I label this story under Blueshipping, because Seto and Kisara—and their relationship—is at the core of the narrative. It's the thesis statement, if you like. But I don't know if that necessarily means I consider that relationship to be romantic.

Which, I suppose, is to say that I'm keeping my options open?

It's still early, after all.

Who knows what could happen?

.

"So, like. Does your brother have a girlfriend now, or something?"

Mokuba wanted to be insulted on his brother's behalf; it was like a reflex that flared up whenever Joey Wheeler said anything. But the young Kaiba found that he couldn't really answer that question, because he didn't know the answer, and that gave him pause. How did one go about explaining Seto and Kisara, never mind their relationship, in a way that made any kind of sense to a normal human person?

"No?" was Mokuba's eventual reply. "Not exactly."

Joey grunted. "Facebook says it's complicated, huh?"

"Definitely." Mokuba rubbed his chin. He set aside the dice he'd been inspecting at Turtle Game's front counter, and really ruminated on the question. He said: "You know Niisama doesn't really trust people. I don't think I have to explain that."

"Nah," Joey said. "I caught that vibe by now. Yeah."

"I mean," Mokuba went on, gesticulating randomly, "you know what that's like, right? You used to run with Hirutani's guys, didn't you?"

Joey nodded. "I did," he said, "and I do. Trust ain't come easy."

Mokuba nodded in turn. "So, you know how things turned around for you when you met Yugi? Well, not when you met him, but . . . you know."

"When I stopped treating him like a chew toy?" Joey offered.

"Yeah. Yeah, exactly."

"Sure." Joey was nodding again. "I think I get what you're getting at. Yugi and me, we're tight. Thick as thieves and all that. But it's not like we're going out on dates or whatever." He paused. Frowned. "Would he even be interested in . . . ? Never mind. Not important. Anyway. Okay, so . . . Kisara. That's her name, right, Kisara?" Mokuba nodded. "You're saying Kisara is your brother's Yugi."

"Pretty much, yeah."

Joey's brow furrowed. "Does that bother you?" he asked.

Mokuba shrugged. "Does it bother your sister that you found Yugi?"

Joey blinked. "Huh. Uh . . . y'know, I never asked. But, okay, yeah. I getcha. Fair point."

"I'm glad he has someone, other than family, that he can rely on," Mokuba said. "Someone who isn't obligated to like him." Mokuba held up a hand. "I know what you're gonna say. Yes, she's his bodyguard. Yes, he pays her for it. He pays her a lot. But no, that's still not what I'm talking about. Kisara can walk away. Her family isn't hurting for money, and she can always strike out on her own if she wants to. Niisama isn't holding her hostage with an executive salary."

Joey held up both of his own hands, placating. "Hey, hey, I ain't say nothin'. I get it. I really do. Hell, here I am working at Yugi's place. Sure, sure, it's still Gramps's business. Technically. But we all know he's fixin' to retire soon. So, like. Yeah. I follow." He shrugged. "I mean, if Yugi wanted me to be his bodyguard, I ain't think I'd say no to that."

"If you're good at something, never do it for free," Mokuba murmured.

"Something like that." Joey ran a hand through his hair. "I guess Kisara really is like Yugi, ain't she? She's even got that dog in her. Magic and all that. Big dragon energy. So, kinda like Atem."

Mokuba grimaced, but he eventually nodded. "I don't think I like that comparison, but you aren't wrong."

"I'm never wrong," Joey declared. "I'm a genius."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Joey."