One last chance

A new position?

After finishing his cigarette with the company of Takano Masamune, Kirishima left the smoke room to go to the Shacho's desk in the sixth room to discuss apparently an urgent matter that happened not a minute ago. His mind was trailing in thoughts of what the all mighty president of Marukawa wants to talk about.

'The release of the movie Za Kan is going to be in November, so we've got time until then. Maybe another interview with Kyo-san and Usami-sensei? I hope not', he thought and ruffled his hair in slight frustration.

The last time the mangaka and the novelist had an interview was somehow a disaster, even though the interviewer didn't understand a thing.

The handsome editor still feels sorry for Takahashi Misaki, part timer in the Shonen manga and soon to be full time employee, since the two men fought for the young boy. There are rumors that he and Usami-sensei might be a couple since they live in the same apartment, but they are just rumors and the president himself denies it because he knows very well the great novelist.

Shaking slightly his head, Kirishima went towards the elevator that was empty, pushed the button with the number 6, indicating the president's floor in which he arrived after a few seconds.

He thought maybe he could see his best friend but he had to talk to Isaka immediately.

'I wonder how Gou still works in Marukawa since he steps a foot once in a decate... By the way we hadn't hang out for a long time due to work', he thought with a smile and then exited the elevator that arrived on the sixth floor.

It was somewhat quiet, with no workers growling or cursing about the limited time they had before the deadlines. Sometimes, he can't help but wonder why all the manga editors and also mangakas become late to their deadlines.

All he can do right now is give a small chuckle and move towards the double door which led inside Isaka-san's desk. When he reached the door, a male figure went outside the room with an envelope tagged under his arm and looking at his wrist watch on his left hand.

He side stepped in order to avoid the collision, something that the other felt because he then raised his head and saw Kirishima. Amond eyes watched the figure straighten himself and standing still with a serious expression decorating his facial features.

"Kirishima-san, welcome. How can I help you?", the man said in a calm but serious voice.

"Hello Asahina. I came to speak to Isaka-san. A subordinate of mine informed me that he wanted to talk about a... matter, if I am correct?"

"Ah yes. He wanted to discuss something with you. Come in", he said and opened the door more to reveal the said man sitting on an office chair and looking at some papers.

However, the dashing editor didn't forsee that another figure would be in the room and he learnt about it when the mysterious person began to talk.

"As you can see Shacho, we are ready to open the company in the town, but we have lack of staff, including the one position that I told you some hours ago. Can you give us some workers? In that way, we will begin to create and sell books in no time"

Isaka-san looked once more at the given papers from the figure and hummed in concetration but then stopped looking at them when they heard someone clearing their throat. The president raised his head and immediately his eyes sparkled when he saw the curly haired man standing on the door with one hand on his pocket and his usual professional smile decorating his lips.

"Ah, Kirishima, I was looking for you!"

"Yeah, Katou told me that you had something to tell me", he said and approach the desk, bowing his head to the president and then to the man sitting across the desk with crossed legs and folded hands in a big fist above them.

"I called on your department, but you were gone. So I left a message to Katou"

"I went for a break and then I saw him on the smoke room I was, telling me that you had an urgent to discuss"

"Ah yes, well before that, let me introduce you to Shirakawa Hiroshi, the president of the Shirakawa publishing company that opened in Sawara. He is an old friend and came here for a request"

"It's a pleasure to meet you Shirakawa-san", Kirishima said and gave his business card to the said man from his back pocket while the other man did the same

"The pleasure is mine Kirishima-san. I'm glad that I finally meet you"

"E?", the hazelnut haired man said dumbfounded but then he heard Isaka-san laughing slightly at his reaction

"This is why I called you here Kirishima. Shirakawa recently opened his publishing company in Sawara and came here to require some employees for his staff. Even though he already has editors, salesmen and directors, he lacks some more editors, including a chief in the Shonen manga department. And guess what?"

"You want me to go to Sawara in order to work there as editor in chief in the Shonen manga department?"

"Bingo", he snapped his fingers, pointing his index ones to Kirishima with a grin decorating his lips.

"I couldn't think of another one and if you are going to worry about Ijuuin-sensei, then don't because he is not going to publish a new volume now due to the movie making"

"I know about that but while I am fluttered with your recommendation about me, I can't leave Tokyo easily. I have a daughter with me and I can't leave her alone. In almost one month she is going to start school"

"Then why don't you take her with you"

"What?"

"Well, you are not going to work permanent in the Shirakawa company because we want to see how things will go since we are going to cooperate for about 4 months. So, you will be working there for 4 months and then you can return back to Tokyo. I will tell to the others that I gave you 4 months break in order to do a business trip. As for your daughter, there are schools that she can attend AND be with her father. Please Kirishima, this is a chance you have to take. You will help us a lot and of course we will sell a lot of Ijuuin-sensei's works since we are cooperating. So, what do you say?"

The editor looked at the hoping president and then at the other man who was bowing his head, while saying that he heard great words about his work and leading and was very impressed with his calmness when a hell week was approaching. Even though this was a unique chance, he can't risk it so easily.

He needs to think of some things before doing it.

"How about this Isaka-san: give me a day and I will inform you immediately when I make my decision"

"It's a deal" he said and extended his hand, which Kirishima accepted it wholeheartedly and shook it slightly. He then did the same to Shirakawa and later he exited the room, walking towards the stairs to go to his department after he gave a bow to Asahina who was standing outside the whole time.

'Editor in chief of Shonen manga department in Sawara. Hmm, I need to consider it very carefully. And also, what am I going to tell to Hiyo?', he thought and then exhaled a nervous breath.

He needs to discuss a lot of things with his daughter and his parents...