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Seto Kaiba was known for his charity work. It was one of the quieter ways he honored his past. So a group of orphans receiving free access to Kaiba Land for a day was nothing unusual.
He let the children roam the park with their supervisors, checking on them from time to time, but stopped short when he noticed the girl.
A small child with snow-white hair stood motionless in front of one of the rides. She could not have been older than four, yet her scrutinizing gaze was unmistakable.
She stared at the attraction as if it had personally offended her. Seto blinked. Before he realized it, his feet had already carried him toward her.
“Aren’t you a little young for the centrifuge?” he asked carefully.
She ignored him, continuing to watch as the ride spun around. Then she turned toward him. He was surprised to find cobalt eyes glaring at him, unrelenting.
“It moves slower than I expected,” she assessed flatly before turning back to the ride.
Seto watched it over her head and frowned.
She was right. The velocity was low. How a four-year-old had noticed it so quickly was beyond him.
After a few moments, he left her be and continued his inspection of the park. In the end, he found himself back at the centrifuge.
The operator flinched when he noticed the CEO approaching and immediately hurried over.
“Kaiba-sama, what a surprise! Is there something you need?” His servile tone grated on Seto’s nerves.
“The velocity,” he said sharply. “Why was it lowered?”
He did not look at the operator. His eyes remained fixed on the ride. The man blinked and tilted his head in confusion.
“Whatever do you mean, sir?”
“If a child noticed it, you can be certain I did too. So why was the speed reduced?”
“Well, sir,” the operator drawled, “we received complaints. Some guests became nauseous. The consensus was that the speed was too close to what astronauts train with.”
Seto rolled his eyes, unimpressed. He finally turned his gaze toward the operator, his voice turning cold. The man visibly stiffened.
“That was the point. What's the ride called?”
“S-Space Spinner.”
“Exactly. Fix it. I'm going to have a talk with the park's director.”
He pivoted toward the administrative offices without looking back, barely registering the response behind him.
“Yes, sir. Understood.”
The director was fired that same day.
**********
A couple of months later, he visited the orphanage where the girl was institutionalized. It was Christmas time, which meant the gifts purchased at the Kaiba Christmas Gala auction were being delivered to the children.
Delighted shrieks echoed throughout the building. Some children accepted their presents politely; others snatched them and ran off before remembering to thank the volunteers. The usual chaos of a dozen excited children was in full swing.
His gaze drifted toward her unconsciously.
The girl he had seen at Kaiba Land received a white tiger plushie, thanked the assistant who handed it to her, then retreated to a corner to observe the room. She kept to herself, not mingling with the other children. Hugging the tiger tightly, she seemed to fold in on herself, as though trying not to take up space.
“Hitora! Don't you want to play with the others?” a caretaker asked as she approached.
The girl murmured something. Seto only caught the words “too loud” spoken in a small voice. His eyebrow rose. His attention sharpened.
“Again with that,” the caretaker scolded. “You have to learn how to play with the other children. You—”
Mokuba approached them slowly and interrupted her, lowering himself to the child's eye level.
“Hello,” he said. “If you don't like the noise, how about you silence them?”
It was an invitation. Seto tilted his head at his brother's question and continued watching.
The child nodded once, then approached a rambunctious group nearby. She patted the back of a boy taller than her. He turned, ready to say something, but she was faster.
“If noise is all you can do, you better do it elsewhere!” she squeaked, her voice lacking conviction.
The boy laughed and pushed her aside without breaking stride. The other children followed his lead, laughing as Hitora landed on her backside, tears already gathering in her eyes.
Seto moved toward her a moment too late. Mokuba was already there, helping her to her feet while the caretaker made sure the other children got an earful.
“Eh, not assertive enough,” Mokuba chuckled. “She'll learn. She reminds me of you, Nii-sama.”
Seto crossed his arms and scoffed. He wanted to remind Mokuba that he had been the bullied one back then, but held his tongue.
“Really... she only arrived a few months ago after her parents died in an accident,” the caretaker explained with a sigh.
“She isn't problematic, per se. Just very shy.”
Now Kaiba's interest was piqued. His parents had died in an accident too, and her behavior reminded him of Mokuba after they had been sent to the orphanage. She was about the same age he had been as well.
Hitora returned to her corner and sat down, silently watching the other children.
Mokuba nudged Seto to socialize, and he allowed himself to be distracted. By the evening, the charity event had concluded successfully and the Kaiba brothers returned to the mansion. As Seto's thoughts drifted back to the girl with cobalt eyes, he realized something.
She had no one.
He found himself visiting the orphanage at least once every other week.
Hitora warmed up to him quickly, bouncing toward him the moment she sensed his presence. The warmth that bloomed in his chest whenever she smiled at him annoyed Seto. He was not someone who dealt with feelings. He did not understand why he had started to care.
Maybe it was nostalgia.
“Hello, Mr. Kaiba,” she greeted him, her innocent smile brightening the room.
She still clung to the white tiger plush she had received for Christmas. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. He extended his hand toward her and allowed himself to be guided to the library.
**********
He pondered the matter for some time. The child was adorable—polite, patient, speaking only when necessary. The sound of cutlery against plates was all that could be heard in the dining room, a space far too large for its few occupants.
“You know you'll get wrinkles from that frown,” Mokuba teased. “What's on your mind?”
Dinnertime was one of the few moments when Seto allowed his guard to drop. He glared at his brother briefly before returning his attention to the steak in front of him.
“As if,” he scoffed, taking another bite.
Mokuba giggled but let him be. A few minutes later, Seto broke the silence.
“That girl…” he murmured. “I keep thinking about her.”
“Girl?” Mokuba’s smirk widened.
“Has Seto Kaiba, the most desirable bachelor alive, finally found love?”
Seto pierced him with a cold glare. Mokuba remained unfazed, far too accustomed to his brother’s knee-jerk reactions and deflections.
“I’m referring to the orphan,” Seto clarified evenly, taking another bite.
“Ah… Hitora,” the brunette hummed knowingly.
“You took a liking to her?”
Seto did not deny it. Instead, he continued as though the statement had never been made. He exhaled once and set down his cutlery.
His movements were robotic. Rehearsed. He intertwined his fingers, rested his chin on his hands, and looked directly into Mokuba’s eyes.
“I was just thinking that it’s time to settle the matter of an heir. And IVF is… troublesome.”
Mokuba’s smile brightened for a moment before his expression turned thoughtful. He absently pushed food around his plate as he considered the possibility.
“And adopting a child isn’t?” He finally looked up. “The board of directors won’t be happy.”
“Background noise is replaceable,” Seto replied without moving.
Mokuba’s Cheshire grin returned.
To the untrained eye, Seto remained perfectly still. His brother, however, caught the slight flinch he skillfully concealed at the words that sealed his fate.
“Ah… you got attached.”
Seto abruptly rose from his chair and strode toward the exit.
Mokuba snorted, but fell silent when his brother paused in the doorway and fixed him with a glacial stare.
“Anyway, have her file on my desk by tomorrow,” he said with finality. “See that Hota is informed so he can handle the legalities.”
“She’s already got you wrapped around her finger,” Mokuba sing-songed.
“Nonsense.”
**********
A week after the adoption proceedings began, Seto announced the decision to the board of directors.
An uproar followed, the men immediately pressing their objections.
“Adoption would dilute the Kaiba legacy,” one of them said, exasperated.
“Only if you believe legacy is genetic rather than earned. I don't,” Seto replied evenly.
“Your prospects for marriage would be compromised,” another executive added.
“I don't recall soliciting matchmaking advice from middle management,” he deadpanned.
His patience gradually wore thin as the board grew increasingly agitated. A sharp pain bloomed behind his eyes.
“The child's background could be detrimental!”
Another redundancy.
“Your lack of due diligence is noted. Mine is complete.” His voice lowered.
“Public image—” a third board member began.
“Is not dictated by cowards hiding behind committees,” Seto cut in.
That was enough.
He rose abruptly and addressed the room. His gaze swept over the table.
“Listen carefully,” he said. “Since repetition appears necessary.”
He placed both hands on the table and leaned forward.
“This is not a discussion,” Seto growled.
The men flinched. One visibly recoiled. Several papers scattered across the table.
“It is a decision.”
He looked around the room. Most of the directors had lowered their heads, as if resignation was the only option left to them. They were correct.
“Anyone who finds this unacceptable may resign,” Seto declared. Then he added, “Anyone who challenges it will be replaced. The rest of you will adapt.”
He turned toward the door, then paused.
“And for the record—”
He glanced back over his shoulder.
“Bloodlines are a myth people like you cling to when you have nothing else to offer.”
With that, he left the room, the door clicking shut behind him.
**********
The orphanage was in an uproar. It might have been the only adoption of this magnitude they would ever witness. Hitora was informed in private, per Kaiba's request.
“Tora-chan, you are a very lucky girl. The family you're joining is one of the best in Japan,” the caretaker said, pulling her into a hug.
The girl tolerated it, even if it made her uncomfortable. She was still processing the news, too overwhelmed to react.
“They're going to let you adapt at your own pace, so if you ever feel the need to come back for a night or two, you're welcome here,” she continued.
Hitora nodded once and opened her mouth to respond, only to be interrupted by the door opening.
“Speaking of the devil—”
Seto Kaiba entered the room, completely unbothered. His presence alone was enough to silence everyone.
He scanned the room, his gaze settling on Hitora. He studied her for a moment before lowering himself to her level and looking her in the eyes.
“This isn't charity. This is me recognizing potential and choosing to invest in it.” His eyes flicked briefly to the white tiger in her arms.
“Let's get you home.”
He extended his hand and waited.
At first, she hesitated. Her eyes followed the outstretched hand up the length of his arm.
Those unrelenting cobalt eyes concealed something she couldn't quite identify.
She took a breath and placed her hand in his, a small smile blooming on her face.
“From today onward, you are a Kaiba. If anyone says otherwise, remember that only my decision matters.”
Seto rose to his feet and waited.
Hitora turned back to the caretaker and hugged her.
“Thank you, Miss Tetsuda. Please take care of everyone else.”
“You too, Tora-chan. And thank you, Mr. Kaiba. Please take care of her.”
With that, they left the room hand in hand, Seto walking half a step ahead. He guided her to the car, helped her inside without a word, then joined her and signaled the driver to leave.
**********
Another boring meeting. Another argument. Those suits simply could not accept Hitora’s adoption. Half of them were fired for their impudence.
“Sir, a bloodline is strong because of its ties. Bringing in a mongrel—”
“Get. Out.”
Seto enunciated every word through clenched teeth.
He replaced almost the entire Board of Directors. Anyone who insulted his daughter insulted him.
The child, meanwhile, was largely unaware of it all. Seto made sure she received psychological support during her adjustment, gradually introduced her to private tutors, and closely monitored her progress.
She was organized. In her room, every toy was neatly aligned, and her desk remained immaculate.
Mokuba visited more frequently than usual, making it his personal mission to coax the child out of her shell.
She typically clung to whichever brother happened to be nearest.
Seto introduced her to the tutors and household staff, ensuring she had everything she needed—or desired.
One night, after a nightmare, she came running to his room, the ragged tiger clutched in her hands.
“What is it now?” he asked, carefully controlling his voice so it wouldn't come out too harshly.
Hitora ran to him and wrapped her arms around his legs, burying her face against them.
Awkwardly, he rested a hand on her head in an attempt at comfort.
“I’m scared,” she cried.
Seto froze. He stroked her hair patiently.
“Scared of what?”
“I dreamt you abandoned me.”
At that, Seto faltered. He crouched to her level and looked her in the eyes.
“When I make a decision, I commit to it. You are a Kaiba now. That fact will not change.”
She reached for his hand.
She was shaking.
Seto sighed, squeezed her hand, and stood.
“Tomorrow, I’ll have a meeting with the CEO of an important conglomerate. If you promise to behave, I’ll let you come along.”
The girl's eyes lit up.
She nodded.
“I believe he has a son around your age. You can play with him while you wait.”
She nodded again.
And so, the Kaibas departed for the Nanami mansion.