Chapter 32:

Stalking and Favors

I'm never doing that again. His arms throbbed as he sat in class. He kept them propped on the desk, but he couldn't move his fingers without feeling pain. Well, whatever. I finished the takeover. Ha! They were so pathetic that I didn't even need my hands… Never again. When she suggested it, I thought it might relieve some boredom, but I got so focused I lost track of time. Seto watched the back of Ana's head and frowned. Did she realize that her statement would make me feel competitive, or was she just annoyed?

Class dragged on. Why is this place so boring? The teachers took advantage of the fact he wasn't on his tablet and made him answer questions. They got more annoyed when he answered right, which was every time. Don't call on me then, you third rate educators if you don't want the answers. When class was finally over, Arata skipped up to him. Ugh, why the heck does this kid keep trying to talk to me?

Sanae and Ana left together.

"Hey, Kaiba-san—" Arata started.

"No." Seto didn't even give him a chance to ask.

He seemed startled. "But—"

"I don't care what you're going to ask. Buzz off." Seto snapped.

One of the other guys chimed in. "I told you. Don't bother with him, Arata-kun."

A student in Arata's group with short black hair and buck teeth smirked at Seto. "Kaiba-san, I'm surprised you stood in the hall and typed with your foot. If it was me, I would have died from embarrassment."

"To be embarrassed, I'd have to give a shit what any of you thought and I couldn't care less." Seto rolled his eyes.

The group glared at him, but Arata calmed them down and they left. Seto was the last one in the classroom. He stood up and tried to lift his arms. It hurt, but he could move them somewhat after letting them rest for the last few classes. Sanae reentered the room and walked over to him.

"Hey, Kaiba-san."

"What? Does everyone want to pick a fight with me today? What the frick' do you want?" Seto growled, not in the mood to deal with anymore shit.

Sanae rolled her eyes and ignored his question. "Ana can't walk home alone. I normally take her home, but I have swim practice. Walk her home so she doesn't have to wait on me."

"Are you ordering me around?" Seto crossed his arms and ignored the throbbing as he glared down at her.

Sanae didn't seem impressed. "I'm not afraid of you, Kaiba-san."

"Huh?" His eye twitched.

Sanae shrugged. "Well, you saved my best friend's life because you like her. So, you can't be all that bad. You're just a big awkward baby dragon with a foul mouth."

Seto nearly choked. "I'm what? What makes you think I like Sakurai-san?"

"She told me, and I guessed it a long time ago." Sanae tilted her head. Her dark bob swished to the side, her eyes not the least bit fearful. "Do you not want to walk her home?"

Damn it.

"I never said that, but I'm certainly not going to let you order me around."

Sanae huffed, appearing exasperated. "Awkward baby dragon, can't you at least be honest with yourself."

"Where did you even hear that phrase from?" Seto glared. He'd made it up on the spot when he'd called Ana that.

Sanae raised an eyebrow. "Ana called me that in class the other day. The phrase became popular after that and it's spread through the school. Someone even posted it on social media and it's a trending phrase right now."

That's really annoying. That was just supposed to be a phrase between us.

"Well, if you can stop being weird, Ana's hanging out in the library right now. I have to get to practice. Bye." Sanae ran away before he could say anything more.

He let out a sigh and gathered up his stuff before heading to the library. Ana was sitting in a corner doing homework. When she looked up and saw him, she seemed surprised.

"What do you want, Amin-chan?" Ana asked, confused.

"You're annoying friend said you needed someone to take you home."

Ana didn't seem to please by this. "Did she? And you whole heartedly agreed?"

Seto rolled his eyes. "When have I ever whole-heartedly done anything?"

"Duel monsters?"

He groaned, and she laughed at his reaction. To his surprise, she packed up her stuff.

"Let's go then." Ana walked away and left the library. Seto followed her.

When they got outside, they headed to the gate.

He commented, "I thought you'd say no."

"I have something I want to ask yo—ugh." Ana stopped and groaned as she looked at the gate.

Following her gaze, he spotted a gangly guy with dark brown hair. When he spotted Ana, he waved and grinned like an idiot. Who's this dipshit? Seto looked down at Ana, who wasn't hiding her displeasure. She let out a sigh and headed for the guy. He followed and sized up the guy as he went. My arms feel like jelly, but I bet I can take him.

"Genji-sempai, aren't you supposed to be back at university today?" Ana asked.

Seto glanced back down at Ana. She'd put on a poker face, but she certainly wasn't smiling. Her eye was twitching slightly.

Genji didn't seem to notice her irritation at all. "I don't have classes Monday. I thought that we could do something together after you got out of school. I know you're having a hard time deciding, so I thought if we hung out you might decide sooner."

"Genji-sempai—"

"Does Karaoke sound fun? We could go out to eat after." Genji was ignoring her.

Ana tried again. "Genji-sempai, that's a little—"

"Oh, we could even go to the mall. What do you think?" He grinned at Ana, who looked like she was ready to hit the guy in the face.

"It seems you don't really care what she thinks since you won't shut up and let her answer," Seto spoke up and the guy finally looked at him for the first time.

Genji blinked and then looked surprised. "You're Kaiba Seto! I heard you were going to our school last year, but you transferred out before I could meet you. I'm—"

"I don't give a shit who you are." Seto crossed his arms then glanced at Ana. "This guy seems annoying, why haven't you hit him yet?"

"Amin-chan, not everyone is an ass like you." Ana sighed.

Genji frowned at Ana. "Sakurai-san, harsh language isn't appropriate for a young lady."

Seto turned to Ana who was smiling, but her eyes were cold, and her mouth was twitching. She really hates this guy. I can see why though. Wait, is this the guy who confessed to her?

"Anyway, I'm a huge fan Kaiba-sama. Can I take a picture with you?" Genji asked excitedly.

They stood there in a moment of awkward silence. Seto burst out laughing.

"Haha, he says he's my fan." Seto enjoyed the annoyance on Ana's face.

"Shut up Amin-chan or I'll smack you again." She threatened.

Genji looked at Ana and frowned at her. "Sakurai-san, violence is never the answer."

Seto interjected while pulling out his phone. "What nonsense. Violence and blackmail are always the answer. Chi-san, this guy is really annoying. If you want to hit him, I can make the evidence disappear."

He took a photo of a confused Genji, then sent the photo to Inu along with an order to dig up as much dirt on him as he could.

"If I wanted to hit him, I would have done so already. You're not the only one who could make the evidence disappear." Ana growled.

Genji looked at Ana, horrified. "That's incredibly inappropriate for a young lady. Ladies shouldn't fight."

Seto's phone dinged, and he opened the file that Inu sent him. That was fast. He looked over the info.

Ana grinned at Genji maliciously. "Genji-sempai, my family runs a Judo dojo. My grandfather trains me."

"Well, that's all good and fine for now. Nothing wrong with some exercise, but you'll need to stop that when you settle down. Young ladies are supposed to be proper and delicate." Genji frowned at her.

Seto laughed out loud. "Because you know women so well? Kimiko, Sayako, Nana, Yumi—"

"Stop! How do you know those names?" Genji looked at him, horrified.

He didn't answer and handed his phone over to Ana. She looked over the file that Inu had sent him and slowly her face went from confusion to "Are you frickin' serious?"

"Genji-sempai, you're a cereal dater? In fact, it seems you're dating about four people right now. You sure have been busy since you graduated." Ana handed his phone back, then grinned at Genji. "Sempai, you're a piece of shit. I never want to date you. There's your answer."

Ana pushed her way past him and headed to her house. Seto grinned openly at a very shocked Genji and headed after Ana. After they were far enough away, Ana let out a loud sigh.

"I didn't really need your help, Amin-chan. If I wanted blackmail, I could have gotten that myself." Ana rubbed her eyes and looked up at him tiredly. "Thanks though, I guess."

"Oh? I can totally fill your heartfelt gratitude." Seto rolled his eyes, but he rather satisfied with the outcome. That guy wasn't much of a rival.

"I have a question. Why did you transfer back?" Ana asked and stared at him, half frowning.

"I already said why."

Ana shook her head. "You said because you felt like it. You didn't transfer to get closer to me, did you?"

Seto shrugged. "Is that a problem?"

She stopped and glared at him. "Amin-chan, that's called stalking."

He stopped and paused. Stalking? That wasn't my… Shit, that is stalking. Ana stood there waiting for him to say something.

"So it is. I guess I'll transfer back then." He decided after he thought it over.

Ana's mouth dropped open. "What? Just like that?"

He sighed. "I'm not a stalker. I have no qualms about blackmailing people or forcing them to do what I want, but I don't stalk."

"Why haven't you tried to blackmail me into dating you?"

Seto stared at her, annoyed. "Why would I blackmail someone I like? I only blackmail my enemies. I don't hurt my allies. That would be stupid. Plus, blackmailing you to date me would be horribly depressing. I want you to like me back."

He blinked as he watched her cheeks turn pink. What? What did I say to make her embarrassed?

"Anyway, so I'll transfer back." He sighed and shook his head before continuing to walk down the street.

"Don't you care about constantly transferring? Won't that hurt your grades?" Ana asked as she fell in line with him, but she wasn't looking him in the eyes.

"It won't hurt my grades at all. Besides, what does it matter? You just called me a stalker."

Ana stopped again. This time he turned to face her. She was thinking hard with her eyes closed. What? I said I'd go back. I mean… I really don't want to go back. I'd like to spend more time with her, and Domino City is too far away to see her often. Finally, Ana opened her eyes and turned to him determined.

"Let's make a deal, Amin-chan." Ana held up her finger and grinned.

He got an uneasy feeling about her smile. "What kind of deal?"

"You don't have to transfer back. Instead, you'll owe me three favors." Her eyes glinted mischievously.

Her look made his heart skip a beat, and he had to look away for a second to compose himself. Frickin' idiot. Don't get excited over something like that. Ugh, liking someone really turns you into a dolt.

"I thought you said I was stalking you, but you're ok with me staying?" Seto questioned her.

Ana held her palms up and shrugged. "If I say it's ok for you to be here since I'm the reason it's not stalking. Honestly, you being here doesn't bother me all that much. However, since we're not friends or dating, you owe me for not reporting you as a stalker."

"Even if you reported me, I could get out of any charges you could come up with." He smirked.

Ana sighed and shook her head. "Not the point, Amin-chan. Do you have to always have the last word?"

"Is that a serious question or do you just not know my personality at this point?" He chuckled.

Ana rolled her eyes. "I know it. That's why I'm offering this deal."

"What kind of favors?"

She tapped her finger in the air like she was counting something off. "Whatever I want and within your power when I need it."

"Huh? No way. That's too open-ended. One favor." Seto negotiated.

Ana grinned at him. "Three or go home, Amin-chan."

Frick! She did this during the fake dating contract too. Not that I dislike that greedy and strong-willed nature of hers. Still, that's too one-sided.

"I want something in return for that many favors." Seto tried again.

Ana kept her poker smile on, but she did at least heard him out. "What do you want in return?"

"Let me call you by your first name."

She stared at him blankly until finally her entire face turned red. "What? Why that?"

"Because I want to," he answered honestly.

She fidgeted nervously as she seemed to mull over his request. Finally, she sighed and stuck her finger in his face.

"Only in private. If you call me by my first name in front of people, they'll think we're dating again."

He used the back of his hand to push her finger out of the way. "Fine. But are you really ok with that? If you're letting me stay, then I'll follow you around."

"There are some ground rules for that. If I tell you to stop following me, you have to. You can't do anything crazy like break into my home—"

"I'm a little insulted that you'd think I'd do that considering I've told you I've had people break into my home and stalk me," Ana frowned at him and he sighed, "Go on. I'll shut up until you finish."

"You can't break into my home. You can't track me or show up at events I go to if you weren't invited. You can't hurt anyone around me or stalk them to find out more about me. You can't interrupt class either. If you're bored, then work on your tablet like you used too."

Seto wanted to snap at her and tell her it was the teacher's fault for starting it, but he kept quiet and listened.

"Basically, you can't follow me around unless I willingly hangout with you. School events are the exception since you should be participating in them. You also can't trick me with things like Kaiba Land to make up excuses to get me to hang out with you. Essentially, I want you to respect my privacy." Ana finished her list.

Seto groaned. "All that on top of the favors?"

"The things I listed are basic human courtesy. If you can't respect my boundaries, then go home." Ana's smile tightened.

Well, it's not like those rules are hard to follow. I wasn't planning on stalking her or hurting the people around her. I'm not an idiot. There's just one thing….

"You said I can't hang out with you unless you're willing, but would you ever be willing if I ask you to hang out?" Seto tilled his head as he looked down at her. If I can't ever hang out with her, then it would be no different from being in Domino City.

"I never said that. It just depends on the situation. Hanging out would just be hanging out and not a date though." Ana clarified.

"I know the difference. I'm not dense."

"No, you're annoyingly smart. Both are equally irritating."

Seto stared at her as he debated the deal. Damn it. She zeroed in on my desire and manipulated it… Why do I find that kind of sexy?

"Fine. Deal." He held out his hand to her to shake on it.

She looked at his hand, confused. "You're not going to have me sign a contract this time?"

"That was because we didn't know each other and it had to do with my company. This agreement is something personal that's just between you and me. Why? Are you worried I'm going to break my word?" He felt irritated at the thought that she trusted him so little. To his surprise, she smiled and shook his hand.

"If I did, I would have just let you go home." Ana smirked and continued walking. Am I happy or annoyed that she knew I'd keep my word and used that against me? He quickly caught up with her.

"So, Ana-chan…" He paused when he saw the embarrassed look on her face. "What? You said I could call you by your name."

"Yeah… You didn't have to get used to saying it so easily though." She grumbled.

"Ana-chan, do you want to hang out this weekend?" He couldn't hold back his grin. She swung her bag and whapped him in the lower back. "Ah! Why do you always attack when you get embarrassed?"

"I don't know, but you said you liked me and this is a part of me, so get used to it." Ana sped ahead.

Seto felt his face getting warm. Damn it. Liking someone really does turn them into a dolt.