"Left, left, right," Mai recited. "Left, left, right."
She strode determinedly down the corridor until she came to a left turn. She took it.
"Left, right."
She soon came upon another left turn, followed by an immediate right. Mai began counting the doors.
"Third on the… Right?"
The third door on the right was adorned with a plaque that read: Chief List Maker.
"Well that sounds ludicrous."
Mai knocked.
"Come in."
She opened the door to find a bespectacled man sitting at a desk glancing over several pieces of paper.
"Are you Yasuhara?"
"I am. And who might you be?"
"I'm new—"
"Nice to meet you, New."
Mai pouted.
"My name is Mai!"
"I thought you said your name was New? You should make your mind up."
Mai scowled and Yasuhara laughed.
"What are you doing in these parts? Is Noll trying to replace me already? I know I don't agree with him on many things but—"
"Masako said you were in charge of the Naughty and Nice lists?" Mai prompted.
"That I am," Yasuhara agreed. "How is Masako? Still rotting in the pits of hell? I mean the coal mine?"
"She's okay I guess," Mai said. "I was curious about the Naughty List."
"Want to know if you were ever on it?" Yasuhara grinned. He pulled a large ring binder from a shelf. "This is last year's list. What's your surname?"
"Taniyama."
"Taniyama," Yasuhara repeated as he ran a finger down each page. Mai peered over his shoulder and saw that the writing on the paper was miniscule.
"How can you even read that?"
Yasuhara tapped his glasses in reply.
"And you shouldn't be nosy, or you'll end up on the Naughty List. Ah, Taniyama Mai. Here you are!"
"I bet I was on the Naughty List. I never got anything since—"
"You're wrong."
"Huh?" Mai's mouth fell open in shock.
"You've always been on the Nice List, but the last few years you have been on the Miracle List… If I could ever find it. Well, at least the final versions of it," Yasuhara told her. "There are drafts throughout the year that are finalised in early December. Of course there are appeals after the deadline, but they rarely change anything due to the production process of the toys."
"So how come I never got presents?"
"You didn't write a letter to Santa," Yasuhara explained. "Besides, you're an orphan right?"
"How do you know that?"
"Noll always brings orphans home. And well, orphans usually only want one thing and it's something we struggle to give. Though I can see that Noll is trying in your case."
"Huh?" Mai frowned at Yasuhara.
"Never mind. So why are you so interested in the Naughty List?"
"Masako said Noll was trying to get rid of it."
"Ah, that." Yasuhara pursed his lips. "Yes, he's been trying to do that for a while. At first I thought it was just because he wanted to get out of the coal mine. But even out of that hell hole, he's still badgering me about it! He doesn't realise how much more strain that will put on production! Coal is easier to mine than toys are to make!"
"But that isn't fair! If the kids deserve toys then—"
"I know that, Mai. But it's not like we can recruit more workers that easily to help with toy production. Gene understood that the balance needed to be kept. Even if we did accept the removal of the Naughty List, it would take time. It's not like things can change overnight!"
"Why not?" Mai asked. Her education in business matters had been minimal. But she was thoroughly interested in learning more.
"Imagine you had to make ten cakes," Yasuhara began. "Of two types, say, vanilla and chocolate. You specialised in vanilla and your friend is better at chocolate. But suddenly no one wanted chocolate cake. You have to make ten cakes all by yourself with no help and you have to do it in the same time it usually takes to make half that amount. It would be hard, right?"
"I guess. But surely I could teach my friend how to make vanilla cake?"
"Yes, but that would take time, wouldn't it?"
Mai hummed as she thought the idea over.
But before she could ask any more questions, the door burst open and Noll strode in.
"Ah, there you are."
"Hello Noll," Yasuhara said. "Got any list changes already?"
"We've only just finished Christmas Eve, Yasuhara, I think I can give you at least a day off before we begin on next year's list."
Mai frowned at Noll, had that been humour?
"I'm not doing anything until after Boxing Day once I've finished this filing," Yasuhara muttered.
"Two days off? How indulgent of you."
"Quite." Yasuhara sighed. "Though if we could have slightly fewer last minute changes this year, it would make everything a bit easier."
"Well perhaps if you rid this institution of the Naughty List nonsense, then there would be no need for changes!"
"And put me out of a job," Yasuhara said in a low voice.
"I'm sure we can find you another job. Perhaps route optimisation…" Noll suggested.
"You will not tempt me with algorithms and computers. I'll leave that to Lin."
Mai looked from Yasuhara to Noll and smirked. As much as Yasuhara claimed that Noll was stressing him out, it did seem like they got along well.
"What are you smiling about?" Noll demanded.
Mai's eyes widened and the smile dropped off her face.
"Nothing!"
"Where are you taking her next?" Yasuhara asked. "Who hasn't she met yet?"
"Madoka is next on the list, unless she's already in bed."
"I doubt it." Yasuhara chuckled. "She's likely staying up just in case Lin needs help in any way."
Noll rolled his eyes.
"Come on Mai."
Mai hastily pushed some chocolate into Yasuhara's hands. He grinned at her in thanks.
"Bye!" Mai waved to Yasuhara before following after Noll. "So who's Madoka?"
"A complete pain in the—"
"Noll!" a new voice from behind them exclaimed. Noll stopped dead in his tracks at the sound of that voice and groaned. "No one told me you brought someone new home with you!"
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