"What have you done?" — I could do nothing, but grab my head. In front of me was the unconscious body of a giant named Uko.
"Uh… but."
"Have you lost your brain?!"
"Kazuya! Tamayo! Both of you, stop!"
Ah, a divine command by the angel…
"Tamayo, apologize to Kazuya for hitting that man! Kazuya, apologize to Tamayo for insulting her!"
Tamayo's face flushed. She was standing just next to the body, still pointing her fists at it, as Uko could suddenly get up.
Argh… if it's for the sake of my angel, I'll do it.
"Alright, sorry, I said that without thinking twice. I'm sorry."
"Hmpf! Ouch, ouch" — Tachibana started pulling Ishida's ear — "I understood, I understood…"
She scratched her cheek with her index finger and rolled her eyes — "I'm sorry for beating him… But I thought he threatened you?"
"…"
Well… actually… I don't know?
sigh
So what do we have to do now? We just cannot leave him here! It may decrease our sales even more!
I caught myself thinking about it and felt slightly ashamed. Whatever. We need someone to watch over Tamayo.
I turned around.
"Naka…? Huh? Nakamura? Nakamura! Come here! To the feet! Ah, I mean, where are you?!"
sigh…
"Ogawa…"
"What?"
"Can you keep an eye on her?"
"He~?! What for?! I can do everything myse-"
I pointed at Uko — "You already have done enough! There is no way I will allow you to be here on your own!"
"Ugh…" — Tamayo looked at the Uko's body.
Ogawa shrugged his shoulders, he realized he had no choices.
"No problem. Ishida, how about some coffee?"
Ishida, still angry she was, agreed.
But… is it really alright to let him here?
"We should at least carry him inside." — said Saru.
I nodded.
…
"Careful, careful. One, two, one, two."
Bam
The sound boomed throughout the entire hall, attracting the attention of strangers.
"…"
"…"
Gulp
"Heh-heh" — my mouth started laughing paranoidly.
"Everything is under control, please, don't mind us…" — I managed to calm myself down.
"Oi, Saru, don't drop his leg like that!"
"He even heavier than you, boss!"
"Why me?! How do you even know…"
"Do you remember the time we drank together?"
"Shut up! Idiotic monkey."
"K-kh…"
"Tsk. Inumaru, help him!"
"But how about the left leg?"
Argh! Damn it! Why all crazy stuff always happen around me?! I need one more guy, one more! Ah!
"Takahashi! Oi, Takahashi!"
Tsk
He is ignoring me. I dropped Uko down and threw a pen at Takahashi.
"Ouch! What the hell?"
"Takahashi, lend me a hand."
"It's Kana… what the hell is that thing?" — he pointed at the enormous body that lied down on the ground.
"It's the reason I need your help."
I waved my hand, telling him he should come fast.
"One, two, three… hghb…"
"H-h-h-ow m-much do-oes th-this thing weight?!"
Our faces turned red, our cheeks inflated, ready to explode. Maybe… It was a bad idea to send off Ogawa and Tamayo. At least she was able to help us!
"Kazuya, do you need help?" — an angelic voice asked behind my back.
"N-no, i-its fine."
Your voice is already helping me enough. Just keep encouraging me.
By some miracle, we managed to carry him to the middle of our stand. Those 5 meters had felt like 500 meters. We put him down behind our desks. At least no one else can directly see him now. And what are we supposed to do with this big bag of potatoes? But the culprit seemed not to care that much. As I thought about it, Uko woke up and sat up.
"Hm?"
"…"
"…"
Please, spare me…
***
"He~, so you didn't want to hit Kazuya?"
Oi, why does your voice sound so disappointed, you filthy monkey?!
"What would be the reason to hit him?" — Uko asked — "I am confused."
"…"
Your face doesn't show any confusion, though? Rather constant anger.
"I thought… perhaps you are angry that I was rude to your master?"
Gulp
"No, I am not" — he responded in a monotone voice.
"I am rather amazed by it. We met today again, and I wanted to show my gratitude and respect to you."
I released a breath of relief. My life is not in danger, at least for now.
"But what for?" — I asked him.
"You are weak, but dared to speak against my master."
Hah… right. This is called stupidity and ignorance.
"Whose kick did knock me out?"
All of us instantly pointed at Ishida. She and Ogawa returned and were standing at some distance with cups of coffee in their hands.
"You damn traitors!"
Uko turned to her and stared at her for a moment. I could hear Ishida gulping. After a moment, Uko finally said.
"Impressive, for an insect."
"Huh? How did you, dumbass, call me?" — Ishida's face filled with anger again — "you want a refill?"
She stood up and was ready to hit him, but Tachibana stopped her from behind.
"What is the problem?" — Uko turned his head back to me — "I intended to praise her?"
So that's the problem… I understand now.
"You see… calling someone an insect is considered an insult. At least we humans think so."
"Is it so?"
Strange, his voice is still monotone and his face emotionless, but it's as if I could feel his inner emotions.
"I apologize, then."
After that, there was an awkward silence between us.
"So… what are you doing here?"
He took a moment to answer.
"My master founded a company and assigned me to take care of it."
"…"
A company? What for? And if he is here… that means, it is this sort of company? I mean, there are no limitations, even Gods can found a company or work in it, but it's rather unusual. Anyway, not my concern.
***
I am tired. A walking corpse. I am about to faint, a few more minutes and I'm done for today. Thanks heavens, the exhibition provides rooms in a good hotel next tot the hall. In front of me, there was a bright sea of white pillows and a blanket. I raised my hands up and slowly fell down, burying my face into the pillow. There is no better feeling than that of burying your face into the pillow, while being covered in a blanket. Although, the moment could be slightly better… if I only had a beloved one next to me. Ah, yes. This is what I need, a beloved one. I wonder, what does Tachibana do now? I wish she'd encourage me. "Kazuya did great!", "Kazuya is so brave!". I need such words so much right now…
Mhm
There was another pillow somewhere, oh, here it is. Now everything is like I'm used to, just like at home. I hugged the pillow tightly.
"S-senior."
"…"
Despite my tiredness, I automatically kicked him out of my bed.
"Oi! It's a double bed for two!"
"I don't care, sleep on the ground. You a monkey anyway."
I won't sleep with a monkey. Especially if it likes to sleep naked."
***
beep
"…"
beep
"Mhm… what's this?"
beep
I took my phone and looked at it with one eye.
…
06:14, Yamazaki Satoshi
> How is it going, Mr. Best Employee?
06:14, Yamazaki Satoshi
> You still sleeping? Wake up.
06:15
> You were added to a chat
…
"Who is… Yamazaki? How did he get my number? Am I dreaming?… Argh. Almost time to wake up"
beep
"Tsk, again?"
…
@yamatoshi
> "Yukiko-chan, do you think Fuku-chan will get his award?"
@fujiwarius
> "Depends on him ;)"
How dare you talk about Tachibana as a product…
@yamatoshi
> "Right, right. Should we wish him good luck?"
@fujiwarius
> "Good luck! XD"
@yamatoshi
> "Good luck, Fuku-chan!"
Give me a break, will you…
I got off my bed, stretched me up and looked down. A certain monkey was snorting and hugging a pillow, while naked.
"Wake up, Saru."
"Mhm-mhm…"
"Wake up already."
No response. Alright… it's your own fault now.
Bam
I kicked his butt
"Ouch! Senior, why you kicking me?"
I said it, but you didn't listen to me.
"Wake up, we got a long day."
***
One customer after another, the entire hall filled up with customers. If it wasn't enough, Hiroki, that delusional dumbass, was staring at me occasionally. I clearly could feel his stare. It was exhausting. It's way harder to sell candidates on place, than working in our company and doing everything without a hurry.
…
"Show me your assortment."
A "please" would be nice.
Sigh
"It depends on your needs, sir" — you don't come to a hospital and ask for sugar, right?
I opened the folder and searched for candidates.
"We got various technicians, economists, martial arts artists, medics, paramedics, physicians."
I looked at the customer with one eye and saw him being confused.
Damn it, do you even need someone?
"Engineers, civil engineers… sir?"
"Ah? Ah, yes, right. Uhm… an engineer sounds great. Yes, an engineer."
Well, whatever. As long as you pay for him.
"Please, see the person sitting behind the desk? He will take care of you."
The customer then walked to Saru, I don't know if he eventually signed the contract, I doubt it.
Sigh
Everything is bad, not a single contract has been signed yet. At this point, the pervert devil will crucify me. Ishida was sitting this whole time behind my desk, not making a single sound. Well, at least Ogawa and me could control her.
"I thought you wanted to do something here?" — I asked her.
"Um, I guess so… It doesn't matter."
Huh? Was she sorry for the thing before? Whatever, I got bigger problems here. My dignity is threatened. I wonder if Ogawa had anyone signed.
"Furuya, can I get some coffee?"
"Sure."
He handed me a cup of warm coffee.
"So, how is it going?"
Ogawa looked at me confused, then understood what the question was about.
"$18,000 until now."
"…"
"What?"
"How?"
"A customer drank coffee… and he wanted to get some in his world as well. So, I sold him baristas and coffee bean farmers."
"The list didn't have such candidates, though?"
"I know. That's why I had my own one."
"…"
Well, $18,000 is better than $0.00… isn't it?
…
"I heard you met with Uko again."
Said a familiar voice behind my back. I turned myself and, as expected, saw Ruo, the rude client from back then.
"What can I do for you, sir" — I greeted him with a moderate smile.
"The question is rather, do you want to do something for me?" — he smirked.
What is on your mind, you freak?
"Sigh, why can't humans understand humor? I thought you even had a profession called comedian."
Did you think you're funny? Looking at Masaru being Masaru is funnier.
"Uko already revealed that I founded a company."
"Yes, I know that."
"What do you say?"
What do you expect me to say? May the heavens bless you with a success?
"I want you to work for me."
"Huh?"
That caught me unguarded. The hell? I thought he was about to kill me back then, and now he asks me to join him?
"I don't think I understand you?"
"Work for me."
No, I understand that part, but what about the rest?
"May I ask why?"
Ruo sat down on the chair and crossed his legs.
"I came to Divine Reincarnation back then to observe the structure from the inside. The founding of a company is not something that came to my mind suddenly. Do you mind?"
He took the bottle of water that I had on my desk and drank it completely.
"You surprised me, human. You dared to speak back to me and Uko, when not even all Gods dare."
Right… once again, it is called stupidity and ignorance. It has nothing to do with bravery.
"And that's the reason?" — I asked him.
He nodded.
"I'm afraid I-"
"Branch-manager, $20,000 per month."
"…"
This is… tempting. But… argh. If our company's contract would be different…
"I can't."
Ruo's face showed confusion.
"Was the salary not big enough?"
"No, it's… it's complicated. I can't resign."
Ruo's eyebrow raised.
"That's… odd"
"What do you mean?"
Of course, it's odd! I became an eternal slave of the company! Why do you look at me with such disbelief?!
"Hm… I'll have to check something later" — he stood up — "then, for now, I'll just buy all your candidates."
"… What?"
"I'm interested in purchasing all the candidates you brought along" — he repeated himself.
"A-a-alright, but for what purpose?"
"Oh, you see, I founded a company, but my database of candidates is yet empty. It doesn't matter whom you sell your candidate, does it?"
He approached me, with a smile on his face.
"So, what do you say?"
"…"
Gulp
"I'll prepare everything, please, wait a second."
***
"Mghm, finally, the day is over. Hm? Oi! Rival! Fukuhara! Wait for me!"
Right, I forgot about him. Poor Hiroki, I hope you got enough money in your pocket.
"Let's compare each other's profits today! How many did you all got?"
"You can start."
I don't care, I won anyway.
"Okay, okay, arrogant as ever! I got $35,000 in total." — he proudly stated.
Huh, I ain't gonna lie, that's impressive.
"How much did my arrogant rival get, huh?"
I handed him a check.
"Read it."
"…"
"I can't hear you."
"$225,000…"
"I guess I won."
I took the check back.
"B-but how…?"
"I don't reveal my secret techniques. So what about the dinner?"
"Yeah, sure…"
We exchanged each other contacts and decided to meet on a different day for a dinner.
***
"That's my best employee! Haha. I knew you would not disappoint me."
I bet you did, Pervertzaki.
"So? When is the dinner?"
"Why you asking?"
"I'm your team manager, of course I'll come with you!"
Tsk
He pulled me to the side and asked with a whisper.
"So? Did you get your reward?"
I shook my head.
"That's a shame. Kasumi-chan! Come here for a bit."
Oi, what is going on in your mind?
"Yes, Mr. Yamazaki?"
"Poor Kazuya is so exhausted after those three days. Can you encourage him a little?"
Stop it! Don't force the Angel to do something she doesn't want to!
"Kazuya-kun did a fantastic job!"
Oh, dear heavens… her smile… I think I fainted. Yes, I definitely did.
…