Disclaimer: I do not own the characters, I do not own the cards, the places, etc, etc. I am simply a fan who enjoys writing stories about one of her favourite anime. I must thank Yogi Muto for his/her fanfiction, "The Colour of your Eyes" (a fanfiction that I am currently translating in French), which gave me the inspiration to write this story. I have no intention to copy his/her work, but I'll admit that the reason that puts Mai and Seto together will be almost the same than it is in TCYE, because it's the most credible way to put them together that I can think of. However, the story will be completely different, of course. Otherwise, there will be absolutely no point for me to take my time writing this fanfic.

Rating: T

Pairing: I just wrote it but oh, well, let's repeat it: Seto/Mai (arrogantshipping, my favourite)

Warning: As my disclaimer suggests, my mothertongue is French. However, I've been working hard on my English for quite a few years, so I feel comfortable enough to write a complete story in my second language. Please, I ask you, if any mistake gets out of your screen to jump on your face (especially one that would make a sentence hard to understand), tell me in a review or a PM, and I'll correct it as soon as possible. I am doing my best, but I'm not perfect and I know it.

A public matter

Chapter 1: Image

Seto Kaiba sighed again in front of his press attaché. The forty-year old man was looking at his employer's reaction, expecting the worst. For the last three weeks, he'd been showing him magazines front-pages with Seto's face on it, almost every day. And none of those front-pages were good news for the CEO or his company.

"It keeps getting worse every day, Mr. Kaiba" he said.

"Thanks, Bryan. I had already noticed that" replied the young man.

"I am sorry to tell you, but you must react quickly. You can't let those paparazzi who dare to call themselves journalists ruin your image and the image of the Kaiba Corporation. Simply denying their statements won't work."

"Do the people really believe what they read in those pieces of crap?" asked Kaiba, even if he already knew the answer.

"I'm afraid they do, sir. Your reputation is truly at stake. "

"Now what am I exactly supposed to do? Lock myself in my office with my curtains closed? I can't let those so-called journalists dictate my life like that! I must act."

"If I may make a suggestion, sir…"

"Of course you can. That's why I'm paying you at such a high salary" said Kaiba with an abrupt voice.

The press attaché bent over Kaiba's desk.

"Most of those pictures and articles are about romance affair that you don't have. If you actually had one, if you'd show up with a woman who would really be your love interest, they would stop inventing relationships between you and any woman that can be publicly seen with you."

"You're asking me to look for a girlfriend? No way! I don't have time to waste on a woman!"

"I know, sir. But I wasn't actually talking about a true love. All you have to do is find a woman that would accept to pretend she's your girlfriend. She would be with you for your business trips, for the dinners you must attend…"

"Wait a minute. You can't be serious."

Kaiba sounded and looked pretty insulted by the idea his employee just had.

"Tell me you're not actually suggesting me to hire a… a… a call-girl!"

"No, no, no, sir! I would not dare! I'm not talking about a prostitute! That would be the worst move ever for your career. I'm talking about the 'perfect' woman – a woman that would be beautiful, a woman who possesses both elegance and poise. She must be smart enough to have a nice conversation with others official guests, but of course, not smart enough to outshine you."

"And if the journalists find out the relationship is all fake?"

"They won't if you choose your 'partner' correctly. If you pretend to be in love with a woman who seems perfect, and if she publicly says and shows that she loves you too, the press will be too exalted to think it might be fake."

The more Bryan spoke, the more he seemed proud of his idea. Kaiba, however, didn't look as convinced as his employee did.

"So? What do you think?"

"I'll consider this, Bryan."

"You will, sir?"

"Yes. Although I can't guarantee you that I will accept to abase myself to do such a thing."

"You're not abasing yourself. You're only working on your public image."

"Yeah, whatever. Leave me alone now. I must think."

"Understood, Mr. Kaiba."

Bryan Dawson left Kaiba's office. The fact that his boss didn't fire him immediately after hearing his idea was already a relief.

Alone in front of his computer, Seto Kaiba still heard Bryan's voice in his head. A woman who possesses both elegance and poise. Smart enough to handle a nice conversation with important guests. The perfect woman. The CEO sighed. He knew only one person that would meet those criteria, but he already knew that she would probably refuse.

Still, I must try.

He typed something on the computer. He was looking for a peculiar phone number. When he found it, he dialed it on his office's phone.

Dring.

He hoped it was the good one.

Dring.

Please, be home.

Dring.

And please, say yes.

Her finally heard the familiar voice:

"Hello, you've reached Mai's home. However, I am currently dueling in a Tournament, so I can't answer. Leave me a message and I'll you call back!"

Beep!

Damn it, Kaiba thought. He hung up the phone without leaving any message. He had to speak with her face to face. Which tournament was she doing?

Where the hell are you when I might need you for the first time?

He started typing on his keyboard again. If she was really participating in a Duel Monsters tournament, then his system would allow him to trace her, if she was dueling at the moment.

"Computer, search for Mai Valentine's Duel Disk." he ordered with the voice recognition system.

It took a few seconds before the metallic voice of the computer answered back:

"There are too many possibilities. Please specify your search with others criteria."

Kaiba thought for a few seconds before saying:

"Computer, search for the Harpie Lady and others cards related to its archetype."

"Initiating search."

If Mai was currently dueling, there was no doubt that her harpies would be in play. Five minutes later, the feminine voice spoke again:

"Search complete. Result: one match. Mai Valentine and Harpie's Pet Dragon both found in Tokyo, Japan."

He smirked when he saw a red dot twinkling on the map that had appeared on his screen. He dialed a number on his phone to call his driver.

"Be ready to leave in two minutes." he ordered.

"Yes, sir, I will." promised the driver.

Kaiba took his laptop and transferred the map on it, so he would be able to follow her even if she moved.

Time for a little tour to Tokyo.

End: Here goooes! That was the first chapter; the next one should be coming soon. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did, please review, I like reading you ;)