Chapter 06 - When It Rains, It Pours, Doesn't It?

Story Arc 2: Ramen on a Rainy Day
Chapter 06 - When It Rains, It Pours, Doesn't It?

At least, that’s how I imagined this interaction would go. I’m still in the car, two hands still on the steering wheel. I can make this imagination into reality, and the chance is now! I open the driver’s door of the car and hopped out. My head is lowered, a furious expression across my face.

“Hey, are you okay?” one of the workers, the leader of the three, called out. As they drew closer, I raised my head.

“Me? Why yes, I’m perfectly fine. No scratches at all!” I answer with a genuine smile across my face, eyes closed in relief. The tone of my voice is rather relaxed, yet laughing embarrassingly as I rub the back of my head.

“Seems like your car’s in a ditch,” the leader states nonchalantly.

“Yeah, it seems that way, doesn’t it?” I say, still smiling. Obviously! Your damn truck is in the way!

“Ha! They taught you this in driving school?” the worker with the smokeless cigarette pen quipped. The third worker guffaws at the joke.

“N-not at all,” I say sheepishly, still smiling.

“Looks like you’re gonna need a tow to get you out of this one,” the leader suggests.

No crap! Nice to know you have 20/20 vision!

“Yeah, it seems that way.” I’m still smiling. My politeness, though contrary to my thoughts, is still genuine.

“Got a number to a towing company or someone who could help you out here, Monsieur Chauffeur?” the smokeless cigarette worker jests. The third worker guffaws even more at the joke.

Looks like we got ourselves a comedian. “I think I have a card somewhere in the glove compartment…”

“Yes, the glove compartment stores the things that are most needed in dire situations like this. Very useful indeed,” the leader speaks aloud.

Could you say anything more obvious?

The lanky worker notices something in the passenger seat of my vehicle: the temporary ID badge of the freelance job that I was heading to. “Hey, I know this place! I have a cousin who works there.”

“O-oh, you do?”

“I could give them a call and they could send someone over to come help you!”

“T-that’s not nece - -” Before I could finish my sentence, the lanky worker was already connected on his phone to the freelance job.

“Hey, we have one of your workers here in an auto accident. Yeah, his car is stuck in a ditch. No, he drove into the ditch. Why? I don’t know. I don't think he knows how to drive. If you could send someone over to help him out of his predicament, I’m sure he’ll appreciate it!”

Every sentence he spoke felt as if a deep grave was being dug for me. Each word excavated every politeness and optimism of this moment. My expression is deadpan yet helpless. If my expression could talk right now, it would say, ‘Why though?’

Pressing the end call button, the lanky worker turned toward my direction, smile brightly, and gave me a thumbs up. His co-worker and the leader slid beside him, joining in on giving the same gesture. I stood there, frozen in place with a smile across my face. But internally, the wind howled a hollow landscape to fill the void of utter dread and helplessness. Just push me in already and fill the grave!

***

Some time passed and the freelancing job ordered a tow truck to lift my car out of the drainage ditch and onto the road. Now, I’m back on the road, en route to the job, the roads free of traffic. The towing cost nothing, so no worries there. I’m nearly two hours late, but the job knows of the situation that had transpired. Minor setback, but everything will go smoothly today. All is cool and calm.

I arrive at the client company and park in my assigned parking. I use my temporary ID badge to scan myself to enter the building. Once inside, I walk down a hall towards the office. Standing at the closed door, I take a deep breath to prepare myself and open the door silently to not disturb their work.

“Aoi Akabane here. Sorry for being late, and thank you for sending help!” I said with deep respect and appreciation as I bow before them.

“It’s no problem at all, Mr. Akabane,” the boss replied. He rose from his desk and walked towards me to shake my hand. “Happy to have you here! We’ve heard wonderful things about you and are excited to be working with you!”

“Happy to work with you, Mr. Akabane!” the office welcomed in unison.

At least, that’s how I imagine this interaction would occur.

“Stay cool, Aoi,” I console myself. “It’s nothing to worry about. The important thing is that there’s a job to do and it will be done without a hitch! There’s a full day ahead of you, and it’s only beginning!”

The optimism is returning, the sunshine that I need on this cloudy day. All is cool and calm.

I arrive at the client company and park in my assigned parking. I use my temporary ID badge to scan myself to enter the building. Once inside, I walk down a hall towards the office. Standing at the closed door, I take a deep breath to prepare myself and open the door silently to not disturb their work.

“I’m sorry I’m late it won’t happen again I won’t have another car accident again please forgive me I’m very sorry for causing so much trouble I promise it won’t happen again I’m not an irresponsible person please forgive me accidents happen I’m so embarrassed the truck was in the way and the guy was smoking a smokeless cigarette and the other guy was always laughing and another guy always stated the obvious sorry to cut into your time please don’t cancel the contract I’m here and ready to work sorry for wasting your time this is my fault not my family’s business please accept my apology”

I apologize and bow profusely, almost without end. 

The office workers halt their task to gaze upon the sad comedy. The amount of sincerity exuding from each word and bow floods the entire office. The level of embarrassment I feel is astronomical that I’d rather be buried deep in a proverbial grave. If only they didn’t know of my predicament. If only they would know that I am late because of traffic. If rainy days are my best days, then cloudy days are my worst.

“It’s no problem at all, Mr. Akabane,” the boss assures in a meek yet empathetic manner. “We’re just glad that you aren’t injured and there are no damages to your car.”

“Yeah, it’s okay, Aoi,” says Ms. Reiko Kawayama, placing a hand on my right shoulder. “Even I’ve driven into those ditches a time or two or three.” She is smiling with brilliant confidence.

Your sympathy isn’t helping!

I begin to calm down almost instantly as the boss uttered those words, not sparing another thought towards the manner. I take a deep breath and smiled, feeling calm and relieved, regaining my usual disposition.

This morning is just a mishap. No need to get bent out of shape and out of my mind over it. I wasn’t hurt, my car is okay, and nobody was inconvenienced. Things like this happen to people, so I shouldn’t feel as if I am exempt from such mishaps. Life will continue. If anything, let this be a lesson to be learned: never drive on that damned street again!

***

Oh, right. I haven’t told you about my current freelance job. My current gig is at a company named Mentor Solutions. Mentor Solutions hires people who are qualified in leadership and problem-solving skills and dispatch them to whoever is in need. The mentors train and coach the clients in solving most issues in their lives, as well as training the clients how to approach and solve any issues they may experience in life. It’s a one-of-a-kind job and is one of the many facets that makes Sakura City unique.

The manager of the records department approached G.Biv with the intention of temporary work in organizing paperwork and data entry for the next few weeks. A few of their staff are on leave at the moment, and the department is behind on their tasks. Saki is currently away on a detective freelancing gig, and Ai is currently on-call on a client case with Mentor Solutions. So, that’s where I come in. It’s nothing cool or exciting, I know. But it’s better than nothing and I’m not complaining about it. I enjoy office work like this every once in a while, ya know? Life doesn’t always have to be constantly exciting. Gotta take it slow every once in a while.

I’ve already accomplished my tasks for the day, so I will hang around the office until there’s another task or until it’s time to go home for the day, whichever comes first. 

For now, it’s lunchtime. My lunch today is a Caesar salad with croutons, Parmesan cheese, and a drizzle of blue ranch dressing. The best lunch! As I chew my meal, I stare out the window of the 9th floor of the building, watching life carry on within Sakura City.

The day has become cloudier with no sign of dispersing. It may rain today. A rainy day… The cloudy cityscape takes me back to a day in the past, about two weeks ago. I was on a gig with Saki. We just happened to have the same client, but…