Scene Five: Illusion

"So, have you considered his offer?"

Edo took a sip of his unsweetened iced tea. "Of course," he said. "Whether I want to is another matter entirely."

Emeralda's expression was perfectly deadpan. "You already get what you want more than the rest of us. Always getting it is a luxury you can't afford." She started organizing the papers that were strewn over the coffee table.

She insisted on Edo taking Mondays off, on account of it being the Pro League's slowest day of the week. But restless as Edo tended to be, he couldn't tolerate a single day of unproductiveness. The two of them currently sat on the deck of Edo's Los Angeles beach house. However, instead of partaking in the ocean view, he was reviewing past tournament reports.

"It's not like I need the money," he said. "It's just a personal gesture of support."

"Right. An endorsement." Emeralda straightened the pile of papers. "The man will be hosting his first tournament in over a decade. It's projected to be the biggest Duel Monsters competition since Battle City. You two are already on good terms, it'll be just as good for him as it will be for you. And if you also do him this small favor…"

Edo made a face, one that only Emeralda ever saw. "Emeralda, going out Nina Crawford is in no way a 'small favor' so much as it is a strenuous toll on my psychological welfare."

"Oh wow, you must really not like her." Emeralda's voice dripped in sarcasm. "Look, I'm not asking you to marry the girl. God, what a nightmare that would be. All I'm saying is wine and dine her a bit, especially where lots of people are watching, while the buzz over the tournament announcement is going on. And then, when things have settled down, you can let her down gently. So long as it looks like you gave the relationship a legitimate shot."

Edo reached for his glass, drinking the rest of the contents until his lips met ice cubes.

"Trust me," he then said, "there won't be any gentleness coming from her end when that happens."

"She's not much different from those other socialite girls you've gone with. Really, what have you got to lose aside from a few bad dates?" She then paused, her lips pursed in thought. "Unless you want to date someone else."

His eyes narrowed. "What are you saying?"

The memory of the dance he shared with Asuka a few nights ago rushed back to his recollection. He had seen Emeralda watching them with an inquisitive look, though she hadn't questioned him on the matter afterwards.

She crossed her arms, drumming her fingers alongside her thoughts. "I looked her up you know. The so-called Obelisk Queen of Duel Academia. Not bad, not bad at all. I can definitely see you together."

Edo could see what she meant. Asuka would be a change from those vapid fangirls attached to his person. In fact, she'd be nearly his equal.

"But Nina will have to do," Emeralda finished her thought. "Pegasus was practically begging you to ask her out."

Edo wouldn't have called the CEO's persuasions "begging," but they were close to that effect.

Pegasus wasn't the type to say, "I can't endorse you unless you date my niece." No, he would just drop hints like he would Toon Tables of Contents. When they had met after his speech, Pegasus had gone on and on about how "my Nina was so thrilled to finally meet you," and that "Nina could use someone supportive like you Edo. I realize she's the challenging type, but really, once you get to know her!"

He sighed. His professional image came first. Not that Asuka would be a detriment to said image, on the contrary…no, he wasn't going to finish the thought.

Edo stood up, allowing a moment for the ocean breeze to sift through his silver locks.

"I'm going for a drive," he said.

Emeralda nodded, reaching for her trusted PDA. "Alright, don't be out too late. I'm making Japanese for dinner."

His drive didn't last long. It was always a good idea in theory until you get on the road and realize that although driving was a prerequisite to getting anywhere at a reasonable hour in L.A., the city's layout was designed to make drivers suffer.

He had no time to really think about what he intended to do. By the time Edo pulled up in front of Industrial Illusions, he was pent up with irritation from behind the wheel.

Coming here during the day brought on an entirely different atmosphere. The headquarters looked like any ordinary office complex. Well, minus the silver statue of Dark Rabbit in the middle of the lawn. Pegasus must fancy himself the Walt Disney of trading cards.

Thankfully it didn't take long for Edo to find a decent parking spot in the street. I^2's parking lot was nearly empty, but he didn't feel like announcing his presence to the guards and attracting extraneous attention.

He went through the automatic doors into the reception area. A middle-aged man was sitting at the front desk, boredly clicking at something on his screen.

"Hello Paul," Edo warmly greeted. He pressed a finger to his lips. "Don't mind me, just here to see the old man."

"Mmkay." Paul was nonplussed by his presence. Edo liked him. "He's in a meeting now. Should be done soon though."

"Great, thanks." That should give him enough time to think things over. Edo peered at the elevator directory. Where did Asuka say she was working?

Ah, there we go. Research and Development, third floor.

The perfect distraction before a business meeting.

The R&D floor was fairly quiet, save from some hushed talking. Most of the office doors were wide open, with people pertinently writing or typing something. He even spotted one guy drawing what looked to be a prelimenary sketch of a Duel Monsters card, in colored pencil.

Then he found her. She was sitting at a round table, looking over some printed images with a portly fellow who had the face of a koala.

Asuka was poised with her pencil, making some notes along the margins of the papers.

"Yeah, I think that one looks good so far," she said.

"Uh huh. I'll put it into the Accepted pile," said the koala man. He picked up the paper only to drop it when he saw Edo leaning against the side of the door.

"Hayato?" Asuka gave her coworker a questioning look before turning to the object of his attention.

"Oh!" Her eyes widened, but only slightly. "It's you."

Edo casually shrugged with one shoulder. "It's me."

"Omigosh," the one called Hayato quickly exclaimed, "it's Edo Phoe-"

Asuka clamped a hand over his mouth. "Not so loud please!" She then removed her hand.

"Sorry about that," she told Edo.

"Yeah sorry," said Hayato after he caught his breath. "Just wasn't expecting to see you here, is all."

Edo held up his hand in acceptance. "Quite alright." He could tell Hayato wasn't the overly social type.

"So what brings you to the heart of corporate America?" Asuka asked. Curiosity gleamed in her eyes.

"Just waiting for Pegasus to finish up his meeting," he said.

"You might be a while then," she said. "I saw his butler carting up an iced bucket of champagne earlier." She stood up, smiling. "Care for some coffee-er, tea I mean?"

"Gladly."

Leaving Hayato to hold the fort, Asuka led Edo into a narrow kitchenette. She opened the drawer to reveal an assortment of teas.

"Bagged or loose leaf?" She asked.

He stared at the selection approvingly. "Who would have thought Pegasus shelled out loose leaf tea for his employees?"

"I know, right? Do you want black or herbal?"

"Definitely black. You can pick the flavor."

"Um, alright." Asuka took a few seconds before choosing the canister of Lapsang Suochong, and then filled a kettle with water.

Interesting choice, Edo thought. The Chinese tea had a distinct smoky aroma, the right or wrong kind of blend could go he didn't tell Asuka any of that; he didn't want to make her feel self-conscious before the impending conversation.

"So uh, sorry about leaving so abruptly after the dance," he said, slightly averting his eyes from her. "Did you get home okay?"

"Sure, just had to pay extra for cab fare." She gave him a knowing look. "You see, Nina was my ride to the party."

"Ah." He could imagine the girl's reaction to seeing them together. But Edo really didn't want to think about Nina right now.

"And don't worry about the leaving without saying goodbye part," said Asuka as she turned off the kettle. She transferred the hot water into a teapot, adding about two spoonfuls of tea leaves inside. "I figured you were busy, had other people to talk to."

"Not really," he admitted. "Yes, I had to talk to some people, but what we talked about was mostly unimportant."

"Sounds like the thrilling life of a socialite," she joked, offering a sympathetic smile.

He didn't respond. She looked nervous, like she wasn't sure if he thought her comment funny.

"I hate those parties," he then said, not a hint of disdain in his tone. Merely indifference. "They're excuses for people to dress up, eat fancy food, and pretend their lives have meaning."

"But you're not like that," Asuka said matter-of-factly. She poured some tea into a paper cup and handed it to him.

He took it, his hand unbothered by the cup's heat. "Of course not. But in the position I'm in, I can't avoid people of those ilk." He took a careful sip, expertly so not to burn his tongue. Acceptable, but he'd had better Lapsang Suochong. Oh well, Pegasus wasn't running a teahouse.

Asuka poured a cup for herself. "Yeah, I get that. I really do." She tried to have a drink, but nearly singed her lips.

Edo smirked. "Would you like some water for your tea?"

She gave him a pointed look. "You make it look so easy. I'm fine." She blew some air into the cup, as if to reaffirm the statement.

"I've only had years of practice drinking hot beverages." He took a long sip then put down his cup. "Asuka, do you want to go out with me?"

She ceased her beverage-puffing. "Out As in-"

"A date. Yes." Edo's face was completely straight and unreadable. "We could start by having dinner."

"Dinner. Right." She nodded at each word, but puzzlement was written plainly on her face.

Edo found himself growing quickly impatient. Or maybe it was just the caffeine. "Well? What do you say?"

Asuka's confused state momentarily evaporated into a bout of laughter. She quickly covered her mouth when she realized he wasn't laughing or cracking a smile. Or anything.

"I'm sorry it's just, I thought, oh God." Her hand crept up, trying to cover the rest of her face. "You were serious weren't you?"

"So I gather it's a no then," he evenly replied, keeping irritation from seeping into his tone. Just what did she find so funny about it?

"Yes. I mean, yes that's a no, I mean." Her words were coming out in short bursts, desperate to come up with a coherent thought. "Sorry, that totally came out the wrong way, I just…I'm kind of at a crossroads on what I want to do in my life and I'm just not interested in dating right now." She exhaled after finishing that hurried sentence. "Sorry, I just really didn't think you were actually, well-"

"Forget it." He gently raised his hand, signaling her to stop talking. "You don't have to explain yourself. Forget I asked."

She twisted her fingers around her cup. "So it's okay?"

"Perfectly fine," he said, making his way back to the hallway. "Think I'll see if Pegasus is out of that meeting yet." He stealthily avoided further eye contact with her.

"Do you want your tea?" Asuka called out, looking at his still-full cup.

"Just toss it out," he muttered. This was a lousy idea to begin with. He knew she was likely to turn him down. Even if she hadn't, she was smart enough to catch onto his true intentions.

No, Asuka didn't deserve to jump through publicity hoops just because Edo wanted an excuse to avoid dating Nina.

Still, her reaction rubbed him the wrong way. She actually felt nothing for him? The way she behaved during their dance had definitely not been an illusion.

He reached for his phone, brushing away his defensive attitude. When he reached the number he wanted, his fingers seemingly froze in place, but he forced them to dial anyway.

"Hello, Nina?"

A/N: I hope Asuka's reaction felt realistic. Her actual feelings aside, I don't think she'd readily agree to go out with a guy she barely knows.