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Chapter 2
I stumbled home, wrecked by the constant demands of work. The news of my placement had spread through the building, and I had endured congratulatory drinks and a celebratory dinner.
Pulling off my tie and jacket, I tossed them to the chair next to me. I smiled, another drink would not hurt. Walking over to the bar, I pulled out a glass and filled it to the brim with vodka.
It was genuine Russian apple vodka; there were actual apple peels in the alcohol. Warmth crept down my throat. I do not get drunk easily, perhaps it is a holdover from the old days. During college, I was able to knock back drinks with the best of them...at least during the weekends. Indeed I enjoyed it immensely, one of those vices I allow myself.
However, there were more important things to deal with. I had kept a quiet eye on each of the Sailor Senshi over the years. I now knew their names, residences, and their current locations. The vaunted Sailor Mercury, Ami Mizuno, had become an exchange student to America, attending the California Institute of Technology. She was a student of chemistry, pursuing her dream to become a doctor. She was barely an hour away from my location and that thought made me grin idiotically.
Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus had attended Tokyo University, both studying political science. Rei Hino had almost gone on to theological school at the University of Chicago, but decided to pursue those studies, along with an emphasis on business, at Tokyo University as well. Makoto Kino had equally almost gone away to America, thinking about attending the San Francisco Academy of the Culinary Arts. However, she had gone instead to study in France at the Sorbonne. The senshi had done quite well for themselves, lessening the pain of losing to them long ago.
In returning to Japan, I would be dealing with only three of them, but I had heard rumors of other senshi. I had yet to confirm their existence but I did not doubt it. However, I was fairly sure that most of them were not in the immediate area. I had to minimize contact with them, were they to recognize me. It might be a bit difficult, but ceratinly manageable. Right?
I lifted the phone and dialed a few numbers, "Mr Chairman? Hi, this is Ryan Kaitou. I will accept. Ms. Anison and I are at your service."
Rei performed her duties with care. Even with other priestesses, she felt the obligation to sweep the temple grounds every morning by herself. In a way, it gave her spiritual peace from the hectic life of college partying and studies. It also hid her restlessness at finding a job.
She didn;t want to run the temple forever and a college degree no longer assured a job in Japan. With her graduation coming within a couple of months, she needed some sort of security amongst the increasing unemployment rates that wracked her homeland. Rei supposed that she could look overseas, but competition from American universities was stiff. She grimaced, a painful gesture on her normally beautiful features.
However, her mind soon wandered to other matters. The senshi had not faced a single enemy for many years. Indeed, their experience in university had been a wonderful one, with each of the girls pursuing her dreams. Ami was due back from California in less than a month, having graduating early to work for an American biotechnology firm's Japan branch. Mako had recieved commission as an assistant chef at a high class restaurant in the Ginza and had already moved back into her old apartment. However, Makoto had expressed some dismay with the cooking world, finding it too elitist for her grounded personality. She had cultivated a serious interest in botany and ecology in France, and had decided to investigate that line of work more closely.
The two other inner senshi, Usagi and Minako, were graduating along side Rei, but each of them had more concrete plans than she. Usagi would stay in Tokyo University for another few years, pursuing a graduate degree in public and social policy. The vaunted Sailor Moon had found her calling in governmental studies, aiming at the surest route into politics.
Minako was examining business school, and perhaps law as well. The international arena held many attractions to her, and she had aggressively scouted out opportunities and internships among companies. At the last moment, a British bank had had an opening for a junior analyst.
The temple robes fell softly over her arms and she pushed them up again, to gain more freedom to sweep. Mina-chan had promised to help her in the job search. She hoped that something would turn up.
I fidgeted slightly straightening my tie and wondering whether or not I ought to take it off. The staff already there, setting up for my arrival.
"Ryan, you look fine!"
I looked at Dana, "I thought I was Mr. Kaitou!"
"Only in the office, sir. Don't even give me that superiority crap. Besides, I'm technically not your secretary anymore."
"Yeah, I gave you your current job. I'm almost regretting it. I'll need to get a new secretary won't I?"
"No, that's my job. I'm the 'Director of Human Resources.' Essentially more responsibilities with the same pay."
"Don't whine, the company is paying for your housing."
"Prices in Japan are insane too. I'm going to starve."
"Stop complaining or I'll demote you."
She scrunched her nose up and stared forward, "Why do I bother being friends with you?"
"Because you can't fight the irresistable force of my personality?"
"Because you're completely helpless without me. I take pity on you."
"Right. That's what I really meant."
"Exactly. Are you gonna teach me Japanese already?"
I smiled, "Alright. Repeat after me...."
The dreams came back, haunting my rest. Even as I faced Beryl the third time, I could not fight the incessant fear that accompanied each passing.
'Could it be a vision? Or simply a dream'
I bore no illusions. My sensitivity to such things had tipped me off before and I would not disregard them now.
After two hours, I awoke to the smell of coffee and danishes. "Hey boss, eat something. You need your strength."
I felt like had been chewing a block of salt. My mouth was dry and my teeth hurt, "What time is it?"
"About five o'clock Japan time. I just recieved a call from our liason on the ground. He is waiting for you at dinner."
"Perfect. When can I coordinate with my senior staff?"
"They are on the ground already. They didn't have to deal with that unfortunate detour through Hawaii."
"I suppose not. Call them up. I want to make sure that everything is working before I get to the airport."
Dana dialled a number, listened for a moment, "Here you go."
The voice of my vice president of sales came through loud and clear, "Mr. Kaitou?"
"Hey Jerry, what's going on?"
"Well, we've managed to scout around for a regional sales manager. Dana will have to clear her first, but we're liking what we see. Also, Sima is flying in to help us set up our marketing department."
"Right. Do we have any problems with language interfacing?"
"Not yet. The senior staff and I are learning Japanese quickly. We'll be acclimatized soon."
"Good. I need you guys to expand our customer base here."
"You're the Chief Evangelical Officer. You convince them!"
I smiled, "Of course. At any rate, we're landing soon. I'll talk to you later."
"Rei! Are you ready?"
Rei struggled with a stiletto heel, "I'll never understand how I manage to handle these when I'm fighting someone."
Minako collapsed on her bed, "They're not so bad. I've heard that they're rather useful for hitting people with. At any rate, I heard that an American company is opening shop in the Ginza. I forget the name, but they're looking for people to help flesh out their divisions."
"Really? I wonder how they managed to get anything at a reasonable price down there."
The blonde grinned, "Well, word on the street has it that the CEO of the company is a genius businessman. He has major contacts, with massive presence in Japan and East Asia."
Rei whistled, "That's impressive. How did he get past the import tariffs?"
"Simple. You remember our first business class right? Well, when he was only Chief Operating Officer, he made personal visits to the major car and computer manufacturers to sell his first organizational programs. He's a master salesman and he can charge whatever he wants, because no one can come close to his street cred."
"Wow. This guy is high powered. So what is the game plan?"
Mina cracked a grin, "Again, simple. You walk in and demand an interview. You have a resume ready right?"
Rei smiled, "One in my purse at all times."
"Righto. Let's head out."
The two girls walked out of the temple compound to Mina's car. It was a cute red Honda convertible, something that readily attracted college aged guys. However, neither of them had had held a steady boyfriend over the past few years, eschewing their male counterparts as immature and perverted. Given some of the deviant material about the sailor senshi they looked at, she was inclined to agree. The short skirts did not help the situation.
Rei smiled wryly. She had transformed only once in the past seven years, to feel once again the power coursing through her fingertips. In a way, she missed the feeling of fighting evil and being an important part of the workings of society. But she enjoyed her civilian life, relishing every moment of her newly found free time.
"Thinking?"
"Yeah. About the old days. You know, when we were saving the world every other day or so?"
"You actually miss those days?"
"Well, I miss the comradery. With Haruka and Michiru with Hotaru gone in America, and the various other senshi spread over the world, I'm just sorta missing that closeness we once had."
"The inner senshi will be together soon. Mako is already back and Ami will be home soon. Isn't that something?"
"I suppose so. But somehow, I feel this pall falling over me."
Minako turned a corner suddenly, "Something else is bothering you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've known you for quite a while Rei. I would be a pretty bad friend if I didn't notice things like this. But tell me, what's going on?"
Rei shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "I saw something in the fire a few days ago."
Minako's hands tightened about the wheel, "What did you see?"
"I'm not sure. The presence....it was familiar."
"Any ideas who it might have been? Do we have to go back to short skirts and jumpers?"
Rei smiled broadly, "I dont think so. He's not malevolent, just....tortured."
"It's a he? Ami's old boyfriend, Ryo?"
"Nope, not him. I distinctly remember his signature. This one was definitely different."
"Crap. The senshi may actually have to do something about this. Ami will be back very soon, so I'll call a meeting of the inner senshi."
"Thanks. This sort of thing I'm not particularly good at dealing with. But we need to do something and soon."
Minako flashed her a confident smile, "Hey, it's going to be taken care of! Don;t worry about a thing."
"Don't worry about a thing she says. We've got a business to run here dammit!"
Dana laughed, "Done with your daily rant, sir?"
I grinned, "Yup. Alright. We need to get things rolling. I want a ten minute meeting scheduled with all employees to outline mission, strategy, and purpose. We'll do this by the book."
"Right sir. I'll send out the memo now."
"Good. Next, I need a secretary. Dana?"
"Already on it. We've got lots of prospects. I'll screen them first, and then you can have your pick of the lot."
"Good. Have you coordinated with sales?"
"Yes. I've detailed some interviewers to both sales and marketting. We've actually already got some people into the ranks. Recruiting at the local universities is going well also."
"Jerry?"
The Vice President of Sales smiled, "Integration has been easier than I expected. Our sales trainers have gotten out the first batch already and they're hitting the corporations. Overseas is business as usual. We haven;t had much time to expand over there, but we'll be remedying that soon."
"Remember to keep me informed. Marketing?"
Sima leaned back and smiled easily at me. An old friend of mine from Stanford, he had gotten me entangled in this damned mess. Despite his seniority over me, he had no aspirations to the highest office, electing to resign in a couple of months and give birth to another start up. Only my intervention had convinced him to stay on for just a bit longer to ease the transition. "Marketing is fine. We've signed on several good people who know the East Asian markets better than we do."
"Cool. Alright people, I have some calls to make. This time tomorrow we meet again. I want a day by day progress report until this company has picked itself up off the floor. Get to work."
Dana stayed for a moment after the rest had cleared out, "Boss, I'll have them screened by tomorrow. We've got about twenty applicants, so my work is cut out for me."
"Are you complaining, Miss Anison?"
"Nope, just making sure you appreciate what I'm doing."
The chair was comfortable. Extremely comfortable in fact. Too damn comfortable in her opinion.
And the woman in front of her was too damn friendly. Especially for someone who would be deciding her future. The woman's name tag read Human Resources Director.
"Hi. I'm Dana Anison. I trust you didn't wait too long?"
Rei smiled briefly, "No, not long at all. Thanks for having me so late."
"Nonsense! I'm used to working this late."
"Is the boss that much of a task master?"
Dana laughed, "He's a good person, demanding, but wonderful to work with. I actually was his secretary for a while."
"And now you're the Director of Human Resources? That's incredible."
"Mr. Kaitou is a rather interesting man. Very honorable, very consumed with the ideas of meritocracy and such. He thought I was overqualified for my job."
Rei smiled a bit quirkily, "Seems like my kind of person."
"He gets along with all sorts. He's a great man. But, we should get down to business. It would be unfair to the other candidates if we spent too much time with you, ne?"
Rei laughed, "Yes ma'am, we certainly wouldn;t want to be unfair. Certainly not in my favor either."
Dana giggled, "Of course not, Miss Hino. I think I'm going to like you."
"What?"
"Come back tomorrow. You'll be one of the few to meet the big boss."
"Wait, you can't have made a value judgement about me already."
"Sure I did. Look, Rei. May I call you Rei? Look, your resume is nice. You're obviously a hard worker, like everyone else outside. That's why you got the interview in the first place. This interview was to test whether or not I could personally work with you. You passed."
"Oh. Thanks. This is admittedly different from anything I expected."
"Well, I'm a gaijin, remember?" Dana grinned, "We do things differently in America. I've learned throughout my career, that interpersonal relations make and break businesses. It's my guiding philosophy."
"So?"
"So, I'm to come back tomorrow to meet the CEO. The interviewer said she liked me."
"That's great!" Minako chuckled, "When you came out after only fifteen minutes I was afraid that you had said something you shouldn;t have."
"Please Mina, give me some credit. I'm not the super hot headed Rei you knew back in high school."
She grinned again, "Sure ya are. You just hide it well."
Rei couldn't stop herself from grinning. "Fine, you win. What's next on the agenda?"
"Well, Usagi-chan wanted to meet Mako for dinner in about twenty minutes. She suggested somewhere nice, because you were all dressed up."
"Oh kami-sama-"
"But I suggested a nice reunion at a nice restaurant in Juuban. Ami won't be there....but Mamoru will be. It'll be just like the old days."
"I didn't much enjoy the old days. Too much fighting for my very survival and all."
"Aww, sure ya enjoyed them. You just don't want to admit that you actually had fun back then."
Rei sighed then waved her hand dismissively, "Lead the way, Minako-chan. I can't wait."
Chapter 2
I stumbled home, wrecked by the constant demands of work. The news of my placement had spread through the building, and I had endured congratulatory drinks and a celebratory dinner.
Pulling off my tie and jacket, I tossed them to the chair next to me. I smiled, another drink would not hurt. Walking over to the bar, I pulled out a glass and filled it to the brim with vodka.
It was genuine Russian apple vodka; there were actual apple peels in the alcohol. Warmth crept down my throat. I do not get drunk easily, perhaps it is a holdover from the old days. During college, I was able to knock back drinks with the best of them...at least during the weekends. Indeed I enjoyed it immensely, one of those vices I allow myself.
However, there were more important things to deal with. I had kept a quiet eye on each of the Sailor Senshi over the years. I now knew their names, residences, and their current locations. The vaunted Sailor Mercury, Ami Mizuno, had become an exchange student to America, attending the California Institute of Technology. She was a student of chemistry, pursuing her dream to become a doctor. She was barely an hour away from my location and that thought made me grin idiotically.
Sailor Moon and Sailor Venus had attended Tokyo University, both studying political science. Rei Hino had almost gone on to theological school at the University of Chicago, but decided to pursue those studies, along with an emphasis on business, at Tokyo University as well. Makoto Kino had equally almost gone away to America, thinking about attending the San Francisco Academy of the Culinary Arts. However, she had gone instead to study in France at the Sorbonne. The senshi had done quite well for themselves, lessening the pain of losing to them long ago.
In returning to Japan, I would be dealing with only three of them, but I had heard rumors of other senshi. I had yet to confirm their existence but I did not doubt it. However, I was fairly sure that most of them were not in the immediate area. I had to minimize contact with them, were they to recognize me. It might be a bit difficult, but ceratinly manageable. Right?
I lifted the phone and dialed a few numbers, "Mr Chairman? Hi, this is Ryan Kaitou. I will accept. Ms. Anison and I are at your service."
Rei performed her duties with care. Even with other priestesses, she felt the obligation to sweep the temple grounds every morning by herself. In a way, it gave her spiritual peace from the hectic life of college partying and studies. It also hid her restlessness at finding a job.
She didn;t want to run the temple forever and a college degree no longer assured a job in Japan. With her graduation coming within a couple of months, she needed some sort of security amongst the increasing unemployment rates that wracked her homeland. Rei supposed that she could look overseas, but competition from American universities was stiff. She grimaced, a painful gesture on her normally beautiful features.
However, her mind soon wandered to other matters. The senshi had not faced a single enemy for many years. Indeed, their experience in university had been a wonderful one, with each of the girls pursuing her dreams. Ami was due back from California in less than a month, having graduating early to work for an American biotechnology firm's Japan branch. Mako had recieved commission as an assistant chef at a high class restaurant in the Ginza and had already moved back into her old apartment. However, Makoto had expressed some dismay with the cooking world, finding it too elitist for her grounded personality. She had cultivated a serious interest in botany and ecology in France, and had decided to investigate that line of work more closely.
The two other inner senshi, Usagi and Minako, were graduating along side Rei, but each of them had more concrete plans than she. Usagi would stay in Tokyo University for another few years, pursuing a graduate degree in public and social policy. The vaunted Sailor Moon had found her calling in governmental studies, aiming at the surest route into politics.
Minako was examining business school, and perhaps law as well. The international arena held many attractions to her, and she had aggressively scouted out opportunities and internships among companies. At the last moment, a British bank had had an opening for a junior analyst.
The temple robes fell softly over her arms and she pushed them up again, to gain more freedom to sweep. Mina-chan had promised to help her in the job search. She hoped that something would turn up.
I fidgeted slightly straightening my tie and wondering whether or not I ought to take it off. The staff already there, setting up for my arrival.
"Ryan, you look fine!"
I looked at Dana, "I thought I was Mr. Kaitou!"
"Only in the office, sir. Don't even give me that superiority crap. Besides, I'm technically not your secretary anymore."
"Yeah, I gave you your current job. I'm almost regretting it. I'll need to get a new secretary won't I?"
"No, that's my job. I'm the 'Director of Human Resources.' Essentially more responsibilities with the same pay."
"Don't whine, the company is paying for your housing."
"Prices in Japan are insane too. I'm going to starve."
"Stop complaining or I'll demote you."
She scrunched her nose up and stared forward, "Why do I bother being friends with you?"
"Because you can't fight the irresistable force of my personality?"
"Because you're completely helpless without me. I take pity on you."
"Right. That's what I really meant."
"Exactly. Are you gonna teach me Japanese already?"
I smiled, "Alright. Repeat after me...."
The dreams came back, haunting my rest. Even as I faced Beryl the third time, I could not fight the incessant fear that accompanied each passing.
'Could it be a vision? Or simply a dream'
I bore no illusions. My sensitivity to such things had tipped me off before and I would not disregard them now.
After two hours, I awoke to the smell of coffee and danishes. "Hey boss, eat something. You need your strength."
I felt like had been chewing a block of salt. My mouth was dry and my teeth hurt, "What time is it?"
"About five o'clock Japan time. I just recieved a call from our liason on the ground. He is waiting for you at dinner."
"Perfect. When can I coordinate with my senior staff?"
"They are on the ground already. They didn't have to deal with that unfortunate detour through Hawaii."
"I suppose not. Call them up. I want to make sure that everything is working before I get to the airport."
Dana dialled a number, listened for a moment, "Here you go."
The voice of my vice president of sales came through loud and clear, "Mr. Kaitou?"
"Hey Jerry, what's going on?"
"Well, we've managed to scout around for a regional sales manager. Dana will have to clear her first, but we're liking what we see. Also, Sima is flying in to help us set up our marketing department."
"Right. Do we have any problems with language interfacing?"
"Not yet. The senior staff and I are learning Japanese quickly. We'll be acclimatized soon."
"Good. I need you guys to expand our customer base here."
"You're the Chief Evangelical Officer. You convince them!"
I smiled, "Of course. At any rate, we're landing soon. I'll talk to you later."
"Rei! Are you ready?"
Rei struggled with a stiletto heel, "I'll never understand how I manage to handle these when I'm fighting someone."
Minako collapsed on her bed, "They're not so bad. I've heard that they're rather useful for hitting people with. At any rate, I heard that an American company is opening shop in the Ginza. I forget the name, but they're looking for people to help flesh out their divisions."
"Really? I wonder how they managed to get anything at a reasonable price down there."
The blonde grinned, "Well, word on the street has it that the CEO of the company is a genius businessman. He has major contacts, with massive presence in Japan and East Asia."
Rei whistled, "That's impressive. How did he get past the import tariffs?"
"Simple. You remember our first business class right? Well, when he was only Chief Operating Officer, he made personal visits to the major car and computer manufacturers to sell his first organizational programs. He's a master salesman and he can charge whatever he wants, because no one can come close to his street cred."
"Wow. This guy is high powered. So what is the game plan?"
Mina cracked a grin, "Again, simple. You walk in and demand an interview. You have a resume ready right?"
Rei smiled, "One in my purse at all times."
"Righto. Let's head out."
The two girls walked out of the temple compound to Mina's car. It was a cute red Honda convertible, something that readily attracted college aged guys. However, neither of them had had held a steady boyfriend over the past few years, eschewing their male counterparts as immature and perverted. Given some of the deviant material about the sailor senshi they looked at, she was inclined to agree. The short skirts did not help the situation.
Rei smiled wryly. She had transformed only once in the past seven years, to feel once again the power coursing through her fingertips. In a way, she missed the feeling of fighting evil and being an important part of the workings of society. But she enjoyed her civilian life, relishing every moment of her newly found free time.
"Thinking?"
"Yeah. About the old days. You know, when we were saving the world every other day or so?"
"You actually miss those days?"
"Well, I miss the comradery. With Haruka and Michiru with Hotaru gone in America, and the various other senshi spread over the world, I'm just sorta missing that closeness we once had."
"The inner senshi will be together soon. Mako is already back and Ami will be home soon. Isn't that something?"
"I suppose so. But somehow, I feel this pall falling over me."
Minako turned a corner suddenly, "Something else is bothering you."
"What are you talking about?"
"I've known you for quite a while Rei. I would be a pretty bad friend if I didn't notice things like this. But tell me, what's going on?"
Rei shifted uncomfortably in her seat, "I saw something in the fire a few days ago."
Minako's hands tightened about the wheel, "What did you see?"
"I'm not sure. The presence....it was familiar."
"Any ideas who it might have been? Do we have to go back to short skirts and jumpers?"
Rei smiled broadly, "I dont think so. He's not malevolent, just....tortured."
"It's a he? Ami's old boyfriend, Ryo?"
"Nope, not him. I distinctly remember his signature. This one was definitely different."
"Crap. The senshi may actually have to do something about this. Ami will be back very soon, so I'll call a meeting of the inner senshi."
"Thanks. This sort of thing I'm not particularly good at dealing with. But we need to do something and soon."
Minako flashed her a confident smile, "Hey, it's going to be taken care of! Don;t worry about a thing."
"Don't worry about a thing she says. We've got a business to run here dammit!"
Dana laughed, "Done with your daily rant, sir?"
I grinned, "Yup. Alright. We need to get things rolling. I want a ten minute meeting scheduled with all employees to outline mission, strategy, and purpose. We'll do this by the book."
"Right sir. I'll send out the memo now."
"Good. Next, I need a secretary. Dana?"
"Already on it. We've got lots of prospects. I'll screen them first, and then you can have your pick of the lot."
"Good. Have you coordinated with sales?"
"Yes. I've detailed some interviewers to both sales and marketting. We've actually already got some people into the ranks. Recruiting at the local universities is going well also."
"Jerry?"
The Vice President of Sales smiled, "Integration has been easier than I expected. Our sales trainers have gotten out the first batch already and they're hitting the corporations. Overseas is business as usual. We haven;t had much time to expand over there, but we'll be remedying that soon."
"Remember to keep me informed. Marketing?"
Sima leaned back and smiled easily at me. An old friend of mine from Stanford, he had gotten me entangled in this damned mess. Despite his seniority over me, he had no aspirations to the highest office, electing to resign in a couple of months and give birth to another start up. Only my intervention had convinced him to stay on for just a bit longer to ease the transition. "Marketing is fine. We've signed on several good people who know the East Asian markets better than we do."
"Cool. Alright people, I have some calls to make. This time tomorrow we meet again. I want a day by day progress report until this company has picked itself up off the floor. Get to work."
Dana stayed for a moment after the rest had cleared out, "Boss, I'll have them screened by tomorrow. We've got about twenty applicants, so my work is cut out for me."
"Are you complaining, Miss Anison?"
"Nope, just making sure you appreciate what I'm doing."
The chair was comfortable. Extremely comfortable in fact. Too damn comfortable in her opinion.
And the woman in front of her was too damn friendly. Especially for someone who would be deciding her future. The woman's name tag read Human Resources Director.
"Hi. I'm Dana Anison. I trust you didn't wait too long?"
Rei smiled briefly, "No, not long at all. Thanks for having me so late."
"Nonsense! I'm used to working this late."
"Is the boss that much of a task master?"
Dana laughed, "He's a good person, demanding, but wonderful to work with. I actually was his secretary for a while."
"And now you're the Director of Human Resources? That's incredible."
"Mr. Kaitou is a rather interesting man. Very honorable, very consumed with the ideas of meritocracy and such. He thought I was overqualified for my job."
Rei smiled a bit quirkily, "Seems like my kind of person."
"He gets along with all sorts. He's a great man. But, we should get down to business. It would be unfair to the other candidates if we spent too much time with you, ne?"
Rei laughed, "Yes ma'am, we certainly wouldn;t want to be unfair. Certainly not in my favor either."
Dana giggled, "Of course not, Miss Hino. I think I'm going to like you."
"What?"
"Come back tomorrow. You'll be one of the few to meet the big boss."
"Wait, you can't have made a value judgement about me already."
"Sure I did. Look, Rei. May I call you Rei? Look, your resume is nice. You're obviously a hard worker, like everyone else outside. That's why you got the interview in the first place. This interview was to test whether or not I could personally work with you. You passed."
"Oh. Thanks. This is admittedly different from anything I expected."
"Well, I'm a gaijin, remember?" Dana grinned, "We do things differently in America. I've learned throughout my career, that interpersonal relations make and break businesses. It's my guiding philosophy."
"So?"
"So, I'm to come back tomorrow to meet the CEO. The interviewer said she liked me."
"That's great!" Minako chuckled, "When you came out after only fifteen minutes I was afraid that you had said something you shouldn;t have."
"Please Mina, give me some credit. I'm not the super hot headed Rei you knew back in high school."
She grinned again, "Sure ya are. You just hide it well."
Rei couldn't stop herself from grinning. "Fine, you win. What's next on the agenda?"
"Well, Usagi-chan wanted to meet Mako for dinner in about twenty minutes. She suggested somewhere nice, because you were all dressed up."
"Oh kami-sama-"
"But I suggested a nice reunion at a nice restaurant in Juuban. Ami won't be there....but Mamoru will be. It'll be just like the old days."
"I didn't much enjoy the old days. Too much fighting for my very survival and all."
"Aww, sure ya enjoyed them. You just don't want to admit that you actually had fun back then."
Rei sighed then waved her hand dismissively, "Lead the way, Minako-chan. I can't wait."