Ignoring the chaos of yesterday, I went about my morning routine. In the mail room was a box, and a letter, both from the police station. The box was filled with my belongings that survived the crash, and the letter simply thanked me for handling the task for her, her being Grim.

  It wasn’t much, but I was glad to be done with that, and a part of me was looking forward to work. Yet, another part of me worried over the concerns I had before the weekend… Hopefully, nothing goes wrong, and hopefully, it was just my imagination.

  With that in mind, I headed to work.

  Shortly after entering and settling down in Leo’s office, I was immediately bombarded with calls and messages. Seems like a lot more people caught onto the changes and were making themselves known or coming back to try and strong arm me into changing them back. Which, the timing felt a bit strange, but so far, everything seemed above board.

  I was relieved when evening swung by and I could finally head back to my desk, but that was an entire hell of its own. Having taken so long answering calls and messages meant that I was running behind on my tasks. Which had me staying well after work ended and for the second night in a row, I lacked the time to take a proper bath at the bath house.

  Next day evened out, calls came to a stop, which allowed me to move back to my office space and get to work swiftly enough. When it came to clock out, I left, while Terada and company went off to eat and drink.

  Taking the extra time I had, I went to the Rust Belt Auto that Grim had told me about and left with a used, but in good condition car for cheap. I paid cash, so no loans to care for, and the paperwork was relatively simple. I didn’t need to worry about getting a driver’s license since the temporary citizenship came with one. Convenient, that.

  My new, used car, was then parked in a nearby parking garage and I began looking for a place to work in earnest.

  Wednesday came around, the week nearly halfway over, and I had another makeup tutorial today with Samantha. For the most part, it wasn’t any different from any other time. Today was more focused on hair styles and such…

  However, as we were finishing up, Samanatha spoke up.

  “Prima, I don’t mean to pry, but are you sleeping with Leo?”

  “Him?” I scoffed. “Leo might look handsome, but he’s a brat through and through.” I answered honestly. “What brought this up anyway?” I asked back.

  “The rumor mill is going full force, and it doesn’t help that you’re spending so much time in his office.”

  “Any idea whose spreading those rumors?” I asked, after all, the rumors shouldn’t matter. Anyone with a working brain between their ears can tell what it is I’m doing for our division.

  “I’m not too sure, by the time I picked up on it, it had already spread.” She answered. Which meant it had taken a life of its own by now.

  “Is that so? Well, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue, given time, the rumors should die out on their own.

  Samantha gave me a look I couldn’t quite decipher. “I do hope your right, and that it does blow over. It doesn’t help that the whole division’s been talking about your little mutiny. Even Terada has been fuming.”

  “Believe me, I didn’t want to do this. It just… worked out like this.” I said, and it was true. I’d failed to anticipate what Leo would do, and I had looked down on him.

  “I can imagine, but I can also see you doing this all the same Prima.”

  That wasn’t exactly comforting to here, but… “Well, either way, it happened and we’re dealing with it.” I said, double checking myself in the mirror.

  “Yes, we are…” She sighed… “What exactly is the plan though?”

  “Fix the division, get us work, catch up on our unpaid overtime and get promoted.”

  “You make it sound so easy… Mm, but I don’t mind. Even if you fail it wouldn’t bother me too much.”

  “It wouldn’t?” I asked, confused.

  “Mm, I’m not too old, but I’m not alone in thinking that we are being overworked. All of us have known each other for decades, ever since Terada first brought us together. The only reason we’ve stuck out this long to be honest was because of him.”

  “I suspected as much, but… whatever happened? I looked into his history and well… I don’t understand how he ended up here.” I had to ask.

  “None of us really know, just that one day we were working on a big project, the next we lost all funding and were essentially exiled. I heard some people mention that he crossed the wrong person, how he did so, I don’t know.”

  “That is worrying… do you think they’d get involved if I start improving the division?”

  She shrugs. “How would I know? It’s been a number of years since then, and it would be crazy if they still had it out for him. Then again, it really does depend on what he did, and who he crossed.”

  “Do you think you could figure it out? Ask him?”

  “I could try, but Terada is a rather private man.”

  “That would be helpful, but I don’t want you doing anything that will get him upset with you.”

  She scoffs. “Him? Upset with me? Terada’s smart enough not to get on my bad side.”

  We shared a laugh at that. “Either way, thanks. I don’t know if I could survive here if not for you running interference.”

  “Terada can be a little too stuck in his ways. In this case, he should really be thanking you, but men will be men I suppose.”

  Another bit of shared laughter, though, a bit more subdued on my end. It was stupid, but I also understood it.

  “Anyway, we do need to get back to work, lunch is almost over.” I muttered, looking at my reflection in the bathroom mirror. I adjusted my clothes.

  “That is true, we good for tomorrow as well?”

  “Yeah, we’ll be starting on proper perfumes and such soon, right?” I asked as we started to walk out.

  “Yup, though, I’m wondering if I really have anything to teach you in that department.”

  “Just give it your best shop, and hey, maybe I have something to teach you.”

  With another, short laugh between us, we left and went back to work.

  The week moved on. Calls were made, a warehouse was found. Materials were secured to be delivered on the day I get the keys, along with a series of improvements that were to be made to the warehouse itself.

  It was a tidy sum, but I had plenty of cash between my paycheck and the bronze coins in my possession. I even bought a new purse, the first time Samantha saw it she gave me a dressing down.

  “Is that a brand name purse?” She sounded both impressed and annoyed.

  “Mm, yeah. The stitching is good, the material’s good as well. I think it’ll last quite some time. Even if it was a bit expensive, I figured I could handle it.”

  “That purse must have cost you a whole month’s pay at the very least.”

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  “About…” It was a bit more than that.

  “Prima, you need to be more careful with your pay.”

  “I am Samantha, don’t worry.”

  “And don’t think I haven’t noticed those tailor-made suits you wear, or the additional products you’ve been buying.”

  “On your recommendation.” I added, but she merely sighed.

  “Look, just be more careful with your money.”

  It was a bit funny, in the end I simply agreed and let her be. There was no need to argue with her, and it did feel nice to have someone worrying after me. Still, a purse to hold all my things was nice, especially since I didn’t have to use my pockets. Pockets that were notably smaller than I was used to.

  The week rolled on, and I couldn’t wait until the official move in day, which was my day off. Of course, on the final day of work, just before I clocked out and Terada took everyone to dinner, minus me, a familiar face greeted me.

  “Hey, Prima, you got a moment?” It was Kenta.

  “I suppose.” I looked at my watch. “I have some time, did something come up?”

  “Ah, no… just.” He raised his hand up and scratched his head for a moment. “I was wondering if you had time tomorrow? Maybe we could meet for lunch or something.”

  “I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I have an appointment tomorrow.” I actually did, I was supposed to meet the lease owner for the warehouse tomorrow…

  “Is that so? Well, I wanted to talk about what was happening and all… and well…” He leans in a bit. “The rumors and all.”

  “What is there to talk about?” I answered back firmly. “I am simply helping Leo get this division back into shape.”

  “Ah, of course, I didn’t mean to suggest anything untoward was happening, but well… it doesn’t look good.”

  I wanted to simply shoot him down, but he was right… “Do you mean to suggest that you can stop these rumors?” I choose to ask, taking him slightly off guard.

  “What, me? No, but I may know who is spreading those rumors.”

  “Oh? Do tell me?” I asked, knowing full well it was him.

  Unabashedly, he gave up a name. “It’s Tom, I don’t know why, but he’s been acting odd for a while now.”

  Tom?

  I glance over, Tom was currently gathering his papers, the moment he noticed me looking his way, he ducked down… odd. Odd that Kenta would choose Tom as a scapegoat. Tom and I had an understanding of sorts. Liche and Joan occasionally gave me reports, and Tom seemed on top of things now, especially with Liche and Joan assisting. There was no way it was actually Tom, right?

  Still, was there a greater reason for this? What were the rumors supposed to accomplish in the first place? Put my name through the mud? Get Leo in trouble?

  “That is strange, I didn’t think he had it in him.” I said after a moments silence.

  “I know right? He’s been acting oddly recently, and I think it’s because he is the one spreading those nasty rumors about you.”

  Nasty rumors? Now I was curious, but…

  “I’ll be sure to keep an eye out then, thank you Kenta.”

  “Of course, always glad to help. Ah, and if you ever change your mind about that lunch or dinner, well, I’m always free.”

  He said that and gave me an odd look before moving away. It wasn’t until I was in the bath that it occurred to me. Was Kenta hitting on me? Was he trying to get me to go out on a date with him, with the excuse of helping me out?

  If so… that is really strange. In response to those thoughts, I submerged myself under the bath’s water. Leaving just my nose and eyes just above the surface as I curled up and contemplated what that all meant.

  Was Kenta pursuing me? That was a strange thought. Should I keep an eye out for him? Should I consult Samantha?

  No, it was strange to be pursued at all… I mean, even according to Leo, his father had his eye on me, and not just because of my work ethic and abilities…

  How do I even begin processing this? I thought, partially submerged and blowing bubbles in the bath…

  In the end, I decided to simply shrug it off and simply push it off. Surely, it will never be an issue… right? And if it does, I’ll let future me resolve it.

  That night, as always, I ate and drank my fill, then woke up early next morning. I threw on my best clothes, packed an overnight bag and headed over to the warehouse in my car.

  The lease required me to pay the first six months in advance, along with a substantial security deposit. It wasn’t the largest of warehouses, but it had what I needed. Primarily, the warehouse had a freezer. Apparently, the realtor told me the warehouse had been used to store fish and such, among other things but the companies that had leased out the space went under recently, thus freeing up the lease. It also seemed they were keen to getting a new client in, which was why the warehouse was so affordable.

  The warehouse had a frontal area, followed by a back area secured with large steel doors. The back area had a built-in freezer unit, and was recently emptied of racks and shelves, making it just a big white room.

  There was a second-floor office that overlooked the cold storage and the front area. The office was fairly big and after some contracting work, a simple shower was installed. After the final walk through, a few signatures here and there, I was handed the key and thus the official ownership of the warehouse… Well, as a lease.

  A few calls later and goods I had purchased throughout the week were delivered and set up. The warehouse had a few loading bays, which made unloading my purchases easy enough. A bed was brought up to the office along with a few other pieces of furniture, like a table, chairs, and various appliances were brought up.

  When everything was done, the sun had already begun to set. There was a lot more to do still, and with the office prepped for me to live inside, well, I figured I would order a pizza and continue working.

  I had ordered a series of molds to make ice blocks, each mold was rather large. Towering well above my person when set up. They had latches along the side to separate the mold from the ice, and for easy storage. The back area was where the cold storage was located, but it wasn’t too large. The warehouse itself wasn’t too big, which thankfully saved my wallet, but the price for it and all the peripherals still cost me a pretty penny, essentially nuking my supply of bronze coins.

  I had also bought a slew of equipment, so that I could sculpt or cut away the ice. Eventually making them into low quality golems… Or at least, that was the plan.

  The cold storage could keep the ice from melting, but not so much freezing the ice. If I wanted them to properly freeze the ice, I’d have to invest a whole lot more. Which is where my own power came in. The molds were filled with water, from a hose, and were carted into the cold storage area, where they were set down.

  About when I finished, the pizza arrived. A dead-eyed teenager greeted me at the door, only for those dead eyes to brighten just a smidge when I handed over a hefty tip as thanks for coming out here. I ate, then went back to work.

  I kept an eye on the time, as I had work tomorrow…

  Each mold took some time to freeze over. It took a lot out of me to freeze each block, then pull the mold off and set it aside, then pull it just outside the cold storage to save space. By the end of it, I had four full blocks of ice that stood taller than I.

  Checking the time, I had maybe enough time to do another round of ice making, so I did. I finished up, took a nice hot shower, and settled in my new bed. Which was heavenly. Even if I missed the bath.

  The next day, I got into my car and drove to work. For the first time using the employee parking under the building.

  Work went as usual… nothing exceptional happened, and the moment I went back to the warehouse, where I started the process of sculpting the ice blocks. Only…

  I was barely a few hours in, but…

  “Shit…” The word came out of my mouth as the block of ice shattered. Sculpting ice wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. I glanced over at the carnage, of the eight blocks, seven of them were broken to bits after multiple attempts to chip away at it.

  It was beginning to get late, but I had nothing to show for it. The cold of the cold storage didn’t really bother me, but constantly failing was getting on my nerves.

  Was I just clumsy? Did I need to take this slower? Should I really expect serious progress after a single day of sculpting?

  The answer was self-evident, perhaps I was too hungry for progress, but as it was… I needed to get something out of this. Perhaps I could sell the blocks of ice to local shops? At least until I get good enough to make a proper golem. As it was, unless I find a steady supply of bronze coins, I’d go bankrupt before long.

  It wasn’t like I could suddenly get good at…

  Maybe I could?

  Sheep mentioned that silver coins can grant talents. Perhaps this would be a good time to test that out? I took out a silver coin. I kept all my coins with me, inside my purse. My apartment seemed safe enough, but I didn’t like the idea of just leaving them lying around. Not when I had a means to carry them comfortably.

  I considered the coin and held it in my hand. Once I settled on what I wanted, I spoke my wish and flipped it.

  “Grant me a talent for sculpting.”

  The moment my words fell, the coin glowed and sang. As soon as it hit its apex, it exploded into motes of silver light that rained out over me and surged into me.

  The feeling was electric. My body tingled. Though…

  I didn’t feel smarter. I didn’t feel any different. There was a momentary warmth that had settled into my core, but as soon as it arrived, it was gone. I flexed my hands in confusion and picked up one of the sculpting tools. Almost immediately, I felt something. An odd feeling that I was holding the tool wrong. My hands shifted until it felt right or right enough. Same with the chisel.

  I placed the chisel down on the block of ice and again, I felt that same nagging sensation. That I was doing something wrong. I listened, followed the guide and little else. I clanged away, breaking off chunks of ice.

  Eventually, I discarded the chisel and hammer, my hands reached for cutting tools and sanding tools. I worked into the night. Listening wholly to whatever it was that was guiding me. An instinct I knew I didn’t have. Not before.

  By the time I stopped. It was nearly morning. The ice block that had sat before me was now in the vague shape of a human. It was awful, ugly… Yet, it was much better than anything else I had made up to this point.

  I looked it over, noting each mistake I had made, even with these new instincts guiding me. Where I had gouged too deep, where I had put a bit too much strength into a strike or struck the ice at a slightly wrong angle. In the end, it just wasn’t usable…

  I really wanted to go back at it, but work called.

  Another day, another night. From then on, each block of sculpted ice came out slightly better, with fewer mistakes each time, up until the start of the weekend, when I finally managed to make something workable.

  Time was ticking, this weekend was the full moon, I didn’t have much longer to consider. I had one more day of work, followed by a pair of days off, then it was time. I could probably get the golems ready and fit by then, but…

  What exactly was I going to do? Stay and continue to work? Go out and have another look around like last time? Or, would something else come up?

  Well, only time will tell…