Disclaimer: I do not own RK.
~o~o~o~
She combed her hair upward to clasp it in one ponytail. After tying it with the band, she covered it with the hair net as required in the workplace. She made sure no single strand would fall off – or she would have to do a lot of explaining for that. It's for hygienic purposes, and as ordered by management.
"Kamiya!", the angry supervisor marched from the kitchen door. "Why are still standing there? Go and boil the pasta as ordered!", he banged the order slip onto the steel countertop.
"Yes, boss…", she answered passively. Her eyes rolled in sheer sarcasm.
Kaoru got used to this treatment by Mr. Hanya. But after months of working with him as her boss, she still doesn't understand why in the world he needs to shout – like all the time. Doesn't he ever get tired of it? She even wondered why he was still alive. With that temper of his, Mr. Hanya could easily get a heart attack.
"Seems like you're it for today, huh, Kaoru?", a familiar rooster head entered the busy kitchen with both hands occupied by food trays.
"What's new?" Kaoru gushed and grabbed another order slip from him.
"Two orders of Hawaiian pizza – and one with extra cheese!", Sanosuke mimicked the estranged supervisor's tingly voice.
She laughed softly. Good thing she had a good workmate in Sano. Sure, he can be tardy at times but the tall guy could really deliver. Give him a task and he'll do it in a flash. Quite rhyming, isn't it?
Having Sano and all the other workers as her friends eased Kaoru's everyday stress at the restaurant. It doesn't pay really well, just enough for their monthly expenses. But she couldn't complain, really. The economy these days is not very accommodating to undergraduates like her. And also the inflation rate, and the price of crude oil, and the stock market – she could practically blame it on anything. But then Kaoru realized the work at the restaurant is still better than nothing at all.
As she grated some parmesan cheese on top of the ordered pizza, Kaoru noticed that her friend Mayo is busy doing something else – again.
"Mayo!", she approached the brown-haired teenager to check what she was doing. The younger girl almost jumped in surprise.
Mayo was secretly putting some leftover foods – those that were cooked in excess – on her lunch bag. She's been doing that for quite some time now. She would bring the food home to her family. However, it was strictly against company policy – and all workers are fully aware of that.
"Didn't I tell you to stop stealing food? You've already been reprimanded twice." Kaoru put her hands on the waist and gave her usual lecture.
"But – it's not stealing. They would throw the food away regardless.", the nervous Mayo answered in defiance.
"I know… and I understand you. I'm not so sure if it's the same case with Mr. Hanya. Now, please…"
Kaoru saw the shock written all over Mayo's face. Her chestnut eyes widened and she trembled even more.
"M-mi… Mister Hanya..", Mayo said shakily.
Kaoru turned around to see her boss' long face near her.
"Will you get out of the way, Kamiya?", the middle-aged antagonist crossed his arms and eyed Kaoru from head to toe.
Kaoru stepped aside and allowed the supervisor to come near Mayo. His brows crinkled as he stared at the lunch bag she was holding.
"How many times do I need to tell you that stealing food from the company is extremely punishable, huh, Mayo?", his voice sounded controlled and just waiting to explode.
Mayo was speechless, and she could not look at the boss directly. She bowed her head lower.
"You answer me right now or I will have to force you!", Mr. Hanya angrily slammed his hand on the table.
Mayo jolted in fear – and embarrassment. Everyone in the kitchen was already looking at their commotion. So much for the secrecy.
Kaoru remained still as her friend shook in the verge of crying. Sure, what Mayo did was wrong. But he didn't have to humiliate her like that.
"No answer, ne? Okay, so here's the deal – why don't you go to your locker, collect your things, and then leave. For good!", Mr. Hanya pointed at the workers' locker area.
"I repeat, for goo – ", his distinct voice wanted to reiterate.
"Hold it!", Kaoru cut him off with her firm voice. She was gazing angrily at the inconsiderate bastard pretending to be their superior.
"You don't have to fire her for that. It's unfair!", she almost shouted in frustration.
"Oh really?", the boss turned on an amazed smile. "How's that unfair, Kamiya?"
"We're going to throw the food anyway. So what difference does it make for Mayo to actually bring the leftovers at home?"
"Clever." Mr. Hanya held his chin. "So how do you suppose we resolve this issue then?"
"Don't fire her. You know how much she needs this job."
"And you don't?"
Oh Kami, give me the patience to stand this bastard for a minute longer. Kaoru gritted her teeth at his implication.
"So what is it, Kamiya? I fire her, you stay. Or she stays, and I –", Mr. Hanya raised a brow at the insufferable woman who dared to stand up against his authority.
Mayo grabbed Kaoru's apron and looked her in the eyes. The young girl's worried face changed Kaoru's mood. Mayo shook her head to indirectly tell her to stop. But Kaoru is far from any person who will let herself be stooped upon. She's a born fighter and she'll stand her ground.
"Fine!", Kaoru untied the back of her apron. "You don't need to fire me, because I resign!"
"Kaoru – no!", the soft-spoken Mayo almost cried.
"It's okay, Mayo. I should've done this earlier." Kaoru smiled and held her friend's hand to assure her everything is alright.
"So it's a deal! I resign, Mayo stays. Fair enough, boss?" Kaoru turned to face the now-speechless Hanya. She emphasized that last word however disgusting it sounded on her lips. It was the last time she'll say that anyway.
Kaoru removed her hair net as well and proceeded to collect her things from the locker. And just like that, she became unemployed – again.
~o~o~o~
"What? You resigned?" Misao's thin voice almost screamed out her disbelief. The apple juice she was drinking almost spilled over.
"It's a shame to admit it, but yes – I did." Kaoru suddenly felt the impact of her impulsive decision.
They were dining at the building cafeteria, where Misao is working as an executive assistant. A personal secretary, in short.
"But Kaoru… that was your third job in six months!" Misao waved one hand in the air to emphasize her disappointment.
"I know.", Kaoru pouted and heaved a sigh.
"You complained about your manager's favouritism on your first job. Then the salary issue on the second. And now this? Really, Kaoru. Something must be wrong with you."
"But what can I do? My boss would fire Mayo if I didn't take over. She badly needs the job to continue her father's medications."
"And you don't?" Misao raised a brow – she was still far from convinced.
"You know – you're already sounding like that notorious Hanya guy." Kaoru frowned while she took a bite on the egg sandwich.
"Oh, c'mon Kaoru. I'm just worried about you and your brother. How will you save money for his schooling? He'll be in college next spring."
"Now that you've mentioned it… I don't know, Misao." Kaoru slammed her forehead with her palm. "How can I be so stupid? I can't let Yahiko be like me – and end up like me. I need to do anything to see to it he'll finish his studies."
"Exactly my point." Misao said briefly after making her friend realize. She continued to sip on the glass of apple juice.
"Oh no! What do I do? Where and how do I find a decent, good-paying job?" Now, both her palms cupped her cheeks.
"I know!", Misao's passiveness turned into the usual enthusiasm and she snapped a finger excitedly.
"Know what?" Kaoru was dumbfounded.
"My boss is actually looking for someone to work for him – personally. He's looking for a personal nanny to his 7-year old son. What do you think?", the petite girl grinned as if her friend was thrilled as she was.
"What? A nanny?" It was Kaoru's turn to increase the volume of her voice.
"Precisely! My boss is looking for someone with a soft and caring heart for children. You see, Kaoru, his child has this behavioural condition. What do you call it? It's on the tip of my tongue – "
Kaoru's lips suddenly parted as she absorbed every word Misao said. She must be joking, really.
"I forgot the term. Anyways, my boss has been spending his free time looking for the right person to do the job. And I heard, he'd be willing to give high compensation for it. So – would you like to give it a try?"
Kaoru smiled a fake smile. "Me as a baby sitter? A big no, Misao. I've had enough raising Yahiko on my own. My stress level is already on its quota."
"But Kaoru – " Misao's brows furrowed once more. She needs to convince her best friend to give baby sitting a try.
After all, Kaoru had practically tried all sorts of jobs – from dishwashing at a fastfood chain, working at a bookstore, even cooking made-to-order dishes even if she wasn't born to be in the kitchen. Kaoru had been through it all – mostly by herself. So what's holding her back now? It's just one 7-year old child, for Kami's sake!
"I don't need to repeat myself Misao. Maybe I'll try clerical work this time. I heard there's a job fair at Keito this weekend." Kaoru crumpled the table napkin after consuming her meal.
Misao looked at her best friend disapprovingly. She thought her boss' job is the best fit for Kaoru. But she can be hard-headed at times.
"Oh – I almost forgot the time." Misao looked at her watch only to find out she was five minutes late for the afternoon's meeting.
"I need to go, Kaoru. Call me up if you need anything, okay?"
"Okay. Thanks for the lunch treat!" She smiled and allowed her friend to vacate the seat.
"By the way, here's my boss' calling card." She gave Kaoru their company's standard business card.
"What for?", the unemployed lady was confused.
"In case you change your mind." Misao smiled before leaving the cafeteria.
Kaoru watched as her friend slowly disappeared from sight. As she prepared to leave, Kaoru read the name embossed on the calling card:
Himura, Kenshin
Executive Vice-President for Marketing
Hiten Group of Companies
~o~o~o~
A/N: This story just came up and I had to write it down before I forget. Hope you'll find interest in this story. Thanks for your time =)