Episode 38: An Honest Interview
“I’m Kanzaki, the president of this D-Minor. This is my daughter, Kanzaki Maika. She handles the office work and everything else.”
As Yuma shifted his gaze, Maika waved with a cheerful smile.
“We have one more employee, but he’s out right now. So, um… what was your name again?”
“Ah, I’m Mitaka. Mitaka Yuma. I’ll hand you my resume now.”
Yuma took out an envelope containing his resume from his backpack and handed it to Kanzaki in front of him.
“A high school student, huh… Lately, it’s been mostly college students and adults. Is your Mana Index high?”
“N-no… My Mana Index is zero.”
“I see.”
Kanzaki put his finger to his chin, looking at the resume with a furrowed brow. Yuma grew anxious, wondering if Mana was considered that important here too.
“Um, well, is it difficult to work without a certain level of Mana?”
Kanzaki raised an eyebrow and looked at Yuma.
“Nah, you can raise your Mana Index while working. We don’t really care about it.”
“I-is that so?”
As Yuma breathed a sigh of relief, Kanzaki raised his voice and threw the resume onto the desk. “More importantly! Enthusiasm is key! Mitaka, was it? Why do you want to become a Seeker? Is it for money? Or for honor and fame!? I’ll decide whether to hire you based on your answer!”
Kanzaki stared intently at Yuma with sharp eyes. Yuma flinched at the intensity, but he couldn’t afford to be rejected any more than he already had. Should he say something appropriate that he had prepared as interview tactics, like “for the sake of social contribution” or “for self-realization”? No, he had a feeling that those superficial answers wouldn’t work on this guy. He had to be honest—
“W-well, I want to become a Seeker to earn money. I want to earn more than others my age, and eventually…”
“Oh? What is it?”
Yuma mustered his courage and blurted out the desire he had always held.
“I want to FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) and live a leisurely life! I hate working, so I just want to earn a lot and quit!”
He had said everything he wanted to say. When he looked up, both the president and Maika were staring at him with blank expressions.
–Oh nooooo! I was too honest! Now they’ll think I’m someone who doesn’t want to work!!
“Ah, well, to add some context…”
“Hey, Mitaka!”
The president glared at him with a serious expression. Yuma swallowed hard and replied, “Y-yes?” He thought he was about to get scolded—but then,
“That’s great! You have a clear goal. I like it!!”
“Huh?”
“No, no, there are a lot of young people these days who are all about ‘for the sake of society’ and all that high-minded stuff! If you were one of them, I was going to kick you out immediately, but FIRE, huh… That’s a good goal!”
“Y-yes, thank you very much.”
It seemed he was liked. He let out a sigh of relief, but Maika-san, who was standing behind him, had a dumbfounded look on her face.
“President, are you sure about this? If his goal is early retirement, that means he’ll quit soon!”
“What are you talking about, you idiot! Having a goal will make him work harder in the present! I hate working too. I want to quit as soon as possible, so I’m working desperately. Same, same.”
Maika’s astonishment turned to resignation at the president’s outrageous remarks.
“Well, anyway, you’re hired. Come to work as early as tomorrow!”
“Eh!?”
“President, no!”
Maika stepped in, replacing the bewildered Yuma.
“Mitaka-kun has applied to other companies too. We’re just one of them. He can’t decide whether to work here until he sees the results from the other companies, right?”
“Is that so?”
The president asked with a scowl.
“A-ah, well, yes… I have applied to other companies as well.”
“What a roundabout way of doing things! Just decide already, and choose us!”
“What are you saying! There’s no way anyone would make a company like ours their first choice. Don’t bother him!”
Rebuked by Maika, the president sulked, saying, “Alright,” but then turned a serious gaze towards Yuma.
“Well, anyway, we’re offering you a position. We welcome anyone with enthusiasm. Come whenever you feel like it!”
“Y-yes! Thank you very much!”
Yuma thanked them and left the company with a cheerful feeling. Having one job offer made a huge difference.
“Still, this is the company with the worst conditions. It’s more like a backup plan. I need to get offers from other companies somehow.”
Yuma went home in high spirits and actively applied to other companies, aiming for a better job.