here are a couple scenes in this chapter that are the whole reason I wanted to write a sequel series in the first place. I thought of it back in chapter two of Three Guys and couldn't shake the thought.
With the snow came a surprising revelation. Being a mentor wasn't as vile as I thought it would be. Kisa, although terribly naïve and innocent, was intelligent and could carry on a good conversation.
Kisa: So how was your day today?
Seth: Alright. Stressful.
Kisa: Yeah I bet with the holidays. Finish your Christmas shopping?
Seth: My brother and I don't exchange gifts. We prefer to spend time together. And yourself?
Kisa: I got my shopping for my friends and my mom, I'm just stuck on what to buy for my brother.
Seth: Well, what does he like?
Kisa: pretty much just duel monsters. I don't know much about it though.
I smiled, this was something I could educate her in.
Seth: What type of deck does he have?
Kisa: I'm not sure. He has a few dragon cards, a swordsman something or other. I remember he has three dragon cards for sure though, one was really cute.
I rolled my eyes; typical girl. She knew little about the cards and only remembered the "cute" ones. Come April you are getting a lesson in Duel Monsters. I froze, shocked at the thought that had gone through my mind. Why would I continue to keep in contact with her after April, much less educate her in one of my greatest passions.
Kisa: Seth? You still there?
Seth: Yes, was just thinking.
I shook off the unwelcome thought and refocused my mind on the cards. Being fond of dragons myself, there was one card that was within her price range and yet was still a valuable card to have in a duel.
Seth: Mirage Dragon. It's not a terribly rare or powerful card, but it has a good effect that can make or break a duel.
Kisa: Thank you so much! I'll go shopping after school tomorrow to find it.
Kisa: you know so much about duel monsters :)
Seth: It's a great game, constantly evolving; new cards, new methods and new ways to play. Before, it was just cards, then there were arenas and with the invention of duel discs the game has become as close to real as technology can allow. And it's completely portable.
Kisa: it sounds like it's something you really love. I wonder how far it will evolve. Maybe someday people will be playing it without a duel disc, or the monsters will be real. Or maybe people will play them everywhere they go, all the time. Even while eating or riding on their motorcycles!
I let the corners of my mouth turn up slightly, for a nineteen year old she had the same childlike innocence Mokuba had when we were young.
Seth: That's ridiculous. Card games on motorcycles. It'll never happen.
Kisa: What if there becomes extreme dueling where you have to play the game anywhere and people try to show each other up; like dueling in traffic or in the middle of a tsunami. Like that extreme ironing thing that I read about a little while ago.
We continued to banter, Kisa coming up with more and more outlandish ideas for how card games could evolve to being played on motorcycles or by the edge of a volcano.
Kisa: Still stressed?
I stopped, shaking my head; I had been on the verge of chuckling. Suddenly I realized what she had been doing. In spite of myself, I smiled.
Seth: No, not anymore.
Kisa: That's good :D
Kisa: You know, the one way I wish the game would evolve is to make the duel discs lighter. They're so awkward to wear after a while.
Seth: I thought you didn't duel.
Kisa: I don't, not really. But I have a few times. My brother and his friends sometimes do mini tournaments and we take turns using two of the duel discs.
When I bid Kisa goodnight my mind was full of ideas for how I could decrease the weight of the discs. While there weren't many spindly girls among the ranks of duelists even I could admit that after a long day of duels my arm was tired.
I sat at my desk for a long while after, pondering and doodling on paper.
A week or so later I submitted a new design to R & D to see what materials we had that would be lightweight and yet just as durable. Though late for this holiday season, finding new materials, a supplier and then actually producing them would mean they'd be on the shelves for the following year.
I was in a good mood and got a lot of work done, far more than I did on usual days.
When Kaiya came to my office to go over some public statements I decided to do something for Kisa in return, albeit in a roundabout way.
"Christmas is coming up."
"Yes, it is. Have you and Mokuba made your plans yet?" she asked, setting down her folder on my desk.
"The usual probably, dinner and then a movie. You should take a few days off. Spend some time with your daughter." I brushed off her thanks, though I did allow myself to feel a little pleased because I knew Kisa would be happy.
I sent Kaiya home early. My decision to give her time off apparently left her panicked because she hadn't bought groceries for Christmas dinner.
I stayed a little later than usual, finishing up the paperwork for the new design.
By the time I got home I had already missed the news and there was an email from Kisa waiting for me.
Seth,
Guess what? Ok, I won't make you guess. Kaiba gave my mom a few days off work for the holidays and she's going to have my brother over for dinner. I'm so happy! So what are your holiday plans?
Kisa
I opened up the instant messenger and told her I was happy for her, flicking through my textbook while I waited for a reply.
Seth: So what are you up to?
I asked, surprised she hadn't replied back already. I waited another ten or so minutes. Had this been Mokuba I would've been in a panic, but I doubted anyone wanted to kidnap Kisa.
Seth: Kisa?
I ended up sending two more messages before she finally replied. I was surprised that I actually felt relief when she replied. I suppose years of worrying about Mokuba had kicked in.
Kisa: I'm so sorry! I got caught up in something and didn't notice the time.
Seth: It's alright, you just had me worried. What had you so distracted?
Kisa: It's a surprise ;) Besides you never answered my question.
Seth: My brother and I go and see a movie. We'll usually cook something together afterwards; I think the plan for this year is teriyaki roast chicken and cake. I hope you know that I hate surprises.
Kisa: I'll bet you like this one.
I bid Kisa goodnight at our usual time and was left feeling very curious about her surprise. It wasn't until Christmas morning that I found out what it was.
I had gotten up at my usual time and was in my study going over the company's profits while I waited for Mokuba to wake up. We had made plans to see a matinee of Inception. The movie had come out months prior and was now in the 'cheap seats'. I was so busy that when I had time to watch movies they were either in the cheap seats or they had already come out on DVD.
My computer beeped, signaling a new email from Kisa with an attachment. I opened it, hoping it wasn't one of those stupid chain letters when a picture appeared.
It was very obviously drawn by someone and looked as though it was based off the view from a window. The inks looked smudged; to give it a dream like appearance or by accident I wasn't sure.
Domino Park's trees were frosted and the street lights cast a hazy orange glow.
There were smaller buildings, but Kaiba Corp loomed above them all. I couldn't help but smile when I saw that they had drawn my office lit up.
To be perfectly honest I was speechless. It had been years since someone had given me a gift. Mokuba would do things for me on my birthday, but we had agreed long ago that there wasn't any point in giving gifts. If there was something we wanted, we bought it. The last time I had received a gift was before my parents died.
I managed to type a response, it was short and I hoped I was able to get my gratitude across. Her reply was simple and cheerful, something I had come to expect from her.
I did draw it, that's what got me so distracted. I'm glad you like it.
Merry Christmas, Kisa
The rest of the day was spent enjoyably. Mokuba and I went to the movie wearing plain jeans and sweatshirts. I even wore my glasses to avoid being recognized. Then later we had dinner and spent the rest of the evening playing board games. After losing at Battle Ship six times in a row Mokuba decided to play his video games and I went to talk with Kisa.
She told me about her day, while I told her about mine. She sounded happy about having her mother spend a few days with her and was especially excited that her brother had been able to come. I said good night and then logged off at the usual time. I let Mokuba stay up, he was on holiday so it didn't matter, while I went to bed.
I made a mental note to get the picture Kisa had done blown up and printed the next day. I thought it would be interesting to have in my office, the opposite view of what I had.
I got into work the next morning and dove into my to-do list. Taking time off always put us behind, but with the holiday rush over, the company and its employees had a moment to catch their breath.
I was reading a report when my secretary phoned and told me someone wished to see me.
"Alright, but they'd better make it quick," I sighed. I went back to reading assuming whoever wanted to see me would just come in and say what needed to be said then leave.
I finished reading the report and was about to phone Aisawa and ask where this person was when I saw her.
Kisa stood by the door, looking dreamily out the window. How long she had been standing there I didn't know, she had come in so quietly.
She looked just as short as she had in the picture, but she looked older as well - a woman of nineteen instead of a girl fresh into her teens. Her hair was in a high pony tail and she wore a faded blue jean skirt and the light silvery blue blouse with a soft looking white sweater and white leggings.
Her appearance surprised me, perhaps it was how delicate she looked, lost in thought, or the eerily chosen blue and white colour scheme, but something stirred a memory of another girl from a long time ago.
She seemed to realize I had noticed her and she met my eyes, blushing furiously. It was then that it hit me; I had no idea what to say.
Shit. What do I do? What do I do?
"I'm sorry to bug you Mr. Kaiba, but my mom sent me," she said with a small bow.
What? Why the hell would Kaiya send you? Does she know? Oh fuck, I don't know what I can say. What if I reveal who I am? I don't remember what I'm supposed to know.
"Um, my mom is Kaiya Kawaii and she wanted me to give you these as thanks for giving her time off for the holidays." I watched her walk toward my desk and place a red and gold tin on the edge. "I baked them yesterday, they're chocolate chip." I watched her play with the long pieces of bang that framed her face.
What do I say to that? 'Oh yeah, thanks? I hope you didn't give me your brother's burnt ones'? Why didn't you tell me you were coming so I'd be prepared?
"Well, I'll leave you be. Have a happy New Year Mr. Kaiba." I nodded dumbly and watched her edge away from my desk. "I'm sorry for disturbing you," she said before finally turning tail and almost bolting.
"That went well..." I sighed, leaning back in my chair.
It was after lunch before Kaiya made an appearance. "Hello Mr. Kaiba," she sang as she entered my office.
"Hello Kaiya. I had the pleasure of meeting your daughter today," I said, trying to sound casual.
"Did you like the cookies she made?"
"I haven't had a chance to try them yet."
"That's alright," she said with a smile. "I'm sure you and Mokuba will enjoy them."
"Undoubtedly." I knew I'd need to hide the cookies if I wanted to have any, he was a cookie fiend. "Your daughter seemed nice," I managed, trying to be conversational and perhaps get information.
"She is a sweet girl, I'm very proud of her."
"I'm not sure I caught her name, I was in the middle of going over our quarterly review," I said, deciding to find out basic information first. "I think I recall her saying 'Kisa' at one point."
"She was talking about the cat?" Kaiya frowned, confused. Shit, I knew that wasn't her name.
"Uh, yes. She had a bit of cat hair on her blouse."
"That's strange, Serenity is usually really good about not petting Kisa before going out." Upon hearing her name I felt like an idiot. I had read her name dozens of times by now. Her email and old IM display name both had 'Serenity'. How could I not have spotted that?
"Mr. Kaiba are you alright?" I looked up and realized that my cheeks felt warm, whether through frustration or embarrassment I wasn't sure.
"I'm fine."
"Are you sure? You look rather flushed," she pressed. "Maybe you should head home, you might have a fever."
"That won't be necessary." Finally she acquiesced and left me the documents I needed to read.
After today I hoped it would be a while before I got a bomb dropped on me like that again. Next time, I swore, I'll be prepared.
I'm not sure if the seeing Serenity scene played out as well as I imagined in my head, but I couldn't for the life of me get it perfect