Tilli’s Second Chance – Chapter 6

The moment I step into the I.A. late the next morning, a wave of excitement washes over me. This is where it all begins — my chance to prove myself, to get back on the path I deviated from eight years ago.

After a brief coffee interlude with Hiroko yesterday, I spent the entire evening into the wee hours doing research, reading and drawing. I’m so ready for this.

“Do you want me to stay all day?” Ivan’s voice is a little less grumpy this morning because I gave him the leftovers from the bento I made for lunch.

“You can stay as long as you like. I’ll be fine.” I lift my chin as I walk down the hall towards the open-air staircase.

Ivan harumphs. “I think I’ll stay for the morning, at least.”

Down one hallway off the second floor landing, I find the study room. Looking in the window, Kaito is already seated at the table, waiting and working, a cup of coffee by his side and Max asleep at his feet.

I sigh, close my eyes, and press my back to the wall next to the door. I wish I didn’t find him so attractive. I wish he was married and off-limits. Oh, that’s a good idea. I’ll pretend like he already has a girlfriend, or maybe even a boyfriend, and I would have no chance, anyway.

Yeah, that’ll work.

“You can open the door any day now, Tilli,” Ivan says, his tail flicking in annoyance.

“Hold up, Old Man. I need a moment.”

I count to ten, turn, and open the door.

The room is cooler than the warm summer air outside. My arms erupt in goosebumps.

Kaito looks up and then looks at the clock. Eleven-fifteen A.M.

“Morning, Tilli. Just barely.” If he’s annoyed, he doesn’t show it.

I set my bag on the opposite end of the table from him. “Sorry. Was I supposed to be here earlier? I’m a night owl. Not a morning person.”

I open my bag and begin setting up my materials: sketchbook, pencils, eraser, and a few fading layouts from previous projects. A sense of familiarity accompanies the action, as if I’ve done this a thousand times before.

“I… I wasn’t sure. So I got here at seven.” His lips twist. “I suppose I should have asked.”

“Oh.” Brilliant use of words, Tilli. “Well, you have my contact information, right? You can always call or message me.”

He sighs. “Yeah. Sorry. My fault.”

He was probably hoping I’d drop out between yesterday and today, and he’d never have to talk to me again.

His messy hair falls into his eyes as he sits forward. “Need some help there?”

“Uh, no, I’ve got it,” I reply, trying to keep my voice steady. “Just setting up.”

He raises an eyebrow skeptically, his gaze flicking between my face and my cluttered workspace.

“Interesting.” The tone of his voice is skeptical. Does he see me as a potential colleague? Or another pathetic wannabe designer who’ll never make it if I don’t cheat my way to the top?

Because I’m certain at this point the cheating accusation has him second guessing me.

“Look, I know what you’re thinking,” I blurt out, unable to keep my frustration in check. “But trust me, I’m not here to waste anyone’s time. Yours nor mine. I’ve worked hard to get here.”

Kaito studies me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, just as suddenly as it appeared, the skepticism vanishes from his face, replaced by something resembling curiosity.

“All right, then.” He leans back in his chair. “Let’s see what you’ve got.”

I pull out a chair opposite him and take a seat. Ivan leaps onto the table and sits to watch. “Well, for starters, I like to approach my designs from the perspective of the people who’ll be living in these spaces,” I explain, forcing myself to meet Kaito’s gaze. “I think about their needs and how the environment can support them both physically and emotionally.”

“Okay. That’s the right approach,” Kaito muses. “But you know as well as I do that this competition is about innovation. How can you possibly create something new and groundbreaking with such an… old-fashioned approach?” He waves to my pile of notebooks and pencils. “We have cutting-edge software for planning. I rarely see anyone use pencils and paper.”

“Old-fashioned?” A sudden heat rises in my cheeks, but I force myself to continue. “Not everyone cares about the latest gadgets and gizmos. People need spaces that feel safe, welcoming, and familiar, too. That’s what I try to bring to my designs.”

“Hmmm.”

Kaito pauses for a long moment, and my neck starts to sweat. Am I already screwing this up?

He seems to make a decision and sits his chair straight. “Let’s deal with the elephant in the room.”

“Here we go, Tilli,” Ivan says, warning in his voice. “Be calm.”

Kaito glances at Ivan. He can only hear meows and murmurs. He’s probably wondering what Ivan said.

“You were accused of cheating on the second exam. What? Eight years ago? They sent you home and told you not to come back. I remember you being escorted from the building.”

I stiffen, prepared for the blow.

“Now, your father has lobbied for you to have a second chance. Looking at what I see here, I’m not sure I agree.”

I want to cry, but no. I’m better than that.

My heart skips a beat, and anger flares up like a fire-breathing dragon. “That was a misunderstanding,” I say with precision. “I never cheated, and they never explained to me why they thought I did.”

“A misunderstanding.” His voice is calm, almost gentle, and it only serves to fuel my frustration. “You didn’t cheat?”

“No,” I insist. “I studied hard like everyone else.” I sigh and press my hands to the table. “That cheating accusation pretty much ruined my life, and now I have this second chance to make it right. I really want this chance… I need this chance.”

All the frustration in my body leaks out and sadness takes its place. Kaito frowns.

“Please, believe me,” I whisper. “Please.”

His expression softens.

“Look, designing spaceships is literally all I’ve ever wanted to do with my life.” I throw my head back with a rueful laugh, blinking rapidly in a preemptive strike against any treasonous tears. “If it turns out I have no talent for it, and all these years struggling have been a waste of time, so be it. I’ll surrender and accept my inevitable future as a starving space geek. But not before I give this contest everything I’ve got, questionable skills and all. I know the odds aren’t in my favor, but win or lose, at least I’ll have tried. My head is full of dreams too lofty to abandon.”

He takes a deep breath. “I forgot this about you.”

“What?”

“‘Starving space geek?'” He chuckles and shakes his head. “You were always making people laugh. Didn’t Professor Simon say you ‘had a way with words?'”

I scoff. “That man was a fossil way before I ever started at that school.”

This makes him laugh. “Too true.” He nods slowly, thinking. “You didn’t cheat.” A statement, not a question. “I believe you. I liked you a lot in school, and I was always a little disappointed that happened and you disappeared.”

“I didn’t cheat,” I repeat. He liked me in school? That’s news to me.

“Okay. Well, innovation is the name of the game in this industry.” He leans back in his chair again as his eyes focus on my piles of notebooks. “If you keep relying on the same tired concepts, you’ll never truly stand out. You should stand out if you’re going to get past these accusations,” he insists.

“Maybe,” I concede, my voice barely above a whisper. “But there’s something to be said for finding inspiration in the past, for combining the best parts of what we already know with new ideas and approaches.”

I swallow hard, feeling the sting of Kaito’s words. “You know, my older sister, Myra, is an artist. She taught me there’s a certain beauty in taking elements from the past and reimagining them for the future.” My fingers trace the edge of a sketchbook page, remembering her gentle guidance as she introduced me to old Japanese woodblock prints and European Art Nouveau.

“By blending styles and eras, we can create something fresh and meaningful, something that speaks to our shared human experience.” I look up at Kaito, searching his face for some sign of understanding. “This is what drives my designs, not just innovation for innovation’s sake. Innovation for innovation’s sake is a crock of shit, and you know it.”

There’s a brief silence before Ivan interjects with his usual cranky demeanor. “Well, aren’t you two having a lovely debate about artistic integrity? How utterly fascinating.” His sarcasm is almost palpable.

“Thank you, Ivan,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Your input is always so… helpful.”

“Hey, I’m just here to keep things in perspective,” he replies, giving me a pointed stare. “Besides, it’s not like you need Kaito’s approval anyway, right?”

I glance back at Kaito, whose expression is unreadable, and then at Ivan. “Maybe not,” I admit, feeling a small sense of relief wash over me. “But it would be nice if someone understood where I’m coming from.”

“Understanding is overrated.” Ivan hops from the table to a chair, curls up in a ball, and goes to sleep.

Cats.

Kaito seems to be lost in thought for a moment, his eyes darting between me and Ivan. The gears are turning in his head, trying to find the right words.

“I can pretty much guess what that conversation was based on your side.” He sighs. “I’m sorry,” he begins, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t mean to come off as harsh or judgmental. I just… well, your approach to design is new to me, and it’s intriguing. We’re here to learn from each other, so perhaps I can learn something from your unique perspective.”

I blink a few times. I thought he was going to dismiss me and leave.

Warmth blossoms in my chest. “Thanks. I mean, I don’t have all the answers. No one does. I think we could both learn from each other.”

“Agreed,” he says, standing up from his chair and looking down at my designs. “So, about the common areas… What are your thoughts on how to make them more inviting?”

“Oh. You want to go over it now? Like, now now?” My eyes widen as I realize he’s actually going to help me.

He laughs. “Yeah, like now now. There’s no time like the present.”

I take a deep breath, gathering my thoughts and opening my sketchbook to what I was working on yesterday. “I was thinking we could combine elements of traditional Japanese architecture with some modern touches. Like using shoji screens for room dividers and tatami mats as flooring but incorporating LED lighting and sleek furniture designs.”

Kaito nods. “That’s a good start. Have you given any thought to green spaces? Like hydroponic garden spaces, where passengers can relax and enjoy nature while onboard? It’s something I know the team wants to do for the next ship’s design.”

My eyes widen with excitement. “Yes! I love this idea. Wait. Are you giving me insider information?” I purse my lips. “I don’t want any unfair advantages, given my history here.”

His returning smile is soft. “No. It’s fine. We were instructed to help you with as much as we can.”

“Okay.” Good. I don’t want to get dinged for something I could easily avoid. “Well, a green space would bring a sense of tranquility and balance to the ship, don’t you think?”

I turn my notebook around and look at it from all angles.

“But there’s only so much space for us to play with. Hmmm.” I rough in an area on a wall. “Maybe it could go along the outer walls.”

“Sure,” he replies, grinning. “And it could double as a source of fresh produce for the onboard restaurants.”

As we continue discussing ideas for the common areas, our shared passion for spaceship design brings us closer together. The tension from earlier dissipates, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. It’s a relief to find common ground with Kaito. I haven’t been connected to anyone in my field since I was in the Academy, and that was a long time ago.

I smile at him, and he smiles in return.

This could actually work out.