ToDC - Story 1, chapter 2

Tales from Domino City
Where it all began? Chapter 2

The next day Kaiba was sitting in his office at Kaiba Corp. going through his thoughts and emotions. He should have been in school today but there he would have met Jou and Kaiba was way too nervous to do that right now. Thinking back what Mokuba had “told” him yesterday, Kaiba knew his little brother was most likely right. Kaiba had seen Jou looking down but not even in his wildest dreams would Kaiba have thought the reason would be Kaiba himself. He also did admit he had feelings of love for the little Puppy but because of his own shyness Kaiba hadn’t been able to do anything about them – and it ate him inside. ‘Has it really been two months?’ Kaiba thought looking out the window and enjoying the warm Sun ‘It surely is possible.’

Mokuba had often – during that time – invited Jounouchi at the manor to play and try out new games. Kaiba had tried to be civil, but 7 out of 10 times their meetings had left Jou angry and hurt. The rare times Kaiba had managed not to end their meetings in argument, he had seen hope in Jou’s eyes. This had stirred a feeling in Kaiba but he hadn’t dared to let his hopes up though now it seemed that was exactly what he should have done. Open himself up even a little. He let out a sigh as a memory come to his mind.

~~~

Author’s notes: When I talk about times here, I want you all to know I mean Japanese school year times.
Meaning: The Japanese school year begins in April, the first term running to around July 20, when summer vacation begins. The second term lasts from early September to about December 25th. The final term begins in early January and continues to late March.

*Three (3) months earlier*

“Hey Jou. This is a rare site.” a chirping voice said. Jounouchi turned around and waved to his friend smiling widely. “Hi Yug. How’s it goin’?” he said, giving the smaller one a quick hug. They were standing outside the school gates while waiting the others. Yuugi did answer his question but threw one right back at Jou. “How are you here already?” Yuugi asked while it seemed their other friends weren’t coming in some time still. ‘There is the dreaded question.’ Jounouchi thought gulping but made sure his friend didn’t see him gritting his teeth in frustration. He knew the question would pop up, he just wished it hadn’t. “I-“ he started to say when there was a sudden voice “interrupting” him. “Jou! Mah pal! It’s nice ta see ya ‘ehe this early.” Taking Jounouchi into the infamous headlock, Tristan ruffled him up like always. The two guys were in a friendly scuffle making the light snow around them fly while Yuugi and Anzu were talking to one on other. Soon the bell rang stopping whatever everyone was doing. “That’s the first bell, we better get in.” Yuugi said, and the group moved to the class taking their seats.

Jounouchi felt a pair of eyes on him, and looked at the direction of a certain CEO. And sure enough he quickly looked away. Shaking his head just lightly Jou turned his attention back to his friends being his goofy self - for the outside world at least. ‘Why is he always so interested about me?’ Jou though taking a sly glance at Kaiba. Unfortunately the glance wasn’t so secret on the receiving end, as Jou’s amber was met with ice blue. Getting a little irritated, Jou still managed to keep it in and hidden. Kaiba’s smug smile told it all though: 1 point to Seto Kaiba. This weird game between them had been going on for a while now and Jounouchi didn’t know when it has actually started. He had also started to feel contradicted about Kaiba. Sure, they didn’t come along but they weren’t exactly enemies either.

Jou also had feelings for Yuugi (both being gay) but it never went anywhere. Yes, Yuugi understood that Jou loved him, but he wanted to keep it at friendship. Jou had felt hurt, but at the same time he knew the idea behind Yuugi’s thoughts. It wasn’t easy for Jou to go back to “normal” – back to the time before his confession – but when the winter break was over their other friends didn’t see anything, or – at least – they didn’t say anything.

Kaiba though was a different matter altogether. There didn’t seem to be anything that escaped those sharp eyes and keen ears of his. He had immediately spotted the slight difference in the actions between Yuugi and Jounouchi.

That day when the four stepped into the classroom, Kaiba had an inward smile on. ‘It seems my Puppy had a good night. Doesn’t seem so tired and distracted today.’ he thought and averted his eyes when Jounouchi looked at his way. A bit later, when Kaiba looked at Jou again, he met his honey eyes quickly glancing at him. A smirk creeped on Kaiba’s lips as he saw the irritated, though hidden expression on Jou’s face. ‘But what was that before?’ Kaiba thought looking at his book, ‘That thoughtful expression in his eyes when he looked at me.’

Soon the bell rang again and in no time the teacher arrived. Everyone focused on their studies and what the teacher was telling them about. Well, almost everyone. Some of the students were slacking like always, and today Jou seemed to be one of them. “Jounouchi Katsuya!”* was suddenly heard in the class in a demanding manner, making Jou slip off his supporting hand and collapse on the table. He had been following the teaching, but in some point his thoughts had drifted back to Kaiba. Jou had laid his chin on his hand, his elbow on the table. To avoid accidentally looking at Kaiba, Jou had looked between the blackboard and the trees outside the windows next to him. Now though he was blinking his eyes while collecting his thoughts. “Jounouchi, are you alright?” the teacher asked more calmly now, that she had the boy’s attention. Jou looked at her straightening himself and gave her an over sugary smile “Yes mam, everythin’’s peachy.” The teacher raised an eyebrow but let it pass. “Just pay attention from now on.” she said and turned back to her book continuing her teaching.
*Japanese way of saying the name: Family name first and then the first name.

Jounouchi made a quick grimace for the mistake he had just done. Though he outwardly was the clown of the class, the teachers knew the true side of him; he was in the top five in the whole school and the second best in the class right after Seto Kaiba. In arts though he was second to none. He had his own lockable cabinet for his works and the teacher had given him a second key to get in as he pleased. This was Jounouchi’s secret, as were his grades. He did talk about school and classes with others but when it came to grades… all, others got out of him, was a small smile and a comment for him still being in school with them. Another big (and also shameful) secret he kept from others was his family life. Alright, fare enough, Tristan knew what Jou had to go through home. Had a long time actually, but every time he tried to get Jou out of it and help, Jou gave him cold shoulder and pushed him away saying he had chosen to stay and help his old man. Against this background Tristan had no choice but to stay close to his best mate and do what he could. Jounouchi’s friends knew he kept things from them, but they had learned not to be too nosy about things he was reluctant to talk about. They either had gotten in word fights with him, or he had walked or ran away and hid himself. That was his other specialty after arts – to hide himself. Tristan had told Yuugi and Anzu that it had most likely to do with his past, but other than that Tristan had kept his mouth shut.

‘What is his deal and where he always disappears to?’ Kaiba thought as he looked at Jounouchi again. They were doing the third (last) term of the first year and it was after the winter break that Kaiba had noticed the slight changes in Jounouchi; the sly glances Jou gave at Kaiba – so that others didn’t notice, the soft nuances in Jou’s voice when they talked – like he actually didn’t want to argue with Kaiba, and the rare glints in Jou’s eyes Kaiba managed to catch. It was those hidden feelings in Jou’s eyes and voice that confused Kaiba and made him think.

‘His eyes…’ Kaiba thought as bell rang freeing the class for a recess. ‘There is something in his eyes that bother me the most.’ he thought as he observed the four friends.

~~~

*Back in the present time*

Kaiba took a deep breath and looked around him. He was in his office in the headquarters but this time the difference being that he had gotten something done. Nothing physical but things were going forward. Kaiba though felt even more nervous now that he knew what he needed to do next regarding Jounouchi. And Kaiba wanted – so badly – to be the target of Jou’s “softer side” as Mokuba had put it. There were moments when Kaiba had been able to see glimpses of that side of Jou and it made Kaiba jealous of the person Jou showed those feelings to – even when it was Jou’s little sister or Kaiba’s own little brother.

Giving a sigh Kaiba turned his head and looked – with a tired expression – at his laptop that was closed and silent on his desk. He looked back outside and then again at his laptop. His lips got tight as he got up and packed the computer in a silver case, determination radiating from his face.