TPMITWON Chapter 62: Souta's Introduction at Work

From various corners of the large room filled with wood shavings, scraps of fabric, and pieces of broken doll bodies, the workers quickly sprang into action.

Some placed large trash bins and immediately scurried away. Others descended from the stage ceiling nimbly, rolling up safety ropes around their waists.

A few others still clutched the arms of dolls or small mechanical wheels that seemed to have just been picked up from behind a tattered curtain. They all moved swiftly and silently toward the direction where Tsukimi stood—where Souta stood somewhat awkwardly at Tsukimi's side.

In an instant, they had gathered to form a semicircle. More than thirty people. Men and women, old and young, some even appeared almost like children, yet their eyes were cold and focused like veteran soldiers.

The smell of burnt wood and thin machine oil still lingered in the air. The dust that had yet to settle made the stage lights appear like a golden mist.

Souta stared at them in silence. His heartbeat was slow yet heavy, as if he had just realized that this was no longer just a performance. This was the real world behind the stage. A place where hard work, secrets, and perhaps… tricks, all blended into one.

“It’s good that everyone is here,” Tsukimi said with a small smile, then glanced at Souta with a look that hinted at something more than just small talk.

Souta swallowed hard. His eyes scanned the faces of the workers one by one. None of them smiled at him. But none of them looked hostile either. Just silence. Just waiting.

And in the midst of that crowd, for the first time, Souta felt… perhaps, just perhaps, he was standing on the threshold of a new world.

“Since you all are gathered, I will begin,” Tsukimi said, her voice calm yet firm, like a leader giving a command. “Today, there is someone who has applied for a job here. Just like you— as a cleaner. Souta, please step forward and introduce yourself.”

Souta tensed for a moment, but then took a few steps forward. The sound of his footsteps echoed clearly on the wooden floor, still holding the scent of dust and oil. He stood before everyone—more than thirty pairs of eyes staring at him, some flat, some merely tired.

Souta took a deep breath, trying to calm the pounding of his heart. He then lifted his face, making a hard effort not to appear intimidated.

“Hello everyone! My name is Souta!” he said, his voice slightly louder due to nerves. “Yesterday, I applied for a job as a cleaner here, at the Puppet Arts Performance Theater. Today I start working with all of you… so, please help me out, okay?”

Souta tried to smile, as if confident. But the corners of his mouth felt a bit stiff, and there was a subtle tremor in his voice. Deep down, Souta knew very well that he was not the type of person who was good at speaking in public.

He was not used to talking to many people, especially strangers. His friends outside could be counted on one hand—and that included the servers at his favorite food place.

“You heard that, right?” Tsukimi spoke again, now turning to face the crowd. “As Souta said, he applied yesterday and has passed the selection process. Now Souta has officially joined as a cleaner, just like all of you did in the past.”

Tsukimi then turned to the side and called someone. “Ayaka!”

From the back row, someone walked forward, a small girl stepped up.