Chapter 5 :

Seto Kaiba waited impatiently for the man of smaller stature to state his reason for coming unannounced. Naturally, his restlessness remained concealed.

Gou Watanabe had merely grinned as they finished their introductions. The sight of the plucky man smiling like a buffoon aggravated the brunet immensely. He fought to regain control of himself as he broke the short-lived silence between them.

"What, may I ask, is the purpose of your sudden visit, Watanabe-san?" Kaiba was pleased to hear how calm the words sounded as they left his lips.

"Of course!" The middle-aged businessman laughed heartily. "I suppose anyone would ask such a question, especially considering the lack of a proper introduction through your secretary."

"Yes. It is a curious thing that you would decide to knock and enter without waiting for my secretary to return." The CEO replied evenly.

"Pardon my rudeness, Kaiba-san. I merely wished to surprise you." Watanabe smiled, wrinkles crinkled around his eyes.

The taller man frowned slightly. "I do not appreciate surprises, especially from a new acquaintance."

"I see. That is totally understandable. I will try to remember that."

"For what reason would you need to remember? I don't recall inviting you, nor being asked for your company, this time or for the future."

"Oh, you wound me so." The man pursed his lips in dismay. The expression looked fake to the trained eye, one such as Kaiba's. "I wanted to begin a project with Kaiba Corp if possible and hopefully propose a partnership for this endeavor."

"You certainly failed in your approach." The CEO felt the urge to smirk and kick the business rival from his office to discourage any further efforts. He resisted both of the temptations. Something was telling him that Watanabe was different from his other competitors. The man seemed to know how to get someone to let their guard down, and maybe have a few drinks with him in order to encourage a few secrets to spill from the mouth of his victim. The thought had the brunet instantly raising his caution to a higher level as he continued his conversation with the shorter man. "I assume you'd like to discuss the details of this 'project' of yours."

The grin returned to Watanabe's features as he dove into his proposition. "I've come from Mizuchi Inc, and, as you may know, it is a company that specializes in the structure and design of water transportation."

There was a pause as the shorter businessman looked to the CEO for confirmation, to which Kaiba nodded in response.

He was fully aware of Mizuchi Inc. The company had risen in popularity only a year ago, even though they had originated twelve years prior. Their merchandise was now well sought after because of their expert construction and unique customization. If Seto hadn't been confident in his ability and designed his own private water transportation, there was no doubt the Mizuchi Inc would have been the first company he'd have considered for his purchase. That was high praise since the CEO rarely bought anything less than the best of technology and convenience. Naturally, Kaiba Corp was number one in both of these qualities, but the company focused most of its resources toward gaming inventions now.

"Mizuchi Inc is now in the process of establishing a new cruise liner, one that has a special theme… DUEL MONSTERS. Therefore, the company would like me to propose a partnership with you for this project. You are now in possession of the copyrights now that Maximillion Pegasus has gifted them to you and your company. As such, we require your partnership to use this theme."

Kaiba was about to question Watanabe when the shorter businessman cut him off. "Please let me finish explaining before expressing your inquiries."

Seto was irritated to be treated in such a manner but resigned himself to being a proper host, regardless of how informal the man was. "Very well. Continue." He gestured with his hand.

"Naturally, cruise liners are a matter of relaxation and new experiences. We desire your technology so that duelists ca use the stadiums and the holograms that you have invested your time and expertise in creating. This will allow the passengers a chance to challenge each other openly with an engaged audience. The bedrooms will be designed to specific duel monsters with a television channel that will replay the greatest battles that have occurred. However, these replays will have to be supplied by you, as they are also all copyrighted. Normal cruise activities such a sun deck with a pool and a hot tub, buffets, exercise rooms, shows and the other enjoyable options will be included as expected."

The brunet listened carefully. Although the idea sounded sound, there were still some concerns that he wished to discuss before coming to a decision. Watanabe had paused… finally. The man seemed to be giving him an opportunity to respond, and the CEO didn't hesitate to launch into those topics.

"What locations would the cruise be designated to allow the passengers to disembark?"

"That has yet to be decided." The reply was honest. "However, we hope to have the ship stop at destinations of previous tournaments and where there has been a history of the Duel Monsters card game. These locations, we hope to gain through you and your contacts."

Seto was relentless in his barrage of questions, asking specifically about hypothetical situations. If he agreed to the partnership and their requests… what route would the ship travel, emergency precautions, investment percentages, statistics, overall costs and labor. The list went on and on. Their conversation lasted for another hour. It would have gone later, but the CEO was pressed for time. He had Watanable summarize to the best of his ability and planned further meetings with the shorter businessman to discuss more details on the matter. He was already tempted to accept the partnership, but he ignored the urge from past experiences with a hasty decision. He had to know all the facts and make a contract between the two companies of Kaiba Corp and Mizuchi Inc that they both could agree on first.

The middle-aged man appeared to be satisfied and agreed to the meetings, leaving the CEO's office with pure delight settled upon his features after bowing to Kaiba in respect, more properly this time.

Seto sighed. Although Watanabe had a very optimistic personality, he might not be trustworthy. The brunet gave himself a mental reminder to do a background check on the black-haired businessman - and proof from Mizuchi Inc on the matter - later on.

He checked the time on his laptop. 2:37. He quickly returned to his work. He needed to complete only a few more tasks. He would be done for the week if he could just accomplish that. The silence provided the brunet an appropriate amount of space to think, allowing him to focus and finish in record time. Fifteen minutes was all that it took. Now the time was 2:52. He reorganized his desk and returned documents to files, which in turn were returned to their assigned drawers. He rose to pack his laptop in his briefcase but paused in the action as a knock fell upon the door.

Kaiba almost groaned aloud in frustration. Almost.

Another visitor - not introduced through his secretary… again. He had finally completed his work and was headed home. To relax. The CEO had never admitted that he enjoyed the process of unwinding. The great aspect about this time of relaxation included spending quality time with Mokuba. Work was something that he enjoyed as well, but his little brother was second to nothing else. And he definitely didn't need another person diminishing the minutes he could spend with his younger sibling.

He thought about just leaving.

He could exit through those office doors and ignore the individual behind them as he made his escape.

He frowned, sighing… but remained.

"Come in."

Katsuya had finished eating lunch around one o'clock in the afternoon, having indulged himself on his homemade shepherd's pie. He was full and satisfied. He relaxed against the back of his kitchen chair and was about to fall asleep when his mind snapped him wide awake with one thought.

Kaiba.

He groaned. Why did his mind have to be obsessed over the stubborn prick?

Katsuya rose and put the leftovers of his meal in containers then into the fridge, as well as his plate and utensils into the sink. While doing so, he pondered a mental list of food options that he could choose between to make that was easy on the stomach. Only one seemed to really stick in his mind. Chicken noodle soup.

Soup in general was good for people that were sick, especially when they didn't have an appetite. Chicken noodle soup would provide broth, meat and vegetables all in one. Therefore, that was what the blond decided to make… Not that Kaiba would ever admit that he was sick or needed a balanced meal. Ever.

He set himself to the task. He was happy to realize that he had all the ingredients necessary to make a good amount, possibly making extra to save for himself as leftovers for the next day. He gathered everything he needed before jumping straight into the process of cutting, mashing, stirring and washing all his dishes after while waiting for the broth with all the ingredients to cook on the stove. The entire process took him forty-seven minutes total with the chicken noodle soup now in a thermal serving bowl with a lid. All the dishes were in the drying rack beside the sink, water droplets clinging to their glass surfaces. Katsuya stood with his hands on his hips and gazed proudly at his clean kitchen.

Most people probably wouldn't have been able to guess that he knew how to cook, and that he kept his house practically spotless. Even his closest childhood friend, Hiroto Honda, had been surprised by that fact when he came to visit the blond one weekend, taking a short break from college a month ago. The spiky-haired brunet had made fun of him for it, calling him a neat-freak and comparing him to a girl. He had merely shrugged it off. Although the two of them had been together for a total of four years now and were the best of friends, Katsuya had never allowed Honda over before. He was fearful that he would have been isolated if he told his friend, or anyone really that was close to him, the truth.

His current apartment was nice when compared to his previous living conditions.

In the past, Katsuya had lived in a rundown apartment with his father. The living space had been filled with unpleasant odors and broken glass from thrown alcohol bottles, empty after being previously downed. Often, the blond remained in his room, avoiding his father during an intoxicated rage. If they had owned any cleaning supplies, he would have tried clearing each mess when his father left to drown his sorrows in the nearest bar. But because of the racking up debts, they never had proper food either. The limited amount of money that his father made was always spent on drinks and their rent. Luckily, the rent wasn't too high or else they would have been on the street. Things were different now though. His father was in rehab and Katsuya was settled into better accommodations. Cleaning and cooking were hobbies that he enjoyed now.

He went to his room and slipped on his waiter attire. It was a pair of black jeans and a dark, blue collared shirt with long sleeves. Blue was not his color, but it was required as a worker of the Blue Lagoon. It would be smart to wear the outfit just in case he spent longer with Kaiba than he expected he would. He might have to run to make it in time for work at four. It was already 2:24. It would be a twelve minute walk to Kaiba Corp. He glanced out of his bedroom window. It looked like it would be raining later on. Better safe than sorry. Instead of putting his apron on, he stuffed it into the pocket of his green jacket before pulling the second layer on. After that, he headed back into the kitchen. He slipped on his shoes at the front door, along with some socks that he had stuffed in his footwear the day before, before grabbing the bowl of soup from the counter and exited his apartment. He shut the door behind him and locked it with the key he pulled from his left pant pocket. He had slipped the key there earlier when he had returned from the café.

He felt fairly awkward, especially carrying a bowl in his arms, as he made his way alongside the road. People that he passed on the street were giving him funny looks. He gave himself a mental shake, choosing to focus on the several possible ways that Kaiba would react to his sudden appearance. As he became more grim with each scenario that he imagined, it was good that he finally reached his destination. If he hadn't, his imagination probably would have gotten the best of him - and convinced him to not follow through with his current plan.

He fought to find courage to face what was ahead of him. He trudged to the elevator and hit the button to get to the top floor. As he listened to the elevator music, he decided to treat this like he would any other delivery. He stepped out after the doors slid open with a ding and focused his gaze down the hallway. He allowed a smile to plaster itself onto his face when he saw that Emiko Shimizu was sitting behind her secretarial desk. He approached willingly, his steps light at the moment.

He stopped just in front of the desk to greet the dark-haired beauty. "Hi. How are you?"

The secretary glanced up at the voice. A pleased smile settled on her face as she recognized the visitor as Katsuya. "I'm doing well. How are you?"

"Ya know, same old." He shrugged.

"What can I do for you?" The older woman's voice remained warm.

"I'm here to drop off something for Kaiba." He admitted with embarrassment, struggling to hide his feelings toward the subject, and failing miserably.

Emiko just seemed to notice the bowl that was tucked under his arm. Curiosity lit her eyes. "Oh, really? I hadn't been told that another delivery was being made."

"Yeah, sorry, it was a sudden request from him. And he must have forgotten to tell ya." The blond hoped that he wouldn't be caught telling his white lie, for at least a little while.

"Well, I guess that Kaiba-sama has been busy today. More so than usual. He must not have had time to inform me." She rested her chin on the palm of her hand, fingers laying gently against her smooth cheek.

Katsuya motioned toward the office doors. "Is he with someone now?"

"Yes. It seems so. A visitor came while I was away for a moment and has been having a discussion with Kaiba-sama since."

"Hmm..." He thought to himself, unsure of where to go from here.

Suddenly, the office doors opened. An older gentleman, close to Katsuya's own height, passed by on the way out. A large grin was on the stranger's face as he left.

"Kaiba-sama seems to be free now."

The secretary's comment caused him to frown. He hesitated before asking, "Am I allowed to go in?"

"Of course. Oh! But wait a moment please." Emiko cut in quickly as the blond started to walk around her desk to the CEO's office. "Can you do me a favor?"

"I'd be happy to." He blinked and glanced back toward her. "What do ya need me to do?"

"I had to gather these documents for Kaiba-sama earlier, but I didn't really have the opportunity until now. Could you take them in as well while you are at it?" She stood from her chair and started piling papers into a small stack, a piece of her dark-hair falling into her face. She blew on it, momentarily distracted, before tucking it behind her ear and continuing to put everything together. He nodded in understanding as she did so. "I can't seem to… Where did I put it?"

She paused in her actions, apparently needing a second to think something through. She then started skimming through the documents, mumbling under her breath. "... the complete assessment… the overview…" Then she shouted a soft 'Found it!' while pulling a paper from the pile and setting it on top.

"Sorry about that." She apologized with a smile, handing him the stack. "Here you go. "Please give these to Kaiba-sama in my place."

Katsuya nodded once again, taking the assortment of documents in his free hand. He then knocked on the office door and waited.

A voice from within answered. "Come in."

End of Chapter 5