Birthdays were always a special time for Mokuba. They were meant to be a celebration of a person, a special day all their own that was to be filled with fun, good food, family, friends, and of course, gifts. So, it was no wonder that his own birthday was his favourite day of the entire year. It's been that way since he was young and it's stayed that way ever since, even when under his stepfather's rule.
His birthday festivities included a social event, one organized by Suzuha, of course. She made it her mission to make his party bigger and better every year. This year's party location was that of Kaiba Land, Mokuba having arranged for the park to be closed to just invited guests only, mainly his Buddyfighting friends from Aibo, Isono (who was taking pictures of him all day and sending them to his bro) and his family, Yugi and his crew, Utahara Kisara and her sister Shiori, and some select Kaiba Corp employees. His brother was also invited too, but Mokuba knew he wouldn't attend the day celebration. He never usually attended his birthday parties.
One might think that would bother the young man, but it's a practice he's long gotten used too. Parties, especially one so energetic in nature, were not Seto's thing period. Though, that didn't mean his brother didn't spend time with him on his birthday. No, Mokuba always asked that any celebratory events end at sunset, since the evening was when the two always schedule to have their one-on-one time, including his birthday dinner.
So after a long day of screaming on rides, eating way too much sugar, and having fun with those he cherished, Isono and the birthday boy headed back home, the pair busting through the mansion door with what appeared to be a mountain of gifts in the suited man's hands. His friends went a bit overboard this year, not that he minded. He planned to cherish every single thing he received, even the gifts he didn't quite know what to do with like a random book he got titled 'Oh, The Meetings You’ll Go To!' from one of the staff members.
"Yeah, but you havn't spoiled me yet today, Nii-sama. And according to your schedule, you have the rest of the evening blocked out for yours truly. Just because I’m not a little kid anymore, don’t think you can just skip out on me!”
He knows his brother would never, hence the playful lacing of his words. This day was the only holiday his brother made a true attempt at celebrating with him, one that didn’t have to require dragging him or begging. It made him happy to see him put in effort for something the younger Kaiba cared so much about. He truly was the best brother he could ever want or ask for.
Mokuba took the box into his hands as Isono heads up to drop the gifts off in the birthday boy’s bedroom. He inspected the size of it, not gently shaking it to try and determine its contents. But as soon as a particular sound of rattling reached his ears, he knew exactly what type of gift inside, opening the box quickly to reveal a concealed 5-Star capsule that had a uniquely colored silver star behind the number.
And once he saw that detail, his jaw dropped.
“Is…Is this…? Is this what I think it is…?”
He carefully opens the capsule, as if it were made of glass, revealing inside a creature he is all too familiar with. Purple eyes scan over every detail, them practically shining like stars from his excitement. And once he is done staring at it, his focus is turned to his brother, who pulled out a miracle and gifted him the very item he's been searching for almost five long years.
"I can't...I can't believe you found it, Nii-sama! You know there were only twenty-five of these made, right? Out of any capsule they've ever released, this one is the rarest of the rare, the cream of the crop!" Fitting, considering the creature's rarity in its home game. "You'd think they would have sent you and Ki one, considering it is you two's signature dragon, but I guess they wanted to keep it fair like always."
Even with his status as the Capsule King, he didn't get any special treatment when it came to obtaining pieces. Not that he'd ever want that. Pulling creatures was part of the fun of the game for him, after all.
His eyes refocused back on the item itself, Mokuba's face shifting from one of pure joy to a genuine yet slightly sad smile. "I...I never got the chance to pull for this one, you know. It was a limited release that was only available for a week in certain shops, with that week being the one that...you came back from the afterlife. I was so focused on you that I completely forgot all about it until it was too late, and the collaboration ended."
His brother took his focus back then, understandably. Mokuba couldn't focus on much else other than his brother for weeks, to the point of overworking himself and getting badly ill. It was not the happiest time for him, one that caused him to miss out on quite a few things, this included.
"You know why I wanted this one so badly? It's not because it was so rare, but because if I had it in my lineup, then it be like...if we were fighting together, that I'd always have you with me when I played. I know that sounds probably ridiculous to you. The 'Heart of the Cards', or the 'Heart of the Capsules' in this case, isn't something you go by. But for me, having this now means I'll never be without you on my gaming field. And that..."
Those purple eyes begin to fill with water, tears of pure joy, which is soon accompanied by the younger Kaiba approaching his brother and gently wrapping his arms around his torso. Even though he was an adult now, Mokuba was still Mokuba. His tendencies regarding emotions and showing affection remained the same, and he is certain no one would want it any other way.
"And that makes me so happy. Thank you, Nii-sama. Thank you for the best gift ever."
