Capítulo 65: Upon Arrival

Hajime held his breath as the company building of K Company loomed in front of him. There was an atmosphere that he couldn't explain as soon as he got out of the taxi. Was it because he just spent a ridiculous amount on the fare, or was it because he was afraid to go inside such an important building? Whichever it is, Hajime for sure could feel it deep within his bones.

'No, I'm already here, either I see this through or not, and it would be a waste if I don't choose the former.' He tried to hype himself up. One breath. Two breaths. No matter how many breaths it took it didn't calm his nerves. How could he not be nervous when he'd be meeting none other than Megumi's dad for something Megumi-related? Furthermore, the person he's meeting is the most important person in the company. The VIP. The CEO.

Focusing on his breathing brought the opposite effect and Hajime shook his head instead, bringing his head down as he tried to fight through his nervousness. Some part in him wanted to slap both his cheeks so he could come to his senses but the mere thought brought about embarrassment since there were already a couple of people around him. "It's not like I'm forcing myself here... and it's not like I have enough money to get back home. Either way, there's no going back now."

A gulp, and then a step forward. Then another step. Then another step. Hajime didn't stop stepping forward until he reached the entrance of the building where he found himself face to face with two policemen, clutching the handles of their guns which were carefully strapped to their belts. For a moment, Hajime imagined getting shot by the policemen for acting so suspiciously and he quickly removed the thought in his mind. Those thoughts wouldn't help with his current engagement. Right now, all he had to think about was meeting Megumi's father That's all there is to it.

"Do you have a scheduled appointment?" One of the guards asked with a stern expression on his face, stepping in front of Hajime as if to block his path. He had seen many of his kind before, high school students who wanted to apply for a position in the company. He was getting tired of them, but that didn't mean he would disrespect them as the guard of the building. He knew his position, and that is to protect the building and lessen the risk factors that might come in— nothing more and nothing less. The only reason why he stepped in front of Hajime was to make sure that he wasn't a threat and not because he wanted him to get out of his sight.

"Yes," Hajime responded with utmost confidence, standing his ground since backing away would be an act befitting of suspicion. Deep inside, however, he was rattling like a snake, his legs turning into jelly as the guard touched the handle of his gun. He gulped, but his expression didn't change, and he continued staring at the guard as if he had all the right to be there. 'Don't back off, Hajime, don't back off.' He kept reminding himself.

"I see, name? What time? And who are you meeting?" The guard asked. Even though Hajime acted as confidently as he could, the guard was still suspicious of him, eyeing him up and down a couple of times before turning around and whispering something to the other guard.

"Sasajima Hajime... and right now, I don't know what time it is. But I do have a scheduled appointment today, you can ask the CEO, Kikuchi Koji-san." Hajime clearly said.

To which the guard scoffed. "Kid, you shouldn't mess around like that, if you don't have an appointment then you can go. The CEO doesn't have time for you."

The other guard on the other hand— the guard that hasn't spoken ever since Hajime stepped in front of the entrance— nudged the guard to the side and whispered something to him. "You shouldn't treat him like that... what if he wasn't joking... you might get fired, you know."

Hajime could already tell who was the newly-recruited guard from the two of them and he didn't speak a word as they had a slight squabble. He just stood there, patiently waiting as the two of them settled it as quietly as possible.

"It will only take a few seconds, go to the front desk and confirm it. If there's really none, then it's all good, we can send him away. But if he really had an appointment... then even better. The safe play here is to confirm nonetheless." The kinder guard pointed out.

"Why don't you go confirm it then."

"How dare you talk to me like that, ssst! I'm still your senpai, you know,"

"Fine, fine, I just have to check, right?"

The guard who had been hostile at Hajime glared at him and stared at him once more before turning around and going to the front desk. "I'm sorry about that, he's still new to the job." The guard apologized to Hajime in the other guard's stead.

Hajime nodded. "It's fine, I'd have the same reaction if I was in his shoes."

It's as if the guard was walking the walk of shame as he went back to his post. In hand, he carried a visitor's pass, all the while trying not to connect his line of sight with Hajime. He had reacted so strongly about confirming it that when he was told Hajime wasn't kidding, he realized that his senpai was actually right.

Meanwhile, the other guard smiled at him as if saying 'I told you so,' as he handed the visitor's pass to Hajime.

"Elevator to the right, top floor, just walk straight through the hallway and talk to the guard posted by the door." The guard instructed.

"Sure," Hajime fastened the visitor's pass on his neck before he stepped foot inside the building. 'Well, that went better than expected,' He said to himself, half-smiling.