155 5.44 First Day Of Work Commences For Jiyu Residence. (2/2)
*Kitashiobara
*Bandai
*Aizubange
*Yugawa
2. Research
*Population
Number of residents
Number of clusters
Statistics for per household per cluster
*Mayor of Town
Name/ mission statement / vision
*Business District
Familiarisation of each department
Operating a branch office
*Trading District
Primary trade
*Treasury
Exchange rate
*Corporate Account
Ability to make daily deposits to main corporate account in Kitakata
*Rental of locale
Glass shop front
Size of locale
Single or double storey
Per year rental price
*Blacksmith Shop
Number of shops
Offer [Refined Iron] and bring sample
Offer [Purified Iron] and bring sample
*Beauty Shop
Number of shops
Offer the following
Karada soap
Hae Shanpu
Soap Dish
Laundry Detergent
Floor Cleaning Agent
Some of the researches need to be on-site while others could just be researched at the comfort of one's home. Seems we need to have a blackboard or a flip chart so that I could explain to the seniors of what to expect in the days to come.
It also seems that we would need a more private space to hold our meetings so that passerby would not eavesdrop on our discussion. ”Hmm, we jave to more tact on handling these matters after all, furthermore its regards to safeguarding company secrets.”
I closed my sketchpad and also closed my eyes awhile when Hiko-sama tapped my shoulders as he showed my 4 paper bags of pocket watches. I opened them up and wound the knobs and checked whether the timings were synchronised accordingly. I told Hiko-sama that he would each hold the box as I hung it around the seniors neck like a presentation of an award or something.
Hiko-sama liked the idea and I kept the boxes inside each of the bag as I am satisfied with the timepieces. When I closed my eyes, I had decided to forgo the addition of 2 women to prepare meals and clean the house since the workload for now seemed light. Furthermore just supplying the Karada Soap to the cosmetics had already surpassed our income for the month.
Soon lunch came and Hiko-sama placed the timepieces into his hidden compartment in his kimono. I slipped my sketchpad into the back of my obi. Hiko-sama and I walked the grounds to check on the progress of the work. By this time, rebars had been placed on the ground to be cemented.
Everything had gone according to plan. The shelving and pallets are on the staging area which would be arranged accordingly. Same goes to the table, 2 high back chairs, 2 stools and the shelf for the files.
I told Hiko-sama about using this space first to conduct our meetings as it's more enclosed and private with no eavesdropping chances from passerby. He agreed and he told me he would send someone for a blackboard, some chalks and a duster.
It seems the last thing the workers would be doing is cementing and curing it. We saw some workers had already been mixing the cement and sand with water and would be pouring the cement any minute. A pair of workers were also seen having their lunch. We walked past the workers and they bowed deeply.
We walked past the girls' house and find that they were engrossed in their work.
”Have you girls taken your lunch yet?”
”Oh... Hello Sensei and Senpai. Lunch had been prepared since morning and we would be taking turns to eat.” one of them replied.
”What are you having for lunch?”
”We cooked steamed rice, grilled fish and stir fry greens for both lunch and dinner.”
”Oh, alright then, we are going to have lunch soon. Work slowly and carefully ok?” I said as we walked to the garden and opened up our bento box. We ate as we discussed what had been done for the to-do-list and we now only need to make the Hae shanpu and the Detergent and floor cleaning agent. It's going to be called Furoa Kurina.
We rested a bit after lunch when we heard the arrival of our Seniors. I called out the girls and told them after I presented the pocket watch on their necks, the girls would applaud and congratulate the Seniors. The bowing and the congratulation would be on cue on the last man, commands such as 'bow' the followed by 'greet' and everyone will call out 'Congratulations Seniors, welcome to Fasuto Japan KabushikiGaisha as one big happy family” and walk out offscreen, OK?”
The girls practised a while and got it perfect after a few tries. The 4 men were in their kimonos now and they were surprised that everyone was there. They asked the occasion and Hiko-sama asked them to form a line.
The 4 men was surprised and followed Hiko-sama instruction. He then took a box, opened it up, while I reached and took a timepiece. Hiko-sama told the first man, Miroku to lower his neck and I quickly wrap the chain on his neck and hook it on the ring of the knob, followed by Hide, Toshi and Kami.
Their heads remained lowered and I said, ”This is an award for the unsung heroes for your unrivalled services to the country and community, and a gift from Fasuto Japan KabushikiGaisha.” I signalled to the girls and they clapped their hands.
Hiko-sama then commanded, ”At ease” and then men raised their heads up and the girls chorused what they had practised and walked back to the house.
The men were awed and silenced by the fine treatment that they had received from Hiko-sama and me and regarded it as the highest honor. Even the Samurai shogunate does not have such recognition after several years of service. They knew that these gifts they received are worth at least 20 or more gold pieces and only the nobles could afford it.
Finally one of them spoke, ”Thank you for your gift CEO-san, CFO-san. This is our greatest honour to receive such a prestigious award that even our Mayor cannot surpass this kind of recognition and appreciation after so many years of service. Thank you once again, we are deeply honored.”
Then everyone bowed and thanked the both of us. Soon we broke into casual chat and the men was instructed to wound the knobs 8 times every morning. They looked at it and was captivated at the polished cover the mineral glass and all.
One of them joked that one day at the market, some girls would use this as their mirror to check their start preening. We laughed at the funny thought. One of them said that we had spent alot of money to buy these timepieces for them. I answered that keeping time is important so that our work is more organised.
Hiko-sama then said the price is lower than the salary of a samurai. They were shocked and asked how it is so and when Hiko-sama told the first story for the first and then second part. When he finished the stories, everyone roared with laughter and said that Hiko-sama had been influenced by a kid to be a Hitokiri just by using his tongue. Hahahahaha... 8 gold pieces for a high graded pocket watch!