Corporate Prince

Chapter 41: Desire

Ana sat at lunch eating with Sanae as usual while Seto went off to eat alone.

"Hey, Ana-chan. Are you dating Kaiba-san for real this time?" Jerico asked, looking at her intensely. Jerico and Umiko had joined them for lunch today.

She sighed at the girl's question. Many had asked her this question already, especially after her declaration at the beach.

"Yes, for real this time," Ana answered as she ate her bento.

Umiko looked at her with large eyes and put her hand on her cheek. "Is it going well? You two never eat lunch together."

"I need time to see my friends too. So, I told him I'd eat lunch with Sanae. I see him plenty after school," Ana explained.

Jerico flicked a piece of her light blue hair over her shoulder and sighed. "Well, I guess that makes sense. Truly healthy relationships only last because you can balance time for all of them."

The three stared at the love obsessed girl who blushed when she noticed.

"W-what. It's just what my mom said when she explained why she and my dad have set nights out with their friends." The girl pouted.

Sanae grabbed Ana and grinned. "I suppose that's true. I certainly don't want Ana spending all of her time with her new boyfriend. A healthy balance is a good thing."

Ana laughed and went back to eating her lunch. I do spend a lot of time with Amin-chan, but it's mostly to study. I don't really think we've had a proper date since the park. Doesn't he want to do anything else? Ana mulled over the thought the rest of the day until it was time to leave. Per the current usual, she left school with Seto to head to his apartment to study. He usually waited until they were out of sight of the school, but would take her hand without asking anymore. She looked at their fingers and resisted sighing. Doesn't he want to do anything more? Are we even really dating right now?

"Hey Amin-chan, let's go on a date this weekend." Ana decided she'd just state what she wanted.

Seto didn't look at her as he seemed to mull over her statement. "The history report is due Monday and there's a test tomorrow. You need to study for that test today and then spend the weekend finishing the report. Plus, finals are at the end of next week. You need to do well on those to get your grades back up. I don't think there will be time for much else."

Ana bit back her anger at how easily he'd shot her down. It's true that he's been helping me study by keeping me on a tight schedule to catch up, but that took a lot of courage to ask!

"I see." She pulled her hand out of his and held onto her bag with both.

Seto seemed surprised by her reaction. "What? Why do you seem upset?"

"You shot me down so easily," Ana grumbled.

He stared at her, baffled. "Summer break isn't far off. You need to pass finals first.... Ana-chan, I'm not a mind reader. Why are you mad?"

Ana sighed and rubbed her forehead. "I just wanted to spend some time with you outside of studying. I know I need to prepare for the exams, but you shot me down so quickly that it makes it seem like you don't want to go on a date at all."

Seto groaned. "You think I'd rather be studying instead of going somewhere fun with you?"

Ana blushed and turned away. Seto said nothing, and when she looked up at him, she found him in deep thought. Finally, he seemed to come to some conclusion.