Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction ❯ Kawaita Sakebi ❯ swordsman, magical hats, mystic box ( Chapter 11 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Aloe 
At the game shop.
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Psychological | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.19.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 128 | Status: Work In Progress
At the game shop.
Anime/Manga: Yu-Gi-Oh! Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Psychological | Type: Continuation | Uploaded On: 12.19.2003 | Pages: 4 | Words: 2.7K | Visits: 128 | Status: Work In Progress
***
Swordsman From a Foreign Land
Level one monster. Attack: 250 Defense: 250. Any Monster attacked by this card will be destroyed five turns later.
***
He's fallen asleep working again. No matter how many times I try to get him to stop, no matter what I do, he never stops. I'm not even sure he can stop anymore. I know he works because then he doesn't have to think about anyone or anything. I wonder what's bothering him this time.
"Big Brother, you need to wake up."
" 'm up."
"Good. Now, go to bed."
" Ina min' Mokuba, Jus' got a few more--"
"Seto, WAKE UP!"
" 'm awa'. "
"No you're not."
Forget it. He can just sleep there and get his neck all messed up, see if I care. If I move his precious papers, I can shove a pillow-- Where'd I put that blanket? I've gotta find something to distract him. This can't go on, he's gonna kill himself.
Besides, if he stops working so much he'll have more time to spend with me.
"Big brother, you gotta get a girlfriend or something. Tea's dating Joey. What do you think of Mai?"
"....'s annoy'...."
"Then she'll be perfect for you. You can go back to sleep now."
" ... uh..."
I know it's gonna annoy him, but I've got to try something. And Mai seems pretty nice, and she likes him, she'll probably play along. Especially if she thinks it's his idea. I wonder--
I'll bet I can get Yuugi to help me set this up.
***
"Hey Yuugi."
"Mokuba! How are you?"
"I'm ok, I guess. I was thinking, maybe you could help me with something."
"What's that?"
"I'm trying to get Seto a date."
"Mokuba, that's really sweet. But he's not my type-- I mean, I'm not-- I don't really have time to date anyone right now."
"Not with you, silly."
"Oh. Well. In that case, I'd be happy to help you."
"See, this is what I'm thinking--"
***
"Hey Gary."
"Master Mokuba. How are you sir?"
"I was wondering if you'd help me. See--"
***
"Yuugi?"
"Just a moment, Mokuba, I'll go and retrieve him."
"No, that's ok, Yami. Maybe you ought to be in on this too."
"What 'this' are you referring to?"
"Well, see, I'm trying to get a date for Seto, and Yuugi and I were thinking that--"
"I am sorry, Mokuba, I am afraid I am unable to help you in the manner you request."
"Sheesh! What is it with you guys? No, I wanna get Seto and Mai together."
"Oh."
"And I was thinking that if we--"
***
"Hello?"
"Hey Mai, guess what, guess what?"
"What?"
"Joey asked me out again."
"Tea, that's-- wow. I know you guys will have a great time."
"Wanna go shopping with me tonight?"
"I'd like to, really. But I've got some work that's--"
"Honestly, Mai, that's all you ever do anymore."
"Sorry."
"I'll bet Yuugi would go with me."
"Why don't you get Joey to go with you and you can have a pre-date date."
"Hmm-- You know, that just might work--"
"I have to go, Tea. Have fun, ok."
***
"Miss Mai, mail."
"Thanks Gary, just set it in the inbox."
"Miss Mai, Master Kaiba finds your work most satisfactory."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You needn't spend additional time in the office."
"I see."
"Go home, Miss Mai. It's late."
"I will, eventually."
***
Wow, it really is late. I'll just flip through the mail, then I'll go. By that time it'll be too late to stop by the game shop.
Really-- I'm not avoiding you guys, honest, it's just, you know, work and all--
Not like anyone will notice I'm not there, anyway.
Bill, bill, bill: those all go to finance. Junk mail, bill, junk, junk, Gary! you may have already won--. Yeesh, Garry, why'd you bother to bring me this drivel-- but, who's bothering to write me a letter? Don't recognize the handwriting--
My Dearest Mai,
Do you think of me often? Oh, I do hope so. I'd hate for the time we spent together to have been ... unmemorable.
Don't think I've forgotten you, chere. Oh no, I could never forget such vibrance, such spirited passion.
And now, to business.
Tell me, have you been successful in your quest to save your precious Kaiba-boy? Have you managed to lure him into your ... arms?
My sources tell me you have not, but of course, Mai darling, I know much goes on behind the cold, sterile walls of KaibaCorp that I am not aware of.
For the moment, anyway.
Remember, Mai dear, there are many people who are interested in you and your friends. And not all of them are as generous and kind-hearted as I am.
Do be careful, dearest, keep your eyes open, and don't forget to practice your .... dueling skills.
Maximillion Pegasus
***
***
***
Magical Hats
A magic card that allows your monster to hide under one of three hats. Your opponent must attack the correct hat in order to destroy your monster.
***
"Mai?"
"Hey Yuugi, how are you?"
"I'm ok. Are you angry at me?"
"No, of course not. Why on earth would you think that?"
"Well, I never see you anymore ...."
"I'm sorry, Yuug. It's nothing personal. I've just-- Work's been really chaotic."
"But you'll come by the store tonight, right?"
"I really don't have the time."
"Please Mai, we haven't seen you in so long. We're worried about you. You wouldn't have to stay long: just for a few minutes. Grandpa's been asking for you, and he hasn't been feeling so good lately ..."
"All right Yuugi, I'll come by and see you guys. I can't stay too long, though."
"How soon do you think you can get here?"
"I don't know, maybe a half hour from now. Why?"
"I figured the least we could do was make you dinner. Six then?"
"I suppose."
***
"Nothing like pure guilt to make manipulation easy."
"I agree, Yuugi; now it's my turn."
"I'll go start dinner."
"Don't you want to hear this?"
"Yes, but I'd better not. I mean, what would happen to the plan if I laughed?"
***
"Hello?"
"Hey big brother."
"Mokuba, where are you? You're supposed to be home."
"I'm sorry, Seto, I'm here at the game shop with Yuugi."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he's been helping me with my homework."
"I told you I was willing to help you."
'Well, you were so busy with the new VR game; I didn't want to bother you."
"Mokuba--"
"It's ok, really. Yuugi's a good teacher."
"But--"
"And he said anytime I didn't understand something he was more than willing to help me."
"It's time for you to come home, Mokuba."
"I know, but it's starting to get dark. And it's raining. I really don't want to walk home. I guess I could see if Tristan could give me a ride home--"
"I'll send Garry with the limo--"
"He wasn't feeling good, so I told him he could have the afternoon off.
"What?!"
"Well, I didn't want him getting sick in the car. I mean, you just had it cleaned and all ..."
"When will you be finished?"
"Six. Maybe fifteen after."
"I'll be waiting outside the game shop at six-fifteen. Be ready."
"Thanks, Seto."
***
"Piece of cake. Yuugi, he'll be here at six-fifteen."
"Good. Now all we have to do is--"
***
Great, I come all the way down here, in the rain no less, and the store's dark. Ok, so I'm a couple minutes late, but still, it's only eight after.
What's this? 'Out of sweet rolls; went to get more. Go ahead and go inside.' Since when are sweet rolls a vital part of dinner?
He could've called me; I would've have picked some up on my way here. Guess I might as well go in and see if I can set the table or something while I wait. Almost got it-- At least that way I'll be out of the rain. And there we go, this one gets easier every time.
Oh, that's nice: they set out the good china. It's been so long since I've eaten out of anything but a carry-out box. Let's see- what still needs to be done? I suppose I can finish the salad-- I'll just turn on the radio--
***
Mokuba, where are you? I said six-fifteen, in front of the game shop, which, of course, (according to the hours posted) closes at six. Wonderful. No wonder everything is dark. You'd think they could've kept the shop open an extra fifteen minutes. Wait-- is that a light in the back room? Perhaps the back door is open. Ah, good.
Candles? China? What sort of nonsense is this?
***
***
Mystic Box
A Trap card that destroys your opponent's monster in place of your own.
***
"Mai. I should have known."
"Known what? Wait-- Kaiba, what are you doing here?"
"I'm collecting Mokuba. You?"
"I'm supposed to be having dinner with Yuugi and his Grandfather."
"Interesting how the table's set for two."
"I was a bit late, guess they didn't think I'd actually make it."
"Right. Where's Mokuba?"
"Haven't seen him, maybe he went with Yuugi for the sweet rolls."
"What are you doing?"
"Finishing the salad. Taste?"
"No."
"You know, Kaiba, there's plenty of food. I'm sure you and Mokuba could stay for dinner--"
"No."
"It might not be so bad."
"You have no idea how bad it would be. I'll wait outside."
"In the rain?"
"In the car."
"Mai, did you lock the back door?"
"No, I thought it was locked. I came in through the shop."
"It's locked now; bolted from the outside."
"Well, go out through the shop door, then. Wait--"
"Yes?"
"Get me the roll of paper towels, will you. My hands have dressing on them."
"Here."
"Thanks--"
"Are you sure you came in through the front door?"
"Yeah, why?"
"It's locked."
"So open it."
"There's a chain through both doors, on the outside."
"Weird. Do you want to try a window or something?"
"They're all too small."
"Oh, Kaiba, chill. I'm sure Yuugi and Mokuba will be back in a few minutes. How long can it take to buy sweet rolls? Besides, it's freezing out there, you might as well wait inside the store where it's warm."
***
"Hello? Turtle Game Shop."
"Yuugi? Where are you?"
"Where is he? Where's Mokuba?"
"Calm down Kaiba-- Yuug, what's going on?"
"It's ok, Mokuba is fine, Kaiba. He and Yuugi are at Joey's house. Said it was raining too badly for them to come home.
Wait-- What do you mean he's out of town? But you invited me for dinner, you said your Grandfather wanted to see--"
"Ask him-- No, give me the phone.
Yuugi, I must speak with Mokuba.
Mokuba, where are you? What? Why aren't you here?
What do you mean 'have a nice dinner alone with Mai if it kills you'?"
"Mai, what do you know about this?"
"Nothing, honest. Really. Don't look at me like that-- if I had been planning this, I wouldn't have made salmon. I hate salmon. Nevertheless, it appears we are stuck here until we have dinner."
"Great."
"Come on, Kaiba, it won't be that bad. I think I brought my bag in. We can eat quickly and discuss software marketing, just like always. I think I can find some paper plates if that'll make you feel more comfortable."
"What else would you want to talk to me about?"
"Lots of things. For example, I heard there was a simulated Mai running around in one of the VR rooms."
"Nonsense, one Mai is more than enough."
"Quality over quality, always a good choice, but, unfortunately, you forgot to modify the menus. I take it this means you're planning to knock me off and give her my job?"
"It's a possibility, particularly if you keep questioning me."
"It's noted. Here. Eat something."
"This actually isn't too bad."
"Except for the salmon, anyway."
"Here, I'll eat yours."
***
"We've eaten and cleaned up. Why won't they let us out?"
"Jonesing for your laptop?
"Yes."
"It's not my fault you left it in the car. Maybe they're waiting for us to do something cheesy and romantic."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Well, if you'd prefer, we could always plot our revenge."
"I'd like to stay out of jail, thank you."
"Look, they have to come back to open the store tomorrow. How do we want them to find us?"
"Long gone."
"And if that's not an option?"
"I'm not going to seduce you just because Yuugi and Mokuba locked us up in a cheesy romantic setting."
"So if they hadn't locked us up in a cheesy romantic setting, you'd seduce me? Oh, had they but known! Kaiba, listen. Everyone is doing backflips to get us alone together. You ought to admire their effort, even if you don't appreciate the end results. And if you're not interested in ... getting together, that's not a huge problem, but you probably need to make that generally known. Although, I suspect Mokuba won't stop bothering you until you're actually seeing someone. I think he worries about you."
"And you don't?"
"I never said that."
***
"Kaiba, you've been staring at the same page for the last fifteen minutes. Whatcha thinking about?
"I'm reading."
"It's manga. What's to read?"
***
What if I kissed her?
When's the punch-line? When will they start laughing?
Why won't they finish their idiotic plan so I can go home? Perhaps that's the joke: watching me look over my shoulder all night.
***
"Kaiba, it's getting late. I'm gonna go to sleep."
"Ok."
"Just a thought ... It would make my life a lot easier if you gave me some kind of clue as to what you're thinking."
"How's this?"
"Not bad. But your language isn't up to its' usual high standard ... I think maybe you'd better repeat .... mmm."
"Maybe once more ... just for clarification purposes."
"Of course."
***
"Shh, guys, be quiet. They're sleeping."
"Together?"
"I wanna see."
"Nope, sorry."
"Hey--"
"They're not together-- Kaiba's on the couch, Mai's on my bed."
"Wonder if anything happened?"
"You think I'd tell you if it did?"
"Mai! Uhm--"
"Joey, I'm sure that was merely idle speculation on your part; not a request for details-- fictitious or otherwise."
"Where's Kaiba?"
"He's still asleep. Let him be."
Swordsman From a Foreign Land
Level one monster. Attack: 250 Defense: 250. Any Monster attacked by this card will be destroyed five turns later.
***
He's fallen asleep working again. No matter how many times I try to get him to stop, no matter what I do, he never stops. I'm not even sure he can stop anymore. I know he works because then he doesn't have to think about anyone or anything. I wonder what's bothering him this time.
"Big Brother, you need to wake up."
" 'm up."
"Good. Now, go to bed."
" Ina min' Mokuba, Jus' got a few more--"
"Seto, WAKE UP!"
" 'm awa'. "
"No you're not."
Forget it. He can just sleep there and get his neck all messed up, see if I care. If I move his precious papers, I can shove a pillow-- Where'd I put that blanket? I've gotta find something to distract him. This can't go on, he's gonna kill himself.
Besides, if he stops working so much he'll have more time to spend with me.
"Big brother, you gotta get a girlfriend or something. Tea's dating Joey. What do you think of Mai?"
"....'s annoy'...."
"Then she'll be perfect for you. You can go back to sleep now."
" ... uh..."
I know it's gonna annoy him, but I've got to try something. And Mai seems pretty nice, and she likes him, she'll probably play along. Especially if she thinks it's his idea. I wonder--
I'll bet I can get Yuugi to help me set this up.
***
"Hey Yuugi."
"Mokuba! How are you?"
"I'm ok, I guess. I was thinking, maybe you could help me with something."
"What's that?"
"I'm trying to get Seto a date."
"Mokuba, that's really sweet. But he's not my type-- I mean, I'm not-- I don't really have time to date anyone right now."
"Not with you, silly."
"Oh. Well. In that case, I'd be happy to help you."
"See, this is what I'm thinking--"
***
"Hey Gary."
"Master Mokuba. How are you sir?"
"I was wondering if you'd help me. See--"
***
"Yuugi?"
"Just a moment, Mokuba, I'll go and retrieve him."
"No, that's ok, Yami. Maybe you ought to be in on this too."
"What 'this' are you referring to?"
"Well, see, I'm trying to get a date for Seto, and Yuugi and I were thinking that--"
"I am sorry, Mokuba, I am afraid I am unable to help you in the manner you request."
"Sheesh! What is it with you guys? No, I wanna get Seto and Mai together."
"Oh."
"And I was thinking that if we--"
***
"Hello?"
"Hey Mai, guess what, guess what?"
"What?"
"Joey asked me out again."
"Tea, that's-- wow. I know you guys will have a great time."
"Wanna go shopping with me tonight?"
"I'd like to, really. But I've got some work that's--"
"Honestly, Mai, that's all you ever do anymore."
"Sorry."
"I'll bet Yuugi would go with me."
"Why don't you get Joey to go with you and you can have a pre-date date."
"Hmm-- You know, that just might work--"
"I have to go, Tea. Have fun, ok."
***
"Miss Mai, mail."
"Thanks Gary, just set it in the inbox."
"Miss Mai, Master Kaiba finds your work most satisfactory."
"Oh?"
"Yes. You needn't spend additional time in the office."
"I see."
"Go home, Miss Mai. It's late."
"I will, eventually."
***
Wow, it really is late. I'll just flip through the mail, then I'll go. By that time it'll be too late to stop by the game shop.
Really-- I'm not avoiding you guys, honest, it's just, you know, work and all--
Not like anyone will notice I'm not there, anyway.
Bill, bill, bill: those all go to finance. Junk mail, bill, junk, junk, Gary! you may have already won--. Yeesh, Garry, why'd you bother to bring me this drivel-- but, who's bothering to write me a letter? Don't recognize the handwriting--
My Dearest Mai,
Do you think of me often? Oh, I do hope so. I'd hate for the time we spent together to have been ... unmemorable.
Don't think I've forgotten you, chere. Oh no, I could never forget such vibrance, such spirited passion.
And now, to business.
Tell me, have you been successful in your quest to save your precious Kaiba-boy? Have you managed to lure him into your ... arms?
My sources tell me you have not, but of course, Mai darling, I know much goes on behind the cold, sterile walls of KaibaCorp that I am not aware of.
For the moment, anyway.
Remember, Mai dear, there are many people who are interested in you and your friends. And not all of them are as generous and kind-hearted as I am.
Do be careful, dearest, keep your eyes open, and don't forget to practice your .... dueling skills.
Maximillion Pegasus
***
***
***
Magical Hats
A magic card that allows your monster to hide under one of three hats. Your opponent must attack the correct hat in order to destroy your monster.
***
"Mai?"
"Hey Yuugi, how are you?"
"I'm ok. Are you angry at me?"
"No, of course not. Why on earth would you think that?"
"Well, I never see you anymore ...."
"I'm sorry, Yuug. It's nothing personal. I've just-- Work's been really chaotic."
"But you'll come by the store tonight, right?"
"I really don't have the time."
"Please Mai, we haven't seen you in so long. We're worried about you. You wouldn't have to stay long: just for a few minutes. Grandpa's been asking for you, and he hasn't been feeling so good lately ..."
"All right Yuugi, I'll come by and see you guys. I can't stay too long, though."
"How soon do you think you can get here?"
"I don't know, maybe a half hour from now. Why?"
"I figured the least we could do was make you dinner. Six then?"
"I suppose."
***
"Nothing like pure guilt to make manipulation easy."
"I agree, Yuugi; now it's my turn."
"I'll go start dinner."
"Don't you want to hear this?"
"Yes, but I'd better not. I mean, what would happen to the plan if I laughed?"
***
"Hello?"
"Hey big brother."
"Mokuba, where are you? You're supposed to be home."
"I'm sorry, Seto, I'm here at the game shop with Yuugi."
"Oh?"
"Yeah, he's been helping me with my homework."
"I told you I was willing to help you."
'Well, you were so busy with the new VR game; I didn't want to bother you."
"Mokuba--"
"It's ok, really. Yuugi's a good teacher."
"But--"
"And he said anytime I didn't understand something he was more than willing to help me."
"It's time for you to come home, Mokuba."
"I know, but it's starting to get dark. And it's raining. I really don't want to walk home. I guess I could see if Tristan could give me a ride home--"
"I'll send Garry with the limo--"
"He wasn't feeling good, so I told him he could have the afternoon off.
"What?!"
"Well, I didn't want him getting sick in the car. I mean, you just had it cleaned and all ..."
"When will you be finished?"
"Six. Maybe fifteen after."
"I'll be waiting outside the game shop at six-fifteen. Be ready."
"Thanks, Seto."
***
"Piece of cake. Yuugi, he'll be here at six-fifteen."
"Good. Now all we have to do is--"
***
Great, I come all the way down here, in the rain no less, and the store's dark. Ok, so I'm a couple minutes late, but still, it's only eight after.
What's this? 'Out of sweet rolls; went to get more. Go ahead and go inside.' Since when are sweet rolls a vital part of dinner?
He could've called me; I would've have picked some up on my way here. Guess I might as well go in and see if I can set the table or something while I wait. Almost got it-- At least that way I'll be out of the rain. And there we go, this one gets easier every time.
Oh, that's nice: they set out the good china. It's been so long since I've eaten out of anything but a carry-out box. Let's see- what still needs to be done? I suppose I can finish the salad-- I'll just turn on the radio--
***
Mokuba, where are you? I said six-fifteen, in front of the game shop, which, of course, (according to the hours posted) closes at six. Wonderful. No wonder everything is dark. You'd think they could've kept the shop open an extra fifteen minutes. Wait-- is that a light in the back room? Perhaps the back door is open. Ah, good.
Candles? China? What sort of nonsense is this?
***
***
Mystic Box
A Trap card that destroys your opponent's monster in place of your own.
***
"Mai. I should have known."
"Known what? Wait-- Kaiba, what are you doing here?"
"I'm collecting Mokuba. You?"
"I'm supposed to be having dinner with Yuugi and his Grandfather."
"Interesting how the table's set for two."
"I was a bit late, guess they didn't think I'd actually make it."
"Right. Where's Mokuba?"
"Haven't seen him, maybe he went with Yuugi for the sweet rolls."
"What are you doing?"
"Finishing the salad. Taste?"
"No."
"You know, Kaiba, there's plenty of food. I'm sure you and Mokuba could stay for dinner--"
"No."
"It might not be so bad."
"You have no idea how bad it would be. I'll wait outside."
"In the rain?"
"In the car."
"Mai, did you lock the back door?"
"No, I thought it was locked. I came in through the shop."
"It's locked now; bolted from the outside."
"Well, go out through the shop door, then. Wait--"
"Yes?"
"Get me the roll of paper towels, will you. My hands have dressing on them."
"Here."
"Thanks--"
"Are you sure you came in through the front door?"
"Yeah, why?"
"It's locked."
"So open it."
"There's a chain through both doors, on the outside."
"Weird. Do you want to try a window or something?"
"They're all too small."
"Oh, Kaiba, chill. I'm sure Yuugi and Mokuba will be back in a few minutes. How long can it take to buy sweet rolls? Besides, it's freezing out there, you might as well wait inside the store where it's warm."
***
"Hello? Turtle Game Shop."
"Yuugi? Where are you?"
"Where is he? Where's Mokuba?"
"Calm down Kaiba-- Yuug, what's going on?"
"It's ok, Mokuba is fine, Kaiba. He and Yuugi are at Joey's house. Said it was raining too badly for them to come home.
Wait-- What do you mean he's out of town? But you invited me for dinner, you said your Grandfather wanted to see--"
"Ask him-- No, give me the phone.
Yuugi, I must speak with Mokuba.
Mokuba, where are you? What? Why aren't you here?
What do you mean 'have a nice dinner alone with Mai if it kills you'?"
"Mai, what do you know about this?"
"Nothing, honest. Really. Don't look at me like that-- if I had been planning this, I wouldn't have made salmon. I hate salmon. Nevertheless, it appears we are stuck here until we have dinner."
"Great."
"Come on, Kaiba, it won't be that bad. I think I brought my bag in. We can eat quickly and discuss software marketing, just like always. I think I can find some paper plates if that'll make you feel more comfortable."
"What else would you want to talk to me about?"
"Lots of things. For example, I heard there was a simulated Mai running around in one of the VR rooms."
"Nonsense, one Mai is more than enough."
"Quality over quality, always a good choice, but, unfortunately, you forgot to modify the menus. I take it this means you're planning to knock me off and give her my job?"
"It's a possibility, particularly if you keep questioning me."
"It's noted. Here. Eat something."
"This actually isn't too bad."
"Except for the salmon, anyway."
"Here, I'll eat yours."
***
"We've eaten and cleaned up. Why won't they let us out?"
"Jonesing for your laptop?
"Yes."
"It's not my fault you left it in the car. Maybe they're waiting for us to do something cheesy and romantic."
"Don't be ridiculous."
"Well, if you'd prefer, we could always plot our revenge."
"I'd like to stay out of jail, thank you."
"Look, they have to come back to open the store tomorrow. How do we want them to find us?"
"Long gone."
"And if that's not an option?"
"I'm not going to seduce you just because Yuugi and Mokuba locked us up in a cheesy romantic setting."
"So if they hadn't locked us up in a cheesy romantic setting, you'd seduce me? Oh, had they but known! Kaiba, listen. Everyone is doing backflips to get us alone together. You ought to admire their effort, even if you don't appreciate the end results. And if you're not interested in ... getting together, that's not a huge problem, but you probably need to make that generally known. Although, I suspect Mokuba won't stop bothering you until you're actually seeing someone. I think he worries about you."
"And you don't?"
"I never said that."
***
"Kaiba, you've been staring at the same page for the last fifteen minutes. Whatcha thinking about?
"I'm reading."
"It's manga. What's to read?"
***
What if I kissed her?
When's the punch-line? When will they start laughing?
Why won't they finish their idiotic plan so I can go home? Perhaps that's the joke: watching me look over my shoulder all night.
***
"Kaiba, it's getting late. I'm gonna go to sleep."
"Ok."
"Just a thought ... It would make my life a lot easier if you gave me some kind of clue as to what you're thinking."
"How's this?"
"Not bad. But your language isn't up to its' usual high standard ... I think maybe you'd better repeat .... mmm."
"Maybe once more ... just for clarification purposes."
"Of course."
***
"Shh, guys, be quiet. They're sleeping."
"Together?"
"I wanna see."
"Nope, sorry."
"Hey--"
"They're not together-- Kaiba's on the couch, Mai's on my bed."
"Wonder if anything happened?"
"You think I'd tell you if it did?"
"Mai! Uhm--"
"Joey, I'm sure that was merely idle speculation on your part; not a request for details-- fictitious or otherwise."
"Where's Kaiba?"
"He's still asleep. Let him be."