My first line of business was to bring Mokuba back home. I went to Pegasus' place, and standing in front of his mansion's imposing gate. I had called Pegasus as soon as I left the police station, stiffly thanking him for taking care of Mokuba, and that I would be over to pick him up. Pegasus must have noticed that something had happened thanks to my tone of voice, but said nothing of it.
I saw him emerge from his home, Mokuba following him. Seeing me, he burst into a wide grin as usual and starting waving. I gave him a curt nod, and then turned to Pegasus.
"Thank you for watching him," I repeated. Pegasus was watching me carefully, but thankfully choose to say nothing in front of Mokuba.
"Hope your business went well, Kaiba boy," he said, grinning and slinging an arm around my shoulders. When his face was in close proximity to my ears, he muttered, "I'll give a call later, okay? Tell me what the hell happened."
I started at his harsh tone and shrugged his arm off of me.
"Let's go, Mokuba," I said. He followed me and although he was smiling, I could see the worry in his eyes.
We walked back home in silence. I struggled with myself. Would it be best to tell Mokuba everything? After all, if anything happened to me, he would know better what to do. I had to tell him.
"Mokuba," I said finally once we returned to the safety of our home.
"Onii-chan, what's going on?" he burst out, his face contorted in an angry frown.
"I'm sorry for not telling you anything," I said softly, placing a hand on his head. I ruffled his hair slowly, giving him a small smile. Mokuba's eyes widened at my expression. What kind of expression was I giving him? I looked across to the mirror that hung on the wall—and realized my mistake. My smile looked pained; I looked like I was going to cry. I was becoming too soft.
Reverting back to my poker face, I turned back to face Mokuba.
"I was attacked at the Kaiba Corporations headquarters," I started. I watched painfully as shock froze Mokuba's features.
"But…you're okay now, right?" he asked in a small voice.
"I'm okay, thanks to the weapons training our stepfather gave me," I said.
"Okay. So who was responsible?" he asked, still anxious.
"At first I thought it was the Big Five trying to eliminate me in order to regain Kaiba Corporations for themselves. But it turns out that it was the same person responsible for the attack in Cairo," I explained. Mokuba continued to watch me silently.
"Apparently," I grimaced as I explained this, "my enemy has something to do with ancient Egypt or something. Muto is supposed to be the reincarnation of the pharaoh from 5000 years ago, and is back to defeat some evil. Pegasus and I are supposed to be his magi warriors. In order to weaken Muto in attempts to defeat him, this 'evil' is targeting Pegasus and me. I think he was responsible for the attack at Kaiba Corporations as well."
Mokuba's jaw had dropped at this point. I, too, felt disbelief at what I had just said. But with everything that had happened—I could not just ignore it, either.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of whoever this is. I just need you to be safe. In case anything happens, first try to call me. If you can't seem to reach me, make sure to call either Pegasus or Muto," I explained, "And if that doesn't work either—go to the secret base we used to play in as kids."
Mokuba nodded in understanding. The base was one of the few places that I knew for sure was something only Mokuba and I knew about. I decided out of necessity that it would be worth my while to let Pegasus and Muto know of the location—just in case.
I frowned. Could I truly trust Muto? The incident with Ishizu had shaken me out of my stupor of bliss. I thought to whom I could trust. Mokuba, without a doubt. Pegasus—he had done enough recently for me, but he was my business rival. I would need to secure him through a business partnership to be sure. Muto—once I obtained the millennium item from him, I could reduce my interactions with him. That would be best, I decided.
Mokuba went to bed. I felt guilty for worrying him—I had a hunch that he would sleep little tonight—and opened my laptop. I needed to deal with the press about the attack at Kaiba Corporations. While knowing that the Big Five probably had little to do with the attack, I also knew that it was the perfect opportunity to get rid of them.
I dug up the records of what Gozaburo had dubbed the "mind control" project and then proceeded to hack into the police department records. After obtaining the MRI scans of the deceased men, I compiled my findings into a comprehensive report that framed the Big Five. I had no doubt that my influence—and the Big Five's reputation in the business world—would bring this case to a close quickly.
I contacted the press, sending them both my report and that I would be releasing a public announcement tomorrow regarding the attack. I was going to bring attention back to me, while simultaneously ousting the Big Five. I smiled. Whoever this enemy was, his attempt at my life had just helped spur my plans forward.
My next line of business was to secure a business partnership with Pegasus. I scanned the notes I had taken regarding the Duel Monsters game. He had shown me his sketches for cards over the past several months after our Cairo trip. Combined with my hologram technology and his novel idea, I had no doubt that Duel Monsters would become a hit.
I hit speed dial and waited as the phone rang. Once, twice, thrice. Where the hell was he?
"Kaiba boy?" Pegasus breathed into the phone. He sounded breathless. My mind raced, thinking of what he could be doing at that moment. I decided I didn't want to know.
"Forgot to call?" I asked.
"Thought you needed some time—with Mokuba," he replied. I was beginning to appreciate his insight. Perhaps his fool attitude was a cover up to avoid attracting attention. After all, he did not have the option of removing himself from the business world. Come to think of it—perhaps I never did as well.
"So, did you tell him?" he asked me after I had responded to him with silence.
"Yes, briefly. I also told him to contact you or Muto in case anything happens to me," I said.
"Good. You're finally starting to trust Yami and me, Seto," he said softly. Trust. I felt a pang run through my system at that word. Did I truly trust Pegasus and Muto? I cleared my throat.
"Ishizu can't be trusted," I said finally, continuing to explain the attack and the police investigation afterward. I kept my mistake—my kiss with her—a secret. That was too personal and stupid to share, after all. Pegasus was silent after my explanation.
"Are you absolutely certain that she's helping our enemy? She's helped us quite a bit, you know," he finally said.
"I'm not taking any chances, Max," I spat, "I could be placing Mokuba in danger if I trust her."
"You know, I feel like she's gotten under your skin quite a bit," he remarked. I twitched at his teasing tone. Did he understand the seriousness of the situation? I wasn't going to press further. I had better things to do with my time.
"I'll be making an official statement regarding the attack tomorrow. The information will also be released to the press. After the publicity, I intend to keep Kaiba Corporations on the news with the release of the Duel Monsters game," I announced.
"You don't waste anytime, do you, Kaiba boy. Very well. I've already prepared the details of the Duel Monsters project in document form to present to my father. If you could have a document prepared for tomorrow, I could get the project approved by the end of the week," Pegasus replied. I could hear him typing away on his computer. He was beginning to understand my desire for efficiency. He would make a good business partner after all. He was reliable, efficient, cautious and trustworthy.
"Thinking that I'd be a good business partner?" he said. I could almost imagine the lopsided grin on his face.
"Something like that," I agreed.
"Max," I heard a woman's voice call out to him. He coughed into the phone.
"If you'll excuse me, Kaiba boy, I don't want to let my date wait any further. I'll see you tomorrow at school?" he said quickly.
"Sure. I wouldn't want to impede on your fun any further," I replied, almost snickered.
"Hilarious as always. See you tomorrow," he responded. I heard the phone click as he cut the call, but only a fraction of a second after what sounded like a kiss. Ugh, I thought, trying to erase the image of Pegasus and some woman kissing. A kiss. My hand went up to my mouth. Kisara. I needed to give her a proper answer soon. With the publicity I would be receiving soon, a love affair was the last thing I needed.
I leaned back in my chair and allowed myself a moment of rest from my laptop screen. 'She really likes you, you know,' I heard Pegasus' voice in my head. What did she like about me, anyway? When it came to business, I knew what to do. But when it came to people—why was I always at a loss?
But I knew that I wouldn't be able to forgive Ishizu. Not now, not ever.