"I guarantee… I… please let me finish! I guarantee you — Kaneda is the right guy for you! What… no, he is not dumb! You can't assume he is dumb only by his appearance, sir! Please, hear me out, sir? Sir? Ar-arsh…! Why do they call us in the first place if they can't even listen to us? That just has no sense!"
I can understand Masaru's anger, our clients happen to be morons countless times. They keep acting big and important even if they themselves cannot understand something.
Despite it, there are some things you just have. You cannot do something about them. So, personally, I just gave up with all of those.
"Hear me out, senior Kazuya!" — seeing that I was not very interested, a monkey in a blue office shirt tried to call me.
Thanks, but no, I would rather jump off the window. I am not your personal psychologist.
"Sorry, I got a meeting with a client."
"Mhm, okay. Furuya senior! Listen to me…"
Ogawa simply ignored him. It was a talent of his.
"Hey, don't ignore me, filthy coffee maniac."
Ogawa turned his head and gave him a creepy judgmental glaze under the glasses.
"Hiiek! — he scared the hell out of Masaru – "I'll buy you coffee if you listen to me."
Ogawa's face became normal again. He even half-turned his chair to Masaru.
"I'm all yours."
Furuya… raise your price bar a little…
…
Room 7.20, 10:02
I ran into the meeting room, rushing. I knew I was late, and it would lead to an apology. Furthermore, I tried my best, but… eh? There is no one inside? In reality, I had to be there even earlier than 10 o'clock! That's luck!
10:05
I got to my chair and even had time to fully prepare for the conversation. The client was late. However, sometimes that happens.
10:10.
I was looking at the ceiling with a completely blank face. Well, my client was too late. He hasn't shown up yet. I even checked my schedule and checked it. However, everything was fine with it.
10:15
Fifteen minutes. I checked my phone and looked at the door once more. Did something happen?
10:19
I wish our clients would know what etiquette is and that they need to come to the appointments on time! Or if they are not going to show up, tell us before the meeting! For what sake had I been preparing for the meeting this morning, was nervous about it, ran there, waited and sat here?! There is basic! Rules! Of co-existing! However, still some just think that we…
Knock-knock
I was in the middle of an inner monologue when my client finally showed up. However, he wasn't alone.
Two people went into the meeting room. Both very tall, both guys. One of them seemed like a servant to another. Without any apologies or greetings, they entered and sat on the chairs for clients.
Keep being calm, Kazuya, keep being calm.
"Hello Mr. Ruo, my name is Fukuhara, nice to meet you. Shall we begin?" — I did the first step.
"You insect, my master has not allowed you to speak" — said the servant.
I blinked. Well, I saw a lot of egocentric or narcissistic clients. They are gods — they got used to looking at us, mere workers, as insects.
Good, good. Admirable, I'd say. It was the feeling when you want to kick someone's face. However… etiquette, yes?
"That's unfortunate because I don't need such permission. I am a slave to the company, and even more — it orders me to talk. So please, let the client talk for himself?"
I tried my best to hide my frustration over their behavior. However, my voice definitely showed it better than I wanted.
Still, it was enough for their reaction. That servant sure was mad at me. Yes, that's right, know your place. The client's reaction was rather odd, he gave a small laugh and said – "You sure talk a lot for a mere human."
Maybe I should introduce Saru to him? This God may be shocked by how much a mere human can talk.
"Well, if you are still interested in our service — I have to. Wasn't your need the reason you came here?"
And you sure talk too big for a God that is so desperate in need for help by this mere human, huh? Despite it, even if he is powerless here, crossing the line is not a good idea. I have to stop. At least… I was full of hope that I didn't cross it already. That totally was not the way you have to talk to your clients, for sure.
"Ho ~, you think so? Then I am expecting a lot from you. Let's see if you disappoint me." — he smiled. Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room changed, it became cold and dark.
Gulp
"May I know the reason you need help from a mere human?" — my voice started to shatter, and a cold shiver seized me. This smile of his was very… terrifying. Like he was going to kill me in the most painful way he could if I failed.
"You now know your place, I am flattered" — the atmosphere became normal again. At least he wasn't going to kill me or destroy my life here.
Hmpf – smirked the Ruo's servant
"My will is to build a sculpture of myself and a magnificent palace that would represent my divine greatness and be my residence in the mortal world, but my insects are as good as useless."
Why wouldn't you use your divine power and build it yourself?
"It does not fit for a great deity like myself to be involved in such a trivial task."
Gulp
Did I think about it loud? Crap…
"To summarize, you need architects. Am I right?"
"The best of the best, everything, even slightly beneath the "best" I'll consider as an insult to my divine essence."
"I'll see what I can do for you."
"Do not disappoint me, human" — he once again released this killing intent. I could easily imagine some kind of magical court now.
Out of a sudden, a voice appeared behind my back and a hand patted my shoulder – "don't worry, sir, he won't disappoint you" — I turned my head and saw Yamazaki. How did he enter the room without me hearing the door? And when? In any case, why is he here?
"Another one? I heard that humans stick together, it is common for weaklings" – the client gave another smirk and continued — "so you guarantee me we will succeed?"
"Nah, he is not perfect."
Ruo wondered, he for sure did not understand what Yamazaki meant, it is the same for me.
"Our company rejects your request" — said Yamazaki with a smile.
I looked at him in bewilderment. Why? It's a loss for the company.
"And who are you to decide that? I am speaking to this man in front of me. Do not interfere, human" — his killing intent became stronger, it became harder to breathe, the shiver is not stopping.
"Excuse me, I forgot to introduce myself. I am a mere manager of this company, and I have all the rights to reject any request I like, be it for me or my men" he still maintained a smile on his face. It was this moment when the smile finally disappeared, when the servant's anger got out of control – "you dare to oppose my master?!" — he screamed.
Yamazaki gave him a creepy glaze, one that was enough to scare him and calm him down.
"Your master is but a mere customer for us. If he thinks he is allowed to threaten our employees, he is deeply mistaken."
"You… we will s…"
"Sue me? Well, I'll see how you'll try to succeed. If your attorney finds something to sue us for, of course" – a smirk appeared again on Yamazaki's face.
The servant wanted to tell something more, but Ruo raised his palm.
"Enough, Uko. I heard enough. We leave. But remember, human, this doesn't end here."
"I bet it!" — responded Yamazaki hastily with a smile — "call us next time, we will prepare some cookies for you."
My shiver was gone, and I could breathe normally again once they left. I looked at Yamazaki. Why did he help me? It's unusual for him to care for me. I rather expected him to make fun of me.
"Thank you, but it was not necessary" – I thought I owed him at least a "thank you".
"Mhm? It wasn't for you at all."
"…"
I sighed. That was good old Yamazaki, for sure. If we can place the word "good" next to his name, of course.
I stood up. I was still angry enough and, as there was only Yamazaki, I let the words slip off my lips.
"I hate them."
"Who? The clients?" — Yamazaki closed the doors, but turned back as he heard what I said.
"Clients, my ass" — he closed the door, and we went back to our desks — "they are just a bunch of selfish and egoistic scumbags, not worth a penny. They think they are gods… oh, sure, they are gods. In whatever way, never let them treat you like that. They have no power here, and you are well aware of that, aren't you?"
I nod my head. That was true. I was aware of it very well. Still, hearing it from our team-manager was… kind of warm?
He looked at me for some time. Then, moved his head forward and shrugged his shoulders.
"Besides, I looked cool, don't you think so?"
"I…"
"That's a rhetorical question."
***
"AAAA! Look what have you done!"
"How is it my fault?"
"It's your coffee."
"It's your fault you spilled it, though"
Excellent, I was absent only for an hour and my workplace is gone. My desk, including my keyboard and PC, is covered in coffee.
"M-a-s-a-r-u." — my voice definitely was the same as a lion's roar.
"Senior-r-r-r. I can explain! I-it's Ogawachi's fault." — waving his hands, trying to close himself, Masaru closed his eyes. I could see a drop of panicking sweat on his forehead.
"I bet it is."
"Kazuya, I already called the IT-team. They should bring a replacement soon."
"Thanks, I appreciate it."
I sat down and told them what happened in the room, about Ruo and Yamazaki…
"You see! That's what I'm saying. They are all the same. Those scumbag gods…" — Akashi Masaru, I haven't forgotten what you have done, don't try to change the topic like this. I gave him a look, and he immediately shot up with a nervous smile.
"Even so, I didn't expect Yamazaki to act like this" — I looked at Furuya.
"Yeah, certainly not." — Ogawa agreed, adjusting his glasses, — "I think rejecting this request was the right thing to do."
I nod my head. The same did Masaru, until I looked at him again.
"Hm?" — Furuya turned his head back and saw the entrance – "I hear a cart noise, I think the replacement has arrived."
He was right, the doors opened and a man with a cart came in. His face was rather unpleased.
"Hey, are you Fukuhara?" — asked me in a rude manner.
First, he was young. Second, he looked pretty girly, didn't he? By saying "pretty girly" I mean he could be a "pretty girl". His eyes were bright with thin eyebrows and long eyelashes. The red hair under the blue cap was short. The blue jumpsuit was a little bigger than it had to be.
He seemed like someone I won't really become close friends with. With such face and manners, he may have been a "club-boy". Even the sparkling energy of his aura seemed to be very alien in our song swamp.
"I am" – quickly, I gave a response.
He looked at me with an angry face. The technician folded his arm across his chest, checking that I heard every word.
"Take your new equipment. And don't you dare spill coffee on it again, hear me? You men don't know how to treat the computer. They require affection and care, even if they are not yours, but the company's! Next time, I'll break your arms and legs in revenge, hear me?"
It was not me though… and what is wrong with him? Although he loved computers, indeed, wasn't it too harsh?
"Heh, seems life in the IT-department is a pure hell. Look what they have become" – whispered Masaru.
"Huh? Mind repeating it loudly so I can hear everything?" — he definitely heard everything.
hiiek! — "excuse me, sir."
The technician looked back at me.
"W-what?"
"My question. Did. You. Hear?"
"Yes." — I nodded as fast as I could.
He quickly replaced the equipment and then left, mumbling about barbarians with no respect to technologies. I could see how disappointed he looked at the remains of my computer. This view hurt his soul.
After he left, Saru could exhale. The office monkey wiped his forehead with an arm.
"Fheww… He was scary. I thought he would beat me to a pulp."
"I don't mind it. Should I spill something on your keyboard?" — I sent him a menace loom.
"Senior-r-r! Spare me."
Furuya seemed to be concerned about something, he looked at Saru and sighed.
"What's the matter?" — I asked him.
"It's nothing. I just didn't expect Saru to be scared of a woman." — said Ogawa and took a sip of his coffee, returning to his monitor.
"Hm? What did you say right now?"
"That I didn't expect you to be scared of a woman?"
"When was I scared of a woman?" — Masaru scratched his head and side. Honestly, are you indeed a monkey?
"Uhm… right now?"
"Hm?"
Ogawa turned to us, tilted his head and asked us – "you haven't noticed that she's a female?"
"…"
"You really didn't notice it?"
Masaru shook his head.
"How?" — Masaru with sparkled eyes, excited, came really close to Ogawa, forcing him to pull back a little.
"… Her appearance?"
"No way in hell! Right, senior?"
Don't involve me. While I didn't think she's a girl indeed, I had my thoughts about it from the very beginning.
"I could tell by her appearance that she's a woman… also, her name plate on the chest had a female name on it, Ishida Tamayo."
"He~, so you stared at a woman's chest? Ogawachi is a pervert."
Furuya blinked his eyes.
"Why do you think so?"
"Normal people look into each other's eyes, you know?"
He blinked once more.
"I never look into someone's eyes. It seems very terrifying"
"These are just excuses!" — Saru smiled, looking at the confused face of Furuya.
Ogawa looked at me in search for support, but I shook my head. Sorry, Ogawa, but even I didn't dare to look at Tachibana's chest. You are a pervert indeed.