Chapter Three- Private Matter
Kaiba glanced back at the crowd that had swallowed up the blond he had bumped into. When he had locked eyes with him, Kaiba felt as if sparks had flown between them; the thing was, he couldn't tell if they were love sparks or rival sparks. I wouldn't mind meeting him again to determine which one it is, but I don't even know his name.
"Seto? You okay?" Mokuba asked.
"I'm fine. I'm just curious about that boy I bumped into."
"Yeah?"
"There's something about him I can't put my finger on and yet I want to see him again, even though I don't know his name."
"You intend to talk to him tomorrow?" Mai asked from the top of the launch ramp.
"Yeah. I'm sure I can find his office and, if not, I'll ask for directions." Joey was halfway down the ramp, the water slapping the edge.
Mai gazed at the ocean before saying, "I'll be packing up my apartment, donating the stuff, breaking the lease, and quit my job all of which will take time."
"Of course. Hopefully, I'll be around when you're ready."
"You will if you camp out. Merpeople do camp, right?"
"Yeah, we do and I'll do that." Joey sat and slid forward; as soon as his legs touched the water, they merged into his tail. He slid fully into the water and turned to see Mai looking awed before smiling. "Green and white," she said.
"Everyone has a dual-colored tail. One is white while the other is based on the person's DNA."
"Now I really want to change. I'm heading home to start packing before heading to work." Mai walked away while Joey dove underwater.
He swam home, feeling elated and restless; the latter he knew was because he had found his match. He swam about as he headed for the city and met up with Yugi who was with Atem along the way. Joey spoke happily about how things went with Mai, aware of his ceaseless movement.
Yugi was also aware and smiled in amusement. "So, who's the lucky human?"
"His name's Seto Kaiba and he's got a little brother who can also be a merman. Their Transition may be easier than Mai's. Seto owns a company that's failing."
Atem shook his head. "A failing company is more complicated to tie up than what a normal human has to tie up."
"He's right," Yugi said. "You plan to see him tomorrow?"
Joey nodded, still moving. "I'll lay everything out to both of them so they can start taking care of business. Gee, maybe I should head home and figure out how to phrase it." He swam off.
"I doubt he has to write it out," Atem said. "It's likely that he'll speak from the heart."
"But he doesn't know Seto, so an outline of his words could be useful."
"We didn't need to as we've been friends for our whole lives." Atem pulled Yugi toward him and his deep purple and white tail wrapped around Yugi's light purple and white one. Yugi smiled and snuggled into Atem's embrace.
Joey surfaced the next day and took human form before setting down the sidewalk, occasionally looking up at the taller buildings. He looked up as he waited at a crosswalk and saw an imposing building with the letters KC on it. KC, he thought. That K could stand for Kaiba. The light changed and Joey crossed over and approached the front doors that had the words, "Kaiba Corp" written in gold cursive. Yup, this is the place.
He entered and was blocked from going further by two men in black suits. "Uh, hi. I'm here to see Seto Kaiba."
"Do you have an interview?" one asked.
I guess only interviewees and appointments can see him. "Yeah, I'm here for an interview," he lied. The men parted and Joey went to the elevator. Don't need proof? Seto must be desperate for employees.
Kaiba skimmed the applications that were spread across his desk with Mokuba also looking theme over. These people are good. I'll call them and set up interviews, Kaiba thought. A knock sounded and Kaiba looked up, confused. "Enter." The door opened and Kaiba stared.
It was the blonde from yesterday! He locked eyes with him and he felt those sparks again which he was now able to identify as attraction, but certainly not love. Maybe he's going to be a new friend. I don't have many and Mokuba's made me realize that I could use friends. "May I help you?" he asked.
Joey came up to the desk. "My name's Joey and I want to apologize for yesterday's incident." He held out a hand.
Kaiba stood and took the hand. "I accept your apology and, in honesty, it was partly my fault, though it was a pleasant incident after it occurred."
Joey nodded as they released hands. "I agree and I'd like to add that I have something else to tell you and Mokuba as well. Something private."
Kaiba pushed a button on the underside of his desk to turn off the cameras in his office. "Private?" he asked, intrigued.
"Seto…"
"I prefer Kaiba."
"All right. First of all…I'm a merman."
Kaiba promptly laughed in a scornful manner while Mokuba stared, wide-eyed. "A merman?" Kaiba snickered. "That's absurd. Merpeople aren't real."
"They are real and I am a merman," Joey said, feeling hurt. "Listen, some humans can become merpeople when they touch seawater after seeing a merperson in human form. The first change lasts a year before they're able to become human again on land. One merperson is chosen once a year to find such people as well as their destined mate. A tingle is felt if she or he looks at those meant to change. If it's his or her mate, the tingle and a pounding heart happens. Yesterday when I saw you I felt the tingle and my heart pounded. You are my match and when I saw Mokuba, I felt the tingle again."
Mokuba stared at Joey, still wide-eyed. "Really?" he asked in wonder. "Seto and I can be mermen?"
"Don't listen to him, Mokuba," Kaiba said. "It's all nonsense."
"It's not," Joey protested. "I can prove it's true. I found someone else the other day and yesterday I told her the truth and proved it to her before and after I met you."
"What proof?" Mokuba asked, ignoring Kaiba's look.
"Merpeople can hear water creatures talk and can talk to them. Later, I changed in front of her. I could do that to convince you. Come down to the boat launch and I'll show you."
"I'm not leaving," Kaiba said. "I have a company to save and I…don't…believe…you."
Joey looked levelly at him though inside he was hurt at being called a liar and confused at how his mate could be so hard-headed and stubborn. "I think you want to believe me. I've heard the problems your company is having. Personally what I'm offering would be a pressure reliever. Look, I'm camping out around the pier waiting for Mai to tie up her business and I'll be near the ramp at sunset when I will change back. I invite you down there around then and I can give you proof." Joey then turned and left. He shook his head. I had no idea that Kaiba would be so stubborn. He clearly doesn't believe in the supernatural and mythical. I think Mokuba believes me and, if he wants to come to the pier, Kaiba will come with him.
