Fixer Agency

The world only became beautiful when night fell.

Skyscrapers piercing the sky, flying vehicles cutting between them, and giant holographic billboards covering the exterior walls of buildings. Artificial intelligence that promises eternal youth, happiness, and even replaces human emotions. It was an era where anything could be obtained as long as you had money.

Of course, if you didn't have money, the story was different. Someone enjoyed a luxurious feast at the very top of the city, while someone else at the very bottom worried about tomorrow's meal. But no one thought it was strange. Because that was just how this world was.

It was a truly beautiful world. At least for those who had something.

In that regard, I was a fairly realistic person. Although the dream of earning money to stand at the top of a building was quite far from reality. Anyway, I joined the fixer agency for money, and to earn that money, I took on all the errands for that stupid boss. Making coffee, organizing documents, winning dolls from claw machines, and sometimes even cleaning up after that man. If I were to define my job in one word, I was closer to an all-around handyman than a subordinate of a fixer.

He was always carefree. His skill at passing work off to me with a fresh smile was truly gifted. A strange and sometimes utterly inscrutable, loathsome man. I thought of him as a slave to capitalism. For a fixer's slogan to be 'We do anything for money,' it lacks any class. One day, I asked him if he had any sense of professionalism, or if he was just a slave to capitalism. Every time I did, he just laughed. For some reason, that laugh made me feel uneasy.

I was once again amazed to see him not hesitating in front of money. To chase desire so honestly, yet remain annoyingly relaxed. Perhaps I should learn that attitude too. Worrying about next month's rent was much more realistic than the grand ideal of standing atop the city's most beautiful building.

But sometimes I wondered. Hank. What kind of ideal are you living for? Just because you like money? Or to feel the pride of saving people? Or are you trying to get your hands on something that can only be solved with money? Really, you and I are incompatible people.

Still, I just put on my coat and followed behind him. Under the dazzling city lights, someone's circumstances were being converted into money again today. I, too, was standing in the middle of that transaction.