Seto won his duel with his signature move with his blue eyes ultimate dragon, white lightning attack. The crowd screamed for Seto, and watched as he stood there in his triumphant state. Smirking, he made his descent off the podium and made his way toward his office. The duel was at Kaiba Corp. and was only fitting that he goes straight back to work. Walking into his office, he felt the warm sun shine on his face. The sun was so bright that was almost blinding…
…
Seto awoke on the same couch he had laid on the night before, the sun shined in from the window that faced him. This morning was different, far different than other morning. Feeling at peace within himself, Seto knew what had to be done. It may prove to be difficult, but he knew in his heart it had to be done. Quickly gathering all the items that were scattered across the office floor, he didn't even notice someone had entered his office.
"Oh Seto, did you fall asleep at work, again?" Kisara said with a frown.
Picking up the box he rushed out of his office, with his girlfriend trailing close behind him. Kisara tried to gain his attention by calling after him, but it was all in vain. The sole elevator that lead to the top floor arrived without any delay. Kaiba went to walk in, only to be unexpectedly yanked back out, causing all the box's contents to be strewn about the place. Luckily no one else was there to see the current scene take flight.
Seto's eyes were wide with rage, "What the hell is this all about?!"
Kisara gasped out of fear, "Th-the Hoshigaki meeting," she paused, "It's today."
"What, no, it can't be today?" he questioned.
Kisara now frightened didn't know what to do, so, she just stood there, thinking of a way to somehow rectify the situation.
"Reschedule with them for next week," Seto ordered as he went to turn around again with the box of memorabilia.
"You can't reschedule with them again, you'll lose the contract," Kisara reminded him,
Stopping mid-stride, he contemplated what needed to be done, and how to achieve both his goals simultaneously. Thankfully, being the genius, he was, was easy a feat, and he was about to prove himself worthy with all those years of "mentoring" by Gozoburo's hand.
Pondering his final thoughts with a stroke of his chin he spoke, "When is the meeting?"
"10:30," She squeaked.
An hour and half, he thought, "Damn that doesn't give me much time," he mumbled under his breath.
"What are you going to do?" she quizzed.
"Get all of my executives, and anyone else that is part of the meeting up here NOW! He instructed.
Without skipping a beat, Kisara skid to her desk and immediately started dialing numbers. Within minutes of hanging up from the final call, tech teams and executives showed up as prompted. In Seto's office he explained his plan: he would make an appearance and answer any questions that were meant for him specifically, and would leave the rest to his teams. The executives would handle the details of the contract, while the tech teams explained the mechanics of the new idea. Seto's appearance was merely to show good face for the sake of his company.
…
Mokuba woke up staring at his ceiling, and laughing at his own nervousness. The thought of Seto popped into his head, but that would have to wait until later. Right now, he had his own mission to accomplish. Reaching for his phone, Mokuba texted his bandmates to meet up for another practice session. To his luck, everyone was able to meet up. Now all Mokuba had to do wake make sure that he followed Kisara's advice to a "T".
The girls were the first to arrive, leaving them to wait on Shikaku. Mokuba's heart raced every time he looked at Akiko, which caused him to pray for Shikaku's fast arrival.
"Kiko, tell me about your date, and don't skimp on the details," Mae cooed with excitement.
Akiko laughed, and averted her eyes, "Oh there isn't much to tell, we are going out again next week but, I don't think it is going to work out."
Thank you, God, Mokuba mentally praised.
"Geeze are guys the only thing you talk about," Shikaku teased as he swaggered on in.
The girls sighed, not dignifying that with a response. Everyone got into place, and commenced playing music. Unfortunately, the session didn't last long. Shikaku was called into work to cover a co-worker's shift, and thus left. Akiko decided to continue singing while Mae continued on drums. Eventually the moment finally came, Mae was gone, and it was just them now.
"So, what's wrong with this guy?" Mokuba questioned trying to sound aloof.
Akiko blushed, "Oh, he's just too different ya know?"
"Uh, different how?
"Mm, it's hard to explain we just didn't click, like I said there's a second chance," she paused, "sooo, yeah."
There was an awkward silence between them. Mokuba was starting to have second thoughts now, and the thought of rejection was looking promising.
…
After explaining his plan, Seto dismissed everyone to the board room while he ran to his private bathroom and quickly freshened up. While showering, Seto mentally thanked himself for having a shower installed in his office. Having worked through so many nights, it was just more convenient than having to travel back and forth from home.
Kisara walked in as Seto stood in a towel, jelling his hair. Holding a change of clothes for Seto, Kisara covered her face with them as she felt herself blushing. Seto smirked at his girlfriend's girlish antics and thanked her. Not caring about not be caught gawking anymore, Kisara took another glance at Seto's abs, "mmm," she subconsciously let out a low moan.
Seto stared at her in a mix of confusion and disbelief, "What was that?"
Shockwaves went down Kisara's spine, as her face went fire engine red, "Nothing, nothing," she insisted, "You better get dressed, everyone will be waiting," she side-stepped the situation as she left the office.
The meeting went almost exactly according to plan. The only fault in his plan was anticipating the length of the it all. The meeting went to break for lunch, and there was still more Seto to go over with Hoshigaki enterprises. Seto stayed until 1:30 p.m. and left as soon as an opportunity opened up.
Seto hustled back to his office to procure the box, with its contents. Making his exit he quickly requested Kisara to cancel anything else for today, and to have Roland to bring the car around. By the time Seto reached the front door, the car was there waiting for him. Jumping into the back seat he tried his best to remain calm. Seto was a ball nerves, and for the first time in his life, was unconfident about what the outcome may lay ahead of him.
…
Mokuba took a deep breath, his heart pounded in his chest, and his face felt hot. Taking a leap of faith, he dove in, "So, you are not, like, official or anything right?"
Akiko stared at him bewildered, "Uuh, no we are def. not official, haha."
Mokuba smirked, "So you'd be open to dating other guys, right?"
Akiko put her hair in a messy bun, "No, it was just one date," she huffed now annoyed.
Mokuba walked up to Akiko, closing the distance between them, "So, would like to maybe get dinner sometime?" he smiled softly.
Akiko's chest heaved with adrenaline, her eyes wide with what could be Mokuba confessing his feelings for her. Laughing nervously Akiko answered, "How about we go get some lunch?"
It was not a yes, but it was better than a rejection, which made Mokuba's heart soar with delight, "Okay," he replied. Mokuba quickly wrote a note in the kitchen, and the two teens left, and quite possibly would return as more than just friends.
…
Seto arrived home a quarter to 3. Not waiting for Roland to get the door, the young man practically leapt out of the car, and ran into lavish mansion. Roland was left wondering what could be so important that his boss would not wait for him to open his door. Curiously, the older man went on to investigating the situation.
Running up the large staircase, Seto called out for his brother only to receive silence as a response.
"Mr. Kaiba, sir," Roland addressed his boss, "Kya, the maid has just informed me that master Mokuba has left for the afternoon with miss Akiko."
"Does she know when he'll be back?" he wasted no time asking.
"His note says, 'be back whenever,' sir."
Disappointed, Seto let out a huge huff, "Thank you, Roland, you may go," he reacted stoically.
Although Seto was disappointed in the fact his brother wasn't home, the upside is that it gave him some time to go over what he would, and how he would say it. Also, he would need to prepare himself for any questions, which he knew beyond a shadow of doubt that Mokuba have at least some for him. Unfortunately, this wasn't a test he could study for. This was something you have to play by ear, and hope for the best.
…6:07 p.m…
Mokuba walked into the mansion with solemn smile on his face. Out of immaturity, he decided to keep his mood going by hopping on the floor tiles, alternating feet between hops. Walking into his room, he spotted Seto sitting hunched over with his head hanging low on the foot of his bed, the box he had found resting to his left.
"Seto?" he hesitated, "Everything okay?"
Seto straightened his posture, "Yes, er no, but after tonight they should be," he explained.
"Okay, what's going on?" he asked as he walked over to his bed.
"Things between us," he paused unsure what to say, "Haven't been the greatest, and now I'm going to try and make it up to you," he stated. Mokuba listened.
"Yes, I do miss mom and dad, but you know how I am, admitting to missing them is a sign of weakness," he admitted
"Admitting to missing the people who gave us life, is not weakness Seto," Mokuba reprimanded, "You're not Gozoburo."
"I know that, and that's why things are going to change," Seto spoke as he delved into the box before Mokuba, "Here, I owe you this much."
Mokuba stared in awe at the old photo in his hand. Young Seto was the first person he recognized, and then his father.
"Mom is so beautiful, here," he commented.
"Yeah, she still is," Seto smirked.
"Still?"
Seto now embarrassed, "Yes, I uh, I had a dream – a few dreams with her, and now see that you were right."
Mokuba stood up on his bed, "What, doth my ears deceive me? Did THE Seto Kaiba just admit he was wrong?" He mockingly asked as he did a goofy victory dance on the bed.
Seto laughed at his younger brother and shook his head in humiliation for him, "Yes! You were right. Now come here and look though this with me," he patted the spot next to the box.
Mokuba bounced on his butt, and looked through the rest of the contents with Seto.
"My old bear!" Mokuba cheered, this made Seto smirked.
Mokuba stared at the old bear, and then frowned, "Seto?"
"What's wrong?"
"Why don't you ever talk about mom and dad anymore?" he asked as he stared into Seto's eyes.
He licked his lips, and took a deep breath, "Because I- I don't remember them," he sadly admitted, "You were too young to remember this, but when our aunt and uncle took us in they threw out most of the photos because they didn't want to be bothered with 'clutter,'" he continued, "and when Gozoburo took us in, he instilled the idea that any attachments in life will bring me down."
"So, you don't remember what they were like, or how they acted?"
Seto pondered for a minute, "Well mom was an amazing cook – she made the best pancakes, and she always smelled like baby powder, even if she wasn't wearing perfume."
"and dad?"
Seto laughed, remembering the memory Mokuba had brought up, "he always had his sleeves rolled up, he could fix anything, and a was a wiz at games," he eyes began to water.
"Umm,"
Seto looked up, "Do you think mom loved me?" Mokuba bit his lip.
Taken back from this Seto became serious, "Absolutely, without a doubt," he marveled in the confidence of his statement.
"When she was pregnant with you, she and dad were so excited about you she'd sing all the time to her stomach," he laughed.
The rest of the night was Seto trying to come up with memories, stories, and answers for Mokuba. Mokuba remembered some of their father, but Seto took it upon himself to tell him as much as he could about their mother. Sadly, there was one question that could not be answered, not because it was too difficult to answer, but because Seto truly didn't know –
"How did they both die?..."