Chapter 20, Piece 32 * * * * * * * *

"Kaiba-sama, I do not believe this is wise." Roland said yet again. "Sato-san and I have maintained your schedule for years. A personal assistant is an unreasonable expense. And, if it were warranted, our personnel office is fully capable of finding a qualified, security vetted candidate. Coming here," he tsked, eyeing the conference room warily, "to such a common -"

"Were you aware that KaibaCorp only considers applications from candidates in the top 3% of their colleges?" Seto studied the view of the city instead of looking at Roland, Sato, or the two interns they brought. The table was polished but chipped. The view was as sweeping as any on the fifth floor could be.

"Of course. Kaiba Gozaburo expected only the best and the brightest, and you have always continued the same -"

"I didn't attend college." Seto cut him off again. "My private education allowed me to obtain a master's degree, but I never received a diploma, never ranked in my class." He faced his team. "How does it make sense that I could not apply for a job at the company that bears my name?"

Roland and Sato exchange a look.

"Sir," Sato began, "your qualifications would -"

"My qualifications got me a very terse rejection letter from KaibaCorp."

"...what?" Sato and Roland both seemed taken aback.

"One of the assignments in Mokuba's reeducation program. He designed it primarily for me, of course, but it will be marketed generally. I've been doing all the assignments, not just the ones suggested for me. This one was on how to write a resume. I created one for 'Setoka Iba' using my actual history and skills, and was rejected by every employer but one."

"This agency," Roland guessed.

"This agency," Seto nodded. "Understand. I do not intend to change our HR policy wholesale. But this agency recognized my merit as an applicant when KaibaCorp did not. I want to see what other applicants they have. If the personal assistant is successful, then I want to add - not replace - add this agency to our HR options."

"And that answers the biggest question in our office this week," a voice laced with mirth said. Standing in the doorway was a woman carrying too many folders. "And, please tell Setoka-san he doesn't need to return my call."

Seto laughed. "You must be Takashi-san. Thank you for your time. My team - Roland, Sato, Yamata, Ahata. Are these all of your candidates?"

She nearly dropped the files on the table. "You said everyone, qualified or not. This is everyone we know who is currently, actively looking."

They all began reading folders.

Several hours later, they were still reading when Takashi picked up a file and handed it to Roland. "This woman I interviewed this morning. She's been working as a dancer, so she has very little experience, but she seemed very bright."

"Thank you." Roland took the file. He glanced at it, flipped one page, and closed it again. "No."

Sato took the folder and controlled a snicker at the name. "Agreed."

"Are you familiar with her?" Takashi sounded concerned. "Did she lie about something?"

"Nothing like that," Sato soothed. "She'll make an excellent candidate for another organization. I am unfamiliar with her college career, but she was in the top tenth of her high school class."

Seto took the folder. "So why are we unwilling to consider her?" He looked at the name. "Mazaki Anzu." He considered for a moment then shook his head. "Ah. Domino High School. These dates - she would have been a classmate of mine. Do I know her? I trust there is a reason you are rejecting her out-of-hand?"

Sato and Roland exchanged another look.

"This woman has experience with a Russian firm," Sato offered another file. "I think she would be a good choice."

Seto looked at Sato and Roland. He didn't realize it, but they were both very familiar with the 'Kaiba Face of Resolution'.

He turned to Takashi. "Bring her in. Today."

"Sir?"

"I want to see her now."

"But…."

"These two spend much of their time trying to protect me from - from, I have no idea what, frankly. Nor do I care. But thus far, I have learned that the less they want me to do something, the more I enjoy doing it." He almost grinned as Roland nearly growled. "For the most part, at least. Contact this woman, and bring her in. Now."

Takashi took the file and called phone number listed. "Mazaki-san? Good news! I have a position for you. It's an admin at a major corporation, and you'll be working with senior management. Is that something you'd be interested in?" She laughed. "I'm sure. So, the management team would like to meet with you. Can you be here in the next half hour? Ah." Takashi glanced at Seto, then took a deep breath and smiled. "Mazaki-san, this executive is very busy, and he is available, here, today. It may be weeks before there is space on his calendar again. I understand - oh, I see. You're not at home." Takashi mouthed 'no cab fare' to the room listening. "We understand if you're not dressed corporate. Could your friend give you a ride?"

"Tell her to take a cab," Seto said. "We'll pay when she arrives." He snapped his fingers at Ahata and gestured toward the door. The man stood, bowed, and left the room.

"Mazaki-san? Take a cab. Someone will meet you in the lobby." Takashi nodded. "I understand. That's fine. Thank you." She hung up. "She'll be here as quickly as she can. Shall we review a few more candidates while we wait?"

"That won't be necessary," Roland intoned. "Kaiba-sama, if we are done, Sato and I should return to the office."

"Stay; you'll both be working with her, I want you here." He snapped his fingers at Yamata. "Tea."

Twenty minutes of chat later, the door opened. A woman walked in and stopped cold. "Kaiba." Her eyes narrowed.

"Yes, and you must be Mazaki-san. Please, have a seat."

"Mazaki 'san'?" She scoffed. "I cannot believe that you would stoop so low. Is calling me a failure so worth it to you that you would waste -"

"Failure?" Seto gave her a curious look. "Why would I call you a failure?"

"Oh please! Yugi told Mokuba; Mokuba tells you everything." She sighed wearily. "I don't even know how I'll get back."

"I'll have Ahata drive you when we are finished. Sit."

"No, Jou's the 'dog.' I'm the 'beard.' You must be getting old - your memory's slipping."

"The 'beard'?" Seto looked at his team. Sato was looking away, while Roland face-palmed. "I gather that's one of the terms I have not re-learned. Anyone?" Yamata came and whispered in Seto's ear. "Ah! Really? I don't recall seeing that on your resume." He picked up the document.

"Oh you are such an ass! I'm going. Thanks for this little trip down memory lane. And just so we're clear - I wouldn't work for you if it was the last job at the last company on Earth!"

"Ahata!" Seto snapped. "Bring me the title and registration of my car." The man hurried off again. "Mazaki-san, if you are still here when he returns, I will sign the car over to you."

"And then report it stolen."

"Sato's a notary. You mentioned a 'Yugi'; are you referring to Mutou Yugi?"

"Who else would I mean?"

"I didn't know you were acquainted with him as well. Our lives do seem to intersect frequently."

"Intersect frequently?" She repeated, anger giving way to disbelief. "Is this one of those 'evil twin' things again? Because if it is, you can handle it without me. I am not going back to Egypt!"

"We traveled together? We must have been much closer than I know. Did we date?"

"DATE?!" Seto nodded. "You?! And me?!" Seto nodded again.

Mazaki laughed.