Before I even got to my desk, I noticed a pile of reports waiting for me. Fortunately, I had already done most of my work the day before, so my schedule was free.
If I followed the advice Ishida had given me, I could take the afternoon off and have fun with other people... which, let's be honest, would be a lie. I'd probably use the free time to play games or finish reading my novels, all under a futon with a cold can of cola next to me. There's nothing better than that.
But, in the end, I'd feel a slight remorse for letting everyone else get on with it while I was off doing nothing. So coming here was my best choice.
- Seeing you like this, senpai, motivates me! Right! I'll do my best to make up for lost time! I'll see you later!
- Just don't push yourself too hard, okay?
- I will!
And off he went, with all the energy of a newbie. Sometimes I wish I had a fraction of that excitement to deal with my day-to-day life. Neither canned coffee nor energy drinks do the trick.
But, as always, I'll do my best.
Yawn.
***
The day went as expected. I had already done a lot of the previous paperwork and now all I had to do was make one last revision, checking the reports to make sure they all matched mine.
Even using a computer, I still need to check the printed documents to avoid discrepancies - and, consequently, rework for the whole team.
To keep my energy up, I was already on my second can of extra-strong espresso. But in my case, that was practically useless. Coffee had the same effect as a placebo for a recovering addict: an illusion of control.
Yawn.
- May-san, when was the last time you slept?
I looked up from the paperwork and saw my manager standing next to the desk.
- Hm? Manager? Don't worry about me. I yawn again. I just overdid it a bit last night. It's no big deal. I'm just going to finish this report before I go.
The manager and I are always among the last to leave the building. He's a bit older than me and, although we have equivalent positions, his experience still puts him one step ahead.
- Are you sure you can handle it? You should go home and rest. I can take you to your apartment if you like.
- That won't be necessary, Manager. Trust me. Between you and me, this isn't the first sleepless night I've spent at the company.
He sighed and shook his head.
- I smiled. Why am I still trying to convince you? Sigh. May-san, you're an excellent employee, but don't demand so much of yourself. I know no one is abusing your goodwill, but still, that's a considerable number of reports to review.
Her eyes fell on the pile of documents on my desk. I've dealt with bigger ones on more chaotic days - I can handle it without a problem. I just need to proofread and sign everything.
- Heh... Don't worry. The sooner we finish this, the less work we'll have next month. Send your wife a hug. When I leave, I'll tell the security guard to lock the building.
- Fine... But take the day off tomorrow to rest. That's your manager's order.
- Yes, sir.
He said goodbye and left. Perhaps he was looking forward to seeing his wife or grandchildren. The manager has always been secretive about his personal life, but I'm not the type to pry - not without a good dose of intimacy with the person.
I yawn.
Now that I've stopped to take a closer look... That's a really big pile. But that's okay. I'm not going to let this work pile up for tomorrow. I took on more than I should have, and now I have to deal with it-as a kind of self-punishment.
I continued signing and revising the documents. But as I read, my vision briefly blurred.
Am I... sleepy?
Perhaps. Or maybe my judgment is impaired by something else. The letters started to become more and more blurred, and what were once well-defined sentences were now a meaningless jumble.
Maybe more coffee will help...
Pluf!
Damn.
I spilled coffee on the papers.
That's going to be a problem later... I'll have to do it all over again at the weekend.
I tried to lift the can, but my arms wouldn't respond as they should.
Something was wrong.
My body was heavy, numb. I could barely feel my own movements. Only my mind kept working, trapped in a strange daze.
Had exhaustion finally caught up with me?
Damn... I knew that the routine of spending the night reading novels and playing late would take its toll on the company. Even though I get very little sleep and wake up the next day in good spirits, I know it's not healthy...
My head is heavy. I can barely hold it up... Ouch! I hit the table, but I didn't even feel any pain. Maybe I'm just too exhausted to feel anything. My body is exhausted. My arms and legs, which used to tingle, now seem non-existent... I can't feel anything anymore, only my mind still works. Is this the result of years of a completely wrong sleep routine?
Maybe... If I just close my eyes for a moment... I'm sure the watchman will wake me up soon. Or maybe he'll call the emergency services to deal with the situation. Damn, I'm going to get a lecture like that from the manager and I'll probably have to go to HR afterwards to formalize an apology... What the hell?
- TO ALL THOSE PRESENT, WITNESS IN ADVANCE THE RESULT OF THIS UNHOLY RITUAL! THE INVOCATION OF THE HERO WHO WILL BRING BALANCE TO OUR LAND AND, PERHAPS, TO THE WORLD!
Wait... There's something wrong... The invocation... it... it failed?!
What on earth am I hearing? A dream? But I can't see anything... And yet the exhaustion persists. My body is still as heavy as before... Perhaps getting some sleep would be the best way to regain my senses?
With that last thought, Sato Maylene left her world behind.
***
I can't quite understand what's going on in my mind. All I heard was a voice mentioning a "failed invocation". What on earth is that supposed to mean?
Maybe it has something to do with the last novel I read... But I can't quite remember. Damn. Even though I was a grown woman, I ended up letting my imagination take over before fatigue overwhelmed my body.
I remembered an article I'd read in a magazine about how, when you lose consciousness, there's a chance you'll forget basic information the moment you wake up. I hope I haven't forgotten anything important... Maybe a little mental exercise will help me now.