Chapter Text
"Hey, isn't that Kaiba?"
"Wait, he still attends school!?"
"No wayyyyy!"
"Guess even rich CEOs aren't excluded from school."
"Wouldn't he want to attend a private one, though?"
"Who cares! The fact we can say we attend the same school as the Seto Kaiba is going to be a hit with the ladies!"
Seto felt the slightest twitch from an eye as he passed. He could care less if he was visibly annoyed, however the chances of being forced to interact was something to be avoided. With this in mind Seto continued like he heard nothing. Other students in the hallway made way for him as if he were a living plague. Many gawked in a mixture of awe and fear.
Being tall had its perks. Harder to be ignored so everyone can avoid his path. That same perk was also a curse. Being CEO meant Seto had to quickly adapt being admired by the public. Strangely though, this did not settle a little secret boon of his.
Silently Seto took his seat. From the outside, he appears to be bored and coming off as too important to bother attending school with normal people. On the inside, Seto was secretly panicking. For as often as possible he used the excuse of running a successful company just so he wouldn't have to physically show up for classes. Finishing the lessons online proved to be the better suited solution for Seto's problem.
Unfortunately the schools required he should attend a certain amount of days without some form of repercussions (he had checked thoroughly all over Japan, and switching to outside the country was too much of a hassle). Since Seto refused to allow any flaws whatsoever, he was forced to show up in person.
Seto focused his attention on a book to pass the time since there were a few minutes to spare. As he was about to pull out the current novel which had earned Seto's interest, he noticed the lunch box Mokuba had brought him before they separated into their respective schools. On top of the bento box was a quickly scrawled note.
You've got this, big brother! Followed by a happy face with an attempt to add wings of Blue Eyes. Despite the hurried writing and the fact art was not Mokuba's strong point, the gesture settled Seto's nerves a lot more than the book he brought along. This almost brought a smile to his face in fact. Seto only caught himself when the door opened suddenly as one of the loudest voices ever to grate his ears startled him.
Fortunately all Seto did was twitch one of his hands in response to the obnoxious behavior. Other students dropped their notebooks. One unlucky classmate spat out their drink and began coughing. Everyone's perspectives only witnessed Seto being still as a statue since the hand that twitched was inside the bag. Casually the book was pulled out as if nothing happened.
"So anyway, I got to the point where I drew Red Eyes, and then - " Joey paused, catching sight of something odd.
The sensation of eyes regarding him from head to toe was familiar enough for Seto to ignore. What caught him off guard was when footsteps confidently approached. The way Joey sauntered over unnerved Seto to no end. This was a thorn in his side that would not leave him alone. Just because Joey was an upcoming underdog in the dueling world, that did not mean he could just act friendly to Seto Kaiba.
"So you've got time to finally show up!" Joey grinned.
Seto reread the sentence of the page he was reading. But his silence was never one to deter Joey. In fact, he seems to take it personally as a challenge. Joey leaned over enough to be in the field of vision. Seto was forced to look up. His eyes glaring daggers at the one person who can't take a hint.
"Any chance I can challenge ya to a duel today?" Joey either didn't care he was upsetting Seto, or his brain couldn't comprehend that not everyone was interested in being his friend. To Seto, he couldn't decide which of these were true for Joey, since he viewed the blond as only having one brain cell to begin with.
Seto gripped his book tight. Almost too tightly. He could feel the binding bending ever so slightly under the pressure. Which means when he's calmed enough to inspect the damage it may or may not piss him off more than the current situation. Seto was meticulous with his possessions. Any damages or flaws wouldn't do.
Leave me alone. Seto wanted to snarl out. Only he couldn't bring the words out. This was the secret boon Seto was trying his damnedest to guard with his life.
Living in an orphanage but having a brilliant mind beyond his years, Seto had been made fun of for being socially awkward. Proving he can fight to protect his brother earned less friends. When officially adopted the idea of normalcy seemed like a very distant dream. At the very least Gozaboro ensured Seto can flawlessly speak to the public or entertain some parties to gain allies in the elite world.
Outside of playing the facade of a confident CEO, Seto was a failure with normal conversations. In school settings he couldn't get away with barking orders to be left alone. His pride in keeping up an image wasn't helpful, either. Thus, Seto was never known to talk while at school. Of course he knew the rumors going around that he viewed himself above them.
While he did to a degree, some piece of Seto felt the sting that he couldn't bother to act normal enough to blend in. He couldn't fathom how he could speak when addressing a crowd, and yet to people in person in settings he had no control over, he couldn't talk? Seto might as well be known as the creep who wouldn't talk to people and possibly lived in the basement if he wasn't running Kaiba Corp.
"Cat got your tongue your Majesty?" Joey teased. A nickname he came up with after the third attempt at trying to challenge Seto for a casual duel.
"Dude, I think you should lay it off for today." Tristan for once wasn't encouraging his friend into mischief.
"What, it's just a duel! It's not like I'm threatening him!" Joey was really pushing it.
"I think his answer will be the same no matter what, which is no." Yugi deadpanned. The shortest of the group somehow had the good graces to earn some respect from Seto. But not enough to trust.
"Why, are you scared of losing to me?" Joey flashed another grin.
It took every ounce of control within Seto not to stand full height. He felt cornered. Other students by now were looking their way. This did nothing to settle the panic that was rapidly rising. Seto was placed into fight or flight mode. He was not someone to flee, which meant taking action that would likely haunt the rest of his career. He could bet all of his money on it with how Joey was a loud mouth with a grudge to match the attitude.
The entire classroom was still. So silent that everyone could hear a pin drop. The everyday noise outside in the hallway seemed too distant to disturb them. Everyone was waiting to see what would happen. Seto was close to shaking.
The bell rings.
"All right everyone, take your seats! And be on your best behavior! We have a new student today."
The excitement of a new face had everyone scrambling. Seto hadn't realized he had been holding his breath until the world went back into motion. He felt lightheaded and his chest constricted. Already Seto can tell he will be needing something for a migraine. In fact he could barely focus until the moment the door opened to reveal the new student.
Seto noticed the eyes first. Violet like Yugi's, however there was the faintest hint of red within the royal violet color that intrigued Seto. Being a CEO he could read someone by first meeting if they were going to be someone of value to keep an eye on as either a potential ally or enemy. These eyes had an effect very few had. In fact, Seto wasn't the only one to openly stare, everyone was being drawn to this person.
"Hello. My name is Atem. I'm a transfer from Egypt." He introduced. His voice was smooth and deeper than one would assume with his height and thin frame.
All of the girls swooned. Some of the guys blushed, others were stunned, a few were jealous of the way the girls were reacting. And then there was Seto. All he could see were the eyes that once locked with his, the world didn't seem so threatening anymore. For the first several seconds it took Seto way too long to register the rest of the features of this stranger.
He looks like Yugi? Seto could not believe that his brain hadn't processed the hair until a few of the other students began asking if they were related.
"Actually, we are distant cousins." Atem smiled, and yet his eyes for the most part remained locked with Seto's. As if he were answering Seto instead of the whole class.
Seto was on high alert now. Since he's related to Yugi, then Atem has likely heard it all from the others about him. While Seto expected judgment, the mutual curiosity was opening a sliver of hope within the CEO. He was only wary when meeting new people out of habit. It has also been a very rare occurrence to meet a charismatic person who has potential to be a friend. Seto can actually count on one hand.
There were more questions. Seto tuned them out as Atem began to address the classroom as a whole. He actually began to read some more. Reality was growing distant once more. That was until Seto heard his name from the teacher.
"Looks like you'll be sitting next to Kaiba."
Seto glanced with his eyes to confirm that the seat to his right was the only open spot. He hadn't noticed it was empty until it was pointed out. This placement had Seto reeling. One, this places Atem close. For the time being that wasn't bad. That couldn't be said with Yugi's group. Their annoying chatter grated Seto's ears and now he would be hearing them more often when he was forced to attend in person.
Just great. Seto could feel the migraine now.
From the corner of his eye, Seto noticed several details. One, Atem was confident. However this wasn't like Joey's level with being some hotshot thinking he could challenge everyone he wanted. This was someone who was comfortable with himself enough to be unbothered how others viewed him.
Atem sat down in the empty seat without hesitation. His nonchalant approach shocked a majority of the classroom. Normally students hated being seated next to Seto, as he refused to acknowledge people to the point it made everyone uncomfortable. Still he glanced over once again with his eyes. Only to nearly drop his book when violet reds stared back.
What's with me? Seto inwardly panicked. He could face Pegasus being creepy as they discussed the hologram technology for duel monsters just fine. But not with this stranger from Egypt?
Fortunately Atem didn't start any small talk. Seto was able to focus on simply paying enough attention to pass the day while also ignoring everyone around him. Anything to get the day over with and head home. Seto would rather be working on another project, or even the meetings that were just as boring as coming to school.
When the lunch bell rang, Seto hightailed out of the classroom to his usual spot. One of the school buildings rooftops with a decent enough view of Domino City. Here, Seto was finally alone and away from prying eyes. Here, Seto can relax and remind himself that the day was halfway over. He sat with legs over the edge to enjoy the view with his bag in his lap.
"Kaiba, was it?"
The sudden voice startled Seto enough that he nearly dropped his lunch. Unfortunately his book fell down from the rooftop down below. In the same instance, a gust of wind pulled the note from Mokuba off the bento box. Seto tried to reach for it in his panic. Anything from Mokuba held a higher sense of sentimental value than anything else, as silly it was. His fingers couldn't grip the note. But a tanned hand caught the note without any trouble.
Seto looked up the same moment he leaned too far and the two tumbled. Luckily Atem had the sense to pull them back so that they wouldn't follow the unfortunate book to the ground. They opened their eyes at the same moment after landing. Like a spell that only Atem had this effect, the world went still. This time even Atem was speechless.
"... Your hand is hurting me." He didn't sound angry. Atem spoke matter of fact, but softer.
Seto realized in this moment his hand that had tried to catch the note was squeezing Atem's wrist. Too quickly Seto let go and pulled away to sit up. While being completely off guard, his expression showed how upset and flustered he was. Secretly, Atem adored the expression, although he was concerned upon seeing the tears Seto was fighting back for being so overwhelmed.
"Are you okay?" Atem worried. He sat up slowly, sensing that he shouldn't make any sudden movements.
The question had Seto feel gutted. Such a simple question held a complex set of emotions that weren't doing him any favors in this moment. In fact, Seto forced his legs to get up and move. He was near running down the stairs, fumbling with his bag so as not to spill whatever else out. Seto could hear Atem calling out, but he ignored him.
Seto couldn't trust himself not to completely lose it. For the first time in his life, Seto was fleeing. He didn't even bother to call in the school until he stepped through Kaiba Corp doors. Getting in trouble for leaving school be damned. There was no way Seto would walk back into class like nothing happened after that embarrassment. So despite the confusion from among the employees, Seto dived into work while still in school uniform.
Hours passed until it was time for Mokuba to be done with his own school. Seto was actually looking forward to seeing his brother. Hence he didn't immediately look up when his office door opened.
"Would you like something from a restaurant for dinner?" Seto rarely allowed them to become spoiled with ordering out. However, this might be a good enough distraction from being asked what happened.
"A little early to be asking me out for dinner, aren't we?" A smooth baritone voice playfully replied.
Seto froze. Then like a strange fever dream he slowly looked up to see none other than Atem Mutou casually standing in his office. This was so unexpected that Seto stared shell shocked. Atem for his part offered a kind smile before placing something on the desk. Seto warily glanced, only to do a double take upon seeing the book and the note being returned.
"I came to apologize for earlier. And perhaps a means to make up for scaring you."
Seto immediately tensed up and glared. This sounded like a trap. Atem seemed taken aback from the hostility, but he didn't stand down. If anything Atem was more surprised.
"Oh, hey, big brother! Did you make a friend?" Mokuba's cheerful voice broke the tension.
Seto meant to respond, but his throat tightened. He silently and angrily berated himself for this stupid weakness of his. He was Seto Kaiba, CEO of Kaiba Corp. This was his office. This was his domain. And yet he couldn't speak up when some stranger had shown up uninvited?
"Actually, he was just offering we order something from a restaurant." Atem smiled a knowing smile. He seemed to be catching onto something, and that only upset Seto more as he grit his teeth.
"My big brother actually talked to you?" Mokuba innocently blinked with wide eyes. The younger Kaiba was excited to see such a huge leap. And Seto knew he couldn't just throw Atem out like this.
Sneaky little snake. Seto thought bitterly. And yet he began to hold some admiration for Atem. It has been too long since someone has come along and twist Seto's world around.
"... Fine." He agreed, voice dark. Seto barely spoke above a whisper. And yet his answer earned a warm smile from Atem.
"Hooray!" Mokuba cheered.