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Chapter 3
I turned from my computer, regarding Dana with an easy smile, "Please sit down. How did it go?"
"Thanks. And the interviews went surprisingly well. I was very impressed with the competition. I narrowed it down to four potential applicants. We can review them now, if you wish."
I nodded, "That would be great actually. I need to understand these people, if I am to work with them."
Dana handed me a stack of resumes. I paged through one, "Ok, Ayumi Hasegawa?"
"She seemed like a nice enough girl. Exceedingly dull though. I admitted her because of her extensive secretarial experience. As you can see, she's held the post of chief secretary to several other companies, so she's definitely competent. I'm just worried about her motives to join."
"I was about to say. She has all this experience, she could certainly get a job at a much larger company."
"Perhaps she is expecting more out of the arrangement than we see."
"Hmm, I already have a bad feeling about this one. Scratch her."
"Okay boss, I'll add her to the reject list."
I turned to the next one, "Ami Tanaka?"
"She's quality. I think I would enjoy working with her."
"She falls nicely into our experience range too. Recommendations from former employers are very high too. Did you read this? 'Ami is a savior of the office.' That's sound advice if I ever heard it."
"Great, we have a winner!"
"Call her for an interview. I want to meet this lady. Who's next?" I flipped to the next resume. My eyes read the name, then disbelieving read it again. "Um...Rei Hino?"
"That's right. I love this gal. She's got style and spunk. Definitely a keeper."
"Put her on the reject list."
Dana peered at me curiously, "Sir, what's going on?"
"No, I don't think I can work with her."
"With all due respect, you haven't even read her damn resume. How can you not work with her?"
I flipped through it, "Look she doesn't have experience."
"You once told me that that sort of thing could be learned on the job. Why recant those words now?"
I glared murderously at the paper in my hand, wishing it would consume itself in a ball of flame, "Look, I don't want to talk about it alright? Just put her on the reject list."
Dana grimaced, "Sir, I believe that you're making an ill-advised and irrational decision."
"I don't think it's your place to tell me that."
"Sir, I believe it is. I am not only your Human Resources Director, I am your friend. I am unequivocally stating that Rei Hino would be an asset to this company."
I covered my mouth with a hand, repressing a snarl that was working its way up my cheek. Sailor Mars? It must have been a coincidence. They must have thought me dead a long time ago.
Then again, that contact.
Goddammit.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I can work with her."
Dana's eyes blossomed with new understanding, "Ah, I see. Miss Hino and you have had some sort of history?"
"Look Dana, I'm not going to argue with you-"
"Sir, you already are. This is the person you wanted to avoid in Japan, for reasons unknown."
"Dana-"
She cut me off again, "What about her do you not like? She seems like a nice enough person to me."
I buried my face in my hands, sighing deeply. "It's a long and arduous story. One I really don't feel like divulging at this juncture."
"You know I won't stop bugging you until I know exactly what happened."
My mind raced to stifle this discussion, "Okay, fine. I'll make you a deal. I'll interview Miss Hino and you'll stop asking questions about this or even talking about it."
"No deal. You'll interview her and give her a fair chance at this job."
She had me backed into a corner, "Right. Fine," grudgingly, "She is a pretty good candidate."
Dana rubbed my shoulder soothingly, "See that wasn't so bad, was it? Trust me, once you meet her again, I'm sure you'll fall in love with her. I have a lot of faith in this kid."
"Hey, I'm the boss. Why do I feel like I just got blackmailed?"
"You did, hon. It's because you're a decent human being, who has learned how to forgive and forget. That usually entails somebody taking advantage of you."
When Rei and Minako arrived at the restaurant, they spotted Mamoru and Usagi inside. They had chosen a large corner booth, big enough to accomodate at least four more people. Both of them waved the girls over and Usagi gave Rei her customary big hug.
"Hi guys!"
Rei looked at Mamoru amusedly, "How is it possible that she's so bubbly on a Monday?"
He replied dryly, "The answer to that question has eluded me for quite some time now. I should really look into that sometime."
"You guys are so mean to me." That comment was delivered with a wry smile. Gone was the whiny, and often annoying Usagi Tsukino. At the age of twenty one, she exuded a genteel nobility, born from acquired knowledge. College had exposed her to a variety of different viewpoints and ideas. It was there that she began to nurture her understanding of human nature, as well as her deep caring for the rest of the world. She had already been accepted into the public and social policy program at the university, and she looked forward to the chance to apply her skills.
"Where's Mako-chan?"
"I'm not sure."
"Minna-chan!" Mako burst in the door and waved excitedly, "How are you doing?"
"Wow, Makoto, you look great!"
And great she did look. Dressed in the latest Paris fashions, Mako had rounded out ever so slightly, changing her physique from athletic to sensual. She was even more beautiful than they remembered. The vibrant green eyes spoke volumes of her time spent in Paris, sophisticated and brilliant all at the same time. They had even gained that slightly bored look, common on the faces of Parisians, as if she had already seen everything there was to see.
"Aw, come on guys. It's just me. So what are we having? I'm craving a burger and fries. France has a noted lack of fast food joints."
It was indeed the old Makoto Kino, down to earth and lovely in all respects. Rei spoke quietly, "Well, we just got here ourselves. I just came out of an interview."
Usagi sat up quickly, "So how did it go?"
"Well enough. The interviewer guaranteed me a callback for tomorrow, so I'm in the running for the finals."
Mako nodded, "As good an indication as any. Anyone want to split an order of onion rings with me? I haven't eaten yet today."
Mina hugged Mako's arm, "I'll take you up on that offer. It's great to have you home again."
"Trust me, it's great to BE home again. France is nice, but I missed you guys. What's new?"
"Well, Rei's got a job now as a secretary."
"I have a call back for another interview, not a job."
Minako smiled, "I know how you can make a sure thing."
"How's that?"
"Use your womanly attributes."
Rei punched her lightly in the arm and then pretended to sulk. Mina continued, "I;ve got a job at as an analyst, courtesy of Dad. Usagi is still in school."
Mako's grin turned predatory for a moment, "Failing?"
Usagi laughed lightly and Rei answered for her, "She's actually smarter than the odangoes suggest. She's going to graduate school, if you can believe that."
"Is this true? Has my little Usagi-chan grown up?"
Usagi scrunched up her nose, "Yes, I have thank you very much! Anyway, I'm just doing what I like. It interests me."
Mamoru poked her in the side, "Is that so?"
She wriggled out of his arms, "Despite what these goobers have told me about it being a route into politics."
Mako laughed, "So when are you two getting married anyway? You've been dating for what...six years now?"
"Well, we broke the news to daddy eventually. Turns out we shouldn;t have worried."
Mamoru broke in wryly, "We have mutual obsession with American football. The second he found out I had a satellite dish mounted over my garage, we got along famously."
For the first time, in a very very long time, I drew the sword. It felt cold in my hand, but light and flexible. I took a practice swing. It still felt the same as it had so many years ago.
Forged in the finest smithy of the Silver Millenium, it was my sole link to my past, besides my own tortured memories. I moved the sword again. It was a long calvary design, made with many layers of soft and hard metals. Light enough to be wielded easily in one hand, its gently curved blade made it an equally deadly midrange slashing and stabbing weapon. I had learned how to fight additionally with a smaller dagger that fit into the bottom of the sheath, using it to fend off multiple attackers, to overwhelm opponents with multiple targets, and to trap and break weapons. And occasionally to stab people.
My new home had a nice open space off the side of the main living space. It was a rather large area, two sides dominated by windows that looked out upon the Tokyo lights glimmering in the night. A single source of illumination lit up the area with brilliant light. I brought the blade next to my forehead in a salute, then squared off in a fencing position.
I jabbed swiftly with the blade, then swung in a wide fluid arc. Switching hands, I dodged to the side of an imaginary enemy and reversed directions quickly, raking my blade across its nonexistent belly. I spun the blade in an infinity loop then dropped to retrieve the sheath.
'Still have it. Perhaps I should bring it tomorrow. Might be safer for me'
As soon as I completed that thought, I rejected it. I had chosen my path. Humanity had embraced me, giving me happiness I had thought beyond my reach.
I resheathed the sword and fixed the clasp. I could not fight Sailor Mars, even should she fight me. The least I could offer humanity was submission to its rule.
I sighed. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.
Chapter 3
I turned from my computer, regarding Dana with an easy smile, "Please sit down. How did it go?"
"Thanks. And the interviews went surprisingly well. I was very impressed with the competition. I narrowed it down to four potential applicants. We can review them now, if you wish."
I nodded, "That would be great actually. I need to understand these people, if I am to work with them."
Dana handed me a stack of resumes. I paged through one, "Ok, Ayumi Hasegawa?"
"She seemed like a nice enough girl. Exceedingly dull though. I admitted her because of her extensive secretarial experience. As you can see, she's held the post of chief secretary to several other companies, so she's definitely competent. I'm just worried about her motives to join."
"I was about to say. She has all this experience, she could certainly get a job at a much larger company."
"Perhaps she is expecting more out of the arrangement than we see."
"Hmm, I already have a bad feeling about this one. Scratch her."
"Okay boss, I'll add her to the reject list."
I turned to the next one, "Ami Tanaka?"
"She's quality. I think I would enjoy working with her."
"She falls nicely into our experience range too. Recommendations from former employers are very high too. Did you read this? 'Ami is a savior of the office.' That's sound advice if I ever heard it."
"Great, we have a winner!"
"Call her for an interview. I want to meet this lady. Who's next?" I flipped to the next resume. My eyes read the name, then disbelieving read it again. "Um...Rei Hino?"
"That's right. I love this gal. She's got style and spunk. Definitely a keeper."
"Put her on the reject list."
Dana peered at me curiously, "Sir, what's going on?"
"No, I don't think I can work with her."
"With all due respect, you haven't even read her damn resume. How can you not work with her?"
I flipped through it, "Look she doesn't have experience."
"You once told me that that sort of thing could be learned on the job. Why recant those words now?"
I glared murderously at the paper in my hand, wishing it would consume itself in a ball of flame, "Look, I don't want to talk about it alright? Just put her on the reject list."
Dana grimaced, "Sir, I believe that you're making an ill-advised and irrational decision."
"I don't think it's your place to tell me that."
"Sir, I believe it is. I am not only your Human Resources Director, I am your friend. I am unequivocally stating that Rei Hino would be an asset to this company."
I covered my mouth with a hand, repressing a snarl that was working its way up my cheek. Sailor Mars? It must have been a coincidence. They must have thought me dead a long time ago.
Then again, that contact.
Goddammit.
"I'm sorry, I don't think I can work with her."
Dana's eyes blossomed with new understanding, "Ah, I see. Miss Hino and you have had some sort of history?"
"Look Dana, I'm not going to argue with you-"
"Sir, you already are. This is the person you wanted to avoid in Japan, for reasons unknown."
"Dana-"
She cut me off again, "What about her do you not like? She seems like a nice enough person to me."
I buried my face in my hands, sighing deeply. "It's a long and arduous story. One I really don't feel like divulging at this juncture."
"You know I won't stop bugging you until I know exactly what happened."
My mind raced to stifle this discussion, "Okay, fine. I'll make you a deal. I'll interview Miss Hino and you'll stop asking questions about this or even talking about it."
"No deal. You'll interview her and give her a fair chance at this job."
She had me backed into a corner, "Right. Fine," grudgingly, "She is a pretty good candidate."
Dana rubbed my shoulder soothingly, "See that wasn't so bad, was it? Trust me, once you meet her again, I'm sure you'll fall in love with her. I have a lot of faith in this kid."
"Hey, I'm the boss. Why do I feel like I just got blackmailed?"
"You did, hon. It's because you're a decent human being, who has learned how to forgive and forget. That usually entails somebody taking advantage of you."
When Rei and Minako arrived at the restaurant, they spotted Mamoru and Usagi inside. They had chosen a large corner booth, big enough to accomodate at least four more people. Both of them waved the girls over and Usagi gave Rei her customary big hug.
"Hi guys!"
Rei looked at Mamoru amusedly, "How is it possible that she's so bubbly on a Monday?"
He replied dryly, "The answer to that question has eluded me for quite some time now. I should really look into that sometime."
"You guys are so mean to me." That comment was delivered with a wry smile. Gone was the whiny, and often annoying Usagi Tsukino. At the age of twenty one, she exuded a genteel nobility, born from acquired knowledge. College had exposed her to a variety of different viewpoints and ideas. It was there that she began to nurture her understanding of human nature, as well as her deep caring for the rest of the world. She had already been accepted into the public and social policy program at the university, and she looked forward to the chance to apply her skills.
"Where's Mako-chan?"
"I'm not sure."
"Minna-chan!" Mako burst in the door and waved excitedly, "How are you doing?"
"Wow, Makoto, you look great!"
And great she did look. Dressed in the latest Paris fashions, Mako had rounded out ever so slightly, changing her physique from athletic to sensual. She was even more beautiful than they remembered. The vibrant green eyes spoke volumes of her time spent in Paris, sophisticated and brilliant all at the same time. They had even gained that slightly bored look, common on the faces of Parisians, as if she had already seen everything there was to see.
"Aw, come on guys. It's just me. So what are we having? I'm craving a burger and fries. France has a noted lack of fast food joints."
It was indeed the old Makoto Kino, down to earth and lovely in all respects. Rei spoke quietly, "Well, we just got here ourselves. I just came out of an interview."
Usagi sat up quickly, "So how did it go?"
"Well enough. The interviewer guaranteed me a callback for tomorrow, so I'm in the running for the finals."
Mako nodded, "As good an indication as any. Anyone want to split an order of onion rings with me? I haven't eaten yet today."
Mina hugged Mako's arm, "I'll take you up on that offer. It's great to have you home again."
"Trust me, it's great to BE home again. France is nice, but I missed you guys. What's new?"
"Well, Rei's got a job now as a secretary."
"I have a call back for another interview, not a job."
Minako smiled, "I know how you can make a sure thing."
"How's that?"
"Use your womanly attributes."
Rei punched her lightly in the arm and then pretended to sulk. Mina continued, "I;ve got a job at as an analyst, courtesy of Dad. Usagi is still in school."
Mako's grin turned predatory for a moment, "Failing?"
Usagi laughed lightly and Rei answered for her, "She's actually smarter than the odangoes suggest. She's going to graduate school, if you can believe that."
"Is this true? Has my little Usagi-chan grown up?"
Usagi scrunched up her nose, "Yes, I have thank you very much! Anyway, I'm just doing what I like. It interests me."
Mamoru poked her in the side, "Is that so?"
She wriggled out of his arms, "Despite what these goobers have told me about it being a route into politics."
Mako laughed, "So when are you two getting married anyway? You've been dating for what...six years now?"
"Well, we broke the news to daddy eventually. Turns out we shouldn;t have worried."
Mamoru broke in wryly, "We have mutual obsession with American football. The second he found out I had a satellite dish mounted over my garage, we got along famously."
For the first time, in a very very long time, I drew the sword. It felt cold in my hand, but light and flexible. I took a practice swing. It still felt the same as it had so many years ago.
Forged in the finest smithy of the Silver Millenium, it was my sole link to my past, besides my own tortured memories. I moved the sword again. It was a long calvary design, made with many layers of soft and hard metals. Light enough to be wielded easily in one hand, its gently curved blade made it an equally deadly midrange slashing and stabbing weapon. I had learned how to fight additionally with a smaller dagger that fit into the bottom of the sheath, using it to fend off multiple attackers, to overwhelm opponents with multiple targets, and to trap and break weapons. And occasionally to stab people.
My new home had a nice open space off the side of the main living space. It was a rather large area, two sides dominated by windows that looked out upon the Tokyo lights glimmering in the night. A single source of illumination lit up the area with brilliant light. I brought the blade next to my forehead in a salute, then squared off in a fencing position.
I jabbed swiftly with the blade, then swung in a wide fluid arc. Switching hands, I dodged to the side of an imaginary enemy and reversed directions quickly, raking my blade across its nonexistent belly. I spun the blade in an infinity loop then dropped to retrieve the sheath.
'Still have it. Perhaps I should bring it tomorrow. Might be safer for me'
As soon as I completed that thought, I rejected it. I had chosen my path. Humanity had embraced me, giving me happiness I had thought beyond my reach.
I resheathed the sword and fixed the clasp. I could not fight Sailor Mars, even should she fight me. The least I could offer humanity was submission to its rule.
I sighed. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.