Corporate Prince

Chapter 7 Hikari's Misunderstanding

     Ana trotted up the stairs to the entrance of a large modern brick building. She glanced over her shoulder at Seto, who was following her and taking in the campus surroundings. Resisting a loud sigh, she continued on into the building and headed to the engineering lab where she knew her big brother would be working. She'd visited him many times before. Lately she'd been too busy to stop by. Walking into a gigantic room filled with machinery and computers, Ana spotted a slender young man with short bright blue hair, emerald eyes and a beauty mark next to his mouth over in a corner. His eyes shone with excitement as he tinkered away, immersed in a tiny metal object.

"Onii-san," Ana called out to him and his head snapped up excitedly.

Her big brother grinned at her and practically hopped over to her, but he stopped dead in his tracks, staring horrified at something behind her. Ana glanced over her shoulder, Seto had followed her in and was looking at the nearest machine.

Her brother cleared his throat, drawing Seto's attention. "I'm sorry, but this room is off limits to unauthorized personnel."

Seto raised an eyebrow, but despite Ana's expectation he kept his mouth shut and looked at her waiting for her to explain. Her brother looked back and forth between them. His mouth twitched at the corner of his smile.

"Onii-san, this is Kaiba Seto. Kaiba-san, this is Hikari, my big brother and the one in charge of the engineering lab," she introduced them.

"Nice to meet you," Seto gave him a polite bow.

I wonder if I can catch a nap after this. Ana shivered, the engineering room was always cold.

"Ah, yeah, nice to meet you," Hikari's voice strained. "So, how do you know my sister?"

"We go to school together," Seto answered lackadaisically.

"Ah, Ana-chan, what brings you here today?" He turned his full attention on her ignoring Seto entirely.

Her brother's reaction surprised her. He didn't normally snub people without a good reason. Does he already know Amin-chan?

"To introduce Kaiba-san to you," she explained.

The blank look on her brother's face was comical, and she wanted to tease him, but she resisted.

Seto spoke in a business-like manner, "I'm here today to introduce myself and ask—"

"No," Hikari snapped and glared at Seto, who returned his look with one of surprise. The shock didn't last long and Ana could see him straightening up at the sudden opposition.

"Pardon?" Seto's eye twitched, and he was making this weird half polite, half irked smile. Ana resisted the urge to laugh.

"The answer is no," Hikari repeated and stood tall, which was still shorter than Seto.

"Do you even know what I was going to ask?" Seto's voice was nearing venomous.

Ana was wondering if she should step in, but that wasn't her job. She leaned back against a table to watch. Seto trying to be polite was amusing.

"I can surmise what it's about." Hikari crossed his arms and continued glaring.

"Is that so?" Seto's eyes narrowed, turning his weird smile into a smirk.

Hikari growled at him, "Yes, and the answer's no."

Seto's smirk disappeared, replaced with anger and irritation. Ana wanted to laugh. It was amazing how expressive he could be in such a short time frame.

"Your reason?" Seto asked quietly.

"I don't like you," Hikari said matter-of-factly.

Ana let out a snort, and Seto flashed her a glare.