by Lethe
Chapter Twenty-one: Hearing
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And we hear from Honda!
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Honda sighed. He hadn't seen Jonouchi at all for the past three days. He had thought that they would be able to hang out over the winter break, just like old times, but he hadn't added Kaiba to that equation. At least Yugi and Anzu were willing to spend time with him!
…But he was just being a jerk. Honda knew that he should just be glad that his best friend had found someone. Even if it was another guy, even if it was the guy that Jonouchi and Honda had scorned together for the fun of it.
Honda felt lonely, though. Yugi had gone on a date with Anzu, and he hadn't wanted to butt in. He had seen Ryou on the street, and talked to him for a while – reliving old memories – but, no, Ryou had been busy as well.
Aw, heck, I might as well find Jonouchi. Maybe he'll be willing to have a chat with his old friend, thought Honda with a bitter tone.
He stopped first at Jonouchi's apartment.
"What do you want?" said a voice roughly from behind the door – Jonouchi's father.
"Is Katsuya in?"
"Nah, don't know where the kid is. Don't bother me again."
"Sorry."
So he must be at Kaiba's.
**
How did this happen? thought Kaiba annoyedly.
"He's so cute!" exclaimed Mokuba. "Isn't he, Seto? Isn't he?"
"I suppose…" muttered Kaiba. "Remember, he's not yours."
Mokuba nodded. "I know."
Mokuba had come home more excited than Seto had ever seen him on the day before winter break. His friend, he explained, was going on a vacation for the winter break, but the friend's family was reluctant to leave their dog alone. Mokuba had pleaded and begged, and finally Seto had relented: the dog could stay with them.
Needless to say, Mokuba had been ecstatic.
Kaiba had to admit, the dog – Shingo – was rather cute. Shingo was a husky puppy with bright blue eyes and a tail that was, more often than not, wagging enthusiastically. However, that didn't make up for its attitude.
It was more hyper than Mokuba on Halloween, for crying out loud! Shingo always wanted to play, and if Mokuba wasn't around, then it wanted to play with him. And Shingo played rough.
"Let's take him for a walk after dinner," suggested Mokuba. "It'll be fun!"
Mokuba will make me hold the leash… and Shingo tugs hard, too… "Sorry, Mokuba," said Kaiba semi-apologetically. "I already made plans with Jonouchi."
"Oh," said Mokuba. "Okay. It's all right." He grinned, adding: "Shingo would probably pull you off your feet anyway."
The doorbell rang before Kaiba could reply.
"I'll get it," said Seto, getting off of the couch. Shingo bounced up as well.
"No, you're not coming – hey – get off, Shingo!" said Kaiba, wincing as Shingo got a jawful of his pants. "Not now…"
Honda tapped a foot against the ground impatiently. Was anyone even home? Then he heard Kaiba's muttered voice coming closer.
"Damn dog won't leave me alone…"
The door opened. Kaiba blinked at Honda. "Jonouchi isn't here right now," he said bluntly.
"Thanks. Do you know where he is?"
"I don't know. If you'll excuse me…" The door closed again.
Honda stood in front of Kaiba's door, frozen to the spot. Had he just heard what he thought he had?
I have to tell Jonouchi.