Long days were common for Kaiba Seto. He hardly had a moment to breathe with the mountains of school work paired with his job. He adored learning and bettering himself, however, schools didn't offer that for him, instead they quickly became a waste of time. Seven hours daily spent not working on things that actually mattered. The only reason he attended school was court order. If he wanted to keep his inheritance and his brother, he would have to graduate school. Kaiba was far from his own guardian, and he definitely wasn't his sisters, but apparently if he was to drop out it would only reflect badly on their adoptive father, a man Kaiba kept on his payroll.

For whatever reason, a GED was entirely out of the question despite the fact that it could very easily work as a High School Diploma in any case. He needed to graduate already so he could take up studies that would actually matter to him and his job.

He planned on college. If Kaiba Corp floundered, he'd need a backup and a degree would help. So long as he could pay for it, he should be going.

The teacher droned on an unimportant lesson about history. These assignments went too far in depth, no one needed to know this much. Where would it be applied? In what world would he need to know the name of some U.S. General who did the bare minimum during some war 200 years ago? It was doubtful any trivia game would ever mention him. The only time this information was necessary was in this class. It would never be used outside these walls and it would be forgotten within a week. Why should he waste his time?

"Mr. Kaiba."

So the teacher had finally noticed? How shocking. It hadn't taken him as long as it usually did.

"Put the book down and pay attention, unless you'd rather fail."

That was a funny concept. Kaiba, failing a class? Never. His grades were perfect. Sure he was strapped for time and homework wasn't helping, but he knew how to use Google, thanks. For tests. He had mastered memorisation. That was really all these schools asked of their students. Comprehension wasn't necessary. History was the easiest subject they offered.

He rolled his eyes, placed his bookmark over the time he had been reading and closed the book.

"You have my full attention." He spoke sarcastically, rested his cheek in his hand as he waited for the teacher to continue.

He absorbed only the necessary knowledge, blocked out the words spoken when their teacher went off on a ten minute long "fun fact" about the subject at hand. Most of what was spoken wasn't even relevant, nor would it be used on the test.

The bell rang at the end of the period, and Kaiba was the first to get packed up. He left long before most of his classmates did, quick enough that he hadn't given the teacher time to hold him back after the bell. He had a free period, one just before lunch. Those were possibly the best. An entire hour and a half dedicated to whatever he wanted.

While he'd like to be reading, he knew it would serve him better to get ahead on the work which had already been assigned to him that day. He still had three classes after his lunch period. He visited those teachers and requested the homework the the day. Not all classes would assign something, but it was better to get a leg up for the day, so he wouldn't have to worry about doing the work when he got home.

Eight classes in a day, each 45 minutes, five different assignments meant to take 10 - 20 minutes each. Kaiba got most of them done during his free period, and worked for a good chunk of his lunch to finish the rest. Leaving 30 minutes to eat and anything else he might be able to do with that period. He wasn't a quick eater, at all. 30 minutes would come to pass and even without speaking he'd just barely finish his meal.

He was lucky he had few friends, otherwise he may not have been able to eat at all.

He saw one of his classmates wasting his entire lunch just to help other students with their work. When else was he supposed to eat? Most teachers wouldn't allow food within ten feet of their classrooms. Kaiba didn't think to consider that Honda Hiroto was every teacher's favourite student, and he was on a sports team? They wouldn't stop him from eating if he asked.

Sixth period was obnoxious. Students were still riled up with energy from lunch, and to make matters worse, the kid behind him was taking his lunch now.

Kaiba kept quiet. He always did. He didn't need to involve himself with the issue, just ignore it and get through it. The day would be over soon, just two more classes then work. After that he could get home and sleep. Then it would start over again.

So long as he didn't involve himself, others would keep their distance, and that was all he needed to focus on.

The kid behind him was chewing loudly.

Writing loudly.

He wasn't talking, thank god, but everything else he was doing was absolutely unbearable.

He felt a foot rest on the leg of his chair.

He was sick of this.

Sixth period was the worst.

Something hit him in the back of the head, his classmates chorused in "OH"s and shock, fell silent as they waited for a reaction, and went back to whatever they were doing when they realised none was coming.

Forget chewing loudly, the guy behind him was drinking loudly too.

Kaiba had enough.

He turned around.

"Stop." His tone was strict, his command firm. He wasn't going to be happy if he was ignored.

Honda looked a little surprised. He'd never even really heard this guy's voice before, it was a little frightening.

"Stop what?" He wished he knew, otherwise he'd have listened.