Offline Interview Shock
I stared at the email with my mouth hanging open. An offline interview? No way.
The email titled 'Notification Regarding Document Screening for Ongoing Recruitment Audition' had arrived just moments ago, and honestly, my first thought was, Well, of course. If you asked why I applied knowing I'd probably get rejected, I'd have nothing to say—but hey, it doesn't cost anything to give it a shot. I'd clicked it expecting the standard rejection, figuring I'd just peek at the contents without getting my hopes up. But what awaited me was a reality I could hardly believe.
HR Department
Virtual Lounge Co., Ltd.
The monitor displayed the email, complete with the company address and all, and I just kept staring at it blankly. Passed? No... it was only the first round, and there was still an interview ahead, but why did I pass? It was a situation where I should be thrilled, yet it felt bewildering instead.
But on the other hand, a thought crossed my mind. Maybe this first-round document screening really was just like I'd imagined—a way to weed out people who couldn't even meet the basics. After all, wasn't it basically a giant net to filter out those who didn't grasp the very concept of getting a job at a company? People whose heads were full of flowers or completely empty. The real evaluations probably happened in the later rounds. So, someone like me, who at least had the basics covered, breezed through the first stage. That made a bit of sense. Like, Okay, this one's got her head on straight—moving on. My guess might be off, but thinking of it that way eased my mind a little.
'The company location... whoa, it's super close.'
About an hour away, roughly? Not walking distance, of course, but since I wouldn't be commuting daily, just heading there for an interview, it wasn't a big deal. Get off at Nakano Station and it's a short walk. These companies really push to set up in Tokyo, huh? Even if the building didn't look that impressive...
As those thoughts swirled, something else popped into my head. Come to think of it... I'm living in Tokyo now.
'I've been trying not to think about family until now...'
Our relationship wasn't bad at all. We kept in regular contact, and the memories in this body were mostly happy ones. It was just... this indescribable guilt that made me avoid dwelling on it. Looking at it now, there were all sorts of implications. Even for a one-room apartment, the rent in Setagaya Ward didn't seem cheap. I didn't sign the lease myself, so I wasn't sure of the exact amount, but providing this place and steadily sending a decent living allowance? That suggested I'd grown up in a pretty well-off family.
Hmm... I'll think about that later. Anyway, about an hour away. I clicked on the schedule to see when I could visit.
Online interview caught my eye, but some Confucian dragon inside me was roaring, It's a company—you gotta go in person and talk face-to-face! Hard to pinpoint exactly why, but it just felt right. It'd probably leave a better impression, right? Even if the interview didn't go great, I could at least check out the company while I'm there...
'Wait... do I need to wear a suit or something?'
The thought hit me, and I whipped around to stare at my closet. I didn't even need to open it to know: nothing even remotely suit-like inside. Even I, who'd always been far from normal office life in my past life, knew showing up for an interview in a parka and shorts would be a no-go.
...First things first, I drafted a reply email in the most polite tone I could muster. A fancy greeting, stating I'd visit on a preferred date, and hit send. Then I slumped out of my chair.
'...Guess I should go buy some clothes.'
No need for a full bespoke suit, but something to at least give off the vibe. There'd probably be other occasions to wear it someday... maybe. With a sigh, I threw on my usual parka.
....
Reiko sat in a cafe near the office, scrolling through SNS on her smartphone. Checking the affiliated members' chats for anything off, or sudden trends... It wasn't really work—just a habit to kill time. Managing members was the job of their individual managers; she didn't need to spend her energy on it.
Even so... as their friend and fan first, before being company staff, she did it anyway. The reason she was out here during work hours wasn't anything dramatic—no breather from a sigh or escape from an incompetent boss. Just the interview.
Tokyo's insane real estate prices were brutally nightmarish no matter when you thought about them. Reiko understood the unavoidable reasons for headquarters being in Tokyo, but accepting those prices was another story. Nakano Ward was cheaper than the truly exorbitant areas, but still far from affordable. Renting an entire new building? Forget it. They were at their limit leasing a floor in a small, aging structure. With space already tight for daily operations, carving out a dedicated interview room was impossible. So offline interviews usually happened at nearby cafes like this.
In the deep back corner of this quiet cafe—evoking the charm of the Showa era, despite Reiko being born in the Heisei period—Reiko glanced at her watch. About 20 minutes until the appointment.
Soon, or not too long now. Or maybe they wouldn't show at all. Even after passing documents, some never requested an interview slot, showed up late, or ghosted entirely. Who knew why. If meeting in person was an issue, online worked fine. From Reiko's perspective, there were way too many incomprehensible things.
'So many people without basic common sense... these kids these days...'
At 27—not old by any means—Reiko rubbed her stiff shoulder with one hand, thinking old-man thoughts. Years in suits hadn't made them comfortable. They felt less like clothes and more like shackles weighing down her shoulders with the company's dignity. Probably never get used to it.
*Ting-a-ling.*
The wind chime at the door rang clearly as it swung open. A bit late for September, but not her shop to meddle in. Reiko slowly turned to look at the newcomer.
'...El... no, middle schooler...?'
Shuffling in was an adorable little girl. Totally out of place amid the office buildings and this cafe. Was there a school nearby? Even if so, why come all the way here? Reiko's curiosity deepened.
'...Nah, probably that age. Idolizing some mature, glamorous lady... wanting to check out a stylish spot like this.'
Wild guess, but it struck her as so cute that Reiko unwittingly smiled softly. A grubby fat guy smiling at a little girl might get reported, but a well-dressed beauty like Reiko? No issue.
Seeing the master bend down to meet the girl's eyes at the counter... probably just entered middle school. Tiny and cute, chasing that intangible adult allure—her imagination gained traction, lifting her mood. I must've been that cute once... probably.
As Reiko watched the girl bow politely to the master and head this way—likely scanning for a seat, avoiding stares by going deep inside—Reiko thought how hard it'd be to stifle a laugh if that cute face popped into view mid-interview.
The girl's steps halted right in front of her.
"Um..."
"What is it?"
If her colleagues saw this, they'd yelp, 'Manager!?' It was about 30% softer and kinder than her usual tone, with a gentle smile. Reiko often heard 'Why so angry?' despite not meaning to, so she knew her default impression was cold and intimidating. Praising herself inwardly for nailing the soft voice and smile to avoid scaring the girl, she watched as the girl fidgeted and replied.
"...Um, are you... Y-Yagami Reiko... ma'am?"
"...?"
How did this girl know her name? As Reiko froze, an even bigger bomb dropped in her ear.
"I-I'm... Ito Yui... here for... the interview..."
Only then did Reiko realize the girl wasn't in a sailor uniform—but a suit.