"A 'personal assistant'?" Akane asked. "So... I'd be a helper?"
"Of a sort. You see, my son has never been really much of a person to keep track of things, especially when he doesn't exactly enjoy them. Appointments, forms, and all sorts of things are not the sort of things that he'd want to deal with."
"But he's your heir..."
"That's exactly the point. All too soon, he'll be running things himself, and he needs to be able to handle it," the Saotome Matriarch replied, "I think that you may just be that person."
"But why me? I'm not exactly a corporate ace or something..."
"That's exactly why you are a good choice."
"Huh?"
"You are his age, so he can relate to you. There's nothing in your files about being any sort of business person, and you have a history of speaking your mind."
"I didn't mean to offend anyone..."
"Trust me, you didn't. Yet, you do have a strong will, a sense of duty, and are scrupulously honest as far as I can tell. That makes you perfect to keep him steady."
The more Akane heard of what the elder woman was saying, the more it confused her. She wasn't sure what exactly was going on, but it did intrigue her. "So, what would I be doing?"
"Keeping track of appointments, arranging meetings, making certain that he has what he'll need. That sort of thing. You'll travel with him when he has to go someplace, making sure that things run smoothly, and handling the details, like making sure that gifts are brought when necessary and ensuring that he'll be dressed properly."
"Sounds like a baby sitter."
"In a way, it is. The workload can be a bit much, but you will be doing things that need to be done. Plus, you will be doing things like coordinating security with transport, getting him the things he'll want, and essentially giving any assistance that you can give him."
"Hmmm... Sort of like a second in command," the martial artist replied.
"An interesting way to put it, but it fits."
"We have an assistant head maid who makes sure the other maids do what the boss decides."
"Sort of like that, but your work will also include things that wouldn't follow in the simple chain of command," the CEO informed her. "And unlike most 'Girl Fridays', your job would include guarding my son."
"What does that mean?"
"Ranma has to start attending various functions and events now as the heir to the company as we move from a single set of industries to full zaibatsu status. Already he's been getting undesirable female attention, and as he begins to grow into his expanding role, we'll have to expect that more of that will happen. I'm not merely talking about 'golddiggers' here, as there are plenty of rich women who'd love to sink their claws into him and what he could give them. It does not matter to me who he dates or marries, or where she comes from, but I want her to want him for him and to want to make him happy."
"I can understand that completely," Akane stated with utter conviction. Even without the jolt of intense dislike she'd had when she thought of anyone bothering Ranma like that, she knew that such protection would be a good idea."
"Then you won't mind attending functions then."
"What?"
Nodoka leaned forward and folded her hands on her desk. "It would be best if he had female companionship at such social events simply to deflect certain undesirable attentions. If he didn't have a date, you just step in, help him out, and keep him company as well as making certain to divert the attention of those who did not have true interest in my son. You will have to be there anyway, as part of the job description would to attend those functions yourself."
"I would?"
"You would. You will have to better your wardrobe, including getting evening dresses and suits with both skirts and slacks, of course, and be trained for your duties, but that will be paid for by the corporation. Oh, yes, you'll also have to attend the bodyguard classes we'll pay for."
"'Bodyguard'?"
"The marionettes can do much of that, but there are some legal and security benefits to having you at least have some knowledge in that area. It won't be your job, but you will be one of the people closest to him, and so, if anything gets close enough... Especially if they have anti-marionette weapons..."
The teen nodded, understanding the woman's concern. "I never thought of it that way."
"I do. He's not only my heir, he's my son. As a mother, I want to protect him, even if he's a martial artist."
"My big sister's always been the same way."
"So we understand each other."
"I think so. You want me to be his assistant, with an extra responsibility of keeping an eye on him."
"And the amount you'll start at is on the description. Are you interested."
"I... Oh my... This is... Wow... Not that I wasn't interested before..."
"Don't worry. It's not an unexpected reaction. It's not as high as a usual salary for the job, but you're just starting out, we're paying for a lot, and you're still very young," Nodoka told her with a smile.
"But I'm not about to complain about it. I'm not going to be expected to make any business decisions, am I?"
"When he needs to start that, we'll get him educated, and get him advisors he can trust. Your agreement is only for what we've discussed. That is, if you want to take the job."
"I think that I'd be crazy if I didn't," Akane admitted, and imagined herself in the role that had been just offered to her.
"Then I expect you to do well in this," Nodoka said, holding out her hand.
Taking it in a strong grip, Akane shook it, and they nodded at each other while:
Read the comments on this episode
(Posted Thu, 05 May 2005 21:44)
Questions? Problems? Suggestions?
Send a mail to addventure@bast-enterprises.de
or use the contact form.
らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
All other series and their characters are © by their respective creators or owners. No claims of ownership of these characters are implied by the authors of this Addventure, or should be inferred.
The Anime Addventure is a non-profit site.