Chapter 1 - Morale

New York, USA

11:23 PM

In a high-rise Business Building

...

Inside the building were three people who were still working with much vigor.

Which was quite surprising for many.

At this time, this late at night, people don't usually work and those that do are either close to their deadline or simply being used.

But in the current situation, it didn't seem like that by the way the three people quickly typed on their keyboards. One guy among them was doing something slightly different than the others.

This specific person was not only doing his job with the same speed and aggressiveness like the others but unlike them, he would occasionally look at the time at the screen.

As the battle of clicking went on, the guy who was constantly looking at the time, gasped as he stopped writing and pulled up his hands in victory as he loudly said, "FUCK YEAH! THIS BITCH IS DONE!"

The other who suddenly heard the outburst, looked at him and smiled in response as the guy in question, quickly realized his actions and felt embarrassed. He scratched the back of his neck as he apologized, "Ahh! I- I'm sorry for that."

"I didn't mean to say it like that, sorry chief." The guy said bowing.

A older guy who had a half burned out cigarette in his mouth, dismissed his words, "Don't worry about small stuff like that. Indeed, you should celebrate." Then he looked at his own report, "You were finally done with this wretched report."

"It's new year's eve and out of all the people in the company, we are the ones who get stuck with this thing." The group chief, Alex Moen said as he took a deep intake of his cigarette.

The last person, Feli Johnson, another employee of the company and member of the team nodded his head vibrantly to the chief's words, "Yeah, It feels like we got the end of the stick somehow."

"We always get fucked behind like this… I swear… it almost feels like the boss knows about my dealings with his ex." The chief and the others face paled slightly as they felt injustice by this.

"Still," Alex put out the cigarette that was finished and put it on the ashtray, "Good work finishing your report, Yoshimura."

"Now we can't just let the new blood think he is better than us now, can we chief?" Feli said with a smirk at his chief as he challenged the man.

"No we can't." Alex said as he returned the glare. "I need to show the kid, why they call me 'Mr. Quick'."

Feli, hearing the ridiculous nickname, paled again but didn't try to correct the overly tired man.

"Now chief, you don't think that you can beat my hot blood now, can ya."

"Bold words from a guy who still lives with his parents."

"… chief, I already told you I am just looking for the right apartment."

"And I have already told you hot single mothers don't rent out to losers who live with their parents."

"Chief I am telling you-"

Yoshimura, looked at the exchange of words between the two 'tired' men, smiled as he thought about this month.

He had recently graduated out of college with an average degree and started working here at the start of December. Even though he was only able to secure the job through his family connections, it was his own skills that had kept him here.

The memory was still fresh on his mind as he remembered the torturous internee program which was created to weed out the newbies and fortunately through GREAT effort, was he able to hold on and then was assigned to this team.

At first, he thought because of the internee program that the team would be a place where only the strong would survive and the weak would get kicked out. But contrary to his imagination, that didn't happen.

The people that he met when he joined the team was nothing like the people who trained (Tortured) him in the internee program. They were very nice and quiet easygoing too.

Nothing like what people say about the bosses being rough and making you do overwork and other things. Seeing the fortunate workplace, that he had, Yoshimura did his best and tried to help everyone on the team.

So when he saw that their chief (Alex) was suddenly given work on new year's eve, Yoshimura volunteered to help him out.

Unfortunately for big bro Feli, he was out of all excuses that he already hadn't used this year, so the chief kept him for the report and now there they were.

He done with his work and his 'Senpai's' doing the occasional banter that was similar for everyone on the team.

Seeing that the banter was not going to stop anytime, he intervened, "Chief and Big bro Feli, I think it would be best if you guys took a short break now."

Alex and Feli stopped their argument and nodded at Yoshimura's words, "You know what… I'm gonna do just that."

"Welllll I am already so close to finish the report, buuut since you said it Young Yoshimura, I'll listen to your request." Feli said without any shame.

Yoshimura smiled and got up, "Why don't I bring something for us?"

"That's a good idea, go for it." Alex said as Yoshimura left and Feli spoke.

"He's a good kid."

"Hmm… he is." Alex said as he pocketed another cigarette, the last in the pack and lit it, "There aren't many like him with such spirit."

"Hahhh… I remember when I first joined the team, I was just like him and worked so hard."

"What the hell are you talking about?... You were a lazy ass back then too."

"… Not everyone can be like Yoshimura, chief." Feli said with bitterness then had a thought, "To be honest though, doesn't it seem like he's working a little too much."

"He just finished the intern program and still going so strong…" Alex said and took a puff.

"If only we had more who were so… considerate."

...…

( A While Later )

Alex scrunched up his brows as Yoshimura still didn't come back with the food. It was concerning for him.

"Feli, how long has it been since he went out?"

"20 Minutes, I think."

"Why don't you go check and see if everything is okay."

"Sure." Feli nodded and got up as he went to the cafeteria.

As expected, Feli saw the lights on inside but no Yoshimura.

'Where could he have gone?'

Feli walked towards the diner and as he walked, he felt something blocking his leg. Looking down, his eyes went up as he shouted and fell, "Ahhhhh!"

Hearing the scream, Alex quickly ran towards the diner and saw Feli on the floor looking behind a table and went there.

"What's wron-"

Alex saw Yoshimura's body on the floor and felt shocked. He went to him and checked his pulses. Then he looked at Feli and shook his head.

"He's gone."

So at the start of new year in 2025 00:00 Clock, Yoshimura Hen, died overworking himself.

So the morale of the story is… Do not help others when you can… or can't… don't know, I'm not really that good at telling stuff like this.