They were three months out until graduation and Jonouchi didn't know what to do. High school had been one of those weird paradoxes that seemed to have slogged by across the days, but now that they were reaching the end, it seemed to have all blitzed by. Jonouchi had never taken school all that seriously but now that his future was right in front of him, and he didn't have a plan, and his everyday routine of school would nearly be over... well, now he'd been regretting not paying attention for the past two and a half years.
He was the only one out of his friends not taking the Center Shiken. Hell, even Honda had plans to sit for the test but Jonouchi figured that was more to appease his middle class parents than anything. But even though Jonouchi was spared the stress and endless nights of cram school, it still felt... lonely. Like he was being left behind, and he wasn't even out of the gates yet.
He didn't really have any dreams or aspirations. Didn't know what he'd even study at university if some parallel universe converged and got him there. Didn't even have a plan for vocational school. Jonouchi had worked throughout high school as a necessity but all of those jobs had been dead-end wage positions that didn't require any real skill.
What was he even good at? Jonouchi didn't know. He wasn't particularly talented at anything or gifted with a brilliant or academic mind. Sure, he enjoyed dueling, but was that even a viable career path? There were much higher-skilled Duelists out there, so what made him think he could even compete? And where would he even begin?
Jonouchi noted with chagrin that the only thing he'd ever been good at was applying bruises to people's faces. But those days were long past him and resorting to using his natural brute for a career didn't sit well with him.
He was good with his hands. Before, when he hadn't needed to worry about bills, Jonouchi had spent his pocket change on model kits. He'd been good at assembling them, too. But that wasn't any kind of professional job. Perhaps the closest thing would be a mechanic, which he could go to vocational school for or just pick up the knowledge on the job…
Just thinking about the future made his stomach turn. His guidance counselors had already given up on him, stopped chasing after him to fill out his post-graduation plan sheet. Anzu would still get on him about his grades but even that had started to diminish as she started to seriously focus on her own. Yugi had inquired once or twice about Jonouchi's plans but after receiving stuttered excuses and deflections as replies, he'd gotten the clue to stop asking.
Sighing as he stared at the familiar form in front of him, Jonouchi ran his hands through his hair and pulled, squeezing his eyes shut. The paper, as expected, was completely blank. Jonouchi didn't know what to write, if he should even bother filling it out at this point. It was probably just a formality by now. He slumped in his chair and chewed on the end of his pencil.
Christmas was in a couple of weeks. Yugi had invited him over this year. Jonouchi was excited to spend the holiday with his best friend - pig out, exchange gifts, and spend the day goofing off - but the person sitting in front of him made those pure feelings just turn into depression.
It had been six months since Mokuba had run to them that rainy night, begging for their help. Six months since they went into the virtual world and rescued Kaiba. Six months since that cruel dream, which had been nothing more than a dream.
Kaiba had acted like nothing had happened afterward. She'd given them all terse thank yous but then life returned to its boring normality. She barely acknowledged any of them, except to hurl insults or to occasionally talk to Yugi. Their conversations were always short but sometimes Jonouchi could detect the barest of smiles, the slightest shifting in posture, an almost indiscernible softening around her eyes.
Why couldn't it be him? Jonouchi had the sad realization some time ago that he wasn't even qualified for runner-up - he didn't even come close to placing. No matter how many times Jonouchi tried to prove himself to her, Kaiba just refused to see. When he caught her in a particularly good (or nasty) mood, she'd take pleasure in throwing jabs in or baiting him, but those were really the only responses Jonouchi got out of Kaiba these days. Only negative ones. Sometimes he wondered if he should just stop trying to be likeable, just meet her taunts with equal venom of his own.
It would probably be more satisfying. If he could just turn all these feelings into hate, expunging them from his consciousness. Then he wouldn't have to deal with them. Wouldn't have to constantly feel so shitty for holding onto hope. The sickly, fluttering feeling on the rare moments her eyes would meet his. The tingling goosebumps whenever she would walk by a little too closely. The crushing disappointment upon waking. Jonouchi felt so fucking weak, so beyond frustrated.
And soon it would be Christmas. The holiday full of couples and stupid cutesy gifts and fucking overpriced cake. And the saddest of all - Jonouchi wanted it, and he wanted it with her. But it would never, ever happen. She would never look his way. There would be no fretting over present purchasing, embarrassing gift exchanges, or holding cold hands and kissing in the snow.
All these feelings just made him feel even more like a loser. No dream, no plan, no future, no girl. He was just the lamest existence on Earth. Almost eighteen years old, and what did he have to look forward to?
Kaiba seemed stuck in her own little world. She barely spoke at all during study hour. Dutifully sitting in her seat, she just read over study material (which Jonouchi seriously doubted she needed) and ignored everyone else around her. When Chono-sensei did try leading the class in something, she was the only one who routinely and blatantly blew her off and didn't get reprimanded for it.
Jonouchi found himself trying to look over her shoulder, to see what she was writing. What could someone like Kaiba write? Wasn't her future already settled? He wondered sometimes if Kaiba even planned on going to college... it wasn't like she needed it, anyways.
He didn't think he was being all that noticeable but Kaiba did turn around at one point, giving him a very pointed look.
"I was just curious," muttered Jonouchi. He felt slightly embarrassed but not enough to really apologize for his rudeness. Kaiba just narrowed her eyes at him, huffing before she looked away from him.
"Try not to be next time," was her answer, which only made Jonouchi's face sour.
How could she be so- so- rude and not get tired of it? It had to take some effort. Kaiba never looked happy.
"Oh excuse me, your highness," Jonouchi hissed, "I must've forgotten that you rule the friggin' world and we all must submit to your demands." It was a bitchier reply than he would've normally given, but at this point, he really didn't care about much of anything anymore.
Kaiba's eyes constricted as her face tensed up. "What's your damn problem with minding your own business? We wouldn't have an issue if you were capable of keeping your eyes to yourself."
"I'll remember to bring blinders next time I feel like looking around the classroom," Jonouchi rolled his eyes. Why the hell was she so damn secretive, anyway? It's not like Kaiba was dealing with national security secrets in fucking study hall.
"You don't look around the classroom," snorted Kaiba as she rolled her eyes and smirked slightly, "Just at me. So quit it already."
"Sounds like you're the one watching me," Jonouchi scoffed.
"Hardly."
She turned back to working on her sheet, seeming to no longer notice Jonouchi anymore. Her eyes were fixated on the paper, scribbling away in her perfectly neat kanji as Jonouchi found himself boiling inside from being so easily disregarded. It was just like her. So typical.
"...Maybe if you didn't breathe so damn hard down my neck, I wouldn't have noticed."
"Whatever, Kaiba," Jonouchi sighed. He was already tired of it. Folding his arms on his desk, Jonouchi laid his head down and let his eyes wander across the room, trailing over Kaiba's unmoving dark brown hair, the dreary sky outside the window, and then glancing over to the spiky head of hair across the way. Yugi was staring at him, his eyebrows furrowed and the edge of his mouth dangerously close to being pulled down. But then the expression melted, and he gave Jonouchi a small, warm smile and a tiny wave.
Closing his eyes, Jonouchi further buried his face into his arms. Great. Now he got his best friend all worried about him, too. Things hadn't been exactly strained with Yugi, but- they hadn't felt quite normal, either. Jonouchi was certain he'd hidden any weird feelings he'd been harboring - it wasn't like it was Yugi's fault in particular for any of it. And Jonouchi hadn't wanted his best friend to feel weird or affronted, so…
But there were times when Yugi would stare at him for just a heartbeat longer. When his normally bright eyes would cloud at the edges. When his smile was certainly masking concern. It made Jonouchi feel horribly guilty - perhaps he wasn't doing such a great job at hiding all these ugly feelings, after all.
Yet another thing he failed at.
When would this end? Jonouchi felt like he couldn't take much more of it.
Why couldn't he hate her?
His life would be so much easier if he could. No more complications. He longed for simplicity. Feeling the dejection well up inside him, Jonouchi gave up and dozed until the bell rang.
He zoned out for the rest of the day, falling into a spiral of mopiness that didn't break until after school ended. It was snowing, and while most of the students were delighted, Jonouchi took no excitement over it. For once, he passed up on going to Yugi's place. His mood just wouldn't fix itself and he didn't feel like bringing down the group, so he took off before Yugi could try asking him about his confrontation with Kaiba during study hall.
It was lonely riding the bus alone, though. Sitting in the back, Jonouchi peered over the different Domino High students and the business people who were scattered about. It was funny. In so many years of forced education, he'd only made three real friends. Still unsure about Ryou, Jonouchi was not quite ready to consider him one, but they were at least on friendly terms.
Outside, it was becoming cold, and holding his coat close to him, Jonouchi tried running upon leaving the bus stop to get to his apartment sooner. The sun was starting to set, and after making a quick stop to a convenience store to get some dinner, Jonouchi scrambled to the edge of the district, running up three flights of stairs before reaching his room.
No one was home. The place was surprisingly clean, and it became noticeable that Jonouchi's father hadn't been hanging around since picking up a new construction job. There was an envelope on the table. After placing his food in the microwave to heat it up, Jonouchi ripped open the top, smiling a little when he pulled out a check.
At least his father was good for something, when sober. Rent money.
Taking his food, Jonouchi settled on the futon and turned on the TV. He didn't have any schoolwork to finish, thank goodness, and using his chopsticks, he chowed down on pre-made spaghetti and meat sauce with egg slices before flipping channels.
"The one night I'm home, and the only thing I can find to watch is stupid anime," mumbled Jonouchi under his breath. It didn't interest him in the least, now that he hadn't been following up on shows. Channel flipping, he landed on the Dueling Network, but it was just a boring repeat duel between two semi-amateurs that didn't really interest him.
Finally, he settled on the news.
"Today, an entourage from the Egyptian government arrived at Domino City to prepare a very exciting new ancient Egyptian show at the Domino Art Museum exhibiting the first ever evidence of Duel Monsters being played as a game between pharaohs," announced the newscaster.
That didn't sound believable, yet Pegasus had confirmed it. Interest piqued, Jonouchi titled his head.
"All Duelists are welcomed to the exhibit," spoke the dark-skinned lady on the screen, her garb exotic and eyes bright and piercing. Jonouchi wondered who she was. Did she know Pegasus? That asshole had gone to Egypt, so it seemed likely.
"I especially would like to extend an invitation to Kaiba Seto," said the woman. "A private viewing for the youngest National Champion Duelist. I have a feeling she will find this exhibit very interesting..."
Her career as a student was soon ending, and it was about time. No longer would Kaiba have to waste a third of each of her days sitting in a classroom, enduring being lectured at over subjects she already knew. Compulsory education was just that - a checkbox to be fulfilled, to appease the government. To show that she was a capable guardian and leader of her company, proof presented in a scrap of paper that really meant nothing.
She'd long been capable. Attendance was merely a test of her patience.
In three months' time, she'd no longer have to worry about it. She could focus on things important to her, like her brother and leading Kaiba Corporation into a new growth phase. After all, without fresh ideas and products, Kaiba Corp would stagnate, and that was unacceptable. After all the trouble (twice-over) with the Big Five, the last thing Kaiba needed was her Board breathing down her neck over falling stock prices.
She could leave behind the dowdy uniform. The non-ergonomic desks that always left her back aching. The stupid stares and whispers from classmates whose names she never bothered learning.
It would also mean not seeing Yugi or his group of idiot friends on the daily. Not having to suffer their inane conversations would be a blessing, and Kaiba was sure she'd run into Yugi at tournaments and other Duel Monsters activities. They were rivals, after all. He was the only one capable of matching (and besting, she admitted begrudgingly) her strength, and it would just not do to have him drop off the face of the planet. Her pride wouldn't allow that.
And that mega idiot, Jonouchi. Who always gave her the strangest stares, who for some reason kept prodding at her although she's made it clear she wasn't interested in the least over whatever it was he had to say.
He was a strange one. For some reason, instead of completely shutting him out, at times, Kaiba would entertain him. Mostly at his expense, but he commanded more of her attention than she cared to admit. It was true - she noticed him noticing her. But wasn't that awareness only natural? Sometimes she felt like she had a bullseye strapped to her chest when it came to the fool. But his interest in her perplexed Kaiba thoroughly. It's not like she was ever particularly nice to him, and yet he still made it a point to get into her face, worm his way into her business.
Why did he care so damn much? First Duelist Kingdom, and then that whole fiasco in Duel Monsters Quest. Mokuba had run both times to Yugi and his group for help, and while Yugi in the end had always been the one to come to her aid, it was always Jonouchi who'd stood out.
And that was entirely too embarrassing of a fact to acknowledge.
The fool just didn't know when to quit. Kaiba didn't know what his deal was, and she honestly didn't care much to find out. She had no time for such trivialities. Not when she would soon become a full-time CEO. Not with Kaiba Corp's future lying ahead of her.
Not with this invitation to address.
Ishizu Ishtar, General Secretary of the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Just what was her deal? Surely it wasn't just promoting the historical appreciation of Duel Monsters. No, this invitation... felt more like a challenge.
What could this woman possibly have to show Kaiba that she felt was worth Kaiba's time and interest? To call Kaiba out like that, publicly... whatever Ishtar's motives were, it was almost guaranteed that she wanted something.
And everything came with a price.
"It is an honor, Kaiba-san." The woman had her head dipped low, a thick curtain of black hair obscuring her face. When she looked up with a smile, Kaiba was greeted by shockingly blue eyes that were rimmed with dark kohl. "I am Ishizu Ishtar, the curator of this exhibit."
Ishizu led them down the brightly-lit hallways, Kaiba a suspicious half-step behind. She eyed the foreigner out of the corner of her eyes. "My appreciation for the invite, but... I deal with computer technology. I don't know what mummies has to do with Kaiba Corporation. Please tell me you brought me here for something besides looking at artifacts that don't interest me, or else you're just wasting my time."
She wasn't quite sure even why she'd come. Kaiba had been busy at her office when the invite appeared. Mokuba was watching television and Kaiba routinely blocked out the sounds of the news reporters when she was concerned with her work, but Mokuba seemed adamant about her coming to the art museum to see what it was about.
It didn't help either that Ishizu had called the mansion. Somehow she managed to learn the private number and while Kaiba was irritated at the invasion of privacy, she also had to respect Ishizu's determination to get her attention. Hopefully it was for good reason.
"Oh, I trust that you'll find this quite in alignment with your interests," Ishizu said lightly, "Tell me, Kaiba-san. You're very proficient at Duel Monsters. I'd even wager the cards are something you value the most in this world. Did you know that they were originally from Egypt?"
"No..." Kaiba felt a little surprised by that, but she tried not to let that show on her face. "What are you trying to get at?"
"As you know, Pegasus J. Crawford designed the game you currently play. But few people know that the game only came into existence because of a trip he went on to Egypt," Ishizu replied. They were reaching the end of the hallway, a darkened room their destination. "What you are about to see is part of a pharaoh's tomb mural. I wonder how different from his reaction yours will be when you lay eyes upon it," she continued with a mysterious smile as she stepped into the room. The lights flickered on.
There was a giant stone with characters on it, the markings resembling those of duel monster cards. Kaiba felt her heart skip a beat. It didn't make much sense. How did a kid's card game come from something so old? Pegasus had never mentioned it to her in the past, and that made Kaiba clench her jaw a little as she gathered her composure.
"Why did you invite me to see this?" Kaiba turned her attention to Ishizu now, glaring slightly as she stepped away from the tablet. "I'm not interested in history lessons."
"I'm sure you'd already know them," Ishizu said with a hint of amusement as she approached the large stone tablet. "This is the origin of Duel Monsters cards. Each inscribed section you see represents an evil that was sealed away, and the high priests would summon those monsters for battle...or Duels. But there's one thing in particular that I would like to show you." She moved forward four steps, her sandals silent against the marble floor, and gestured to a second stone tablet.
When Kaiba looked upon the second tablet, she felt suddenly faint. It was like a jolt of electricity had struck through her core, and she nearly dropped the briefcase that was in her hand.
"Yugi?" She blinked before moving a step closer. "That's impossible. This must have been fabricated. What kind of garbage meeting is this, Ishizu?"
"I don't know this 'Yugi,'" Ishizu said evenly, never taking her eyes from the stone, "This depiction is that of the pharaoh who controlled a black magician battling against the high priestess who controlled a white beast. It is the Duelists' War, something that even three millennia later still continues. The pharaoh's name, however, is unknown. His cartouche was defaced, all other accounts wiped from history. But the nameplate indeed indicates that he was a king."
"This is a joke," snapped Kaiba. She could feel her patience began to wane. Why was she wasting her time listening to this nonsense? For all she knew, Ishizu made it all up and was trying some ploy to get finances from Kaiba Corporation, for one reason or another. "Is this even carbon dated? How do I know this piece of junk in front of me is even real? I'm not interested in listening to your ancient Egyptian fairy tales, so unless you have something actually important to say to me, I'll be leaving."
Ishizu remained unfazed. "Ancient works are often the inspiration for modern creations. The same is no different for Duel Monsters; Pegasus was led by fate to create the game." She gently stroked at the glass, between the space where the pharaoh's and priestess's outstretched hands almost touched.
"The white beast and her master - you cannot deny the resemblance. You know in your heart it is true. The fate of the pharaoh still drives us three-thousand years later."
"I hope you have something more to say than going on about that giant rock," snapped Kaiba, "This conversation is getting old."
"And far be it from me to waste your time, Kaiba-san. Then allow me to address the second reason I called you here. Are you aware of the legendary rare cards Pegasus made but never distributed?" At Kaiba's shocked look, the other woman merely pointed to a section further up on the large tablet. "The three palettes above are the three hidden gods of Egypt," Ishizu elaborated, "Obelisk the Tormentor, Osiris the Sky Dragon, and Ra the Sun Dragon. It is said that only the Duelist of all Duelists may command these cards, and that person shall be known as the King of Duelists."
"King of Duelists, huh?" remarked Kaiba with a snort, "And pray tell, what did dear Pegasus do with the cards? He's dead, so it's not like he needs them now."
Ishizu finally broke her attention from the tablet, turning the full force of her gaze upon Kaiba. "That is why I called you here: I would like to request your assistance. The reason why those cards never made it into the game was because Pegasus regretted their creation - they were simply too powerful. If used by the wrong person, they could even take an opponent's very life, and so they became forbidden. With our help, he sealed them away deep in the Valley of the Kings, but it recently came to our attention that someone has stolen them…"
"Stolen them?" Kaiba smiled, crossing her arms against her chest before shaking her head. "Pegasus never had any kind of common sense. Did he really think locking them up in a dirt pit would stop people from trying to find them? Who stole the cards? Do you even know what group was responsible for the theft or are you asking me to seek them out for you?"
That wasn't going to happen. Not out of the goodness of Kaiba's heart, at least. If there were rare cards out there in the world that might be able to stop even Yugi, Kaiba was going to get them for herself.
"The Ghouls." Ishizu's face was neutral, but the disgust behind her voice was clear.
"And so what do you expect me to do about a bunch of cards that you inconveniently lost?"
"Return them to me," Ishizu said, turning to stare back at the stone. "I specifically chose this town to house this exhibit, as I believe this palette has a power that will naturally attract Duelists here. And if you were to harness this gathering of Duelists…"
"And if I was," Kaiba mimicked, her lips raising into a smile but her eyes not following, "What would I get from return? I don't do charity."
At least, not outwardly. Kaiba didn't want people to make a habit of coming to her when they needed things fixed they were too incompetent to handle themselves. If she was going to do anything about those "Ghouls," it would be for her own benefit.
"I shall lend this to you." From out of nowhere, Ishizu produced a card and boldly offered it to Kaiba.
Taking it, Kaiba felt a strange surge when her fingertips touched the card. "Which one is this?" she asked, not taking her eyes off the image as she felt overwhelmed with sudden emotion, unsure of where it was even coming from.
"The God of the Obelisk," Ishizu announced, "It was the only one we were able to keep safe. This should aid you in retrieving the other two God Cards."
"If I choose to help you," added Kaiba as she pocketed the card and adjusted her clothes. "Do you know how much of an undertaking it is to host a world tournament? You are asking for a lot, Ishizu. Why should I do this for you, all for a card loan?" Kaiba chuckled, shaking her head again before taking a step back to grab her briefcase off the floor. "I should keep this card for myself."
Ishizu merely smiled in return, her eyes bright, the gold of her necklace reflecting in their depths. "Because you and I are simply pieces to a larger puzzle, a different game, if you will, set in motion long before we were ever born. I'm sure you'll come to understand as you battle with that card in your deck. And...woman to woman, I trust you."
Kaiba snorted. "We'll see how far that attitude takes you."
What a strange woman and an even stranger turn of events. Starting a tournament didn't seem like a bad idea, but Kaiba wanted it to be on her own terms. She didn't like card sharks, naturally, and having the excuse to compete against Yugi seemed like a good idea.
However, there were so many other things on her plate. The planning and organizing would take weeks, if not months, to complete. No tournament of hers would be rushed for the sake of some foreigner. Kaiba didn't work her business on foolish whims, and she'd host her corporation's first world-wide competition right, if she even chose to...
Dueling Yugi now privately would certainly earn her a victory.
Kaiba left the art museum. The card felt heavy in her coat and she walked quickly through the building, remeeting with her guards at the front entrance before getting into the back of her car. There was plenty to consider, but first, she had to test Obelisk's power. How could she even be sure that Ishizu wasn't lying about the card's potential.
"A card even Pegasus was afraid of," remarked Kaiba smugly, "How cute."