Tear Me Apart [18+] ENGLISH VERSION

Chapter 6: City of fallen Angels

„Sakura." Kakashi nudged his protégé on the shoulder. „Sakura-kouhai, wake up."

She gradually stirred and blinked wearily. It was somehow admirable how calmly she was able to sleep on the plane. One could only wish that she never lost this talent. „Hm..? Have we landed?"

„Yes," Kakashi replied curtly and stood up to get their hand luggage out of the storage compartment. „Hurry up, we have a tight schedule."

Sakura nodded, got up too, took her large leather shopper and squeezed past the other passengers, who seemed much more relaxed than they did. They hurried out of the plane to the baggage claim, grabbed their respective suitcases – Kakashi with his usual trolley bag, Sakura searched a little longer for her own, which, however, stood out clearly among all the muted tones due to its striking pink color – and went straight to the airport exit. It had been two years since Kakashi had been here, but he had a good memory and so he headed purposefully for the taxi stand not far from their terminal. He gave Sakura further instructions. „We'll go to our hotel now, check in and freshen up a bit. The appointment with the client is in three hours. As long as nothing happens, we'll be right on time. But always assume that something unexpected will happen and don't rely on any buffers. These are for emergencies, so don't push them. Always remember: as an agent, you are the company's figurehead. If you make a bad impression on the client, whether it's through overtired or shabby behavior or even lateness, it reflects badly on you, the company and thus our reputation. We are the best in the world in our field, never forget that." He hailed a taxi, they loaded their luggage and took a seat in the back. „First impressions count, so always plan enough time to make yourself presentable before an appointment." He gave her comfortable clothes a half-critical look. „I understand that a ten-hour flight in a suit is unpleasant, but you always have to have it at hand. Confidence and reliability are our strongest weapons."

„I understand," Sakura nodded and pulled her sweater a little shamefacedly. „Please forgive my appearance, Sensei."

„It's okay, that's why I'maccompanying you on your first time. I'm here to give you advice." They had met at Haneda Airport just minutes before departure and she had been too nervous anyway, so he hadn't seen the opportunity to address her outfit. She still had a lot to learn, but he shouldn't stress her out any further. „And also save on makeup. In the West, the dress code is not as strict as you are used to in Japan, but we are still representing our country and our company, and if you show up at the client's with smokey eyes, as if you were going to a rave, you are not being professional. So skip the eye shadow or anything like that. Mascara is enough."

Sakura looked at Kakashi in surprise. „You know a lot about these things, Sensei."

„I'm not living in a cave," Kakashi replied, checking the contents of his briefcase for the hundredth time. Everything he needed for the client was in place, just as it had been ten minutes earlier. Despite his years of experience, he never lost this sense of insecurity. „The best advice I can give you for field work is: always expect the worst and be prepared for anything, but never show it. Clients are like animals, they sense your mood. No matter what's going on inside, act with confidence and no one will ever question you."

„Mm," Sakura nodded. That was what Kakashi liked about her. She absorbed everything he taught her with an irrepressible thirst for knowledge and never failed to put what she had learned into practice. With his guidance, she would go far in the business and he was a little jealous because she would probably surpass him at some point. But then he could still brag afterwards that he had been her teacher, and everyone would praise him for it. So they benefited from each other.