Author Note: Special surprise. I did my best to draw Ana for you. She's currently the image for the story. I hope it shows up!

Chapter 33:

Event

Ana entered her house after parting ways with Seto. When she got inside the door, Hikari met her. He was peering behind her at Seto, who was waiting for her to get inside before he left. She quickly shut the door so Hikari couldn't stare anymore.

"What Onii-san?" Ana asked, waiting for his comment about Seto walking her home.

Surprisingly, he didn't even mention it. "Mom wanted to talk to you. She's waiting in the living room. I have to go to the lab for a bit. See you around dinner time."

He stepped out of the way so she could pass. Ana gave him a suspicious look, but put it out of her mind as she headed for the living room. Aiko was sitting on the couch going over a schoolbook and her mother was flipping through a dress catalogue.

"Mom, Hikari said you wanted to see me?" Ana asked as she glanced down at the catalogue. The dresses weren't quite her mother's style. They were for a younger audience. Her eyes fell on a dark midnight blue halter top dress with a high neckline. Pretty… Too bad it's out of my allowance range. Her mother followed her eyes and then looked back up at her.

"Yes." Her mother frowned and sighed. "We got an invitation for the annual Hoyhi party."

"We always do. What about it?" Ana frowned. It was her senior year, and they had promised her that she wouldn't have to go to events or dinners so she could focus on studying.

"We need you to go." Her mother looked apologetic.

Ana glanced at Aiko. "But it's Aiko's turn to go and you said I didn't have to go to any events this year."

Aiko looked up at her and back down at her book. "I have a test the next day. It's worth twenty percent of my grade. Hikari has a presentation."

"I'm sorry, Ana. It's only this one. I would go with your father, but he has a company meeting that suddenly came up that day." Her mother handed her the invitation. "Please, dear?"

Ana glared at the invitation, but gave in and took it.

"If Sanae-chan can't go with you, I can… but I think you'd rather not go to a party with your mother." Her mom smiled at her awkwardly. "You'd end up stuck listening to the lady's conversations."

"I'll ask Sanae." Ana took the invitation to her room and chucked it on the desk. Great. That means I'll have to deal with that guy. Ugh.

The next day Sanae came to pick Ana up as usual. When she went out to meet her friend, she told her about the event and asked her if she would be her plus one. Sanae looked downcast.

"I have a swim meet this weekend… Ugh, it's that guy's party, isn't it?" Sanae groaned and crossed her arms as they walked. "I really can't miss it. It's an away meet so I wouldn't be back in time… Why don't you ask Kaiba-san to go with you?"

Ana flushed at the idea of asking Seto to be her plus one to a party. "Why would I do that? You know you're trying really hard to push us to spend time together lately. What was that about yesterday and having him walking me home?"

Sanae grinned at her. "I figured it was more convenient, and it's not like you turned him down."

Ana groaned. "I don't think this event is what he had in mind when he asked me if I was free this weekend."

Her friend squealed and grabbed her arm. "He did? So soon? I guess he's more forward than I thought."

"I didn't say I would hang out with him."

Sanae rolled her eyes. "Why not?"

"He annoys me. Why should I hang out with him?"

Sanae smiled, perking up her lips and drawing Ana's attention.

"Stop that." Ana snapped. "I know that look. I don't like him. He saved my life and I'm grateful, but I don't like him."

Sanae chuckled. "I didn't say you did. Still, you might ask him. He'd be a good shield against that guy."

True, if I brought Kaiba Seto with me then he might leave me alone this time. Still, I doubt Amin-chan would just agree to go with me. It seems stupid to cash in a favor for that. I wormed three unlimited favors out of a smart young billionaire who owns a successful company. I don't want to waste one right away on something so trivial.

Ana continued to mull over the problem even as they got to school. Seto was in his seat before she got to the classroom this time. She walked back to her seat and paused to look at him. He looked up from his tablet.

"What?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Nothing." Ana mumbled and plopped down in her seat. Who else can I ask? It seems awkward to ask my other friends to this type of event.

Class went on as normal, Seto kept his word about not starting anything with the teacher, and finally lunch came. This time Seto took his lunch and left the room. Fine! It's not like it can hurt anything. Ana took her bento with her and followed him. Sanae winked at her as she went, and she glowered at her friend. Seto went to the hidden spot on the side of the building. Ana peaked around the side and watched him sit down.

"Ana-chan are you stalking me? Should we have made a rule for you too?" Seto asked, not looking up from his lunch or tablet.

Ana blushed. She walked over to him and sat down next to him. "I have something I needed to ask you. I wasn't stalking you."

Seto glanced over at her and smirked. "I don't think I would mind it too much if you followed me around as long as you don't break into my home."

Her ears grew warm. "I wouldn't do—never mind."

He laughed at her. "So, what did you need to ask?"

Ana went over in her head how to ask, then said, "Can I use you as a shield this Sunday?"

Seto paused with his food halfway to his mouth and looked at her, perplexed. "What?"

"There's an event I can't get out of this weekend, and Sanae can't go with me. I really don't want to go with my mother…." Ana opened her bento and started eating her lunch, but her hands were so sweaty it was hard to hold on to the chopsticks.

"The way you phrased that makes it sound like it's going to be a pain in the ass." Seto glared at her. "I don't want to go to an event like that."

"It is going to be a pain in the ass," she admitted.

Seto went back to eating his food. "I'm not going to go to an event like that willingly."

"I figured." Ana sighed.

"Are you using one of the favors for it?"

She shook her head. "No, that would be a waste on something so trivial."

"Then I won't go."

Oh, well. So much for that… Looks like I'm going with mom.

"For pete's sake!" Sanae's voice drew both their attention. "I followed because I had a feeling, but seriously, can't you just use his feelings against him?"

Sanae stomped over to them and glared down at Seto. He seemed ticked about her looking down on him.

"She's neglecting to tell you that the reason it's a pain in the ass is because there's this guy who flirts with her at every event. Why did you not tell him that?" Sanae frowned at Ana.

"It's not like I want to use that as an excuse to get him to go. Using someone's feelings like that for my own advantage is super assholeish," Ana replied annoyed that her friend had followed her.

Sanae seemed equally annoyed, but before she could say anything Seto spoke up, "I'll go."

They both turned to him, shocked at his sudden interjection. Ana stared at him and tried to figure out what he was thinking. Damn his poker face. I have no idea what he's playing at.

"Really? So easily?" Sanae looked at him doubtfully.

"Do you want me to take it back?" Seto raised an eyebrow at her, and Sanae shook her head.

"Nope, if that's all it took… Enjoy your lunch." Sanae walked away, leaving them alone again.

Sanae, you… Ana turned to look at Seto and found him staring at her.

"I didn't say I'd do it for free though." He smirked.

Oh, this little shit. She resisted hitting him.

"What do you want in return?" Ana asked, putting her guard up.

Seto laughed at her callousness. "Hang out with me the weekend after this one."

Gosh, damn it. I figured it would be something like that. Ugh…

"Fine, but it has to be in town." Ana went back to eating her lunch. She tried to ignore the triumphant look on his face. I'm pretty sure I tried to distance him just yesterday, and now I'm going to be spending time with him the next two weekends. Oh well, it's just hanging out.

She finished eating lunch and went back to class. Sanae didn't have practice that day, so she walked her home. They chatted about school the entire way. Ana assumed she was avoiding talking about Seto so as not to push it. When she got home and saw her friend off, she went into the house and up to her room. To her surprise, there was a box laying on her bed. Ana opened the box and found the dress she'd eyed in her mother's catalogue. There was a note with the box:

Sorry for making you go.

Love Mom.

Ana sighed, then laughed. What face will Amin-chan make if I wear this to the party?