Chapter 15: Bridal Rose - Happiness

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Amid blinding flashes of camera light and downpour of questions and accusations, Seto walked towards the small platform raised in front of the room. The more he walked, the more of what little confidence he had ebbed away. As if understanding Seto without words, Katsuya slipped his hand into his hand, so Seto curled his fingers around Katsuya's and gave the smaller hand a light squeeze. Quick glance at his lover reassured him with Katsuya's small smile. The two took a seat.

"Everyone, please be quiet! Will you please take a seat over there! Hirose, what happened to those folders?" Manabu felt his vocal chord slowly but surely die as he continued to yell at top of his voice to be able to be heard among noisy reporters and staffs of the Kaiba Corporation. He gave a tired shake of head when Akihiro found the missing folders and handed them to him.

"Arita-san, what should we do about the sitting arrangements? There aren't enough chairs in this place," Akihiro meekly questioned. Manabu's voice grew sharp.

"Go tell them to stand in the back or something! Everyone, will you please be quiet and sit!"

"What part of shut the hell up and sit do you not understand!" Seto's voice suddenly exploded. It was certainly few decibels louder than Manabu's yells, and the room grew quiet like cold water had been thrown at the room's inhabitants. Seto, who had leapt up from his seat, took his seat again and pasted a formal smile on his face. "Thank you for coming all the way to this conference, despite the fact that I'm sure everyone has other businesses to attend to. Please ask one question at a time, and I shall do my best to answer it to your satisfaction."

There was silence for few more seconds before suddenly hands started to shoot up into the air, questions were tossed into the air, and camera flashes started to irritate Katsuya's eyes again. Seto might be used to this crap, but he most definitely wasn't. He glanced at Seto, who had nodded to one of the reporters.

"Kaiba-san, is it true that you have caused the downfall of B-ndai by pulling all of its stock under your name out of the market?"

Seto visibly stiffened, but his voice remained neutral. "Yes. It was an inevitable course of action. There had been rumors that B-ndai and S-nrio will merge, and such an occurrence would have been fatal to the Kaiba Corporation. However, later sources confirmed that this had been a false rumor deliberately spread by the S-nrio Corporation."

More hands shot up, and a young lady stood up with a pen and notebook clutched in her hands. "Have you considered what that would mean to the employees of the B-ndai Corporation?"

"Kaiba knew better than anyone else what that would mean," Katsuya cut in. Seto looked at him, surprised. Katsuya gave Seto a little nod before he continued. "I was by his side the whole time, so I know better than anyone else how much Kaiba suffered because of this incident. He was in a lot of pain because he knew what his mistake had caused others. But something like this is common in the business world. It was the company that Kaiba had destroyed. I do not see the sense in using Kaiba as a scapegoat in order to write amusing news articles."

"It sounds as if Kaiba Corporation is the victim of the latest happenings," another reporter commented. "Is there a proof that such false rumors were deliberately infiltrated into the Kaiba Corporation by S-nrio? Why haven't there been any lawsuits against such fraud?"

Seto bit into his lower lip. All evidences of the false rumor had mysteriously vanished. There were traitors among his workers. Despite continued searches for the missing files, not even back-up data had anything significant. "…No. No evidence had been found."

More camera flashes and busy scribbling followed Seto's admittance. Then a reporter called out, "How about the person next to you? Are the rumors that Jounouchi Katsuya is your lover true?"

Seto turned his head to look at Katsuya. 'Please don't get hurt because of me,' his eyes pleaded. Katsuya steadily met his gaze, then suddenly broke into a wide smile. And Seto knew that everything would be all right.

Seto turned to face the cameras. "…There is a person that I like right now. That person always waited for me even in the darkest of the nights, and when I was lonely, I was able to count on that person to comfort me. In my empty life that child brought laughter and happiness, and that child was almost idiotically kind and gentle, so I felt for the first time that I 'belonged' somewhere." His fingers sought Katsuya's fingers, and he felt Katsuya wrapping both of his hands around his hand reassuringly. "It is unfortunate that the person who is most precious to me—Jounouchi Katsuya—is a male, just like myself. I am aware that there are many things I will lose because of my decision to be with him. But… Even if I have to lose everything…"

Seto ripped the false smile away from his face and replaced it with a genuine smile that came from his heart. "As long as Jounouchi is by my side, I won't run away. I won't regret. I like Jounouchi Katsuya."

Manabu stood up and cleared his throat. All eyes turned to him in return. "Homosexual relationships are often looked down upon. It is not considered 'normal' in our society. But it is not wrong for a person to love another person. Why is it that our modern society refuses to accept such love, just because the lovers have same gender? Moreover, how does Kaiba Shachou-sama's sexual preference affect our products? Kaiba Corporation will continue to make excellent products, despite recent incidences. If you cannot accept current standings of this company, I think it will be for you to leave."

There was a silence, then a man stood up. "Kaiba Shachou-sama's recent actions certainly surprised me, but that does not justify in respecting the man any less. He had been an efficient president for us. He had been fair and understanding. I would not leave this company, even should it fail."

Another man joined in. "It is true that our president is at times arrogant and harsh. However, I have been with him all these years. He is like a son to me. I will not leave him."

Murmurings filled the room, but no one left. Katsuya started to speak, and everyone immediately grew quiet. "The person called Kaiba Seto has his faults, but… Mm… He's actually a very warm and kind person inside, so he gets hurt easily. I want to protect him. It might be wrong for a guy like me to feel this way for guy like Kaiba, but… Even so, I like him a lot, so. So… I always want to stay by his side."

Katsuya turned his head to smile at Seto. "I like you, Kaiba!"

Someone started to clap. Suddenly everyone started to clap. Katsuya and Seto, both of their eyes comically widened, stared at their audience. Their brains still didn't register their situation when the conference room opened, admitting two more people inside. Mokuba was excitedly waving something in the air.

"Niisama! Niisama, we found it! The evidence, the evidence!"

"…What?" Seto suddenly leapt up, knocking the chair to the floor. "You found what?"

Mokuba rushed forward, pushing reporters out of his way and handed thick bundle of papers and slim CD case to his older brother. He was grinning from ear to ear. "The S-nrio conspiracy! Their dirty tricks to lead both Kaiba Corporation and B-ndai Corporation to their demise! Wait until the press gets this out!"

Katsuya turned his head away from Mokuba and Seto to look at Ryuuji, who had entered with Mokuba. Their eyes met. Katsuya hesitated, then his mouth formed the words 'thank you'. Ryuuji smiled and mouthed back 'be happy'. He gave Katsuya a light wave, then pushed through the chaos to escape the room. Before he left, Ryuuji turned his head to look at Katsuya once more. Reporters were yelling themselves hoarse, camera flashes were nearly blinding, and Seto was laughing as he was spinning Katsuya around in the air. Katsuya was laughing with him.

Katsuya really looked happy…

Ryuuji slowly closed the door of the conference room, then leaned against it. His dark strands of hair fell, completely covering his eyes. His clenched fists were slightly shaking.

"Otogi."

Startled, he lifted his eyes. A hand was roughly placed on his head, and the hand proceeded to muss up his hair. "Wha—Honda, get your hands off of my hair!"

Honda had an unusually serious expression on his face. "You okay?"

"Why wouldn't I be okay?" Ryuuji lightly asked. Hiroto scowled.

"Don't be like that. I know your company was getting help from S-nrio. That company supports half of the funds right now, right? Is it okay for you to betray them like this?" Ryuuji's eyes progressively widened, and he opened his mouth, but Honda shook his head. "Nope, don't even try. I know you're the one who brought the evidence files from S-nrio. You'll be discovered soon, you know."

Ryuuji gave a helpless shrug of shoulders, the corner of his mouth drooping down as he lowered his eyes to stare at his feet. "…As long as Jounouchi is happy, it doesn't really matter."

Hiroto shook his head. "You really can't be helped, can you. Well, in the worst-case scenario, come to me if you don't have anywhere else to go. It's about time I get a wife, don't you think?"

"What?" Ryuuji snapped. Hiroto burst into laughter, clapping his hands together apologetically.

"Sorry, sorry. It was an awful joke. Do you want to go and have some sake (alcoholic beverage)?"

Ryuuji gave a playful shove at Hiroto's shoulder. "Only because I don't have any better person to go with, Honda. Remember that."

"Yes sir," Hiroto said, slinging his arm around Ryuuji's shoulders. Ryuuji pushed away the arm. They walked away.

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"Eh, Kaiba. You don't have to do this if you don't want to," Katsuya said, looking up at Seto. Seto arched one of his eyebrows.

"Oh? And miss all the fun?"

Katsuya stared at Seto. "…That was lame. Don't ever do that again."

He ducked his head to avoid Seto's fist and pressed the doorbell. He took a deep breath and waited for the door to open. When he felt Seto gingerly placing his hand on his shoulder, he cracked his eyes open and gave him a feeble smile.

The door slowly opened, revealing Katsuya's father. He glanced from Katsuya to Seto. Katsuya cleared his throat. "Um, hi, Dad. We have something to discuss with you."

Katsuya's father wordlessly opened the door wider and stepped aside. Seto and Katsuya settled themselves on the sofa, and Katsuya's father took a seat across from them. Katsuya took in a deep breath, then he gestured to Seto. "I didn't officially introduce you two yet. Dad, this is Kaiba Seto. He's my lover. And… Kaiba, this is my father."

"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance," Seto said, politely inclining his head in a short bow. Katsuya's father lowered his head in return, but he remained silent.

"Dad, I'm going to go live with Kaiba."

Katsuya's father turned his head away and nodded. Katsuya placed his hand on his father's arm. "Dad. Kaiba and I want you to move with us. Give us a chance to make this up to you. We're going to adopt kids and… I'm sorry Kaiba is not cute, but he's a really wonderful man. It might not be a family you wanted, but won't you come with me?"

Katsuya's father shook his head. Katsuya slowly dropped his hand from the arm and lowered his head in disappointment. "…I see."

"But let's have dinner together sometime," the father softly said. "I want to get to know the person my son likes so much."

Both Seto and Katsuya snapped their head up. Katsuya's father chuckled at their expression. "What parent can win against their child…? I am disappointed, Katsuya-kun, but… I do not want to lose you because of this."

"Dad…"

"Jounouchi-san…"

"Ah, and your mother wanted me to give this to you." The father took a white envelope out of the drawer next to his seat and handed it to his son. Katsuya took the paper, anticipation clearly written upon his face. Seto watched over his shoulder as Katsuya slowly ripped the envelope and pulled the contents out.

"Eh…?"

"This is… a deed?" Seto questioned. "For land."

"Mother bought land for me?" Katsuya glanced at his father, who nodded. He stared at the paper in his hands again. "But… Noriko is the person… who paid for my college tuition, right? Mother… Mother had paid the college tuition, too?"

"Even if she never expressed it, your mother was very proud of you," Katsuya's father quietly said. "Even though she detested your eyes that so resembled my own, you're still her child. She wanted to give you this deed to build the house for your family once you got married."

Katsuya stared at the deed, then folded it up and tucked it back into the envelope. Tears were clinging to edge of his eyes, but he was widely smiling. "She doesn't… hate me, does she? This is her way of saying she accepts Kaiba and my relationship?"

"I'm not your mother. Ask her yourself," the father said. But his eyes told Katsuya what he needed to know. Katsuya leapt up from his chair and bowed.

"Thank you! Kaiba and I will visit often, and you can come with us anytime you want to!"

"I'll treat you to a delicious dinner," Seto added, standing up with Katsuya. Katsuya's father stood up with them to walk them to the door.

"I have no wish to live with two young lovers. I wish to maintain what little sanity I have left."

Seto shook his hand with Katsuya's father, then he left with Katsuya. He glanced at his lover. "…Did that go okay?"

Katsuya replied, "It wasn't exactly a dream scenario, but considering this is real life… Yeah, it went okay. It went really okay…"

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White ocean waves crashed against cream-colored sand before dispersing into nothingness. Lonely sea gulls called out to each other across the vast blue sky. Seto and Katsuya were walking down the coastline together, hand in hand. Their free hands held their shoes and socks, and they were walking bare feet. The sand felt soft and squishy against their feet. The water that washed over the feet felt refreshingly cold. Stray ocean breeze messed up their hair before running off again.

"Jounouchi."

"Mm?" Katsuya asked. He pulled away his hand and leaned down to pick up a strangely shaped seashell. He washed the sand away from its surface by shaking it in the water. He studied the delicate pink interior of the shell.

"Let's get married."

"…"

Katsuya tossed the shell away and continued to walk. Seto watched him without moving from his spot. "I can make all the arrangements. Even if the marriage is not legal in Japan, in places like Las Vegas, we can get married. So… If you want…"

Seto's voice grew smaller as Katsuya continued to walk. Katsuya suddenly stopped, but he didn't turn around to look at Seto.

"Do you know any good architect?"

"What?" Seto asked, frowning. "…I do, but why?"

Katsuya started to walk again, but at a much slower pace this time. "Build me a house on the land my mother gave me."

"What?"

"A small house with white walls and blue roof with lots of windows. Leave a little room for a garden so that children can play. Light will be pouring into wooden-colored living room filled with soft, fluffy sofa and cushions and teddy bears, and toys will be lying here and there. Children will run around the house and play, and I'll say to you, 'welcome back home, Seto', every time you come back home from work. Then our children will beg you for presents and show off their schoolwork to you."

Soft laughter escaped the smaller man. "I might consider living in that house with you and making that family for you if you build it for me."

"Ah…"

Seto ran after Katsuya. "Do, do you mean that? Bonkot… I mean, Jounouchi, that was a 'yes' just now, right? You're going to marry me if I build you a house? Jounouchi, wait!"

Laughter rang high into the vast blue sky.

Sometimes life is so harsh and cruel that I want to give everything up. I don't want to see 'tomorrow' anymore. In sweet world of dreams, I want to remain sleeping forever, because I won't get hurt that way. Reality inflicts pains that won't go away. But that's wrong. If I stay sleeping, nothing will change. I have to wake up. I have to face the reality. With my own two hands, I must create my own future. With my own two legs, I must walk to move forward. When I fall down and shed tears, I must stand up again. Holding my head high and living with conviction, someday I'll find 'happiness', even in reality. Then I'll smile and say, 'I'm really glad I chose to live'.

How about you? Have you decided?

Konya koso kimenasai! (Please decide tonight!)

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-The End-

I hope the ending was up to the honorable readers' expectations. Because I wasn't familiar with the world of Yuugiou when I started this story, I'm afraid there were many mistakes. I hope my understanding and writing improved over time. Sometimes I ran away from this story, saying to myself, 'I can't do this; I can't write well at all. I don't want to disappoint anyone. I don't want to get hurt…' But I'm very happy that this story reached its end. After all, everything that has a beginning must have an end.

Arita Manabu and Hirose Akihiro are characters from a novel I enjoyed very much. The novel was called 'Love Times'. Despite that both the novel and my story are office romance, my story is so inferior to the novel that it's quite disheartening. –laughs-

Kaiba and Jounouchi found 'happiness' in 'reality'. I sincerely hope that you'll find true 'happiness' while you walk down the road called 'life', too. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading and responding to this story!