Part 7: The Assignment

(FF Monday)

(Nicole's POV)

I spent the remainder of the weekend at home nursing the major headache I got from the museum fainting spell and going through the class recordings trying to get a better hang of Japanese. As much as I wanted to go out and do other stuff. I knew this would be my main hurdle for a while. I needed to suck it up and learn the language especially now that I was going to be working. Though most of the locals seemed to understand English, it felt only right that I try to learn theirs. I mean... we were in Japan! Only right I learn the frigging language!

I was swapping my shoes and things at my locker when I sensed someone walking in my direction. From my peripheral, I could tell they were male and tall. Only one guy would be that tall and stopping by to see me. "How can I help you Kaiba?" I asked trying my best to be friendly. The guy was about to be my boss, right?

"Silvers, I was wondering what your schedule looked like this week?" He asked frankly.

I slid my books into my bag and closed my locker turning so I was face to face with him. Well.. More like face to nose, "Other than studying with Yugi and the others after school, I have nothing. Why do you ask?"

"If you're free, I'd like to get you processed this afternoon so you can start tomorrow. You'd have a schedule kind of like mine where I do most of my work in the hours after class is over. I am talking to the school about possibly getting you excused from the last class, so you can start a little earlier to avoid staying late."

"Seriously? How would that even work? I would think you'd have yourself excused if that were possible?" I paused when I noticed the peeved look on his face, "I-I mean... It just seems like you are wasting an hour of you time in that class too..."

"I can review your performance and report back to the school as a form of grade." He sighed snidely, "On the other hand, I report to no one. That means there is no one that can do the same for me. So, I am stuck wasting an hour of my time as you conveniently put it." He pushed past me to walk to his own locker I could only assume.

"Well, when you put it that way," I shrugged falling in line behind him, "I guess it makes sense. As much as it sucks for you."

He looked at me not saying a word, but I could feel the cold glare run up my spine. Maybe the guy is not a fan of jokes. Noted!

"So, I just need to go up to the company after class and find the HR group I take it?" I muttered now trying to find my way out of this conversation.

His eyes closed for a moment as he released a sigh, "Yes. They'll send you to me once you've been processed. I already have a couple projects for you to look through once you're ready."

"Um Kaiba, what about attire? Should I stop by home and get a change of clothes? Not sure if the school girl look would be... professional?" I asked hesitantly.

He seemed to give me a glance as if I had lost my mind then looked down and back up. What? Is he just now noticing that I am looking like some girl that works the damn corner?! "You have a point. I'd agree and say stop at home and find something to change into. Then, just bring a change of clothes with you to school from now on?"

"Well then, Umm... I'll see you this afternoon then. Thanks!" With that, I scampered off towards my first class of the day. I could have sworn I felt Kaiba's eyes on my back until I turned the corner.

Good job Nic. Not even in official day 1 of the job, and you are already pissing the guy off! What the hell am I getting myself into?!

(FF That Afternoon)

(Seto's POV)

I made it into the office after classes and did a quick inventory of the working area I requested be set up for Silvers. The laptop and such were English models as I could tell she was not quite comfortable using Japanese text yet. The IT group had all of her logins ready for use as I requested so she had no excuse not to hit the ground running.

The space was sizable as would be expected considering it was an office connected to my own. As I wanted to track her progress personally, I found using the vacant space would probably prove the most beneficial. Once I was sure all of her things were in place, I went back to my own space starting up my daily routine.

I was in the middle of going through my electronic inbox, when a knock came at my door. The door opened and my secretary popped her head in. "My apologies sir, but you wanted to know when Miss Silvers was done with processing?"

"Yes Sun. I take it she is?" I acknowledged minimizing the things on my desktop and preparing the nearby TV to project my station.

"She is sir. She should be on her way up now. Shall I bring her in when she arrives?"

"Please?" I nodded as I started to clear the papers on my desk. I grabbed the folder that I had prepared for Silvers outlining her first assignment. Here's hoping she proves she's as decent as I hope she is.

There was another knock, but it wasn't Sun that stepped in. I almost didn't recognize the girl that entered through the doorway. At school, Silvers looked... normal? Hair pulled back and uniform showing off a naïve and youthful appearance. Now, she wore a pair of high wasted slacks and a button up blouse that showed off the fact that her legs were long and waist thin. Where she wore the formal flat school shoes to school, she adorned a set of formal heels for the office. Her hair was down with a simple hair band keeping hair from falling into her face. I never noticed her hair was that long. Almost to her mid-back? Are those glasses?! I blinked for a moment making sure I wasn't seeing things. Silvers must have worn contacts as she was obviously wearing a pair of black framed glasses on her face now. Also unlike school, I could almost see that she was wearing a light layer of cosmetics. Not that she really needed them, but she put on just enough to look several years older than what I knew she was. If this is what she looks like going to work, imagine what she'd look like for a guy on a date?

"Sir." Silvers nodded bringing me from my stare as she stepped further into the room closing the door behind her.

"Please, take a seat..." I motioned pushing the random thoughts out of my mind. As of today, she worked for me, and I had my own rules against mixing business and my personal life. She did as she was instructed, but I was captured by her manor. Though I knew her to be rough and confrontational while at school, she carried herself here completely differently. The way she walked and sat, immediately crossing her legs at the ankles and setting her hands into her lap all in one motion, reminded me more of higher-class women. Does she have a predisposition I'm not aware of?

"How has the afternoon been thus far Miss Silvers?" I asked getting my mind back on track and taking my own seat behind my desk.

"Wonderful thank you!" She smiled graciously, even her voice is different from when she is at school, "I only managed to get lost once or twice so far."

"Good. Do you think you have your bearings enough to get started?" I questioned reaching for the file I had for her on my desk.

"For the most part, yes sir! Just point me to my work space and show me where I need to be and I will adjust accordingly." Her professionalism was flooring. And oddly attractive!

"Well then," I reached over to hand her the file of open tasks, "How about we go over what your first task will be?" I motioned to the TV screen near-by and pulled up the files indicated in the instructions. "We have been working on designing and creating the first mobile dueling platform to use holographic technologies. I do know Industrial Illusions is working towards something similar since releasing the line of fixed platforms used in professional tournaments and now arcades, but from what I have been able to gather, we are still on track to release this sort of product first, and I would like to keep it that way."

"I take it you have run into a couple snags?" She questioned calmly.

"That is correct. Though I would say the hardware is almost to speed, there are still some changes that need to be made and corrected in the software to ensure an on-time delivery and a model working for a trade show in a couple months where we plan to announce this platform."

"Well, you hired me to debug software. Is there any certain way you want me to attack this? Like any particular functions I should focus clearing first?" She inquired making a couple notes on the papers I gave her.

I'm starting to like how this girl thinks.

"I'd say the most critical functions I need working are the recognition and projection pieces. You'll find that the software data is saved by name in the drives indicated in your assignment."

"I noticed." She nodded. She looked back and was staring at me over the rim of her glasses, "How long do I have to work on this? You said a trade show is in a couple months, but I highly doubt I have that long to review and make any adjustments."

"You guess correctly Silvers. I'm giving you one week for your portion."

For a brief moment, I saw panic in her eyes, but she quickly covered it up by closing them and taking a deep breath. "I'll take a look and see what I can do then. There's obviously no time to waste."

"Then shall I show you to your area?" I questioned getting to my feet.

Just as smoothly as she took her seat, she rose, "Yes. Please do sir."

I led her over to the door between our two offices, "You will be working out of the office next to mine. If you run into any major issues or have pertinent questions, come see me. If not important, you can see my secretary Sun outside. Your logins with initial passwords are located next to your laptop. You will be requested to change them upon your first login to each item. The keys to this office should be in the top left drawer of the desk. Like I said this morning, your schedule will be like mine. I expect you here within an hour of classes ending, but as you are still a student, you should not be here past nine on school nights. I will not tolerate your grades slipping. This position is to teach you as well as help me, so if I am told you aren't making the grade in school as a result of time being spent here, I will dissolve this position. Clear?"

She took a moment before meeting my glance with what I could only see as determination, "Crystal Sir."

"Then I guess I will leave you to it..." With that, I took my leave and returned to my own work in my office.

Time to show me what you've got new girl...

(Nicole's POV)

Once Kaiba had left through the door to his office, I gave myself a brief moment to internally freak out.

What the ever-living fuck did I just get myself into?!

"Breathe in. Breathe out Nic." I whispered to myself as I took the seat behind the desk, "Nothing is impossible. Just have to look and plan accordingly."

I used the instructions Kaiba handed me and logged into the laptop that was provided. At least he remembered by language preference and can provide literal step by step instructions for stuff. I dove right into the corporate drive he had on the instructions and found the folder that he assigned to me to work out of.

"Alright, so let's see what we have here..." I muttered to myself as I found one of the segments he wanted reviewed and tweaked. The file opened and seemed to go forever. "Jimminy Christmas! Lord have mercy." I couldn't help but exhale. I did a quick scan of the other documents in the same folder and noted they were all just as long. I am to read through and debug all of this in a week?!

"Welp! No time like the present ladies and gentlemen!" I sighed taking my phone and headphones out of my bag. I found a good techno music playlist, gave my fingers a nice stretch, and got to work.

I was the middle of a deep dive when I was startled by a tap on my shoulder.

"Jesus fucking Christ!" I gasped as I got my heart rate back down after the initial scare once I realized it was only Kaiba tapping me from behind.

"Has anyone told you that you scare... easily?" Kaiba quipped looking at me with an eyebrow raised. If only he knew... between my dad and the people my mom helped put away for a living, I had a damn good reason to be spooked. No one is to know about either of those ever though. I mentally slapped myself.

"Sorry. I know. How can I help you sir?" I sighed taking the ear buds from my ears and pausing the music on my phone.

"It's 9 PM Silvers. You should be shutting down and heading home." He tapped on the watch on his wrist.

I could only look at him oddly for a moment before looking back at the computer's clock. Holy crap! Where has time gone. "S-Sure. My apologies. I lost track of time." I muttered saving all my progress and starting the shutdown process. I grabbed the keys from the desk noting one set looked like it went to the desk the other must have been the office door. I slid the laptop in one of the side drawers and locked the unit before grabbing my bag. When I looked up, Kaiba was standing near the door. "Are you waiting on me sir?" I asked slightly confused.

"Might as well. I was on my way out. I can walk you out towards your car as it is probably on the way to mine." He shrugged.

"I -I actually took the bus. But the stop is only like a block away." I shrugged as I made my way out the door with Kaiba right behind me. I paused long enough to lock the door, but that only gave him the lead to call the elevator.

"So, since you seemed so engrossed in your work, would you say you've made any progress?" he questioned in the silence.

"Depends what you would call progress." I sighed, "I mean work was done, sure. But I know there is a lot more to be done, and not that much time to cram it all in to."

"Do you think you will make the deadline?" He asked almost as if amused.

The elevator dinged announcing its arrival. I took the moment to step in before uttering my reply, "Nothing is impossible sir. Difficult as hell? Sure! Impossible? Never heard of such a thing!"

He didn't speak for a bit. I wasn't sure if he was looking at me like he was impressed or pissed and I didn't dare look to see which. Though he did once we were almost to the ground floor, "So I am to take that as a yes?"

I turned my head up so we were looking at one another. I couldn't quite put my finger on the feeling in the air, but it was a weird mixture of tension yet ease at the same time. "Yes sir. I'll make sure of it."

That is when the elevator let us know that we made it to the final stop on the ground floor with a light chime. "That's good to hear Silvers. I'd hate to have this idea I have for you crash and burn." He shrugged motioning for me to step out first.

"Such the gentleman..." I couldn't help but tease taking the two steps out into the lobby, "though I'm curious..."

He stopped mid-stride, "Excuse me? Curious?"

"All this," I gave the lobby and general area a wide sweep with my eyes, "Did you take it over because you actually play the games you help give life. Or you just in it for the fun tech?"

"I do play. I'm actually number two in the competitive Duel Monsters circuit." he smirked slightly. I could see the spark in his eye. This was the kind of conversation he enjoyed.

I wasn't going to lose this chance to maybe earn a couple bonus points! "Number two?! Dare I ask who is number one?"

His eyes half closed as if remembering something agitating, "Number one would be Yugi Moto."

"Wait, like short, tri colored hair, goes to our school Yugi?!" I gasped in surprise. I mean sure Yugi seemed like he knew a lot about the game, but in no way did he let it out that he was the top ranked player!

"That's the one..." Kaiba grumbled slipping his hands into his trouser pockets.

"Well, at least I guess I have the world's best as my teacher! Who would have thought it!" I tried to lighten the mood as we started walking again.

"What?" Kaiba asked eyebrow raised as he looked at me oddly.

"Y-Yugi..." I managed to stammer out as I felt my nerves spike, "he and the others have been teaching me how to play Duel Monsters when they aren't helping me translate my notes. He actually took me to this huge exhibit that links the game ancient Egypt. It was pretty interesting."

"Interesting? I thought it was pretty boring myself." He huffed with a shrug of his shoulders.

"You've seen-"

"Yes. The exhibit's curator was quite animate about my stepping by one afternoon. I wasn't very impressed with giant rocks with carvings that looked like they were designed by primary school children." He sighed.

"Everyone's a critic, but I thought it was a different experience." I looked around and noticed we had stepped outside. "Well, I think this is where we part ways. Bus stop should be a block or so up the road."

(Seto's POV)

"Well, I think this is where we part ways. Bus stop should be a block or so up the road." Silvers' voice chirped making me realize that we had walked out to the sidewalk in the front of the building.

"Yes. The stop is two streets over, but should you be walking by yourself at night?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Are you telling me all those things I heard about Japan being super safe were a lie?" She gasped, but there was a teasing tone to her voice. When I looked down at her, her eyes seem to gleam with the same teasing nature, "I'll be fine. Do you know the kind of damage a girl can do to a foot with a pair of these?" She lifted her left pant leg just enough to show the thin heel underneath.

"If you're sure-"

"Like I said." She shrugged as she readjusted her bag and took a couple steps back, "I'll be fine. Thank you for the concern. I'll see you tomorrow." She gave a quick bow just before turning in her intended direction and walked briskly towards the transit stop.

I could only stand there and watch her in curiosity. This girl was in so many ways odd, but with her back to me I could only see the shape of her form and how it moved with each step. Unlike girls and women around here, her walk was accentuated by the sway in her hips. Her hair, still down, swayed with her as it brushed the lower section of her back near her pant line as if in time with each click of her heeled shoes. From what I could tell, she was more filled than her school uniform seemed to show. Dare I think it, but oddity aside, she cleaned up well. That body and the professional personality I witnessed over the past couple hours made her seem a lot more attractive than I took her to be. Would she be as professional meeting someone outside of work? That look but maybe a skirt or a dress to see how slender her legs really are when not hidden by those horrid knee-high socks and blocky school shoes?

I was broken from my stare by the sound of a car door opening. Looking back forward, I noticed my driver standing next to me with the door open a small smile on his face. "Good evening sir. Did everything go well today?"

"Everything was ok.." I muttered as I shoved the day dreaming aside and got into the back. What was I just thinking about?! Silvers in a more physical than working capacity obviously!

I pinched the bridge of my nose trying to get the image of her out of my mind. This was not something I needed. I did not need the complication of anything crossing with someone that worked for me. That was a rule. Business and personal life does not mix. Especially when she is a direct report. HR would have a field day!

Despite my current mental argument, I couldn't help but order to the driver as he climbed into the driver's seat, "go up two blocks and take a left and stop in view of the transit stop for a couple minutes."

"Yes sir." He nodded just before setting the vehicle to drive and following the directions.

She was already at the stop waiting next to the bench when the car stopped. I looked on from the nearby window studying her. There had to be something unappealing about this form of her. No one was around her, but she had her phone to her ear. A smile big enough to show her teeth crossed over her face as she ran her free hand through her hair sliding the hair band out in the same move. Who could she be talking to that would make her smile like that? She looked at the accessory for a moment before she started to spin it around on her finger as she kept talking to whoever it was on her cell. Look at her. So oblivious to the world around her as if she has no care. Of course, I was too far to actually hear her conversation, but something about her brimming smile caught my attention. The smile was soon dropped as the large bus pulled up to the spot before her only a minute or so later. She seemed to mutter something into the phone just before hanging up and placing it and the hair band in her bag. She climbed into the bus leaving my field of vision. I just barely made out the dark brown head take a seat on the back row as the vehicle took off to the next stop.

She made it on the bus. You'll see her tomorrow. That voice in my mind teased making me wonder where my senses had gone.

"Shall we head home now sir?" my driver questioned looking back at me in the rear view.

"Yes. That sounds like a plan." I nodded pulling out my phone and trying to find something, anything to distract me from this thought strain of mine.