This is another simple one. Tied a bit more to the later chapters of the main story. Sort of. The main thing here is I wanted to explore how the Kaibas influence the city. I know the movie's got its own idea on what that means, what Seto Kaiba means to Domino City.

But I have my own plans.

I have my own ideas.

And this is one of them.


.


Seto Kaiba was very particular about what, and how, he ate. It was a known quantity to anyone who had ever shared a meal with him that he despised getting anything on his hands. He avoided finger foods at nearly all cost, and was known to use a fork on fries when pressed upon to eat them—which wasn't often.

Seeing him eat a burrito, with his hands, was an event typically filed in the same folder as a Bigfoot sighting.

Joey Wheeler, who took no issue with any such thing, plucked up a taco as he walked over and finished it in two bites. He chewed methodically, meditatively, as he stood next to his old nemesis and watched the people.

Eventually, he said: "Wouldn't have clocked you as a burrito man."

"I'm not," Seto said, wiping his mouth with a kerchief. "I lost a bet."

Joey blinked. "'Scuse me?"

"If Mokuba had a GPA of at least 3.5 on his latest progress report," Seto said, "then I would eat whatever the chef made for me, the way it's meant to be eaten, at our next event." He lifted up his burrito. "3.7. So. Here I am."

Joey chuckled. "Gotta support academics, or something. Good man. Good parenting." He waved a hand. "So? How is it? What's the verdict, Your Honor?"

Seto took another bite, chewed, then sighed as he closed his eyes. "It's magnificent," he muttered, clearly upset.

Joey tossed his head back and laughed.

Eventually, clearly against his own consent, Seto smiled.

"This spread is ridiculous," Joey said, gesturing. The food tables were filled to the brim. Hand-made tortillas, six different salsas, ten cheeses, eight meats, beans, rice; soups and stews. Tamales, chilaquiles, stuffed chiles. Churros, tres leches cake, empanadas, sopapillas.

"I don't go cheap on the catering," Seto said. "It's one of my strongest recruitment tools."

"I mean, food like this?" Joey had a pile of chips, which he'd probably stuffed into his pocket. "I'd work for ya."

Seto smirked. "This was Mokuba's idea." He gestured to the people tending to the tables. "One of his favorite restaurants has been struggling lately. Some gentrification stunt or something from local government. I don't care enough to check. But Mokuba decided the way to help out was to hire the place out to cater one of our events."

Joey chomped a chip and hummed as he chewed. "Good idea," he said. "Local joint?"

Seto nodded. "Out on Victory Parkway, next to the laundromat."

"Oh! Yeah! I know that place!" Joey frowned. "Wouldn't figure Mokuba would hang around there. That's Hirutani's territory, man. Dangerous to wander around on your own out there."

"Once he finds a place he likes," Seto said, "Mokuba refuses to let anything stand in his way. He's a creature of habit. Finding food he likes enough to keep going back to it has always been a . . . challenge." Seto turned his attention back to his meal for a moment. Then he said: "Support local businesses, right? Don't let the corporate overlords take over."

"Ain't you the corporate overlord?" Joey asked.

"Not willingly," Seto said. "In any case. I can't compete with this, and I don't intend to." He quirked an eyebrow at Joey. "I'm a decent cook, but I know my limits." Seto paused. "Is Kenzo Hirutani a danger to my family?" he asked, dangerously.

"Nah," Joey said, waving a dismissive hand. "He's a dumbass, but he ain't stupid."

"You're certain of this."

"Yup." Joey nodded. "I went 'n had words with him and his boys recently, see. Man's got no interest in tangoing with you or the Moku-man. Looks like he knows his limits, too."

"You have history with him," Seto said. It wasn't a question. "You know him well enough to speak with him personally."

"Yup." Joey nodded again. "I was one of his top guys, way back when. I still got some pull. Not enough to do much, but enough to get a word in with him."

"A rare talent," Seto said.

Joey winked. "I'm full'a surprises." He ate more chips. "I wonder what he'd think, knowin' you know his name. I don't think he'd be too happy with that. He always likes to keep a low profile with the big hats."

"I know every power player in my city," Seto said.

Joey pointed at Seto and waggled his finger. "See, this is why you're makin' moves. You know. Ain't too many who'd see Hirutani and see a 'power player.' I dunno if anybody's ever told you this, but you're pretty smart."

Seto chuckled. "I've heard that before. Never put much stock in it."