#(OH WE BOTH NOTICED AND ISONO BE *respectfully* CALLING HIM OUT LOL

[universestreasures]

Of course, the CoS was paying attention. It was a key part of his job description to make sure every detail, every moment, he observed was etched into his mind like glass. He was Seto's right hand man, after all. And it was because of this skill he's cultivated working alongside this person who he met over 11 years ago that he quickly realized his employer was struggling with this new reality that was to come just around the corner.

The most telling sign of this he noticed was, despite the CEO's attempts to answer his questions, he did not answer them fully and seemingly still was focused on the business aspect of this despite the request of the shift in topic. There was no doubt Mokuba would do fine in the work role. He had proven himself capable on many occasions. That wasn't the heart of the concern here, and the two suited men both knew it.

But, as was customary of Seto, he was doing all he can to avoid it, to avoid the emotional aspect of this for both himself and his brother. The older man figured this would be the case. Isono knows his employer well and this type of behavior is nothing new. It was an area his boss has struggled with since he was young, understandable considering what he's gone through. However, this is why he proposed this talk to begin with, to help guide him through the difficulties of a topic he himself had been starting to struggle with considering his own daughter's graduation to occur within the next year.

Aiding the CEO was one of his key duties. And right now, it seems his aid was needed, whether his boss realizes it or not. So, with a deep breath and a few moments to contemplate how to go about this, Isono responds.

"I know, sir." A short acknowledgement followed by the nod of his head. "As with all your decisions for the buisness, you made this one with precision and after considering all the variables. And once again, I express my support of your decision in deeming your brother as the best candidate for this role. He will excel in that work position, as he has in the past with his other roles. This you nor I have any doubts on. However, with all do respect..."

This is where his sapphire hues shift. They appear softer but with a hint of sternness. It was the look a father would make when having a serious conversation with his child. And considering Isono cared for both Kaiba Brothers much akin to if they were his own children, such a change seemed fitting for this conversation.

"Your response to my questions did not address an important aspect of this, an aspect that is at the heart of my concerns. We've established throughougly that both you and Mokuba-sama will be able to handle the changes to your work positions. What we have yet to establish is how you both will handle the changes to your living situation, and the...challenges that will naturally come with it. Because while you are confident that Mokuba-sama will be 'fine' with the relocation, I respectfully...disagree. And I...share that same sentiment for you as well Seto-sama, based on past experiences I've witnessed both of you navigate."

What the CoS just said could very well get him fired. He knows he's overstepping his bounds just a bit here. He's well aware, and yet continues on anyway. This was too important to just stop half-hearted on a topic like this.

"One circumstance that comes to mind is Mokuba-sama's sudden trip to Cho-Tokyo to stay with Ryuenji Tasuku during Kaiba Land USA's construction. I'm sure there is no need to remind you of how difficult it was for both of you during those weeks of isolation from one another, and how if it was not for actions of Mikado Gao, such a period might have been further extended unnecessarily." Isono was grateful to the youth for his help in that scenario, further showing the importance of Mokuba-sama's friends that his employer still no doubt failed to see.

"I saw how both of you handled that temporary situation, and I think we can agree it was not handled in the most optimal way by either party." That was the nicest way he could he put it, for that situation was a disaster that he was powerless to do anything about but watch. "With that in and other similiar situations in mind, I am concerned as to what precedent do they set for a permement and unprecedented state of separation between you both. How do you plan to navigate not having your brother at your side constantly? How do you plan to navigate not being able to run to him at the first signs of danger, or not being able to observe him from anywhere in the city? How will you do you plan to handle your health, for who your brother has helped monitor out of concern for you?"

He could go on, but he feels there is no need to. No need to list all the points the man is certain the CEO has not already considered in his mind at this point. "These are questions that I'm sure Mokuba-sama will have as well, and unless they are answered in a satisfactory way where he won't need to be concerned about your well being, he won't go through with this promotion, Seto-sama."

Absolute privacy was a far-fetched concept; nearly non-existent when one had an array of employees that were akin to one's shadow, always there to witness everything. Isono's words were a tangible reminder of this. His years of service had certainly made the man privy to the intricacies of his personal life; including those that pertained to his brother.

❛  Hmph. You have worked for me long enough. In all those years, were you not paying attention ? ❜ A rhetorical question. ❛  It’s not my habit to incentivize restructuring in this company without prior and sufficient consideration. I endorsed Mokuba’s promotion knowing this new position would require his relocation.  ❜

Kaiba Land had long ceased to be a project of Kaiba Corporation. Its resounding success, both in Japan and especially in the United States, had called for a substantial injection of capital and human resources, that had undeniably turned what was once a rapidly growing department into its own company; a subsidiary of Kaiba Corporation. Managing both the subsidiary and the parent company from their respective headquarters in Japan, though a monumental feat, was something Seto had succeeded at. But with the relocation of the main office to the North American headquarters, the need for a CEO appointed specifically to Kaiba Land had become evident. Private jet or not, the amount of business trips he would have to take to the other side of the world to keep everything in order was simply and undeniably incompatible with his role as Kaiba Corporation's CEO and all that it demanded.

Stepping down from the leadership role wasn't a decision he had taken lightly, more so considering what it would inevitably entail given that there was only one person Seto deemed worthy of the position.

Mokuba wasn't just the best option; he was the only one Seto would ever entrust this task to. Kaiba Land wasn't just another subsidiary, another business. It was his and Mokuba's dream. Simply handing it over to anyone who was not his brother was out of the question.

❛  I wouldn't have proposed Mokuba's name to the board had I believed he wasn't prepared for what this entails. He'll do fine. ❜ Of this there was no doubt in his mind. His brother had long since begun showing his leadership skills, and had acquired more than enough experience. He had become the face behind one of Kaiba Corporation's most popular projects to date, having developed it by himself in time for his high school graduation, without even telling Seto about it until it was finished and ready to be presented to the company's directors. Even now Mokuba still continued to lead it. He had also gained the board's favor entirely on his own and had worked almost completely independently to him the last months. Of course he was ready.