18+ Private Nerd Herd Overheard

[Ayna Nietzsche]

Tokyo, Japan
Somewhere near Akibahara

Spoiler: Theme

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❰ Fukuhara Electric ❱

Huifang was squinting at her computer in her office. It was just nine in the morning, and she already had her coffee, a piping hot cup of café au lait, but she was still feeling a bit sleepy. Maybe I should cut back on my extracurriculars at night? She paused for a moment or two, seemingly considering the thought as seriously as she could, before chuckling to herself and then shaking her head. Yeah, right. I'd rather die than do that. That was no lie. She fucking would. There was nothing more sacred to Huifang than her personal freedom. Mess with that, and she'll mess with you. In less fun ways.

She raised an eyebrow when she heard a knock at her office door. Peering over her monitor, she simply told whoever was on the other side to come on in. It wasn't like she could tell them to fuck off, anyway, even though she wanted to do just that so badly. Heaving a sigh, she switched her attention back to her screen until someone familiar approached her.

"You the researcher kid?"

Although Huifang was shorter than the "kid" by a few inches, she glared at him, arms crossed, as if she were the taller of the two. The engineer gestured for the "kid" to take his seat, eyes glued on him like a hawk about to pounce on an unsuspecting mouse. But was he actually a mouse? Or was he more cunning than he appeared to be? There was only one way to find out. Hey, maybe my lunch will be free today!

@Altria

 

[Altria]

Reluctantly is an errand boy

Saito Ritsu — an assistant researcher at Tokyo University of Science, an errand boy to some of his seniors — was passed to the task to attend to this office's summon. Fukuhara Electric. Perhaps they needed some hired help with data science. Perhaps IT problems. Either way, it's not his first time being treated as an errand boy. He can't object after all. All the more frustrating it can be. But alas, his job and grade is at risk, among many else.

Reluctantly, he took a deep breath and knocked on the door to the person he has to answer to. Let's just get this over with... He waited until he was told to go in before he does — that's just common courtesy.

"Saito Ritsu. The researcher kid."

He bowed a bit — that's also common courtesy. He don't want to rub people off the wrong way. Not this early. He want to be on the good side of people. Maybe they'll be good to him in return. That would be really nice. He smiled courteous at her after introducing himself. Hope he has been doing everything right.

"Pleased to make your acquaintance. I will be in your care from now on."

@Ayna Nietzsche

 

[Ayna Nietzsche]

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❰ Fukuhara Electric ❱

Hmm. Huifang took a moment to look over the kid again. She narrowed her eyes, as if deep in thought. When she spoke again, it was preceded by a disinterested yawn. Or was it simply a protest against being made to work "so early" in the morning? Either way, he had her full attention.

"Saito Ritsu... The researcher kid... Yeah, I've heard about you from your professor. He said you're pretty good. Let's see how good."

She sneered at him with that last sentence. Huifang had met a lot of "pretty good" kids in this field, including herself. One way or another, they all stumbled. Some went on to find better, less exhausting jobs. Others got stuck there, disappointed and disillusioned. She considered herself in the latter category. Maybe this kid would be different. Or maybe he'd be just another pretty face she'd forget after a few weeks. Either way, she gave him a folder filled with barely organized data.

"What do you make of all that data? Your professor spoke highly of you, thought it would be a good experience for someone with your...talents if you play with us for some time. What do YOU think?"

There was no real gain for the kid in this arrangement, Huifang thought. She was the one who'd gain an unpaid intern if he decided to waste all his time for the next few weeks. Experience, exposure, both useless buzzwords to trick kids and everyone else into wasting their freedom for concepts that don't always turn profitable. But, hey! Maybe this kid would be an exception.

@Altria