XX company. In the concrete battlefield called Tokyo, a small rising company was established few years back. They specialize on selling perfumes but lately they have been expanding into other market as well. Such was the project Eiji Takahashi was given. At first, he was tasked to research products that their loyal customers would be delighted to buy. Needless to say, they can't stray too far as a perfume company. Something like scented items, fashion and cosmetics were ideal.

But Eiji thought differently. While what was within the "scope" was risk-free, that didn't sit well with him. They were things the company would soon expand into. So investing time and effort for them would be a waste.

He worked hard gathering surveys and checked into latest trends. He even paid visit on famous Japanese fashion icons and asked their opinions. He did everything he could to bring the company a product that would sell well.

-

"Kuwabara-san? I have arrived.", Eiji knocked into the office door and let the department head know his arrival. He felt tense for the looks people were giving to him but he couldn't do anything but let things be. They were going to lose interest sooner when things begin to get busy.

"Come in.", approval was the only  thing Eiji needed for him to enter the office.  He walked to the office desk to see the back  of the Department head while he gazed at the busy Tokyo streets from the glass wall.

"Takahashi-kun, among the people I see right now,  how many do you think are currently using our products?", the department head asked.

Eiji moved besides the department head and checked on the crowd below as well. Everyone looked so little, perhaps as small as ants.

"I'm guessing .1% at best sir", Eiji replied without any further thinking. 

".1% huh... why do you so?", the department head turned around and looked at Eiji in the eye.

"It's because the target market of our products are women who invest and follow into fashion trends. If one has to be at at the streets as early as today, they probably won't have time to use such high quality perfumes. I believe our perfumes are best used on special occasions such as going to dates.", Eiji replied confidently. His answer was among the things he had researched first. 

"That's true, Takahashi-kun. People say our company is among the most popular perfume company this year. But we shouldn't let surveys fool us. That .1% is our current state. If customers really love our product, they will use them as much as they could. Even if they get busy, they will use our perfumes since they will take pride simply by using using a famous product. Such is the human mind Takahashi-kun.", the department head patted Eiji and smiled at him gently like he would to his own child.

"Takahashi-kun. Your project Fragrance-erasing spray is truly an arrogant proposal. And while knowing how much work and money it will take for the company to come up with a product on a commercial level, you pushed things through. Honestly, even now, I don't know what will become of this product. Which is why the higher ups have decided. If you can raise that .01% into .05%, you will be promoted to Assistant department head...otherwise...", the department head paused a for a moment before continuing "you will have to bear the fault of commercial failure and will most likely be moved to a branch office." 

Eiji was surprised. Truly, he came up with something absurd. Even when he first proposed the idea, he was strongly rejected. After all, why would a perfume company sell a product for getting rid of fragrance. But it was the byproduct of his extensive research. 

Having a fragrance erasing spray would allow their customers to change fragrances whenever they want. Also, having a fragrance erasing spray will lead to increase in their perfume sales, since the consumers would most likely use more than one perfume now.

"I am honored to be given such opportunity, Kuwabara-san. I will do my best to not disappoint you.", Eiji responded positively. Even though his job was at stake here, he didn't want to betray the trust the company had given him. 

"Good. Head to the advertising department. You were given special authority to supervise the TV commercial shoot. You will most likely spend a few days out of the city for filming, so clear your schedule off for the whole week to be safe.", the department head replied.

"I will do so, Kuwabara-san", Eiji bowed and prepared to leave.

"Oh, by the way, Takahashi-kun. If you told me why you always hold your liquor, I wouldn't force you. You were such a mess.", the department head teased. 

Eiji couldn't say anything but the attention  he was getting for that night was too much. He simply sighed and bowed a second time while he disappeared from the department head's view.