Chapter Three
An Interview
"Yes, I know of Kaiba Seto and Kaiba Mokuba," said the social worker with a sigh. She had limp hair piled high and large, droopy glasses. "Tragic, really. Orphaned twice in their lives, and Mokuba not twelve."
"I understand there's some controversy about Mokuba's adoption."
"He's far too young to be on his own. Both are too young, really." She pushed the glasses further up the ridge of her nose.
"Kaiba Seto is untouchable," she continued. "As the heir to Kaiba Corporation and, by consensus of the board, CEO, he has the money and the maturity to be declared legally independent."
"But Mokuba does not."
"He's only eleven! And his brother spends all day at work. It pains me to separate them, but Seto, legally independent or not, has not the time or the maturity to raise his little brother."
"I see. Kaiba Seto made a bid to adopt his younger brother."
"His lawyers are pushing very hard for it, with all the clout of Kaiba Corp," she said bitterly. "Do not underestimate the power that corporation has on this town; his lawyers came very close to striking a bargain with certain lawmakers as to the custody rights of Mokuba. In the interest of keeping siblings together, they would have allowed Mokuba to remain with his brother until Seto turned eighteen and could legally adopt him. This plan might have succeeded if I hadn't found an alternative."
"What alternative?"
"A perfect one." She absentmindedly slicked a few stray hairs into her tottering pile. "Would you believe that the Kaiba brothers have an uncle?"
"Is that so?"
"Yes. Their biological father's younger brother, Torao. And wouldn't you know, he's the president of Ueda Industries. Must run in the family. Between his family connection and his money, he can compete head to head with whatever claims Kaiba is making as to blood and financial stability."
"You met Torao?"
"His wife, Tamako. She's a wonderful person. They have two boys of their own, and they live in a nice house just outside the city. This way, the brothers can still see each other every so often."
"But if they were orphaned twice, shouldn't this uncle have stepped in the first time and adopted them then?"
"Yes, I asked about that. But Tamako explained that at that time they couldn't afford to adopt the boys because Ueda Industries was in danger of bankruptcy and the family was under constant strain. But now, with things looking up, Tamako sees no reason why they can't adopt them: or at least, Mokuba, if the elder Kaiba insists on remaining independent."
"And what does Torao think of this."
"Oh, he's delighted. He loves kids."
"Thank you," said Matsumura Huyu.