Chapter two! And here we introduce the bulk of the OCs in this story - Ataru's new coworkers.

Fun fact, I guess, is that their surnames were borrowed from various Shoujo manga I've read over the years. Except for Minami, her name just sort of popped into my head. Originally I was going to write a one-shot with her and Ataru after Lum brings his lunch to work one day, and she spends the entire day trying to get Ataru to set up a date with her and Lum before he's forced to reveal they're a couple. I scrapped the idea, but not Minami :3

Also I work in marketing, so a lot of the information here (including the annoying model from America lol) are pulled from experience.

CHAPTER 2: EXPECTATIONS

Ataru was up before his alarm and dressed ten minutes after; his stomach in knots, nerves jittery with excitement! For today was the start of a new job and the budding of his future! By the time Mrs. Moroboshi served breakfast he was already at the table, devouring food as it was placed before him rather than waiting for everyone else. There was simply no time for it, even if he wanted to wait out the brawl happening upstairs. Now that Ten started school, every morning was a fight between him and Lum. Normally Ataru enjoyed listening to that brat gripe and moan, but today he thanked Buddha the kid was preoccupied. Knowing Ten he'd probably try pulling some stunt to derail Ataru's first day of work.

Lum felt differently of course. She wanted nothing more than to enjoy breakfast with the family before seeing her husband off as a proper wife should. Yet here she was, still upstairs, struggling with her cousin as the clock ticked over her head. Ten had little idea how frayed her nerves were until she nearly fried his clothes off with an electrical pulse. It was a clear signal he needed to behave or there'd be consequences beyond a simple lecture. Lum left him with the order to finish getting dressed, then sailed swiftly down to the Livingroom, just as Ataru dashed past her for the door. Barely a glance was spared as they crossed paths; if she wanted to see him off, she should have come down earlier! Time wasn't a luxury he could afford, not if he wanted to make a good first impression.

"O-oh!" Lum paused with a start, hair flying back as the wind from his swift retreat rushed over her. On the instant she whirled around, and still she was not fast enough to catch her husband before he disappeared beyond the white wall surrounding their front yard.

"Good luck Darling!" She called and listened for a response that never came.

Two emotions struck Lum just then - anger at the lack of acknowledgement, and sadness for the same reason. There was no way he hadn't heard her! Would it have been too much to holler a simple thank you? Lum scowled and crossed her arms as she floated there, debating her next course of action aimed at addressing both feelings (though it was unlikely she'd resolve either).

"Did Ataru leave already?" Ten was hovering in the stairwell wearing nothing besides pants and showing no signs he'd been getting ready to go. Lum rounded on him furiously, berating her errant cousin - who wisely fled back upstairs - for making her miss this one chance at giving her darling a proper send-away.

Meanwhile Ataru, even from a block away, could still hear the sounds of Lum-induced discourse. Again he thanked Buddha for such good fortune. Because now he could really focus on the task at hand. For today was going to be his lucky day, and he needed all his wits about him! Over the course of his mad sprint and the ensuing train ride into Rokuyō, his mind was filled with thoughts of a bright new future and what awaited him.

"And this is where you'll be working." Ataru's new boss was a big man, reminiscent of the old Tosa dogs who ruled the pits and were revered among their handlers, adorned with ceremonial garb wrapped about their wrinkled throats and browned bodies. What set them apart was his boss's cheerful character as he introduced Ataru to the studio with an air of mastery over what was, essentially, his kingdom.

Ataru hawkishly scanned the office, the dreams he'd been nourishing since the start of his journey playing vividly in his mind. Of course, reality was never as good as fantasy, and Ataru was reminded of that fact almost immediately. A crowd of tired-eyed, exhausted men received his introduction, offering half-hearted waves and mumbled greetings. And Ataru, though he'd not been in the room more than a few minutes, matched their downhearted vibe with perfection. Really? All his coworkers were guys? Seriously? Okay, this wasn't exactly an industry women flocked to, he could admit that. But to see none whatsoever? Not even in management? They were the subject matter for crying out loud, and who knows a woman's body better than a woman?

"Your desk is over here." Ignorant of the dour atmosphere, Ataru's new boss gleefully dragged him through the cramped office. It was a chaotic mess unlike anything he'd seen, much less expected. Every wall was hidden by desks or plastered over with various notices - schedules, lists, pictures with scribbled handwriting, due dates and sticky notes of encouragement or silly drawings designed to boost morale. Above them were shelves holding binders all pushed up against one another, along with stacks of copy paper and cardboard boxes containing who knows what. Workstations comprised of computer set-ups lined three connecting walls with a floating island of similar construction driving down the center of the room. Each one was surrounded by a mess of work and beneath every desk sat miniaturized filing cabinets, most of which were too packed to close. Ataru could feel his energy draining with every step.

The pair of them stopped at a desk that was so clean it looked completely out of place. The only thing there besides his desktop was a binder that he guessed was a handbook.

"Now just go through this -" he guessed right "- and get all your accounts set up. Once you've done that, report to Yamagata over there and he'll give you the rundown. Welcome aboard Moroboshi." A heavy hand patted his shoulder, sinking both him and the chair with each strike. Then the Tosa departed with a throaty chuckle, back to his office behind a closed door with blinds drawn. Ataru sat for a few moments to wrestle with his first disappointment of the day.

Okay, so, maybe it was a little stupid to think any woman would genuinely want to work here. Even if they were the stars of Chick-Star (no pun intended) their audience was almost exclusively men. And not the best sort – some of them were womanizers you see. Honestly he should have seen this coming a mile away. Of course, knowing these things to be true wasn't exactly going to stop him from being disappointed at the lack of "diversity". Having a secret office affair was a tantalizing fantasy. Not for him, apparently. Be that as it may, Ataru's resilience saw him through and he was able to find the silver lining to the storm cloud hanging over his head. There was still the main goal; earn enough money to move out. Living on one's own was the quintessential dream of every young man. And if he ever wanted to get there, he couldn't let a little thing like cookie-cutter coworkers get in the way of progress.

And just as he felt his spirit rise with renewed ambition, somebody else joined them from an adjacent room he'd later learn was a small station for coffee and water. A girl in fact! A cute girl too, with short mousey-colored hair that framed her face, dressed simply in a skirt and jacket of muted blues and grays. Along with her clothes she wore the same fatigue as the others. Even walking to her desk, she moved robotically. Ataru wasn't put off though, he was far too interested in the location of her desk. With every turn she made he tensed, gripping his chair as she drew closer and closer. Until at last her journey ended – at the computer opposite his! Lady Luck had shone her light on him once again!

Just a quick tease of his hair to make sure it was in line, plus a mint for good measure, and he was all set to get to know his new coworker. Ataru snaked himself across the small gap dividing their desks, his face just barely visible beside her monitor, rising over the stacks of magazines and loose papers she'd amassed over her tenure.

"Morning neighbor, seems we haven't been introduced yet. I'm Ataru Moroboshi, and you are?" His grin stretched, eyes sparkling with restrained glee. What a milestone – his first office flirt! Ataru didn't know what to expect. Being in the workplace there was no way she'd smack him outright. Yes, she'd have to be polite and, maybe, out of a desire for peace she'd even accept his advances. And of course, there was always the chance, however small, she might flirt back. He could only hope!

"Busy." Came a flat response, her eyes never once leaving the screen.

"So am I." Which was true, after all. He had accounts to make or whatever the Tosa said. "But this being my first day and all, I could definitely use some help with getting started." Ah, yes, he could use that to his advantage. It would be cruel if she wasn't willing to help the new guy. Didn't girls like it when guys are in vulnerable positions like that?

"Are you a designer?" She glanced at him briefly, no amusement in her gaze.

"N-no." Damn, this one was tough. Ataru's smile threatened to falter but he held firm. Combative women were nothing new for him, in fact, he'd endured worse. Perhaps he could wear her down?

"Hm. Maybe ask Yamagata then." And back to work she went.

"C'mon, it's more efficient just to ask you, since you're right here." Still he persisted, this time playing the angle of a practical worker in hopes it would appeal to her. When she didn't respond he tried a different route, thinking maybe she'd open up to a more laid-back approach. "We don't even have to talk about work you know; do you live nearby? What do you like to do?"
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"My job." Swing and a miss. She was a pro at dodging advances. A worthy adversary.

"Aw don't be like that." Ataru simpered. He wasn't above a little tactical begging.

"Listen." Her keys went silent as her gaze transferred to Ataru, holding him steady with a pointed no-nonsense glare. "We have deadlines to keep and there is no flexibility. So unless you want to bring a cot to work and pull night shifts every day you should come here ready to do your job and only your job. Can you handle that? Or should I keep our help wanted listing up a little longer?"

Ataru knew he couldn't carry the weight of her threat. And thus, he was defeated.

"Okay-okay!" He threw his hands up and began to withdraw, stopping about halfway. "Can I at least have your name?" No risk, no reward.

Silently she regarded him, as if debating with herself, before breathing a long-suffering sigh.

"Tomoko Minami." And that response, as expressionless as her face, was all he'd get. Ataru didn't mind, nor did he care that she'd abandoned him for her work. What did it matter? He'd managed to wear her down enough to gain a name and that was a victory on its own, considering how valiantly she'd resisted his charm. Given time he'd get more from her. Ataru was nothing if patient.

The rest of his day seemed to pass in a blink, as only a first day can with all its new experiences. Ataru almost felt as though he were reliving his first day of school. But this wasn't school, and there were plenty of mistakes to be made as he figured out life in the office. A trip to the second floor for paper got him turned around and lost for a good twenty minutes, and later he'd managed to jam one of the printers so badly they needed to call someone in to fix it. Thankfully he found an unexpected ally in Yamagata, who defended his every offense. The office manager was an untroubled soul, tall and steady, with a languid gaze that stared frankly forth. Corporate life had smoothed his rough edges and added some class to his casual manner of dressing (which was only just within the realms of acceptable for an office setting). Over a shared lunch they reminisced about past adventures, and Yamagata detailed his life as a hoodlum before the untimely death of his father set upon him the responsibility of both his mother and sisters. From there his life had turned and he became who he was today. With regard to women they were kindred spirits, granted, Yamagata had many more exploits under his belt. And it was no surprise, with his raw good looks and roughish charm. Ataru found himself envious and imagining what his life would have been should fate have favored him the way it did his manager. Feeling as he did it was no wonder Ataru stood shocked when Yamagata later revealed he'd not only found someone worth committing to, but that he was also happier to see his restless searching come to an end.

"That so?" Ataru asked from a fog of thought, punching his card along with the rest of his team lucky enough to get their work done before the evening buzzer. br /br /
"Yup," Yamagata punched his as well, and stretched the stiffness from his arms, "who needs the hassle? I'm glad it's behind me." This gave Ataru pause. And he studied Yamagata dubiously as the slender manager marched down the stairwell with a bowlegged stride leftover from his youth. A guy like him was happy about settling down? When he could have any girl he wants at any time? "Oi." Yamagata reached a plateau in the steps and turned. "Let's go to Oishī."

Oishī. Ataru was quick to recall it as the café across the street from their office. Wait, that was a thing? Up until this very second he thought socializing after work was some media plot device. To his knowledge his father never did anything like this. Or, maybe he was just too poor?

Minami, who was also moving past them down the stairwell, stopped suddenly beside Yamagata.

"You're inviting the new guy already?" She glanced back at Ataru still lingering at the top of the stairs. To her question he smirked.

"No I'm telling him we're going." Yamagata's long legs made short work of the stairs as he rejoined his underling to sling an arm about his shoulders and drag him, staggering, back down the steps where Minami waited. It was her who had the bulk of Ataru's attention. No argument was posed to Yamagata, especially not when it became clear she'd be joining them.

"You're coming too?" Ataru practically glowed with cheerful delight.

"You're a funny guy Moroboshi," Yamagata snickered for an unknown reason and lead them out of the building where another of their group, Tenjou, was waiting by the door.

Ataru didn't mind the others, although if he had his choice it would just be him and Minami. This was a golden opportunity for the two of them to do a little harmless bonding, and he wasn't about to let Tenjou or Yamagata dampen his resolve. If he could flirt with Lum breathing down his neck, he could flirt with two other guys sitting beside them.

Naturally things would not go as he expected.

Minami downed the first drink she ordered, gracelessly, the second it was set in front of her. The rush of cold and sugar tickled the nerves up her spine, and for the first time all day she let herself relax. Her shoulders dropped and she huffed, wilting in her seat as a parched flower might. Yamagata leaned his elbows on the table and gave her an impressed whistle.

"What's the matter Tomoko, lady troubles?" Mischief twinkled in his eyes and pulled his mouth into a lopsided grin.

Ataru's soda stopped in his throat and he nearly choked. Lady...troubles? Over the rim of his glass he looked between Yamagata and Minami, who was giving her empty glass an ill-tempered glare.

"I wish it were that simple." She sighed, holding the glass up where it was swiftly retrieved by a waiter who seemed very familiar with the group's habits. "That model from America keeps emailing asking for edits on this and that. Every time I think I'm done she wants something else, it's ridiculous."

"Oh so that's why I haven't gotten the final pages yet." Tenjou chimed in between bites of curried rice. Minami tossed him an apologetic smile, then slumped against the table.

Ataru's attention wandered as he slurped his noodles and they bantered about work.

Oishī was a pretty nice place. The cheery atmosphere was relaxing after hours spent in a chaotic office with buzzing computer screens flashing in his eyes. Before today Ataru didn't realize how suffocating and overwhelming a cluttered environment could make him feel. What's more Oishī wasn't that busy - not deserted nor overly crowded. It was a relief to have some breathing room. Overall a good café, except for the lack of female patrons. Barely any sat within his line of sight; so much for eye candy!

"It's a pain. Oh, thanks Atsushi." Another colorful drink landed in front of Minami, festooned with various fruit slices and piled with whipped cream. She flashed the waiter a quick smile that faded soon as he was gone. "I don't really wanna talk about work. We're supposed to be off the clock." Minami reminded Yamagata sternly, to which he nodded assent.

"So that's what he means by lady troubles?" Ataru found the courage to interject a question he'd been nursing. Minami's face screwed up with an annoyed scowl. Yamagata broke in with a laugh.

"Nah, I actually thought she was bummed over a date. How'd Saturday go anyway?" The manager's attention flipped back on Minami, who was again slumped in her seat, sucking down her drink in long slow sips to savor the sweet flavor.

The tide of their conversation turned and Ataru found himself slowly sinking under the weight of disappointment. At times he could be thick as mud, but he wasn't stupid. Enough context clues were given for him to realize with great regret that flirting with Minami was completely off the table.

Lady Luck had, it seemed, not shown her mercy on him after all.

For a second time he bid another of his fantasies goodbye. Looks like there would be no office affair for him after all. Ataru sulked as he downed the rest of his soda, feeling it pop and crackle in his throat with a refreshing burn he was unable to appreciate. What a damn shame, he thought privately. Well, at least he still had his ultimate goal to lean on.

Moving out of his childhood home.

That great rite of passage which marked the lived experience of every young man!

You can do it Ataru, he coached himself with renewed vigor, heedless to the chatter of his coworkers. Just a few more weeks, a month or so at most, then everything would be golden. With that still in mind he let himself relax and enjoy the company of his new peers.