Chapter 31: Strength in Number 11
Let us turn back the time for a while.
Naomi’s POV
‘Ugh, sleepy~’ I woke up later than usual this day. I didn’t attend school today because I still need to settle something related to the new Akasa Inc. branch.
I got up from my bed and took off my pajamas. I enter the bathroom to take a shower.
‘To think the guests talked to me until midnight, thanks to that I got my sleep hour deprived.’ Yesterday at the opening ceremony, I plan to go home at 09:00 P.M. but the guests were persistent and keep me there until midnight.
I managed to go home because my Dad called me and I have an excuse. If my Dad didn’t call me yesterday maybe I will be stuck there for a day.
‘Ugh, I forgot to tell Rekka about the impostors.’ While in the shower, I grab my holo phone and send a message to Rekka. Because I was sleepy, I just type whatever I want to convey my intention and send it.
‘That’s done, if I remember correctly today I need to go to Esper Association to hire a guard?’ I turn off the shower and get out of the bathroom.
I took a set of white underwear and wear them. Since my bust got bigger, wearing a bra becomes more difficult.
After I wore my underwear, I wear a white shirt and black pants. I grab a black tie and wear it to complete my clothes.
After getting ready, I go down to the dining room and saw my Mom in the kitchen making breakfast.
“Good morning Mom.” I greeted my mom and sat at the dining table.
“Good morning Naomi, breakfast will be ready in a minute.” My mom answered me while putting a scrambled egg on the plate.
She brings 2 plates with her and puts them on the tables. She sat in front of me and we started eating.
“Thanks for the food. Mom, after I have finished with the Esper Association, what should I do next?” I asked my mom.
“If I remember correctly, you had no other appointment. But, I wanted you to take a rest! Yesterday you arrived at midnight, you must be exhausted right?” My mom said while pointing a fork at me.
‘Actually no, I’m only sleepy.’ I thought. But there is no way I will say that to my mom.
“Yes mom, then I will do the dish and leave to Esper Association’s branch.” I got up and tried to reach for my plate to clean it but my mom stops me.
“Just go, leave washing the dish to me.” She took the plate and go to the kitchen. I look at her for a moment then I wear my boots.
“Then, I’m going now!” I said to my mom.
“Take care! “
I exit my house and closed the door. I walked to Esper Association’s branch.
I arrived at the branch and show my ID card to the guards. They read it and gave it back to me before letting me in.
‘I need to make a name card, if I show my ID card a lot then there is a chance my info will be leaked.’ I thought.
ID card contains a lot of information like Name, address, birthplace and time, and more importantly identification numbers.
I walked to the receptionist and asked her.
“Hello, good morning.” I greeted the receptionist with a smile.
“Hello, is there anything I can help with?” The receptionist answered in a professional manner.
“Yes, actually I come here because I had an appointment with the Director. Can you please check it for me? My name is Akasa Naomi, the Manager of Akasa Inc. Japan’s branch.” I asked the receptionist about the appointment.
“Please wait for a minute, I will check it for you.” The receptionist said as she browses through the computer.
‘Oya, they use a computer? I thought the Esper Association use a holo PC already.’
After browsing for a while, the receptionist picked up a holo phone and made a call.
She talked with the other person on the phone for a while. After she had done talking, she turned to me and said.
“Please go to the 10th floor. The Director was waiting for you.” She stood up and smiled while pointing at the elevator on my right side.
“Thank you, have a good day.” I said and entered the elevator. Once I’m inside the elevator, I pressed button 10 and wait for the elevator to arrive on the 10th floor.
After waiting for a while, the elevator door opens and I step out from the elevator.
I’m trying to find the Director's room until one of the rooms opened and a man comes out from the room.
The man noticing me waved his hand and approached me.
“Hello, are you Miss Akasa Naomi, the Manager of Akasa Inc.?” The man asked me.
“Yes, are you the Director of this branch?” I asked the man.
“Correct! Then please follow me, Miss Akasa, we will talk in my office.” The Director urged me to follow him in the room that he previously came out from.
We entered the office and he asked me to sit on the couch across from him.
“Let me start with introducing ourselves, shall we?” Said the Director as he pulled out a name card from his pocket.
‘I really need a name card’ I thought.
“Nice to meet you, Miss Akasa, I’m the Director of Tokyo Esper Association’s branch. My name is Makuma Genkei. Pleased to make your acquaintance.” The Director, Makuma Genkei give me his name card with both hands.
I received his card and keep it in my pocket.
“It’s nice to meet you too. As you know, I’m the Manager of Akasa Inc. Japan’s branch. Pleased to make your acquaintance Mr. Makuma.” I introduced myself to Genkei.
“I’m sorry but I had no name card right now. I just assumed this position, so I just ordered the name card to be made yesterday. Please forgive me for this.” I bowed my head a little.
For now, my position as a manager is still a bit lower than him so I need to keep an appropriate manner.
Just wait for a year until I build another branch in Japan, that way I will have a standing place higher than any Esper Association’s branch Director.
“You don’t need to bow your head, Miss Akasa.”
With his word, I raised my head. Looking at him now, he’s quite young to be a director in his thirties. He must be quite capable.
“Let’s talk about what you need from us, you need a guard?” He asked me.
‘Well, no. I don’t need it.’ I really want to say it but I need to keep myself calm. I don’t want to reveal my identity at this time, especially not before I enter the programs.
“Yes, I hope the Esper Association can arrange a guard for me. My Mother was worried after the attack at yesterday's opening ceremony, so she wanted me to have a guard when I was on official duty.” I explained the reason why I need a guard to him.
“I see, the situation is like that. I will arrange the guard for you, I will the PD officer if someone is willing to take this post.” He said to me.
“Thank you very much.” I answered him with a smile on my face.
“Now, let’s talk the price.” Genkei leaned forward and smiling.
And my real negotiation begins.