Chapter 4 - New Year

Chapter 4 – New Year

Winter 30th, Month 3, the Year 2300

Berry was walking along the street from his part-time work. The street was busy and packed with people. It was understandable because of New Year's Eve. Many people were celebrating.

There were couples, families, and friends in a group hanging out or shopping. Many were headed to the location where they could see the New Year's firework.

As for Berry, he decided to go home. He was tired of working and wanted to rest. Since it was a holiday, there were unusually a lot of customers at the restaurant. Although he was fit and had lots of stamina, he had his limit too.

Berry's high school friend did invite him to hang out and viewed the fireworks but he declined. Tired from working was one reason but most of all, he did not want to hear them talking about the exam.

Berry read a lot of their messages in the chat group and many of them decided to further their studies. Berry wanted to further his studies too but his circumstances did not allow it. Although he made the decision himself and understood the reason he made it, Berry could not help but feel jealous of his friends.

Berry wanted to be cool with it but deep in his heart, it was hard. He needed time to let go of that feeling and preferred to stay away from it. Also, missing the fireworks was nothing at all. He could see them from home.

Berry got home and as usual, his parents and sister were not at home. They were at the hospital. Berry passed through Bestie's room and it was dark too. Bestie was out with his friends to celebrate the New Year. So, he was alone at home.

Berry went to the kitchen and grabbed a few cans of carbonated drink and a few packs of snacks from the drawer. He brought them to his room, opened the window wide, and turned off the light.

Berry opened a can of carbonated drink and a pack of snacks. He munched the snacks slowly and looked at the view outside the window.

"Let's start the new year anew. I need to let go of my feeling and focus on what is important," Berry mumbled.

"I need a stable job and income. I need to save money and took another entrance exam in a year or two…" Berry mumbled.

Berry's interview at the Thunder Tiger Company went smoothly. Since the job he applied for was the small and not-so-important one, the questions the interviewer asked were simple. They asked a bit about the company to see if he studied it and he aced it.

Then, they asked a few more questions about Berry and why he applied for the job, and what he could contribute to the company. It was the basic and common questions asked. Berry had no problem at all answering them.

Berry overheard that the Senior Assistant, Manager, and so on were stricter and harder. Many of them looked worried that they failed the interview.

As for the Players, they needed to show their talent in the game they played. If the interviewer saw potential in them, they would be hired.

The result of the interview would be sent to his email and he still did not get any news.

Since Berry had made his decision to work, he also applied for jobs at many other companies. At the moment, no one was calling him for an interview. He may get a call after the new year.

Moreover, he needed to find work and worked harder. After what he told his mom about furthering his studies in a year or two, his dad got the news too.

Berry's dad went home and talked with Berry. He wanted Berry to accept the offer but Berry insisted on what he told his mom. His dad was angry with his decision and they had a small fight.

In the end, Berry's dad gave up but he wrote a contract that Berry would keep his words in a year or two. His dad knew that Berry wanted to give up completely and thus, he wrote that contract. Berry's dad wanted Berry to further his studies so that his future was more firmed.

Since Berry signed that contract, he needed to work hard to fulfill it. Thus, he had been working hard and applying for many companies. Either he could get a job or not depending on his luck. It was not easy for a high school graduate to get a stable and good job, so he needed to work hard searching.

"I will need a lot of money to support myself," Berry sighed. He knew it was not easy to save for money. He might be able to save some money but it would never be enough once he enrolled in a university.

While Berry was thinking of a plan for his future, his phone vibrated. Berry grabbed his phone and saw that he got an email. Berry clicked on it and he smiled.

The email was from the Thunder Tiger Company. Berry passed the interview and was hired as the Junior Assistant. Berry's mood lightened and he took a sip of his carbonated drink while smiling.

"This is the best New Year present ever," Berry smiled and at the same time, the clock turned to midnight and immediately, *Bang!* *Bang!* the sound of fireworks rang. Lucas looked out of the window and saw the fireworks brightening the sky.

"Happy New Year," Berry smiled. Messages with New Year's greetings flooded the chat groups. Berry did not check the chat groups but continued reading the email from Thunder Tiger Company.

"Dodgeball team?" Berry spoke. He was assigned as the Junior Assistant for the company's Dodgeball team. "That's right, dodgeball has become an official sport," Berry mumbled.

"I need to be prepared 24/7 while working and needs to stay at the company's accommodation," Berry read the email.

"So, the company provided houses for their employees. I can refuse this but I think it will be better to move there. Since I need to be prepared all the time, it is better to stay close to the company," Berry mumbled.

"I will need to report at the Human Resource Department on Spring 3rd," Berry read it. In two days, he would start working at the Thunder Tiger Company.

Berry read the email, and if he accepted the job, he needed to reply confirming it. Berry did not hesitate and reply to the email. The chance for getting a job was low, he needed to grab this.

After replying to the email, Berry printed what needed to be printed. Although the technology had advanced, hardcopy document was still widely used because it was safer than keeping all of them digital.

If a virus struck the saved data, the data would be lost, and that would be bad. Keeping a hardcopy data worked well in preventing that.

Berry read the email again and note down what he needed to prepare for the job. After he finished writing them down, Berry decided to end the day.

Berry fell asleep peacefully as he was happy because he got a job. The past few weeks had been full of turmoil, and he finally got good news.

Spring 1st, Month 1, the Year 2301.

Berry woke up early and was full of energy. He practiced his martial arts happily because he was happy. Berry checked on Bestie, and he was sounded asleep and decided to let him be.

Berry heat the food in the fridge and had his breakfast. After that, he rested for a bit and went for a jog.

"I need to hand in my resignation today," Berry thought while he went for a jog. Since he would start his work on Spring 3rd, he needed to settle everything in his part-time job that day. He also needed to start packing too, and he also needed to inform his parents about the job.

"I don't think dad will be home today. I should go to the hospital and tell them this. I want to see Brother Bendy too," Berry mumbled.

While he was jogging, "OUT!" Berry heard people shouting nearby.

"Hmm? What is that?" Berry walked towards where he heard the sound and saw a group of people playing Dodgeball on a tennis court.

"HAHAHA! Prepare to receive my super powerful ultra mega ball throw!" one of them shouted full of passion and threw the ball in his hand at the opponent at the opposite of the court.

The ball flew at the opponent, and he jumped while spreading his legs and dodge the ball.

"You miss it! My flying to the moon jump is better than your throw!" the opponent shouted while laughing.

"Pfft!" Berry held his laugh. He knew they were friends and were just having fun playing Dodgeball. Even so, that over-the-top skill's name was funny. What they did was a normal throw and jump, but the name sounded fun and silly.

Berry found a bench and sat there while watching them playing. Since he was assigned to the Dodgeball team, Berry was a bit interested in the sports.

"Hmm, ~ Does the E-Sports Dodgeball the same as this Dodgeball?" Berry wondered. He never played VR Dodgeball, so he had no idea about it. Since it was a game, it must be different.

Berry sat on the bench spectating the game for half an hour before he left. While going back home, Berry thought, "Since I will become an assistant for the Dodgeball team, I need to have more knowledge about the game."

"The best way to do this is by playing the game. I wonder if Bestie has the Dodgeball game?" Berry mumbled. He decided to give the game a try.