Yamazaki. This name is a synonym for devil, abuser, despot, and deceit. I'm going to take revenge for my rage one day. I wish I could see him today and punch that sassy face of his. He is lucky that the workday is already over. If I only had the chance…
"So after the customer asked-"
If the afterlife existed just as our countless religions describe, then Yamazaki would be the first one sent to hell. Straight to the seventh circle of hell, no, he would have replaced the devil in hell, or at least became his deputy officer. I need to check if Lucifer actually exists or search for any evil god out there, I might get quite a significant amount for selling him that pervert.
"Can you imagine!"
I should relax, the only thing that matters right now is seeing Tachibana in costume. Right. This is a suitable reward for all my suffering. Once again, my angel cures all my diseases! She is the Queen of Cure! I wish to see her right now. Oh, Gods!! I beg you, make her appear in front of me!
"He really-"
Tsk
"Inumaru, can you be quiet for a moment?"
"…"
You are being too hyperactive after the workday. Where do you get your energy from? Air? I should have just sent him to the supermarket alone and stayed at home. Seriously, I am too kindhearted for this world…
"Oh? Kazuya~."
Tsk
You bastards Gods, I asked for an Angel, not the Devil…
"Yamazaki…"
Since you appeared in front of me, you should deal with the consequences. Don't blame me.
Hook
I gave him a right hook right in the face. Yamazaki fell down.
"Oi! The hell is wrong with you?!"
"You deserved it" — I said, looking down upon him.
"Deserved for what?!" — he was holding his cheek.
Don't act innocent while having hands covered in blood.
Ptui
"Oi! Don't spit on the ground next to me!"
"What are you doing here?"
"Taking a walk? Going shopping? What did you expect?"
"Seeing you near my house is quite suspicious."
"I don't even know where you live! Besides, you live in a few streets away!"
"Ha! So you do know where I live."
"…"
"So? I repeat myself, what are you doing here?"
"I was really just walking, though" — he scratched his head.
"Do you expect me to fall in for your lies twice this day?"
"Kazuya-kun? Sir Yamazaki?"
I turned my head, Tachibana was standing there together with Ishida and Fujiwara, holding bags.
"Why is Sir Yamazaki on the ground?" — she tilted her head.
"T-T-Tachibana?! Ah, i-its n-nothing! He just…"
Crap, if she finds out I punched him, she will be disappointed in me…
"Ah, don't worry, Kasumi-chan, I slipped."
Huh? Why did he save me?
"Kazuya-kun was just a moderate citizen and wanted to help me stand up, right, Ka-zu-ya-kun?" — he stretched his arm out.
Now I have to play the spectacle to the end…
I pulled him by his arm and he stood up. As he stood up, he came close to my head and whispered.
"Now you owe me one, heh."
"…"
Crazy bastard.
Tachibana was looking at me without any doubt in her eyes, can't say the same for the other two.
"You should be more careful, old man."
Alright, Ishida is also clueless. What did I expect?
"Who are you calling an old man, you red-haired punk? Tsk, kids nowadays have no respect for us."
We definitely must not have any respect for people like you.
…
"…"
What is this awkward situation? Why are we walking all together? I just wanted to buy groceries and relax after work! Give me some break… I can't even talk to Tachibana because we are surrounded by a bunch of creeps.
My eyes caught Fujiwara looking at me, lip speaking again.
O-n-l-y f-o-r n-o-w
Huh?
She approached Yamazaki.
"Sir Yamazaki, should we get going then?"
"Hm? Where?"
"We wanted to discuss that topic, you remember?"
"Oh, that topic, sure."
-1
"Ishida, didn't you want to buy that new laptop? Isn't the shop going to close in half an hour?"
"Crap! Right! Sorry, guys! See you tomorrow."
-2
Fujiwara and Yamazaki left, next one is Inumaru. I can handle it.
"Inumaru?"
"Yes!"
"Can you take the bags and go home? I'll come a bit later."
"Sure!"
Easier than taking a candy from a baby…
-3
Come to think of, weren't my wishes accomplished? I wished Yamazaki to punch him, and Tachibana just to see her… And now we are here, walking, together, just like a couple! Hm?
"Should I carry your bags?"
"Um! Thank you…"
I took the bags and… god dammit, they were heavy as hell. What did you buy, Tachibana? Dumbbells?!
"I was surprised to see Kazuya there, and Sir Yamazaki on the ground."
I smiled.
"I didn't expect to see Tachibana as well."
"At the beginning, I thought Kazuya beat Sir Yamazaki. I am glad I was not right." — she laughed.
"…"
Tachibana is not as innocent and clueless as she looks… I have to be more careful.
We kept walking in an unknown to me direction, with an awkward silence the most of the time.
"How was your day?" — I tried to break the silence.
"Pretty as usual. How was Kazuya's day?"
"Um, also as usual…"
Damn it… I failed.
"Can I ask Kazuya something?"
"Oh, yes!"
"Why does Kazuya work as a consultant?"
Because I was tricked to become one…
"Hm, I don't know. I guess I just didn't want to do anything exhausting? What about Tachibana?"
She was silent for a moment. Was it a mistake? Is it a taboo topic for her? Crap…
"I am afraid."
Hm?
"Of what?"
"I am afraid of what awaits me in a parallel world. I wanted to be a doctor, or a nurse, but after seeing blood for the first time, I fainted. From then on I- Huh?! Kazuya-kun!"
"Huh-huh… excuse me… can we sit somewhere for a moment?"
The weight of your bags is killing me…
***
We found a bench to sit.
"Uhm… so, as I said, I am afraid of blood."
"I understand, but there are more options for you?"
"I guess so… but I don't want to risk anything. Besides, people that come to us are like patients, aren't they?"
"In what meaning?"
"Direct one" — she looked at the dark sky — "they all have wounds from their past lives. We treat the by finding a better life. Aren't we basically doctors too?" — she looked at me with a smile.
"Um, I guess so."
I looked up at the dark sky. Stars all over the sky, and a beautiful full moon.
"The moon is beautiful" — slipped out of my mouth.
"…"
No responses came from Tachibana. I looked at her and surprised myself. Tachibana flushed, staring at the ground. Huh? What's the matter? Did I say something wrong? Should I… apologize? But I can't recall saying anything that could offend her… What am I supposed to do in this kind of situation? I'd better be careful what I say, or even better, say nothing…
"Um, has Kazuya rested enough?"
"Oh, yes, yes."
We stood up and I followed Tachibana. After a couple of minutes, we arrived at her home. It's a nice and quiet place, about 30 minutes afar from my apartment. I put the bags down, wished her a pleasant night and hit the road back.
Huh, the day was exhausting. Finally, I came home and can rest. As I walked up the stairs, I raised my sight at the corridor and found Inumaru standing in front of my door, holding my bags.
"S-senior!…" — he greeted me with tears coming out of his eyes.
"…"
"I forgot my keys…"
"…"
I guess I have to let a puppy sleep at my place tonight.
***
Sigh
"Crap, do I really have to go shop an outfit…"
"Hm?" — the monkey's ears raised.
"You gonna go buy a costume?"
Shit…
Saru turned to me.
"You gonna go buy a costume? I'll come with ya!" — he declared with sparkles in his eyes.
"Ogawachi! You should come with us!" — he turned to Ogawa.
"What? No, it's bothersome."
"You will come with us! I won't let it go! Hah?! Kazuya! Where are you going?! Wait for us!"
Crap… I hoped I could sneak and go buy a costume alone, but the heavens are plotting against me once again. Saru and Ogawa have joined me.
…
"Here! What do you think about this? A monkey costume!"
"I don't see any difference" — you dressed up like yourself.
"Hmpf! Then what should I choose?"
Tsk
"Why should I care? Go and buy a plumber outfit."
"This is mean! Ogawachi, what would you choose for yourself?"
Ogawa looked at Saru, holding a small break.
"Nothing."
"Hah?!"
Saru pulled him by his shirt and started shaking him.
"It's a carnival party! A carnival one! You have to wear a costume!"
"Alright, alright, let me go" — Ogawa rolled his eyes.
"So? Did you change your mind?"
"Um" — Furuya nodded.
"And your choice is?"
Ogawa stretched his arm and pointed at a mannequin.
"…"
"…"
A mannequin with a casual look.
"This is… a casual look?"
Furuya pointed his index finger up and said with an innocent face.
"I'll dress up as a street artist."
"Oi! Take it seriously, will ya?! Senior Kazuya! Tell him!"
Let me out of this. I would attend it with a casual look as well, if not for my promise.
"I think what matters most is to get a good vibe for partying, not the outfits themselves, am I not right?
Uhm… yes, certainly. But somehow, when it comes out of your mouth, it does not sound right. Smile at least…
"Seniors! Look!" — Inumaru came out of the changing room, dressed in an odd dog costume.
"…"
"…"
"…"
"What?" — Nakamura asked with a tilted head.
"I would rather not comment on it."
What is this… where did you find that?! I can't even tell if it's a dog costume or a bear costume.
Sigh
Am I surrounded by idiots because I am miserable, or am I miserable because I am surrounded by idiots? I wonder if I'll ever find the answer out.
As my colleagues kept arguing about their costumes and if they had to get one at first place, I managed to sneak and leave them alone.
Sigh
Finally, inner peace…
After accomplishing my goal, I left for home. Do I really have to wear it? It's embarrassing…
***
Huh, it's cold in this outfit…
"Wha-what is this?!" — asked Saru while struggling holding his laugh and eventually failing.
Masaru fell on the ground, laughing after seeing me in this.
"Kazuya" — said Ogawa with a calm voice — "I just want you to know, that I will accept you, it doesn't matter if you are weird."
"…"
Screw you all!
…
Huh… it's cold wearing this, even inside.
We entered the hall where the event should be held, most of our colleagues were already inside. Saru chose the monkey costume in the end. Ogawa was forced to wear a lifeguard outfit. Nakamura, thankfully, bought dog ears instead of a costume.
How surprised I was, when I realized, that almost everyone in the hall had no costume, but rather just animal or elf ears…
Here I was, a sailor, a sailor with undersized clothes, standing in front of a crowd. Everyone looked at me as if I were insane… well, can't really blame him.
"K-Kazuya-kun?"
A sudden shiver took control over my body. It was Tachibana's voice, coming from the side. I slowly turned my head. Tachibana stood there, together with Fujiwara. Fujiwara was holding her hand in front of her mouth, but I can tell by looking at her eyes, that she was dying of laughing, her eyes full of tears.
Fujiiwara… I shouldn't have signed the contract with a devil…
The Angel looked confused, with her face flushed.
Click-click-click
"Hah?!"
I turned my head to the left, Yamazaki was taking pictures of me.
"A smile, please."
"…"
Click-click
"You should cover your tummy at least, or you will catch a cold" — said Yamazaki while taking further pictures.
Screw you all!
Achoo
"…"