Chapter 15: The Perfect Employee Model
Uesugi Kiyoshi was right.
The Head Balloons, which came in force to hang humans, surprisingly started decreasing in number after wreaking havoc for three weeks. Another week passed, and they had mostly disappeared.
The few remaining balloons were stuck on power lines or other objects and couldn't break free.
The fate awaiting them was to be shot down by police and self-defense forces, or to self-detonate.
From Hokkaido to Kagoshima, a joyful atmosphere filled the air everywhere. People took off their protective gear, stepped out of their homes, and celebrated the end of the month-long nightmare.
Tokyo is no exception.
The whole city has turned into a huge stage, where traditional Japanese music mixes with electronic beats. Traditional Awa dance and street dance compete side by side, and people of all ages and backgrounds join in the wild singing and dancing.
Red lanterns hang on every street corner, and men and women wearing yukatas stroll around, expressing their feelings of reunion and nostalgia.
Amidst the lively crowd, there was one person with messy hair, walking with their head down, holding a package, looking unusually dejected.
Uesugi Kiyoshi, who was being pulled around by Nakasone Kazuko, recognized this person at a glance.
Hiroshi Noda, the head of the Balloon Department at Yumura Laboratory, and former professor at Tokyo University.
Feeling exhausted, he couldn't help but feel re-energized, quickly walked up, and tapped the other person’s shoulder.
"Hi, long time no see, Dr. Noda!"
Hiroshi Noda turned slowly, his face suddenly contorted as he recognized the other person, but quickly returned to a resigned expression, sighed, and was about to leave.
However, Uesugi Kiyoshi couldn't let him go, even if they didn't meet today, he planned to visit in a few days.
"It's fate that we meet again, how about we sit down together if you're free?"
"Not convenient!"
"Okay, let's go to this restaurant then, how about that!"
The cold refusal didn't work, Uesugi Kiyoshi forcefully pulled the other person into a nearby cafe.
With the cool air blowing, after drinking the thick hot coffee, Hiroshi Noda finally felt a little livelier.
"I got fired." Without being asked, he explained while leaning on the table, "Not just me, but also my students, who I convinced to come to the Yumura Society from school, all got fired!"
Tears mixed with snot flowed freely on his face, at this moment Hiroshi Noda didn't look like an intellectual person anymore, he just seemed like a disheveled uncle going through a heartbreak.
Nakasone Kazuko took out a tissue from her bag and handed it over.
He took it, said thank you, and continued to choke out, "They are all good kids, they had a bright future, but I ruined it for them!"
"To be precise, it was Yumura Society that ruined them." Uesugi Kiyoshi added fuel to the fire from the side.
Knowing Yumura Hideyoshi well, he had long guessed this outcome, employees who couldn't create value were a burden to the company, and burdens would naturally be mercilessly cast aside. He just hadn't expected the speed to be so fast.
"More so, it's your fault!" Hiroshi Noda, however, raised his head and stared fiercely at him, "If it wasn't for your invention causing financial difficulties for the Yumura Society, they wouldn't have needed to lay off staff!"
Hey, this is too much!
Uesugi Kiyoshi cleared his throat, about to defend himself, but Hiroshi Noda weakly waved his hand and slumped down again.
"But never mind, it's too late to say anything now. In the end, it's all my fault, my fault..."
Sobbing uncontrollably, he became the center of attention in the store, the piano music being drowned out.
Waving money, Uesugi Kiyoshi shooed away the approaching shop owner, then nonchalantly ate snacks and drank coffee with Nakasone Kazuko, waiting for Hiroshi Noda to calm down before asking, "Dr. Noda, do you have any plans for the future?"
"The future? Ha, for someone like me, is there even a future?"
"Of course, I'm starting my own company and need help. Anytime you're willing, you can come over with your students!" Uesugi Kiyoshi generously extended an offer.
"Really, truly? Of course, someone like you would never... I mean, hahaha..."
Watching Hiroshi Noda become incoherent and even kneeling on the ground in a public display, Nakasone Kazuko felt uneasy and quietly tugged on Uesugi Kiyoshi's sleeve.
"Is it okay to hire someone like this?"
"Don't worry, Kazuko," Uesugi Kiyoshi reassured her with a pat on her hand.
Being friends with someone who is oppressed and doesn't dare to resist, but blames themselves and others, is not suitable. However, hiring them as an employee is the best option.
Not to mention, he also has what he wants in his hands.
......
Yumura Hideyoshi has been having a hard time recently.
As October arrived, Head Balloon had left for a week, and sales of protective suits were almost at a standstill.
Initially, he tried various ways to promote the possibility of the balloon's return, but soon received a warning from the government.
"Please don't increase public panic unnecessarily!" the official who brought the message scolded bluntly.
Yumura Hideyoshi tried to explain, "But we can't deny the possibility, right?"
"Anything is possible, even the chance that monsters might swallow the Earth tomorrow! Please don't make things difficult for us!"
The protective clothing industry that Yumura Hideyoshi had pushed forward came to a halt, and their once strong position now faced challenges.
At yesterday's board meeting, an independent director unexpectedly suggested removing him from his position as president.
Despite Yumura's long-standing reputation and intricate network of connections, the removal proposal didn't pass, but it did show that his position was being questioned.
What truly pained Yumura Hideyoshi was the loss of five hundred billion yen.
He could barely even afford the monthly wages of his servants!
It's all that kid's fault!
Filled with anger, Yumura Hideyoshi's eyes involuntarily glanced towards the window, but no matter how hard he looked, he couldn't find those lovely creatures he cherished in his heart.
On the seventh day without Head Balloons, he missed them.
"Boss, everything is taken care of!"
Kenichi Koike entered the office, took out a stack of documents from his briefcase, and handed it to Yumura Hideyoshi.
"Uesugi Kiyoshi has promised to transfer one billion yen into your personal account within three days. Additionally, he mentioned that he would like you to vacate the villa you are currently living in and return it to him as soon as possible, as he urgently needs it..."
"This is my house!"
Yumura Hideyoshi flew up a slap landed on Kenichi Koike's face, his expression twisted in anger.
