Author's Info: Chapter 33! Well, I have to admit things are getting to where I can really get into developing well-known characters as well as starting to introduce my favorites! I'm starting research on yet another deck (this will be my third deck). Things are about to get crazy in life, with papers and finals, so please be patient for the next few weeks. Thank you to everyone who read this, especially TsuKaza, Azura Soul Reaver, Toxic-Tears-123, Jade the Grey, DaAmazingMeepers, and Backlash Button. More specific comments later!
The "what"s: Listening to Down by Jay Sean, In My Head by Jason Derulo, and Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert. Not exactly my usual taste in music, but they're so damn catchy, I can't help it! Probably doesn't help I hear it all over... I've been thinking about too many things to retell. Right now, it's about how annoying some of these songs they play on the radio are... (like Miley Cyrus' Party in the USA... I despise that song with a burning passion.) I've also been thinking about how my friends seem to like using me as their editor... as if we all haven't had nightmares about red pens from our honors English teacher in high school... Well, at least I learned proper grammar overall, right?
Disclaimer: I don't own Yu-Gi-Oh. I cannot claim the awesomeness that is Seto Kaiba or Yugi Mutou. I can claim Yumi and Tsuki's awesome personalities, though. I hope you enjoy yet another chapter of Sando No Jigoku!
Chapter Thirty-Three
Yumi followed them into what she knew had to be Kaiba's office. She hadn't seen or heard anyone else since stepping out of the elevator, which meant there couldn't be anyone else on the floor. That was what had convinced her she was right. His office was spacious and modern, as she had expected. There was a large TV and a comfortable leather couch nearby. She looked around thoughtfully and wondered if this truly reflected Kaiba's personality in all matters, but then she remembered his taste in clothing and nearly began laughing aloud again. Kaiba was a man who loved flaunting his wealth in front of others, and she doubted that was a habit that would ever change.
"You will be sorting my appointments for the next few weeks. I'll let you determine how to structure it, since you're expected to begin memorizing my schedule as of next week. I'm a very busy man, and I don't have time for mistakes," Kaiba said as he went and sat down at his desk. He had a lot of work to do, and he didn't have time to teach a complete novice. That was one benefit to having someone like her, he supposed. She already had experience.
"Yes, master," she said, adding a lisp and making a face silly enough to rival Igor. She couldn't help but grin when she noticed Mokuba start laughing, and her grin didn't subside even when Kaiba glared at her again.
'You do realize you failed to notify me as to which day you will be taking off this week, right?"
"I'll be coming in all week," she said, shrugging nonchalantly. "It is my first week on the job, after all; I figure I may as well stick it out. There's no point in taking a day off when I don't completely know what I'm doing yet."
Kaiba was shocked by her answer. He hadn't expected her to be willing to coming every day of the week. He had expected her to fully enjoy inconveniencing him by taking a day off during her first week. This put him at ease. It gave him that much more time to teach her what he needed to at times that were more convenient to him. He would also use this time to delve deeper into her mind and get under her skin.
"Wow, you're really serious about this job, aren't you, Yumi?" Mokuba said, grinning. He didn't know anyone who was willing to spend every day working except his brother. Most people liked to enjoy their weekends elsewhere, but she was willing to give them up for the sake of her job!
"I have to be if I want to do well," she said, smiling a little. "Besides, if it means being around all the new gaming technology even a little bit longer, I would be so happy!"
"You really like games, don't you?" Mokuba asked, grinning more. Even if she had beaten his brother, she seemed like a really nice person. He didn't understand why Seto didn't seem to like her, or why he was so mean to her. Besides, she had already become friends with Yugi, didn't she? That definitely meant she was a good person.
"I think like is a drastic understatement in all honesty," she said, laughing. "There aren't many games I've played that I haven't been fond of. That's why I've always wanted to work at Kaiba Corp. Gaming systems, theme parks, if it has to do with gaming, I can't help but be excited. Then again, you already know all that goes on here, and why it's such a successful company, so I suppose I'm just babbling, aren't I?" she asked, laughing at herself, and flushing a slight pink.
Kaiba was surprised by the childish excitement she was suddenly showing. This was a completely different side to the person who managed to annoy him so effectively. Whenever he spoke with her, she was reserved, sarcastic, and arrogant, yet when she spoke to Mokuba she was full of energy, cheerful, and gentle. He wondered if it had to do with Mokuba's childish innocence and excitement, or if she was simply bipolar. He cleared his throat and noticed she immediately lost that childish attitude and became professional. "If you're done acting like small children, I'll show you where you'll be working."
"You needn't worry," she said, smiling mockingly. "I'm not so blind that I couldn't see the desk outside your office. If the appointments are already in the computer, then I'll be able to get everything done quickly. If not, just tell me where to find what I'm looking for and I'll get started right away." She made her way over to the door before looking back and smirking. "After all, aren't you the one always saying you have better things to do than waste your time on people who don't know what they're doing?"
Kaiba scowled. "None of these appointments are in the computer. I don't have time for such trivial things, but you'll find the files are all on your desk. I trust you can have it done by the end of the day?" he sneered.
"That won't be a problem," she said confidently. After all, even Kaiba's constantly occupied schedule wouldn't be that difficult, so long as she worked diligently. She knew her skills, and she knew this was far from impossible.
"And I want the hard copies filed away in case I have need of referencing these clients. My previous assistant was entirely incompetent."
"Kaiba, hire an incompetent assistant? Why that must be wrong," she said mockingly. "Even so, I'll get that done as well. It won't be an issue."
"I'll be in a meeting all evening, so it will also be your job to take Mokuba home."
"Wait—" she began, but stopped herself. Insulted as she was, she didn't feel like upsetting Mokuba. Since when had she signed up to become his babysitter, though? She was a tech expert, not a nanny! In truth, she hadn't dealt with children in a long time; Tsuki was the one who had worked at a daycare.
"That is all," Kaiba said, ending the discussion. She scowled and threw him one final dirty look before leaving the room. Much as she would love to debate the issue, she knew better.
"Who does he think he is, pushing his brother on me like that," she growled angrily. "I came here to spend my time developing the software and holographic imaging, not running around getting coffee and babysitting elementary schoolers. He's going to regret this; I'll make sure of it." She made her way to the desk and studied it. It was simple, but durable, and the dark wood made her think of the one in her room. She sighed. Tonight she would be lucky if she got any work done on her game at all. Not only was the stack of appointments immense, but it would likely take her until Mokuba was ready to leave. Once she took Mokuba home, she had no idea what to do; she didn't even know if she would be allowed to go home or had to stay and wait with him. Even if she did manage to get home at an even remotely decent hour, there was the game room to think about. It seemed life was having quite the sense of humor with her lately, and she wasn't sure she liked it.
She began to look through the appointments for even the slightest bit of organization. There was none. Her face darkened with her frustration as she realized exactly what she was in for. Growling, she began to sort them, readying them for when she had to enter them into the computer. A filing system of any sort would have to wait. She figured at the very least she should be able to synchronize this with Kaiba's computer eventually. That way he could also see when his appointments were. For the computer, she wouldn't need terribly detailed information, just a general who and when, perhaps a general reason for the meeting for reference. That would be more than enough for its intended purpose.
***
She groaned when she stood for a break, stretching to relieve her sore muscles. She finally had entered all of them into the computer, and now she just had to see if she could convince Kaiba to agree with synchronizing their systems, at least when it came to appointments. She walked up to his door and knocked.
"What is it?" she heard him ask gruffly. She opened the door and walked inside. "What do you want, Makoto? Don't you have a job to do?" She scowled at his insinuation of incompetence. She figured if he was going to insult her, she may as well use it to her benefit.
"For your information, Kaiba," she said coldly, "I actually had something job related to discuss with you. If, however, you don't consider your schedule of appointments to be important enough, then I won't even bother. Good day." She turned and was about to leave when she felt him grab her arm. She scowled; this guy was quick.
"What about my appointments?" he asked, frowning. He didn't like the way she was dangling this and teasing him, but he didn't have a choice. He figured whatever she was about to say was of at least some importance, or she wouldn't bother with him. He especially needed to know if there was some sort of issue that may cause him problems later; he couldn't risk it simply because she was insulting him.
"I figured out a way I would be able to synch our computers so you could have access to a schedule containing all your appointments. Knowing you, you'll probably have times where it would be more convenient if you could access the schedule yourself instead of always having to ask me. Mind you, the system isn't the complete set of data; it only contains the data absolutely necessary for the meeting at hand. If you are in need of more detailed information, you'll have to contact me. I haven't entirely decided if I want that data to be in an electronic format yet, since I don't want to compromise any crucial information. I'd like to see for myself how secure my computer, and Kaiba Corp.'s overall server, really is."
"Are you insinuating my security is weak?" Kaiba asked, growling. He was thoroughly insulted at this. "I highly doubt that you have anywhere near the amount of skills it would take to crack my system."
"You're on," she said, smirking. Kaiba stared at her. "I'm not exactly proud of the fact I can hack into computer systems, but I've had need of it a time or two. I mostly only test my skills on Kuro's security systems. Consider it a friendly rivalry." She smiled a little at the memories.
"I highly doubt being able to hack some kid's computer can even come close to the type of security my company has."
"Alright, we'll have a wager, then," she said, confident of her skills. "I have 24 hours to hack into your system. I'm not allowed to use any sort of company technology, either. I'm only allowed to use my own personal computers."
"How will that prove anything?" he asked. "Besides, even if you somehow managed, how would you prove it?"
"Don't worry; you'll know right away that it was me," she said, smirking. "I'll leave my trademark signal. Oh, when I win, I'd appreciate it if you should me a little more respect." She had become more serious, but Kaiba could resist laughing at the ludicrous nature of her words.
"And when I win, you'll address me as 'Master Kaiba,' and there will be no more of this mockery from you."
"Very well, Kaiba," she said with a smirk. "It seems we have an accord. Now, regarding that schedule—"
"Synch the computers," he said gruffly, going back to his desk. "Although I figured you'd be completely finished by now with the way you were boasting earlier."
"Excuse me for actually being competent with my work," she growled, turning to leave. "Next time I won't care about the quality." She walked out the door and returned to her desk, sighing as she looked at the stack once again. She was unusually tempted to scatters them, just to spite the man sitting in his office mere yards away. Still, she knew that would only result in more of a headache for her when she would have to gather them all again. She instead began to rearrange them in a system that was most efficient for future reference.
Responses to my commentators:
TsuKaza: Thank you so much for the site for the cards! I'm really grateful for your help! I hope this chapter is as amusing as the last!
Azura Soul Reaver: Well, it is Kaiba... What do you do, right? XD Hope you liked this one!
Jade the Grey: Thank you so much for helping me with the spell/trap cards and analyzing strategy! I will definitely be sure to give you credit when the Tsuki/Tea comes up! I hope this one amuses you, and I really enjoy the discussion we have going :D
DaAmazingMeepers: I admit, after writing that, I did too! Guess I should write chapters while hungry and in need of a good cup of coffee, huh? XD
Toxic-Tears-123: I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
Backlash Button: Well, all I can say is that this sarcasm battle is probably going to be a battle that continues for some time. After all, two people as stubborn and unwilling to lose as them won't give up easily. Even so, I suppose I have to disagree with you about girls using words and guys fists... Not only have I had more physical damage given to me by some of my female friends (karate and TKD black belts, anyone?), but I have had some of my best debates and sarcasm matches with my guy friends (one of whom is the ONLY person to have beaten me thus far in a fair match). That is my just my experience, though... Anyway, hope you enjoyed the chapter!
