6.
Interlude
The next week, their home room teacher assigned them a partner for the year.
"This person will be your study partner, they will be who you do projects with, so get to know them well," said their instructor. "We have tried to pair boys with girls, and we have tried to make it so that you're not partnered with someone you're already friends with.
"The whole point of this exercise is to get to know your classmates better."
Yuugi looked down at her assigned slip of paper: Kaiba Seto.
She found him in the crowds of kids milling about the classroom. She knew who he was, of course. Fancy rich kid, ran a big company, child genius - only here on a technicality, because he had to be.
He was tall and lithely attractive, with brown hair that fell into deep blue eyes and pale skin. He sat there, unmoving, his arms crossed, staring at her expressionlessly.
"Kaiba Seto?" said Yuugi, trying for a smile. "I'm your partner."
"... Look," said Kaiba Seto at last. "I'll do all the work for our team. I don't particularly enjoy working with the flaws and frailties of other people."
"Well, that's too bad, because that's exactly what this project has assigned," Yuugi challenged. "Look, I'd personally rather be with one of my guy friends, but we've been assigned to work together, so - I need the good grade. I want to work in medicine."
Kaiba Seto's eyebrow rose, his first sign of life.
"You look surprised, Seto."
"Don't call me that."
"We'll be studying together for the entire year. You can't honestly expect me to call you Kaiba," said Yuugi, slumping in exasperation.
Seto said nothing for a moment. Then, "... If so, you should be glad I'm doing all the work."
"Huh?" Yuugi blinked in surprise.
"If you want to go into medicine, you'll need good grades. Me doing all the work virtually guarantees you that," Seto pointed out coldly.
"Yeah, but… It's a point of pride for me." Yuugi sighed, frustrated. What was wrong with this guy? "I want to be able to say I did my fair share of the work and I still got a good grade. Look, I'm not asking you for anything. I'm not asking you for money, even though I need money. I'm not asking to be invited over to your mansion; we can work in the school library. I'm not asking for you to do an unfair share of the work.
"I just want to be your class partner. I'm sure I'm not as smart as you, but I'm pretty smart. I think we can work through this… Seto."
Seto stared at her for a moment. "Fine," he said brusquely at last, going back to his book. "... Yuugi."