Disclaimer: Look at chapter one.

A/N: None, really, except PLEASE REVIEW! Writing's just not as fun without feedback. D: Also, Matt's selfish. xDDD But we already knew that. He's going to learn and grow in this story, and hopefully, by the end of it, turn into a nice young gentleman. (yeah right. xD)

"I fed your rat." Matt whispered. He had sat on the side of the boy's table that was closest to the girl's table, and he could converse with Kaeda fairly easily.

"Cat." she said, scowling.

Matt took a bite of noodles. "Prove it." he said, grinning.

"So, where's our stupid date going to be?"

Matt adjusted the goggles which were pushed up onto his head. "Wherever you want it, darlin'."

Kaeda rolled her eyes. "In the sewer?"

Matt said nothing, but watched as the girl delicately nibbled at her small serving of ramen. She ate very slowly and carefully, making sure not to make a mess. He smirked.

"What?" Mello, who was sitting beside Matt, looked up from his soup.

"I'll tell you later."

"All right then, Matto, how about the arcade?"

Matt raised an eyebrow, surprised. The arcade? Wow, either she knows me better than I gave her credit for, or she's a wicked good guesser. "Sure, suits me fine."

"I thought it would." she nodded. "Are you sure Ramses is OK where you put him?"

Ramses? Oh. Right. The rat. "Ratses is fine, yeah." Matt pictured the mewling kitten scrabbling against the door of the little cabinet in the cellar and smiled. Yup. He was fine.

After lunch, Matt and Kaeda joined up at the doorway and he asked if she was ready to go.

"I have to get my coat and things from upstairs."

"OK, shall I wait here?" Now that Matt was in "date-mode" he was behaving much more gentlemanly.

"Sure." She scampered up the stairs and Matt watched her baggy cargo pants sway as she went. She really ought to dress more femininely. . . It'd do a lot for her. Not that she wasn't already adorable.

A few moments later she returned, a leather jacket over her arm and a fashion cap on her black-haired head. "Ready!" she said, smiling. She had sure cheered up fast. . . Maybe this would be fun after all.

Matt offered her his arm, which she accepted, blushing slightly. The two walked out onto the sidewalk and headed to the arcade, which was only a few blocks away. As they walked, Matt waited, hoping Kaeda would strike up a conversation. After a few moments, she obliged.

"So, Matt, I'm sorry I was so course earlier."

Matt blinked. Why was she apologizing? She'd reacted naturally. After all, he had just blackmailed her into a date. "No problem." he said, shrugging it off.

"You were very good to help Ramses and me."

Matt said nothing, unsure what he could say. Why was she being so nice? What did she want?

"And, I was thinking. . ." she stopped walking, causing Matt also to stop, since their arms were linked. "I really want this to be a good time for you. You deserve the best payment."

Matt turned so that they were face to face, instead of side by side. "It's nothing, really, Kaeda." he said, starting to feel a little guilty. She seemed so grateful. Almost worshipful.

"No, really, Matt." Kaeda stood on her tiptoes, leaning forward slightly. She parted her lips, just barely, and took the small step necessary to bring their lips together. Matt wasn't objecting. He held still, allowing the contact. Just as he felt her mouth touch his, however, he also felt a sharp pain in his gut as a small fist jammed into him.

"You son of a bitch!" she said, kicking his ankle for good measure. "Go ahead and tell about Ramses! I went down to the cellar and got him this morning!"

Matt winced, doubling over slightly. He straightened, however, trying to regain some of his dignity.

Kaeda continued on with her scathing words. "I wouldn't go on a date with you if it were to save my life, you selfish pig!"

Matt considered these words for a moment, not daring to speak. He felt anger welling up in him, but he knew she was right, in a way. He had been very selfish.

"Don't you dare come near me ever again, or I'll find a better place to hit you!" she finished, turning on her heel and stalking away, back towards the Wammy House.

However daunting her words might have been, to Matt, they only made him want her even more. Whatever it took, she was the one he wanted. She was the boss enemy in his video game of life. She was the highest level to beat. And he would win the game.

-waves ramen in face- Review?