Jiro

Part 17: Big Brother 3

  Akio had started to lose hope, living in that small apartment. The twins brought him joy to play with them. He spent his days off with them on the weekend as well as with Miss baker. He laid in bed and the next day awoke with a sealed letter in his mailbox.

"I got an interview," He said after reading the letter, "I got an interview! Yeah!"

Akio ran up and told Miss Baker the good news.

"Oh that's wonderful," Miss baker replied, "You'll finally be able to get that two person apartment."

"I can't wait, but I've been thinking about that apartment," Akio said, "Maybe if I saved up enough, or had some help, I could get a four bedroom house instead. One with a large backyard for the girls and Jiro. A large living room for toys and relaxation. And finally a large kitchen with space for the girls to learn to cook and our cooking as well."

"Akio are you proposing to me?" Miss baker asked.

"Only if you aren't going to deny me Tessa Baker," Akio held her hand, "If I get this job, I'll be saving up for you, myself, Faith and Hope, and Jiro. It'll be the five of us together. And although I don't have a ring yet, I hope you still say yes when I finally do."

"Akio," Tessa hugged him, "I'll be waiting for you to ask."

 Akio kissed Tessa and had a smile on his face for the rest of the day. He remembered moving in and meeting the twins for the first time. The first time Tessa apologized for the girls' pestering him. He had never really did mind them at all. He remember how he slowly began to enjoy Tessa's company more and more. Although they were only friends at first, he wanted to be a permanent part of their lives, and now he knew it was the same for her.  He woke up the next day and got prepared himself for the interview. He rented a nice suit and tie, bought breath mints and set his alarm. After that he played with the girls and helped Tessa around the house.

"Akio," Hope said through her laugher, "higher jump higher!"

"Akio I wanna turn," Faith begged, "Please~a"

"Alright Hope," Akio put Hope down, "It's Faith's turn, "Akio put Faith over his shoulder and started jumping around with her.

"Having fun girls," Tessa asked as she came in with groceries, "Akio could you give me a hand?"

"Alright girls you stay here and guard the groceries while we bring in the rest," Akio put Faith down and gave them both wooden spoons, "Make sure no one else comes in. And don't eat any sweets or there'll be none left for later."

"Okay, " The girls said in sync.

"They enjoy your company so much," Tessa said as she closed the trunk, "It'll make things easier."

"My interview is tomorrow," Akio said, "I have everything ready. If I get this job we'll be set for our lives in no time flat. You could even quiet that clinic job and focus on getting a job in a hospital. They have much better pay and insurance."

"Oh that would be wonderful," Tessa took two of the six bags on the ground, "I wish you the best of luck."

"I thank you," Akio joked as he grabbed the last four bags.

 The next day Akio got all dressed up and began to head straight to the northern city. He passed by the park Jiro would wait for him at. He walked up to the bench, the graffiti Eden had left was painted over. Under the bench he found Jiro's old charger, the sticker saying Akio still on it, even though it was know fade.

"He waited here," Akio put the charger in his pocket as a limo pulled up asking for him.

 Akio fiddled with the charger while he waited in the limo. Jiro would never forget his charger, Akio thought, What happened to you Jiro?

"Welcome to Lord Vincent Gradient's Manner," Two maids welcomed Akio out of the car.

"Akio Faden," Vincent walked up to the car, "Pleasure to met you."

"Same to you," Akio shook his hand, "It's not every day I get to met one such as yourself."

"Let us head to the gardens. I find it my interviewees have an easier time answering questions when they're in a relaxing environment," Vincent began walking and Akio followed.

Once in they were settled in the gardens Vincent began his interview.

"Why is that you want this job?" Vincent asked.

"I want to be able to support my family and help the twins get into good colleges and teach them to work hard rather than depending on machinery to go work for them," Akio answered.

"Alright," Vincent replied, "Why do you think you'll work out as my newest strategy manager? After all my company is successful its own right now."

"Simple," Akio began, "You company if extremely successful, but that's only because you sell to the rich. When the rice lose interest you're company could go out of business. What you need is someone who's had to work to in his life without the luxury of robotics for assistance. Someone who can relate to the common civilian and can help developments become appealing to the citizens while keeping you richer buyers as stable customers."

 Once the interview was over Akio's nerves had started to calm, he didn't feel as worried as before. Of course there was still the matter of hearing Vincent say he was hired.

"Akio Faden," Vincent said, "You're hired."

"Oh thank you sir, I promise you won't regret this," Akio shook his hand calmly, I got the job! Yes!, even though he was out of control excited in his mind.

"Now for the official paperwork," Vincent waved over a maid who placed papers in front of Akio.

"Where do I sign?" Akio asked.

"Sign?" Vincent laughed, "You've got the job. This is just the list of safety rules and regulations. You're the strategy manager now. I'll need a presentation of you ideas by next week. I would get to work now if I had you're creativity. I'll see you next Friday for your presentation. You'll have the weekends off no matter what."

"Thank sir," Akio bowed and waited until Vincent left before shouting to celebrate, "I got the job!"

 He had a huge grin on his face as he walked back to the limo that was around back. The driver had opened the back door for him and was getting in the front. There was a russell of the leaves in the bushes, Akio paid no mind, even though it was Jiro watching him leave.