One More Chance

Reminiscence 2: Interview

"Sakura-san, how is your health? I'm so sorry to hear about your guardian's death. If you need any help, you can always approach me," Mikan's lecturer said worriedly to Mikan. "Since you have been absented for a few months, there are a lot of things for you to catch up. Your final examinations are around the corner and you need to do well, in order to graduate smoothly."

"I understand. Thank you," Mikan said softly and bowed to her lecturer politely before leaving the staffroom.

Mikan strolled out of the campus and decided to talk a walk along the busy street in the nearby city. She fished out the contact card and took a look at it. For some reason, she was attracted to that stranger who had helped her a few days ago. She knew that she should get a part-time job to start saving up the money that she owed him. It would be very tough though.

All of a sudden, a saleswoman blocked her way and asked politely, "Excuse me, Miss. Would you like to try out our latest gadget? It is designed by our famous entrepreneur, Yoichi Hijiri. In case you don't know him, he is..."

"I know him! He's great, isn't he?" Mikan chirped happily.

The saleswoman cupped her own face and said dreamily, "Of course! Since you know him, why don't you try out his gadget? You will not regret for doing so."

"I wish to but I... I need to find a part-time job as soon as possible," Mikan made out an excuse.

The saleswoman looked at Mikan disappointedly and apologised, "Oh, I'm so sorry. Please do stop by and try out the latest gadgets the next time, Miss."

Mikan nodded and was prepared to walk away but a voice stopped her, "Hey, you!"

Shocked by that sudden voice, Mikan instinctively paced up. Footsteps could be heard running towards her and she slowly turned her head around in fear. She nearly gasped when she realised who that person was. Yes, it was Yoichi Hijiri. She blushed and immediately stopped walking. She bowed and greeted him while he stared at her with one eyebrow rose in curiousity.

"Sorry, I accidentally eavesdropped your conversation with my employee. I wonder if you would like to work part-time in my company like giving out leaflets. We need students who are willing to work with us," Yoichi said.

Mikan's heart beat faster. How much should she owe him? First, it was helping her to pay her hospital bills and second, it was giving her a part-time job. Mikan shook her head and rejected his kind offer but Yoichi still insisted in employing her.

"I will pay you five hundred dollars per month. How's that?" Yoichi bargained.

"I can't. I've owe you too much," Mikan retorted.

Yoichi stared at her questionably and queried, "You did? I don't remember anyone owing me things."

Mikan was dumbfounded. Yoichi had totally forgotten who she was! Her heart sank.

"I've owed you three thousand and forty-five dollars, and I want to pay you back as soon as possible," Mikan said.

Yoichi laughed, "Oh really? I did help you? Oh sorry! I usually don't remember who I have helped. Pardon me, little girl."

"It's okay."

"If you really want to return back the money which you owe me, then I have an idea. If you work for me, you will not receive your salary for seven months so that you can smoothly pay off your debts to me. What about that, little girl?"

Mikan liked that idea so without a second thought, she agreed excitedly to him.

Yoichi smiled at her eagerness and said, "Great! Go to my office and I will interview you. I need your particulars so please follow me."

Yoichi led her the way into his shop and then, into his office. They sat opposite to each other and Yoichi began asking her questions.

"Your name?"

"Mikan Sakura."

"I think you need your parents' or guardian's consent."

"Sorry, I have no parents and guardian. They had passed away."

Yoichi widened his eyes and apologised, "I'm sorry about that. I have forgotten about your situation. However, I'm impressed to see such an independent little girl. I thought nowadays, government will send young orphans to the orphanage. I guessed it's not true at all."

"No, it's true," Mikan corrected him. "But I'm an adult so there's no need for me to go there."

Yoichi laughed again, "Oh, you are so typical! Nowadays, teenagers love to say that they are already adults when they aren't yet. That's so funny but that's fine with me. I used to think like that too."

He grinned from ear to ear, making Mikan flinched. He looked so dazzling when he smiled. Mikan brushed off that thought and realised that Yoichi had mistaken her as a teenager.

"Sorry, Hijiri-san. I'm 20 years old," she said sheepishly.

Before that, Yoichi was sipping a cup of coffee but upon hearing those words, he spluttered the coffee out from his mouth and asked loudly, "What? You are 20 years old? I... I... I thought you... you are 15 years old!"

Mikan nodded her head and stared at him disappointedly. How could he mistake her as a teenager?

Yoichi's face grew red in embarrassment and coughed to hide his obvious reaction, "Okay. I'm sorry. You are really an adult. Geez! You look so... young!"

Mikan laughed shyly, "I shall take that as a compliment, Hijiri-san."

"You better ought to, Sakura-san."

They laughed like they had been old friends, though that was their second time meeting each other. Yoichi filed up her particulars and explained all the rules and regulations in his office. Once Mikan got it, she was dismissed and she continued her walk around the street. As for Yoichi, he continued writing his proposals- asking for investments from other companies for his next upcoming project.

Hi guys, thanks for reading up to Chapter 2. Please review. I don't mind criticisms but they have to be constructive. I wish to get some reviews before continuing to the next chapter. A simple review is more than welcomed too! Reviews will motivate me to work harder, write better and update faster! Thank you! :)

Next, I would like to thank those who had reviewed Chapter 1. Thanks for all those encouragements. Hope to hear more from you again! :D

Here are the responses:

- Casey marian: Thank you! :)
- GakuenAliceLover: Yeah! Thanks for reviewing! :)
- EmoLover: Thanks! I have corrected that. :)

Lastly, I would also like to thank those who had story alerted and favourited this story. I am so touched! :'D