First Encounter

Bit by bit, I got used to the new work-environment. Takeshi was at the hospital today for a check-up, so I took over duty alone. I already knew the basics of guard duty, and he had given me a few pointers on what to look out for, meaning there were no problems so far.
Today, the girls had a special request.
“We really need to get this part of the dance routine down, so make sure no one comes in and interrupts us!”
A rather simply request. And apparently, I was a good fit for it, as ‘your appearance is enough of a deterrent to shoo people away’. I let that one slide, and took position in front of the door to the practice room. It was slightly away from the main hallway, so I really doubted anyone would show up.

Contrary to my expectations, someone did show up, and was intent on meeting them.
A young woman, with straight, glossy black hair falling down her shoulders. Her dark, stern eyes were focused on her phone before glaring at me. She exhumed a sense of style and beauty, which might just be the influence of her well done make-up or well chosen clothes. I was by no means an expert on fashion, but even I could tell they made her look like a model.
She stood in front of me, and tried to get me to move away wordlessly. Noticing her stare wasn’t enough, she choose to use words instead.
“Excuse me, could you please move aside?”
Not the most polite way, especially with her chosen tone, but I am a professional, and act accordingly.
“I am sorry, but the people currently occupying this room asked me not to let anyone in.”
Annoyance was visible on her. “Can’t you do something? For example telling them they have a visitor?”
“Afraid I can’t do, Miss.”
She moved a bit away, leaned against a wall, and got her phone out once more. Was she simply waiting for me to move aside, or for them to come out? Or was she writing someone to have me removed? I didn’t know, and continued to stand on my post, while occasionally being glared at.
The minutes passed, and nothing happened. First ten. Then twenty. Near the thirty minute mark, still nothing had happened. The woman glared at me one final time, and then went on her way.
That was pretty much the only occurrence of any note. ‘So, they must have asked me specifically to keep her away.’ As nothing else had happened, this was the conclusion I reached. So, job fulfilled.

An hour and a half later, the door opened behind me, and a slightly exhausted looking face peered out.
“You can come in.” Upon entering, I saw them sluggishly sitting on a bench, water bottles in hand.
“Good work.”
“Thanks.” Shizuka gave a short reply. She had taken the most toll.
“So, it worked out?”
“Mostly. A few more tries after lunch, and we should have it down in time for the concert.” Haru was still full of energy, or at least willpower and motivation. I got a hesitating glance. “By the way, did someone try to come in?”
“Yes, a young woman. Straight black hair, black eyes, about this tall.” I raised my flat hand to the height of my cheekbones.
“Wait. What did you do?” A question showing concern came from Asumi.
“As you asked me to, I shooed her away. She was quite persistent, and only left after waiting half an hour.”
After I mentioned that fact, all three of them pulled out their phone. Checking the screen, they then collectively groaned. ‘So she did try to write them.’
They response made me question my previous firm resolution. “Should I… not have done that?”
“Yes. But-” “We didn't tell you, so it’s on us.” “I hope she is not too angry.”
I needed more info. “Is she your manager, or?”
“No, all those things go through Megumi, but she is in a meeting today, so we knew she wouldn’t show up. But to think…” They all seemed a bit depressed. Sensing I didn’t quite follow, Asumi continued the explanation.

“You see, that was Hanekawa Yuuko. She has helped us out a lot. Like, a lot a lot.”
“Coordinating clothes, tips for dances, occasionally helping with songs.”
“We owe her.”
“And I pushed that person away, making her wait a long time, and leave in frustration.” That did not bode well for my future. ‘Better apologize next chance I see.’
“It is not your fault. We didn’t tell you-”
I clapped my hands together loudly, to stop any further discussion. Taking into account their fervent training at the moment, I did not want to put unnecessary thoughts into their head right now.
“What has happened, has happened. It can’t be changed anymore, so looking for fault is of no use. We will surely figure something out, but not on an empty stomach. You mentioned lunch, right? Go and eat something. Rest some, and then focus on your work again.”
I wanted to shift the focus of the conversation. And they had to be hungry after training like that. Suppressing them like this should work. Even though they were my seniors, the “intimidation factor” they had previously mentioned might be to thank, as they went up from their position, and moved to the cafeteria.

Lunch passed rather uneventfully, and after a rest to make sure the food wouldn’t come out again, it was back to practice for them. And for me, more standing still. It wasn’t any strenuous nor glamorous work. Simply… boring. An hour passed, and nothing happened.
But, as if to elevate my boredom, someone approached. A familiar person, whom I had just met for the first time this morning.
Noticing me, displeasure made it’s way across her face for a second, before hiding it with practiced ease. Albeit very much concealed, I could see enough from her body language. She made her way over. Before reaching me, before she could say anything, I bowed deeply. “I am very sorry, please forgive me.”
Hoping that taking the first move would be helping me solve this situation and knocking some wind out of her sails, I stayed in this position.

“Raise your head.” I did as I was told, and faced her. A bit puzzled, she gave me a one-over. “What is this about now?”
“Earlier today, I asked you to stay away, which was a mistake.”
“The girls already wrote me that they forgot to tell you. It is not on you.”
“Still, in my position, I should have automatically asked whom I can let pass. As it was an oversight on my part, I beg for your pardon.” I bowed again, and after holding it, raised up. “The girls are hard at practice, and giving it their all. It must have simply slipped their mind. Therefore, please do not be angry at them, and put it onto me.” Why did I cover for them so much? I didn’t know. I simply saw them giving it their all, and wanted to see them succeed. ‘Might this be part of idol influence?’
She sighed. “Look, I am not angry. Neither at them, nor at you. I was in a bad mood from before, and simply got annoyed, that is all. I should have been more professional as well. We caught each other on bad footing, so, do not worry about it, okay?” She tried to smooth things over. As it concerned me too, I gladly took the chance.
“Yes, thank you very much.”
“And stop the bowing.” I gave a small chuckle. It must have caught her off-guard. To end the conversation, I knocked on the door. …Which was useless, as these rooms were sound roof. So, I then opened the door, and beckoned the guest in. After letting her enter, I resumed my normal duty.

Thinking that was it with the disturbances for the day turned out to be wrong, as ten minutes later, a man came running to me. His balding head suggested he was getting in on the age. Either that, or it was his larger than normal weight that caused him to be out of breath when he arrived in front of me.
With well practiced or inherited arrogance in his voice, he commanded me. “You there. Move aside, and let me into the room.”
“I am sorry, it is currently occupied.”
A tinge of anger flew into his tone. “I know that, and I want to talk to someone inside there. Now open up.”
Judging from his character, this might be someone they didn’t want in there, so I refused him. “I am afraid I can’t do that. I have orders not to let anyone in.”
Now the anger was now visible on his face. “Don’t you know who I am?!”
‘A huffing puff?’ Due to his anger, his breathing didn’t calm at all. “No, and it doesn’t matter. You may not enter here. If you wish to enter nonetheless, please speak with the boss, Mister Goldberg, and get a written exception.” The boss wasn’t involved at all, but I had the feeling he would cover for me. …Probably.
“Why you!” Gritting his teeth, he glared at me. I seriously doubted he would nor could force his way through me. Still, I tensed up, and prepared myself.
Either invoking the boss’s name, or my statue deterred him from pursuing the matter further, as he started cursing under his breath. Finally, he said “You will regret this!” Glaring at me one more time, he trotted off like a cartoon villain. I doubted his claim, but remained vigilant. Compared to him, the first encounter with Hanekawa was more civilized and pleasant.

Same as before, I only had one encounter before someone came out of the training room. The girls were seeing Hanekawa off. “Thank you.”
“Don’t worry. And as I said, if you want someone to look it over, you can send me a video.” Unlike my previous impression of her, she seemed nice. Perhaps due to her smiling? She turned to me, the smile fading. Probably meant just for the girls, as a business mask returned to her. “Just ask him to take it. Not like he has anything to do anyway.” And I was wrong. A smile returned, albeit not cheerful. Not holding contempt, but... mischievousness?  Either that, or a small amount of spite. Despite it not being professional, I pushed back.
“Actually, I had something to do.”
“Open the door for me?”
“Not only that. Some important acting person came here, demanding I open the door.” I changed my voice, as if acting, to reflect the ridiculousness of the situation
Haru was the first to react to it. “What?”
Soon after, Hanekawa brought a hand to her face, whispering. “Not again.”
“What did you do?” Shizuka was more interested of how it had played out.

“Well, I asked you after lunch if there are any exceptions to not letting people in. He didn't seem like one of them. In fact, he didn’t even give me his name. So I send him off. He was really annoyed about it for some reason.” His attitude made me even feel gleeful about being allowed to shoo someone like him away and claim it was as part of my duty.
While three faces started frowning, one person was rubbing the bridge of her nose.
“Was he by any chance overweight, balding and assumed everyone has to know his name?”
“Yes.” ‘Hits all three check marks, so she must know who it is.’
“Okay, all of you can relax.”
“Do you know him?”
“Did we give you some kind of trouble?” Likely referring if I gave her trouble with my actions.
“No. He is just an idiot.” To reassure them, she looked at the three, eyes clear. “Don’t worry, I will take care of him.” Finally, she turned to me. “Looks like your stubbornness is actually useful or something. Most people get intimidated by him and swept up in his act.”
‘If I get intimidated by someone like that, what would I do if anyone tried attacking one of my charges. Or ran in my general direction with a knife? Can’t falter over something like that.’ I chose to remain silent. Hanekawa turned around, waving and leaving.

After a few minutes, the girls finally managed to calm down. It was probably for the best I haven’t mentioned about how the guy cursed to make me pay.
Once their nerves returned, they went back inside, resuming their practice.

Later, Megumi returned from her meeting, looking exhausted.
“Good work.” I handed her a bottle to drink from.
“Thanks. Are they still in?” She drank after the short question.
“Yes. I made sure they ate lunch and rested afterwards, so they took at least one break and didn’t go at it non-stop. As for drinking, I think they should notice themselves when to do so.”
“Thank you.” She finished drinking. “Anything else happened?”
“Well…” I relegate her the tale of my two visitors. She was shocked about Hanekawa, then relieved, then in thought about the man.
“I can’t say I have met him before. So he probably wasn’t here for us, but for Yuuko. However, it should be fine.”
“How come?”
“When she says she will take care of it, she does. In this regard, she is reliable. So, no need to worry about him affecting your position.”
“To be honest, I didn’t worry about that too much. The boss, …the head of security would probably vouch for me if any complains were to come in, so I am fine.”
“Do you know him that well?” Shock spread on her face.
“No, I just saw him a few times, but that is the feeling I got from him.” ‘Plus, if I pegged him correctly, he also derives fun from making guys like that get all enraged over not getting their wiles. It would be in line with him screwing with us all the time.’  “…Could I ask you a favor?”
“Sure. What is it?”

“Could you please write Hanekawa that she doesn’t have to do anything with that guy concerning me if it would put her at a disadvantage.”
“I can, but are you sure? You just met her today.”
“Yes, but I do not wish to make unnecessary trouble for anyone. Especially if she is a good friend of you all.”
A thin smile was the reply I got. “Alright, will do.” She stood up. “But first, I would like to check on the others.”
“Certainly.” I opened the door, and bowed like a butler.
“That is new.”
“I am just a glorified door opener at this point, after all.”
“Let me guess, Yuuko?”
“Kinda.”
“Don’t take it to heart.”
“I won’t.” To be honest, I saw it as fun. Maybe because it was something different from just standing around?
“Alright.”
In she went, and the door closed once more.

During the time where they probably discussed things, I stepped to the side into the break room, and prepared some warm drinks and a few snacks. It wasn’t officially part of my work, but it never hurt anyone to show kindness. And now, I could appreciate the way the hallways were build. It seemed strange to me at first, but now it made sense: I can stand here in the break room, and still have a view of anyone who would try to get close to the door. Not just entering, even approaching. Whoever designed this must have thought things out well.
After some wait, everyone left the room. They were grateful for the small setup, and sat down at their seats. Having a short time to recuperate, the day was declared to be over, and everyone went on their way home.

The next day Takeshi returned, without any problems to report. When I told him about the instance with Hanekawa, he laughed heartily. And once I mentioned the strange guy, he told me I had done well. If I earned his approval, it must have been the right decision.
And it was, for I never heard from nor saw that person again.