Corporate Prince

Chapter 18 Feelings

Seto intensely stared at the project report as Hikari's team darted around the lab. He'd stopped into check on the progress. Everything was proceeding faster than expected. A haggard Hikari stood next to him, tapping his foot. His clothes were wrinkled and his shirt looked as if he'd worn it for three days straight. Seto handed him back to report.

"Looks good, when can you start on the main construction of the prototype." Seto asked.

Hikari rubbed his eyes, deep circles underneath them. "The middle of the week."

"That's faster than scheduled." Seto looked Hikari over. He honestly didn't like him, but he was an excellent and smart worker.

Hikari grumbled. "I can't have you pretending to date Ana too long. I wouldn't want you to actually fall for her."

Too late for that.

Seto crossed arms, looking smug. "Don't worry. I won't. Feelings like that at are for idiots."

I've joined the world of idiots, ugh.

Hikari huffed and didn't seem convinced as Seto picked up his bag. He left the lab and pulled out his new phone that he'd had to run and buy. Yesterday, when Ana had over the top complemented him, his brain had frozen. His phone had slipped out of his hand it and hit the pavement face first, shattering the screen beyond repair. That night when he went home, he'd ended up not being able to sleep because his heart wouldn't stop beating loudly in his chest. Every time he'd almost fallen asleep, his mind would wonder to Ana and how nice she'd looked. His mind floated back to her comment about him protecting her and his face grew warm. Ugh, I'm an idiot.

Seto slapped his face and focused on getting to school. Ignore it, put it out of your mind. Our relationship is strictly business and nothing more. When he walked into the classroom right before first period, his eyes slid over to Ana's seat. She was sitting and chatting to Sanae, when she laughed at something her friend told her entire face lit up. Seto's heart tried to jump into his throat. Frick! Looking to his seat, he focused on getting there without making any contact with people, especially Ana.

"Hey, Kaiba-san!"

Seto groaned openly as knock-off-Yugi stepped in front of him. The red head didn't seem to notice and greeted him excitedly.

"Are you coming tonight?" Arata asked, grinning at him widely.

Seto didn't respond and growled at him, annoyed. Arata didn't give him time to refuse. He turned to Ana and Sanae.

"Hey, Ana-chan, Sanae-chan. Kaiba-san's going to come tonight." Arata bubbled excitedly.

Ana and Sanae looked over at Kaiba. His heart jumped when Ana's eyes met his. He quickly turned back to Arata, scowling.

"I didn't agree to anything," Seto snapped.

Ana? When did he get close enough to call her by her first name? I swear if I didn't have to play nice right now, I'd ring his neck.

Arata looked up at him, confused. "But you didn't say no."

"I don't even know what your inviting me to. Why would I say yes?" Seto growled.

"A test of courage." Arata's eyes sparkled excitedly. "At a local park."

Seto looked at him, disgusted. "What are you ten?"

He didn't give Arata a chance to answer. Instead, he shoved past him to his seat. The teacher came, so Arata had to return to his seat without an answer. Seto took his seat behind Ana and didn't look at her. He pulled out his tablet and tried to distract himself with work, but he wasn't making much progress. The day dragged on and on until lunch finally came. Unable to focus, he got up and left the room with his tablet and headed to the vending machine. He bought some coffee and sipped on it, while standing in front of the vending machine and looking over some reports. Oh, Inu-san finished this already. Hmm, maybe he'd be able to handle the paperwork for the upcoming tournament at Kaiba Land. Perhaps he's more dependable than I thought.