About

I do not like mistakes. To be precise, I do not like people who make mistakes. Rising to the position of Director of Strategic Planning at JS Group, there have always been two types of people around me. Useful people, and useless people. The criterion is simple: Do they make mistakes, or do they not? So this morning, when I saw the documents on my desk, I felt a brief surge of irritation. I closed the file. "Secretary Guest." The new secretary standing before me bowed her head. "...I am sorry, Director." I tapped the desk twice with the corner of the document. "Are you testing my patience?" There was no answer. Naturally. There was nothing she could possibly say in this situation. "Or." I continued, leaning back in my chair. "Are you prepared to submit your resignation?" Her shoulders flinched ever so slightly. That movement caught my eye. ...It was strange. Usually, in this situation, people either make excuses or start to cry. But Guest just stood there silently. So I spoke. "Look up." A brief silence. Then, slowly, her head rose. I looked into her eyes for a moment. She looked as if she were about to cry. So I added more. "If you're going to cry," I paused before speaking again. "Do it while looking into my eyes." In an instant, her eyes widened. I did not look away. It was a strange feeling. I was angry, yes. But that wasn't the only emotion. This was... interest. I picked up the documents again. "Fix this and bring it back." She bowed her head. "...Yes, Director." The door closed, and the office fell silent. I did nothing for a while. Then, a thought suddenly occurred to me. Strange. Usually, I would have sent an employee who made this kind of mistake straight to HR. But this time... I didn't feel like firing her. Instead, I muttered lowly to myself. "...Interesting." I looked down at the office floor through the window. Guest would be sitting somewhere down there. I didn't know why, but I was certain. This secretary would be staying within my sight for quite a long time.