20: I was able to stand up again

Kaiba glanced at the time again, slightly annoyed at how little had passed. Jounouchi insisted on watching some group called BACK-ON perform at the festival stage. Their music, though serviceable pop-rock, held no interest for him. Using his height to his advantage, he scanned the crowd. Earlier, he had seen Nils Nielsen and Yajima Trading's heiress not-very-subtly sneaking around the back of the Free Battle corner. They didn't notice that they'd attracted the attention of PPSE security. Whatever trouble those two got into was bound to be more interesting than this concert.

Familiar mops of red and blue bobbed past in his peripheral vision. Kaiba turned to track Reiji and Iori as they moved around the edge of the concert crowd. His curiosity morphed into suspicion though once he recognized the third, taller man leading them away.

What the hell was Yuuki doing out and about?

Kaiba tapped Jounouchi on the shoulder, pointed away from the stage, and mouthed something unintelligible. Jounouchi nodded and responded with the universal sign for "I'll call you."

Kaiba pushed through the throng of people, earning a handful of dirty looks. He ignored them and continued to elbow his way through until catching up with Yuuki, Iori, and Reiji at the edge of the grounds. From there on, he dropped back to a distance and followed them to an overlook above the stadium.

Hidden safely behind a bank of trees, Kaiba watched as Yuuki pulled off his hat and smiled warmly at the teens.

"Iori-kun, do you remember what I said back in Tokyo?" Yuuki asked and quirked his head sideways, "The reason why I was intrigued by you— I said I'd tell you if you ever defeated me."

"I remember, Yuuki-senpai." Iori nodded.

The honorific gave Kaiba pause. It suggested an acquaintance more familiar than he originally estimated. His insides churned.

"Which isn't fair cuz we haven't had the chance to battle you since then. You told us to aim for the world tournament, but you're not even a contestant," Reiji stuffed his hands in his pockets and sulked.

Yuuki chuckled, "You're probably right, Reiji-kun. Perhaps we'll get the chance to battle each other soon. But I'll tell you why now, both why you two interested me and why I told you to come here. That's because the one who taught me the joys of Gunpla was your father, Iori Takeshi."

Iori's eyes widened with surprise. "My dad?"

Yuuki nodded and leaned forward against the railing. "Back then, I was set to inherit my stepfather's company and I was sent to study abroad to learn how to be an effective leader. In those days, I simply followed the path that others decided for me. I found myself growing resentful. That's when I met him, your father. He is an inspiring man."

Iori flushed with pride. Reiji's expression also softened.

While the three of them continued to chat, Kaiba processed the new information he'd just heard. So there was a reason he found Iori's name familiar. His father, Iori Takeshi, was the winner of the second world championship. Kaiba should have made the connection sooner. What else had he missed thus far? Maybe Yuuki had always intended to groom Iori, his mentor's son, for a championship. Loyalty ran almost as deep for Yuuki as it did for Jounouchi.

He glanced back at the overlook again, surprised to find that Iori and Reiji were already gone. Yuuki met his gaze and signaled for Kaiba to step forward. Kaiba peeled away from his hiding place and joined the older man by the railing. Standing next to him, the difference in their heights baffled Kaiba. The former Meijin used to seem so much larger than life, but he was shorter than Kaiba in reality.

"You shouldn't be out in public like this. It isn't safe," Kaiba said as he watched the festival grounds below. From up high, the people below scurried like ants.

"Thank you for your concern, Kaiba-kun, but I can take care of myself. You needn't worry about me," Yuuki smiled bright but soft. "It would be a waste to spend such a lovely day cooped inside."

Whatever, Kaiba wasn't Yuuki's keeper and he couldn't be held responsible for his safety. That was up to Adams and maybe Jounouchi.

They lapsed into not-quite-companionable silence. Looking at the other man though, a part of Kaiba envied how easygoing he seemed. These days, the cogs in Kaiba's brain constantly churned with plans and contingencies, trying to map out the next best move in a mental chess match against his Grand Master of a father. Quiet moments like now left him uneasy.

Yuuki broke the ice with a friendly grin. "Congratulations on being one of the two finalists, Kaiba-kun. I thoroughly enjoyed your battle with Kujaku-san."

Kaiba nodded absently. He had enjoyed it too. Kujaku proved to be a worthwhile opponent, and it felt good to let loose. In the future, he wouldn't mind facing Kujaku again.

Yuuki continued, "Please keep that spirit alive when you face Iori-kun and Reiji-kun. Show the people all over the world the joy of Gunplas."

A stray thought suddenly occurred to Kaiba. "Iori and Reiji, do they know you're the third-generation Meijin?"

"No, I would rather Iori-kun know me as an alumnus from his high school and an admirer of his father's. I'm happy they made it this far even if I don't get to battle them."

Kaiba studied the man in front of him, taking in his relaxed posture and the face untouched by animosity. He couldn't understand how Yuuki could speak so openly with him, the son of a man who tried to kill him for his position. He didn't fully trust his good-will and couldn't help but test its limit. "But you do want to battle them. If it wasn't for Gozaburo and everything else this past year, you would be their opponent in the final match."

Jounouchi would have scolded him if he was here.

"You flatter me, Kaiba-kun. Even if I were still Meijin, victory is never guaranteed." The corner of Yuuki's eyes crinkled as he chortled.

Kaiba laughed, hollow with disbelief. "You're a three time world champion hall-of-famer. Of course you'd win. Who else would?"

Yuuki sobered and his face became stern. "You have a lot of talent, Kaiba-kun. There's no denying it. But you must understand there's more to the title of Meijin Kawaguchi than winning. Takeshi-san, Iori-kun's father, taught me that 'Gunpla is freedom.' You can build it as you like. You can fight with it as you like. Build Gunpla as you think best and enjoy the battles to your heart's content. Gunpla gave me freedom and pleasure, and I wanted to help more people share in that pleasure. That was my purpose as Meijin Kawaguchi the Third."

"Then I have failed to uphold your legacy," Kaiba's lips thinned. Their conversation confirmed something that he'd suspected for a while. "But it won't matter soon."

Yuuki's eyes widened in alarm. "Kaiba-kun—"

He cut the man off and dipped into a full bow. "I am grateful that I have the chance to thank you in person for connecting me with your contact in England. My little brother will also thank you. Rest assured that I will bring this business with my father and the Kaiba Corporation to a close. They won't trouble you or PPSE anymore."

Yuuki stepped forward and grabbed a shoulder, holding him in place. "I am happy to help with the matter regarding your brother, but please consider how your actions affect others. Do not destroy yourself trying to beat them at their own game," he hissed forcibly through gritted teeth. Kaiba might have thought him furious if not for the concern written all over his face.

"That's where you're wrong, Yuuki-san." The use of the honorific stunned Yuuki and his grip slackened enough for Kaiba to back away. "I don't intend to play their game at all."

Yuuki stared, eyes narrowed and lips set in a grim line. After a few seconds, he stepped back and donned his hat. "I can't fathom what you have planned, but I can't convince you otherwise, can I?"

Kaiba was not going to back down. He was determined to end this on his own terms. "No, this is my battle to fight. I intend to forge my own path."

He bowed one last time and left Yuuki to his conflicted thoughts.

-x-x-x-

Jounouchi scowled at his phone. Kaiba was ignoring his calls. Where the hell did the bastard run off to? This was supposed to be their time and Kaiba was nowhere to be found. Jounouchi tried not to get too glum, but it felt like he was seeing less and less of his partner over the last few days.

Sighing, he lifted his device to compose a message. He slowly thumbed the characters in, clumsily weaving his way through the crowd. Someone yanked him back and saved Jounouchi from a nasty encounter with the grill of a food stall.

"What are you? Five?" A familiar voice scolded him.

Jounouchi threw an apology to the vendor before facing his savior. "Haha, sorry Chief, you saved my skin like always."

Allan ruffled Jounouchi's hair and sighed, "Jesus Christ, the bunch of you have me running around like some babysitter. Have you seen Tatsuya anywhere? I go to the restroom for one second and he disappears on me."

"You let him out of the hotel? What if Noa or someone else recognizes him?" Jounouchi screeched, then he clamped a hand over his mouth and glanced around suspiciously.

"He's wearing a disguise," Allan protested weakly.

Jounouchi raised a sarcastic eyebrow. "You mean that hat and scarf?"

"Hey, you try keeping Yuuki Tatsuya under house arrest for two weeks. If I don't come out with him once in awhile, he'll sneak out when my back is turned."

Jounouchi cringed. He remembered the hobby store incident after the qualifiers were finished. Allan was beyond pissed off when Jounouchi told him that he saw Yuuki at the shopping center's hobby store.

"How about we split up and look for him?" he offered. "I'm trying to find Kaiba anyway."

"So yours ran off too, huh?"

Jounouchi fought the heat rising in his cheeks at the word "yours." Allan quirked his head curiously and Jounouchi knew he failed.

The older man then sighed and clasped an arm around Jounouchi's shoulder. "Are you okay? We haven't spoken since you two came by the room. That Kaiba, he did not look pleased then."

"No, he wasn't. But we worked it out. We're good, I swear." Jounouchi smiled, hoping it would ease his mentor's concern.

"I gathered, but it's still good to hear you say it. You two are doing great in the tournament, reminds me of me and Tatsuya. I'm cheering for you two."

"We'll do you proud, Chief," Jounouchi swore as pride swelled in his chest. It earned him another bright and encouraging smile.

Allan perked suddenly, straightening and dropping his arm from Jounouchi's shoulder. "Ah, speak of the devil. Here he comes. Hello, Kawaguchi."

"Don't call me that in public, Adams," Kaiba growled as he stalked over. Several people scrambled out of his path like he was a rampaging monster. He came to a stop at Jounouchi's side and brushed fingers lightly against his wrist.

"Right, oops."

"If you're looking for him , he was last over there," Kaiba pointed to an overlook above them. "He might still be there if you hurry."

"Thank you!" Allan exclaimed in English and dove into the crowd. Jounouchi mentally wished him the best of luck tracking down his wayward partner.

Jounouchi peered curiously up at Kaiba. It seemed out of character for Kaiba to associate willingly with his predecessor. In all the time since Kaiba found out that Yuuki Tatsuya was alive, he didn't spend any time with him beyond that first meeting.

"What were you and Yuuki-san talking about?" When Kaiba didn't immediately respond, he added, "Secret Meijin things?"

"If I said idiot builders, would you believe me?"

"No, but it's sweet of ya to say so anyway."

Kaiba scoffed, but the annoyance slipped away and left fatigue in its wake. "I've had enough of crowds. Let's go somewhere quiet."

-x-x-x-

The rest of the week followed a similar pattern. Other than several hours in the afternoon, Jounouchi saw very little of Kaiba. Most of the time, he had to resort to emails for the slightest bit of communication.

After dragging himself out of his cold and lonely bed each morning, Jounouchi went to work on the Legilis. Kaiba picked him up around one for a late lunch and they wandered the festival together for a few hours. But come evening, Kaiba took off somewhere and Jounouchi wouldn't see him again until the next day, repeating yesterday's pattern.

When asked what the hell he was doing at those times, Kaiba became incredibly tight-lipped. "Stuff," he replied sarcastically at first or used some other wicked way to distract Jounouchi from his questions. But after Jounouchi asked enough times, "stuff" became a brusque "none of your business."

Before they got together, he would have forced a confrontation, but Jounouchi was reluctant to do that now. So he tamped down on his anger and wrote off Kaiba's strange behavior as stress over the upcoming finals. Kaiba would be back to his slightly less prickly self soon. At least, Jounouchi hoped.

Yet the night before the final battle, he stood alone in Kaiba's dark and empty hotel room, fighting a rising tide of terror inside. Kaiba's a big boy , he told himself, he can take care of himself. It wasn't as if they needed to be attached at the hip 24-7.

He called, but it went to voicemail after two rings. He sent a message next.

Where the fuck are you?

Jounouchi fell asleep in Kaiba's bed to an internal lullaby of "he'll be fine," surrounded by his scent. When his alarm went off in the morning, an email notification lit his phone's screen. Kaiba's reply came at almost four in the morning.

I'll see you at the stadium. Don't be late.

-x-x-x-

PPSE's security was laughable compared to the Kaiba Corporation's. All access points were controlled by card passes, the guards made their rounds once every two hours, and no department used biometrics. How incompetent were the people placed into PPSE by Noa and Gozaburo that Kaiba had to be the one to do this?

He checked the time. It was nearly 3:20 AM. The guards weren't due to come through Technical Sciences building for another 40 minutes.

Kaiba swiped the copy he made of Yuugi's ID card, holding his breath until the light turned green. The door unlocked with a clunk, and he slipped into the data room. According to Noa's blueprints, Technical Sciences stored all its information on internal servers with no access to the outside world. It meant they couldn't be hacked from the outside.

Kaiba planted himself in front of the nearest terminal and booted it up. When the screen prompted for a password, he entered it. The password was the hardest piece of his plan to obtain. It took him three days to phish one from the Technical Sciences staff through a series of spoofed emails masked as tech support. The terminal immediately accepted the password, and a window of the internal file system popped up.

He connected his external drive and began copying everything he could fit onto the disk.

Drumming his fingers against the tabletop, he glared at the progress bar as it crawled along. A glance at the security camera in the corner confirmed that it was still recording. No matter, he would be gone before anyone noticed.

With nothing else to do, Kaiba started browsing through the files. A new project had been added to the system six days ago, labeled EMBODY. When he opened the folder, a dossier of a blond man named Nine Barthes from the Flana Institute came up. It took Kaiba several moments to remember who he was. Barthes had been Aila's handler in the competition before her defeat. As he read further and further into the file, his eyebrows crept further and further into his hairline.

Human resonance with Plavsky particles? Was that even possible? According to the information provided by Barthes, Aila Jyrkiäinen possessed the unique ability to sense the Plavsky particles in motion. The Flana Institute subsequently developed the EMBODY system to scaffold her abilities, which boasted a prediction accuracy rate of 99.97 percent. It was as good as precognition. The helmet she wore was not for costume purposes, but housed the system that projected the particle visualizations on the HUD inside. If true, this would explain her inhuman speed and unfailing intuition throughout the tournament.

But that wasn't the most troubling part. Since acquiring the project, Technical Sciences was exploring other applications, namely emotional manipulation. Pairing the system with something called the Arista was supposed to allow one person to impose their will on another. A note at the end of the file indicated they were already close to successful human trials. Unbelievable— it was something out of a science fiction novel. Kaiba was sure of one thing: this was one file that absolutely could not fall into Gozaburo's hands.

His phone beeped and Kaiba gave a start. He was reading for longer than he meant to. He had five minutes to get out.

He disconnected the drive and pocketed it. He didn't get everything, but what he did should be more than enough to entice Gozaburo's greed. Before shutting down the terminal, Kaiba snapped a photo of the file system.

He encountered no resistance on the way out, but his heart still thundered in his chest.

Back in the safety of his car, he pulled out his phone to contact Noa. When he saw Jounouchi's message, he hesitated though. Jounouchi was going to be livid with him, but Kaiba would cross that bridge if he came to it. All that mattered was he would be able to bring everything to a close tomorrow.

First, he replied to Jounouchi and then he sent Noa the photo of the PPSE terminal.

Within ten minutes, Kaiba's phone rang. He answered and said without hesitation, "If Father wants his precious secrets, he'll meet with me in person in eight hours."

Hanging up, Kaiba leaned forward to rest his forehead against the steering wheel. He squeezed his eyes shut and laughed, suddenly dizzy from vertigo. There was no turning back— this was it. All of his other preparations were in place. In eight more hours, he would finally be free of Kaiba Gozaburo one way or another.