome to join me, Kaiba."
"What has you so enthralled I had to call your name three times?"
"Three times?" That got a smirk.
"Yes, Mazaki. Three times," he said, taking up her offer and moving a pillow to sit beside her. "Is the novel you enjoy toting around not as engaging as you originally hoped?"
She bookmarked her page and handed the paperback over. "Quite so but I like the stimulation of a real life mystery more."
"Linwood Barclay," Kaiba ended any discussion of himself, "I wasn't aware you read foreign novels."
"Discovered him when I was in New York. I've read almost all of his books and reread most."
Kaiba scanned the back cover. "Award winner. Can't get better then that."
"He's a mesmerizing writer. Here." Anzu turned to sit on the coach cross legged, facing Kaiba and took her book back, scanning through the pages until she found one of many riveting chapters. With a quick glance at him she began to read.
The image was confusing when Sang-mi first looked out into the living room to see what had become of Anzu and their Bachelor. The missing members of the date were seated on the largest couch, Anzu focused on the book in her hands, reading out loud to Kaiba-san, while he patiently watched her, interjecting comments throughout her reading. Whatever he said had to be in the least descent, for Anzu continued to smile at him and at one point mock glared. Either way her reactions pleased their Bachelor. Sang-mi could not remember seeing him smile quite as much no matter how small the smiles were.
"Do you see that?" Sang-mi asked Suki, from where she stood in the kitchen archway, "Anzu is reading to Kaiba-san. I told her to go do something and she's stealing time with him. How selfish is that?"
Suki put down the knife she was using and went over to look. "She kinda is doing something."
Was everyone dense to their competition. "She is supposed to be in here helping us cook."
"Maybe Anzu already finished what she was making."
"Miya, Maiya," Sang-mi called, "Do you see anything that Anzu might have made?"
The twins glanced around the kitchen, and took a peak in the fridge. "Nope," they chorused.
Sang-mi gave Suki a knowing look. The voice actress was brimming with optimism that would cause her to get walked all over in life and by the women of the show. Sang-mi had already taken advantage of it to order her and the twins around in the kitchen.
"We'll just have to impress Kaiba-san with our cooking abilities," Suki tried to encourage, "Who doesn't like French cuisine?"
It was time for the grand finale. Mazaki had vanished into the kitchen with her delivered pizza, and in doing so left Kaiba at the mercy of the others. He had not been expecting part of their table setting to be western cutlery in place of chopsticks.
"Would you like some Cabernet Franc, Kaiba-san?" Miya asked- or was that Maiya- holding a bottle of red wine.
"Water is fine."
"Oh..umm, okay," she stuttered.
The women were waiting on him hand and foot, having placed him at the head of the table and telling him to allow them the opportunity to provide for him. Take-out would have been more preferred at the rate they were going. Four plates had already been brought to the table, the food hidden under dome plate covers. The twins and Suki were already seated and they were waiting for Sang-mi to bring out his dinner.
Suki gave him her optimistic smile. "Sang-mi!" she called, "If you don't hurry up I'm going to let Kaiba-san have my dinner!"
"Coming! I'm only taking a little more time to make the meal as perfect as the man himself!"
If she wanted Kaiba to lose his appetite that was the way to start.
"Here you are Kaiba-san," Sang-mi carefully placed his plate on the table and removed the cover with a flourish, "Your dinner."
The monstrosity on his plate smelt how he supposed the food was intended, but the smell did not sit right with his stomach. The sight of the dish was more so tormenting. A mess of thin noodle, large bits of herb, an unidentified grey protein in grey sauce, and randomly mushed... vegetables? were all mixed together in a thick, chunky cheese sauce. It was a mesh of pale yellow and grey. He would not feed it to his worse competition.
Four beaming faces met Kaiba when he pulled his eyes away from the food. "What is this?"
"It's French," The sparkles in the twins eyes began to fade at his visible displeasure.
"While the consideration for what allergies I may have had was appreciated, perhaps I should have specified that I abhor all French cuisine. I will not be eating this."
If any of them cried, so help him, he would be spending the night in a hotel to escape the torture.
"You hate French food?" Suki asked. Sang-mi must have kicked her under the table when the voice actress let out a sound of pain and turned hurt eyes on the model.
"Will you at least try it. Our dish could win you over."
"No."
Miya and Maiya's eyes began to glisten. "But we made it," Miya protested.
"Special just for you," Maiya agreed.
That was no reason for Kaiba to subject himself to the pains off consuming a health hazard. Tears never made him rethink firing an employee, and they most certainly would not make him eat... whatever it was. In a stronger demonstration of his refusal he recovered the food with the dome plate cover.
"Hey guys," Mazaki entered the dining area with pizza and pop in hand, "Why isn't anyone eating yet. You didn't have to wait for me."
Sang-mi sniffed at her. "We weren't waiting for you."
"Oh." She seated herself at the far end of the table opposite of Kaiba.
"Kaiba-san refuses to eat his food," Suki informed Mazaki.
Could she have made him sound anymore like a child? Clearly Mazaki thought the same thing and struggled to remain impartial, letting her smile reflect confusion instead of amusement.
"Is something wrong with the food?"
The twins eyes overflowed at the same time. Miya? Yes Miya began hiccuping. Maiya answered in place of her struggle. "Kaiba-san is racist! He doesn't like French food!"
Mazaki coughed to cover up her laugh. "I'm sure there is something we can do. Let me see that." She retrieved Kaiba's meal from the table and disappeared back into the kitchen, leaving the dining area in the uncomfortable silence of muffled crying and glaring of table tops. Not even a minute later Mazaki returned with a second plate of pizza and can of coke.
"You-you-you're giving K-Kaiba-san your dinner?" Miya asked.
"No," Mazaki denied, reclaiming her seat at the table, "I'm sharing my dinner. Do you have any objections with that Kaiba?"
"No objections," he replied, lifting the tab on the can of coke.
With a sluggish lack of enthusiasm the women revealed their meals, and begrudgingly began to eat. Mazaki's eyes widened at the food. Apparently she never took a peek at his original meal, but she maintained her silence by consuming her dinner.
CAMERA: Suki, 27 yrs old, Voice Actress
"What are the chances that the one thing we make for Kaiba-san he hates?" Suki sighed and pulled her long black braid over her shoulder. "The date would have been a complete bust if Anzu hadn't stepped in. And I sort of wish I'd eaten some of Anzu and Kaiba-san's pizza. There was something off about our French pasta. All of us, including Kaiba-san, are cleaning up the kitchen now. We should be able to rescue this date yet."
Sang-mi was the first one running to the bathroom. She had tossed the wash cloth on the counter and bolted from the kitchen at a dead run. The twins had been complaining about upset stomachs, taking little part in the clean up, and while Suki remained her happy self she moved slower, a tad green in the face.
"What do you think that was about?" Anzu asked, fearing what the clues were telling her.
Suki stood with both hands covering her abdomen. "I think I know. Kaiba-san? How many bathrooms does this place have?"
"Three."
"And where are they?"
He explained off hand, leaning against the centre island, arms crossed. Suki thanked him and took her leave, her pace increasing out of the kitchen. Kaiba looked at Anzu with a silent question.
"Miya? Maiya?" Anzu carefully asked, "How are the two of you feeling?"
The twins were huddled against one another, sitting on the floor against a cabinet. All colour had drained from their faces and quiet groans escaped each one in turn.
"This is bad," Maiya said.
Miya agreed, "Food poisoning."
With incredible speed the twins jumped from where they sat and barely made it to the double sinks before they vomited, their knuckles turning white as they clutched counters edge.
Kaiba appeared quite put out by their display. He watched them with resignation before turning to look at Anzu. "Are you sick?"
"No, you?"
He shook his head. "We need to call the hospital."
Anzu sighed, "Yeah. I was afraid of that."
The chaos in the hospital never lessened through the later hours of the night. Mazaki and Kaiba had been in the waiting room on the third floor for two hours and counting.
After calling for ambulances Mazaki had gone to each of the women in turn before gathering everyone's bags and jackets. It was quite the ordeal getting the twins to travel in separate vehicles, a problem their uncontrollable vomiting had helped solve. Within half an hour Mazaki and Kaiba had arrived at the hospital via his car and missed the sick women being wheeled away for help. Mazaki's cunning persuasion helped them learn what floor the women had been taken to. No information had been given and all they were able to do was wait after answering relentless food related questions from a doctor.
"That nurse needs sensitivity training, or a change of career," Kaiba said.
Mazaki covered a yawn with her hand. "It was an honest mistake, Kaiba. And she is only apprenticing here."
It was quite the accusation for an honest mistake. Many tabloids created facts about him on a daily basis but if what that nurse said got out he would be suing the hospital and the magazines. There were very few lies he would permit tarnishing his name. "She asked if you were in an abusive relationship with me while I was standing beside you."
Mazaki laughed, quickly covering her mouth so as not to disturb the others in the waiting room. "Yup. I actually forgot about the bruise on my face until she drew attention to it," she paused, "I feel a little sorry for her though, fainting when she realized just what she accused the Kaiba Seto of."
The way she said his name had him frowning. "Do you always view me like that? The Kaiba Seto?" he stressed the word.
"No," she gave him a smile, "You're position in society is pretty big, but I also know you're human like the rest of us. It just catches me off guard to see other peoples reactions to you."
"I normally ignore the attention," he admitted, "Or my life would be one big aggravation."
Mazaki silently studied him with a slight tilt to her head. He had only begun to fight the urge to squirm in his plastic chair, under her watchful eyes, before she nodded her head with a smile.
"I'm gonna sleep now," she announced.
Excepting her end of conversation, Kaiba picked up her paperback from the empty chair on his left. Mazaki kicked off her shoes, shuffling in the plastic chair for a comfortable position. He was surprised when she dropped her head to his shoulder and closed her eyes but Kaiba made no attempt to have her move. Flipping to his place in the paperback Kaiba resumed reading.
CAMERA: Anzu, 24 yrs old, Professional Dancer
"I'm zero for two in dates that end at the hospital, but wow, last night was a near miss for Kaiba and I. Luckily the other women are okay but it was a really long night. I only hope that Kaiba brings back my book. I accidentally forgot it with him, in my tired state."
After Bakura's announcement of Kaiba's arrival Kaori was the first woman to pull him aside for special alone time. Having been dateless that week she was attempting to tell Kaiba her entire life story in five minutes time and very nearly succeeding.
"Being a nanny is the most fulfilling job I could ask for," she raved, "Helping children learn who they really are inside and helping to accomplish their dreams as well as instil good morals is very satisfying."
"You look after children six months old to two years of age."
"Yes," Kaori looked confused, having already explained that.
He took a sip of his champagne. "Kaori, if you want a chance to remain for one more week you will stop talking and I will walk away. Let me demonstrate."
Shock left Kaori's mouth a gap, eyes wide, staring at Kaiba's retreating back as he proceeded through one hall of the mansion and down another. Many of the walls had large expanses removed and made for bad hiding places in a mansion full of women but there was little he could do.
"Kaiba-san?" Yoko called behind him, "May I spend some time with you?"
He turned around to see a beehive of purple hair piled on top of her head and a short yellow tub dress that were she to bend over she would flash her panties. If she was even wearing any.
Yoko smiled, misinterpreting Kaiba's silence. "I'm glad you like it. I dressed just for you tonight." She struck a pose that nearly had her popping out of the top of her dress.
"Like is not the correct term I would use."
"Love?" Her smile grew even more hopeful.
"No."
"Kaiba-san?"
He did not wait to hear more and proceeded further down the hall. The promise he made to Mokuba was becoming increasingly difficult to keep. Very few of the women deserved civility.
Just like the previous week Mazaki was out on the balcony swing only this time she had Virginia for company. Mazaki was the only other person on the show that he knew could speak English. No doubt She had to be Virginia's translator and, he assumed, only friend.
"I believe you left something with me last night," he interrupted the women.
Both heads spun to see him in the doorway. Instantly Virginia shuffled to the end of the swing and patted the space between her and Mazaki. "Please, join us," she said.
"I am merely here to return an item Mazaki lent me," he replied. If it had just been Mazaki on the balcony Kaiba would have not hesitated to join her, possibly discussed the book or sat in silence. Small talk with Virginia would undoubtedly cause Mazaki to take her leave and allow them private time. Kaiba did not want that.
Virginia glanced innocently between the two of them. "Kaiba borrowed something?"
"Just a book." Mazaki turned to Kaiba and smiled when he handed back the novel. "Did you finish it?"
He had, during his breakfast that very morning. "Yes. You have found a great story teller."
"Let me know if you want to read more. I brought six of his books with me."
"What happens when you run out?" Kaiba asked.
"Umm I haven't really thought that far ahead," she admitted, biting her bottom lip, "I really don't think I will be here that long." Mazaki's eyes sparked like solving a puzzle and his name was Kaiba Seto. "Will I be here that long, Kaiba?"
Maybe was the best possible answer Kaiba could give. Yes if she really wanted a definitive answer, but her presence, though at first had been for his amusement, was becoming an escape from the others.
"You may want to buy a few more books," he replied.
A blank card was waved in Kaiba's face. "You are making a big mistake!" Yoko accused.
Ever since she had received the card her temper erupted. The twins left the mansion consoling each other while Yoko had let out a shriek in horror.
"I deserve to be here! The other women are lying to you! Send Nozomi home, she's too stupid to understand who you are. And Anzu doesn't even want to stay! Are you listening to me?"
Kaiba grabbed her wrist before she could hit him in the face. "Get out," he growled, "Before I remove you."
"You are a jackass, Kaiba Seto!" Yoko spun on her heels, tripped and let out a scream as she stormed from the mansion.
Good riddance.
Bachelorettes
- Aya: 25 - Professional Representative (PR)
- Anzu: 24 – Professional Dancer, Co-owns a dance studio
- Kaori: 25 - Nanny
- Kei: 31 - Professor of literature at Domino University
- Nozomi: 23 - Acupuncturist
- Sang-mi: 30 - Model
- Suki: 27 - Voice Actress
- Usagi: 24 - Flight Attendant
- Virginia: 22 - Event Planner
TBC...
