Drinks after Work
Kiko stretched back in her rollie chair and spun around.
“Ahhh, done for the week.”
“Did you register those ISRCs?”
“Yes, just got the last one done.”
Rika gave a thumbs up in approval.
“And no overtime! A drink will be nice.”
Kiko spun and stared at the ceiling in relief.
“How are you getting along Yuki?”
Yuki sat up, she’d dozed off staring at her screen. Waiting for responses from the artists and reps Rika had introduced her to. She tapped her spacebar to get rid of the screensaver. Still no replies.
“I guess... fine. Nothing left to do.”
“Alright! Rika, how about you?”
“Aaaaaand, answered the last email. Yeah, let’s get out of here.”
“Woo! Let’s go drink!”
Yuki stood up from her chair and put her phone in her bag.
“There’s nothing to worry about, they’re just people.”
“Yuki is everything ok?”
Yuki was startled by Rika’s sudden question.
“Oh. Yeah. I’m fine!”
“You were thinking out loud Yuki. And you’re face says otherwise. Walk with me. Kiko? We’ll meet you at our usual place.”
Kino smiled and nodded in understanding.
“See you two there!”
Yuki and Rika walked side by side to the elevator.
“Is what you said earlier still bothering you Yuki?”
“Yeah.”
“Any particular reason?”
“It’s just. No one responded to your introduction. What if they don’t like me, or I’m not professional enough. Like, they don’t want to have to work with the newbie.”
“Don’t worry about it. They usually take more than a moment to respond, that’s even if they do.”
“What do you mean?”
“Mostly the relationships you’ll have with those contacts are pretty limited. You send them information, they send you information, and that’s where it ends.”
“That seems...”
“Impersonal or professional? They’re pretty much one and the same. However, there are people who do personally interact with you, albeit it’s less common. I know there are at least a couple in the contacts I delegated to you.”
“Oh? What are they like usually?”
“Well obviously everyone is different, but they are true artists that like to have a hand in their music. And people like them are some of the weirdest and most genuine people I’ve ever met.”
Yuki smiled
“Really?”
“Really, so don’t worry about any of it. You don’t need a school life mindset. Plus, you’ve got me and Kiko if you’re worried about friends.”
Yuki blushed and smiled
“Thanks Rika.”
“Totally. Speaking of school life mindset, how old are you anyways? Can you even drink?”
“Yeah! I’m 24!”
“You’re just so small!”
Yuki crossed her arms and pouted.
“But, Jesus Christ, you’re starting young. That’s impressive.”
“Young? How old are you?”
“Yeah you’re probably the youngest in the office. And me? 30. Jeez, I’m getting old.”
“Ha! We both know that’s BS. You’re absolutely...”
Yuki stopped herself from finishing the last sentence, her face turning bright red. And, Rika glanced to Yuki suspiciously.
“Absolutely what?”
A bead of sweat formed on Yuki’s forehead.
“Uhhhhhhhh, youthful, you’re absolutely youthful!” Yuki said with a large, forced smile.
Rika smiled in response.
“Why, thank you Yuki.”
Yuki stared wide-eyed at the floor
/I totally run my mouth too much, good Job Yuki. That was almost really embarrassing. I wonder if she saw through that. Maybe it’s alright though she didn’t say anything./
Yuki sighed, patting her cheeks, seeing if the redness would go away.
“You know...”
Yuki jumped a bit in shock at Rika’s voice, had she thought out loud again?
“This is a cool bar that Kiko and I often go to...”
Yuki sighed in relief once again.
“It’s American themed, imported beer, French fries, and all that.”
Yuki loved French fries.
“Oh really? That sounds cool!”
“It is, it feels kind of like going home. If it’s all right with you, I’ll order you some of my favorite stuff.”
“Yeah! That sounds great!”
“And, I’ll tell you my origin story.”
“Sounds good, will you answer my many questions about American culture?”
Rika smiled.
“Naturally, ask some as we walk to the bar.”
“Alright! Um, ‘Dude’. You said that earlier, what does it actually mean?”
“Good one! It refers to a man I guess, but really it’s just a way of addressing someone casually.”
“So, what does ‘Bro’ mean? That’s used in a similar way it seems.”
“Yeah, it’s short for brother, but can be used to address someone. Someone closer than a ‘Dude’ though. Sometimes.”
“Sometimes?”
“They’re pretty interchangeable. Called someone by their name isn’t always necessary. Especially with honoraries.”
“Oh yeah! Names are backwards, given then family, instead of the other way.”
“Well in school it’s family name then given during roll call. But usually you refer to someone by their given name then family, that’s why it’s ‘first name’ and ‘last name’.”
“Ohhhh, I see.”
“The way names are used is also different. Mostly, for your peers it’s always given name or ‘first name’. Unless of course they are older or in a higher position. Using a last name only can be seen as being distant or rude. It can also be seen as friendly.”
“So both? That’s confusing.”
Rika laughed a bit.
“Very, it’s all about context. Also, don’t forget about middle names.”
“Middle names?”
“It’s a second given name, used as another identifier. It varies from culture to culture if one is given, but it’s fairly common.”
“Do you have one?”
“Yes.”
“Can you tell me it?”
Rika blushed.
“It’s... kind of embarrassing.”
/I didn’t think she blushed./
“I won’t make fun, I promise!”
“Victoria.”
“It’s beautiful!”
Rika put her hands over her face.
“It’s so ancient!”
“No, it’s distinguished, like a queen!”
Rika blushed once more and smiled shyly.
“Thanks.”
/To think she’s usually the cool and collected one./
They’d been so deep in conversation Yuki just noticed they were standing in front of the bar.
“Here it is, let’s go get a table and wait for Kiko.”
Yuki smiled and nodded.
“Alright!”
