Ice Pack
“Alright, time to get you into the swing of things. I guess the best place is to start with your role and tasks.”
“Sounds good!” Yuki pulled out a notepad and pen.
“Ok, you know what we do right?”
“Yes! Music copyright management, and publishing!”
“Perfect, we’re specifically in charge of cataloguing and registering the material.”
Kiko added, “We basically get the songs from the artists or reps, and get them ISRC numbers. Then we organize the information into lists, who made what and all that.”
“Exactly, you’ll be emailing and doing data entry.”
Yuki finished writing down the summary of what was said. At the same time trying to hide a worried face. It sounded a little boring.
And as if she knew what Yuki was thinking, “It sounds a little boring, I know. But, it’s more exciting than you think.” Riko gave a reassuring wink and smile.
Yuki smiled in return.
“I’ll send you a list of artists and reps you’ll be in charge of. Send each of them an email introducing yourself.”
“Ok!” Yuki started getting nervous, she had never been good with introductions, or new people. And now they were clients, instead of a classmates.
Riko called from her desk. “Alright, just sent it. Just get those done and I’ll see if there’s any more for you to do after lunch.”
“Got it!”
An email alert sounded from Yuki’s computer. She opened the email application and selected the only message in her otherwise empty inbox.
*From: Harrison Riko*
*To: Futaba Yuki*
*Subject: Rep list*
/here’s the list./
Followed by ten names and email addresses.
“She sounds kind of cold when she types.” Yuki thought. “We’ll, I’ll get started I guess.”
She clicked on the first address on the list
Some time later, Kiko stretched back in her chair. “Ah, time for lunch. I’ve been typing nonstop for the last hour.”
Yuki looked at the digital clock on the wall 12:00.
She looked back to the blank email content field. She was still writing her first email. Or, hesitating to. She picked up her wallet and went to the canteen.
She sat at the table with her sandwich, upset at her shyness.
“I’m an adult. This is my job, why can’t I just send the stupid email.”
Suddenly Riko sat across from her.
“Hello Yuki. How’s your first day so far?”
Yuki stared down at the half-eaten sandwich in front of her. Nervous to say she hadn’t gotten anything done.
“Ok.”
“By the look on your face, that doesn’t sound true.”
Yuki couldn’t hide it. And began to confess.
“It’s not. I couldn’t send a single email. Please don’t fire me!”
“Fire you? There’s no grounds for that. Why couldn’t you send any emails?”
“I- I get nervous when talking to new people.”
Riko sat back, arms crossed. “I see.”
“I’ve been this way since high school, I don’t know what to say, maybe I’ll sound stupid. They’re clients too, so it’s even more important.”
“It’s cool, Yuki.”
Yuki stopped and looked up at Riko’s kind, Green eyes.
“Everyone is different. How about I introduce you, and you take it from there.”
Yuki nodded excitedly.
“That would be a big help, thank you.”
“Totally, next time just tell me right away. Otherwise, it wastes time.”
“Yes, thank you, and sorry!”
Yuki snapped into a bow, hitting her head on the table in the process.
Bonk!
“Holy Jesus! Are you ok?”
Yuki slowly sat up while massaging the red mark on her forehead.
“Ow.”
“Do you need ice?”
“Yes.”
“Stay still, I’ll be right back.”
Yuki looked up at the ceiling and sighed.
“I did it again.”
