Loser. Mutt. Mediocre.
Kaiba Seto could call Jounouchi Katsuya a number of things.
He could continue beating Jounouchi at duel monsters.
But Jounouchi knew he couldn't take away what stood behind him,
Years of coming back from such defeats, never giving up.
He could never fault him for trying, for his courage and his trust.
He had also had to learn to trust just like Kaiba,
That more than sheer power mattered.
He'd been in street fights, bullying and all manner of such trouble.
All to show he was on top and no one could mess with him.
It seemed Jounouchi was still learning to remember that lesson,
As he picked a fight with Kaiba Seto on that fateful day of Duelist Kingdom.
And rightfully defeated he knelt on the ground, hearing those same names.
Loser. Mutt. Mediocre.
But what Jounouchi also heard, was a challenge.
One that rang all the way to Battle City and beyond.
For Jounouchi loved the game as much as Kaiba.
But he loved standing up to Kaiba even more.
The rich boy could scoff all he wanted,
But he seemed to actually be enjoying his time.
Bantering and dueling Jounouchi.
And it was finally at Battle City,
Jounouchi came to understand,
That Kaiba made him stronger.
All while they had fun.
Two things Kaiba might have scoffed at
Had his brother not intervened and asked for as much.
As Mokuba missed his brother, the fun and smiling one.
So Kaiba Seto had vowed to bring back just that.
And Jounouchi couldn't wait to duel this new Kaiba.
One that smiled and barbed,
And told Jounouchi exactly where he belonged.
Because Jounouchi loved proving him wrong.
All in the name of fun and growing strong.