The Yamaku Foundation
Fraternising
~Hisao's POV~
I feel vaguely like a rat as I traverse the tunnels beneath the deceptive main building in search of my new work station, not least of which because of orientation. The foundation does not mince words. I have learned of thirty ways to disappear off the face of the Earth before so much as seeing a Euclid- or Keter-class aberration. My co-workers have proved similarly elusive, but Mutou was sure to inform me that I would get to know them well over the course of my time here. Possibly offsite for the moment, then.
Another intimidating thought occurs to me. The situation is still fresh in my mind, but my peers have had two extra years to acclimatise. How will I be able to integrate with them, then? It's an unusual thought to have in this environment, but I have heard that dangerous things happen to the sanity of people who spend too long cloistered away without friends. My musings are interrupted as I arrive at my office. A quick analysis reveals that it's technically the office of Shizune Hakamichi and Shiina Mikado, since they have seniority over me. After all, my name is not actually listed next to the door yet. I spend time glancing listlessly at the directions in my hands. It proves to be underwhelming entertainment, so I put them away and resort to idle reflection. If nothing else, my experiences in the hospital have given me practice.
I hear brazen laughter originating from down the corridor. Arching an eyebrow, I spare a glance at the source and am met with a bubbly-looking girl with golden eyes. Her most striking feature, however, is her vividly pink hair formed into drills at the front. My impression is that she is cute, but overbearingly cheerful. She is signing and looking to her right. I follow her gaze to see a similarly cute girl who is much more restrained in appearance and posture. Her hair is shorter and a pair of oval glasses sits atop her delicate nose, covering eyes that, on closer inspection, drift between curiosity and boredom. I cannot discern the contents of the conversation, but my attempts are noted - the girl on the right sees me observing their hands and approaches me.
I ask if they are Hakamichi and Mikado. The pink-haired girl laughs heartily, which is not particularly courteous, before nodding in affirmation and continuing the introduction.
"Yes! You don't need to be so formal, though. Feel free to call us Misha and Shicchan~!"She says, pointing to the respective people. A blush adorns the face of 'Shicchan' as she silently issues what appears to be a hasty correction. Misha passes the message on to me.
"Perhaps Shizune would be more appropriate?" Shizune visibly relaxes, supporting this claim.
"That would be more comfortable." I conclude. Misha continues with her introduction.
"Shicchan's deaf, so I sign things back and forth for her. I'm like an interpreter~!" I'd have thought she was an interpreter, but perhaps she doesn't consider herself one because she doesn't act in an official capacity. They give the impression of being close friends despite their apparent differences, so Shizune probably goes through professional translators when talking to command. Perhaps she is used to people not looking at her when she is 'speaking', but I feel bad about focusing mostly on Misha. My instincts are not very helpful here. Almost as an afterthought, Misha asks if I am Hisao Nakai, which I confirm. I figured they were operating under the assumption that I was, given my current location and the fact that I am expected to refer to them so casually.
"We knew there was going to be a new arrival, but we didn't know you would be here today. So soon! So~, Hicchan!" I cannot stress how much I dislike that nickname. I communicate this to Misha via an unamused stare that seems to dampen her spirits a little bit. "Come on, it fits~! You look just like I imagined!" I look to Shizune, who is smiling wryly at me. She seems to agree with Misha. I sigh.
"Why does everyone think I look like a Hicchan?" If my question was heard by Misha, she shows no indication of it. Shizune withdraws a key and opens the office, gesturing for me to enter. I hesitate. It is rude for a man to enter first, even if directed to, but Shizune's expression and outstretched hand do not shift. I decide to obey, if only to prevent her from standing in what must be a fairly uncomfortable position, and take a seat next to the most barren desk available. It proves to be the correct choice, as Shizune takes the opposite desk and Misha sits in the middle. Having officially registered on the foundation, I am able to go straight to work proofreading SCP entries and test logs. It is very menial work, for which I am grateful. I'm sure I will come to hate the monotony, but with luck I will have become trusted and experienced enough to deal with SCPs more directly by that point. At the very least, Misha seems to be enjoying work, even if her cheer is exaggerated.
I cease to hear typing from the direction of Shizune and Misha. After examining one last paragraph, I look at them and see that Shizune is signing. Misha's automatic translation is impressive, even if I am already paying scarce attention to it.
"Shicchan wants to know how much of the building you've seen!" That stumps me for a moment. I have been here for less than two days and my first day was orientation, which she would have gone through as well. What time would I have had to see anything else other than this office? I voice this sentiment.
"You must have had breaks at some point, Hicchan!" Though her tone changes with every other word anyway, I get the impression that Misha is not amused. Then again, the content is being relayed directly from Shizune. Judging from how serious she looks, it is not surprising that she would be the kind of person to use a break to scout out the perimeter. Perhaps she should just take up reading.
"Yes." I consider elaborating that I'd prefer to avoid the possibility of getting lost, but that would be equivalent to admitting a poor sense of direction, which I am disinclined to do in front of relative strangers. Especially those who are essentially challenging me. My succinct answer has the intended effect, preventing Misha and Shizune from formulating a response for long enough that they decide to simply drop the line of inquiry and move on.
"Do you have plans for lunch?" Are they trying to drag me into something?
"Not really." Unfortunately, I sunk my chance to have time to myself when I conceded that I haven't had time to set anything up.
"Would you like to have lunch together then?" That's pretty forward of them and not what I would have expected, but then I am a co-worker now and it wouldn't hurt for us to try and start off on the right foot.
"Sure." I am very laconic today. Misha brightens up a little more at my answer and I am led off at a blazing pace by the two of them. Misha and Shizune contrast a lot, but one thing they certainly have in common is energy - certainly moreso than me, after being cooped up in a hospital for months. Fortunately, the exercise is not strenuous enough for me to have an episode, and I do not wish to tell them to slow down on account of my condition. Maybe when I get to know them better.
We end up in the break room, having beaten most of the traffic by virtue of arriving early. Shizune looks vaguely annoyed as she gestures for me to join a group of four girls who have already made themselves comfortable around an open pizza box. I am surprised to see one of them close the box with her feet, but more surprised to see a pizza appear when she raises the lid. Interesting...there seems to be no policy against using SCPs for the betterment of mankind, even for a loose enough definition that includes a good meal. The tallest of the girls clears her throat. It seems introductions are in order again.