…
"And to summarize everything, this quarter would have sucked if not for our precious Fukuhara!"
You could have said it in a better way, you idiot. Honestly, Masaru should be relieved of holding weekly, monthly or quarter reports.
Why did you mention me? I would rather not get any attention from our higher-ups, it would be a pain in the ass.
"That was to be expected from our best employee" — said Yamazaki and blinked his eye at me.
Oi! You are making it even worse! Stop!
clap-clap-clap
"It doesn't matter as long as we succeed in the end." — said the branch manager.
I was surprised by his reaction. Last time we had no job, he sent us to the recruiting center…
The manager turned his head to me and showed a thumbs up.
"You are doing a great job, brat. Continue it like that."
The brat part was unnecessary, you pig-like human.
Sigh
Great, now I got his attention and every step of me will be observed and rated.
Saru came to sit next to me, looked at me and smirked with a proud face.
What are you proud about? That I will suffer? Thank you, dumbass!
Sigh
While I was holding an internal monologue and rethinking my life choices, everyone exit the conference room.
"How long do you intend to slack off?" — said a voice above my head.
Tsk
You contributed your part on making my life worse, what else do you what, Yamazaki?
"Yes, yes, I am getting back to work."
"Oi, oi, where did your enthusiasm go?"
You killed it with your own hands.
"The higher-ups expect a lot from you, you know?"
I figured it out already.
"How long are you planning to follow me? Don't you have work to do as well?"
"How rude, my work is to manage a bunch of idiots."
This bunch of idiots provide you money, be respectful in the end!
"Anyway, since you don't seem to be interested in the news I got for you, I'll get going."
"Hm? What news?"
"Nothing particular, don't worry."
Oi! You got me curious and no act like it's nothing!
"Say it already."
"Fine~. Each department's one team will attend a party."
I expected more… I am disappointed in you, Yamazaki.
"That's all news? If so, I would li…"
"The party is not a usual one, though. Basically, it's a carnival party, everyone has to be dressed in a costume."
Wow, I am thrilled! Nah, whatever. Some bunch of office workers would dress as complete idiots and call it "a party", that's all. Does Yamazaki really expect me to be amazed by that?
However, I could say just by his look, that there was something else. That grin of his was way far from relaxing.
"Recruiting Team 6.1 is invited."
Hm? Did my ears catch that phrase correctly? It's the team Tachibana is in…
I wonder what costume will she choose? A bunny one… cough, cough.
"Look at you, you suddenly got interested?"
"N-no."
"Your red face doesn't match the words coming out of your mouth. I won't even say that question was rhetorical."
You sly bastard…
"What do I need to do?"
"The requirement is simple, the team has to make the biggest profit."
I released a sigh of relief. We are fine then.
"When is the party being held?"
"Why does it concern you? It's not like you are going to be invited."
"Huh?"
"Don't huh me, our budget this quarter sucks."
"But the Ruo deal…"
"Yeah, that saved our situation a bit, but in overall, we still sucked the rest of the quarter."
"…"
"Cheer up, currently, the team 8.2 is ahead of us only for $29,000."
You scared me with "our budget sucks". Well, $29,000 is bearable, we can make it through.
"How much time do we have?"
"One week."
"…"
I am screwed.
***
@Kazuhara (Fukuhara Kazuya)
> Guys, I need you to sell as many contracts as you can.
@Akasaru (Akashi Masaru)
> Senior became a workaholic?
@F.Ogawa (Ogawa Furuya)
> Don't want to, it's bothersome.
@Inu.Naka (Nakamura Inumaru)
> I'll do my best
@Kazuhara (Fukuhara Kazuya)
> It's the first time I am asking you for a favor!
@Akasaru (Akashi Masaru)
> Actually, the third time. Remember that day when you handed me your customer? He was a pain in ass.
@F.Ogawa (Ogawa Furuya)
> Same here.
@Kazuhara (Fukuhara Kazuya)
> You gu-
beep
Hm? A private message? From whom?
@Hanazumi (Tachibana Kasumi)
> Hi!!!! :)
Have you heard about the party next week? :D
It will be hilarious! I hope you can come too! See you then. ;)
"…"
I won't disappoint you, my queen!
@Kazuhara (Fukuhara Kazuya)
> Saru, you want to see Fujiwara in a bunny outfit? Then sell contracts. Inumaru… just try your best. Ogawa, what do you demand in exchange?"
@Akasaru (Akashi Masaru)
> Aye, Aye captain.
@Inu.Naka (Nakamura Inumaru)
> Yes!
@F.Ogawa (Ogawa Furuya)
> "Hm, the book trilogy of 'Loneliness and violin'"
@Kazuhara (Fukuhara Kazuya)
> "Alright.
…
Loneliness and violin? I heard it for the first time. Does he only want a couple of books? Great…
Let's check in advance how much it costs…
I typed the name of the book trilogy in the search bar and clicked the enter button.
Huh? My eyes… am I blind? No… I am definitely not. $150 for each one? The hell… Ugh, whatever, Tachibana is my priority right now, money is temporary, but my memories of Tachibana are eternal.
…
I currently have one request, and I could potentially sell him a few contracts. The customer required actors. I'm not very knowledgeable about theater, but it shouldn't be too hard.
***
"Sir, I think Takauchi is a great actor. He even had played a few roles in movies beside theater! Uhm, yes… he was an extra indeed, but! Hm? Sir? Argh, he hanged up."
Screw you! Why does he pick on little things? You wanted an actor, you got him! Damn it. If things go like this further, I can forget about the party.
"What's this?" — suddenly, a head popped out from the side.
Hiiek!
Fujiwara! Don't scare the shit out of me!
"Hm?"
"N-nothing. What are you doing here?"
"Just wanted to come by and give a look at you all. So, what is this?"
"Ah, a request from a customer. He wants actors."
Fujiwara gave me a look. Then came straight up to me and, without any questions, took the list from my hands.
"What are you…?!"
I was expecting that Fujiwara would sarcastically comment on it. However, she gave it such a picky look, as she was an old hag in the grocery store.
"Sh-sh-sh." — she pointed her finger at the list.
After a few seconds, she gave me a look.
"Actors, you say? Can I help?"
"You? Well, if you have any candidates in mind, I'd appreciate it."
She nodded. Then, tilted her head to the side, still looking at me.
"Is it for the party next week?"
"…"
Fujiwara smirked.
"Then I have one request."
"And it is…?"
"Wear an undersized sailor outfit."
"…"
"Do I ask too much? Such a shame, I thought I'd try to convince Kasumi-chan to wear something interesting… but if you don't want my help…"
"I'll do it, I'll do it. Just help me with the candidates for now."
That's a price to be paid. I know Fujiwara is going to make fun of me. However, if it is a contract with the devil…
"Heh. Can you schedule an appointment with your customer?"
"Uhm, I'll try. When you can start with…"
She took her phone out.
"Immediately."
"Hi, Megumi-chan! Can you come by for an introduction? Great!"
She then searched for another contact in her phone.
"Hi, Sakamoto! Remember my promise? It's your time to shine! Come by and I'll arrange everything."
Wow… she is different when talking on the phone. Now it's my turn.
…
"I thought my response was clear, I am not interested in that man."
"It's fine, sir. I wanted to ask you to come by and check two other candidates. I-"
Fujiwara took my phone out of my hand.
"Greetings! Fujiwara is my name. I don't know what kind of charlatan my colleague suggested you, but I can assume you my candidates are first-class theater actors, acknowledged during their lives."
"Hm… I'll give you another chance, it better really be first-class actors."
"Thank you! See you later, sir!"
She put my phone on the desk and turned to me.
"Now everything is set up."
"Are they really acknowledged actors?"
"No, but they can act."
"…"
I am dead. That is a loss, for sure. Goodbye, Tachibana.
"Head up. Our job is to sell them, their job is to sell themselves." — Fujiwara clapped on my back.
"…"
***
"Nice to meet you! My name is Akira Megumi!
"Sakamoto Haruki."
Huh, an optimistic lady and a pessimistic guy? An excellent start… Was it a mistake to trust Fujiwara? Well, she seemed to be confident about them.
"Guys, can you show us your acting skills?"
"Yes!" — happily responded Akira. Meanwhile, Sakamoto only sighed and nodded.
Fujiwara approached them and gave them two scripts. They took a few minutes to read it and then stood up.
Sakamoto stood next to the wall, staring at Akira, while she breathed deep.
clap
Fujiwara clapped her hands. Both of their faces transformed. The acting started.
…
"Ask whatever you want. I don't answer anything anymore" — Akira, looking down at the table.
"Take care of your immortal soul, Luise! Did you love the marshal? You will never leave this room again" — Sakamoto, with crossed arms, still staring at her.
"I will answer no more" — still looking down.
Sakamoto approached her and hit the table with his fist.
"Luise! Did you love the marshal? Before this light burns out, you will stand before God!"
"Jesus! What is that? And I feel very sick." — she touched her chest, shocked.
Sakamoto pulled back, looked down on Akira.
"Already? About you women and the eternal riddle! The tender nerve holds iniquities that gnaw humanity at its roots; a miserable gran of arsenic overthrows it."
"Poison! Poison! O my God!"
"Thus I fear. Thy lemonade was flavored in hell. You drank it to death." — he turned his back to her.
Akira fell down on her knees.
"Dying! Die! God Almighty! Poison in the lemonade and die! Have mercy on my soul, God of mercy!"
"That is the main thing. I also beg him for it" — still showing back to her, his head fall down, tears flowed down his cheeks.
"And my mother, my father, Savior of the world! My poor, lost father! Is there no more salvation? My young life, and no salvation! And must I go there already?" — she started to cry.
"No salvation, you must go there already" — he raised his head and looked at the ceiling — "but be calm. We'll make the journey together."
"Ferdinand, you too! Poison, Ferdinand! From you! Oh God, forgive him God of mercy, take the sin from him."
"You better check your bills. I'm afraid they're bad."
"Ferdinand! Ferdinand! O now I can no longer be silent. Death, death cancels all oaths, Ferdinand! Heaven and earth have nothing more unfortunate than you! I die innocent, Ferdinand!"
"What is she saying? Isn't it customary to take a lie on this journey?" — he slowly turned his head.
"I'm not lying, I'm not lying. I've only lied once in my life! Huh! How it shivered through my veins when I wrote the letter to the court marshal."
Sakamoto turned back to her.
"Ha! That letter! Thank God! Now I have all my manhood back."
Akira's fingers start to twitch.
"This letter Fear to hear a dreadful word. My hand wrote what my heart condemned, but what your father had dictated."
Rigid and like a pillar, rooted to the ground in a long dead pause, Sakamoto finally falls down as if struck by a thunderbolt.
"Oh of sonorous misunderstanding, Ferdinand. They forced me, forgive your Luise, I would have preferred death, but my father, the danger, they did it cunningly."
Sakamoto, terribly thrown up.
"Praised be the God! I do not yet feel the poison."
He acted as if he pulled out a sword.
Stop! What are you doing? It's your father!
In an expression of the most irrepressible rage, he turned to our customer and approached him.
"Murderer and murderer father! He must come with us, the judge of the world only rages against the guilty."
"Dying, my Savior forgave salvation over you and him!"
Akira faced the ground with her face, meanwhile Sakamoto, standing right in front of our customer and staring at him, in a rage, with tears all over his face.
…
clap
Their faces came back to normal and they both returned to their sits.
Wow, well, as I said, I don't understand theater, but it was impressive. Will it work for our client, though?
clap-clap-clap
"Fascinating! Fascinating! That's what I was looking for! I'll gladly pay for them."
The client turned to me.
"When can I have them?"
Damn, Fujiwara is good. She should work as a consultant…
"The moment you sign the contract, they are yours."
I felt a hand placed on my left shoulder.
"Don't forget the sailor outfit," — said Fujiwara and then, looked at the client, — "Don't you need a camera-man or director, by the way?"
"No, only actors"
Fujiwara sighed
***
In conclusion, I already sold two contracts, that's +$7,000. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for the rest of the team. Not a single contract was sold beside my two.
Sigh
I guess there is no way I could attend the party. Such a shame.
…
"Oh, if that's not our precious Fukuhara-kun?"
I met the branch manager at the elevator.
"Hello, sir."
"Hm? What's with that sad face of yours? Love problems? He-he."
"Nothing in particular."
"Is it so? Fine. Looking forward to seeing you at the party next week, I hope your costume impresses me as your results do."
"I am afraid I will disappoint you. We didn't make it through."
You should know that, piggy. Are you making fun of me?
"You did not? Strange, I remember inviting team 7.1, though? Your budget was impressive, double the amount of the budget placed second."
"…"
Ya-ma-za-ki.
You dare make fun of me? Like this? Wait up… you will get everything back one day.
…