Extra: Lectured!

"Wake up!" cries a loud voice.

She slowly opens a single eye to see who was speaking. She recognizes the person immediately. Somehow, the scene seems strange. That can't possibly be right. Maybe she's just having another strange dream. She closes her eyes again to go back to sleep, but the person kicks her hard in the stomach.

"W-what the hell, Komachi?" she shouts.

"Wake up, you lazy bum! And don't even start with the excuses! Falling asleep on the job is unacceptable! Unacceptable, I tell you!"

"E-eh?" she mutters.

"Just open your eyes for a minute! Look at how many souls are lined up for judgment," Komachi cries, pointing at the line behind her.

There are ten, twenty, thirty? No, there are over fifty souls lined up before her desk. The souls shake and shudder impatiently as they wait in line. While they can't speak, she can sense that they are very much irritated.

"H-how did this happen?" asks Shiki.

"Don't tell me you don't know?" Komachi says, clearly exasperated. "I've been working hard the past few days ferrying souls! Unlike you, I have to work hard to retain my position as a Shikigami. Then suddenly, I hear a report that none of the souls I sent to you have received their judgment!"

"I-I don't understand! What's going on?" cries Shiki. She barely fights off the urge to weep.

"The souls! They need to be judged, and quickly! I heard that the higher ups are going to send an Inspector today!" says Komachi.

"An inspection? Today?" Shiki says. She can feel herself shuddering in panic.

"Yes! Today! And I heard that they are going to replace you if they aren't satisfied. The last time they visited, they caught you asleep on the job again. I was surprised that they didn't fire you right away, honestly."

"Again? No! This must be a mistake! I've always done my job properly!" says Shiki, almost in tears.

"Then why have I caught you drooling all over your desk? Geez, it must be nice to have such a cushy desk job where you can lazily nap all day. The rest of us have to work our asses off out on the field! I didn't get that commendation for nothing, you know!"

Komachi starts lecturing her on proper work ethic, but before she can finish, a towering presence comes into the Yama's office. She can hardly believe her eyes - the Judge of Judges has arrived for the inspection. Komachi greets the Judge cordially, and to Shiki's surprise, the Judge smiles at the Shikigami, complimenting her on her outstanding performance. Komachi blushes briefly before thanking the Judge for noticing her efforts.

Something isn't right. Shiki takes a glance at the long line of angry souls, then at the tall piles of unfinished paperwork on her desk. There are empty containers of cup noodles and beer cans laying all over the floor. A glance at her mirror tells her that her hair is a mess, and it seems like she hasn't taken a bath in days.

"No. No! NO! This can't be happening!" Shiki cries out.

And just then, she opens her eyes. She looks around and finds that she is back in her bedroom. She rushes out of bed and is half-way finished dressing herself before she realizes that today is her day off. Calming herself down, she buries her head into her pillow and let's out her tears freely.

After a few minutes, she finally gets up to make herself some breakfast.

"I need a vacation," she mutters.