“Did she fall asleep?” Someone asked. Everyone at the table, except the new employees and their minders were looking at the now sleeping young woman named Prima.

  Her hands were folded in her lap, head bowed slightly, but her back was ramrod straight. Her eyes were closed, and they could hear her breathing softly.

  “Looks like it…” Another office worker muttered. As they shared glances, one of them hopped up. Some of their plates had been piled up and this worker casually picked them up before carefully, slowly, placing them on her head.

  Everyone watched. Even Terada didn’t reprimand the man. They stared as he managed to balance the plates on her head while she slept.

  “Huh… didn’t think that would work.” The man muttered.

  Terada finally sighed. “Kenta, quit bothering her…” The man quickly agreed and sat back down, notably, he didn’t put the plates back. Terada let out another long sigh and rubbed his eyes. He was getting too old for this.

  “So, what did you think?” He asked those around the table, those he had known for years now.

  “I think she’ll fit right in.” One of the older women put in.

  “She’s definitely a character, I don’t see her causing drama though.” Another added their comment in.

  Terada was of the same opinion as them. He looked over to the other new employees and grimaced. He didn’t think they’d stay after today… But what could he even do?

  Again, another sigh left his lips.

  “Say, how’d she do on her first day?” Someone asked. Terada didn’t bother looking up to see who had asked.

  “Good, real good.” Terada admitted without hesitation. He was suspicious when he had seen her resume. It was almost too good, especially for her apparent age. He thought Leo had been scammed, but it wasn’t Leo that accepted her enrollment, technically.

  She was bound for the fourth division at first, the worst division, but there were last minute changes apparently. He’d thought something was up, that somehow that young woman had bribed her way up. Her demeanor made her out to be a young debutante. Likely brought on to pad her resume further, or worse, court Leo. He had enough trouble dealing with one spoiled brat.

  Still… her progress was shocking. Proving that not only did she have the experience she said she had, but he could say with confidence that her resume undersold her capabilities. It was a miracle they even got her, as any good employee was always sent to the first division or put into the third division.

  Their division, the second division only got the troublesome recruits. In part due to Leo not making any real effort to recruit, and also due to the poor pay and hours… There was also his own history, that had to be accounted for…

  Since his old friend was hospitalized after another long period of work, the workflow for the division had fallen to shambles. Such that even he was struggling to keep it afloat. Prima presented an opportunity, and he just hoped they didn’t scare her off.

  Something told him that shouldn’t be an issue, but…

  There was another issue.

  “Tom.” His voice rumbled out. It wasn’t loud, but it definitely carried. Everyone shuddered as Terada spoke. All knowing what his mood was.

  “Y-yes, Terada?” The man spoke, the man with glasses that looked more like a tanuki.

  Balefully Terada locked eyes with the man. “What the hell was that? Why the fuck did you send her your work? We can’t just start foisting our work on someone day one!” His voice hissed out. His hand slapped down on the table. He looked over, for a brief moment fearing he’d been overheard by the others, but the minders were doing their jobs well. Prima was… still sleeping. Clearly, she was a lightweight, he’d have to keep that in mind for the future.

  He looked back to Tom, expecting a response.

  “Terada-“

  And cut him off. “Mr. Terada or SIR. I will not have you calling me by name, especially since you seem to be having trouble showing deference to my words and command Tom.”

  The man paled. “S-sorry, Mr. Terada, my apologies.”

  “Now, continue.”

  “Ah, yes, well…” He looked around, sweat gathering on his brow. Nobody would come to his aide, but he still fished for it. Seeing that nobody bit, he pressed on. “I’ve been having trouble lately, Sir. It’s too much. The stress and…”

  Terada raised his hand to stop him short.

  “I understand Tom. You’ve been having blood pressure problems, among other issues. Then you have the issues you’ve been having with your wife and kids.”

  The man nods hurriedly, and Terada continues. “But that doesn’t excuse what you did. If you had a problem, you talk to me, is that understood?” His words were fierce, and all Tom could do was nod. “Good, we’ll see what we can do, until then. Don’t do anything else stupid.”

  Though… Terada was angry with himself that it even got to this point. Prima was a blessing for sure, but it was still a question of whether or not she would stay or not. Even if she did, it remained to be seen how much work she could handle before she buckles and fails…

  It was a fine balancing act, one Terada found himself slowly losing control of.

  Still, he had a job to do. A division to keep together.

  “Right, we’re going to finish up here. Someone wake up Prima, we have more work… And Kenta, get those plates off her head! Every time her head shifts, I have a damn heart attack!”

  “R-right boss!” Terada rolled his eyes and drummed his fingers on the table As Kenta rushed to remove the plates off her head. The next part was going to be a bit difficult, and how she responds would decide the future…

  God… he hated this. How had it even come to this? Seeing his friends slowly waste away under the burden of the absurd workload, underpaid, undervalued… Now, they were trying every trick in the book to retain employees as they hemorrhaged talent.

  Terada found in that moment, that he really hated what his life had become. He let out a final sigh and collected himself. He couldn’t break. Not now.

  And he set his sights forward. There was work to be done.

  …

  I felt a hand on my shoulder. A slight shake brought me out of bittersweet memories, right at the best part. Like always… I yawned and… why was my neck so stiff?

  I brought a hand up to my neck and rubbed it, while rubbing the sleepiness out of my eyes. Everyone was giving me slightly strange looks. The one glasses guy at the end of the table seemed oddly deflated as well.

  Did I miss them dressing him down? Eh, whatever, I got a good dream out of it. Even if it brought back bad memories with it.

  With a final yawn I stretched. My mouth was dry.

  “You good Prima?” I glanced over to Terada, whom seemed oddly chummy.

  “Yeah, just need some water.”

  “I’ll get you some on the double. Meanwhile, get yourself cleaned up.”

  “Cleaned up?” I asked while stretching, something in my neck cricking. “I suppose it’s about that time then? We heading home?”

  His grimace made my stomach drop.

  “Unfortunately… there is a lot of work to get through still.”

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  I stared at him. I could almost feel all the joy and wonder just… leaving my body. The light leaving my eyes.

  “Ah… fuck…” I said aloud, catching everyone off guard. I let my head fall and hit the table. I could feel that everyone was worried at that moment. It was almost disgusting how transparent they were. Even Terada seemed ready to speak up, when a glass of water hit the table.

  The moment it did, I forced myself up. Chugged down the liquid.

  “Right. Going to piss. Then I’ll be ready.” I spoke, not even bothering with pleasantries at this point, behind me I could hear Terada confirming that they would wait for me at the front…

  “Fucking knew it.” I muttered once I was in the bathroom and on the toilet. “Course this was a fucking black company, just my luck.” I muttered. More annoying though was… “Ah, fuck, I miss being able to just whip out and piss. Never realized how cathartic it was…” I moaned and complained. It really was just one of those things I never really thought of until I became like this…

  It had only been a few days, but still…

  I was most definitely drunk. I flushed the toilet and made my way to the sink. My hands were glove free. “Ah, right, pocket…” They were in the inside pocket of my suit jacket. I washed my hands with soap and water and after rinsing them off, I proceeded to splash my face. I looked at my reflection. It was still so surreal, just another pebble in my proverbial shoe. Water dripped down my chin. The sound loud in the empty bathroom.

  “The fuck are you looking at…” I muttered. I looked so exhausted. “Shit…” I wet my hands and ran it through my hair.

  “At least I don’t feel like puking my guts all over the place… shit… FUCK!” I yelled out. The only reason I didn’t lash out, was because I knew what would happen if I did. I took slow, rattling breaths in. Focusing on the lesson I was taught long ago.

  Breathe in… Out… In… Out… Once I felt cooler, I looked at myself.

  “Right, you can do this. You’re Prima, Prima Belle, Prima means number one, and that’s who you are. This won’t stop you.” I splashed my face with more water and ran my fingers through my hair.

  “You got this. Alright? You can do this. This isn’t your first rodeo. Got it? So, no breakdown. Remember, pace yourself.”

  With a final slow exhale, I went to dry my hands and tidy my suit. As the final step, I put on the gloves. Once more, I was in control. I was chill. Cold. I stepped out of the bathroom, wholly in control.

  I went for the front desk, planning to pay my tab, and for my meal…

  “It was already paid for by a Mr. Terada.” Well, how about that… I sighed and went back to the front where everyone was waiting.

  “You feeling any better?” Terada asked, eyeing me way too closely for comfort. I really just wanted to punch him, but that wouldn’t solve anything…

  “Yeah, thanks for covering the meal.”

  “Of course, the company allows for us to have team gatherings like this.”

  Does it? Well… Mm, I felt a bit better. The food was good. The alcohol was good. “That’s nice, quite a few of the companies I worked for… well… They weren’t exactly all on the up and up, ya know?” I hinted at.

  “I understand perfectly, and I apologize for springing this on you suddenly, but we are overworked.” And I wanted to believe he truly meant that, but did it really matter? He was effectively my boss, and he could work me as hard as he wants. Up until I literally die, and I couldn’t complain. Part of the conditions for this job, and my supposed citizenship were that I had to stick with the company for a year, minimum…

  I figured this would happen. All the signs were there… But… there was no point beating myself over that. It is what it is, and I can’t change it.

  “Did you at least enjoy the meal?”

  “I did.” I answered honestly. “I wouldn’t mind coming here again. The food and drink were good.”

  “It’s why we come here so often, though, you may need to drink a bit less.”

  “I should be able to handle a drink, two is too many.” I said with a light laugh that didn’t reach my eyes. Of course he wasn’t going to let me drink more. He needs me to be up and aware. A little alcohol can help numb everything, but too much and I would get dull.

  There goes any chance of having a fun relaxing time…

  I followed him and the group out. Notably, the new employees were sloshed, perhaps a bit too sloshed. They were being cajoled into further work by the others through peer pressure.

  “Be sure to stay together, and under the lights!” Terada called out as we stepped onto the street and… his words of warning did a number on that nice buzz I had. Especially with how quiet the streets were and that ominous mist hanging in the darkness. It wasn’t that heavy, but it seemed to swirl and move as if alive… that or I was a little too drunk and was seeing things.

  Inevitably, as I followed the pack, I slowed. My eyes tracking the swirling mist that seemed to follow in my wake. Pressing and coming ever closer. I don’t know when it was that my feet slowed to a stop. Where my vision was taken entirely by the encroaching mist that seemed to grow ever closer.

  As it came ever closer, I swear, something was calling. There was something just beyond, a sound, a voice… A…

  A hand landed on my shoulder, sending a jolt through my being. I nearly threw off the assailant, only to pause mid motion when I realized… One, I wasn’t physically strong enough to throw the man that had my shoulder. Second, the man in question was actually that fat, glasses wearing guy that had given me his work earlier. The guy whose dressing down I had missed.

  “Look… we should talk.” He said, as carefully as he could. He stuttered a bit, but somehow, he managed to hold his own.

  “About?” I asked. The tension in the air rising.

  “Earlier… w-what happened earlier.”

  I kept staring. His hand never leaving my shoulder. Something about this man worried me. I didn’t know why. The more I looked at him, the more I thought so. I kept watching him as he struggled to speak, even as our group got further ahead.

  Then it hit me as he once again failed to articulate what it is he wanted to say. This man was desperate. His hands were sweaty. His pupils were shaking. This was a man on the edge. A man willing to do anything to get ahead, even…

  And now… I felt it. The mist licking at my back. It felt horribly wrong. Every single cell in my body screamed at me to get away, but the man’s hand was holding me in place. He was hesitating. Questioning. He was on the verge of breaking…

  I knew that feeling all too well. Sickeningly well. This man deserved none of my sympathy though. He was another broken piece of this stupid system. Another warped cog in the company, much like I was. Struggling to stay alive and useful to the last moment.

  In the end… I’d snapped, hadn’t I? now… I wasn’t sure if I’d ever be whole again. I had my dings and scratches, my own horrible moments… Yet… Why was I feeling sympathy for this idiot?

  I wanted to curse him. To throw him aside and simply leave him be. Kick his knee out from under him, throw him aside. Or perhaps pull him in, chuck him over my shoulder…

  No, would that even work? He had a good amount of weight on me, not that I knew what I weighed now. I had no confidence in my current strength, nor had I practiced any of my drills or kata since arriving in this strange city.

  If I had to fight, I think I could pull myself away, even if his hand was on my shoulder and clamped down like an iron vise. I could do some serious damage, that much I was assured of… Only the mist made me reconsider that action. All he had to do was push me into it, and every part of my being told me that would be bad news.

  I could feel the scales in my mind weighing whether I should risk it or not. The man was clearly on the edge, trying to talk might not be the best. Could I end the scuffle fast enough? Could I get him off me?

  There were too many questions. Too many uncertainties… However, the scale shifted.

  And… once again, an unpleasant memory played back.

  Fine… whatever… I’d make a gamble “What’s your name?” I asked calmly. As calmly as I could with his hand on my shoulder and the ominous mist at my back.

  “My, name?” He asked back dumbly.

  “Yeah, your name.”

  “Tom.”

  “Right, I’m Prima. Don’t think we were properly introduced.” I extended my hand. He looked down at it in confusion. A horrible moment passed before he slowly took it in his hand.

  “I understand that what you did was a mistake.” I said, giving him the benefit of the doubt. “I also understand, that eventually, I’ll need to branch out and help the rest of the team. It’s obvious that we’re understaffed. It is all hands-on deck from what I’ve seen.” I tried my best to keep my voice calm and soothing. Hopefully nothing I said was wrong.

  Tom nods along.

  “I don’t hold it against you, but… really?” I said with a sigh. “On my first day?” I asked in exasperation. Exasperation I had no intention of hiding. “Why would you do that?”

  I really wanted to scream that at Terada too… Overtime? On my first fucking day!!!? Where’s the candor, where’s the class!? What ever happened to properly building up connections!? I’d like some lube if you’re going to fuck me in the ass Terada!

  While I was having my internal rant, Tom seemed to be having trouble speaking up. Which makes sense…

  “Look. Tom. I’ll be helping everyone eventually, so maybe it isn’t a bad thing that I get a head start. You can keep sending me papers, but I need you to give me some proper instructions on how to do that. Can you do that?”

  “I… I can. Yeah, I can do that.”

  “Good and remember. I’m new here. Don’t just shove all your shit on me. We’re a team right? At least let me grow a little before kicking me out of the nest, yeah? Can you do that?” I kept pressing.

  “Y-yeah. Yeah, I can do that.” He was repeating himself, his head nodding quickly.

  “Good, we have a deal then?” Our hands were still stuck together, so I gave it another tentative shake. The motion spooked him, but he quickly responded with more energy.

  “Yeah, I can do that. Definitely. I’ll make sure to show you the ropes and everything. You’ll be an expert by the weeks end.” He said with far too much gusto.

  Please don’t… Despite my imminent mental breakdown, I smiled. “That would be incredible, Tom. Now… I don’t mean to end our conversation early, but… shouldn’t we be joining back up with the group?”

  His face paled. His widened. “Oh… Oh! Yes, we should!” He pretty much bolted after them but paused after a couple of steps to look back. At least he wasn’t a total asshole and had the courtesy to look after me…

  I caught up and we jogged back to the group, together. As we closed, somebody shouted. Terada came out of the group and looked at me, then Tom, then back to me.

  “Are you okay? We were beginning to think we lost you.”

  His tone just worried me more, as well as Tom’s reaction. The swirling mist seemed ever ominous, and I had a feeling, I never wanted to traverse the city at night alone.

  Still, I gave a low chuckle. “It was nothing, I was just having a small conversation with Tom here.”

  “Oh? Really?” His gaze moved to Tom. With Terada’s gaze on him, Tom was wilting like a flower in the sun. “About what?” He asked, finally looking back to me.

  “He wanted to apologize for putting me in such a bind. Isn’t that, right?” I jabbed him with my elbow, right in the waist.

  “Huh, uh, yeah! I wanted to apologize for my poor behavior. I made a mistake, and I couldn’t rest until I made it right.”

  Terada, clearly didn’t buy the bullshit. But, he didn’t question it either. A win in my book.

  “Very well, just don’t get lost. I’d hate for something to happen to you on your first day.” He said that, looking at me, and completely ignoring Tom. I really wanted to sigh… Why couldn’t anything be easy? Not just that, but hadn’t enough happened on my first day?

  He didn’t bother waiting for a response before corralling the group and heading back towards the office. After all, today was still my first day…

  I hate my life.