The Ideals Of Gaen (Drabble)
A Rarity's Birthday Day Festival 2024 🎁 (For my Boo, my Boyfriend, Jeff aka @throneofein)
The Amanosuzu's Groups' annual gala was always an event Mokuba enjoyed attending. No one quite threw a party like his eldest friend did, everything from the food, to the decorations, to the events being picked to perfection. Yes, the event was very much formal, as one would expect, but it wasn't 'stuffy' like other parties he's attended. He was actually enjoying himself for once in his life.
While his brother was handling business discussions (as that was the only reason his brother was attending this to begin with), Mokuba had settled out to find where his friends from Aibo Academy were. Part of the festivities was, no surprise to anyone, a Buddyfight competition. The person who obtains the most wins within the time limit was to win a special secret prize that Suzuha told him was well worth the effort. They even were lending out loaner decks and Core Deck Cases just in case anyone who wanted to participate could. It was a rather smart and fun marketing idea, one Mokuba might have to keep in his back pocket for a future event for the company.
His search for his friends through the spacious castle estate is suddenly halted as he notices someone randomly (at least it appeared that way) staring at one of the paintings in the hallway. Specifically, it was one of the few portraits of Tasuku Ryuenji that Lady Suzuha had hung around the place. She sure wasn't making her crush on him any more evident with stunts like this. Though, what was of interest to the boy was not the actions but more so who was doing it, purple hues scanning the appearance of the person trying to figure out who it was and why...he looked so familiar.
White hair with crimson tips, eyes that reminded one of a dragon's eye, dropped in reds and golds...He looked like something out of a video game, like a demonic prince kind of character. It's that thought that finally clicks in just who this is, Mokuba suddenly remembering a conversation he had at last year's event, one in which he had been actually introduced to the stranger who was apparently an old friend of Suzuha's...
"K-Kyoya Gaen, head of the Gaen Financial Group...right?"
"A pleasure to see you again, Mokuba Kaiba, Vice President of Kaiba Corporation." The other smiles at him in response. It was a smile that was cordial, almost perfect one might say.
"You here to admire the artwork as well? I must say the artist here really did capture Tasuku Ryuenji's likeness, don't you agree?"
"I-I guess so..." An attempt at a response as Mokuba placed his hands in his pocket from the awkwardness of a sudden conversation. "...b-but I'm actually looking for my friends. They're taking place in the Buddyfight event tonight."
"Oh, are they? Well, I'm sure they're somewhere around here. Lady Suzuha has quite a number of fighting arenas on this property. It is impressive. A shame I won't be able to use one of them."
"...You're not competing?" That was odd. From Mokuba's understanding, Kyoya Gaen was much like Tasuku and Seto in being rather gifted at games, especially Buddyfight and chess. You'd think he'd jump on the chance to show off his skills. Then again, his brother was rather 'selective' in who he played games with. Perhaps the teen head was much the same.
"I, unfortunately, have other business to attend to tonight that prevents me from doing so. Though, I am interested to see the...talent of the fighters on display. The newly upgraded Core Deck Cases make such grand Buddyfights possible, and of course, we have your company to thank for that, yes?"
"Y-Yeah..." He confirms what the other should probably know already. "The Core Deck Cases virtual protection technology is a version of Kaiba Corp's Solid Vision that was developed for the Duel Disk that was combined with the previous system. It was a...great collaboration between our company and the Amanosuzu Group's gaming division that's helped both of us."
"Indeed. Your brother's Solid Vision technology is exquisite. Truly, remarkable. Though, if I may be honest with you, I think the potential of your company's technology is being a bit...wasted, don't you think?"
"...Excuse me?" His remark sounds like a perfect blend of both confusion and offense, with a hint of a lowered tone that is all too similar to that of his brother.
"Oh, I meant no insult by my words, I assure you. I mean them as only a compliment! Kaiba Corporation's technology is truly innovative, unlike anything I've ever seen. That's why I think there is...so much b that could be done with it other than just game development. Your recent Kaiba Land project is a perfect example of this. Just think of what other possibilities could be made into reality with such technology, what good things it can do for this world."
"W-What do you mean?"
"Well, your technology certainly has brought many people together. Such is the power of games. Now, think of what it could do if it was applied to something on...a broader scale. Why, one might say it could potentially...change this troubled world of ours." The other's eyes narrowed with that last statement, shifting into something that seemed almost 'dangerous'.
"Change the world...?" He takes a step back, almost as if trying to get away.
"This world of ours is full of unnecessary suffering. Surely you of all people are aware of that fact..." Hearing that causes Mokuba's eyes to wince, as if he was just hit by a slashing blade. Did...Did he know about his past, something that wasn't public knowledge? "I simply think it is the responsibility of those of us with great power and resources to do something about it. So, I ask you..."
A hand is then extended to the young boy, a gesture that makes him pause and stare at it for what felt like forever.
"Will you become my friend, and together, help me change the fate of the world?"
Despite the 'genuine' smile on the other's face and the seeming normality of the gesture, there was this tension in the air that he couldn't shake. The way Kyoya was acting...What he was saying...It all should make him feel one way, but...it wasn't. Instead of feeling touched by his sentiment and wanting to help a clearly noble cause, instead wanted to run and seek help, as if facing down a monster.
"Uh...Uh..." He stutters in his words, frozen in place and shaken to his core. What should he do? What does he say? What can you even say to something like that?
It is after a few long moments that Mokuba comes to his answer. He takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself, and then looks the other directly in the eye, as best he could anyway. "I'm...I'm sure whatever you're thinking of is...great, but...I-I don't think I or...Kaiba Corp is right to help you with all that. I'm...I'm sorry."
One would expect such a rejection would make Kyoya react in some negative way. However, he remains...weirdly calm. He simply draws his hand back, Mokuba watching his actions intently as he then provides his vocal response.
"It's quite alright, Mr. Kaiba. I completely understand. I might have come off too strongly there. I simply couldn't help but discuss the potential of your company's technology in service of the world, and of you as my friend. Please, accept my apologies."
"It's...fine." It wasn't really, since the poor kid was now an anxious wreck, but what else could he say?
"I'm certain we'll meet again, and...that in time, you and your brother will no doubt come to see things my way, and we can all work together for a better world, a better future for us all, as friends." Kyoya's draconian hus stared right into the boy's soul as he spoke, him seemingly etching his words, which sounded like a threat, into it as if it were a stone.
"W-What are you-"
Mokuba is then cut off as the head then walks away, disappearing into the many halls of the castle when the boy had a chance to follow him. He can only stand still in silence as he tries to process what he just went through, a million questions running through his mind as his heart raced in his ears. Throughout it all though, the only thing that made sense was this: that Kyoya Gaen was a man to watch out for and that something was coming...coming he just didn't like...
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