It had been almost a year since he had taken control of KaibaCorp from Gozaburo, and finally, things seemed to have stabilized. The announcement with Pegasus had been a great start, but even after the announcement, the public had wanted more, to prove that KaibaCorp deserved to be at the top and run by Seto Kaiba.

So they had done it, of course. Noah's medical technology was being produced at one of Gozaburo's old weapons factories, and Duel Arenas were planned all over the world, on every continent, which had only served to make Duel Monsters more popular, and Seto kick-started his own career on the duel circuit. He was an ace at it, naturally, which had only elevated the popularity of the game, and KaibaCorp.

But that still wasn't enough. Not for the loudest detractors of the KaibaCorp's new era. No, they still screamed for Seto's head, still cried for the company to turn back to gaming, even though they were projected to make more money this year than they'd done in the last three combined, and Seto had a feeling part of that was due to the Board of DIrectors - the Big Five - still shadows of Gozaburo, still with their claws deep in the company. It was a rot Seto knew he couldn't completely cut out, not until they retired or were otherwise… removed from the company through some other force.

That didn't mean he liked it, didn't have a plan to help move that along. The Young Five could stay - it had been obvious to him from the beginning that none of them really enjoyed the war, and as they had settled upon their own paths as they'd moved into their final year of high school with college entrance exams looming over them, he'd known the best choice for them was to keep them on, if he could. Which meant he would have to switch some things around for the Big and Young Fives.

"Seto… what are we supposed to do about Alcatraz?" Noah questioned with a frown, setting the blueprints for the island down in front of him.

God he hated Alcatraz. Even if KaibaCorp had been a military arms company, why the hell had they needed a damn military base of their own?

Alcatraz had been left to rot, all personnel assigned to other areas of the company or given generous severance packages when they left, and what to do with the rest of it was a fair question. But the truth was, Seto had only been there once before he'd taken the company over, and while he had read through the plans and blueprints about it, he wasn't sure he could do anything but agree on the final call of it.

"What do you suppose we do with it?" Seto asked his brother, ice blue eyes meeting the darker blue. "You were there more than I was."

Seto could see the flicker of smugness in Noah's gaze, which was quickly masked by him blinking and breaking eye contact to stare down at the blueprints instead. "I… suppose we could just… return it back to nature. Plant native flora there, work with conservation groups to introduce native insects and other fauna. It's a large island - a safe haven for endangered species would be a good place to help them grow in numbers."

Seto nodded slowly in agreement. "Yes… that is an interesting proposition, and would give KaibaCorp another edge on being on a better path than it was under Gozaburo. But… I think there's one thing I want to do before we turn it over to an environmental group."

"Huh? What's that?"

Seto pointed at the tall observation tower that was at the center of the island. "One day, I will be crowned the best duelist in the world there, at the spot our father held so dear. After that, it can be demolished and handed to the researchers."

"You sure seem to take dueling as seriously as you take running the company."

"Of course I do. It is enjoyable and I know it is making Gozaburo's afterlife a never ending hell. I find that thought amusing."

Noah smirked a little. "I can't say you're wrong."

Seto closed the file on Alcatraz and set it aside. "Now… there's something else we need to discuss."

"What is it?"

"What we're going to do about the Big Five."

Noah leaned back in his chair. "I see. Yes… let's discuss that next then."

"I am concerned that they aren't… as enthusiastic as they say they are about this new era of KaibaCorp. How do you feel they've been behaving?"

"I don't disagree. I do believe some of them miss Father and the way KaibaCorp was in the past. There has to be something we can do to keep them happy. We can't have them running off telling our secrets, right?"

Nezbit, especially, would be very useful to companies that had once been competition for KaibaCorp, and Seto certainly didn't want those secrets to be let out, lest there be new weapons built with the Demon Lord of the Factory at the head of it.

"Then perhaps the Young Five can be of assistance. Mentors and mentees working together on a common project. Since the Young Five are graduating this year…"

"It might serve to give them one last project before they go off on their own. Excellent idea, Seto, I know just the thing."

"You know you don't have to sit with me, don't you?" Reika asked, raising an eyebrow at her cousin when he took a seat next to her.

Yugi shrugged. "Yeah, I know, but I… really don't want to eat alone, so…"

She sighed and set her water down on the table in front of her. "It's not that you aren't welcome here, Yugi," she started, and her friends nodded in agreement. "But this is high school now, and I'm not going to be around next year to help you fight your battles."

"I know, and I'm not asking you too! This has all just been an adjustment, that's all."

"High school's a great time for creating a new you, y'know," her friend AIko said. "I know you hang around Anzu Mazaki… where is she, anyway?"

Yugi picked at a piece of zucchini. "She's out sick today. She thinks she caught a virus at her ballet recital last week. I've been grabbing her homework for her and plan to drop it off at her place after shool."

"Ain't that sweet? You're like a regular Romeo or somethin', Yugi."

Yugi smiled at the newcomer, but Reika had been in KaibaCorp long enough to sniff out sarcasm and bullshit, and felt herself on high alert in an instant.

She looked the blonde up and down - she didn't recognize him from her class, nor did she recognize him from Yugi's. Given the state of his uniform, she wondered how many violations he'd already racked up. "And you are…?"

Yugi jumped in with a smile. "Oh! This is Joey Wheeler. He's a transfer student from America! Just transferred to my class the other day."

Reika could see malice in Joey Wheeler's eyes. He was much less polished at trying to hide it than Seto or Noah had ever been toward Gozaburo. Carefully, she rose to her feet and held out a hand for him to shake. He was from America, after all, that was how they greeted people there. "Well, it's so nice to meet you, Joey. I'm Reika Mutou, Yugi's cousin."

Joey grinned, giving her a firm handshake. At least he knew how to do that correctly. "Oh yeah? It's nice to meet ya, Reika."

"Hey, since you're new, let me give you some advice, y'know, as an older student, especially since you're in Yugi's class."

"Sure, that'd be nice. What is it?"

Reika smiled. "If I catch word of you bringing any sort of harm to Yugi or Anzu, I promise you, I will bring the wrath of KaibaCorp down upon you, and no one will ever be able to find your body. Do we have an understanding?"

Joey blinked several times, confusion on his face. "Wha - KaibaCorp? What do they have to do with anything?"

Aiko laughed. "Haven't you learned anything since moving here? Reika's a member of the Young Five - she's practically a KC executive! You don't want to get on their bad side…"

It was a bluff… mostly. Given Seto and Noah's attempts to clean up the company's reputation, she wouldn't actually call for someone to be hurt, but that didn't mean she would stand for anyone screwing with Yugi or Anzu. If she had to flex that muscle to protect Yugi, she would, without hesitation.

Joey didn't look like he fully believed Aiko, but his body language seemed to suggest he was going to stand down, at least, for now. "Right, well, wouldn't wanna force Seto Kaiba to tarnish his shiny new reputation. I'm gonna go finish lunch. Nice ta meet you, Reika."

"You too Joey!" she returned with another bright smile.

When Joey disappeared around a corner, the table broke into laughter.

"Did you see his face? I thought he was going to shit his pants!" Aiko cackled. "Oh man, if that doesn't stop him from messing with Yugi, you might actually have to get a shovel ready for him."

Reika laughed, reaching to squeeze Yugi's shoulder. "Yeah well, if he knows what's good for him, he won't be messing with Yugi or Anzu."

"Don't you guys think that was a little harsh?" Yugi asked, nervously fussing with his drink. "I mean, he might be my friend one day…"

"If he becomes your friend, great! If he doesn't, hopefully we gave him enough of a warning to make sure he remains just another classmate you won't talk to within four months of graduation," she said with a shrug.

Yugi's eyes widened in horror. "Wait, you don't think that would actually happen, do you?"

She shrugged. "Who knows? All I'm saying is I doubt my parents could name twenty other people from their graduating classes."

"You don't know that."

Reika popped a grape in her mouth. "Nah, I don't. But what I do know is I did my best to protect you from a potential bully and that's all I care about."

Yugi frowned a little. "Well… if it worked, thanks, I guess."

The sound of the bell prompted her to gather her trash together. "Any time, you know that. I'll see you later Yugi. I'll try to be on time for dinner at the shop but I can't make any promises."

"It's okay Reika. I'll let mom know. See ya."

That afternoon after school, she found herself in the familiar board office with the rest of the Young Five.

"I heard Seto's shutting down the research lab Nezbit ran," Sora said with a frown. "He's going to try and save it but…"

"It's a relic of Gozaburo," Katsuo sighed. "I don't get why they can't just switch it over to a lab that develops stuff for games or for Noah's medical research. That would be a reasonable compromise, right?"

Mei leaned back in her chair. "You'd think, but let's be honest, Seto isn't known for being reasonable when it comes to Gozaburo. He would never want it said aloud, but he's more like Gozaburo than he wants to admit. I think it's a miracle that Noah ever agreed to work with him on the company changeover."

The door opened, and five tired board members walked in, followed by the Kaiba brothers.

"Good afternoon, Young Five. Another stage of our plan is upon us," Noah grinned as he took a seat. "Nezbit has agreed to be the lead on the virtual reality systems we plan to show at the next meeting with Pegasus. Sora, I assume you'll be there to lend a hand?"

"Of course."

"We are also designing our KaibaLand theme park. Hideo, you will help look over the books to make sure there aren't any unneeded expenses, right?" Seto questioned, satisfied when Hideo nodded. "And Katsuo, I trust you and Gansley will be able to select employees best suited for the building and wiring of the park."

"Naturally, Seto."

"As for publicity… I trust Lector and Reika will be able to handle that task. We want word about the theme park to start going out. I believe you are the best person to handle such a monumental task, Lector."

"And I have no intention of proving you wrong, Seto," Lector said. "Miss Reika and I will make sure the whole universe knows about the progress the company has made post-Gozaburo."

She wanted to laugh because while she in no way doubted that they would do the best they could, there was something funny about watching Lector grovel to people in a higher position of authority than him, and something extra funny about watching him do it to a seventeen-year-old.

But it was obvious what Seto was trying to do. Having the Young Five 'work alongside' the Big Five on these important matters meant putting them into a position of power. Training them, as it were, for the future. It explained the exhausted looks on the Big Five - it was an open secret that they were restless in their position, and given Seto's focus on the future, it was a wonder the Big Five had stayed around at all. This KaibaLand thing was a distraction tactic, but this time, she wasn't sure how well the Big Five would fall for it.

"Miss Reika," Lector said. "Let's spend some time making a game plan, alright? We can jump headfirst into it tomorrow."

She nodded. "Of course, sir."

A horrible feeling settled over her - one that told her there was a chance that she'd be eating leftovers tonight unless her mother intervened when the workday ended.

"There will also be a silent auction fundraiser in a few weeks. The proceeds will go to New Hope Orphan Home." Seto looked like he'd swallowed a lemon at the mention of it.

"Do you want us to start thinking about that too, then?" Reika asked. "Two birds with one stone?"

Seto nodded. "Yes, that would be appreciated Reika, thank you."

Reika smiled a little and gathered up her notebook as the meeting ended and the groups broke into their respective pairs.

"Miss Reika, how is preparing for your college exams going?" Lector asked as they settled back in his office, empty paper and pens set between them to make lists of companies to inform and things to do.

She frowned. "I'm studying as hard as I can but… I am dreading them, I admit. Sometimes I wish it could be like it is in America, where you just apply and the school looks at your grades and extracurricular activities and stuff. I just don't want to disappoint my parents."

"I assure you, that is not possible," Lector said. "Your parents are incredibly proud of you, and always will be."

Reika sighed. "I know… I'm just really hoping to get into Kyoto University, or the University of Tokyo. They're the best music programs in the country."

Lector chuckled. "Are you so eager to get away from Domino that you would go all the way to Tokyo for a fresh start?"

"Of course not. That's why Kyoto is my first choice school. I want to be close enough to help out with KaibaCorp if need be." KaibaCorp had done so much for her - it didn't feel right to abandon it just because she was graduating from high school.

"And you will succeed," he said firmly. "Now come on, let's get our lists going."

Silent auction fundraisers were some of Reika's least favorite events that KaibaCorp put on. Wandering around a venue (in this case, Kaiba Manor's ballroom and dining room) looking at things that she would never be able to afford to buy unless she actually married a Kaiba was not fun, and trying to maintain conversation with the wealthy elites was easier said than done. It didn't help that she was staring down the university entrance exams and auditions. In a selfish, childish way, she just wanted to be a kid again, where the only thing she had to worry about was Gozaburo giving her a terrifying look. Now she was nearing adulthood, and not having nearly as much fun.

"My father is the CFO of ShroderCorp itself. He works hand in hand with Zigfried von Schroder himself," the teenager next to her said in broken Japanese. "We have started producing gaming technology as well. So just know, KaibaCorp will always have a competitor knocking at their door."

Reika tried not to roll her eyes. KaibaCorp had plenty of competitors, in the war industry, in the gaming industry, and in the medical technology industry. SchroderCorp was nothing new, nothing special. But tonight wasn't the night to be arguing with rich brats, so instead, she smiled. "We welcome SchroderCorp to the field of gaming technology. The less companies working on military technology, the better, in my opinion."

"And in mine! I am so glad we have something in common. My name is Margareta Liebehenschel. And you are…?"

She bowed politely. "Reika Mutou. I am a member of KaibaCorp's Young Five program."

"Ah! I have heard of that. So you must have some closely guarded secrets, right?"

Reika smiled a little. "I must say I don't know what you could be talking about, Margareta."

Margareta opened her mouth to speak, but a man calling her over in German distracted both of them. Instead, she sighed. "I apologize Reika but my father is asking whether or not we should bid on a necklace for my mother. I hope we will get the chance to speak later tonight."

With a little bow of her head, she watched Margareta disappear into the crowd, then sighed when she was alone. How did Seto and Noah do this day in and day out? She would have been fired for telling people where to shove their wealth.

She needed some air.

The night air was chilly - and if she focused enough on it, she could sense the first inklings of winter. Winter meant final exams and after exams was January and January meant - gah, she was winding herself up again. She really needed to stop doing that.

There wasn't anyone out here - most people were focused on the auction or the appetizers going around. It was nice to have a moment to her own thoughts, even if those thoughts were driving her crazy.

"So this is where you were."

She wasn't sure how long she'd been out here as she glanced over at Seto. "Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to disappear. Just needed some air. Did I miss anything important?"

"Some of the bidding has ended. They announced the winners. I won one of the prizes."

Of course he had. Silent auctions were just another game to Seto Kaiba, and he had proven to be quite good at those.

"What did you win?" she asked.

Seto reached into the inner pocket of his suit jacket and pulled out a long jewelry box. To her surprise, he handed it to her. "Open it."

Quizzically, she did so, and found a sapphire necklace on a silver chain inside. She frowned and raised a brow at Seto. "I didn't think necklaces were your thing, Seto."

"I won it for you."

Wait. What? "Why would you win me a necklace?"

"As a thank you. You have done an incredible amount of work for Mokuba and I. Not just as a member of the Young Five, but… in other ways. The way you helped Mokuba with his Capsule Monsters collection, teaching him the piano, getting me the in that I needed to start selling some of the early prototypes of our technology, and constantly talking Noah out of trying to win against me. It was better for his own sanity that way."

"You don't have to thank me for that… I'm happy to help, really," she replied. "Especially if it means you all succeed."

There was something in his eyes though, just like there had always been something in his texts that had gone on between them for a couple of years. Something hidden, that he couldn't quite say.

Reika, however, had a feeling she knew what it was. She'd seen enough TV and movies and read enough magazines to know the signs, and so she inclined her head in his direction.

Seto Kaiba, one of the most powerful men in the world, leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

"I seem to have rendered you speechless," he said with a smirk as he pulled away.

Her face flushed despite the chilly night air, and she rolled her eyes at him. "It appears you have. So… what now?"

"For now… this stays between us. I don't want anyone getting any ideas about favoritism in the Young Five. It wouldn't be good for either of us," he said. "But… I would like to figure out a way to make this… work."

She nodded. "We can talk about it." Carefully, she managed to fit the necklace box into her clutch, but barely. "Oh, by the way, Seto… I spoke to the CFO of SchroderCorp's daughter. They're getting into the gaming industry too."

Seto raised a brow. "Is that so? That's very good to know. Thank you Reika."

Little did either of them realize that the silent auction fundraiser would be one of the last normal days of their lives.