A very well-dressed man walked down the hallways of what appeared to be a big and nice decorated building. The man carried a silver platter to a door, which he proceeded to knock.
"Ma'am, it's me. I bring your breakfast, as it appropriate for me to step in and leave the platter?"
The man stood there, patiently showing absolute professionalism as a butler until a female voice before he cleared his throat and knocked the door once again. Keeping his serene and educated tone. Though raising his voice, a bit more in case he wasn't heard.
"Ma'am? Your breakfast is here."
That's when his calling was finally responded by a young female voice that came from the room. "Ah, I'm sorry, Dean! Yes, you may come in" In both a hurried and apologetic tone.
Dean then opened the door and made his way into a big room, which matched the elegance and style of the hallway. A pair of large windows with great and fine curtains, a royal bed that was unmade and the finest form of the usual furniture one would find in a high-class bedroom. Inside the room there was another door that was halfway open.
The butler simply left the food on one of the ample night tables beside the bed.
"I shall leave your breakfast here, ma'am, if there is anything you need, I'll be of your assistance." said the butler, to which he was soon replied by.
"Oh, it's fine, thank you. It smells delicious, can even catch the scent from here!" The voice responded cheerfully. Then a teenager leaned over the door. She wore a red, high neck, sleeveless top, a pair of white shorts, she seemed to yet be on her bare feet. Her expression showed both a bit of embarrassment, probably from feeling guilty about making the butler wait at her door, and worry. She walked into the room, while holding her long, blonde, headlocks, trying to find the perfect rhythm between being careful enough with it and being quick. It wouldn't take much to guess that the girl was getting ready to go out, and wasn't finished.
She let out a sigh while sitting down on the bed and reached out to lid and reveal a simple breakfast. A cup of tea, of fine quality, toast, and hard-boiled eggs.
"Planning on going out today, miss Haruko?" Dean asked.
The girl reached to one of the slices of toasted bread and gave it a bite. While she was munching it.
"Mmm… yes" Then she swallows and clear her throat "… I… Will meet with some friends at Domino Plaza, likely spend the afternoon together."
The man nodded, "Ah, making every second count before the start of the semester, I see."
The girl then simply looked aside, avoiding looking at the butler for a moment "Yeah… you could say that" Then quickly glanced back at him showing a big smile before taking a bite of her toast
Dean just stood there, saying nothing and nodding at her with a smile on his face. Choosing not to argue with her. Both of them remaining in silence for a moment, before he broke that silence stating "It's never easy…"
Then, the young lady responded, "I know…" Then paused to take a sip of her tea, "It will likely be our last time together for real. Some of the girls are moving to different prefectures. And then others might just go to specialized schools, making it harder for each of us to keep contact over time…"
Dean closed his eyes and interceded, "If… I may, ma'am. You are reaching to conclusions rather early. What will happen between you and your friends after this, is just a mystery. One that is up to time to uncover, you could have the pleasant surprise of staying in touch with all of them, even after being separated."
Haruko hung her head back with a tired smug on her face, "There you are again…" She chuckled, "… never losing a moment to try, and make me feel better."
The butler then closed his eyes, with a gentle movement bowed before her, "My most sincere apologies if I stepped over the line, ma'am."
Haruko closed her eyes and shook her head, "No need to, I do feel a bit better… it's just… I guess I'm too prone to change lately, and at times, I struggle to keep up with them…" Then looked at him with a curious expression on her face, "I guess it's hard to understand, right?"
"I understand perfectly." His eyes narrowed, almost closed. "It's a strange pressure that makes you uneasy and feeling like you need to play catch up with everything and everyone around you."
Haruko looked at the man, surprised by his words, "How did you…?"
"Unfortunately for me…" The man replied, "Time was not in my favor as it is with you, ma'am. You may say that I had no other choice but, pardon my expression, wing it and walk it off".
"Well… that's not all that encouraging" Replied the girl, with her head slightly tilted and a worried look on her face.
A gentle smile spread on the man's face, then replied, "Of course ma'am, but remember that my situation was different from yours. You can always rely on others who will help you in times of adversity. A luxury I didn't have, and you must use."
Haruko just remained in silence, giving thought to the man's words; however, it was clear that the was no more room for words, at least on that moment. That's why Dean excused himself before leaving the room, leaving her to collect her thoughts and reflect in what her told her.
As she did so, Haruko got dressed up and ready with a pair of high boots and socks that matched with the rest of her outfit. Gathered her belongings, and then got out her room and walked down one of the elegant hallways of the mansion, heading to the main hall. Along the way, she'd be greeted by the different servants working for the family, returning those greetings in kind. At the main hall, she was about to head down the stairways before a voice stopped her.
"Hey sis."
"Eh!" She was startled for a moment before turning around, and looking at a young boy with short, black hair, grayish purple eyes. "Oh! Good morning, Mokuba". Haruko turned around and gave a small, embarrassed smile while eyeing him up at down, noticing his clothes and asking, "Taking the day off?"
The boy showed a prideful smirk on his face, "Well, these were a busy couple of days. Everyone needs to rest at some point. I only wish Seto shared that opinion and took a bit more care of himself in that regard…"
"Working overnight again?" She asked, letting go, a bit of a defeated sight. "Well, it's not in my place to tell him what to do and what not…"
"Hey stop that!" The boy exclaimed, with a more serious look on his face and both hands held by his waist, "You are not an outsider. Stop putting yourself in that spot. It was my brother who brought you in, and by now you know that I fully support Seto."
Haruko then glanced a side, with her head down a bit, "I know, and I couldn't be any more grateful… it's just… Everything changed so fast for me… and still is".
"That might be, but at some point, you have to come to terms of not being just an extra of sorts in this house." Then crossed his arms, nodding to himself, "Just like I have and consider you my new big Sis!" Then chuckled while showing a childish grin on his face.
"That… still sounds a bit weird…" She replied, showing a small smile.
"Yeah, I guess it does a bit…" The boy replied and both remained in silence for a while, before eventually breaking out in laughter simultaneously. Mokuba would lean forth holding his ribs and pointing at her "hey… haha don't laugh, I'm try- I'm trying to get used to it as well!"
Haruko on her part would also reply in the same fashion, "I-I'm sorry, It was just so… hilariously awkward!" Continuing like that for a couple of seconds before finally both step siblings manage to quiet down their laughs.
"Well, at least I got you to laugh and genuinely smile. But remember that you are not alone in all this process." He'd stop for a moment, shrugging and lifting an arm, while the other remained by his waist. "We are all getting used to it, like I said before. And I may not know exactly what did Seto see in you to make the choice, but there is one thing that I'm certain."
"And what is that?" The girl asked as she wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes after that laughter. Motioning her step-brother to tag along as she walked down the stairs.
Mokuba did so and continued explaining his thoughts on the matter. "I'm sure he did it with the best intentions. He naturally does have a softer side for orphans, children particularly. Both of us know what is to go through that at that age." He stops for a moment, shifting his look-up as he remembers, "It's easier for him to relate. The extent he went for you, I think brother saw something in you. Something special enough that moved him to act."
The girl hummed in thought, replying, "I wonder what's that something, though…" She'd then sigh.
Mokuba just looked at her for a moment before asking "So, going out?"seeking to change the conversation topic and avoid bringing her mood down once again.
The step-sister blinked, "Huh? Oh, yeah, I am! I'm going to meet with my friends from school, might be the last good chance we have before the new semester" Then after giving it a bit of thought she asked "Wait, you said you are taking a day off. Why don't you come along?"
Mokuba, naturally shocked by the offer, replied, "Wait, with you and your friends?"
To which the girl nodded with a smile, "It will be fun, come on, what do you say?"
"Hanging around with you and the girls…" The young boy slowly gazed up thinking things through, and zoning out as his imagination, he could hear the giggling and laughter of all the girls from Haruko's group. Then crossed his arms, keeping his eyes closed and a smirk on his face as he tried to stay cool; however, he couldn't help to blush a little at the thoughts.
Haruko just stared at him with her eyes narrowed and letting go a disappointed sigh before asking, "Mokuba…?"
Then the boy shook his head getting a grip of himself quickly replying "You know, I'm it would be a great time… but I think I'll stay here." Then points over his shoulder with his thumb, "I have to keep an eye on brother after all" winking at her playfully.
She chuckled before replying, "Alright, alright. I'd like if we could go out some time, the three of us." Then she would walk up to the door and head outside, closing the door behind her.
"The three of us, huh?" Mokuba repeated "Yeah, that would be nice, it has been already tough enough with only the two of us…" As he turned around to head to a different wing of the manor, a realization hit him which made him smile, "But hopefully, you'll be my backup when I try to get brother off work for a bit."
Outside,walked across the massive yard and garden that separated the manor from the front gates. While the option of having a driver take her to the plaza was an open option for her, Haruko opted against it. With Mokuba turning down the offer, she would take the chance to be alone and away from the Kaiba manor for a bit.
She needed that time to think and try to settle her mind with the idea of this, being her new life. It wasn't going to be easy, but she had to move forth for her better sake.
The trip to the center was uneventful, and while she spent a good portion of it lost in her thoughts and reflecting with all the things happening in her life now, and the changes that have been going on. A mixture of feelings constantly going in her anger, pain, regret, sadness, fear, thoughts, and memories that brought those feelings up.
Before she could realize, she had already gotten off the subway and was at Domino Plaza station. Haruko then made the usual effort to keep those thoughts at the back of her mind and simply enjoy the moment that was ahead, one last afternoon with her friends.
Leaving the station, Haruko headed over to the meeting point, the fountain with the clock at the center, and much to her pleasure, some of her friends were already there, prompting her to hurry herself to them.
"Rika, Saori!" yelled at them while running.
The girls would turn their attention to Haruko and quickly would raise their arms and wave at her, yelling back and greeting her cheerfully.
"It's great you could come! We just got a call from Miki and Kanako, they are still on their way here, but they missed a bus, so they might be delayed." One of the girls said.
"What about Akemi?" Haruko asked.
Both of her friends shrugged, "Haven't heard from her or Miwa since last night. They said they'd come, so here's hoping they didn't change their minds at the last minute, or something else happens and keeps them out of our day here." Rika paused for a moment, "I also just got a text from Sayuri, she is on her way as well, shouldn't take long before she arrives."
The blonde girl sighed and repeated in agreement with her friends, "Here's hoping…" Then looked at them, "Should we do something meanwhile, or would you rather just hang around here and wait?"
"Let's go get a couple of drinks!" Saori suggested, "We can always come back and drink them here while we wait." And so, they did.
The girls headed over to some bending machines that were close to a Café, each of them getting a refreshment for each other and then going back and wait for the others while they shared that moment together. Small chatter, gossip, and the like kept them entertained, specially Haruko, these moments were some of the ones she appreciated the most to experience. And those moments were about to be more complete for her, as over time Miwa, Akemi, Miki and Kanako would join them.
There they were, the whole 'gang' together for one last time. One last afternoon together that worked like a last ride, an encore to all they had once started at prep-school and carried on through it. Even though Haruko had been the last one to join that group of friends, they grew close rapidly, making her feel as if she had been with them through that entire ride. They kept her focused on the here and now, every single time they got, together; helped forget all the conflicts that she was experiencing. Some of which her friends were aware of, and have since worked as a support for her. Their moment continued while they enjoyed a meal at Otogi's café and having a pleasant chatter among each other.
"… So Saori and I were at the station the other day…"
She was usually the last one to join the conversations that took place in the group, being part of her joy seeing and listening the different exchanges her friends had. Almost spacing off from time to time, probably because of embracing that peace of mind these moments brought to her. Soon the group was giggling and laughing again.
"… He looked like some rocker or something, a tough guy looks!" One of them said, while the other added onto the story, "Yes, but it was funny seeing him so lost while trying to look like that."
"Should've talked to him, maybe ask him out!" another one said, teasing the former before the group started laughing again with one of them exclaiming back "Oh please, you'd surely ask-out somebody literally packing their luggage! He could be gone from Domino for all we know. That's so you, though…"
The day then carried on with a lively mood among the group. Even when the topic of some of them switching schools, or moving to different prefectures, the girls worked around to turn what could be a sour farewell into one last bang. A visit to the shopping mall, followed by the arcade and the cinema. It was a day that Haruko wished she could simply stay in, forever. Just freeze time and let those feelings stay there with her, and let everything else go away. But then again, that would also bring some bitterness to her. For that would mean nothing more than an easy solution, a mere small fix through a fantastic escape from reality. And she was not one to escape or back down before adversity, or at least that's the kind of person she was trying to set herself to be. She accepted that each passing moment lead them closer to the end of their time together.
Before Haruko could realize, afternoon had come, and they were wrapping things up and heading over to a bus station where some of the girls would take their live. None of the girls wanted to drag things further than what was necessary. Specially her. With last goodbyes being exchanged, the group began to go on their ways. Haruko knew she shouldn't simply lay on the pain of some get friends just going away; as there were others who would remain close to her since Rika, Sayuri and Saori are going to join her in high school at Domino High. Yet still, this was another change she had to get used to, her group of friends growing smaller, and just hope that it wouldn't grow even smaller.
Eventually, things would lead up to her being the last one left around the city center.
"What now…" She sighed, wandering around the city, and wondering what the new semester would await for her. With the distractions gone, she was now again falling deep into her thoughts and just moving almost like in autopilot. Managing to even be able to respect the traffic lights at a crosswalk, the crowds gathered. The girl crossed along with the rest of the passers-by, yet something stopped her right at the opposite side of the sidewalk. A strange feeling that managed to snatch her away from those thoughts that were taking over her again, and let her focus on the present.
"What…?" That's all she could mutter, over her shoulder, then around. Wondering what was that, she felt, yet all she could see behind and around her were just people coming and going. She stopped there for a moment before simply deciding that it was time for her to go back home, yet her journey back was a bit calmer than the previous that same day. No thoughts that involved her sentiments of fear, regret, anger, or fear… just curiosity. She just wondered about that odd feeling that brought peace to hear once again, that same peace that she felt when she was with all her friends. On her way to her bus' stop, the young teen came across a scene which made her just slow her phase and circle around it. Said scene was a girl with pink hair, shorter than her, pushing a man out of a store.
"A bet is a bet; you lost that duel so your time here for today is over Goro. Be a good sport already!"
The kid who was wearing an outfit that was actually familiar to Haruko, and thus made things a lot more awkward to watch as he passed by, replied back with "No way that was a fair and square duel, I'm tellin' you he was cheating!"
Haruko just watched in silence but made sure to move away quickly and be back on her way, after she was far enough from them, she'd start laughing at the image of that boy in Seto's outfit.
She arrived home by the time the sun had already set. The guards at the manor quickly recognized her and grant her passage, while also reporting her arrival to the personnel inside. By the time she reached the main door, Dean was already standing there, awaiting her.
"I'm sorry, I should've arrived earlier, I know!" Said Haruko in an apologetic tone.
"While I do agree with that statement, ma'am." The man sighed while adding, "It was actually master Seto's words who kept us a bit longer from going out and look for you".
The girl blinked, changing her expression from worry to surprise, "W-wait, did he?"
The man nodded and replied, "he told us that you needed time by yourself, and we should grant you that. Moreover, he ensured us you were okay. I'd beg to question his certainty, but that usually doesn't end up well given his personality. Even at his current state."
"Is he alright?" She quickly asked, stepping closer to Dean.
"Well, he is better. But he lost his strength and almost collapsed again." The man turned towards the mansion's door, "I'm aware his extreme work ethic has always been demanding, but we have never seen him experience this as of-"
"Where is he!?" Haruko asked, getting ready to rush inside, half waiting for Dean's answer.
"Uh-He… he must be already back in his office, so I'd ad- Miss Haruko wait!" Dean exclaimed as Haruko simply rushed in as soon as she heard where Seto was.
The girl ran through the hallways, dodging the servants that were around before finally reaching to Seto's office and making her way in without even bothering to announce herself or knocking beforehand. Once inside, Haruko saw a surprised Mokuba looking at her, and his elder brother Seto Kaiba. The girl simply tried to catch her breath from her sudden rush while looking at them.
"Well, if you are planning to just barge your way in, you could at least close the door behind you." The elder brother said, with both his cold tone of voice and his typical snarky personality.
Haruko, by now, had gotten used to that side of Seto, she detested it and choose to ignore it rather than antagonizing and picking a fight against him. So, she simply closed the door and walked towards the desk, "What happened, is everything alright?" Then closed her eyes, knowing that he would most likely dismiss her worries, and just looked at Mokuba. Staring at her with her worried eyes, not saying a word, but letting it clear that he wanted him to answer her.
Mokuba then replied, "It was a little after midda-"
"It's nothing!" Seto exclaimed, keeping his arms folded and eyes closed, "I just pushed myself too far recently. I was feeling weak, now I'm not—that's all. Thank you very much, now if you are done, I'd kindly like to be left on my own and get back to work."
"That's all?" Haruko asked, being clearly annoyed, "THAT'S ALL?!" Her fists clinched and grinning her teeth at how he could hold that attitude.
Mokuba quickly sought to stand between them, raising his hands in front of his step-sister, "H-hey wait, calm down Haruko."
"No, I can't. This has been a constant since I arrived to this house. You may have granted me this new life, but that doesn't mean I can overlook the obvious!" Then she stepped closer, forcing Mokuba to step back a little, the poor boy now sweating a bit from his forehead. "I could and can overlook if you so desire to let you be and let you slowly destroy yourself with whatever project you've been working on since even before I got here!" The girl brought both fists in front of her chest, as if she was pulling strength from within to keep that high tone of voice, "I am both oblivious and uninterested in knowing what is that thing you always look at your computer screen and those codes you and your brother write!" Kept yelling as he pointed at a laptop at the side of the man, in an angle that it was clear enough, even for those in front of the desk, to see what was displayed on screen. "As far as I know, I wouldn't choose to have anything with something that takes over someone's life to this level. But the one thing I can't overlook…" Then she took another step forward, Mokuba quickly moving a side before she slammed both her palms on Seto's desk. "… is that you are creating the perfect circumstances for a tragedy to happen, and leave Mokuba alone. Have you forgotten the feeling of losing someone already?! Because I'm sure your brother hasn't, and neither have I!"
Seto, through all her ranting, wasn't phased in the slightest. He did, however, show enough respect to her step-sister to not interrupt nor take his eyes off her. Leaving apparent that he was paying attention to what she was screaming, and he was listening to each and every word. However, his pulse did change a beat when she brought Mokuba in the equation, as he let go a silent grunt and only pressed his fingers on his folded arms. His eyes glanced over to Mokuba for a moment, simply looking down, nervous. His eyes then focused back on Haruko, and that's when he slightly rose his eyebrows up. He saw tears running down her face, yet her anger was still in display.
"I get it, I'm just the step-sister, or whatever you want to call me. I don't care. But you two really must have truly open up to each other… excuse me!" Followed by that, the girl turned around and stormed out while wiping her tears. However, one could faintly hear from the other side of the door, her cry moving away from there.
There was, then, a very awkward silence between both brothers "Maybe I should…" said the younger, before he was promptly interrupted by Seto.
"Say your piece." The tall man looked at this brother before adding, "If there is any truth in her words, then I want you to say it now, Mokuba."
"What can I say?" the boy said in a worried tone, "You know I was against that test you carried on after the exhibition match against Yugi." Then sighed, adding, "I choose to support you as I always did because I trust you and because you are the only family I have. But that obsession with the spirit of the pharaoh… you pushed things too far."
"I told you I'd be back, didn't I? And here I am, in one piece." Seto refuted his brother
That's when the kid clutched his fists and exclaimed at his elder, not going as far as Haruko did, though. "Seto, you were in a coma for a month!" Then, there was another moment of silence between both of them. "It was the worst I've felt in a long time, I thought I had lost you for good. I urged you against testing it with yourself, but that resolve to prove yourself as the best… who is that for even. Yourself, the pharaoh, Me? I already think you are the best!" Mokuba kept gesturing with his hands as he spoke, "You always looked after me, and protected me. Whenever I was in danger, you didn't think even twice in going for my rescue. In our lowest moment, you pulled us both through. There is nothing more to prove to me. So, at this point, everything is about you!"
"It's not just about you, or the Pharaoh. But about sending a message for everyone. It's about making it known to the world what the name Kaiba is. It has been left clear already that we are not related to war and destruction like our 'dear' step-father sought to do so." Seto stated as he stood up from his seat and looked over the large window behind him. "Now, the goal is letting the world know that our name is tied to excellence. Kaiba Corp will push and breakthrough new advances in technology and entertainment with our Solid Vision equipment. And it is only natural that I must abide by the same standards, by truly becoming the top Duelist there is and ever was, I too shall abide to the excellence I demand!" Said Seto, holding his fist in front of him, while thinking about his vision for their future and Kaiba Corp's
"But what's the point if you throw your life away in the process?" Mokuba replied, before then turning around and heading to the door, as he held the handle the younger brother sighed and added "I will still support you, Seto. But that doesn't mean I will truly think it is the best to push things as far as you did last time. I will fear losing you, every single time." Then he opened the door, saying, "Just like you never turned your back on me, I won't turn mine on you."
Mokuba finally left the room, leaving his brother alone. The office was then mostly taken over by silence, altered only by one or another notification sound coming from the computer on his desk. One of his servants would later come bringing some tea for their master, making that the only contact he had with another person for the rest of the night. The man eventually sat on his chair, reflecting on the things that happened that day. And the undeniable reality that his transcendence to the afterlife had taken a toll on him, and hasn't yet fully recovered.
That, in addition with a bigger matter during that event, made him look at the laptop he had, displaying a 3D recreation of the cube, several lines of codding being written clearly by some sort of programmed algorithm. His stare lasted for several minutes, before finally letting go a long sigh and close his eyes, then reach out to the portable computer and pull down the case, closing it shut.
Author's Note: Alright, chapter 4 is here. And as you could see the introduction of a new character. In the following chapters I will start doing some adjustments in the way I write and present things in the story I want to take this moment to thank ChroniclerDL for this feedback and observations. And thank you all once again for the time you'll take reading this new chapter, any future feedback sent to me. Hope you enjoy it and wish you all a good weekend. Take care and until next week.
