Kingdom Walls- Chapter Six

Impressed: to affect deeply or strongly in mind or feelings; influence in opinion

"Begin Higurashi-san," one of the Judges announced.

"Myouga-sensei," she called out softly to the judge who had just spoken. "I believe you are well known for your active listening skills amongst the business industry?" she said smiling.

"Why, yes, Higurashi-san," he responded with a hearty laugh.

She looked to the next judge and said, "And Miroku-sensei, your strengths are held in mediating decisions in a team setting?"

The judge nodded with a smile, accepting her remark.

"Shippou-sensei?" She looked to the third judge and smirked. "Your skills of leadership are renown by all the elite business men and women."

The third judge blushed at her comment and said quietly, "Thank you."

"Finally, Jaken-sensei, your research essays based on the business industry show your strengths in writing, I presume?" She said while glancing at the last judge.

"Yes, yes, what is your point Higurashi-san!?" squawked the last judge.

'Indeed' Sesshomaru thought. He sneered at the onna's attempt to flatter the judges to her favor.

"Well then Jaken-sensei," she replied calmly, "tell me, why is it that Myouga-sensei is given the role of the leading judge, instead of the listener? Why Miroku-sensei is given the note taker role instead of the mediator? Why Shippou-sensei is given the listening role and not the leading judge? Why YOU are assigned the mediator and not being placed as note taker, as you are better at writing than peace-making, are you not?" she looked to the last judge with amusement.

"These roles were assigned to us by the University, girl!" the last judge stuttered his response flustered by her questions.

"Then, had the University taken the time to assess your strengths and skills and assigned to you the position most fitting of your strengths and skills, wouldn't your team be more effective?" She once again looked to the last judge almost taunting him to make a remark that could possibly disagree. Her words sank in. Sesshomaru saw the judges nodding in agreement. Seeing the last judge choosing to stay quiet, she continued.

"Now, most companies hire people based on those who apply; their desperate attempt to get a job. Companies then place these people to assigned jobs without assessing their strengths or skills, just like what the University has done with the judge's roles. If companies would just take the time to assess their employee's strengths and place them into related positions, the employee's motivation goes up, the work gets done efficiently, and then the overall company becomes…effective."

Sesshomaru had never considered these features to business, only numbers and production. He had to agree with her logic. Some fault had to be placed upon the companies for their lack of strategizing. Only an effective company could extract the maximum potential of every worker.

"So, my business plan focuses on training companies to start assessing the strengths and skills of their employee and use it! Forming partnerships with understanding what works and what doesn't. Creating effective team work! It would be a long-term success," She confidently said.

Sesshomaru's eyes followed her figure walk off the auditorium stage, almost waiting for her to disappear or reveal a different person. He could not believe this Higurashi-san was the same person as that onna. Sesshomaru was sure that her business plan was the first to be ready to take action. Of course there were many theories that stressed importance of the management style amongst employees, yet there had been no attempts to fix it. There was no place for caring for employees in the business industry, it was either be productive or be fired.

Sesshomaru glanced at Higurashi-san and noticed her conservative style of a black blazer and pencil skirt that reached her knee which gave her a more mature look. Her hair styled in a bun gave him a clear view of her heart shaped face. What held his gaze were her blue eyes. Amongst demon's, colored eyes were normal, yet for a human it was rare.

"If I may have your attention!" Sesshomaru's gaze snapped to the voice of the judge, wondering how his gaze could have lingered on Higurashi-san for so long.

"The Judges have decided the winner of the Yearly Business Plan Competition." The judge Higurashi-san called Miroku-sensei announced. The judge looked to Sesshomaru and said, "Congratulations, Sesshomaru Tashio!"

Sesshomaru scoffed. Business was still business. No matter how impressive Higurashi-san's performance, business still wanted profit, visible increases, and current success. As the judges came to congratulate this Sesshomaru, the results had only made him feel unsatisfied…almost.

"Sesshomaru!" He turned to see Higurashi-san walk towards him. "Ah! I mean…Sesshomaru-senpai now" she said with an amused smile. "Congratulations," she said with a smile, looking into his eyes revealing the sincerity behind her words. Sesshomaru wished to blame her sincere blue eyes for making his mouth twitch to smile.

After speaking with the judges about further details to the business plan, Sesshomaru walked out of the auditorium. As he was about to turn, his demonic hearing captured her name.

"Kagome, I don't understand. I told you your plan would not win! I advised you on another one that had a higher chance of winning!" came a low voice.

"Shippou-sensei…" her voice whispered.

"Just Shippou, no one's around," The low voice interrupted.

"Fine, Shippou. It's not about winning or losing. You of all people should know how the business industry doesn't care about their workers! I've seen so many unhappy workers unable to do their work with passion. Everyone has a passion! I just had to do this plan. I had to make my point across the business industry. At least it wasn't in vain. My plan, though won't be sponsored will still be published on the newspapers tomorrow." She said softly.

The male sighed. "Your University life, your social life Kagome… it's all ruined! I warned you." The low voice strained.

"I don't care for friends who are so superficial as to stop communicating with me just because of a stupid tradition." She snorted.

Sesshomaru smirked at her comment. Indeed, Higurashi-san was not like the rest of the human race.

"Higurashi-san" he said, interrupting her from her conversation. Surprised by the sudden voice, she quickly turned to face him. Her blue eyes widen at the shock that Sesshomaru had called her by her name.

"Come," his stoic face revealing no emotions or hints to the reason for his command.

As both competitors neared the exit of the Business building, Sesshomaru stated, "This Sesshomaru has a proposition for you."

Her blue eyes revealed humor. "You would associate with this human? You will get in trouble by the business tradition"

Ignoring her comment he continued, "You will work for this Sesshomaru."

With widened eyes she blurted out unprofessionally, "What!?"

"You accused this Sesshomaru of his interaction skills," he narrowed his eyes, still disliking that certain memory, "So your strengths at interacting with others will be used to ensure this Sesshomaru's success for the business plan."

"Sorry about what I sa –" her apology was cut off.

"Then it is settled," his words were more a statement than a question.

"Wait! I have conditions," she remarked wearing a serious frown.

Sesshomaru raise a brow at this. "We shall write up a contract then." He said tonelessly.

Higurashi-san's frown changed into a bright smile and positioned her hand in front of him.

"Deal!" she said cheerily. It seemed as though at that moment both competitors remembered what occurred last time she positioned her hand in front of this Sesshomaru. As Higurashi-san's smile slightly faded and was about to retract her hand, Sesshomaru grabbed her hand and shook it firmly. He decided then that Higurashi-san had not been foolish as he had thought, but was one that spoke her mind. Sesshomaru saw that she was indeed wise.

Thank you for Reading.

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