[Good evening. You've called Firstfis. Are you here for an appointment, or do you want to cancel?]
[Good evening, it's Hinozu, uh, Hinozu Kenki. Actually, I was wondering if you could... help me out with something?]
[Uhm, sure thing, Mr. Kenki. How may I help you today?]
[So, I'm looking for Andrej, as I've looked around and seemingly, he does private coaching... Is that right?]
[Well yes, it is. Do you—]
[Ah, perfect. I actually wanted to reach out to him and discuss over that matter, whenever he's available. Would that be possible?]
His fingers drum against the desk.
[I think he's available right now, let me ask him real quick. Thanks for your patience.]
[Thanks to you.]
He tries to breathe calmly.
[Hello, who's this?]
A gruff voice.
[Good evening, I'm Hinozu Kenki. Am I speaking with Andrej?]
[You are. What do you want?]
[Sure, I'll be direct here. So, Andrej, I was just searching around the web and found your site, and was interested in the private coaching that you do. I've seen the videos, and I think you're amazing at it.]
[I wanted to talk about how you do things, the training, schedule, and see if it aligns with my goals. Would that be an issue to you?]
A deep sigh.
[I mean... Not at all but, how much are you willing to pay?]
[That's a great question. So, I've got an opportunity, and an issue. Would you be open to listen to the two?]
[As long as the issue isn't an inconvenience, I'm all for it. Spit it out.]
Chuckling, Hinozu closes his eyes, resting them as they itch.
After all, it had been 2 hours of reading through notes.
[You see, almost two years ago, I took part in the Assessment to be an Exterminator. Got through the third stage, and well, it just didn't work out in the fourth. It's part of the reason I'm contacting you. Anyway, the opportunity here is monumental.]
[If you were to coach me, I'd have a better chance at passing the Assessment. It'd certainly be great for me, but what's in it for you? Well, that's simple. Once I pass, I will spread the word of your dojang as the single reason for my success. Does that sound compelling?]
[You dream too much, boy. But I guess, if you have passed the third, you aren't lying.]
[Great. Now, for the issue.]
Nervous, he sets the phone down, heart racing.
[Uh, it's really simple. I may not be able to pay right now, but I'll try my best to give you what I'll owe as soon as I can.]
[... Nah. I'll pass.]
Hinozu's lips quiver.
[I'm going to hang u—]
[I-I totally understand that. But, if you can hear me out, I have just one thing to say. 30 seconds, if less.]
[Go ahead...]
[I get you want the payment. It's what I'd want too. But if we... Look further, here, I ask you one thing. Will there be any benefit, if I recommend your dojang, after passing the Assessment?]
[There will be. I know that. It's just... Alright, you can surely pay 20% now, right?]
[I'm afraid not, but—]
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Again.
Hinozu throws his notebook in frustration.
The author's narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
[Fuck! I almost had it.]
Picking his notebook again, he writes off the name.
Again.
Exhaling deeply, he leans back on his chair.
Then, someone knocks at the door.
Heading towards it, he twists the handle.
Jenneah stands.
[Dinner's ready.]
[Ah, I see. I'll just... Uh, tidy up here.]
She raises a brow.
[It's already clean.]
A chuckle escapes Hinozu.
[I guess.]
He heads towards the dining room with her, eyes focused on the floor.
[So, how are your... Calls going, lately?]
Hinozu's chest tightens. A knot forms on his throat.
[A-ah... They're... I mean... Nothing, yet.]
Jenneah stops walking, crossing her arms. Hinozu turns around.
Jenneah: [You always say the same thing.]
[If it isn't working, just drop it. There's no need to do this.]
[You barely do any studying, you act carelessly, and all you focus on is that thing.]
[All you're doing is wasting time.]
Hinozu exhales sharply, clenching his jaw.
[I'm not. It's just... A matter of time.]
[How much time? 1 year? 2 years? 10?]
[I won't let you waste your life away like that, chasing this... Dream you have.]
[I assure you. I just... need like, 3 months. Yeah, in three months, I'll have it. It's a matter of time.]
Of how skilled I am.
If I'm good enough.
If I can be better.
[Are you even listening to yourself? Last time, you said the same. The one before, you said a month. Don't lie to me, Hinozu. You...]
[You don't know what you're doing.]
[What? Of course I do!]
He raises his voice, frustrated.
[Whatever. Go eat dinner now. I'll give you just 3 more months.]
It isn't about you.
[If it doesn't work, you're out. Understood?]
[Yes... Understood.]
Turning on his heel, he makes way to the living room.
Sitting down at the table, he pours himself a glass of water before eating his food.
Same thing.
It's always about the money.
It's always about me.
I can do it.
But...
When will I achieve it?
——
[I'm sorry, you don't meet the profile we're seeking.]
[I totally understand that. Was there, uh, something that made you change your mind?]
His smile narrows.
[Not at all, we think you could be of help. Just, not to us at the moment. We're looking for someone older. And well, ideally more capable of physical effort. It's moving boxes, restocking... You know.]
[Ah, I see. Thanks for your time. I'm certainly available whenever you need to, so please don't hesitate to reach out. Right?]
He says, standing up to shake hands with the person in front.
[Sure. Have a nice day.]
[Wishing you the best.]
Exiting the manager's office, he leaves the store.
Hinozu chuckles.
[All I do is get rejected.]
Checking his phone, he opens an app.
Waiter. Cleaner. Dishwasher. Assistant. Delivery.
Rejected.
Clicking his tongue, he starts walking, trying to clear up his mind.
I don't understand.
I had a better CV than the others.
Stupid companies.
He sighs deeply.
A car whizzes by.
Probably expensive.
One that he could only dream of having.
As the engine roars, he balls his hands into fists, clenching tightly.
I'll get one too. I swear.
A mild headache sets.
[I... should get going back home.]
Turning around, Hinozu strides through the streets. Spotting a park from afar, he decides to go towards it.
He sits on a bench, phone in hand.
CV sent. CV sent. CV sent. CV sent. CV sent.
Sent. Rejected.
Will it even work?
Raising his gaze, his eyes scan the park. Neat, green grass, with several trees scattered around. A path slithers through, leading to a large lake in the middle, a wooden bridge above to cross through.
A young couple throws bread at the ducks, giggling.
Standing up, Hinozu leaves the park.
It was pretty boring, anyways.
His shoe comes off as he nearly trips. Cursing under his breath, he puts it back on.
For half an hour, he walks.
Back home.
Immediately, he heads to his room.
Locking the door. Opening his laptop. Retrieving his notebook. Grabbing his pen.
Sitting down.
Thinking.
Hesitating.
[Sorry, I'm not interested.]
[What's in it for me?]
[Sounds like a scam.]
[You're full of shit.]
[You can't just phone a coach for classes.]
[That's just an excuse, isn't it?]
[I'm sorry, it's just not...]
[I don't have the time.]
[Do you even have something to show?]
[Doesn't matter, I want money.]
[If you can do it, I'll let you focus on that.]
[Why are you smiling? You're definitely up to something... Something great.]
[After 40 calls, I'll definitely make it.]
[The only way... for someone like me...]
[You haven't given up.]
[You're smart. Don't waste that away.]
[I can do it. I imagine it.]
...
Maybe not today.
Closing the notebook with trembling hands, he stares at the screen.
[Don't... Be a coward, now.]
[You've... Come this far.]
He reaches for his notes. Hesitantly.
[You've done this much.]
Narrowing his eyes, Hinozu scrunches his nose up.
[It's just... You'll make it. Keep going. Keep doing.]
[One day...]
His heart feels heavy.
[One day...]
Sinking in his seat, he opens the notebook, flipping through the pages.
They soak. Tears fall.
Reading as his vision blurs, he tries to keep his face straight.
[Am I sure... I want to be an Exterminator?]
