#Image Management System

[hanasatoblogs]

Revolutionize Retail with AI-Driven Product Image Management System

In the fast-paced and highly competitive retail landscape, the quality of product information can significantly impact a brand’s success. Among the various aspects of product information management (PIM), product images play a crucial role in influencing purchasing decisions. In this article, we will explore how AI-driven Product Image Management Systems are revolutionizing the retail industry, enhancing PIM data quality, and driving business growth.

The Importance of Product Image Quality in Retail

Product images are often the first interaction a customer has with a product online. High-quality images not only attract potential buyers but also convey trust and credibility. In a world where e-commerce is thriving, having clear, accurate, and well-managed product images is essential. Poor image quality or misalignment with product descriptions can lead to customer dissatisfaction, increased return rates, and ultimately, loss of revenue.

Watch the PIQaaS'O' Demo on YouTube: Revolutionize Retail with AI-Driven Product Image Management

The Challenge: Maintaining High PIM Data Quality

Maintaining high data quality in PIM systems is a challenge for many retailers. Inconsistent or outdated product information, including images, can result in errors that affect the customer experience. Traditional methods of managing product images often involve manual processes, which are time-consuming, prone to human error, and inefficient at scale. This is where AI-driven solutions come into play.

How AI-Driven Product Image Management Systems Work

AI-driven Product Image Management Systems leverage advanced technologies such as machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing to automate and optimize the process of managing product images. These systems can analyze, categorize, and tag images with incredible accuracy, ensuring that the right images are associated with the correct products in the PIM system.

Key Features of AI-Driven Systems:

Automated Image Tagging and Categorization: AI algorithms can automatically analyze product images, identifying key attributes such as color, size, and shape, and then tagging these images with relevant metadata. This reduces the need for manual tagging, which is often inconsistent and error-prone.

Image Quality Enhancement: AI can automatically detect and correct image quality issues such as low resolution, poor lighting, and incorrect color balance. This ensures that all product images meet the high standards required for online retail.

Consistency Across Channels: AI-driven systems can ensure that product images are consistent across all sales channels, from e-commerce websites to mobile apps and social media platforms. This uniformity enhances brand recognition and trust.

Real-Time Updates: With AI, product images can be updated in real-time across all platforms as soon as changes are made in the PIM system. This is particularly useful for retailers with large catalogs and frequent product updates.

Real-World Applications and Success Stories

Several retailers have successfully implemented AI-driven Product Image Management Systems, resulting in significant improvements in PIM data quality and overall business performance.

Example 1: Zalando

Zalando, a leading European e-commerce company, integrated AI into their PIM system to manage their vast collection of fashion products. By automating the tagging and categorization of product images, Zalando reduced manual efforts by 75% and improved the accuracy of product listings. This led to a 30% increase in customer satisfaction and a 20% reduction in return rates.

Example 2: Amazon

Amazon, a pioneer in e-commerce, uses AI-driven systems to manage millions of product images across its platform. By leveraging machine learning algorithms, Amazon ensures that all product images meet strict quality standards, leading to a more consistent and trustworthy shopping experience. This has been a key factor in Amazon’s continued dominance in the online retail space.

The Impact on PIM Data Quality

AI-driven Product Image Management Systems significantly enhance PIM data quality by ensuring that product images are accurate, consistent, and high-quality. This, in turn, improves the overall customer experience, leading to higher conversion rates, reduced return rates, and increased customer loyalty.

Benefits of Improved PIM Data Quality:

Enhanced Customer Trust: Accurate and high-quality product images build trust with customers, making them more likely to complete a purchase.

Reduced Operational Costs: Automating image management processes reduces the need for manual labor, cutting down on operational costs.

Faster Time-to-Market: With AI-driven systems, product images can be processed and uploaded faster, allowing retailers to get products to market more quickly.

Data-Driven Insights: The Future of AI-Driven Product Image Management

The future of AI-driven Product Image Management Systems looks promising, with continuous advancements in AI technology. As these systems become more sophisticated, we can expect even greater improvements in PIM data quality. Retailers that embrace AI-driven solutions will be better positioned to meet the demands of the modern consumer, who expects nothing less than perfection in their online shopping experience.

According to a recent report by McKinsey, companies that invest in AI-driven PIM solutions see a 15-20% increase in online sales and a 30% reduction in product returns. These statistics highlight the tangible benefits of adopting AI in product image management and underscore the importance of staying ahead of the curve in the competitive retail landscape.

Conclusion

AI-driven Product Image Management Systems are revolutionizing the way retailers manage and present their products online. By enhancing PIM data quality through automation and optimization, these systems not only improve the customer experience but also drive significant business growth. Retailers who invest in AI-driven solutions today will be the ones leading the market tomorrow, setting new standards for excellence in the industry.

In a world where the quality of product information can make or break a sale, AI-driven Product Image Management is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity.

[anacatalog]

[icewindandboringhorror]

sneepy cozy time....

[lellalombardiapologist]

on the occasion of Niki Lauda's birthday I want to share this specific quote from his autobiography because it made me see shrimp colors:

... which also helps you influence and keep a tight rein on your emotions - which is probably one reason for the "computer" image you present to the world at large. I am not prepared to allow my feelings to run riot. I'm too sensitive, too emotional as it is, to let it happen. That would be the end of me. You really mean that? Emotional? Sensitive? Yes, deep down, certainly. I am afraid to let myself go. I think that, if I did, I would exhibit a remarkable aptitude for coming apart at the seams. That is why I have developed what I call my "system" - to protect myself and to apportion my time and energy. And part of that system - as you have already said - is keeping my feelings under control. That doesn't mean to say I have to be some kind of robot, just because I try to channel my emotions and make the best out of them.

this was the first time in my life I ever encountered someone who felt like me, who, like me, felt things with such a great intensity that he have to learn to put dams around it. and the person in question is niki lauda.

[andmaybegayer]

<language learning tape tone> I love to automate computer infrastructure

[stargazerdaisy]

In many of the shows I've been watching lately, the problems all seem to stem from men seeking power over others. While the exact scenarios are different, the themes and attitudes are all the same. They play mind games and continuously escalate to exert power over others.

A lot of the time, this is stemming from a fear of appearing weak. A deep, pathological terror that causes them lash out and make decisions that have huge consequences. The appearance, the perception of others is what drives them, not their own moral center. And it's INFURIATING. I am screaming at the tv that they just need to STOP and shut up. If they would just calm down for four seconds and listen to the rational people around them, then they could make healthier and better decisions.

There are a couple of these characters that are driven by cruelty and the high of having power over others. They hurt people intentionally and with calculation, because they enjoy it. They want to show how powerful they are. It's confidence, not fear.

I'm not sure which is scarier. The fear driven men are more unpredictable, because they're so emotional and mostly re-acting. So they can go way too far with a single swing, even if they don't mean to. But the power hungry ones, they know what they're doing and they're not afraid to do it. They will go farther and harder, because they don't have anything holding them back. There is not a line at which they realize they've gone too far.

This is nothing new. This is something that drives most stories, really. (Hello, every action movie ever.) But it seems to be hitting me harder in the last few days. Maybe because it's just so blatant and obvious. I can see if they would just stop and wait, either they would get the information they need to make better decisions. Or they should just be satisfied with what they have and stop trying to take from others.

It occurred to me last night that maybe it's hitting me so hard right now because I'm seeing this shit play out in real life too, on the national and international stage. I just don't see the point, most of the time. I don't care about having The Most of a thing, showing off to others. I want to be admired for how I act, the way I treat others, for helping people. I want to be the Subject Matter Expert so I can teach others, but not to flex. It's one of the reasons I get so annoyed working for a for-profit company. Everything is about more, better, exceeding results. Can't we just be content with doing as well as we did last time? With maintaining numbers and working to enhance quality?

But to see it result in clear and explicit harm to others, to see so much ego involved, it makes me scream and rage. I can't imagine intentionally hurting people just to ~appear~ strong, because it sends the exact opposite message to me. The harder someone tries to look strong, to act like they are in control, the weaker they look to me, the more out of control I perceive them to be. Pretention and power-hunger are two ways to make me despise someone, instantaneously. Just be real, just be helpful, just be kind.

[cuteniaarts]

Wine stains on porcelain

(Alternatively: @katkastrofa and I have created 5 OCs in 3 days and I suffer from chronic “I wanna draw the little guysssssss” disease)

[thatrandombystander]

Oh bubble tea and pair of half stale donuts. You're the only thing between me and me quitting my fucking job right now.

[neuropteran]

inaturalist is fun but every time i start to get really into it someone will be so rude in the comments that it will put me off for months. rn someone's hassling me to "confirm the focus of the image" and its like. this is literally from four years ago how the hell would i remember this blurry little photograph that's not worth bothering someone over was specifically of & like does it matter. yes only one id can be assigned to the photo but you can id all the things in it not sure what the issue is. why do you keep sending me ? ? ? ? it makes me feel like my interest is annoying these Real Scientists i can't imagine how it feels if you're some kid or whatever

[techbuji]

PACS Imaging Software | Avanttec Medical Systems Chennai

PACS Imaging Software, developed by companies like Avanttec Medical Systems, allows healthcare providers to store, retrieve, and distribute medical images like X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs digitally, eliminating the need for physical films and facilitating seamless access to patient data. The software’s ability to integrate with hospital information systems has empowered physicians, radiologists, and other healthcare professionals to access crucial patient information in real time. One of the primary benefits of PACS imaging software is its ability to store large amounts of medical images in a secure and organized manner. In traditional film-based systems, medical images were stored in physical form, making it challenging to access and share them as needed. With PACS, images are stored digitally, eliminating the need for physical storage space and making them easily accessible at any time. PACS also allows for easy retrieval of images from the archive. A simple search based on patient name, date, or other relevant criteria can quickly bring up the required images, saving valuable time for healthcare professionals. This feature is particularly beneficial in emergency situations, where prompt access to medical images can be critical in making accurate and timely diagnoses.

[crescendo-system]

Thinking about and cracking up over the last two times we've seen Riku front - because it's been to get a chance at throwing down with our worst coworker. 🤣 He specifically was influenced by KH1 Riku so he's just a liiiiittle bit hotheaded.

(Sadly for that same reason we've had to hold him back some when he DID find chances to sass her - but we're pretty sure he made his displeasure known regardless lmfao)

[brandkitapp]

The Importance of Image Library Software in Brand Management

In today’s fast-paced digital world, managing media assets and brand content is more important than ever. Brands need a streamlined process to handle their visual assets, whether they’re product images, logos, or promotional materials. This is where image library software comes into play. With the right media asset management system, companies can efficiently organize, store, and retrieve their image files to enhance brand consistency. Coupled with a brand management platform, these tools can elevate your branding efforts, ensuring a seamless customer experience and a stronger brand identity.

What Is Image Library Software?

Image library software is a specialized tool designed to help businesses organize, manage, and retrieve digital images. As brands accumulate more and more visual content over time, keeping track of everything can become overwhelming. This software provides a central hub where all image files are stored, categorized, and indexed for easy access.

An image library software isn’t just about storing images. It also integrates a variety of features like metadata tagging, image search functionality, version control, and access management. All of these features are crucial in maintaining an efficient workflow, especially for large teams working with multiple assets across various platforms.

Benefits of Using Image Library Software

Centralized Asset Management: With image library software, all your images are stored in one place, making it easier to organize and retrieve them. This centralized approach eliminates confusion and reduces the chances of losing or misplacing files.

Improved Collaboration: A well-structured media asset management system allows multiple users to collaborate on the same files without conflicts. Teams can access images from different locations and devices, ensuring everyone is on the same page.

Time Efficiency: Searching for images manually can be a time-consuming process, especially if you have thousands of files. Image library software offers powerful search functions, allowing you to find the right asset in a fraction of the time.

Consistent Branding: The right tool integrates seamlessly with a brand management platform, ensuring that all media assets align with your brand guidelines. This ensures consistency across all marketing channels.

The Role of Media Asset Management System in Image Management

A media asset management system (MAMS) goes beyond just organizing images. It’s a robust solution designed to manage all kinds of digital content, including videos, audio files, and documents. When you use a media asset management system, it helps you handle a wide range of media files in a structured and scalable way.

In the context of image library software, a media asset management system ensures that all your visual content is properly tagged, cataloged, and easily accessible for future use. It allows businesses to quickly deploy their media assets across various marketing and communication channels, whether it’s for a website, social media, or advertising campaigns.

Key Features of a Media Asset Management System

Advanced Search and Tagging: A MAMS allows you to assign metadata to each image, such as keywords, descriptions, and categories. This makes searching for specific assets much more efficient. For instance, if you're looking for a specific product image with a red background, you can use the search filters to locate it quickly.

Version Control: With a media asset management system, version control ensures that the most up-to-date version of each image is used. If an image is updated or modified, the system will track those changes, ensuring you always have the latest version.

Permissions and Access Control: A well-structured MAMS allows administrators to set permissions, ensuring only authorized users have access to certain assets. This reduces the risk of unauthorized usage or accidental deletions.

Seamless Integration: A media asset management system integrates with various other tools such as content management systems (CMS) and digital marketing platforms. This ensures smooth content sharing and distribution across your marketing ecosystem.

How a Brand Management Platform Enhances Image Library Management

A brand management platform is a comprehensive solution that helps businesses maintain a consistent brand image across all touchpoints. From logos to color schemes, it ensures that all aspects of your brand are aligned, both visually and strategically.

When combined with image library software, a brand management platform can help you store, organize, and use your media assets more efficiently. The platform can link visual assets to specific brand guidelines, ensuring that your team always has access to the right images that align with your brand's standards.

Why Brand Consistency Matters

Brand consistency is crucial in building trust with your audience. Whether a customer is browsing your website, seeing a social media post, or viewing an advertisement, your brand’s visuals need to be cohesive and easily recognizable. If your brand’s assets are scattered or inconsistent, it can confuse potential customers and damage your brand’s reputation.

With the integration of a brand management platform, your team can easily access the correct visual assets, ensuring that every piece of content produced reflects the essence of your brand.

Choosing the Right Image Library Software

There are many image library software solutions on the market, each offering a variety of features tailored to different business needs. When evaluating your options, consider the following factors:

1. Ease of Use

Choose software that is user-friendly and intuitive. The easier it is to navigate and use, the more efficient your team will be in managing assets. Look for software with a clean interface, clear instructions, and minimal training required.

2. Scalability

As your business grows, so will the number of digital assets you need to manage. Choose an image library software that can scale with your needs. Whether you’re adding thousands of images or creating a large media repository, scalability is key.

3. Collaboration Tools

Collaboration is essential for teams that work with digital media. Choose software that supports multiple users, allows for file sharing, and includes version control. This will ensure that everyone in your organization can work together seamlessly.

4. Integration Capabilities

Make sure your image library software integrates with other systems, such as your brand management platform or media asset management system. This ensures that all your tools work together, providing you with a comprehensive solution for managing assets.

5. Security Features

Your images are valuable assets that need protection. Ensure the software you choose provides strong security measures, such as user authentication and encryption, to keep your assets safe from unauthorized access.

Integrating Image Library Software with Other Business Tools

The power of image library software is significantly enhanced when integrated with other tools, such as a brand management platform or a media asset management system. Here are some ways these integrations can streamline your processes:

Seamless Workflow

By connecting your image library software with other tools, you can create a more seamless workflow. For example, images stored in your library can automatically be made available to your website’s CMS, social media platforms, or email marketing tools. This reduces manual work and ensures that the latest images are always accessible.

Consistent Branding Across All Channels

With a brand management platform, you can easily ensure that all the images used across your marketing channels comply with your brand’s standards. Whether it’s your website, advertisements, or social media, your brand’s visual identity will remain consistent, enhancing recognition and trust.

Enhanced Reporting and Analytics

A media asset management system often comes with built-in analytics and reporting features. By integrating your image library software with these tools, you can gain insights into how images are performing across various channels. You can track which images are most popular or which ones need updating or replacement.

Conclusion: Why You Need Image Library Software for Your Business

In the ever-evolving digital world, image library software is no longer a luxury—it's a necessity for businesses looking to streamline their image management, improve collaboration, and maintain brand consistency. Whether you're dealing with a handful of images or thousands, the right software can save you time, reduce errors, and boost the efficiency of your team.

When paired with a media asset management system and a brand management platform, you create an ecosystem that not only organizes your visual assets but ensures that they are always in line with your brand’s identity. If you're ready to take your brand management to the next level, investing in the right image library software will help you do just that.

[techdirectarchive]

Kill Containers and remove unused images from Docker Correctly

In this article, we shall discuss how to destroy, that is “Kill Containers and remove unused images from Docker Correctly”. We will be doing this over Portainer and Container Manager. Containers and images that are no longer in use can create clutter, making it harder to manage Docker environments. By removing them, you can streamline the system, keeping only essential resources running. Please…

[jcmarchi]

Can AI widen customer and employee engagement gap

New Post has been published on https://thedigitalinsider.com/can-ai-widen-customer-and-employee-engagement-gap/

Can AI widen customer and employee engagement gap

AI has the potential to both widen and narrow the gap between employees and customers and ultimately cause brand impact, depending on how it is implemented and utilized within an organization. When I say widening the gap I am referencing interactions being dehumanized and overly robotic.

Factors that could widen the employee-customer gap

1. Overreliance on AI systems: If organizations become overly reliant on AI systems for customer interactions, it could lead to a lack of human touch and empathy, which customers often value in their experiences.

2. Impersonal interactions: AI-powered chatbots, virtual assistants, and automated response systems can sometimes provide generic or impersonal responses, which may not effectively address the specific needs and concerns of customers.

3. Data privacy and trust issues: Customers may have concerns about the privacy and security of their personal data when interacting with AI systems, which could create a sense of distrust and distance between them and the organization’s employees.

Factors that could narrow the employee-customer gap

1. Enhanced customer insights: AI can analyze vast amounts of customer data, including behavior patterns, preferences, and feedback, providing employees with valuable insights to better understand and cater to customer needs.

2. Improved efficiency and responsiveness: AI-powered systems can automate routine tasks, freeing up employees to focus on more complex and personalized customer interactions, potentially improving response times and overall customer experience.

3. Personalized recommendations and experiences: AI can help organizations deliver personalized product recommendations, tailored marketing campaigns, and customized experiences based on individual customer preferences and behaviors.

4. Augmented employee capabilities: AI can augment employee skills and knowledge by providing them with real-time insights, recommendations, and decision-support tools, enhancing their ability to provide better customer service and support.

To ensure that AI narrows the employee-customer gap, organizations must strike a balance between leveraging AI capabilities and maintaining human involvement in customer interactions. Effective training, clear communication, and a customer-centric culture are crucial to ensure that AI is used as a tool to enhance the overall customer experience rather than creating a barrier between employees and customers.

The implementation of AI across various aspects of an organization’s operations can have significant implications for both brand perception and customer perception. Here are some potential implications to consider:

Brand perception

1. Innovation and technological leadership: The use of AI can position a brand as innovative, forward-thinking, and at the forefront of technological advancements. This can enhance the brand’s reputation and appeal, particularly among tech-savvy customers.

2. Efficiency and reliability: If AI is implemented effectively to streamline processes, improve response times, and enhance the overall customer experience, it can reinforce the brand’s perception as efficient, reliable, and customer-centric.

3. Privacy and security concerns: Customers may have concerns about the privacy and security of their data when interacting with AI systems. If these concerns are not addressed transparently and effectively, it could damage the brand’s reputation and erode customer trust.

customer-centric Some customers may perceive the widespread use of AI as a replacement for human interactions, which could negatively impact the brand’s perception, particularly in sectors where personal connections are highly valued.

Customer perception

1. Personalization and customization: AI can enable organizations to deliver highly personalized experiences by analyzing customer data and tailoring products, services, and interactions accordingly. This can enhance customer perception and satisfaction.

2. Convenience and accessibility: AI-powered chatbots, virtual assistants, and self-service portals can improve customer convenience by providing 24/7 support and accessibility, potentially improving customer perception and loyalty.

3. Speed and efficiency: AI can streamline processes and automate tasks, leading to faster response times and more efficient service delivery. This can positively impact customer perception, especially in industries where speed and efficiency are highly valued.

4. Consistency and quality: AI systems can help ensure consistent and high-quality customer experiences by standardizing processes and reducing human errors. However, if not implemented correctly, AI could also introduce new inconsistencies or errors, negatively affecting customer perception.

5. Privacy and trust concerns: Customers may have concerns about the use of their data by AI systems, particularly if they perceive a lack of transparency or control over how their information is used. This could erode customer trust and negatively impact their perception of the brand.

To mitigate potential negative implications and leverage the benefits of AI, organizations should:

1. Clearly communicate their AI strategies and policies to customers, addressing privacy and security concerns transparently.

2. Implement robust data governance and ethical AI practices to build trust and maintain customer privacy.

3. Ensure AI systems are designed with a human-centric approach, maintaining a balance between automation and human interaction where appropriate.

4. Continuously monitor customer feedback and adapt AI implementations to address any emerging concerns or perception issues. By proactively addressing potential brand and customer perception implications, organizations can effectively harness the power of AI while maintaining a positive brand image and fostering customer trust and loyalty.

Creating a comprehensive marketing plan for the rollout of AI across your organization requires a strategic approach that addresses both internal and external stakeholders. Here are some thoughts:

1. Define your AI strategy and objectives: Clearly articulate your organization’s vision and goals for implementing AI solutions. Identify the specific areas or processes where AI will be deployed and the expected benefits (e.g., improved efficiency, enhanced customer experience, cost savings).

2. Conduct an internal assessment: Evaluate your organization’s readiness for AI adoption, including infrastructure, data availability, and employee skills.   – Identify potential challenges or resistance points that may arise during the rollout. Develop a change management plan to address concerns and facilitate a smooth transition.

3. Develop a communication plan: Craft clear and compelling messaging that highlights the benefits of AI while addressing potential concerns about job security, data privacy, and ethical considerations. Create a range of communication materials (presentations, videos, infographics) tailored to different audiences (employees, customers, partners, investors). Establish a cadence for regular updates and progress reports throughout the rollout.

4. Build an internal AI ambassador program: Identify influential employees across different departments or teams to act as AI ambassadors. Provide comprehensive training and resources to these ambassadors, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to evangelize AI within the organization. Leverage their influence and credibility to build excitement and buy-in among their peers.

5. Develop a customer education and engagement strategy: Create educational content (blog posts, whitepapers, webinars) to help customers understand the role of AI in enhancing their experiences.  Organize customer events, demos, or roadshows to showcase AI capabilities and address any concerns or misconceptions.  Encourage customer feedback and input to continuously improve the AI solutions and ensure they meet evolving needs.

6. Engage with industry influencers and thought leaders: Identify and collaborate with influential individuals or organizations in your industry who are respected voices in AI and emerging technologies.  Invite them to contribute to your content, participate in events, or endorse your AI initiatives. Leverage their credibility and reach to build awareness and trust among your target audience.

7. Measure and optimize: Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the success of your AI marketing efforts (e.g., website traffic, social media engagement, lead generation, customer satisfaction).  Continuously monitor and analyze data to identify areas for improvement or adjustment. Incorporate customer and employee feedback to refine your messaging, content, and tactics as needed.

8. Celebrate milestones and successes: Recognize and showcase the achievements and positive impact of your AI rollout, both internally and externally.  Share customer success stories, employee testimonials, and quantifiable results to reinforce the value of AI and maintain momentum.

By following this comprehensive approach, you can create a well-rounded marketing plan that builds awareness, generates excitement, and addresses potential concerns about the AI rollout across your organization. Remember to remain agile and adapt your plan as needed based on feedback and evolving market conditions.

Fancy meeting like-minded AI experts?

We’ll be in Berlin

11-12 September 2024, with three co-located summits:

Chief AI Officer Summit

Generative AI Summit

Computer Vision Summit

Join us!

AIAI Berlin | Uniting AI’s builders & execs

Unite with hundreds of pioneering engineers, developers & executives that are facilitating the generative AI revolution.

[cinnamorollcrybaby]

To love me better

Tags: Yakuza Lord!Sukuna x fem!Reader, american!Reader, forced/arranged marriage, dark romance trope, dead dove, age gap romance (reader is around 21-22, Sukuna is 37) heavy dacryphilia, finger sucking, use of “good girl”, use of pet names, Sukuna is his own warning.

Synopsis: Yakuza Lord!Sukuna owns all of entertainment district. You’re trying to work to put yourself through law school. He has a proposition for you, and you have one for him.

An: I fear that I was going to explode if I didn’t write this. I’ve been in a not good headspace. Blah blah blah school sucks blah blah work sucks blah everything sucks. I’m sorry if this sucks too. Edit - I forgot to mention that this will be a multi-part fic.

Part one. | Part two. | Part three. | Part four. |

*art creds for sukuna image goes to @.maru6 here on tumblr

Nothing in this life comes for free.

Your father taught you from a very early age to never take handouts from anyone because they’ll always benefit the other person more. He was an immigrant to Japan, and he worked hard for every yen he made.

He instilled that same work ethic in you.

After being hurt on the job from working in a poor environment, your father became very ill. He couldn’t move around as much. Sitting up out of bed made him feel winded. He slowly withered away into a shell of the man who once raised you.

Your mom was long gone. She couldn’t help out, nor did she even want to.

All you were left with was a pile of debt and utter rage. Had your father not been taken advantage of by greedy corporate conglomerates, he would still be here today.

It inspired you to want to go to law school. Your dad should’ve received a hefty settlement check for what he endured from his workplace conditions. The money wouldn’t have solved everything, but it would’ve alleviated some of the stress your dad dealt with in his final days.

You’ll never forget how hoarse his voice sounded while he was on the phone with different agencies, trying to sue that place who forced him into an early grave.

You’ll never forgive them for stealing your dad away.

If you were more ambitious, you’d work to try to change the system entirely, but you knew that wasn’t your fight to face. You wanted to help the already disadvantaged families who were facing injustices beyond their control.

So, you started law school. You were smart enough for it. You had the heart. You just didn’t have a special last name to fund your college tuition. You were a first generation Japanese American in the family. While both your parents were born in America, you were born in Japan, but you were still an outsider.

You were never properly indoctrinated in the culture. Sure, you knew the basics. You knew proper etiquette and appropriate behaviors to live in Japan, but you didn’t understand the layers of how society operated. It was as if you were never assimilated into society as a Japanese citizen.

Your dad wasn’t born here, so he never could explain to you how your last name means everything in this town.

Despite it all, you’d become a lawyer even if you had to bury yourself into debt to do it. You’d work to put yourself through college. You’d do it and bear a smile on your face because you don’t take fucking handouts.

That lead you to becoming a bottle girl at one of the most exclusive clubs in the entertainment district: Malevolent Mass.

The manager said you had the right look, whatever that means. It didn’t matter. He hired you on the spot despite your lack of a substantial last name.

This would be fine. You’d work at night on the weekends and put yourself through school during the day, and you’d keep it a secret from your school, knowing you could lose your position in the prestigious school.

It was a perfect plan, right?

Yes, it was perfect.

Customers seemed to love your polite attitude and warm hospitality. You had quickly made a name for yourself in the few short nights you had worked there.

It was only your second weekend, and your section was full. It was almost comprised entirely of men and their gold digger wives, but you got use to the sexual comments and predatory smiles.

The environment was heavily secured. When you were hired, the managers made sure to show you where security was posted up at every dark corner. They also showed you where cameras were located and assured you that not anyone could just walk into Malevolent Mass.

However, you were well aware that the most dangerous people often worse suits and golden Rolex’s.

It was a busy Friday night. You had already shotgunned two 5 Hour Energy drinks, and you had been steadily sipping on a Monster throughout your shift. You had been in classes all day, and you were scheduled to work until close at 4am.

“Cherry, can we get another round of champagnes?” a sleazy voice pipes up, calling you by your codename. The club was so security driven that they gave all the bottle girls codenames to protect their identities.

“Yes sir,” you respond with an entirely fake bright smile. Your buzzed customers couldn’t tell the difference especially with the low lighting and bass boosted music.

As you walked over towards the bar, your eyes fall onto another table. A man was leaned back with his hands behind his head. He looked entirely relaxed as a girl was bent over your lap.

A crease formed between your eyebrows. They couldn’t be serious, right? Malevolent Mass had a whole downstairs portion dedicated to public sexual acts and other deviant kinks. Why the fuck were they doing that in the normal club area?

As you took a step further, ready to confront them, you realized that the girl was positioned oddly. She wasn’t angled towards his crotch, instead she was hovering over his thigh.

That’s when you noticed she had a rolled up 10,000 yen note, and she was snorting a white powdery substance off the man’s thigh.

Holy fuck, you were in over your head.

Stumbling back towards the bar, you felt your head start to spin a little. It was probably due to fact you’d only consumed energy drinks in the past 12 hours.

“Girl. You don’t look too good,” the bartender, Yorozu, said as she guided you to take a seat. “Are you okay?” she asked cautiously. Compared to the other bottle girls and dancers, Yorozu was the closest thing you had to a friend in this establishment.

“I’m fine,” you quietly replied, shaking your head. It was just drugs. You needed to take a chill pill. It’s not like people go to clubs like this just for some liquid courage.

Yorozu put a glass of water in front of you anyways, not quite believing your words. “Here. I promise you get used to it all,” she offered with a kind smile.

You gave her an appreciative smile as you took a sip of the water. Your hand was trembling, and you realized you had been sweating.

The water felt nice, and you inwardly warded off energy drinks for the rest of the night. It wasn’t worth feeling like a panicky mess.

“I need another bottle of Dom Prignon for booth 12,” you said as you looked back up towards Yorozu. She nodded and walked towards the back to retrieve the bottle of too expensive champagne.

While she was gone, you took a deep breath and looked around towards the security posts. It felt like a small safety blanket in a place like this. Finishing your glass of water, you felt infinitely better as she returned with the bottle.

“Here you are! Let me know if you need anything else, and seriously, don’t feel bad for reacting that way. It’s a bit of a culture shock for everyone during their first few nights,” she assured you as she handed you the bottle.

“Thanks, I appreciate you,” you replied with a genuine smile. Yorozu had a nice energy to her like you felt like you could get close to her one day. A girl friend would be nice to have in a place like this.

As you walked back over to your section, your lips curled into a frown as empty seats filled your eyes. Had they gotten tired of waiting and abandoned your section?

You felt disappointed as you looked around for your customers. They were nowhere to be found, but one silhouette remained in the very back corner.

“Did you bring that bottle for me? How sweet. Too bad I don’t drink,” a deep gravely voice spoke up with a hint of condescension and pure predatory prowess.

You hesitate as it feels like the air in the club shifts simply from this man’s presence alone.

“You don’t drink..?” your voice is uneasy. You feel off balance while interacting with the man tucked away in a dark corner.

“No,” the stranger replied, and he leaned forward a bit, propping his elbows on his knees as his eyes were staring straight at you. “Don’t be shy, girl. Come closer. I won’t bite…” the condescension in his voice tells you otherwise.

You swallow thickly before slowly taking a few steps closer. As you approached him, you were able to see him in all of his glory. The breath is completely sucked from your lungs as you’re able to finally get a good look at him.

He wore a white button-up top with black slacks that really didn’t leave much for the imagination. His sleeves weee rolled up to his elbows, showing off tattoos on his arms.

His face was hauntingly alluring. His tattoos also went up to his face. He had intricate lines under his cheeks that stretched down to his chin. His hair was a natural light rosy color that was pushed up from his forehead. It looked effortless and messy, unlike most business men who rely way too heavily on hair gel.

His eyes were a soft crimson color that looked like blood that had been spilled. A jarring scar slashed over his left eye, but it wasn’t ugly by any means. No, this man held a god-like status when it came to looks. However, his energy felt nothing short of daunting and corrupt.

“Who comes to a club to not drink?” you ask nervously, having to fill the eerie silence with something. It felt like you were suffocating in this man’s presence.

A rugged chuckle leaves his lips, and he tilts his head back slightly. It feels like his laugh sticks to you, making you relax and tense back up all at the same time. You can feel every yen he’s worth with each chuckle.

“If you must know, I come here for a… different sort of entertainment,” he says as his lips curled into a smirk. His eyes unabashedly roam your body — twice before he meets your gaze again.

“Oh, that’s downstairs,” you reply as you feel relieved. This man was just in the wrong section. Surely, you’d guide him to where he needed to go, and you’d be free from whatever kind of verbal hostage situation this was.

“I’m content with where I’m at,” he says with a sort of finality that leaves little room for argument. “Come closer, doll.”

His arm props up on the back of the curved booth, and his legs part into that sort of manspread position where he takes up a good portion of the booth with his massive size.

“I-“

The man pulls a clip of money from his suit, and he makes a show out of flipping through the money before he lays six 10,000 yen notes on the table.

What the hell.

“60,000 yen for you to shut up and come closer,” he says in a voice that lacks the faux kindness he was putting on earlier.

Every survival instinct in your body was telling you to run, but your brain was telling you that 60,000 yen was enough to cover your student housing and for a train pass for a month.

You slowly inch closer, your heels not even lifting from the ground.

The man gives you an amused look as he raises an eyebrow at you. “How much for you to sit on my lap?”

“I-I’m not a dancer..” you reply sheepishly, wondering if he thought you were one of the performers for the club.

“Good thing I’m not asking you to dance, doll. I’m asking you to sit in my lap,” His lips curl into a feline grin. He’s enjoying toying with you like this. “So, I’ll ask only one more time. How much?”

Your heart is pounding against the confines of your ribcage. It felt like you had a little angel on your shoulder telling you that selling this man your time will only further escalate, but the little devil on your other shoulder was telling you to milk him for whatever he was willing to give.

You stayed silent for a few minutes, calculating what a whole month’s expenses would cost you along with the 60,000 yen you already made.

“90,000 yen,” you sheepishly murmur, bracing yourself for him to yell at you for even suggesting such a high number.

There was a beat of silence before the sound of more money being unfolded was heard. He chuckled as he placed down nine more 10,000 yen notes.

“Look at you being all cute while asking for money from me,” he teased, resting his back against the back of the booth. His hand patted his thigh, signaling for you to take a seat.

“I’m not asking— You offered!” you protested, feeling a bit defensive that he would suggest that you just asked him for money.

“Don’t take such a whiny tone with me, doll. I’m only teasing you,” he says as he gestures to his lap yet again. “Sit.”

You bite your bottom lip as you look down towards his lap. You were really about to sit on this stranger’s lap for money… If your dad could see you now, he’d probably disown you.

Good thing he isn’t here.

You slowly walked over towards him, and you carefully take a seat on one of his thighs, planting your feet firmly on the ground so you’re slightly hovering. You need to be able to get away from him at a moment’s notice.

A strong hand slowly snaked up your back, towards your hair, and you tensed up quickly. The stranger wrapped his hand around the back of your neck.

“If I have to tell you again, I’m taking back my money. Sit,” he viciously growled in your ear.

You were already this far in. You should see this through. This club is safe. You were sure of it.

As you slowly allowed yourself to prop your full weight across his lap, your eyes scan around the club, looking at the security points. None of the men would even glance in your direction as if they were purposefully ignoring your section.

What did you just get yourself into?

“See? Was that so hard?” he taunted as his hand slowly dropped down to clasp around your hip. “Why is an angel like you in a club like this?”

Everything in you told you not to answer that question. As soon as he knew your weakness, he’d definitely use it to his advantage, but he probably already knew money was a good motivator for you.

“I didn’t know there was a no angel policy,” you say, trying to remain casual as you flash him a small smile.

A deep chuckle erupts from his chest. He appreciates you trying to use humor to deflect. Clever girl.

“I suppose you’re right,” he rolls his head to the side, cracking his neck from both sides. The sound of bones popping causes a shudder to go through your body. This man was good at giving a false sense of security. “But angels don’t last long in a place like this. It would be a pity to see you be ruined.”

His other hand firmly rested against your thigh, right above your knee. He gives your leg a light squeeze. “Tell me your name, doll.”

“Cherry,” You respond without missing a beat, giving your code name instead of your real name.

“You don’t know who I am, do you?” he asks, allowing his fingertips to glide against the exposed skin of your thigh. Your breath picks up in speed, noticing he’s getting more bold with touching you.

“Am I suppose to?” you ask, genuinely curious if this man was some big shot that you were suppose to know.

You very rarely kept up with politics, only knowing major crime names from your law classes, and you definitely didn’t keep up with conglomerates. This man wouldn’t be the first millionaire to walk through the doors of Malevolent Mass, and he wouldn’t be the last.

Another deep raspy chuckle escapes him. “No, I actually find it quite cute you don’t know who you’re dealing with.”

His hand slithered up your back once again, and this time he grabbed a fistful of your head, tugging your head back to look up at him. A gasp slips past your lips as your eyes meet his crimson ones.

“Tell me a secret, cherry,” he hisses your codename like it’s disgraceful on his tongue. “Do you belong here?”

You think to try to get up from his lap, but his other arm has worked to secure you to him tightly. The security men aren’t even glancing in your direction. No one would hear you over the music blasting if you tried to scream, and if this man was as important as his inflated ego suggested, no one would likely even help you.

You’ve done everything thus far to get out from underneath the rich man’s thumb, but it feels like every time you take one step forward, something pushed two steps back.

Do you belong anywhere? No where feels like home after your dad passed. Tears stung into your eyes. Why were you thinking of him at a time like this? He can’t save you now.

The man’s lips twitched into a smirk as he saw the tears building in your eyes. That alone was confirmation enough. You didn’t belong here at all.

His other hand reaches up to your face, and he gently strokes your cheek — a contrast to how tightly he was holding your hair. “Such a pretty crier,” he deep gravely voice coos to you.

You can’t even help it at this point. You try to blink the water away from your eyes, but the tears slip down your cheeks anyway. You just silently cursed yourself for ruining your own makeup.

“You’re a crybaby, aren’t you?” he asked as his fingers brush against your pouty lips, and he grabs your chin carefully. “Open.”

Accepting defeat, your lips part ever so slightly for him, and you can feel the way his heart races in his chest from the sight. He narrowly eyes you as two of his fingers slip past your lips.

You’re momentarily stunned from his thick fingers filling your mouth. You feel a thrum between your thighs, but you try to ignore it. Surely, your body was just betraying you, and his body was betraying him. You were able to feel every inch of his hard on through his slacks. The sight of your tears only served to spur him on further.

When you give his fingers a light suckle, he purrs a praise for you. Leisurely, he thrusts his digits in and out from your mouth. He admires the way you accept them in without a single complaint.

“Such a good girl for me. Try a little harder,” his voice darkly instructs you as he slides his fingers deeper past your tongue, hitting your inexperienced throat.

Your throat involuntarily constricts, causing you to gag and cry more. You hum around his fingers as you whimper. He merely laughs at your pitiful display.

“We’ll have to train your cute little throat to take more, won’t we?” he asked, making a dull ache settle in your lower stomach. You had never done anything like this, and the way he was treating all this so casually filled you with some sort of… excitement.

His words also struck you with fear as you realized this meant he was likely far from being done with his antics.

His fingers continue until you’ve coated them in a thin sheen of saliva. When he pulled from you, you were panting even though he hadn’t taken away your ability to breathe.

He smirked as he gazed at you as if he can tell that your cunt is clenching around nothing right now. It’s like he knows every perverse desire you’ve fantasized about in your alone time.

“You’re a vision, doll. I’m going to have so much fun breaking you,”

Before you could even think to inquire what he meant by that, an unfamiliar male voice spoke up to your side, causing you to flinch slightly. The other man was dressed in basic business attire, but he had a scrappier look to him.

“Sir?”

The stranger tensed, and you could practically see all the playful taunting energy in his face melt away. He stared daggers into the newcomer’s soul. “Speak.”

“Members of the Gojo clan were spotted near Dante’s 7th circle,”

“Dammit, what a pest,” the pink-haired male growled. He clearly didn’t fancy being interrupted.

You perked up a little from the mention of the infamous Gojo clan. You had heard plenty of whispers about the clan fluttering about on campus, and the clan had been brought up momentarily in your organized gangs class before the professor quickly shut down the conversation.

Yakuza clans were talked about in school, but the professors were very careful about what they chose to say, knowing that members were everywhere amongst them.

The stranger carefully moved you from his lap, and he stood up, gathering himself before turning to you. “You behave. I have to go tend to something, but I’ll be back for you,” he said as he reached into his coat, and he casually tossed a whole clip of yen onto the table.

Your eyes widened at the stack of money sitting on the table, and your heart began to race. It felt like the last two hours had been a complete blur, but now, you were face with a thick stack of money — probably enough to cover you for at least three months… and you weren’t even done with your shift yet.

Your excitement was quickly overshadowed by fear. He was coming back for you. How intertwined had you gotten yourself into this mess?

taglist: @theuniversesnepobaby

[destiel-news-channel]

[Image ID: The Destiel confession meme edited so that Dean answers 'They might have found the cause and cure of long COVID'. /End ID]

source link

[Image ID: A screenshot of a post by CarolAnn Barrows. It reads:

"Japanese researchers have found a possible explanation for long COVID. They discovered that small fragments of the coronavirus's genetic material can remain deep behind the nose, in an area called the epipharynx, for at least six months after infection. These viral remnants irritate the immune system and may cause fatigue, coughing, dizziness, and "brain fog." The researchers used an old Japanese treatment called epipharyngeal abrasive therapy (EAT), where the area is swabbed once a week with a cotton swab dipped in 1% zinc chloride solution. After three months, the patients showed:

- significantly fewer viral remnants

- lower levels of inflammatory substances

- noticeably reduced symptoms

The treatment appears to both remove the lingering virus and calm the inflammation. A larger clinical trial is now underway in Japan to confirm the results. This discovery could lead to more targeted treatments that address the root cause of long COVID symptoms instead of merely managing them."

/End ID]