Chapter 27: A man who loves strawberries

After meeting with his two visitors: the Colombos, the Count of Monte Cristo made arrangements to visit Pegasus later that same evening. But before he went to the home of the Duel Monsters' creator, Monte Cristo contacted the Wheelers to inform them of Saturday's dinner; they accepted the invitation.

When he arrived at the penthouse, the count noticed that some misfortune had befell the prominent figure. Instead of a joyful expression one usually has when one receives a welcome visitor, the American had put on a sullen face.

"Why, Mr. Pegasus!" said the count feigning any sympathy, "What is the matter? Have I come at a bad time? Say, perhaps when you were going over an upcoming trial case?"

Pegasus forcefully smiled at his guest. "No. Not at all. You see, Count... it is a particular case in which I am the sole victim."

"How so, Mr. Pegasus?"

"My problem is merely a fiscal loss. The loss was a rather large sum, but nothing that I cannot bounce back from. Because of a decrepit and stubborn elder, my daughter's future does not seem bright. After all, $3 billion is nothing when one still has $8 billion left..."

"Oh, my! Did I just hear you have lost $3 billion?! Might I ask, who was responsible for this sudden mishap?"

"My own father, Count."

"But how can that be? I thought that you had told me that your father was paralyzed because he was afflicted with a stroke."

"Well, despite being deprived of human speech and unable to move... he can still make himself understood."

"How?" asked Monte Cristo.

"By utilizing his eyes in a certain way; he blinks to say 'no' and he closes his eyes tightly to say 'yes'. The only people who fully understand this 'system' are my daughter and my father's personal servant, Barry."

"My friend... how did your father cause you to lose $3 billion dollars?"

"By making some changes in his will. Originally, my daughter was to receive $3 billion upon his deathbed. But, since he opposes the engagement between his granddaughter and a Von Schroeder, the $ 3 billion will be divided and sent to various charity foundations instead. And as someone who contributes to better the world, I cannot refuse my father's intent. However, the marriage between Leon von Schroeder and my daughter will and shall take place."

"Does your father have some history with the von Schroeders, Mr. Pegasus? If memory serves, Leon von Schroeder's father was a politician many years ago. Perhaps the two were political opponents back in the day?"

Pegasus replied, "Yes, I have taken that fact into consideration, Count. Fortunately, Leon is expected to arrive in Japan from Germany in the near future. I only hope that the union between my family and the von Schroeders will finally end the political rivalry between the two families."

"As do I, Mr. Pegasus."

After hearing the count say those words, the American seemed to revert to his foppish mood.

"Come now, let us not speak another word of my family problems."

"Agreed."

"Not to be blunt, but what is the reason for your coming here tonight, Count?" asked Pegasus.

"To personally invite you and your family to dinner this Saturday."

"So I assume that my family and I are to meet you at your house in Domino...?"

"No, Mr. Pegasus. The dinner will take place in a country house I have recently bought in the Tohoku region."

"Ah, the Tohoku region! But, where in that region is your country house, Count?"

"It is in the Motsuji area."

"Motsuji? Did you just say Motsuji, Count?"

"Yes, because I distinctly remember the beautiful gardens surrounding the building. I believe that my country house was No. 28. I think of it as coincidence, but... didn't you own that house years ago, Mr. Pegasus? "

"Well, yes... that was the reason for my sudden... shock," claimed the judge, who was trying to cover his emotions, "It's just that... I never really liked Motsuji."

Attentively, Monte Cristo said, "Then this antipathy will remove me of the pleasure to have you over for dinner?"

"No! No! I shall and will do everything possible to go to your dinner this Saturday."

"Very good! My servants and I will be expecting to receive guests on Saturday at six o' clock in the late afternoon. And if you are not able to come, I shudder to think that there is some years' old curse within that house which I have bought."

"Rest assured, you will see me and my family at the appointed date and time."

"That is pleases me, because I was never one to accept rejections... And if you'll excuse me, I had better be going now, since I have finished inviting all of the guests."

"You mean... there are others you will receive this Saturday?"

"Why, yes. The Kaibas, the Wheelers, the Colombos, and some other individuals that have caught my interest."

"The Colombo family?! I heard that they supposedly disappeared years ago after Fiat (a major Italian motor vehicle manufacturing business) took over."

"Yes, the very same. They are old acquaintances of mine whom I helped get back on their feet."

"Ah... I see," muttered Pegasus.

"With that said and done, I must take my leave. Until we meet again, Mr. Pegasus," said the count as he left the building.

The following day, a certain limo left for the countryside outside Domino. While his valet, Rafael supervised the plans regarding Saturday dinner, Monte Cristo had his other right-hand man, Valon to accompany him.

By the time the two reached their destination, it was barely noon. The count instructed Valon to wait for him until he returns from a nearby green house. It was only a few minutes of walking, that the count finally found what he was looking for inside the small man-made garden: a lone gardener.

"Is it harvest time already this year, my good man?" inquired the count, smiling.

Upon hearing this sudden question, the farmer stopped tending to his strawberries. In his perspective, the stranger resembled a Dracula-like figure. At first, the fifty-some-year old nearly had a heart attack, but the potential episode quickly subsided.

"You're... dat Hakushaku everyone's bin talkin' about, arrn't you?"

In turn, the dark and mysterious man confirmed the middle-aged farmer's suspicion.

"Well, if ya are here ta buy some produce--"

Monte Cristo said, "Oh, no. I'm not here for that."

"Den, why have you come here, Hakushaku? Most people who drop by dis place either steal some of my fruits and vegetables. Or buy dem... you're not here to steal them, aren't you? I mean, a rich guy like ya never has any financial problems... like me."

"I'm here for that," said the count.

Confused, the old gardener asked, "What? D--The tower?"

"Yes, the tower. You don't happen to be the only person around this place, do you?"

"Actually, I am the only person who lives here, Hakushaku."

'It would seem that Fortuna is on good terms with me again today', thought the count.

"Why are you interested in da tower?"

"Because, my good man... I am interested in what is in it. And I don't want a verbal answer; I'd rather see what it contains with my own eyes."

"Fine! Then, follow me, Hakushaku."

The middle-aged man then led the foreigner into the tower. Together, the two climbed several stairways until they reached what seemed to be the top floor. It was during this time the count had noticed that the tower doubled as a living quarters and a place where information is sent to a federal building.

However, the living quarters was not on par with the home of an average salary worker. It seemed like it housed someone who was uneducated, and thus undeserving to have better living conditions.

"My, my... isn't this a surprise. I always had a strange feeling that this tower had something to do..." said Monte Cristo.

"See now? You satisfied?"

"Almost, my good man. You see, I'm curious about how you're accommodated about all this."

"I know what ya mean. When I dropped outta of school when I was a kid, I was forced ta work like a pig."

"Hmm... answer me this: "Do you like your current occupation?"

"Why, yes. Especially since I can eat all da strawberries I want, although they are among the most expensive fruits I sell."

"Tell me, how much money do you usually make?"

"Well, since I occasionally get only a customer once every few months, I'd say no more than 60,000 yen (roughly $513) I also receive an extra 12,000 yen (a little over $100) for every correct piece of information I send to some government facility."

"But, that would still amount to around 80,000 yen ($684.05) at the most!"

"I know it's nothing, but gardening is the only thing I'm good at in life."

"Hmm... but what would you do if I offered you a much larger green house? And say... you were given 3 million yen today (around $25,000)?"

"My God! That's a fortune! Are you really serious?!" exclaimed the gardener.

"Yes, and all I ask of you is one favor."

"Tell me!"

"Allow me to send one piece of information to this... facility you spoke of."

"Impossible! Are you mad?! They'll fine me and I'll lose this job!"

"Then instead of 3 million yen, how about 3.5 million ($30,000)? Or... do you want 4 million yen (A little over $40,000)?"

The count then opened the brief case that he was carrying, and revealed to the poor farmer, hundreds of thousands of Japanese currency. The man was simply dumbfounded. This action had the effect the Monte Cristo expected. He gave a portion equal to the amount he offered the middle-aged man.

"There, there... do we have a deal?"

"Yes we do, Hakushaku. Yes, we do."

"Good, now for your end of the bargain..."