Chapter 3

Handouts and Threats

Ana glanced at the empty seat behind her. Yesterday, after Kaiba stormed out, their history teacher, Honda, a strict man with squinty eyes and glasses too big for his face, ran after him but couldn't catch up with the giant. I hope the reason he's absent is because of work and not what I said.

"Hey, Ana," Sanae whispered. "What happened between you and that guy? You've got your 'I wish I hadn't said that' face on."

Ana sighed. She knows me too well.

"I don't think I said anything that bad." Ana turned and looked out the window.

The last bell rang for the day, and people bolted for the door. Finally, nap time. Lately, Grandpa's morning training is getting harder.

"Sakurai-san."

Ana flinched, then slowly looked up at Honda. She had a hard time talking with this crotchety old man. Ever since she accidently fell asleep during one of his lectures, he seemed to have it out for her.

"Take these handouts to Kaiba-san," he commanded, not looking pleased about the situation.

Ugh, another nap time cut short.

"I don't know where he lives though," Ana protested.

"I'm going to tell you," he snapped. "It's on your way home."

Great, another walk. Ana didn't protest because she knew it wouldn't get her anywhere and took the handouts. Honda wrote out Kaiba's apartment number and handed it to her. This will be awkward, I was sure he didn't want anyone to know where he lived by his reaction the other day.

Trying to stall as long as she could, Ana meandered to his apartment hoping he wouldn't be home. Ana reached the tall modern building and stared up at the reflective glassy surface. Walking up to the door, she noticed the key card lock to get into the building. Of course, he would live in a place with top security. I wonder if he owns the building? The plaque on the door claimed Saido Corporation ran it. Oh! This is one of Mizuki's buildings. Ana wondered how her father's old friend was doing. She hadn't seen Mizuki since the last dinner party her parents hosted.

"Can I help you?" A deep male voice came from the small mic next to the door.

"Oh um, I'm just here to drop off some handouts for a student that—"

A buzzer went off, and the lock clicked open before she could finish explaining.

"Come on in."

Uh, should a place with strict security just let anyone in? Ana walked into the building and went to the desk where a sleepy middle-aged man with a mole on his nose sat reading a comic.

"Oh!" Ana recognized the guard. "Tachibana-san, how's your wife doing?"

Tachibana smiled up at her. "She's well. How's your grandfather?"

"As strict and strong as ever." Ana rubbed her sore shoulder; grandpa had thrown her into the ground that morning, and it still hurt.

Tachibana laughed, then pointed to the elevator. "Hop on in, I'll buzz you up."

Ana blinked. "Buzz me up?"

"You're here for that Kaiba kid, right?"

"Yeah, but I was hoping I could just leave the papers with you?"

Tachibana grinned lopsided and gestured to the elevator again. "Go on up, Ana-chan."

Eh, I bet he doesn't want to talk to Kaiba-san. Not that I can blame him. Ana sighed but walked into the elevator and watched Tachibana grinning mischievously as he buzzed the doors closed. The elevator took her all the way to the eighth floor before sliding open. Heading to the end of the hall she found apartment 808, but stood outside hesitating to knock. What am I afraid of? The worst he can do is kick me out. Knocking, Ana fidgeted uncomfortably, but nothing happened. No sounds came from the other side of the door. Is he not home? She tried rapping on the door a little harder this time. A loud crash came from inside the apartment and Ana dropped her bag in surprise. The top flew open, spilling her books and papers everywhere. Huffing, she bent down to pick them up right as Seto opened the door. He looked down at her, dark circles under his eyes and his face gaunter than yesterday.

"How did you get in here?" looking agitated, Seto snapped at her.

Ana ignored him as she picked up the rest of her stuff and shoved it back into her bag. Standing up, she thrust the handouts into his chest, forcing him to take them.

He didn't even glance at them. His eyes flashed as he glared down at her. "Who let you in? This building is a key entry only. Did the guard let you in? They should fire him for breaking the rules."

"Oh shut up, Amin-chan." Ana rolled her eyes for emphasis.

Seto ignored her and pulled out his cell phone. It seemed like he was going to inform the building manager. Ana gripped the handle on her bag tighter. Oh, he's asking for it now.

"Ah yes, I wanted to inform you that one of your employees let someone unauthorized into the build—"

Ana snatched the phone out of his hand and spoke in her best greet the guest voice, "Mizuki-oneechan, how have you been? How are the kids?"

Seto looked at her bewildered, then made a grab for his phone. Without losing a beat, she elbowed him in the gut; he made an humph sound and grabbed his stomach. She continued on with her conversation.

"Ana-chan! Are you the 'unauthorized' person?" The older woman chuckled on the other end of the line.

"Yes, I suppose. I was just bringing Kaiba-san some handouts from school," Ana smiled even though she didn't feel like it.

"Always smile; people can hear it in your voice on the phone." Her mother had drilled into her. Now, even if she was super depressed, she habitually smiled when talking on the phone.

"Oh, I see there's been a misunderstanding. Could you hand the phone back to Kaiba-chan, please?"

Chan! Ana tried not to laugh as she returned her phone to a scowling Seto.

He snatched it back and listened to the other end. "What no—that's not."

There was a beep on the other end, Seto pulled the phone down and glowered at it.

"How did you do that?" Seto snapped.

"What?"

"Make her disregard the building rules and not kick you out for trespassing!"

Ana groaned. "I was not trespassing. Mizuki-oneechan is the owner of the building, she can make up whatever rules she wants. Don't you do that for your company all the time?"

Seto ground his teeth. "Whatever, you can leave now."

Ana looked him up and down and then walked forward until there was only an inch in-between them. They were almost chest to chest.

"Are you trying to threaten me?" Seto's eyebrow twitched in irritation.

"You haven't eaten anything since the bread I gave you yesterday, have you?"

"That's none of your business."

"Frinkin' bat chins!" Ana threw her hands up and stomped on the floor at the same time. "Are you suicidal?"

"Of course not!" Seto didn't back down from the uncomfortable proximity.

"Why didn't you come to school today? Did you pass out from hunger?"

"No, I had to meet with someone this morning for work." Seto ticked his tongue against his teeth, annoyed about something other than her.

"Why didn't you come in the afternoon?"

"Because they pissed me off by not keeping the meeting and I wanted to get some work—this isn't any of your business!" Seto rubbed his eyes using the door to support himself.

"When was the last time you ate or slept?"

"That's none of your—"

Ana shoved a finger in his face. "You have stupidly made it my business. Who do you think will have to drop off handouts every time you miss school because you don't know how to take care of yourself?"

"Piss off. Who are you, my little brother?" Seto glared at her through watery eyes.

"Your little brother, the small one with the black hair? So, a 12-year-old is smarter than you?"

Seto finally backed up and went to close the door in her face. Ana slammed her foot against the door, forcing it to stay open.

"What the heck! What's your problem! You've dropped off the papers, now leave!"

Ana's knuckles were turning white. "Are you coming to school tomorrow?"

"If I feel like it. Not that it's any of your business."

"Let me restate. You're coming to school tomorrow. I don't have time to drop off your damn handouts."

"Nobody asked you too—" Seto's breath grew shallow.

"Don't you dare!" Ana forced the door open, grabbed his shoulders and shoved him to the ground before he could pass out.

This idiot!

"Stupid, idiot, imbecile! Even a maggot knows when to eat!"

Seto put his head in his hands, obviously not listening to her. Ugh! Ana stood up and scanned the room. It was a small studio apartment with just a bed, a bookshelf and a coffee table. Closing the door, she went over to the compact kitchen. Inspecting the fridge, she found it was full of food to cook. He had touched nothing in the fridge. Searching the kitchen, she found all the latest culinary gadgets. Pulling out a brand name kitchen knife, she admired the sheen before retrieving ingredients from the fridge.

Glancing over at Seto, she found he was sitting at the coffee table where his tablet was but he had his head in his hands not moving. Guess he's out of energy to argue. Let's see, what would be good on a deprived stomach? Ana inspected the high-quality ingredients stocked in his fridge. I'm betting he didn't buy these. She decided a vegetable soup would be light and healthy.

"You know you're trespassing, I could call the cops," Seto mumbled.

Ana turned around in the middle of chopping vegetables. "Did you say something?"

Seto had pulled out his phone, but he took one look at her and froze. He put the device down on the table and stared off into space. What was that about? That was when Ana realized she was holding up the shiny sharp kitchen knife. Oh... Eh, whatever. Ana finished up with the soup and found a nice set of ceramic bowls in his cabinet. Carefully filling up the bowl, she walked it over to him and set it on the table; she sat down next to him and stared at him.

"Eat." Ana pointed at the soup forcefully, like she was scolding a child.

"No." Seto tried to scowl at her, but his stomach betrayed him growling loudly. "I don't eat food prepare by people I don't trust."

"Yeah, because I'm totally going to poison or roofie you, right?" Ana rolled her eyes but stopped when Seto looked at her suspiciously. "Oh, for pete's sake."

Ana grabbed another spoon and took a bite of the soup in front of him. Yum, not bad if I say so myself. Seto wasn't satisfied until he retrieved himself a different spoon than the one she originally brought him. Paranoid prick. Seto finally took a small bite but reflexively coughed when it entered his mouth. Most of the soup ended back up in the bowl and splattered onto the table. Some of it got on her shirt. She snatched a napkin and dabbed at the soup while scowling at him.

"That's your fault for not eating for a long time." Ana glared at him. "I didn't put anything in it to make you cough."

"I know." Seto shakily took another bite of the soup and swallowed this time.

Hmmm? I expected more resistance. Maybe he's too hungry to argue anymore. He slowly ate the entire thing when he finally put the spoon down, his eyes glossed over as he fought off sleep.

"Alrighty, make sure to come to school tomorrow." Ana stood up and grabbed her bag.

"If I feel like it," Seto growled.

Ana smiled at him evilly. "Amin-chan, would you like me to tell everyone in the class where you live?"

Seto went a little pale. Oh, I wasn't expecting such a serious reaction. I wonder what happened in the past. Not that anyone in class really cares where he lives.

"That would be an invasion of privacy. You're already trespassing, I could have you arrested." Seto stood up and looked down on her.

"Ooohhh scary. I'm sure I could talk my way out of that."

"How so?"

Ana looked up at him, thinking about the best way to phrase it. Finally, she stuck her finger in his face. "Because unlike you, Amin-chan, I understand the importance of networking. There's not a soul in this city I can't persuade to do what I want."

Seto snorted and placed his hand on his hip. "You're including me in that?"

"You? Ha! I could take you down in a heartbeat. After all, someone who doesn't eat or sleep has no strength to fight back when assaulted."

Seto's eyes flashed, and his mouth tightened. Oops, I said too much again. He didn't make a comeback remark, there was fear in his eyes.

"Wait." Ana's mouth dropped open as she stared at him, astonished. "You seriously didn't consider that possibility when you started over working yourself? Grief, you're stupid."

"I am not dumb! I make world changing tech all the time," Seto snapped at her.

Ana smiled sweetly. "But you don't even know how to feed yourself? Are you a 2-no, 1-year-old? So, who changes your diaper? I was so sure being potty trained is a requirement for public school."

"GET OUT!"

Ana pulled out her phone and typed something in.

"What are you doing?" Seto walked forward and tried to snatch her wrist.

Ana dodged effortlessly. "I'm putting your address in the class group chat. Since you won't be coming to school, I'm going to see if they'll take turns coming to drop off your—"

Seto slammed his hands on the wall on either side of her, his eyes on fire. "You do that and I'll make your life a living hell."

Ana burst out laughing, much to Seto's annoyance. "You? Make my life a living hell?"

Ana put her foot through his legs and hooked the back of his knee, making it buckle. Slamming her palms on his chest, the force sent him the rest of the way to the ground. Seto sat on his ass looking up at her stunned.

"Amin-chan." Ana bent down to look at him on the same level and smiled politely. "When you threaten someone, make sure you can back it up."

"I didn't mean I'd hurt you physically," he clarified.

Ana snorted. "You're threatening my livelihood then. Amin-chan, I could bankrupt your company in a couple months."

Seto paused, then glared at her. "What sort of bull is that?"

"Amin-chan, unlike you, I make threats I can back up."

Seto stared at her baffled. She stood up and held up her phone. "Tomorrow, come to school or I'll send your address to the class. And bring yourself a damn lunch!"

Ana turned, and without another word left the apartment. She had to resist laughing as she closed the door on Seto, who was still on the ground, the most dumbfounded look of his entire lifetime plastered on his face.