Chapter 4 :

[Thursday]

Katsuya was working at the supermarket. He was stacking boxes into piles, organizing them by their contents so that they could be properly later by the members of the following shift. It was his last task of the day before clocking out.

His weekly work schedule was as follows… He continued to cater at the cafe each weekday from seven until ten forty-five in the morning. His availability for the supermarket was on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday night from eight to midnight. This allowed time for him to plan afternoon hours to work as a waiter at the Blue Lagoon, a seafood restaurant. The shifts he had there were irregular and random, changing up on him almost every other day. He appreciated the opportunity though - it gave him the chance to earn a little more extra cash - as long as he could spare the time between his other two jobs. He only really worked part-time hours at each of these locations because that was really all that was available in the bustling city of Domino. He was lucky to be able to find one, let alone three.

If he could find a more stable full-time job, it'd probably give him time to spend more on himself, but he was determined to see through with his goal. Just working at the café full-time each week would have given him enough money to live comfortably, paying for rent and the necessities. But he had a desire to pay off his father's accumulated debts. After he had graduated high school, Katsuya had managed to convince his father to check into Domino's best Alcohol and Drug Rehab Center. Although he took upon himself the duty of repaying those debts, he had rarely found time to visit. It didn't help how busy he was with work and that the center was located all the way on the other end of the city - he also didn't own a vehicle. Neither had he been able to find the courage to call and check in that way. The only days he might have been able to visit was on the weekend, but the center had weird hours and didn't allow visitors after three in the afternoon, which traveling by bus would get him there by four at the earliest. He could only hope that the process was effective in helping his father through the addiction.

He had worked at each of his jobs today already. He just had an hour left at the supermarket before he would finally be able to head home and relax. He sighed. Tomorrow was Friday. Although he didn't have a shift at the supermarket the next day, it was still one of his busiest work days. The Blue Lagoon was often crowded just before and on the weekends. As such, he usually ended up serving tables and washing dishes until well into the next morning. He felt drained and was worried. He wasn't sure how long he would be able to keep this routine. His crazy schedule aside, he still had concern over a certain arrogant CEO. The question of the well-being of Kaiba prickled at the back of his mind.

As he continued to move and deposit boxes to their designated locations, he thought back to Monday morning. He silently fumed as he remembered how the rich prick had ordered him out. And then security forcefully removed him… after he had refused to leave and threw a 'fit' about being treated like a lowly servant. He had spent so much time with the businessman that he had failed to return in time to deliver more coffee orders that had stacked up during his absence. As a result, the café had cut back on his pay for that day. How dare Kaiba refuse to acknowledge his advice, and any of his offered help for that matter! Despite his grumblings, concern still engulfed his mind. He couldn't stop himself from wondering if the brunet had taken measures to prevent any further incidents from occurring, or if they had only escalated merely due to the CEO's sheer stubbornness.

Each time the blond had delivered the usual coffee orders to Kaiba Corp, he was tempted to take the hot beverage straight to the CEO as an excuse to interact directly with him. If he did, then he could use that opportunity to question the obstinate man about his health. He had barely managed to restrain himself from taking such action. He didn't want to risk getting his paycheck cut - again… and possibly risk losing his job.

The pressure was driving Katsuya insane… he honestly didn't know which one mattered more to him. He had been lucky to be hired at the most popular café in the city, especially considering that it had been through a friend's recommendation. But, even though he hated Kaiba's guts, what he hated - despised - even more was knowing that another person was suffering when he could do something about it. Not to mention that the businessman was probably too stubborn to even take ibuprofen to subdue the pain. The thought had him rolling his eyes in exasperation. Then he chuckled - not because he thought it was funny, but because the idea didn't seem too far off the mark.

He checked the time on his watch and realized with surprise that his shift was over. It had definitely felt that it had gone by faster than it usually did. He failed to notice that he had been focused mentally on Kaiba, and the CEO's condition, rather than the seconds counting down to his freedom.

[ Friday ]

Seto Kaiba sipped his straight black coffee, draining the last drops from the cup. Emiko had brought it in earlier.

Lately, he noticed that he was subconsciously paying close attention to who the carrier of his beverage was each morning. He took a moment to focus, trying to find the reason for his hypersensitivity. And then he suddenly realized that he had been doing it since Tuesday, the day after his conversation with an uninvited peer from the past.

He shook his head free of his underlying thoughts - thoughts that expected a blond head to reveal itself from behind the door - even if he had recognized the gentle knocking to be from his secretary.

He had assumed that Katsuya would return to torment him further. However, the shorter man had not come back to face him. He was mildly surprised, but he was still prepared for the inevitable explosion that would erupt from the younger duelist at any time. And it would be directed at him.

After security had removed the furious blond from his office, he had been satisfied that no rumors had circulated to the news. He figured that his staff knew better. No doubt any gossipers felt uneasy, especially when previous examples had been made. These examples were simply the employees that couldn't meet the requirements for their tasks and were fired from Kaiba Corp as a result. Anyone that was fired from the company had a difficult time finding any business willing to accept them - each fearful of the CEO's retaliation. Even if there were consequences for their failures, people would still apply for the newly vacant and available positions, Kaiba mused to himself. They each had their reasons. Some came for the paycheck or hoped to gain prestige from working under such a prosperous employer. Others wished to try their luck at becoming his 'partner.' Females always wanted and attempted to court the handsome bachelor. However, no one had succeeded in this aspect. Obviously. It did make things interesting though. Sometimes, there was the occasional fly that wanted to push its luck too far without realizing that its buzzing gave itself away, and all of its intentions as well. And no one could blame him for getting rid of the nuisance before it became too much to bear. Kaiba was a man with little patience. Therefore, the flies were often dealt with immediately.

The CEO focused on the work at hand. He checked all of the data available to him for each Kaiba Corp division. Statistics were important. If one area failed to meet the standards, orders would be given to dismiss the weak link before damage was done. Accuracy and punctuality were what mattered the most to the businessman with all of his staff members. If a minor mistake was made by an employee, a warning would be given. However, mistakes can prove to have fatal consequences. Therefore, usually that specific individual would no longer be allowed to step even an inch on the premises. Kaiba even set that rule for himself. Work was not a place for failure. Some might consider him a perfectionist. He personally saw himself as a professional.

Socialization might have been at the top of anyone's list when considering the weaknesses of the CEO. However, he was a proficient communicator and was very convincing when he wished to be. This was because he always took into account his audience. He had to present himself favorably to those in the same business. Those that were inferior could be controlled through intimidation - or simply ignored. Many people considered this trait to be manipulative though, which didn't bother him in the slightest.

There were three people that could get past his well-crafted barrier, revealing emotions that were hidden behind seemingly impassable doors in his mind. Mokuba, for obvious reasons. Yugi Muto, who was constantly looking for the good in others. And Katsuya Jonouchi… for reasons unknown. Each of these individuals could slip easily under the doors that he kept barred. Mokuba was an exception that he willingly allowed - possibly even Yugi Muto as well to a point. But the idea that the blond that was his self-proclaimed rival could encourage a part hidden deep within him to unearth itself… that was a terrifying concept.

He paused in his reflection as a knock sounded at his office door.

Kaiba glanced at the time. 1:17. He had missed lunch… again. He hadn't eaten anything for breakfast either. The only things in his stomach were vitamins taken after awakening and coffee. Same as usual. Routine. He managed to avoid falling unconscious since the previous incident so far, so he merely dismissed the possibility of it occurring again.

He gazed back to the door. Although Emiko would usually introduce any guest through his office phone, the secretary had just left moments ago to gather documents that he required from the heads of each Kaiba Corp division. The task would take her quite awhile. No meeting had been scheduled that he knew of, especially since it was Friday.

Caution and curiosity swept over him. He was interested in who had knocked but was suspicious due to previous attempts from his competitors that had tried to catch him off-guard. Kaiba's facial features naturally fell into his poker face.

"Enter."

Katsuya's day had been normal so far. He went to the café, delivering all the orders that came in during his shift. He had been messaged yesterday from his boss at the Blue Lagoon. His shift start time had been changed from two to four pm since they wouldn't need him until then. He would be waiting tables and doing dishes at the restaurant until closing time though. He was free now, so he started heading back to his apartment to make himself lunch and relax before the time came for him to leave. That was how he normally spent his Friday after all - if his shift at the diner allowed.

During his walk home, it felt like his brain couldn't help itself from giving him a repetitive reminder. One name kept repeating in his mind, growing faster and louder with each step…

Kaiba.

Katsuya fought to ignore the whispers in his ears until he really couldn't take it anymore. The concern he felt for the CEO had been pushed behind a dam but finally overflowed and overwhelmed him mentally. He figured that the ignorant businessman wouldn't do anything to improve his state without someone forcing him - someone more stubborn than the CEO himself. He sighed in defeat and resignation. He didn't have the strength to ignore his inner turmoil any further.

He decided to eat lunch at home as usual. Afterwards, he would make something easy on the stomach and drop by Kaiba Corp for the second time today to make a delivery.

Seto Kaiba watched carefully as his office door opened silently.

A middle-aged man wearing a black suit entered with his black hair combed neatly to the side. The individual strode forward toward the CEO with purpose, appearing to be confident.

That would have to change immediately. Kaiba rose from his seat elegantly and moved around his desk to the front of it in order to meet the stranger that approached him.

Seto was wearing his 'duelist' outfit. His long, white trench coat draped over his shoulders. It clashed well with the snug fitting black clothes that defined his figure underneath. It was one of his favorite outfits, but he only wore it occasionally now. Normally, he would have been dressed in a suit as well. This was because every other business day was when he would schedule his meetings. First impressions were important. And he had to keep up appearances for credibility sake. Fridays were the cut off before he 'relaxed' and gave Mokuba his full attention. Therefore, he always chose to dress more comfortably as the weekend came closer.

The CEO felt a flash of pleasure course through him as he noticed the height difference between him and the older man. A slight smirk settled on his face for an instant before it disappeared completely from his facial features.

"I am Watanabe. Gou Watanabe." The shorter individual had come into close proximity and inclined his head forward slightly in greeting, which wasn't far enough for Kaiba's liking. The newly-introduced man kept green eyes focused on the taller man during his introduction and he extended his hand.

Kaiba took the hand that was offered. He then knowingly tilted his wrist, causing his hand to be positioned over the others' as they shook. He observed his sudden guest closely. His eyes narrowed as he took in how relaxed the man appeared, despite the CEO's noticeable gesture of superiority.

"Kaiba. Seto Kaiba." He withdrew his hand and folded his arms across his chest.

End of Chapter 4