"What do you mean you'll be leaving? Don't tell me your success has gone to your head and you plan to open up your own business that'll eventually fail because you have zero experience running one?!"

I've seen it happen before, kid. It's not worth going through the debt and regret.

"Ah no, sir, that's not it-"

"No, don't tell me..."

"Huh?"

"You've made enough money to retire already...dear God, this job really is amazing..." I was truly amazed, retired at twenty. Even lizard men who make social media sites would be impressed.

"Sir, if you'd let me finish for once!"

I quit thinking of other possibilities and opened up my ears.

Aww, I had other guesses too. Relationship problems, fleeing the country cause of murder, wanting to become a missionary, or maybe he was an aspiring writer who'd inevitably fail and be miserable.

"You see, the thing is, I'm getting promoted from a surveyor to an exec."

"Oh, I see."

Well, I mean, it's still impressive.

"So that means the position you left open will be filled in by me?"

"Yep, that's right."

"Does Myla know about this?"

"Nope, I haven't told her yet, so she'd stay in a good mood."

Do you call that being in a good mood?

"So, in short, I'll be breaking the news to her today, and you can come in tomorrow - so you don't have to experience the fallout."

He laughed at his statement, but I was genuinely a little worried for him.

You go, you brave soul.

"Welp, with that, your interview has concluded. Welcome to aiAI Industries. We'll send you your uniform and get your ID ready by tomorrow. Come in at around 8 o'clock sharp and meet me at the surveyor's division."

"Right, thanks."

I left for my home after that. I wondered how it'd be, I haven't gone to work in a good few months now, but it seemed that their office was a lot laxer, especially when it came to surveyors.

I should be fine. Besides, it's pretty much just a door-to-door salesman-type gig with a bit of counseling.

I went to slumber with that thought and prepared for tomorrow.

I woke up and, for the second day in a row, took a proper shower and began to get dressed - before I could, however, a knock on my door arrived.

This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Who is it?"

"Mr. Blaithe? We have a delivery for you."

Ah, it must be the uniform I was gonna be sent.

I went down and received my package, I opened it up, and there it was.

How nice of them to send it cleaned and ironed as well.

It was the same the two had worn when they first came to my house, a white button-up coat with blue streaks on its edges, a pair of black pants, and on the coat - a small badge. I put it on, and it fit me quite well, I picked up my relatively light suitcase, and with that, I was off to take the bus once more.

Well, this is nostalgic, the cool morning breeze, the bus filled with workers from all walks of life, and the cloudy atmosphere.

It has been quite some time since I had to get up early and go to work, but I can't say I didn't miss it. I got off at the stop and went in. It seemed that surveyors were among the early birds since there were only the receptionists and maintenance in the building from what I could see. I went in and greeted them with a casual good morning and went to the surveyor's division of the building. I took the elevator up, seeing as it was located on the third floor of the massive structure, and was greeted by the surveyor division's common area. It was spacious and filled with tables, chairs, sofas, and even a few vending machines. The same art I had seen when I was interviewed, was also scattered across the walls and the large windows allowed the natural morning bits of natural morning light to come through. I walked past the common area and entered a long hallway where the offices were; I searched around and found the door with the names Ms. Marika and Mr. Adams stamped upon it. That's when I saw her again sitting on a sofa. The sun hadn't completely pierced through the clouds yet, which gave off a bluish hue in the surrounding area. Her ash gray hair reflected what light had landed on it. Her eyes were covered by small glasses focused on the laptop in front of her as she steadily typed away at it and her white uniform made it as if she'd disappear among the marble-white walls of the office at any moment if not for the bright pink streaks upon it.

Should I call out to her? I mean, I am technically her coworker now.

I thought about it, but it felt almost like disturbing a living art piece, so for a bit, I gazed from afar before slowly making my way toward her.

"And here I thought they'd reject you. I guess this place is even more generous than I thought."

Irk, never mind I take it back. I should've ruined the art piece like some inconsiderate tourist looking to destroy art pieces just to get a selfie.

"Good morning to you too, sheesh."

I sat down on the sofa in front of her and put my small suitcase down.

"So, uh, where's Alexandre?"

"He'll be here in a moment. He had to take care of his promotion the night before, so he'll be later than usual."

"Late on the first day, huh? Here I thought he got promoted 'cause of his performance."

I joked a little, but all that earned was a questioning look from her.

Alright, this time, I really won't make any more jokes, jeez.

"Being an exec, he also comes in later than us surveyors. In reality, he's making an exception to come in early and orient you."

"Shouldn't there be people assigned for that?"

"There are, but he requested to personally oversee you, it seems he worries about your competence."

Or he worries if I can make it through a week with you.

I pushed down those thoughts for the time being and waited. All I had were my thoughts and the sound of her constant typing to accompany me as I waited for Alexandre to arrive.

Nice place they got here, actually,

I thought as I observed the room. The middle of the room had a round glass table and two sofas in front and behind it. On the walls were two tables adjacent to each other, the cleaned-out one I presumed to be Alexandre's and the other containing a familiar clipboard, and her other items were probably Myla's.

Guess this is where I'll be from now on. I should've brought some decorations, maybe an anime figurine.

As I laughed at the thought, Alexandre had finally arrived as I finished my observation of the office.

"Righty-o, good morning, and welcome, Bridger! You are now officially a member of aiAI Industries. Here's your ID."

He sat down and handed it to me with a smile bigger than any he'd shown prior.

"Okay! Let us begin your orientation as a surveyor!"

He said enthusiastically. Myla didn't bat an eye, as if she was used to him by now and all I could do was chuckle internally.

Maybe this won't be so bad after all.