Chapter 4: Seto's Seduction
Note: For this chapter you'll need to put on your imagination caps… I know nothing of Japanese music, and I am making the presumptive guess that most of my casual readers don't either, so I used the lyrics to American music and we can make the terrible assumption that some Japanese artist translated them. Also… see if you recognize one of the duets in this chapter! It was a corny joke, I know. By the way, as always I LOVE you reviewers, and I really love your reaction to Seto!
"You called Yuugi, right?" Mokuba asked Rebecca when she arrived at the Kaiba mansion on Saturday morning.
"Yes, he said it was fine if we worked together writing the Game Shop business plan," she nodded. "And you asked Bando-sensei?"
"He said he was pleased that you were contributing," Mokuba related. And then, because he couldn't help himself, he added, "What else did Yuugi say?"
Rebecca looked blank. "Umm, thanks and have a nice day?" She shrugged. "What else was I supposed to ask him?"
"I didn't mean about the business plan," Mokuba said, exasperated. "I meant about anything else. I thought you were trying to flirt with him."
"Oh." Rebecca bit her lip. "Well, I didn't really have the time. I just wanted to get permission and then hurry over here to start the project. Plus, I never mix business and pleasure," she added with a laugh.
"Smart girl," Seto said, coming up behind her. "It always ends in disaster."
"Yeah, yeah, we all know how you shouldn't have dated Shina since she was your employee." Rebecca rolled her eyes. "What you really mean is that you shouldn't have dated Shina because she was no good for you."
"Heartless robot," Mokuba added helpfully.
"At least she had self-control and class," Seto said, crossing his arms. "This brown-haired plebian you are forcing me to date has neither."
"Yeah, she has warmth and charm," Mokuba said sarcastically. "How disgusting."
"How are things going with Anzu?" Rebecca asked hopefully.
"If I have to listen to one more story about a cute child, I am going to throw one of us off my helicopter," Seto said, his eyes narrowed. "Right now, I'm leaning towards her."
Rebecca looked alarmed, but Mokuba laughed. "Nice bluff, Seto, but I saw you when you came home on Wednesday. If you'd really had a bad time, you would have stormed into the kitchen for a cup of coffee, then stormed up to your office and worked like a maniac until two in the morning. Instead you watched a movie with me."
Seto pursed his lips, clearly annoyed. "The evening was tolerable. But that's only because I have a lot of patience."
It was Rebecca's turn to laugh, and she tried to disguise it as a barrage of coughs. Seto looked at her disapprovingly. "What are you doing here anyway, Hopkins?"
"Spring semester project with Mokuba," she said, straightening up. "We're writing a business plan for the Kame Game Shop."
"That's excellent," Seto said with unexpected enthusiasm. Both younger ones looked surprised until he added, "Drive them to bankrupcy. I want to see them eat dirt."
"Charming," Rebecca said.
Mokuba and Rebecca worked for the next six hours, sprawled out on the floor in one of the offices, papers and financial records surrounding them. They stopped only for a snack break and Mokuba ended up making cookies while Rebecca "supervised" and stole dough.
"Delicious. You should add more chocolate chips," she said, tasting the batter.
At five forty, Mokuba stopped them, stretching tiredly. "We need to leave for karaoke night soon," he said, rubbing his eyes and looking at the clock. "Where's Seto…?"
They found him in his bedroom, lying on top of the covers, eyes determinedly squeezed shut and snoring.
"Oh, he's asleep, should we wake him?" Rebecca whispered.
Mokuba ignored her and went to stand in front of Seto, hands on his hips. "Coward."
Immediately, Seto's eyes flew open. "I am not a coward," he said firmly, despite clutching the pillow a little tighter. "I laid down to clear my head of the impending doom, and I found that it was so comfortable that I never want to get up."
"Comfortable in your bed? Or comfortable not singing?" Rebecca questioned.
"Let's get one thing straight," Seto said, sitting up hurriedly and glaring at her. "I am not singing tonight."
"I'm pretty sure that no one expects you to," Mokuba said. "Now grab your shoes, we have to go."
Seto reluctantly rolled out of bed. Rebecca couldn't resist commenting loudly, "You're really going to wear a trenchcoat to the bar?"
"Don't make fun of his 'casual clothes', he gets touchy," Mokuba whispered. This time, however, Seto didn't rise to the bait. "If she can wear jeans to Sakura's, I can certainly wear this coat to the bar," he muttered, tugging on his boots.
"Could Kaiba look any more out of place?" Anzu murmured to Yuugi as the Kaibas and Rebecca entered the bar.
"Maybe if we put a smiling baby in his arms," Jounouchi suggested, overhearing.
Mokuba and Rebecca came over, grinning and laughing, and took seats by Yuugi. Seto made a beeline for Anzu and relaxed slightly when he was safely seated beside her. This didn't go unnoticed by anyone there – not by Rebecca, Mokuba, Yuugi, Anzu, or Jounouchi, and they all had different reactions. Rebecca looked smug, Mokuba pleased, Yuugi surprised, Anzu bewildered, and Jounouchi annoyed. Seto ignored them all.
"What kinds of wine do they have here?" Seto asked, looking in distaste at the tattered menu. "Do they have a Chianti Classico?"
Anzu patted his knee. "Why don't you try the house wine?"
Seto stared in revulsion at his knee, but before he turned to yell at her for invading his personal space and possibly infecting him with her bourgeoisie germs, he noticed the look of horror on Jounouchi's face. His reprimand died on his lips. Oh, this could be good, he thought smugly. Now here's an excellent reason to put up with the cheerleader. He draped an arm around the back of her chair, just letting his index finger brush over her back. "Good idea. I'll give the house wine a try," he said, smiling down at her.
The house wine tasted like it had been brewed in the kitchen sink, and unfortunately more of Anzu's friends showed up, including the brown-haired thug Honda and the white-haired bipolar kid Bakura, and not one of the people in the entire bar could carry a tune, and Jounouchi kept making snide comments like "If karaoke night was a duel, Kaiba, I'd mop the floor with you" before Rebecca and Mokuba hastily distracted him, so all in all the night was as bad as Seto had expected it to be. But at least no one dared suggest that he sing, and at least he seemed to be making considerable progress with Anzu, who really lightened up after her third ridiculous fruity drink with a stupid little umbrella in it.
Jounouchi insisted on torturing the whole room with his singing three times that night – three! When he first went up onstage, Seto concentrated extra hard on Anzu, trying to block out the off-pitch whining, until he realized what Jounouchi was singing.
"You're so vain… you probably think this song is about you, you're so vain, I bet you think this song is about you, don't you, don't you?"
Seto twisted in his seat to glare at Jounouchi. Anzu, suddenly realizing why Jounouchi had picked the song, snorted out half of her second drink. Jounouchi grinned at Kaiba and shook his hips; Seto looked away again in a hurry and clutched at his head. Rebecca, who had finally started to flirt with Yuugi, paused, then looked at Mokuba. "Doesn't he know what the next verse is?" she whispered.
Jounouchi hadn't, in fact, thought about the rest of the song lyrics, and everyone could see the frown appear on his face as the lyrics scrolled through the karaoke machine. He opted to hum instead of sing the words You said that we made such a pretty pair, but then launched into the chorus with vigor. "YOU'RE SO VAIN…"
"I think I'll have a third drink after all," Anzu said, draining the last of her raspberry margarita and making as if to stand up.
"I'll get it," Seto said, sprinting to his feet and heading for the bar in the back, far away from Jounouchi and his shaking hips.
Jounouchi talked Yuugi into singing, which Seto gathered didn't happen often, and after her third drink and his fifth beer, Anzu and Honda went giggling up onstage to sing a truly nauseating duet about… he couldn't even believe it… friendship.
"Stick together through thick and thin!" Anzu warbled, holding out her hands dramatically. "That's the meaning of a real friend – and when it's time to stand the test, friendship shines above the rest!" Honda fell to his knees and sang, "We'll be there!"
That song might as well have been written for this gang, Seto thought in disgust, looking around at their sappy faces. Yuugi and Bakura and the mutt looked like they were enjoying the embarrassing performance. Rebecca looked amused and was trying unsuccessfully to smother her giggles. Mokuba had disappeared somewhere, but Seto didn't care. He had to get out of there, that instant. He started to stand up, only to have a heavy pair of hands clap down on his shoulders and shove him back into his seat.
"I thought you might try to run," Mokuba said, whispering from behind him. "Well, you can forget it."
"I didn't sign up for this," Seto groaned.
"Don't be a baby," Mokuba said unsympathetically.
So Seto sat through the rest of the song – Anzu had a semi-decent voice, although the lyrics overwhelmed any appreciation he might have felt. When she sat back down, face flushed and pleased, he was completely unable to lie and compliment her on her performance – that cheap house wine might have come back up if he tried – but luckily the mutt's crowing drowned out any conversation for a while.
Then Mokuba decided to betray the family name and go up and sing.
I'll have to disown him, Seto thought in horror. Or fake his death and send him to live on a deserted island in the middle of the ocean for the rest of his life.
Mokuba grinned at Rebecca as he began to sing, and she took over a few verses later, and Seto had to laugh when he recognized the song.
"You say ee-ther, I say eye-ther…"
It's a good song for them, Seto thought, shaking his head. They look so natural together, even up there making a scene of themselves. Mokuba really wants to be with her, and I can see that. So I've got to follow through with this deal. If I can get Anzu to fall in love with me, Mokuba will finally tell Rebecca that he loves her.
He looked over at Anzu and was surprised to find her staring at him. She'd been watching the softened, loving look on his face as he thought about his little brother. Anzu's head was slowly clearing after her three drinks, but her thought process was still a little muddled, and after she was caught staring, she continued to look at Seto for a while before slowly smiling at him.
He smiled back and put his arm around the back of her chair again, this time resting the whole palm of his hand on her lower back.
"Thanks for the ride, Kaiba," Anzu said, opening the door to get out.
"Seto," he corrected. "I think it's time you called me Seto, don't you?"
Anzu tipped her head to the side and looked at him. "I don't know."
Aware that she was still a little tipsy from the drinks, and that Mokuba and Rebecca were sitting in the backseat, Seto didn't lean in to kiss her. But he did ask, "Can I see you again?"
Anzu froze, her hand on the door handle. The way he'd phrased that left no more doubt in her mind that he was hitting on her. She still didn't actually like the guy, but at least he was becoming tolerable to be with. The old Kaiba Seto could never have made it through three minutes of karaoke evening with her friends, and certainly wouldn't still be speaking to her after that admittedly sappy duet with Honda. "Ummm…"
"Dinner on Monday night?" Seto pressed, ignoring Rebecca's pleased squirm in the backseat.
Anzu blinked twice, then threw her fate to the wind. "Well, okay. But do I have to wear a dress this time?"
"Only if you want me to take you somewhere nicer than McDonald's," Seto snapped, then felt Mokuba's not-so-subtle jab into his neck.
Anzu scowled at him. "Well, maybe you could use some greasy fast food," she retorted. "You're too skinny. It makes you look like the undead. Some sunshine wouldn't hurt, either."
"That's why I'm hanging around you," Seto shot back. "Your overpowering warmth makes you like a personal sun. If you try to radiate any more positive energy, you'll probably supernova."
"That was a compliment," Mokuba said loudly. "Seto admires your warmth. And supernova is good. Like being super."
"Pick me up at seven, and I'll wear dress pants," Anzu said, getting out and slamming the door and stomping away.
"I'll make reservations, don't be late," Seto yelled before the door shut, then revved the engine and pulled away from the curb.
"How on earth did you just get her to go out with you?" Rebecca asked, flattened against the backseat.
Seto shrugged, not as surprised as Rebecca. After all, he was smart, rich, and powerful, albeit currently a little less than perfectly charming. "I think she likes my wit."
"I think she feels sorry for you," Mokuba said sourly.
Grinning viciously, knowing that Mokuba had eaten greasy bar food like mozzarella sticks and onion rings all evening, Seto did his new trick of slamming on the brakes, then gas, then brakes again. If only Anzu had also been in the car to get jostled around, that would make him feel truly satisfied.
Seto had a decent time at dinner on Monday night, despite Anzu being her usual annoying self and driving him crazy. Somehow they had been foolish enough to get onto the topic of Yuugi, and while Anzu was thankfully poised enough to not shout in a nice restaurant, they spent several minutes exchanging angry hisses – "He's a little dweeb who used to pretend to have magical powers," "You're just bitter because he always beats you in Duel Monsters" – before dinner came. Seto searched around for safe topics before finding to his pleasant surprise that Anzu knew quite a lot about historic art.
"Rococco architecture is my favorite," Anzu said, taking a bite of fish. "It's light and playful."
"I prefer Baroque," Seto disagreed. "More dignified."
"Too solemn," Anzu said, wrinkling her nose. "Although I did like the Palace of Trier. My parents took me to Germany when I finished secondary school."
"Oh, you've been to Trier?" Seto asked, surprised at this evidence of sophistication. "Did you by any chance visit the Rheinisches Landesmuseum?"
"I did, it was fascinating," Anzu said enthusiastically.
It also helped his mood that she did indeed dress nicely, paring black dress pants with a strapless red top that had left him momentarily speechless when she first opened the door. The red top, combined with her good behavior towards the end of the evening made it much easier for Seto to kiss her, like he'd planned when he laid out the schedule of Anzu's seduction a few days ago. Like most of his dealings with Anzu thus far, that too went awry… although Seto later admitted that it wasn't entirely unpleasant.
As he'd hoped, Anzu invited him up to her place for coffee when he dropped her off. This time he'd driven to pick her up himself – a calculated move, as he'd noticed her discomfort at having a driver, and he guessed that she wouldn't ask him in if there was a driver waiting in the car. None of his other girlfriends had been that neurotic, they'd all understood that the driver was being paid for his time, but then again they'd all been raised more privileged than Anzu.
How does she walk in here? Seto thought when he entered her tiny apartment for the first time. It was small, although he had to admit that he liked how she decorated it, open and friendly with blue and peach colors dominating.
Anzu gave him, not only coffee, but a large slice of chocolate cake. At his raised eyebrows, she said with a grin, "I wasn't kidding, you need to fatten up."
"Very funny," he scowled, but ate the cake anyway. He wasn't used to indulging in desserts, because his past girlfriends had been meticulous calorie counters, but the chocolate cake was delicious. Maybe I should do this more often, he thought with satisfaction after he licked the fork clean; heaven knew Mokuba kept the house well-stocked with sweets.
His plan had been to give Anzu a chaste kiss goodbye, but he looked at her sitting next to him, dreamily working her way through her own enormous piece of cake, and before he knew it, he was leaning over towards her. Okay, I'll do this a little sooner, nothing wrong with hurrying it up so I can get this deal with Mokuba over with, he told himself.
Anzu looked over at him and swallowed, putting her fork down. "Seto-" she began, her voice trembling slightly, before he cupped her face with his hands and she fell silent.
"Thanks for dinner," he murmured, his face hovering inches before hers.
"You paid," she pointed out (always contrary, he thought irritably), but didn't pull away.
"Thanks for coming with me to dinner," Seto clarified, moving a little closer. "And for the chocolate cake. It was… delicious," he breathed, his lips now nearly on top of hers.
Anzu had a moment of panic, and tried to pull away, but Seto was still holding her face in his hands. No, you're not backing out now, you've put me through enough already! he thought (although with slightly less irritation), and he leaned in swiftly for the kiss, pressing his mouth to hers. Almost immediately, he dropped his hands from her face and settled them loosely on her upper arms, where she could easily push him away if she wanted.
She tensed – drew away a little bit – then suddenly relaxed into his arms, tilting her head up to meet him at a better angle.
Seto could taste chocolate cake, and her mouth wasn't just warm, it was hot, and something about her soft lips moving against his banished all thoughts of the word chaste from his mind. He stood up, pulling her with him, and she willingly followed, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him close.
No way can this be the same mouth that blathers on about the power of friendship and being Yuugi's best buddy, he thought hazily, but was finding it hard to dredge up his past resentment. He finally gave up on thinking of snarky comments and focused entirely on Anzu's lips, still moving under his, on Anzu's body pressed against his own. He very quickly ran out of oxygen, which surprised him nearly as much as the kiss; he never ran out of oxygen, it just didn't happen. I don't need oxygen anyway, he thought, and kept on kissing Anzu. He wanted more, he wanted her mouth to open for him, so he ran his tongue along the outside of her lips. She seemed reluctant to yield to him, but he was persistent, coaxing her with his tongue. Then he moved his hands from her back to her waist, pausing to dig his fingers firmly into her hips, and slid them upwards, under her shirt, feeling her silky smooth skin as he rubbed his hands along her sides. Anzu gasped, and he seized the opportunity and slipped his tongue into her mouth, and she finally moved her tongue hesitantly against his.
Seto dizzily lost track of the time – another thing that never happened to him – so for all he knew, he could have been standing there making out with Anzu in her cramped kitchen for hours, rubbing his hands gently up and down her bare back underneath her shirt. He was finally jerked back to his senses when she shifted against him, brushing against the front of his pants and making him suddenly aware of the tightness down there.
Seto broke the kiss but didn't release Anzu; he held her pressed against his chest, his chin resting on the top of her head, while his heart pounded and he tried to collect his thoughts.
He was hard. He never got hard just from kissing. Okay, he needed to stop saying never now. He'd never kissed any girl like… well, like Anzu, so of course this would be a night of firsts.
She could probably feel his erection pressing into her belly. Seto would be embarrassed, except that from her ragged breathing and slight trembling, he knew that she was just as undone as he was.
In fact…
He shifted again, ignoring his own desires and the way the movement inflamed his own body, and to his delight Anzu let out an involuntary moan before clamping her lips tightly shut.
Okay. I still have control over this, Seto told himself, feeling better.
He tightened his arms around Anzu. "Come out with me tomorrow?"
"I- I can't tomorrow," she breathed. "I'm going shopping with some friends from university."
"Wednesday, then," he said. "I'll take you somewhere special."
To his surprise, Anzu stiffened a little. "What do you mean by 'special'?" she asked, her voice coming out steadily again, any hint of lust banished.
Women. What did I say? "Somewhere you'll like," Seto said, pulling back a little, his brow creased.
"As long as 'special' isn't synonymous with 'ritzy'," she said. "I really don't like that sort of thing."
Of course you don't like class, he thought, exasperated. You probably want me to take you to the farm. He controlled his impulse to insult her, and instead said, "Don't worry. I know you better by now."
She smiled up at him, and his head spun for a moment. Her lips were pink and swollen, he noticed with satisfaction. "So, Wednesday?"
"Yes," Anzu said.
"All right, then." He was reluctant to let go of her – only because I'm doing so well seducing her, as per the PLAN, and I hate to give that up – so he bent down and kissed her again, softly and gently this time, before prying himself away. "See you then."
Anzu walked him to the door, and after it shut behind him, he bolted outside, into the cool night air, and leaned against the side of the building for a moment. She'd gotten annoying again at the end – so why was he still hard?
God knew that her personality would be intolerable, so he gave her lots of sex appeal, Seto decided. LOTS of sex appeal.