"um... Are you okay...?"
"..."
I could feel blood rushing up to my head as my heartbeat boomed in my ears.
"I'm fine."
I'm pissed.
Of course, the one time I'm completely incapable of having a normal job, is when getting a job is as easy as submitting a resume.
Just my fucking luck.
Just as I was about to explode, I noticed aqua sitting next to me with a look of fear.
"... Haaah... Deep breaths..."
I should calm down, it's fine isn't it?
I'm getting paid over half a million dollars a year, this is nothing to be jealous over.
Plus, I have insurance and a good boss. These two things are pivotal to having a good work life.
Calm down.
"... Okay. I'm good. Can you read the email again?"
"Uh, yes!"
She cleared her throat before reading the email in a shaky voice.
"Hello Miss Minato. We're messaging you today regarding your application to the warehouse associate position of Holozon. We are glad to announce that you have passed the screening and we wish to meet with you as soon as possible. Please meet us at the location below an hour from receiving this email. We hope to see you soon."
...?
Hold on, isn't that sus as fuck?
In the first place, who tells someone about an interview an hour before they need to be there? Isn't that totally disrespectful of your time?
Second of all, how long has it been since she applied? Were they just waiting for someone to apply for the position? Thats a little unsettling...
But then again, this is a different world, so it's entirely possible that this is just the norm here. But I still find it distasteful.
"By the way, when did you get the email?"
"... 30 minutes ago...?"
"30 MINUTES????"
"Well.. you were taking a while to calm down..."
No way it took me that long!? How is my perception of time this bad!?
"And then you were lecturing me on job hunting..."
... I did do that...
"And then-"
"Enough of that! we gotta go!"
I can hear about my wrongdoings later, we're kinda in a hurry.
I swiftly ordered an UberSheep to pick us up with the business card, and dragged aqua outside.
"Uwaaahh!!!"
She seemed a little disturbed by the sudden skin contact, but we don't have time for such consideration.
In just 2 minutes, a small white vehicle tore around the block in what must have been a severe traffic violation, and rolled up to us.
"Damn, UberSheep doesn't play..."
I ordered the fastest driver, but to think they'd just break the law like that...
"Is it safe to get on there...?"
We briefly contemplated, but before we could think to deeply-
*HONK HONK HONK HONK HONK*
The driver began blasting their horn impatiently.
Aqua must have been scared by their reckless driving, but we don't really have the luxury to complain.
So, reluctantly, we hopped in and tore off in the direction of the interview area.
.....
....
...
..
.
*Skrrrrt*
The vehicle skidded to a stop, throwing me and aqua into the driver and passenger seat respectively.
"Get off."
The big brolic black dude who was our driver ordered us off with a strong tone, so we quickly skedaddled, and watched as he blitzed down the street.
"... I don't want to get on UberSheep again..."
Aqua seemed traumatized by the event, and honestly, I don't blame her. I was holding on for dear life the entire time.
He did get us here in 3 minutes though.
5 stars.
"Sigh... Well, we're close to our destination, so let's just go."
"Okay."
This amount of rushing wouldn't have been necessary, if they didnt set us on a one hour timer.
Isn't it common sense that you inform someone of an interview at least a day in advance?
Speaking of interviews...
"Are you confident about the interview Aqua?"
At my question, aqua froze.
"?"
When I looked back at her, she just stood there silently trembling.
"Oh my god..."
I mean, I guess I should have seen it coming, but why is she only just now nervous?
"I can't!!!"
She screamed out loud, drawing in multiple gazes from the people around.
This only made her more distressed, as she continued her breakdown, but quietly this time.
"I can't do this! I'm too scared!!"
"Hah!? You're already here though! Just do it!"
"Are you crazy!? How can a coward like me do this! I barely even managed last time!"
Yeah, wait a minute. Why are you so nervous when you must have done it so many times before? Didn't you have like 8 jobs?
When I brought this up to aqua, she merely looked down in shame.
"I... Uhm... Had A-chan speak for me..."
... That's allowed?
"The first time I had an interview, I was so scared I didn't talk at all... Me and the interviewer just stared at each other for 5 minutes before he kicked me out... I begged A-chan to come with me every time after that."
So the only time she asks others for help is when shes too scared to speak in an interview.
Isn't that a little too pathetic?
I almost wanted to ask her how she's lived this long, but when I saw her eyes beading with tears, I forcefully refrained from commenting.
Hmm, how can I solve this?
"Uuu..."
When I stared at Aqua contemplatively, she let out a strange cry.
A girl so lacking in social skills and confidence, that she can't even interact with others properly.
She's done well speaking with me so far, but that's just because I have the A-chan buff still active. She doesn't trust me, she trusts the A-chan who believes in me.
Im not a therapist, I can't fix something like this, it's simply not in my skill set.
I could teach her some interview tips, but it's no use if she can't even bring herself to speak.
In the end, it all comes down to confidence.
Confidence...
I stay quiet for a moment to organize my thoughts, while Aqua squirms in discomfort.
When I have my words in order, I quietly clear my throat and prepare to use my silver tongue.
"Aqua."
"Eek!!"
She jumps in surprise at my sudden authoritative tone.
"You're scared aren't you?"
"..."
"I know you are."
I approach her and stand over her imposingly.
"Right now, your brain must be sending you all kinds of signals, telling you to run away, telling you it's impossible, telling you that if you do this, you'll make a fool of yourself."
Aqua looked down, seemingly ashamed of her cowardice.
"But you know what? Sometimes, your brain says things that aren't true."
*Roll for Persuasion*
"Why should you run? What makes it scary? How is it dangerous? Your head says all these things, but it never says why?"
At that, aqua's whole body jerks, and she looks up.
"It's all bullshit, and you know it's bullshit too. Yet you're so blinded by fear, that you can't even bring yourself to question even that much."
I raise a hand, slowly so as to not startle her, and place it on her shoulder.
"No one should know your emotions better than you. Analyze your feelings for a second Aqua. Tell me why you feel this way."
Aqua hesitantly closes her eyes, and thinks for some time.
When several minutes pass by, she opens her mouth and speaks, this time without a tremor.
"I don't want to disappoint them. A-chan, my genmates, everyone... Im so scared of the faces they might make if I fail, that the fear glues me in place."
She opens her eyes, and for the first time, I could see a gentle calmness within them.
"I'm well aware that the fear is entirely baseless, and that I shouldn't be scared. Everyone is so nice, that they would just pull me up if I ever fall. But that doesn't make the possibility any less scary."
So it's a case of fighting ghosts, huh? The sheer thought of such a future possibly occuring scares her witless, and it bleeds over Into the present.
"But Aqua, who told you that you shouldn't be scared?"
"Huh?"
She looks up at me, confused.
But it's the truth.
"Aqua, fear is a natural part of life. If we didn't need it, humans would have kicked it out of the gene pool."
I chuckle and shake my head as if seeing a kid do something stupid.
"The problem isn't that you're scared, it's that you're letting that stop you."
Aqua's eyes widened in shock, like a disciple receiving enlightenment from their master.
"Bravery isn't the absence of fear, it's acting in spite of it. You're waiting for yourself to stop feeling scared before you try anything, but that's not how it works."
That's REALLY not how it works.
"If you keep on waiting, you'll just stay still. Discard the mentality of giving yourself breathing room, and listen to me:"
Aqua is listening to my next words with clear anticipation. If I mess up here, it's back to zero.
But I perform best under pressure.
I take a deep breath and absorb the ambient badass energy in the atmosphere. For a second, my form overlaps with that of a shirtless blue haired young man with tattoos.
"Kick logic out and do the impossible!"
"... What?"
"You don't need any of that fancy shit! Just believe in yourself!"
"But... How am I supposed to believe in myself when I can't even talk to people properly? Isn't that just stupid?"
"Oh? But you're talking to me just fine?"
"Obviously that's because A-chan endorsed you..."
"And that's what gave you the confidence to call me stupid?"
For a coward like yourself, that's awfully out of character?
At my words, aqua seemed to realize what she just said and turned bright red in embarrassment.
"... I'm sorr-"
"Hey! Idiot! I didn't say that to make you apologize, I said it to make you realize. Despite only getting to know me today, you still gathered enough courage to straight up call me dumb. Isn't that proof enough?"
Aqua paused for a moment, confused. The man was right, since when had they gotten close enough to casually insult each other?
"If you can do this, you can do an interview, no problem! I believe in you!"
"... That still doesn't change that I don't believe in myself."
This stubborn little allium(family name for onions)...
Fine!
"Then don't!"
"Huh!?"
Here comes the finishing move!
"Don't believe in yourself."
"Wh-what do you mean...?"
"Instead... Believe in me! Believe in Boss A! Believe in all of us!"
I point a bold finger directly at her face.
"Believe in the US that believes in YOU!!"
The spectre of exaggerated orange shades flickered over my face.
I've been working towards this from the very start.
You don't have enough confidence? Fine.
Then borrow mine!
Until you're brave enough to stand on your own, our unwavering support belongs to you.
So don't ever freeze in fear!
Aqua looked at my finger, and then looked at me.
After simply staring for a while, her mouth began to tremble, and her eyes glistened.
Before long, she was sniffling and sobbing quietly while hiding her expression.
I didn't say anything else.
I didn't need to.
I just needed to be there.
×Chapter 10: Heart to Heart×
=====================
Quick A/N: Probably no chapter next week. Just barely managed to get this one out, so I gotta build up my stock again.