****
Because the A/C was still broken, and the technician was only to come next week to fix the issue, I proceeded to take more cold showers during the day, as it was the only thing that could prevent me from getting sick from the heat. I recommend you also do it, it is very refreshing.
Still drying out my hair after one of these relieving showers, I had to run back to my room to pick up my phone that started ringing. Partially wet, I answered uninterestingly while I brushed my hair with a towel.
"Miyuki here."
"Hi, Miyuki. Do you have a moment to talk? I hope I'm not interrupting you"- The person over the line was a woman, and had a firm tone when speaking, one a bit too invasive to my liking.
Well, you already did, so…
"Who is it?"
"O-oh, sorry! I did not introduce myself. I am Lisa, the committee president. We talked a few days ago. I think Maria informed you that I was going to call you "- Unaware of what Lisa was saying, I checked my mailbox to see if there was something I'd missed. Indeed there was; Maria had told me that Lisa would call me, but the message was just sent not even an hour ago, so she must have forgotten to inform me about it and rushed to correct her mistake. Very Maria-like…
"Y-yes, she has, I was just waiting for your call" - I responded pretending I knew what Lisa was talking about.
"Great! First, thanks for accepting this role, it will be of the utmost importance for our work and make this the best symposium this university has ever seen!" -Wait, what? I didn't accept anything! What has Maria agreed to in my name!?
"Y-yes, right, but could you just remind me what is going to be this 'role'?"
"Well, of course! Like Maria has introduced to you, we are planning on having some extra TVs, panels and other tech to make the event more modern and efficient overall. But, like everything else in the world, we need money…. And we are short on that indeed. So, to remedy that, we came up with a brilliant solution, with you having a key role in that!"
"...A brilliant solution?"
"Oh yes, you are going to be our poster girl!"
WHAT HAVE YOU GOT ME INTO!? MARIA!!
Dragged along by Lisa's enthusiasm and Maria's decisions over my own will, I had to go to a nearby cafe the next day, where Lisa would detail my assignment; she insisted not doing it over the phone, but I was able to at least convince her to do it on my terms, which was her buying me a pineapple cake at the Colombo store! How I missed this cake!
With an overly delighted expression, I took a big bite of the cake, dripping with cream, while Lisa proceeded to explain her assignment to me.
"Thank you for agreeing with this project, Miyuki! You don't know how important this is for us!"
"No prowbrem. Ewerything fow the prowekt" - I responded with a mouth full of cake.
"So, as I said, you are going to be our poster girl for amassing funds for the event. You've had great visibility inside and outside of the university because of your endeavor with the marine, which even generated an article on a big news outlet."
"Wight."
"So, if a pretty face and a smart head like you show off to some big tech companies, representing the scientific research community in the university, it is guaranteed that we will get some funds and equipment for the event. The plan is simple. We'll go door to door on different tech companies and ask for some equipment/sponsoring, while explaining our objectives and how we as a science institution contribute to the country and the world! And you, my girl, is the one who is going to be our living proof of that."
Cleaning the remaining cake around my mouth with a napkin, I let out a worrying sigh.
"You do realize I'm not very good at speaking, right? I think it is something that was made very clear at the first committee meeting. Besides, why are you so sure this is going to work out? I mean, I don't wanna sound pessimistic; we indeed made it to the news, but…. It was like a short article on the corner of the 17th page. Do you really think that just that is going to gain the attention of whatever big tech companies' PR leaders you are planning on meeting?"
Lisa didn't answer immediately, instead, she crossed her legs, put her elbow over the table and rested her head in her hand, while she gave me a smirk and winked at me.
"Don't worry. Leave the talking to me, you are still going to have an important role in everything."
Oh boy….
Three days later, I found myself in front of a tall blue windowed skyscraper. It belonged to a Japanese company called TONY. Lisa said we should first go to that Japanese tech company, because theoretically we'd have more chances of gaining resources if we presented them a home-country poster girl to them… At least that was the plan.
… It sounded a bit silly. But I was already forced into this project, so why not just go along with it? Besides, Lisa bought me another pineapple cake slice for me to take home, so I was at least being "paid" for it. Sort of… But I at least tried to role-play the game, so I wore my best to try to make an impression on the corporate guys from TONY, choosing a white summer dress and an also white floppy hat, with a black ribbon around it; pretty cute if you ask me, but also fresh; it's nice to wear something lighter in the heat of the summer.
After waiting around for more than 30 minutes after the agreed time, like most of the times appointed here in this city, I heard my voice being called from afar.
"Heeey, Miyuki! Sorry for the wait!"
Finally, she is here! Where has she-... Wait… This isn't Lisa! Actually…. I think it's a man!"
As the mysterious man approached, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I must be the unluckiest person ever.
"HUF…. Finally! Sorry for the wait, Miyuki!"
Taking a step back, I couldn't help but say out loud.
"A-Alberto!? What are you doing here!?"