Chapter Text
University has officially grab you by the horns.
you knew this day was gonna happen—but that doesn’t make it any better, right? It was time to pull off the band-aid as quickly as possible. Looking at it as the fully mature and most civilized than most people —person that you were, you tried to get your brain to process the information exactly as your coordinator told you; a perfect opportunity to prepare yourself for the big (kinda scary...) outside world and gain some yummy varied experience.
by that she meaned you haved to get a...Job
And not only that, you have to work completely without pay. It was as if hell itself had opened up and unleashed all the sorrows of humanity, like being a responsable adult or something. Your whole friend group had already gotten jobs in nice places, like in hairdressers' salons helping with accounts, preparing, managing and filling out adoption documents at animal shelters or as accountants in small local art museums.
Everything sounded so lovely and creative, of course, you had postponed everything until the end and—more obviously than you'd like to admit—there were no good vacancies left.
One of your professors had suggested that you could start by asking offices if they could accept you as an intern within their departments, which sank in with perfect logic into your big smasheed old brain. Anyway, what do you have to lose? Just a few hours out of class in an office, maybe just making copies, filling out paperwork, or archiving folders—it can't be that bad, right?.
Well, that's how you found yourself outside a large office complex. You could probably find a job here; there were quite a few options after all. You walked through the double doors without further ado, making your way through the spacious lobby, the soles of your Oxford shoes clicking with each step you took toward the receptionist desk.
You approached slower and slower as there was less space between you and your target, stopping right in front of the polished wooden desk. Your hands went down to flatten the fabric of your skirt,hesitated for a few seconds about what to do with them until you decided to place them on the desk, fingers drumming on the wood, straightening your back as presentably as possible and cleared your throat catching the receptionist's attention, who didn't seem very pleased to have to start his work schedule so early.
"uhh Helloo, good morning mister..." Your eyes traveled down from his deadpan face to the name tag hanging around his neck "-Uchimura, riight. er—I was wondering if any of the managers in any of the offices in this building are currently on duty?."
"eeh..." The man, who was now leaning back in his swivel chair, picked up the folder that was resting on the counter and began to read through it. Without turning his head to look at you, he began to speak. "ahaA-yes, third floor, the last office in the hallway." He raised his hand handing you a promotional poster for what you would think is the office you were looking for, then, pointed a finger towards the double metal doors just by the side of the entrance to the stairs. "You can use the elevator, right there" ...sure thing.
Stepping away after a small bow and a "thank you very much, sir," you found yourself inside the elevator, pressing the button for the third floor and closing the doors behind your back.
You couldn't help but glance at your reflection in the elevator mirror, making sure to still looked presentable, tucking in a few stray hairs as waited for the elevator to take you to your destination. The soft ding of the electronic bell, signaling your arrival at your destination pulled you from your self-hypnotic reflection and made you react. The metal doors opened, and you settled yourself on your feet, one step after another.
That's how everything works in this world, isn't it? How hard can all of this be?.
Right, the last office down the hall, here we go, yep, one foot in front of the other, you know, striking up a conversation with a businessperson can't be that hard—you've been through worse, just go there! introduce yourself and use your persuasive skills to get them to let you work there, maybe even some sad puppy eyes... just get this off your shoulders, you can do this girl!
Your steps, a little less decisive than you would have preferred, stopped right in front of the door of the last office... was it you, or were there just too many doors in front of you today? For God's sake, concentrate!.Taking a deep breath, you raised a fist towards the door, mentally preparing yourself to knock, your other hand clenched around the advertisement poster around your hands, this is a business of—
The door opened as soon as your hand was in midair. "Huh?" The man holding the door open looked at you with a surprised expression that quickly morphed into a formal smile. "Well, a customer so early, isn't it? Welcome to the Spirits and Such Consultation Office. How can I help you?"
You remained silent for a second, your brain crackling with electricity as your mind went completely blank… Spirits and Such? You glanced down at the poster in your hand, a quick scan making your eyes widen. «Arataka Reigen blah blah blah…exorcisms?…THE GREATEST PSYCHIC OF THE 21ST CENTURY?!?» WHAT?!
“…YES—Nice to meet you, Mr. Reigen!” You extended your hand, which had been frozen in mid-air, introducing yourself. He took your hand and you shake it firmly. “I’m a student at Akira Kei University. I just started my community service and I’m looking for a place to complete it.”
“Ooohh I see… university, huh? Well, come in and have a seat, I’ll make some tea.” Reigen rubbed his chin with one hand as he fully opened the door, stepping aside to let you in. You straightened your posture before entering the office.
He closed the door behind you as he headed toward the other room in the office, pausing in the doorway and turning to look at you with a side smile. "I'll put the water on for tea, make yourself comfortable." You nodded, walking inside. You sat down in a small cyan armchair in front of you before taking in the room.
The office wasn't big, but it wasn't small either—There was a wooden desk with a laptop on it, along with a landline phone and some books or documents stacked in the corner. In front of the desk was a cyan swivel chair that matched the armchairs and window blinds. To the left of the desk was a tall metal filing cabinet, and on the right wall was a tall bookcase with boxes that looked to be full of files. Just to your left, where you were sitting in the armchair, was a small television on a wooden cabinet with shelves full of books, and to the right, between the armchair in front of you and the wall, everything seemed very neatly decorated. There was a pretty plant in a pot, and there were also two windows, one directly behind you and one behind the desk and...awww that's a little desk with it's little chair?.
Before you knew it, Mr. Reigen returned from the other room with a steaming cup in each hand. He walked to the armchair opposite you and sat down, placing the teacups on the small round table between you.
"Ah yes! Look at my student documents." You pulled the strap of your school shoulder bag and settled it on your knees, sliding the zipper down. Your hands searched for a specific folder, and when you found it, you handed it to him. Reigen opened it, beginning to flip through your documents, reading them and humming affirmatively. "I... I can take very good photographs sir, and I'm very good at math—I can help with the finances!."
You puffed out your chest and gave the most determined smile your facial muscles would allow, "You must have noticed from my notes." Reigen stopped flipping through your documents and tilted his head down, a shadow obscuring his eyes as he leaned forward.
"Do you have psychic powers?"
"excuse me what"
Your expression went blank as he watched you closely. Was this a joke? He seemed like a really funny guy, but he was definitely very professional at his job. Did you hear wrong? Was this a test? What flavor was the tea he made for you?—
"I mean, do you have the ability to see spirits." He narrowed his eyes as he looked at you intently, and you couldn't hold his judgmental gaze. "Um, no, but... I learn quickly?" The last word sounded more like a question than a statement, but that answer seemed to delight him.
"Mmh, that's a good one, kid. Correct answer, huh? Did you read that section in the magazines that teaches you how to impress in an interview?" He gave you a thumbs-up, and your head swelled with praise. "Now, about the pay..."
"You shouldn't pay me, Mr. Reigen! my university doesn't allow it, In fact... I think that would be kind of illegal." You rubbed your chin, lost in thought.
Reigen's face lit up completely, and he straightened up in his seat with inhuman speed. "Excellent! You're hired! Do you think you could start today?"
You jumped up from your seat too quickly, your eyes wide. "Seriously, Mr. Reigen?! Thank you so much! You saved me!" You bowed as low as you could, your hands clasped in prayer. "I promise not to let you down, boss!"
Reigen chuckled and waved a hand. "It's not that big of a deal, really. Like I said, not to brag, but I'm a really good person who loves helping others." He also stood up from his seat and smoothed down his trousers with his palms. "Since we don't have any clients right now, I'd like to see those photography skills of yours. We need some good photos to print on brochures and advertisements after all."
You returned to your original position and picked up your bag again. Rummaging through the mess you'd made inside, you found your camera, a Nikon D800 that had been given to you as a gift. You knew how to use it very well. You smiled broadly.
The steaming teas were completely forgotten in the background.