My epic life.
What makes life interesting? What do great stories have that my life lacks? Are there any chances that a story in which the main character works, has meals and goes to the toilet can be entertaining? Well… I guess I should not bother with such questions anyway, I am not getting late to work again…
Those were the thoughts of Kurosaki Ichigo, a 17 years old boy bestowed with no greater power than putting up with an ordinary person's routine and with no nobler mission than paying his bills with the few pennies he receives. Ichigo turned away from the mirror, laughing at himself for being so naïve… he was right, who on world would want to peek on his life?
Sleepily, Ichigo rubbed the towel along his legs so as to finishing drying from the shower he took. He was short on time, unless he hurried his routines and left home as soon as possible this would be the third time in a row he gets late to work.
"Ichi-nii! Dad has already left, he said you'll have to get the bus." A faint voice could be heard through the toilet's sturdy door.
What a pain… Now I will really be late, that stupid old man could have waited a little longer…
Ichigo opened the door in annoyance, letting the steam of his hot shower escape from the bathroom as he bolted towards his bedroom with a towel wrapped around his waist. Disregarding any peculiarities of such a unique bright day over the window, the boy dressed up quickly in his suit, packed his bag and closed the door of his bedroom. It would be another day, more of the same.
Copiously, Ichigo went through his daily obstacles: making him some breakfast, small talking with his sisters, brushing his teeth, leaving home, talking about the weather in the bus stop and waving a half-baked 'good morning' to his mates at work.
It all was a pain, but practice brought him the prowess not to ever falter in distancing himself from people and walking past life, as any good citizen is expected to do in order to maintain harmony in society.
"Hey, Ichigo… what's going to be today's excuse, I wonder?" Ishida Uryuu, one of Ichigo's mates, and a rather picky one, asked in a teasing tone.
"Ishida… I just got up late. Why do you ask?" Ichigo replied while turning on his notebook.
"I guess even you could figure that Mr. Grimmjow is not a tad happy with your punctuality." Ishida smirked provocatively.
"Well then, it's something to be sorted between us. Any other business of yours here?" Ichigo decided to not make any effort towards being polite.
"Hmmpf! Someone must be in a bad mood today. He wanted to see you as soon as you arrived." Ishida went back to his seat leaving the message he was meant to deliver.
What a pain… what does he want so early in the morning? I hope it's fast, I still have to finish that presentation he asked me to format or else both of us will get in trouble with the director.
Ichigo headed towards a door bearing a metallic plaque with 'Mr. Grimmjow' carved in it with a brief description below 'Product development manager'. As Ichigo knocked on the door an allowance for his entrance was uttered in no time. Opening the door revealed the figure of a young blue-haired man, dressed in suit, sat behind a notebook laying on his sturdy wooden table.
"Good morning Kurosaki!" Said Grimmjow smiling in good mood.
"Good morning Mr. Grimmjow! Sorry for being late, it won't happen again!" Ichigo feigned a cheerful warm tone to his greeting while taking a seat before his boss.
"It's nice to see you are fine today, some people came to me claiming you were a bit depressed lately. Is there anything you want to talk?" Grimmjow showed his worries for Ichigo, completely forgetting about the boy's apology.
Depressed? No… I wouldn't say that, it's not that I am happy either, I am just… normal… I guess.
"Oh… No, I am sure they must have been mistaken, I am quite the same everyday" Ichigo replied after clearing the doubt that popped in his mind.
"Really? Well, that's a relief, you look so much better when cheerful as you are now. I have already told you that although I am your boss I also want to be a friend for you, if you need any help speak up, Ok?" Grimmjow spoke looking directly to Ichigo's eyes.
He always says that… sometimes it creeps me that he is so caring to me, after all I am nothing but an assistant and he's a manager.
"Now, as for getting late, I will ask for your collaboration… I don't want to take action about it, but as a manager I can't avoid it if it's too abusive. Now, how is it going with that presentation? Mr. Shuuhei needed to anticipate it due to other appointments and we have less than an hour." Grimmjow put a serious expression as he changed the conversation's subject.
Ichigo gulped as he heard Grimmjow's words. He was, in fact, not quite close to finishing it. Despite his efforts to hide his panic, Grimmjow could glance at the boy's despair.
"Mr. Grimmjow, I am sorry, I still have some work to do on it. If I may go now I shall take it on immediately." Ichigo stood up and nodded his head to Grimmjow, seeking permission to leave.
With a sigh Grimmjow moved his eyes to his screen and nodded slightly to Ichigo. The boy bolted towards his desk and resumed his work from the previous day. Haste, despair, fear, confusion, boredom and drowsiness sprung on his face as he typed and bent his mouse with intensity.
"Wow! Looks like someone is in a pinch, huh?" Ichigo continued working as there was no need to do any investigation to realize it was Abarai Renji, one of his hierarchically higher mates, who talked.
"You seem busy too, Renji." Ichigo replied sarcastically
"How do you tell that? You aren't even looking at me… Jesus, what happened there?" Renji stopped his mocking and asked curiously
"Abarai, Kurosaki must have been threatened by Mr. Grimmjow and now is trying to make up for it. Am I right Ichigo?" This time it was Hanatarou, another assistant just like him, speaking with no ill-intention. Ichigo ignored both, however.
"You two, let him be. This guy is in bad mood today, I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up throwing his notebook on you after some more mocking." Ishida said with a smirk on his face.
Damn… I won't have enough time… these idiots keep distracting me… I wonder what Mr. Grimmjow will do if I don't get it on time…
Ichigo felt a sudden pat on his shoulder and turned his face to glance at the bastard who was interrupting him in such a dreadful situation. Before he could utter a single swear, he glimpsed at a young man's face tattooed with the number 69.
"M-Mr. Shuuhei, good morning! Is it time yet?" Sweat dripped down Ichigo's forehead and his hands trembled at the sight of director Hisagi Shuuhei before him.
"Good morning, Ichigo! I had to come earlier today, yet another appointment, but I decided not to postpone our meeting in respect to the work you and Grimmjow have been developing. I am anxious to see it. Shall we go?" Hisagi smiled as his hand rested on Ichigo's shoulder.
Even though the director was so kind to Ichigo, it did not relieve him from the burden of having to deliver his presentation. Now, however, the burden was even heavier, he was also guilty of letting Hisagi down after witnessing the director's consideration towards his efforts.
"Oh… ok, I am about to finish… Just let me save it real quick and I will head there." Ichigo tried to hide his despair as much as possible. Hisagi nodded and left towards Grimmjow's room, unsuspicious of Ichigo's situation.
Ok… I am fired, there's no way I am getting out of this untouched… What a pain!
Ichigo walked towards the room holding his notebook. He knocked on the door as if it would be the last time he could enjoy Grimmjow's care and Hisagi's kindness, both were so sweet and considerate… Now Ichigo was going to let them down and try their sourness for the first time.
"Come in Ichigo!" Said Grimmjow cheerfully.
