“Please help yourself. You can have anything from the kitchen, or should we order some pizza?”

“No, there’s no need for that.” She disagreed and walked over to the fridge while I prepared the game.

“I know it’s been a long day, but I am sure you will enjoy it,” I assured her when she returned to the sofa, handing her the control.

“So…what is the game about?” She asked.

“It’s literally about characters fighting each other. The slain loses. There are several characters you could pick from.”

“I hope I do not get killed too early,” she chuckled.

“If you do not, I will give you whatever you want,” I promised.

“I think I am now motivated.” She sounded as excited as a child who had just been promised a lollipop.

“Cute.” I must have subconsciously muttered.

“What?” She blinked.

“You looked cute just now.” I chuckled.

Slowly, she receded behind me. I could see blood rush on her face. She bashfully looked away.

I must have hit a line I wasn’t supposed to. But before the situation could become terribly awkward, I soon took up the responsibility of introducing her to the franchises Nintendo had to offer in Super Smash Bros.

“He must be especially dexterous,” she commented when I mentioned Mario, the titular character of the Super Mario series.

“Definitely.”

“Do you play him often?”

“No.”

“Why, if I may ask?” She appeared to be curious.

“Though he’s good, I think he might be overrated,” I answered.

“I see,” she nodded, throwing her hair back.

“Who do you prefer then?” She continued.

“Donkey Kong,” I responded. “Him.” I pointed at the TV screen, which displayed the wild ape of a character.

“I feel he’s going to make his opponent clueless of what to expect.” She decided after a critical examination.

“He’s lovable, though.” I chuckled.

“That is his camouflage. I think I know why you like him.” She smiled knowingly.

At last, she settled on Kirby. A character whose replicating powers I wouldn’t have known would entice her. Undoubtedly, I had so much fun playing with her that it felt like deja vu.

We had fun as kids even though I was quite older. Since I had been really close to Allison, there was no way I could have avoided Fiona.

The memories came flooding my mind, putting endless smiles on my face.

She lost in the first game and in the second and third ones, too.

“But I would still give you whatever you ask for,” I said as she reclined against the sofa, briefly shutting her eyes.

“I would be a cheat then.” She flashed her eyes open.

“I don’t think that makes you one though.” I switched off the TV.

She was momentarily quiet.

“For how many days will you be away in Japan?” She asked, somewhat out of the box.

“Three days, at most,” I responded.

Then she fell quiet again, her eyes closed in a half-lidded gaze, and her lips slightly parted.

“I need to leave now.” She rose to her feet, collecting her things from the sofa.

Her mood had suddenly changed, and I wondered what the cause was.

“I’ll see you off.” I got up in a suit.

“No, never mind. We are neighbors, remember?”

“Yes,” I didn’t think it wise to press it further.

“I had a good time here. Thank you, boss.” She comically saluted.

“You’re welcome.”

“Ah, lest I forget. You’ve not had dinner yet.” She mentioned.

“It’s late already,” I concluded, though my stomach terribly grumbled.

Chapter Seven

Fiona

My mind had traveled so far that I was more or less detached from my actual environment. I felt it was rather impossible to hold back my feelings for him any longer.

I knew I had almost betrayed myself tonight. I doubted if he didn’t notice how my eyes conspicuously displayed how I felt for him.

Perhaps I hadn’t thought it through when I accepted the job offer. Maybe I had underestimated my feelings and the spontaneity associated with love.