Original Yu-Gi-Oh Series

Parallel

Chapter 018

Originally Written: Saturday, April 9, 2022 315PM to 404PM

. . . . .

"You're the only person who drinks tea at a coffee shop, big bro." Mokuba kicked his feet in the booth chair he sat in.

"I would rather not be jittery." Seto sat next to him, typing away at a computer instead of reading a book. Though the book was next to him, between their mugs of tea and coffee. A plate of neatly stacked cake snacks sat in the center of the table, as well as an extra menu for the guest he was waiting for.

Mokuba took a loud gulp of his mocha and slumped in his chair. "You're missing out."

"I'm certain I am." Seto continued typing.

Mokuba pushed his mug closer to Seto. It bumped into the big fairytale book sitting on the table. Seto picked up Mokuba's mug and took a sip. A small smile came to his face. Mokuba beamed.

"You add so much sugar." He placed the mug back on the table, where Mokuba reached for it again.

"Coffee's not good if it's bitter. It's gotta be enjoyable. Like cotton candy at a carnival." Mokuba giggled.

"Bitter coffee is much of an acquired taste." A woman spoke.

Seto looked up, and promptly looked away, flushing. Next to their table, stood a tanned woman dressed in a beige summery top and jean shorts. The fabric of her shirt was thin, the top emphasized her waist, and it was long enough to cover almost all of her shorts, making it look as though she was wearing just the top. Her straight black hair was decorated with all kinds of golden beads. A golden necklace hung from around her neck, and a matching beige shawl wrapped around her shoulders hid all but the center eye of the necklace.

"However, bitter was how coffee was intended to be drunk. As it stands, the coffee served today is less of a refreshing drink designed to ground one to reality, and more of a glorified, overpriced dessert." She rested a hand on her hip, which she cocked to one side. "All the health benefits are overwhelmed by the sugar."

"I'll keep the dessert coffee, thanks." Mokuba took another large gulp of his drink purely out of spite. "Is this the lady you're meeting with, big bro?" Mokuba looked over and rolled his eyes. "They're just boobs, bro. Geeze."

"Oh, you are absolutely adorable." The woman leaned her hands up against the table. "I'm glad I've gotten this chance to speak with you, before that lost soul dug her claws into you completely, Mr….hm…" She pressed a finger to her chin, "Mr. Kaiba or Mr. Mitsura. Which do you prefer?"

Seto looked up, meeting her blue eyes in a daze. He flushed. "M-Mitsura please. Thank you."

"Excellent." She slid into the seat across from them like a snake. She fished an envelope out from her bra, and Seto had to wonder how she got it to fit in there in the first place. Clearly her breasts took up all the room. "I am Ishizu Ishtar, from the Egyptian Supreme Council of Antiquities. Thank you for meeting with me today." She looked at the cakes on the table. "Are these vegan?"

"Mhm!" Mokuba nodded quickly, sugar and caffeine rush starting to kick in. "So, you're from Egypt?"

"Goodie." She grabbed a plate stacked on the table and took a snack cake and a fork. "Yes, I am. It's surprisingly difficult to find vegan food in Japan."

"Big bro and I can show you some cool places, if you'd like."

"Oh that would be divine, thank you. Do visit me at the Domino Museum whenever you fancy."

Seto lightly kicked Mokuba in the shin. What did he tell him about trusting random people? "Why there?"

"Because a lost soul will most certainly goad your dear brother Noa into tricking you to entertain another of her hairbrained schemes. I'm certain you would like to know what you were getting into. In situations like this, security is of utmost importance as well." Ishizu took a dainty nibble of the snack cake. "Ohh, this is very good."

"Did Noa or Amane hire you?" Seto looked at his computer screen. He was actually researching the new Egyptian exhibit opening in a few days. Why did all the strange things have to happen to him?

"Neither. Both tried, but I turned them down." She gave them both a no-nonsense look. "Their personalities were too full of malicious intent for my…dainty one." She winked.

"You might wanna get yourself more security detail then, lady." Mokuba muttered into his drink. "I don't like him, but what they tried to do to Pegasus was nasty."

"I've been on their radar for a while, little one." She tapped the eye of her necklace. "It's fortunate I saw them coming. They don't do stealth very well."

"They've always liked the glam." Seto sighed. "I'll be there."

"Me too!"

"Excellent." Ishizu took another bite of cake. She slid the sheets of paper over to them and tucked them just after the front cover of Seto's book. "Those will grant you access to the exhibit I'm working on before it is open."

"Wait. Exhibit? Where are we going?" Mokuba asked after a moment of thought. "I only said yes because Seto just got back from Pegasus' tournament."

Seto chuckled, and ruffled his hair. "The museum, kiddo."

Mokuba huffed. "But museums are boring!"

"I'm sure you'll enjoy this experience." Ishizu propped her head up with a hand against the table.