Chapter Eleven: Seto's Birthday
It's been some time since I wrote in here. And I still can't write everything yet. Not only because I refuse to, but because I don't know everything.
People avoid my eyes on the street. I can't figure out why. I have always been an imposing businessman, but now, even my age-mates who once dared to talk with me and stand up to me have lost that nerve. It is as if something has happened that took away any respect they held for me. Like what happened was somehow my fault.
And yet, a wall seems to have been built and I can think of absolutely nothing that would make me the revulsion of everyone. I am not to blame. A person like that belongs in jail, but I am walking on the streets.
How could he have forgotten it for so long! His brother's birthday was in a few days—the twenty-fifth of October. So caught up in the excitement of what he was planning for the party, all the usual events and days had slipped past without his meaning them to.
"I need to get Seto a birthday present!" Mokuba looked lovingly at the present his brother had already gotten him and knew this birthday of his brother's had to be truly special.
"What should I do for him? A party?" Scrunching up his nose, Mokuba wondered why he had even bothered to think that. After all, as he had just witnessed—and long known—his brother despised parties. "Still, I bet he has some friends within the gang even if he doesn't want to admit it. I should invite someone else over, too. Or maybe not. I wouldn't want Seto upset on his birthday."
Sighing, the vice president put his head on his hand and thought some more, the good ideas apparently hiding in the back of his mind in order not to be found.
Other years, his older brother had not much appreciated his attempts at gifts. Trying to give Seto a garter snake had proven worst of all. But Mokuba still thought his brother needed some kind of pet. Still, he wasn't about to try giving Kaiba an animal after the fiasco last time. At least the snake had escaped to outside.
What about some classical music he could play in the background as he worked? Mokuba shook his head. Seto probably wouldn't ever hear it.
This called for some discussion, and Mokuba knew just where he'd go to get it.
A walk by Mokuba's room was probably required every hour or so these days. Kaiba was not going to allow anything like the boxed snake of a previous birthday, and if his brother's room were shut, he'd think the worst.
"Maybe I'll be lucky this year and Mokuba will get me nothing. I don't need anything." I already have all I need, he finished in his head. Then the thought of his defeat at Duel Monsters crossed his mind. Maybe there were a few things he still desired.
"I'd still be content to just celebrate my birthday alone with my brother."
After all, the regret at not being there for Mokuba's birthday was constantly present these days, and in a way, Seto hoped to make his birthday into some time for both of them to make up for his absence before.
"How could I ever tell my brother that the only thing I want is to spend time with him? I could never."
He would most certainly wish later on he had taken the time to tell his brother back then, on that day.
The servants knew his intention that his birthday pass by without a word, but as usual, they refused to obey it. After all, wishing him a good birthday and even baking a special cake for him might get them criticized aloud, but when they saw the flicker of warmth in his eyes and the smile teasing his lips, it was all worth it. Kaiba's smiles and cheerful mood had to be encouraged as often as possible.
Nothing major ever happened. No foolish decorations or an outburst of so much excitement it was disgusting ever appeared. Such celebration was too much for the young CEO. The servants simply kept doing their tradition and relishing in the mood their master was in on that day.
Kaiba was not pleased.
"Hmph," more often than not answered any cheerful tidings noting his day of birth. "It's just when I came into the world. Nothing special about it. These 'miracles' happen all the time, and plenty of them arrive without being desired at all." In fact, Kaiba knew plenty of people who would probably mourn this day and curse his name on it.
"Cake isn't healthy," he said dryly to the cook, who simply bowed after leaving the dessert before him.
"Seto!" Mokuba cried, scandalized. "Can't you at least stop pretending you're upset and just thank them once?"
"And ruin my perfect reputation? No, thank you."
"Wouldn't having thanked workers be a better situation?"
"I think tyranny works best. Having them cowed will ensure no one ever tries to usurp me."
"Unless your constant dour attitude eventually drives one of them so insane they want to get rid of you simply to escape the life."
"Then they can quit."
"You make it hard for them to find work if they quit."
"Not impossible."
"Well, why would they want to quit and have to struggle when they could stay and be paid steadily even if the situation isn't to their liking?"
"Exactly."
Mokuba was certain he had missed something somewhere, for he had not been arguing for his brother's side.
"I think you mean to point out that then they'd have better reason to get rid of me instead of vice versa?" his brother queried, brows raised.
Slightly red, Mokuba decided to change the topic slightly. "Seto, even if you make it that the workers want to remain anyway, wouldn't it simply be a kind deed to make the environment one they enjoy? You'd probably manage to keep all the workers who have had enough determination to quit."
"Where do kind deeds get you, Mokuba? For many, they get you killed. At the very least, I'd end up worrying too much about my workers' states of contentment and end up living a life for them instead of myself. And what's the point of me living for them when they can live for themselves already?"
"I doubt you could take it so far as to make your entire life for others, Seto. I'm just talking about saying 'thank you' once in awhile!"
"It's all a downward slope, Mokuba. And I've already given my life to someone instead of myself; how can I give it again? That's unfair. Care for a slice of cake?"
The brothers met each other's eyes over the table. Then, Mokuba extended a plate and gobbled his slice of the fluffy texture, making it indeed seem more like air than anything solid. Then, grimacing, Seto had a small piece of his own.
Softly, when his cake had been completely demolished, Mokuba murmured, "Thanks, Seto."
The elder Kaiba didn't have to ask what his brother was thanking him for. "No thanks required, kiddo."
More determined than ever that Seto's birthday had to be the best one he ever had had, Mokuba could hardly concentrate when in school.
"Mr. Kaiba, do I have to have the principal teach you today?"
"No, Mr. Fukomi. I'm sorry…what was the question?"
Some snickers came from around the class, but not for long. Mr. Fukomi was strict with everyone; a single voice out of place instantly snagged his attention and disrupted his teaching.
"In what year did the Meiji Era start?"
"Oh…" Mokuba blinked, looking at the board to see if it had any help to offer him, but naturally, it was as submissive and exemplary in obeying Fukomi's rules as the students were. Usually.
"Uh, 1794? Mind reeling, Mokuba had just thought of something his brother would have to like. He couldn't wait to get out and find it.
Despite his teacher's frown, Mokuba's spirits would not sink. None of the usual disappointment ballooned within him at how the teacher had to go to a different student for the correct answer.
His gift for Seto would be perfect…
His brother had been mysteriously absent after school. Or rather, picking him up had taken longer than usual. Seto knew exactly what was going on, and, smirking, he pretended not to hear his brother creep past and peer in. Just the same, the executive pretended not to hear the crinkling of paper from down the hall. Still, one check would help to make certain Mokuba wasn't wrapping up some science experiment for him.
To give warning or make the boy frantic? Kaiba paused with his hand ready to touch the door.
His brother being frantic was more enjoyable.
Swinging the door wide open, Kaiba crossed his arms and looked within as the view widened. Yet, even hearing what he had, the young man had not expected this.
"Yugi?"
Yugi and Mokuba were both rushing to stand in front of something, but the mere fact that Yugi was over took away any attention Kaiba was willing to give to seeking out what his brother had decided on.
"I knew I should've locked the door."
That hurt. Mokuba had never indicated wanting to do so on previous occasions; the boy had simply good-naturedly put up with Kaiba's intrusions as part of the tradition.
"Happy birthday, Kaiba!" Yugi said brightly, unaware of the look of shock on Kaiba's face. "Mokuba told me about your birthday and let me come over to wish you one and maybe help celebrate!"
That punk had come over on his birthday? Just thinking of Yugi on the day of his birthday ruined it. And Seto had already thought about Yugi and losing to him that morning. This was far worse.
This was taking a personal, filial event and turning it into something for people to view and gossip about. It was saying Kaiba's desires and preferences didn't count on the one day of the year that was actually his however much he scoffed about it.
Mokuba had never even asked Kaiba if he wanted Moto over.
And I don't, Seto snarled in his head. I don't want anything to do with remembering him today. Or ever if that could be possible!
Still…still, Kaiba had no reason to lash out against his brother. Mokuba simply couldn't understand. The boy was the only one Seto ever tried to open himself up to and let into his soul, and the boy couldn't understand.
"Thanks…Yugi," he replied somewhat curtly, somewhat brokenly. Turning to move his gaze from remaining on the short teen, Kaiba's eyes flickered once over to Mokuba's wide-eyed face and down to the amulet that he still wore about his neck. Its violet eyes reminded him all the more of Yugi, and whirling, Kaiba quickly left.
Already, his night was ruined.
A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews last chapter! They make me smile a lot. Sorry to make you more behind, Seq. But don't worry about it at all! And everyone else, thanks so much for those who continue to read and review! I'll be updating once a week from now on. Makes it easier for everyone, I think.