Verse II

"You'll say, the world has come between us

Our lives have come between us

Still, I know you just don't care"

3 Years Ago

"Do I need to accompany you?" Seto said as his cousin flashed him a gentle smile.

"I'd appreciate it. Besides, it'll be quick. Pegasus said he just needed to discuss something with me."

Seto sighed.

The car soon pulled to a stop. The destination? A tall skyscraper in the middle of the city.

Both men got out of the car with a nod from their driver.

A tall tan man with long hair stood outside the building's lobby with a small smile and clipboard.

"Hello, you must be Atem Muto?"

Atem nodded.

"This is my cousin Seto Kaiba."

The man's eyes widened for a split second before nodding.

"Welcome, Mr. Kaiba. My name is Mahad, and I'll be your escort."

Both men nodded and followed Mahad into the building.

A tan woman with jet black hair smiled at them from the lobby desk.

Seto scowled at the faint blush that appeared on Mahad's face when the lady smiled at him.

"Inappropriate. Coworkers in a relationship? Tsk, Pegasus should be more strict on his employees." Seto thought to himself.

Mahad briefly pressed the elevator button, and the doors opened.

Atem whistled at the view.

The company's elevator was made entirely of glass, and one could see the whole city.

Once the elevator reached floor level thirty-seven, the doors opened, and Seto froze at the portrait on the wall.

A golden portrait frame displayed a magnificent white dragon.

What captivated Seto the most was its eyes.

They were enriching blue.

It was beautiful.

"That's Blue-Eyes White Dragon," Mahad spoke with a smile, noticing Seto's gaze on the portrait.

"Blue-Eyes White Dragon? I never heard of this card." Atem replied with an amused look.

"It's still unreleased. However, we are hoping to release it by next Spring's collection. Alongside other cards." Mahad added.

"It's nice," Seto noted.

Atem raised an eyebrow.

Mahad smirked.

"I hate to bother you, but Pegasus is waiting."

"Of course. Shall we Seto?" Atem teased.

Seto frowned at him.

Both continued to follow Mahad down the white hallway, passing other portraits of unreleased duel cards.

Suddenly they found themselves in a studio where a photoshoot was occurring.

"Mahad!" Pegasus called out from the back.

He waved at them before he resumed drinking his champagne.

Mahad led both men through numerous photographers and stylists before reaching the CEO.

"Hello, gentlemen," Pegasus spoke with a smile.

"Mr. Pegasus." Atem and Seto addressed.

Mahad whispered something to Pegasus, and it caused him to chuckle.

"So," he began before moving his attention to Seto.

"I see Blue-Eyes White Dragon has caught your attention."

Seto glared at Mahad.

Mahad looked unfazed.

"I thank you for the nice comment you made, but I can't take the credit for designing Blue Eyes. That credit is all on my niece."

"Niece?" both Atem and Seto asked.

"Yes! Rather, she's right there with her best friend posing for their cards." Pegasus chirped.

Both Atem and Seto followed his gaze, and sure enough, two young women were posing for photographers.

One wore a blonde wig with a blue outfit and hat. The woman couldn't stop laughing, causing photographers to beg, "Please, Miss Mana! Look at the camera seriously!"

"I'm trying!" she giggled.

The other woman had a fan facing her, which caused her bluish white hair to blow beautifully. She wore this black outfit on her while two dragon wings surrounded her.

"That's great, Miss Kisara! Please keep that pose!"

Seto was enthralled. Something about her enslaved him.

She was breathtaking.

"The girl on the right is Mana. She's my niece's best friend and Mahad's little sister. Both Kisara and Mana grew up together in the countryside of Egypt, and they're both students at NYU studying archeology." Pegasus began with a proud smile.

"The girl on the left is my niece, Kisara. Her mother and I are siblings; however, she and her husband died when Kisara was just a small child, and I've raised her since."

Seto frowned.

So she was an orphan?

"I needed ideas for new dueling cards, and Kisara and Mana helped me by creating their monsters! It isn't the first time someone has helped me create a new card. Mahad here has his own duel card."

"You do?" Atem asked, intrigued.

"Yes, you might know it as Dark Magician," Mahad replied.

Atem's eyes widened.

"No way! That's my signature card!"

"I know. It's an honor that my monster is the signature card of the world's greatest duelists." Mahad smiled.

"The honor is all mine. All mine." Atem replied.

"Oh look, I believe they're wrapping up! Kisara! Mana! May you both come over here?" Pegasus called out.

Kisara's eye caught Seto, and something within him snapped.

It was as if the whole world stopped, and the only thing he could focus on was her gentle gaze on him.

The sound of the crowd drowned into oblivion, and all he could hear was the sound of his beating heart.

The moment ended when Kisara's friend grabbed her from her arm and pulled her towards them.

Seto blinked and shook his head.

What had just happened?

"Ladies, allow me to present Atem Muto and Seto Kaiba."

"Hello," Atem spoke with a small smile.

Kisara nodded, whereas Mana cheerfully replied, "Hi! I'm Mana and this is Kisara!"

Suddenly she leaned over, almost as if she were to kiss him, causing Atem to look at her strangely.

"Hmm." Mana hummed.

"Mana, what are you doing?!" Mahad let out as he pulled her away from Atem.

"Considering he's the King of Duels, he doesn't seem that impressive to me," Mana replied calmly to her brother's outburst.

Pegasus choked on his drink, whereas Seto smirked.

Atem had a blank expression for a moment before he burst out laughing.

Both Mana and Mahad looked at him.

"It's good to know not everyone holds such a high image of me." Atem chuckled.

Mana smiled.

"Say, Mr. Pegasus, how come they don't join us for dinner?" Mana asked.

Pegasus smiled.

"What a great proposal, Mana! Unless you gentlemen have something planned?"

"Well, we just came for the short business-" Atem began but stopped to look at his cousin.

He narrowed his eyes on him, noticing how Seto was gazing at Kisara in such an intriguing way.

"On second thought, perhaps we will join you for dinner."

Pegasus smiled.

"Splendid," he replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

Note:

The pose Kisara is doing for her duel card is the cover image of this book.

Author's Note:

THE HOLIDAYS HAVE STARTED! :D