Disclaimer: Yu-Gi-Oh doesn't belong to me, so you can tear up those lawsuits!

Now we'll get to hear what Mitsuko's popularity with the press has done to affect her job!

Chapter 4: Work and Play

Just after Mitsuko came into her first shift at work, one of her female co-workers came up to her. "Mutou-san, you sure made a big splash in the news lately, even before you started working here. Is it true that you're dating Kaiba Seto? If it is, why are you even working at all?"

She didn't even glance from her work. "Please don't distract me, this is important."

"And knowing your reputation as a respectful citizen is hanging by a thread? Pictures of you together with Damiri Atem could be shopped, but the picture from today's front page? I don't know, since you've admitted to being a single mom of twins, and the one with the pale skin looks just like you, while the other looks like a miniature Damiri Atem."

Would she leave me alone? We're not even on break!

Another of her co-workers caught sight of the newspaper. "Oooh, you read that today, too? I was wondering about that, Mutou-san. Did you really have two kids with the famous King of Games? He's so dreamy, I wish I could've been in your place when I was in high school!"

With how frightening and dangerous things got, I doubt it. Shadow Games are nothing to be trifled with, neither are the enemies of Pharaoh Atem. I doubt you'd like to have scars from a double mastectomy and worse because of Thief King Bakura. You would've run screaming from the very first game Atem played to protect me.

"I know! Did you two have a falling out, which is why you're not married?"

"I think they did and she demanded that she keep the kids, since she's the mom."

"Do you think she wants to give her kids a better future, marrying Kaiba-sama?"

"I think she just wants to have the rewards of being his wife! Can you imagine what sex would be like with Kaiba Seto?!"

"I'd like to have the rights to Damiri Atem's kids! I wouldn't have let him go for a second!"

Mitsuko didn't react outwardly. A pair of desperate gossips is what they are. They're probably unmarried or have unhappy marriages, fan girls to famous men like Atem and Seto-kun. I wouldn't be surprised they've tried to throw themselves at their objects of affection, like most rabid fan girls do. It disgusts me how low some women will go just to tell tales to their friends.

"Did you know that there's going to be an exhibition match between them this week?"

"Really?! Is there going to be tickets for seating?!"

"They were sold out months ago, or I would've bought one for myself!"

"As his girlfriend, I'm sure Mutou-san has a front seat right in the middle, so she can see all the action!"

"Ooooh, is this match over her to see who gets her?!"

"I'm sure we'll see the match on TV! I hope we're not working then!"

An exhibition match between Atem and Seto-kun? I haven't heard of this from anyone, let alone Seto-kun. Why would he be drawing Atem back from wherever he's hiding for? To show him that leaving me was wrong? Or that I've moved on and it's his loss? He hasn't changed from what I've seen, even now.

It was right then that their boss came in with an envelope. He ordered, "Get back to work," before handing it to her.

She opened it and raised her eyebrows. VIP seating for the upcoming match? Why would I want to attend in the first place? I've never seen a real match of Duel Monsters outside of on TV, and I wasn't planning to even after the news of there being a match between my current boyfriend and my ex. She turned it over and a personal note was on the back in Seto's handwriting.

I'm not forcing you to come, but I would like you to, just to see a match of championship magnitude, if not just this once. This isn't about posturing or proving I've won in life, it's for our enjoyment only. He likes it when I've updated my deck and keeps him guessing.

Hmmm, this changes things. I guess I should go, if it's so important that I see a real Duel Monsters match with the current duel arena technology. I've heard it's really been bumped up since it was first invented by KaibaCorp.

She smiled as she put it back in the envelope and into a pocket on the inside of her jacket.

"What was that she just received from the boss? It couldn't be a bonus already, she's just started."

"It had to be important if she was allowed to open it during work. Hey, Mutou-san! What was in the envelope?"

Yet again she ignored them, preferring to stay professional at her favorite line of work.

When Mitsuko went on break, she dialed Seto's mobile number and only had to wait one ring before he picked up.

"You got the invitation."

"Of course I did. Thank you."

"Are you having any qualms about seeing him in person after ten years?"

"None. Unless he approaches me, I'm not even going to acknowledge his presence beyond your opponent."

"That's a relief. I wasn't certain this was the right thing to do when we only started dating a week ago."

"If he even shows any remorse for leaving, which I doubt."

"We'll see when he notices you and if he decides to react to your presence."

"I wonder if he reads the newspaper at all."

"If he does, he probably isn't close enough to even get wind of the news. He'll have a media ambush as soon as he arrives at the duel arena with his duel disk."

"That ought to be entertaining."

"I hope you enjoy it to the fullest."

"I have to go back to work now, I'll see you then, since we'll probably both be busy."

"Yes. Goodnight, Mitsuko-chan."

"Goodnight, Seto-kun."

She closed her phone and put it in her pocket, getting up to continue her work.

Mitsuko came to the event and presented her pass to the guard, who led her personally to a front-row seat near the center of the arena, so she could see both sides and hear just as well. She looked up when a dark-haired, green-eyed man sat down next to her. She recognized him as Ryuji Otogi, Seto's business partner and inventor of Dungeon Dice Monsters. Yugi had mentioned him in passing, but she'd seen him in a couple of the tournaments, following the rest of her friends around. He smiled at her and greeted, "Hello, you must be Kaiba-san's new girlfriend."

She nodded and bowed her head in return. "Mutou Mitsuko. I've heard of you from my friends and brother, Otogi Ryuji. It's nice to meet you."

"Likewise. So you didn't hear about me from Kaiba-san?"

"Only a little. You know my brother and our friends: Mutou Yugi, Mutou Anzu, Honda Hiroto, Honda Shizuka, Jonouchi Katsuya and Jonouchi Mai."

"Oh, you're Yugi's twin sister?"

"Yes."

"Where've you been? You missed all the dueling action ever since Duelist Kingdom."

"I was at college these last ten years. I only just came back two weeks ago."

"Wow, so you have a doctorate. What in?"

"Astronomy."

"No wonder you're so behind in the game, you've been looking at anything but Earth."

"Nonsense, if you've read the tabloids, you know I have twins. They kept my feet on the ground that I know of some current events of dueling. Uncontested champion of every big tournament that's come up and King of Games, Damiri Atem, is dueling my boyfriend, Kaiba Seto."

"Is it actually true that you dated him before he became the King of Games?"

"Yes. I actually saw the match between him and Seto-kun that gave him the attention of the dueling world."

"I actually played against him in my own game once, but he thrashed me."

"He's not the King of Games for show."

"Definitely. He's never lost a duel and I could see why in our game. His strategic genius is brilliant."

At that time, Seto came over to her, his duel disk on his arm. "The duel's about to start. Wish me luck?"

She kissed him and then pressed a card into his hand. "Win so you can give it back to me."

He glanced at the card and put it in his deck with a grin. "I intend to."

"You think you've won, Damiri?! Just because my Blue-Eyes White Dragons are in the Graveyard doesn't mean a thing! I play the magic card Dragon's Mirror, sending my three dragons out of play and calling forth the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon!"

There were gasps of awe and dismay as the three-headed dragon appeared on the field. Seto laughed as Atem stared up at the massive monster as it roared.

"Impossible! They can fuse together into one beast that powerful?!"

"Oh yes! Now wallow in the stench of defeat as I take you down with my ultimate creature! Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon, attack! Neutron Blast!"

Atem shielded his face as his monster was destroyed and his life points were depleted. He lowered his arm and stared at the dragon for the last time before it vanished. "How could he have found a third Blue-Eyes? It's impossible…"

The referee raised a hand and shouted, "The duel is over! The winner is Kaiba Seto!"

Mitsuko jumped over the edge of the arena and ran over to Seto. "Seto-kun! You won! That was amazing!"

He grinned and put his arm around her while he held out her card to her. She took it and he lifted her up to kiss her. The crowd cheered and cameras flashed like mad. For that moment, Mitsuko didn't care about the publicity or bad reputation she would make for kissing him in public, it felt too good.

I get to kiss a winner by hard work, not by fate.

When he put her back down, she blinked when she saw Atem coming over, eyes curious as he came closer. She turned towards her current boyfriend, only to have a hand laid on her shoulder.

"Miss, do I know you?"

She turned and their eyes met. "Of course you do."

He stared at her like he'd never seen her before. "Mitsuko…" He looked away for a moment, fiddling with the chain which held the Millennium Puzzle. He fell on his knees in front of her and placed his forehead on the floor. "I'm so sorry for leaving you all those years ago. Would you—"

"I was over it the minute you left," she interrupted, then turned to Seto. "Shall we go? We need to go celebrate your long-awaited victory."

Seto smirked and took her hand, leading her towards his limo. She heard hurried footsteps behind her and Atem called, "Mitsuko, wait! I need to explain!"

"No you don't, you said it plenty clear ten years ago."

"I WAS AFRAID TO LOSE YOU BACK THEN! IT WAS SO DANGEROUS EVEN FIVE YEARS AGO, IF WE'D BEEN TOGETHER, YOU WOULD'VE DIED FOR CERTAIN! NOW THAT EVERYTHING HAS CALMED DOWN, I WANT YOU BACK IN MY LIFE!"

She stopped in her tracks and turned back to him. He's still the same, assuming that I'm still madly in love with him. If he thinks that'll ever work, he's wrong. "No."

He took her hand in both of his and cried, "The boys need their father and you need a husband! You're my queen, through our connection of souls via the Millennium Puzzle! You can't deny that!"

She giggled and rolled her eyes as she extracted her hand. "You think that'll work? It never has! Fate has never guided me! Everything has been my choice, and this fairytale bogus you keep spouting is just that! I've moved on, so don't come after me! Sayonara."

Atem stood, frozen, as she stepped into the limo and Kaiba followed, the door closing behind them.

Mitsuko enjoyed a quiet week at work, only for Atem to visit her during her break. She was looking over some documents when her fan girl coworkers squealed when he entered the room. He sat in front of her and she asked without looking up, "What do you want?"

"You."

"Other than that."

There was a pregnant pause before he replied, "I want to see our children."

"You were only around them for less than a year. Why should I let you into their lives now? They've done wonderfully without you."

"Please, let me see them and let them judge whether or not they want me."

"I already know their opinions on wanting to see you, thank you very much. As their mother, I have the final say. Answer my question."

"I'm their father, they should see me at least once and have a memory of me."

"I'll think about it. Shouldn't you be sleeping? It's four in the morning."

"I asked for your schedule and knew this would be a good time to talk to you."

"I never knew the almighty pharaoh would skip on his beauty sleep to see his jilted lover."

"That's harsh of you to say, Mitsuko."

"Another thing, now, you can't just call me 'Mitsuko'. To you, I'm 'Mutou-san'."

His eyes widened at her statement and began, "Mits—"

"Mutou-san."

"Mutou-san, please just listen to me. I didn't want you to get harmed, especially when Bakura came back. He hurt you enough the first time."

"I've put that experience behind me. It's not like I can heal more than I have."

"I didn't think Kaiba liked you at all beyond being friends."

"Sees what you know. He told me that he's liked me since we first met. All you see him as is a rival who just thoroughly thrashed you in your last match."

"You know the last of his Blue-Eyes has to be a fake!"

"No, it wasn't, or else the system wouldn't have let him play it. And why would he play a counterfeit card in the first place? That's absurd."

"Then tell me," he lowered his voice so only she could hear, "how he stole one from you? Did he bribe you into giving it to you?"

"You really do think Seto-kun's dueling scum, don't you? I let him borrow it for the match, and when it was done, he gave it back to me. He's known that I have them since our first date three weeks ago and not once has he asked me for one for any price, in fact, I just wanted to see your defeated face for once, you jerk."

She stood up and headed towards the door. He followed her, his voice still hushed. "What draws you to him? I don't understand how you can love him like this only after three weeks, when you didn't feel anything for me until after the twins were born."

"He would never leave me, unless I wanted it. Now go away, you can come see the twins this afternoon, once they get home from school. You'll have two hours to spend with them, then you leave. If you want further visits, you'll have to contact me by phone. I haven't changed it in all these years, so you should know it."

"I'm not finished talking to you."

"Get. Out."

He backed up and then did as she asked, only for her to follow up by calling, "If you visit me at work again, I'm filing a restraining order! Remember that!"

That afternoon, Mitsuko woke an hour early to get ready for Atem's visit, making sure she was wearing appropriate clothes for a meeting with a complete stranger: clothes that completely covered her body without any hints of seduction. Those clothes she saved for dates with Seto. She put her hair in a braid and had breakfast, then opened the door when her twins came home.

"Go put your things away, we're having an important visitor today," she told them, and both looked curious as they ran to their room.

When they came back, Mamoru asked excitedly, "Who is it, Oka-san? Kaiba-san?"

She shook her head. "It isn't Seto-kun."

Yuto was about to ask when the doorbell rang. Mitsuko walked unhurriedly to the door and opened it. Atem stood on the other side, and she greeted, "Right on time, Damiri-san. Come in, the boys are waiting."

He winced at her curt tone and nodded, following her up to the main room, where Mamoru was fidgeting and Yuto sat patiently. When they looked up at their mother's entrance, Yuto was on his feet and running across the room, hugging Atem like he'd just come home from work.

"Otou-san! I knew you'd come back someday!"

Mamoru came over to Mitsuko and asked timidly, "Is that really Otou-san?"

"Yes, he is. Damiri Atem, who I told you about."

He hugged her side and didn't move, even if he saw his twin excited and animated in a way he'd never seen before. "He left and didn't even want to take care of us. Why is he back now?"

"He wanted to see you once he knew I was back here."

"Are you back for good, Otou-san?" Yuto asked, nearly bouncing as Atem crouched down to face him. "Are you and Oka-san going to get married and we'll be a real family?"

Atem looked troubled as he answered carefully, "I'm not sure yet. I've just been back for a week, so I haven't gotten to reacquaint myself with your mother." He smiled as he measured the boy. "You've grown much these last ten years. The last time I saw you, you were barely walking and still in diapers."

"I'm in fifth grade now! My teacher says I'm…rambunctious! Mamoru too!"

Atem's smile turned fond as he patted the boy's head. "You're full of energy, as a boy of eleven should be." He glanced at Mamoru and held out a hand. "Don't you want to come see me, Mamoru?"

The paler boy looked up at his mom and she nodded in encouragement. He slowly came over and stood next to his twin. "Why did you come back now? Oka-san doesn't want you here."

Pain flashed across the pharaoh's eyes as he sighed. "You still love your mom more than me. That hasn't changed with time," he murmured, then asked, "How have you done in school?"

"We're learning how to divide in maths and we're always learning new hiragana and writing them over and over. Oka-san knows how to write them really pretty, because she took a…a…um…" He struggled to remember the word and then looked at Mitsuko for help.

"I took a calligraphy class in college, Mamoru," she supplied, then her phone rang.

Yuto scowled and pointed out, "It's rude to answer the phone when you're visiting with family, Oka-san."

She saw it was Seto and held up a finger. "This is important. I'll be back in a minute."

Once she was out of earshot, she answered it. "Hey, Seto-kun. What's up?"

"Were you busy with something? You usually answer on the first ring."

"I had to leave the room since Damiri-san's visiting with the kids."

"You're letting him be with the boys alone? When I haven't even come to see them yet?"

"If you want, you can come over once he's left. I'm sure Mamoru will love to meet you at last."

"Is Yuto-kun clinging to Damiri like a barnacle?"

"Just about. He's so happy to see his dad that it's going to make introducing you into his life that much more difficult. He wants me to marry Damiri-san so bad that when we choose to marry, he won't take it sitting down."

"I may just have to talk with him about it before I propose. He'll have to realize that you don't love his dad anymore and if you two were to marry, you'd be miserable, even if Damiri talks about 'fate'."

"I'm sure a blunt explanation might be best. Are you planning on proposing soon?"

He chuckled. "That's something you won't know until I do. We've been dating for three weeks and once we get engaged, things will get hectic with all the planning we'll have to do for the wedding beyond your wildest dreams."

She quivered in excitement. "You'd really go to such lengths for our wedding?"

"Of course. Damiri ruined yours, so I plan on making our day perfect, since it's every woman's dream to have the perfect wedding and honeymoon. The wedding's about the bride, and what she wants. If it isn't flawless, then I'll take personal obligation for making sure there are plenty of people sorry they failed me."

She giggled and then heard from the living room:

"You're being mean to Otou-san, Mamoru! He's gonna be our dad again, I know it!"

"I'm not being mean! Oka-san's said so! She's gonna marry Kaiba-san, not Otou-san!"

She sighed and said quickly, "I'm sorry to cut into the conversation, Seto-kun, but I'm hearing the start of a fight between the twins that I have to break up. I'll see you in a couple of hours."

"I'll be there."

He hung up and she closed her phone, walking into the living room in a hurry and putting her hands on her hips. "Boys! What is this fighting about?"

Mamoru ran to her and pointed accusingly at his brother. "He says that you're a liar and that you're going to marry Otou-san when you don't even like him anymore! He's being mean to you!"

Yuto snapped back, "You're being mean to Otou-san! He loves Oka-san and wants us to be family! You want Kaiba-san to be our new dad when we already have one!"

She shook her head and placed a hand on her younger son's head. "Enough, you two. The minute I leave the room, you have to get into an argument over who's going to be your dad? That's for me to decide in the end, so calm down and be nice."

She sat down on a couch and then shot a glare at her ex-boyfriend. "Don't you have enough sense to try and stop them from arguing? You're their dad, take some responsibility in keeping the peace if I'm not around."

Atem bowed his head. "I'm sorry, Mutou-san. I'm unused to being around children this age, let alone breaking up their fights. Do they do this often?"

"No. Most of the time if they have conflicting opinions, they tell me about it instead of arguing. Boys, don't take advantage of Damiri-san's inexperience by causing trouble. Talk, don't shout."

"Yes Oka-san," they replied in unison.

She nodded and nudged Mamoru. "Now go back and talk to your dad. I'll be right here, so don't worry."

Mamoru nodded and went back over with Yuto.

"Do you two like playing games?" Atem asked with a mischievous grin.

"Lots!" Mamoru chirped, while Yuto cried, "Games are the best!"

"What's your favorite?"

Oh boy, here it comes.

"Duel Monsters!" was shouted in chorus.

"Really? How good do you think you are?"

"I can beat anyone!" Yuto boasted, while Mamoru shrugged and muttered, "I'm okay…"

"How about we play a game? You two against me."

Mitsuko snorted. "You'll cream them both, King of Games-san. It's an unfair advantage, even if they work together."

"I'll go easy on them."

"Easy? You don't know how to play 'easy'. You've been playing at champion level for too many years to 'go easy on them'. They've only started playing Duel Monsters three years ago, while you've been playing and beating champions since you were sixteen. Heck, you beat Pegasus J. Crawford, the creator of Duel Monsters, when you were eighteen. You've never played with beginners, even when the game was relatively new."

Atem frowned. "You have so little faith in my abilities, Mutou-san."

"I saw you duel last week, you don't know how to hold back. You went all out and if Seto-kun hadn't had a third Blue-Eyes, you would've defeated him yet again. Even in an exhibition match, you play with everything you have. You've never held back on anyone, no matter what the stakes."

Mamoru whimpered as Yuto pulled him from the room to get their decks.

"Must we argue about even this?"

"Fine, if you wish to duel them, crush their confidence as relatively new duelists, when I was going to let them attend the Duel Academy in the next few years, go ahead."

She crossed her arms and watched him like a hawk.

"You two did well for your level," Atem praised as the two collected up their cards. "I'm proud of you."

Mamoru sighed and looked at his cards. "What did I do wrong?"

Yuto frowned and cried, "You saw through my strategies like I was a newbie! No fair!"

"I've been playing for longer than you've been alive, Yuto. Don't feel bad, I've refined my deck and strategy, even when there wasn't a tournament running."

"Oka-san plays softer than you so she can teach us how to play better!" Mamoru protested. "You play for keeps!"

Mitsuko shook her head. "It looks like time's up, you've been playing for almost two hours."

Atem got up and placed his deck back into its case, which he wore on his belt. "I'll be going, then."

She nodded and Yuto protested, "No! Don't go, Otou-san!"

"I have to go, Marik's waiting."

She smirked. "You mean Ishtar Marik? You're roommates now?"

"Yes, we've been biking across Japan for the last eight years, ever since I defeated him in Battle City."

"Well, tell me another time. Out."

He nodded and left, Yuto growling.

"You chased him out, Oka-san!"

"He had a time limit to his visit, he doesn't need to breaking any rules."

"But I wanted him to teach me more about dueling!"

"He'll come another time, don't worry. Now it's time to see if Jii-chan's made dinner for us."

Just then, the doorbell rang. She went to the door and beamed when she saw Seto was right on time. "Come in, we were about to have dinner."

He gave her a kiss and then let her lead him into the kitchen. Sugoroku smiled when he saw who was behind his granddaughter.

"Well, look who it is. I didn't think you'd ever come to our home twice, Kaiba-san."

"Good evening, Mutou-san. Mitsuko-chan has invited me to join you for dinner. Is there enough for one more?"

"Of course! I made plenty! Come and sit down next to Mi."

Mitsuko sat down as her sons reacted to Seto's presence.

Mamoru grinned and chirped, "Hi, Kaiba-san! I didn't know Oka-san invited you here, just after Otou-san left!"

At the same time, Yuto frowned and demanded, "Why is he here? You should've had Otou-san stay longer so he could spend more time with us, not Kaiba!"

She shook her finger at her eldest. "Yuto, that's not nice. Seto-kun has just as much right to be here as your dad. He wanted to come over today, so I told him to come after Damiri-san had left."

Sugoroku took on a cheerful tone as he changed the subject. "I saw on TV that you finally defeated Atem in a duel. How did it go? I wasn't able to see it because it was on live only."

"It felt very satisfying to beat him after all these years," Seto replied with a grin. "The look on his face when I pulled my final move to seal his loss was priceless."

Mitsuko nodded. "He didn't expect that move, so he was shocked to the core."

Sugoroku sat forward. "Oohoo! It must've been very unexpected if he wasn't prepared for it! What was the move?"

"All my Blue-Eyes were in the Graveyard due to him destroying them one way or the other, so I activated Dragon's Mirror and brought out something I'd never been able to before: the Blue-Eyes Ultimate Dragon."

"But…doesn't that require having three? You've never been able to find a third."

Mitsuko leaned onto her hands, her elbows resting on the table. "I let him borrow one of mine for the match."

The old man shot a shocked look at his granddaughter. "You actually let him know you have the other two?"

She nodded. "I trust him enough now that it doesn't matter. He was a little upset when he found out I'd had them all these years, but he decided to give up with grace, since his dueling prime has passed and he no longer desires the perfect deck. Right, Seto-kun?"

"You're right, Mitsuko-chan. Even if I'd never found out, I decided there are things more important than Duel Monsters in this world."

Under the table, he took her hand as he gave her a loving smile. Sugoroku smiled in satisfaction at seeing his granddaughter so happy with a man for once. Atem had to coerce her into loving him, but the elderly man knew that wasn't the case here. At three weeks, Mitsuko and Atem had only been friends. Atem had looked at her with longing, but Mitsuko had ignored it due to her innocence and desire to finish school and begin a lasting career first. Now that her dreams had come true, she had time for love and had found it in the friend that no one else had reached out to.

"So, when's the wedding?" he teased, only for Mitsuko to smirk back, followed by Seto, who actually relaxed at the remark.

It was Yuto who reacted in opposition, since Mamoru had a beaming smile on his face.

"No, no, no! You can't get married, it'll ruin everything! OTOU-SAN STILL LOVES YOU!"

"Yuto, no shouting at the table," Mitsuko ordered, then soothed, "We aren't even engaged yet, so you don't even have to worry about us getting married soon. Calm yourself."

Mamoru squealed and bounced in his seat. "I can't wait! I like you Kaiba-san, so I want you to be my new dad!"

Kaiba ruffled the boy's hair and smiled fondly. "I like you too, squirt. I look forward to spending time with you and your brother, along with the rest of the family when they visit."

"Oh, did you know Mai had her baby?" Mitsuko spoke up, going to the next subject. "It was a little girl who looked like Jonouchi. They called her Kaneko."

"I hope she doesn't pick up on her father's bad habits," Seto lightly mocked, which made her snicker.

"If you think Mai will let him teach their daughter such things, you'd better think again. She hasn't let him get away with anything since they married," Sugoroku supplied with a smile. "He's mellowed out since his dueling days, so he'll be a positive influence on Kaneko-chan now."

"I hope so, Jonouchi had such a temper, so I feel sorry for any bullies who might try and take advantage of his little girl when she goes to school," Mitsuko chimed in with a giggle. "Or any boyfriends she brings home when she's in high school."

At that, the three adults laughed, then Sugoroku brought up something else. "Mitsuko, you must do something about Valon. He's been coming over every morning for nearly three weeks, but I've had to turn him away, saying you're asleep. One of these days he's going to become more aggressive and come several times a day until he can ask you out on a date again."

"Is he buying anything?"

"Well, no."

"Then no wonder you want him gone."

"Why don't you say you're going steady with Kaiba and get it over with?"

"If he comes at a decent time, I will. Why don't you tell him I work the graveyard shift and that I don't get up until three?"

"I'll tell him tomorrow and we'll see what happens."

Mamoru asked as he poked at his food, "Who's Valon-san?"

Mitsuko answered, "He came the night we came back with Shizuka and Honda. He was the one with the spiky brown hair."

"Oh. Why does he try to bug you when you're sleeping?"

"He doesn't know I work late and sleep during all the morning and most of the afternoon until you come home from school, so he tries to come over in the morning to see if I'm up."

"What's he want?"

"To date me like Seto-kun does."

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Seto whispering to Sugoroku, who nodded and began eating with vigor. She narrowed her eyes, but didn't comment on the secret exchange that she probably wasn't meant to see.

"But isn't that…um…two…two…"

"It's called 'two-timing'. You're trying, you'll get better as time goes on."

Yuto grumbled between bites of his food, "You're two-timing with Kaiba, Oka-san. Otou-san's your boyfriend and will be your husband soon."

She shook her head. Yuto doesn't want to accept it, fine. I'm not going to let it rain on my parade for now. "Yuto, did you enjoy your time with Damiri-san today?"

"Why did you start calling him 'Damiri-san'? Until today, you always called him 'Atem'."

"Don't change the subject on me."

"I want him to be around more often, so I can spend time with him."

"Maybe he might, it matters what his schedule is. If he's busy, you'll be seeing Seto-kun more often, not that that's a bad thing, is it?"

She raised her eyebrows at him in warning, but he didn't heed it as he answered honestly, "It is."

"Go to your room, right now, and think about how rude you've been to Seto-kun since he's come over. Mamoru, you stay out here until your brother's learned his lesson. If you keep being disrespectful, Yuto, you're not allowed to play any games in the house until you begin acting better."

He left his plate half-empty as he walked out of the room.

Seto sighed as he watched the boy go. When the sound of the door being shut was heard, he murmured, "Teenager from birth indeed, and a Tou-chan's boy to boot."

She nodded, frowning at the doorway to the kitchen. Am I playing favorites by punishing Yuto when he's rude to Seto-kun, but not doing a thing when Mamoru does the same to Damiri-san? I might have to fix that, so I don't start a civil war between the two of them. "Mamoru, when you're finished eating, I want you to sit on the stool in the corner for being rude to Damiri-san earlier. Think about why it hurt his feelings and when you're done, you'll apologize to him when he next comes over. Do it again, and you can't play any games inside the house until you act better. Understand?"

He looked heartbroken, but he nodded and answered, "Yes, Oka-san."

"Good."

Seto whispered in her ear when Mamoru had dragged a stool into the nearest corner and a thoughtful look came to his face, "I see who's the more obedient twin as well. Why did you give Mamoru a lighter punishment?"

"He only said something rude once, and that was at the very first part of Damiri-san's visit, even if it was the truth. After his punishment, he'll know to play nice and get along with his dad, but Yuto's a tougher nut to crack. He's been taking shots at you since you got here, and you've been here less than twenty minutes. He's set on his dad being my husband, but we both know that it's never going to happen. He doesn't know everything about the past, as well he shouldn't. If he did, he'd have a perfect understanding on why I can't be with Damiri-san."

He nodded. "Oil and water."

"More like fire and gasoline."

"Your comparison's much better with how you act around each other. Even I noticed in our school days: it wasn't a normal day in our junior year when you weren't arguing."

"The only reason I gave up was because I knew Yuto and Mamoru needed a father in their life, and once both of us decided to agree to disagree, it was more like your comparison. I only began to like it when I was engaged to him and the wedding was planned. I was set on getting married to him, and he ruined it by running scared."

"You might've gotten over it, but you'll never forgive him for tearing your heart in two."

"I haven't shed a tear for him, nor will I ever. All I hold is an everlasting grudge for the emotional burden I had to bear with having to raise twins alone while going to college. He'll have no idea what it did to me, having to nurse a broken heart while pushing it back so I could honestly be happy with my sons. If he wants to be a father, I'll give him custody of Yuto once I enroll both of them in the Duel Academy, then he can deal with a doubly-teenage boy."

He chuckled and Sugoroku got up to wash the dishes.

"If you two keep whispering like that, I think Mamoru's going to burst from happiness."

Mitsuko turned to see her son beaming at them and smiled. "He's such a good boy, he knows what makes me happy, and I'm sure he's on deck for our engagement and marriage, when that happens."

"Even if Yuto decides to play nice, I think he'll be my favorite of the two."

"Yuto's a smart boy, but he's stubborn enough to make a donkey look pliant. He just doesn't want understand that things can't always go his way, especially when it comes to my relationship with you. He's loyal to Damiri-san and won't change that for the world, even if you try to get on his good side. The only reason he obeys me at all is because I'm his mother and I can punish him."

"Once I become his father, I'm sure he'll fight everything I tell him to do."

"You took the words right out of my mouth."

Mamoru called from his corner, "Oka-san, I thought about what I did! Can I come over now?"

She nodded and he hopped off, running over and sitting down next to them. She patted his head and asked, "Do you know why saying I don't want Damiri-san here hurt him?"

"He wants to spend time with us."

"And?"

"He wants to try and…become friends with you?"

"Close enough."

"But it's the truth that you don't want him here, isn't it?"

"Yes, but saying the truth like that hurts feelings."

"So I should lie?"

"No, you shouldn't talk about it at all. I'll give you something to remember: If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

He nodded somberly, then grinned. "You look your most beautiful when you're talking to Kaiba-san, Oka-san! You should get married very soon, so he can be with you all the time!"

Seto laughed and nuggied the boy's hair. "Thanks squirt. I think you'll make fast friends with Mokuba."

"You're messing up my hair all the time! Why does everyone do that?"

Mitsuko gave a soft smile. "It means everyone likes you because you're always so sweet and kind, like how I taught you to be."

He blushed and ducked his head. "I'm not always sweet and kind, Oka-san."

"But most of the time you are, Mamoru. You're just like your uncle in that sense."

Seto nodded. "I agree. It doesn't help that you look almost exactly like him."

"I look like Yugi-oji-san? But how?"

Mitsuko explained, "Yu-nii and I are twins, so of course you look like him."

"Why does Yuto look more like Otou-san? Aren't twins supposed to look the same?"

"Not all twins look the same. Some look very different. Twins who look exactly the same are called 'identical' twins, while twins who look different are called 'fraternal' twins."

"So you and Yugi-oji-san are identical twins?"

"No, we're fraternal."

"Why?"

"I'm a girl and Yu-nii's a boy, silly."

"So identical twins have to be the same in everything?"

"Yes, when Yu-nii and I were born, the doctor said we should've been identical, it was pure luck I was a girl."

"Really? That's cool."

"Did you know that if I have kids with Seto-kun, they'll probably be twins, too?"

"Why?"

"Having twins runs strong in our family, especially with the girls, so you could have two younger siblings."

Seto smiled and put his arm around her. "I wouldn't mind having twins, Mitsuko-chan. Then we wouldn't have to worry about having a second child later."

Mitsuko blushed and ducked her head. "How did I get on this subject? Let's start another one."

"Kaiba-san, why is Oka-san's face red?"

"She's just embarrassed."

"Why?"

At that question, Seto shook his head. "You don't have to worry about that right now. How about we play a game? You pick."

"Wow! You like to play all sorts of games, too?"

"Yeah, let's go while your mom recovers."

Mitsuko shook her head and thought about the possibilities of what the babies would look like. I can't help fantasizing about it! It makes me so excited! Having Seto-kun's kids…I never had daydreams like this when I was dating Damiri-san, but then again, Yuto and Mamoru took me by surprise. Not this time, though! Our kids will be well planned for and we'll be ready.

Yuto didn't come out of his room until Seto left, and he was still surly, so all Mitsuko thought was: It's going to be a long, hard road.

How'd everyone like how Atem's and Seto's first meetings with the twins went? I think, with how each twin is, it would go this way, naturally.

Please review!