For Hire

"Pardon the intrusion," Kikuchi Koji said, admiring the dilapidated old house as he went inside. Even though the floor was slightly dusty, he still removed his shoes at the doorstep but he kept his socks on despite the fact that they would get dirty.

Gulp. Hajime noticed it, of course, but since Megumi's dad was already about to seat himself in front of the low table by the living room. He found a comfortable spot as he exhaled, leaning his arms on the table while waiting for Hajime to sit down opposite him.

"Um, would you like some water?" Hajime thought that it would be inhospitable if he didn't offer him anything. Right now, water was the only thing he could offer though. He did have cupped noodles and the groceries that Megumi gave him as a gift when they went out. However, it would be quite a hassle if he prepares anything. And it didn't seem like Koji had a lot of time in his hands.

"Thanks," He answered with a calm voice as a smile swept across his face.

'To think that Hajime has grown this much... who would've thought.' He inwardly said to himself before clearing his throat to hide his familiarity. "So, Hajime, I'm aware that... you've been taking part-time jobs for the past few months, correct?"

Hajime stopped short before he could even turn the faucet in the sink on. 'How did he know? No, Megumi must've told him... after all she's been following him around for some odd reason.

Since there was no point in lying right now, Hajime turned around and promptly answered. "For the past year, sir."

"I see, now I get it." He continued just as Hajime gave him some water. After muttering a soft thanks, he gestured that Hajime sit down in front of him.

"What do you need from me, sir?" Hajime gulped at the question even though he already had a rough idea as to where this conversation was leading to.

After all, he had seen this scene a couple of times before in the soap operas that his mom used to watch. This was the much-awaited time when the parent or parents of the love interest will pull out an envelope from their pockets, containing either a check or a huge sum of money. They would then slap it hard on the table while saying something along the lines of 'Take this and don't go near my son/daughter ever again.

Or so, that's what Hajime assumed— not that he believed it would happen though since he wasn't in that kind of relationship with Megumi in the first place. Besides, he and Megumi simply don't get along, even though they've labeled each other as friends. Their personalities just couldn't mix like oil in water.

"Are you interested in a job?" Kikuchi Koji extended his hand, palm-side up, towards Hajime. "Not your typical part-time type of job, but a full-time one. Of course, I'd take your school life into account, and it shouldn't take more than two hours in a day, or even less than that. I will also take into account your spending money, as well as anything else you might need during your employment. I'm sorry if I took it too far into prying on your life but I've heard from your homeroom teacher that you've been missing out a lot on your morning classes. I completely understand why such is the case and thus I came here to cover all of that, all the while gaining something from you through means of employment. It's a win-win situation, right?"

'Is this a pyramid scam or something?' Hajime tried to examine the minor changes in Koji's expression but he could tell that he was sincerely offering it to him without ulterior motives whatsoever. And even if there was, he could tell that Megumi's dad didn't overlook his well-being at all, even going as far as to check his background (which is normal) before employing him. 'Then again, he probably had to do that just in case I have a criminal record or something. If I recall, they own a conglomerate, right? There's a possibility that I might give their company a bad image... but why bother though? What would they get from hiring me... unless...'

'... unless... it's got something to do with Megumi.'

"If I may... what are the details of the employment? I'm sure you understand sir that I can't just say yes without knowing anything. For all I know, this might be a job that would force me to throw my life on the line or something of that caliber."

"Well, that may be loosely related to the job description but I assure you, you won't have to do something as risky as that." Kikuchi Koji responded, amused that Hajime was able to ask and joke formally about the job when he asked for the details of it.

"Ehrmm, this job is close to monitoring someone... more than anything else. You don't have to follow her around, just watch over her, keep her safe, something like that." Megumi's dad continued. "And as I mentioned before, you don't have to be by her side all the time, you just have to watch over her as soon as she gets to school, and a few minutes before she leaves. There aren't any real dangers in school but I want you to keep your guard up just in case. During your shift, all your expenses will be paid for. You can go treat yourself to cafeteria food every day and we'll cover it."

'He didn't have to mention the last sentence but he still did... I guess I should assume that he knows about me skipping meals for a few days, huh.' Hajime said to himself. "Just so we're on the same page here, we're talking about your daughter, right, sir?"

"That's right,"

"Sir, do you really want me to spy over your daughter?" Hajime confirmed. If Megumi talks about him at home, then that means that her old man has a vague idea of what Hajime's background is, as well as his reputation at school. That's why he just had to confirm.

"Not really spy on her no, but guarding her. What do you think? Would you like to work as her bodyguard? You'll be greatly compensated," Koji asked, this time, it was clear what Hajime was about to get into.