Two weeks ago? I can’t help but give Zaniel a suspicious look. If Head Office knew about this guy two weeks ago, why take so long to interview him? Where was he all the Misakis and Ari Satos ago? And more than that, why wait until the last minute to tell me I’m interviewing him? Something about this guy stinks, and it isn’t his peachy cologne.

“Oh, it was nothing. If you know what I mean.” His eyebrow arches at me, ever so slightly. How could I understand what he means? I shake my head a little, not knowing what else to do.

“So,” I start again, “why do you want to teach English?”

“Ne, Cybelle-sensei,” Manager interrupts. “Maybe, ask another question? I think Kamisawa-san already answer.”

I turn to Bucho, who sits stock-still like she’s the one being interviewed. It’s time to get her involved. “Do you agree, Bucho?” She blinks at me.

“Oh, that’s okay —” Zaniel starts in, but I interrupt him. I’ve got plenty of questions for this candidate, this time.

“Fine, I’ll rephrase: What makes you think you would make a good English teacher for young children?”

“Ah, Cybelle, hmm …” Manager interrupts. “That is … hmm, a difficult question. Maybe …” He invades my personal space again to lean over my interview sheet. He beams and taps question #3: Do you like children? “Ah, maybe, ask this question?”

Interview Commando at a time like this? Seriously? “It’s a valid question. I’m sure he can answer it.”

“Valid?” he struggles with the word. He half-turns to Bucho for clarification but the look on her face is so stern he knows it’s the worst time to let it show that he doesn’t understand. “Eh … ‘balid’?”

“Yes,” I reply tersely. “Valid.”

“Ballad? Eh, music ballad? Eh? Hmm …” he mutters to himself; eventually, he sucks air through his teeth. “I think, maybe, it’s too difficult. You must be very tired, Kamisawa-san. Is it okay if Cybelle-sensei asks one or, maybe, two more questions? Maybe, easy question?”

“FINE.” I realize I’m being a huge bitch but I want this interview over. “What are three things you would like to do in the future that you’ve never done before?”