The next clear thing he heard was a piercing, insistent buzzing from... somewhere.

Kaiba groaned from beside him.

Jou rolled over and pull the man tightly into his arms. "Mornin' angel."

"Can you reach my phone?"

"Ignore it."

"The volume will increase rapidly." Kaiba yawned. "I need to shower. I'm sure I smell foul."

Jounouchi sniffed. Sweat, sex, Kaiba's natural amazing body odor. "Yeah. Kinda ripe." He tightened his grip as the alarm grew louder.

"Are you going to release me?"

"Nope."

"Uh! Insufferable mutt!" Kaiba huffed, but Jou noticed that he wasn't actually trying to move away. "Let me go before my alarm wakes the entire building. You do realize that it's 6:30 in the morning."

"Who the hell gets up at 6:30 on a Sunday?"

"I wake at 6:30 every morning. Usually I'm up before the alarm goes off, but today seems to be an exception."

"Yeah," Jou snickered, "I didn't let you sleep much last night, did -"

Someone banged loudly on the door. "HEY! JOU-KUN! TURN THAT DAMN THING OFF!" Yamoto-sensei yelled.

"Shit!" Jounouchi rolled out of the bed and tossed Kaiba a buzzing pair of pants. He opened the door a crack. "Sorry, dude. My bad."

"It was bad enough you two kept everyone up half the night! Next time, keep it quiet, or take it to a hotel!"

"You heard us?" Yamoto's room was on the first floor.

"This place isn't sound proof, you brat. Everybody heard you! If you and 'angel' plan to repeat this morning, just keep it down." The Lit teacher pulled the door shut.

"I shall never be able to show my face in public again." Kaiba sighed. "What on earth made me believe they couldn't hear us?"

"They've never said anything before."

"Do you frequently bring paramours here?"

"Of course not! Last year. Paulo. We hit it once while he was here."

"Ah. So this is a common occurrence with guests."

"No! Not common. I admit, I'm not adverse to a hook-up, but Paulo was the only guy who's been here. And no one has ever turned me out like you did."

"Is that supposed to be meaningful?"

Jounouchi sat on the edge of the bed. "It means a lot to me."

Kaiba smirked. "Excellent." He sat up and moved next to the teacher. "I'm going to shower. Join me?"

We won't be able to do anything, Jou thought, but showering with Kaiba sounded amazing. "Yeah."

They washed silently, under separate sprays but next to one another. They washed each other's backs. They washed each other's hair. It was the most intimate thing Jounouchi had ever done. The dorm showers weren't private, but washing in the same room wasn't the same as bathing together. He'd never considered that difference before. Suddenly, 'having sex' and 'being intimate' became two separate things for him.

They dressed. Jounouchi put on a sports jersey, and tried not to snicker as Kaiba straightened his tie. "Kinda formal for Sunday."

"I expect the students' respect, therefore I present myself as worthy of it."

"You?" The teacher grinned, "dude, they would respect you if you wore skin."

"I'm dressing for them, not for your fantasies." Kaiba looked at him, serious. "Actually, I am quite jealous of your students."

"Why's that?"

"Because I sincerely doubt that I can persuade you to leave them." Jou's grin faded. "And in truth, I would not leave my job at your request, so this was a simple 'hook up', was it not?"

"A-a…." Words failed the teacher. "A hook…. That was a hook up?!" Kaiba made a last check of his appearance, then moved to the door. "You said you love me! Was that - wait, where are you going?"

"Breakfast. The cafeteria begins serving at 7:30 for those attending mass on Sunday."

Kaiba left and Jounouchi stood, reeling.

Love ends hook ups. If you say love, either it's mutual and you're dating from now on, or it's not mutual, and someone gets hurt. But either way, it stops being a hook up.

They both said love. They agreed it's mutual. How was last night a hook up, the teacher wondered.

He raced after Kaiba when it occurred to him that they'd never discuss it if his lover-maybe got to the cafeteria first.

Kaiba hadn't gotten far, strolling and reading his phone.

Jounouchi grabbed his arm. "I am not a hook up."

The exec arched an eyebrow. "You are not?"

"No. I love you. You said you love me. Was that a lie?"

"No," the eyebrow remained arched, "it was not."

"Then last night wasn't a damn hook up."

"Very well. What was it?" Kaiba's eyes flicked down to Jou's hand.

Jounouchi released him. "I don't know. We made love." Kaiba scoffed. "We're in love. We did whatever people in love and dating do."

"Dating?" Kaiba began walking again, slowly. "Please, sensei. Educate me. How, exactly, do you and I date?"

"We -" he hesitated. "Ok, yeah, long distance dating sucks, but we'll find a way. When school's out, I get two weeks I can come see you. You travel all the time. You can come see me whenever."

"That plan presumes that I will be available during school breaks, and that you have no future intentions to spend time with your mother, your sister, or your many friends. It presumes that I will be at liberty to take time at random away from corporate responsibilities. I was not being facetious when I said this weekend is my vacation. Last week, I was in Guam. Next week, I will be in Georgia. I rarely have time to play video games. When would I have time to play with you?"

Jounouchi raked his fingers through his hair. "Ok, I don't know, but why are you against trying?"

"I dislike failure. I'd prefer not to mix failure with heartbreak when our relationship proves unsustainable."

"No guts, no glory."

"Contrary to popular belief, I am extremely risk-intolerant. I only invest in ventures I control." Kaiba looked at him and smirked. "I have no hope of controlling you."

"You don't need to control everything. Ok, we won't see each other a lot. We can talk. We'll find a way. Hashimi-sensei and his wife manage."

"Ex-wife."

"What?"

"How is it that I know more about your workplace than you do? Surimi is his ex-wife. They have managed to remain friends. They divorced because the physical distance created an emotional distance that was too wide to overcome."

Jounouchi growled in frustration. "Ok, fine. Bad example. We aren't them." He stopped Kaiba again. "Level with me. Is it that you don't think it'll work, or that you don't want to be with me like that?"

"If it were simply a question of being together, I would chain you to my side."

"Ok. That's a little demented, but I get your point."

"Are you willing to retire from teaching? I can always hire you as my personal assistant if you feel the need to work outside the bedroom."

Jou started to respond, then found himself blushing. Not even 'outside the home'! "Do me like that and you're gonna need a wheelchair."

"Is that a challenge?"

"NO!" The teacher glanced around, but the few people who were out were all rushing to the chapel. "No more challenges; I'm supposed to be respectable around here."

They grinned at each other, then walked a bit further in silence.

"I am not adverse to dating you," Kaiba finally admitted. "But I do not believe it is fair to either of us to begin a relationship that we cannot maintain."

"But not a relationship in theory?"

"I would welcome a permanent, committed romantic partnership with you."

Jounouchi stopped. "Whoa - wait - what?"

Kaiba stopped and looked at him. "I have many relationships. I have one with my brother, one with my staff. One with Pegasus of Industrial Illusions. We are currently in a relationship, you and I."

"That's not what I -"

"The word 'relationship' is vague. I clarify all contract terms within a contract. If gold must be 24k for proper conductivity, then my contract defines gold as pure AU only. Anything else is not gold. I define a relationship with you as an ongoing, exclusive, binding romantic joint venture consolidating both of our personal resources, and prioritized above all others."

Binding. Exclusive. Consolidated. It sounded more like marriage than dating.

"That's - I mean - could you even -"

"No." Kaiba began walking again.

Jou double stepped to catch up. "Are you just trying to make me fuckin' nuts?!"

"I am trying to convince you to see reason before we are surrounded by what typically turns out to be a rather estrogen-laden breakfast."

"I don't want to be reasonable. I been reasonable since high school. If you wanted me to be 'reasonable', you shouldn'a told me you seriously liked me, Mr. Challenge-accepted."

Kaiba rolled his eyes as he opened the main building's door. "Insufferable mutt."

Diko-chan, Iko-chan, and Waayiko-chan were waiting in the hall outside the cafeteria. They all wore their formal school uniforms - Iko with her student council pin - and had perfect hair and make-up.

"Good morning, Kaiba-sensei," they bowed in unison.

"Ladies," Kaiba nodded.

"What, so I'm invisible?" Jou whined.

"Morning, Yankee-sensei," Diko dismissed. "Kaiba-sensei, we just wanted to tell you how much we enjoyed your class yesterday."

"Yes, your lessons were very easy to follow," Iko added. "We are looking forward to a Programming II class someday."

"Can you let the man eat before you harass him?" Jounouchi fussed.

The executive chuckled, "Come along, ladies. Join us for breakfast. Katsuya's always a bit grouchy when he's hungry."

Kaiba led the way to the counter where even the cooks recognized him, and apparently one remembered his preferred breakfast. The girls' plates were mostly empty until the executive 'casually' mentioned that he thought women were more attractive when they had more appetite.

The dining room was almost empty so they had no trouble finding a large enough table.

"Now, ladies," Kaiba said as they seated themselves. "I need some assistance from you."

The students perked up, but the teacher looked wary. "What are you up to?"

"Nothing outrageous. I do not teach Programming II here because there's never been enough interest for it."

"But the class is on the thumb drive you gave them," Waayiko countered. "I saw the files."

"I don't know how," Kaiba sipped his tea, "as you were not in my class."

"She was helping me study," Iko answered quickly.

"The only reason she wasn't in the class was because there wasn't enough room." Diko added.

"Enough room? There were several empty desks."

"There are 35 computers in that lab," Jounouchi agreed but you said you only want 20 students in the class."

"I never said that."

"Yeah, ya did. It's in an email about how you want the room set up."

Kaiba shook his head. "Then either I was misinformed about the class size, or someone misunderstood my intention. I've never asked about the number of students because I thought there was low interest in the class. In fact, I was going to discuss discontinuing the class with the Headmistress this year."

"What?" Jou looked alarmed.

"I've since changed my mind," Kaiba smiled at him. "You won't be rid of me quite that easily. I would love to come here and teach more often."

"I'd love that, too," Jounouchi smiled in reply. "But as busy as you are, you wouldn't have time would you?"

"Actually, one of the very things I've been busy with is forming KaibaEducation. It's a new programing and design school. I got part of the idea from teaching here."

"But that wouldn't be fair to stop teaching here," Waayiko protested. "Shouldn't we be part of it if you got the idea from us?"

Kaiba looked at her. "You are rather outspoken."

She blushed, but she didn't back all the way down. "Please forgive me. I don't mean to be rude. But, I just thought since we were a good place to test the first class, wouldn't we be a good place to test the second?"

"The flash drive you have has a second lesson on it, but it is another first level exercise. In that, it is not a true second level but a continuation of the first."

"So why not teach the whole course here?" She persisted.

Kaiba shrugged. "Low attendance. There are always so few students in the class, I thought either there was limited interest or that there was limited ability to pass the admission test."

"You're wrong!" The girl snapped.

"Waayiko-chan, chill! We had almost 200 girls take the test this year," Jounouchi said. "106 passed, but only the top 20 get in - because of the email, right? But we've got plenty of interest."

"I tied for 19th place," Waayiko added, "but preference is given to third years."

"Which explains why no one has taken the class twice." Kaiba nodded. "So we could have a second session."

"I don't see why we can't just have a regular class," Iko mused. "It would be much more fun that Word Processing."

"Hey! Everybody needs the basics. Not everybody needs his fancy high-end stuff."

"I'm curious, ladies. Do you believe Jounouchi-sensei's courses are a waste of time?"

"Yes," Iko moaned.

"Not really," Diko countered. "I mean, most people should already know how to use a computer, really. But his class was the first time I used a spreadsheet."

Waayiko nodded. "I see why Yankee-sensei's classes are required. I just wish we had more computer classes. You could teach it all year round, couldn't you?"

"Sounds like a challenge to me," Jounouchi observed mildly. "I wouldn't mind that."

"Not one I'm at liberty to engage, I'm afraid."

"She didn't mean 'you' you, Kaiba-sensei," Diko said quickly. "We know we're not worthy of your time. I mean, I'm sure any -"

"No, wait," Jounouchi interjected. "Ok, you don't have time to teach a class full-time. I get that. But what about just the first class each session. That's only three times a year, right? You could make that work, couldn't you?"

Kaiba nodded slowly, considering. "Yes. I could most likely arrange my schedule to accommodate that. But, you understand, I would still not be able to give the course the attention it deserves."

"Yeah, I get it. Someone else would be here most of the time. Hey! What if I did some training too?"

"I thought continuing education was a requirement for teachers."

"No, not that," Jou tried to give the executive a meaningful look. "Specific Kaiba training."

The message seemed to be received. "Ah. A 'train the trainer' level course. Well, it may take some time to bring your skill set up to speed. I must say, I would be more interested in expanding the program here if a current member a faculty were involved."

"We'll help Yankee-sensei study!" Iko actually jumped up. "He doesn't seem it, but he's actually very smart!"

"HEY!"

"Do you mean it, Kaiba-sensei?" Waayiko squealed. "A real computer program? Here?"

"Do you think Headmistress will let us, Yankee-sensei?" Diko pulled the teacher's arm insistently. "Do you?"

"I think I need that arm," he laughed. "Look, girls, we haven't thought about budget, yet. But we'll talk to her. I'm pretty sure we can work out something."

The girls cheered.

"Now, with that resolved. You, young lady, have piqued my interest."

"ME?" Waayiko squeaked.

"Her?" Jou echoed.

"Very few people are willing to challenge me on any topic." He glanced at Jounouchi. "And I do like a good challenge." He looked back at the girl.

She set her shoulders and looked him in the eye. "My father told me never be afraid when you're right."

"In order to be right," the real Seto smirked at the girl and Jou felt jealousy engulf his body like a bonfire, "you must know what you are talking about. So. You say I should teach Programming II here. Do you know all of what that entails?"

She hesitated, then swallowed hard. "No, but, I - uh - I could find out, and - uh -"

"Excellent!" Kaiba smiled. "Jounouchi, is it possible to add this young lady to my class roster?"

"The class is over."

"Not until I give the test." He looked at the girl, "you studied with your friends. How confident are you that you understand the material?"

"Very," she replied, looking determined.

"KaibaEducation's first high school partner was intended to be Domino High. Their program has a faculty advisor and two student coordinators - a third year and a second year. If the three of you can pass my test today, I would have the personnel I'd need to implement the program here."

"Hey, wait a minute," Jou's inner teacher overrode his jealousy for a moment. "You make it sound like you're gonna pin this all on her. You're not putting that kind of pressure on -"

"Oh, there's no pressure. This test only determines her involvement in the project." Kaiba gave Jounouchi a sly look. "Implementation is entirely up to you."

The jealousy washed away. "If it's up to me, then we're doing this. While they take the test, you an' me can write this thing up. Do an actual proposal."

The real Seto smiled at him. "I would have scheduled a long weekend had I known there would be a proposal."