Episode 13: "The Layoff CEO"

CEO
"Let's go! Layoffs! Layoffs! Get on with it! I'm gettin' bored over here!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"My apologies for making you wait, if you would be so kind as to do the honors."

CEO
"Roger! Let's get this show on the road!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"It's time for the long awaited layoff notice. You all will do well to sit and watch in silence."

Shinagawa Tribe
"It's happening!"

Shinagawa Tribe
"Be careful to not get caught in the process!"

CEO
"Don't be afraid! Come, come."

The CEO's eyes began flickering more intensely, and the sound of creaking metal reverberated throughout the plaza.

The Shinagawa Tribe members who were restraining the Manager let her go and stepped backwards.
Then the area underneath the CEO's face, the object's torso, opened up.

While the inside was hollow, the walls were lined with an innumerable number of spikes.
Yo suddenly understood why Q and Tsuruko were so puzzled when they first laid eyes on the CEO's outside appearance.

It was a torture device from the Middle Ages... an iron maiden.

But a tool in one of Zero's games wouldn't stop at just being a regular torture device.
Before they knew it, a wave of black hands emerged from the inside and gripped the Manager's throat.

Manager
"S-Stop! Please, help me! I don't wanna be laid ooofff!"

The Manager begged and pleaded for her life as she extended her hands toward Kazuma.

Kazuma Ichinose
"How uncouth. It's far too late to start begging for your life now!
I want you to regret defying us until you expel your last breath!"

Kazuma just stared onward with glee, as he ignored the hands outstretched toward him.
The Manager desperately tried to hold on and not get pulled in, but the hands suddenly grasped her feet and knocked her over.

Yo Kuronaka
"Wait!"

Crush!

In the blink of an eye, the CEO pulled in the Manager. The doors firmly clasped shut behind her.
And then...

CEO
"You know what time it is! Layoff time!"

The CEO took its thumb and dragged it across their neck. A blade, positioned near its throat, moved with a sharp sound.

Manager
"AAAAHHHH!"

A bloodcurdling scream echoed out before falling silent.
After a few moments, dark red liquid that carried with it the scent of iron began spilling out onto the floor.

Kazuma Ichinose
"Haha! Just hearing the scream sent such a shiver of excitement down my spine. No matter how many times I witness this, it never gets old!
This is what happens when you get laid off! Did you burn that image into your brains?"

Yo Kuronaka
"N-No... this can't be... the manager is..."

It all happened far too quickly. Too easily.
One moment she was exchanging words with them and the next moment she was gone.
Yo felt as if he could hear everyone's hearts shatter from the despair.

Tsuki Iroha
"Aaaahhhh!"

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"T-There's no way... This can't be happening..."

Tsuruko Semba
"Waah! I can't stand this!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"Ah, the look of despair adorning your faces is second to none. Make sure to always remember this feeling, you useless brats."

Yo Kuronaka
"Damn you! Do you really think we're going to let you get away with this?!"

CEO
"..."

Yo shouted at the CEO, but it gave him no response.

Yo Kuronaka
"Don't ignore me! Say something, dammit!"

Q
"I understand how you're feeling, but it's pointless.
You heard what he said earlier. The CEO can only hear the Director's voice."
"Tch. Then I'll force him to listen!"

Just as Yo's rage was about to boil over...

Tsuruko Semba
"Yo, no! Don't do anything rash!"

Tsuruko yanked on his clothes, knocking him onto his back.

Yo Kuronaka
"Don't try to stop me, Tsuruko!"

Tsuruko Semba
"Please, control yourself!
If we get on the CEO's nerves and become unfavored employees, then you'd be next on the chopping block!"

Eiji Todoroki
"J-Just listen to Tsuruko! I'm angry too, but you have to control yourself."

Yo Kuronaka
"Damn it all..."

The pain from falling to the ground helped Yo come back to his senses.
If Tsuruko hadn't stopped him, he probably would've rushed right up to the CEO and gotten himself killed for violating the rules.
Yo couldn't help but feel pathetic for not being able to do anything for the Manager.

Kazuma Ichinose
"My, my. You all look so unsightly. Perhaps it's time we take a group photo to commemorate this wondrous event. If you give me your contact information, I'll even send it to you."

Kazuma had a big grin on his face and he looked down upon Yo and the others.

Yo Kuronaka
"Are you kidding me...! Someone, someone just died!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"Ha! You should be a touch more grateful. After all, I kept you alive despite you opposing me.
Isn't that right, CEO?"

Again, Kazuma began speaking to the CEO, but...

CEO
"Waaah! Aaah!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"...CEO?"

CEO
"Candy detected! Candy detected!

The CEO ignored Kazuma completely and began rocking side to side in high spirits.

Hyakuichitaro Senju
"Huh? What's gotten into him?"

CEO
"I just LOVE candy! But this is NOT a Japanese treat! Explain yourself, right now!"

However, his high spirits didn't last for long, and he immediately began stomping in frustration and glared at Yo.

Yo Kuronaka
"What? Candy?"

As Yo stood up, he found a small wrapped object by his feet.
It must have fallen out of his pocket when he fell over.

As he was about to pick it up, he realized it was the candy the Manager had given him.

Yo slowly picked up the dear piece of candy and put it back into his pocket.

But then, a question sprung to the forefront of his mind.

Yo Kuronaka
"This doesn't make any sense. He was ignoring me this whole time.
So why did he react when I dropped a piece of candy?"

Ignoring the question, Kazuma and the CEO began having a conversation once more.

Kazuma Ichinose
"CEO, please calm down. If you'd like some treats, then I have a great idea."

CEO
"Huh? What is it? Tell me, tell me!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"You see, the truth is that these people here are brand new employees."

CEO
"New employees? Oh, right! That means they brought gifts with them, of course!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"Usually, yes. But you see, it seems like they chose to not bring any..."

CEO
"WHAT?! How disrespectful! Where are their manners?"

Kazuma Ichinose
"Oh, I feel the exact same way! So, as Director, I'll make sure I give them a stern talking to.
Furthermore, I'll make them bring a magnificent gift to you another day in order to earn your forgiveness. Is there anything in particular you'd like to receive?"

CEO
"Hmm, let's see here. As long as it's a Japanese treat, pretty much anything will do. But... Oh! I'd really really love some Azuchi-Momoyama more than anything else in the world! That castella is to die for!
They say it's a once in a lifetime treat! Anyone who can bring it to me will be made the Director!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"Haha, ever the jokester. As if anyone else could be the Director."

CEO
"Well, it's a rare sweet after all! It's the most fitting reward for the person who can bring it to me.
But, it's pretty much an impossible task, isn't it?"

Kazuma Ichinose
"At any rate, I'll make them bring you something, so please find it somewhere in your heart to forgive them."

CEO
"Okay! Well, it's about time for my nap. If you don't bring me anything, you're not going to like the result."

The moment it finished talking, the light behind the CEO's eyes vanished, as if it had shut down.

Yo Kuronaka
"Just who do you think you are, speaking for us?"

Kazuma Ichinose
"How rude! Is that really how you should be going around asking a question, newbie?
Truth be told, I don't have any real obligation to answer such impolite questions. But I, as Number One, have a deep sense of compassion. So I'm willing to throw you a bone... this time.
If you don't do anything, you'll be the ones getting laid off next week."

As he spoke, Kazuma mimicked the CEO from earlier and made a throat cutting gesture toward the group.

Tsuki Iroha
"Just stop this nonsense already! There was no mention of that before!"

Tsuruko Semba
"Tsuki! It's very very dangerous to talk back like that! I'll explain everything in a bit!"

Kazuma Ichinose
"What a relief. At least one of you has a functioning brain. Do your best to come up with a way to survive. Until then, I bid you adieu."

Kazuma weakly waved his hand at them, as he walked away with his entourage.

So many events happened back to back in a short amount of time. Yo was having a hard time keeping up.
But one thing was for certain. If they don't do anything, at this rate they'll face the same fate as the Manager.

Zero
"Yoohoo, everyone! It must've been real rough to go through all of that, huh?
I'm really worried! Do you all really have what it takes to survive in this city?"

Not even getting a second to compose themselves, the poorly made Zero plushie suddenly appeared.

Tsuruko Semba
"Eeek! Y-You're back?!"

Zero
"You betcha! I figured at a time like this, you all could really use a guide. You know what you gotta do?"

Yo Kuronaka
"We don't have time to waste talking to a piece of crap like you. Make yourself scarce."

Zero
"Oh ho! So harsh! But if you say so, Yo, I'll be a good boy and leave."

After being snapped at by Yo, Zero turned around and left.
As he trotted away, he looked back a few times, but everyone just ignored him.

Afterward, Yo and the others put their hands together in prayer for the Manager, and left the Layoff Plaza in silence.
The metallic floor of the bridge rang out as they walked back. The flickering neon lights were the only thing helping them press on.
After what felt like an eternity, they finally arrived at the tenth floor of the Shinagawa Princess Hotel, and everyone returned to their respective rooms.

Yo Kuronaka
"Oh, the bed was..."

Before he could collapse on his bed, Yo noticed the bed had been neatly made from the disheveled state he had left it in this morning.

A card stating that the bed was made was left on the pillow.
But as he took the card in his hands, he noticed the Manager's handwriting on the back. "Yo, things are only going to get harder from here. But, let's try to do our best together!" Seeing those words filled Yo with warmth but also a deep sadness.

Yo Kuronaka
"Manager... I'm sorry. Despite doing so much for us, we couldn't save you."

Yo took out the candy from his pocket, unwrapping it, and popping it in his mouth. He then collapsed upon the bed.

(I'll avenge you. I promise.)
Yo repeated that to himself over and over and over again.