Fikush-ON!

Ch. 19: Planning For Future

"Morning," I greeted my friends as I entered the club room.

It was still early, and it would be a while until the classes would start. It's rare for us three to be awake so early at the same time. Tadaaki and Ichiro were both laying on the couches. The club room was filled with the pleasant aroma of coffee.

"It's pouring like hell, huh?" Tadaaki stated.

I noticed that he had hung his uniform's coat to dry. I decided to do the same, after which I headed to the kitchen area to grab myself a cup of coffee. As I carried the cup over to the couches, I noticed Ichiro reading some magazine.

"What's that? The newest Playboy?"

He snickered. "Not this time. I'm just checking out some jobs, since I won't be going to college after this."

"I see," I muttered, sipping my coffee. "Found anything?"

"Nah, just the same old shit. No way I'm becoming some salaryman, but I'm not sure if manual labor interest me either."

Man, you won't become shit if you're so picky about your options...

As I was thinking about jobs and all that, I remembered something. "Oh, by the way, speaking about jobs, I applied for a summer job."

Ichiro lowered his magazine. "Why? You're just gonna waste your summer."

"Man, shut up. I'm just doing it because my computer needs better components," I said, clicking my tongue.

Tadaaki shrugged. "Alright. So, what's the job?"

I didn't answer right away, which only peaked the guys' interest. I hesitated a few seconds.

"...domestic worker."

As I had guessed, the guys chuckled.

"What, you're gonna become a maid?" Ichiro snickered with his ugly grin.

I felt like throwing him with my coffee cup, but decided to just frown. "Fuck off. It just seemed easy enough. Cleaning, doing laundry, taking out the trash... My mom forces me to do all those, so I might as well get paid for it."

Tadaaki chuckled quietly for a while, until he suddenly stopped, as if realizing something. "...hold on, why did you apply so early? It's not like this town will run out of summer jobs."

"Well, that's the thing," I explained. "This is not a typical summer job. It pays well, and I mean really well. Or at least that's what it said in the ad. There was also a limited time for applying."

"The hell?" Ichiro muttered, puzzled. "Sounds too good to be true. Who is the employer, anyway?"

Tadaaki, too, seemed a bit interested.

...

I sipped my coffee.

"I forgot."

The guys sighed in chorus, which made me smirk. But seriously, I forgot the employer's name. Oh well, not like it would matter anyway. I mean, unless I'm accepted, then I'll have to memorize it really well. The bell soon rang, and we slowly headed to the class.

Couple of weeks went by. The classes ended, and I began packing my bag. The weather outside was nice, so I felt like going for a walk instead of going to the club room. Half-an-hour walk, that is. So, I dug out my phone, sending Ui a message, asking if we should have some tea. I soon received an affirmative answer.

I walked over to Tadaaki. "Yo, I've got stuff to do. See you tomorrow."

He, of course, understood me right away, and just nodded with a smile. Ichiro, on the other hand, seemed suspicious, but didn't say anything. I walked out of the class and towards the lobby, dodging students like obstacles. Finally getting to the shoe lockers, I changed my shoes, and headed outside.