Author Note:

Hey everyone. Lately I've been really busy with my business and working to expand it while also working fulltime. So, I'm only going to be updating every other week for now.

75:

Arcade

Ana got ready as usual for practice that morning. She went to the dojo and got dressed in her gi. Much to her surprise, Seto was already there.

"Amin-chan? You're early." Ana raised an eyebrow at him.

He looked exhausted and didn't answer her. He just grumbled under his breath. Oh? I would have figured that he'd bug me about the dream again. Ana could feel her face getting warm as she thought about it and quickly pushed it out of her mind.

"Well, let's warm up." Ana started on her stretches and Seto seemed to reluctantly follow along. Her grandfather left the warmup and a lot of the teaching to her until the end of practice now. It was more efficient since he and Seto couldn't get along. She was in the middle of stretching when she noticed Seto had stopped and was looking at her.

"What?" She asked. He blinked a couple times, then seemed to realize he was staring and went back to stretching. Ana smiled, slightly annoyed. He's being too quiet. "Amin-chan, you're a dweb."

"Huh?" He looked at her and glared. "Where the frick' did that come from? What makes me a dweb?"

"Ah! There's Amin-chan. You were being so quiet that I thought you were someone else for a moment."

He groaned and turned back to his stretches. "I didn't sleep well. Just do the stretches!"

Ana chuckled and went back to stretching. Her teasing had snapped Seto out of whatever reverie he'd been in because he paid attention to the stretches. After they finished stretches and warm up, they reviewed stances. Ana walked around Seto slowly, checking his feet and posture. He looked bored as she walked around him. Ana was feeling a little irked with his attitude today. His stance was a little loose. Quickly, she grabbed his shoulder and kicked out his back knee, sending him flat on his back onto the mat. He let out a very undignified "Uhgfu." Ana squatted done next to him, rested her chin on the back of her hand and smiled.

"You're not focusing today, Amin-chan."

He glared at her. "It's your fault."

Ana raised an eyebrow. "My fault? What did I do?"

His face turned red as he sat up and grumbled. "Never mind."

Ana sighed as he stood back up and took his stance again. At least he's focused now. This time, his stance was firm. He looked irritated, but was at least paying attention. Thankfully, he paid attention to the rest of the practice and even bit his tongue when her grandpa came to check on their progress. When they were finally finished with practice, Ana went to clean up and change. There was technically a changing room in the dojo and a shower room, but she couldn't use it when Seto was using it. After she was finished, she grabbed her homework stuff and met Seto outside. He saw her bag and scowled.

"No," he said bluntly.

"Huh?" Ana asked, confused. "No, what?"

"We are not studying."

Ana stared at him blankly. "We always study after practices on Saturdays."

"Not today. Go put your books back." He growled.

Ana's eyes narrowed at this sudden demanding Seto. She felt like she should pinch him, but she was curious about what had him so wound up. She went back inside to put her books away and this time only grabbed her purse. When she came back outside, she found Seto waiting and tapping his foot.

"So where—" her stomach growled loudly.

Seto paused and seemed to calm down some. "Food first."

"No." Ana grabbed his arm before he ran off. "I know that look. I have something I'd like to eat."

Seto frowned at her. "Fine. Where too?"

She headed to the bus stop, but this time he stopped her.

"I'm not going on public transportation," he said before calling a taxi.

Ana just shrugged and waited for the taxi. She glanced up at Seto. He seemed out of it today. What has him so on edge? Did something happen at work? The taxi finally showed up. When they got in, the driver asked them were too.

"Mullan's," Ana answered, and the driver paused but bit his tongue. The driver took them across town and stopped in front of a small shop. Ana got out and sniffed, the scent wafting through the air making her hungrier. Seto paid the man, then caught up with Ana. He took one look at the tiny shop and his eyes narrowed.

"Ramen? Really?"

Ana smiled up at him. "What? Do you not like ramen?"

She walked into the restaurant, not waiting for an answer. The counter only had four stools and the last one was already taken. She took one of the middle stools and Seto sat next to her. He looked extremely displeased. An old man glanced their way. Ana held up two fingers. The man nodded quietly and went to work.

"Why ramen?" Seto glared at her.

"Because it's tasty." Ana ignored his grimace and patiently waited for her food. It didn't take long for the old man to set two bowled in front of them. It looked like plain noodles in a light-yellow broth. Seto looked even more annoyed, but Ana started eating. The noodles and soup may have looked plain, but their taste was out of this world. Ana happily slurped up the noodles.

"Try it," she said in between a bite.

Seto sighed and tried some of the noodles. The look on his face was hilarious. He paused mid bite, his eyes went wide, and then he quickly finished the bite. Ana finished hers first and watch Seto eat his. He stopped scowling and looked contemplative as he ate. When he was finished, he stared hard at the bowl.

"Was it good?" Ana smirked at him.

"I was wondering how much it cost and how to reproduce—"

Ana stopped him right there. "No. Don't even think of trying to take over my favorite ramen place. Sometimes, it's best to keep some things to yourself. I'll get mad at you if you ruin it."

Seto frowned at her, but sighed. "Fine. I won't."

Oh, shit. He was actually thinking about doing it. I'm glad I stopped him. Seto paid for the ramen and then they went outside.

"Where to?" Ana asked, and Seto paused. He seemed to be thinking. "Wait, did you not have a plan in mind?"

He didn't respond and looked away from her. Seriously? Seto Kaiba doesn't have a plan? He's being spontaneous?

"Amin-chan, are you feeling sick?" Ana looked at him, concerned.

He glared at her. "No. I just didn't feel like studying."

Ana laughed. "Well, then. Oh! I know a fun place. It's not far from here."

She started walking and Seto fell in line with her. He took her hand without a word, interlocking their fingers and making her heart skip a little. Her face was a little warm. He's been a little... odd today. I wonder what happened. They walked in silence until they got to where they were going. It was an arcade.

Seto glared at the sign. "Just because I own a game company doesn't mean I like arcades."

"So, you suck at other games?" Ana teased, and he glared at her. It obviously ignited his competitive spirit, and he entered without another complaint. Seto took one look around and then sat down at a fighting game. She sighed and watched him start the game up. The match only took a minute before he won.

"Have you played this before?" Ana asked.

"Nope."

He won again. And again. And again. A crowd was forming, and she could hear some whispers, "Hey, it's Seto Kaiba." And "Who's that with him?" Ana watch as Seto stared at the screen, looking bored as he beat another challenger. Maybe this was a bad place to bring him, too. She slowly inched back and left him alone with the crowd watching him. Heading to the back of the arcade, she found the claw machines. There was one that had a small puppy plushy from a character show she liked. She eyed the machine. Today is the day I get you! She put her coin in and slowly moved the crane over top of the plushy. Now! She pressed the button, and the crane reached down but missed the puppy.

"Ugh." Ana had lost count of the times she'd tried for this plushy over the past three years. She put in another coin and tried again. It grabbed the plushy but dropped it. She let out a sigh. Ana tensed when she felt someone get close to her from behind.

"You ditched me." Seto growled in her ear.

Ana let out a sigh of relief and looked up at Seto, who was glaring down at her. "You seemed preoccupied, and the crowd was annoying."

She glanced behind Seto and noticed that the people had mostly dispersed. He looked irritated but didn't say anything. Instead, he looked at the machine she was playing. Ana ignored him and tried again, only to fail.

"You suck at this." Seto teased.

"I'll get it… someday." She sighed. At this point, I probably could have bought twenty of these for the same price. She tried again and fail. Seto chuckled, ticking her off. Ana pulled out her last coin and put it in. Ana tensed up as Seto got closer and put his hands over hers. Wha-whhaaattt!

"You really do suck at this." His breath tickled her ear.

Normally she would have said something snarky, but her heart was beating wildly. What is up with him today!

"Press the button when I tell you."

Ana made a weird sound in response. The crane started moving and inched over top the puppy. Seto made slight adjustments with her hand.

"Now."

Ana pressed the button, and the crane grabbed the plushy. She held her breath until it dropped the plushy into the slot. Seto didn't move away though, even after the plushy dropped.

"Um, Amin-chan. You're really close."

Seto finally let go of her hands and backed up. She grabbed the plushy out of the box but couldn't bring herself to look at him. He's being so weird today.

"Did something happen?" Ana finally asked after a long, awkward moment of silence.

He looked at her, perplexed. "What?"

"You're being… odd today."

"No, I'm not." He frowned at her.

"Yes, you are. Did something happen?"

He looked away from her and crossed his arms. "No. Nothing happened."

Something definitely happened. Ana changed the subject. "I bet you can't get another one."

Seto rolled his eyes, stuck in a coin, and in two seconds had another plushy. He smirked at her. "Arcade machines are too easy."

"You're such an asshole."

He chuckled at that. Ana noticed that there was a group of kids point toward them Ugh. We should probably leave. She grabbed Seto's hand and pulled him out of the arcade before another crowd could form. Ana sighed as they walked down the street.

"How did you even get the crowd to disperse last time?"

"I glared at them."

Ana rolled her eyes.

"Of course, you did." Seto just stared at her and Ana could feel her face getting warm. "Wh-what?"

He sighed and looked away. "Nothing."

She was getting annoyed. "Amin-chan, what is eating at you?"

"Nothing."

Ana could feel her eye twitching. She pulled him into a side alley and let go of his hand, facing him directly.

"Ok. It's obviously not nothing. What is wrong?" Ana glared at him.

"Nothing is wrong." He ticked his tongue against his teeth.

"Is it because of the dream?" She asked.

Seto flinched. "What? How did you know about that?"

Ana looked at him, confused. "It's my dream, how would I not—ooooohhhh!"

Seto stiffened, and it seemed he finally remembered hers.

"You dreamt about me." Ana grinned at him and watched as his entire face turned red. He really did. Well, damn. Her heart was pounding in her chest, and she was sure that she'd turned as bright red as him. After an awkward moment of silence, he covered his face with his hand and groaned.

"What did I do in your dream?" Ana teased.

"Are you going to tell me what yours was about?" Seto dropped his hand and glared at her. She blushed. Her dream had mostly been a repeat of what they'd done at school, but with a little more touching.

"No…." She hugged the plushy to her chest.

"Then, I'm not sharing mine." He growled.

Ana sighed and smiled awkwardly. "Well, that explains why you've been weird. Anyway, I guess we're even now."

Seto looked at her, annoyed and exhausted. He bluntly said, "I want to kiss you."

Is it me or is Seto getting more assertive? Is that even possible? Ana's face grew even warmer. "Here?"

He touched her face with his fingers and gave her a very hungry look. "Yes."

Her voice caught in her throat, and he pressed his lips to hers. Wait, wait, wait! This isn't my room! This is just a side street! Her heart was racing a mile a minute. He pressed in deeper, and she responded in kind. Just then, Seto's phone started ringing. Ana tried to pull back, but Seto pushed forward. Finally, she had to take a step back, breaking their kiss.

"Your phone."

"Ignore it."

"Don't the only people who call you either involve your brother or work?"

Seto grimaced and reluctantly pulled out his phone. "What?"

He stood there listening, and slowly, his eyes narrowed. "Fine. I understand."

Seto hung up and let out a groan.

"Something wrong?"

He frowned. "Just the usual end of the year attempted takeover. I'm not sure why they think the end of the year would make any difference."

"Maybe because they think you'd be preoccupied with Christmas?" Ana chuckled, but Seto looked at her, confused. "Do you not celebrate Christmas?"

"No."

Oh, does that mean we won't be going on a Christmas eve date then? Ana felt a little disappointed. "Any particular reason?"

Seto looked like he was about to snap, but then he stopped. He frowned deeply before answering, "It's when my birth parents died."