For something to be serendipitous, the situation must be unexpected and something unforeseen and good would have to come out of it. If only I had a look in the future...

Droplets of water started to fall as I reached the house from the long driveway. Closing the door, I shook my head to relieve myself of collected water. Automatically, I noticed that the TV was on. Mokuba was home.

"Seto!" His head appeared over the couch. He had on his own unique grin. "Guess what, Yuugi-kun taught me some of the more advanced moves in Duel Monsters! I'm gonna be as good as you someday." He had a look of determination reflected in his eyes that reminded me of myself when I was younger, before my life had gotten all fucked up.

I chuckled anyway and rubbed the top of his head. Yeah, he probably would become better than me someday. Knowing my usual self-esteem level... and the fact that he was in better living conditions than I was at his age. And he believed in his cards with childish innocence.

"Hey, you got something to eat, right?" I asked. A plate sitting on the coffee table answered my question before he did. There were remains of a ketchup pool on there and slightly burnt french fries. I don't know why they're called french fries, given they're considered American foods- something Mokuba eats once in a while, but I myself never had a taste for. Anyway, why are they french? Did they originate in France or something? Never mind.

Then again, Mokuba likes sugary foods much more than I do. He just hates celery... but I'm not too fond of it myself. Or Oden, for that matter... and now I mentally shudder. I don't like fish.

Do you know how amusing it is for me to go to an expensive restaurant with the CEOs of other companies? I mean, they're all distinguished men who are served wine. Me? I'm not twenty yet, so I can't legally have alcoholic beverages- seeing as the American drinking age is either eighteen or twenty-one, I never cared. Not saying I haven't tried ordering some, but only few types I've ever found to my liking. This particular white wine that I had once was really good, but I never did like red wines.

Some waiters assume I'm one of the sons of my business partners and ask if I'd like a Coke. It's a funny thought for them to serve Coke in a restaurant of that caliber. I usually oblige in a glass of water- or now that I think of it, iced tea.

"Yeah." He answered my question on his eating, turning back to his TV program. A Duel Monsters tournament, the thing I used to care about more than anything. I may start back up, someday. But for now, retirement was the life.

I reached into my bag and pulled out the panda. I knew Mokuba was getting too old for toys like that, but still. Couldn't resist. "Hey, I got you something." I set it on top of his head. He looked upwards and the sudden movement caused it to fall into his lap.

"Arigato nii-sama!" He stood up on the couch. I bent down and he hugged me around the neck. Straining, I picked him up. He was growing up fast, but still my little brother. "Hey Seto?" He asked, looking at me.

"Yeah?"

"Are you going back to playing Duel Monsters? I mean, if you don't, then there may not be a reason for me to."

I set him down on the floor and he looked back up at me. "Mokuba, you play, ok? Become what I couldn't be. Listen to Yuugi-kun and Jounouchi-kun, they're both good Duelists. But, don't tell either of them I said that."

"Ok, but you still didn't answer my question."

Damn, he's getting a lot smarter too.

"Well, I may. It all depends on how I feel." Hopefully, that was a suitable enough answer.

"Alright. Where were you though?"

"I was at the zoo. I met Bakura-kun there and we hung out."

"Seto, if you can be friends with Bakura-kun, can't you be friends with Yuugi-kun as well? I mean, they're all cool. You'd like hanging around with them."

"It's all about principles." I shook my head and smiled sadly. "Yuugi-kun and I are rivals. We both wanted to be the best at the game. It would be strange if we hung out, wouldn't it?"

"Even though you said you may not play anymore..."

"But old habits die hard."

He seemed to get the point, though it was a very lame one. "Ok, but at least try to get along with them, alright?"

"We'll see." I turned and walked upstairs to my room. I still got bad vibes from being alone somewhere from when Pegasus had sent his goons to try and kill me at the summer home, but my actual home was one of the safest places for me to be. Still getting vibes from occurrences almost a year ago, miles away. Pathetic, huh? Maybe I have been getting weaker and softer than I thought. Even if they did come after me in my no-longer-secret computer lab here...

Mokuba was on my mind, blocking out any other thoughts that may have been in my mind previously. I love my brother. As I had told Bakura-kun, he was my only reason for living. And I had almost lost him. He was always used as a hostage against me. And because of Yuugi-kun, I didn't lose him then, or ever for that matter. I was bitter, but was grateful. Strange feeling, eh? It happens.

Gozaburo, you fucking bastard. You may have gotten Mokuba and I out of the orphanage, but you brought us into hell. You gave us wealth, but pain and misery. You trained me like a dog and were so cruel to him. I didn't care what you did to me, as long as you didn't hurt him. All I wanted was a home for him, and for me to be there to protect him. But no, you wanted an heir to your corporation. Well, you got one dammit! A coldhearted jackass who can't even live a normal life anymore. I hope your happy, tou-san. You have a 'son' that rants to himself for absolutely no reason!