NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 17 - At the Company
The weekend, filled with various events and thoughts, came to an end.
With the arrival of Monday, it’s time to go back to work.
…When I see Reina-san, no… when I see Chief Matsuura, what kind of face should I put on?
“Haa… What do I want to do?”
I thought yesterday that it would be better not to get involved, but it’s not that simple…
If I act cold, it may affect my work…
“But still… it’s a company. I’m not saying it’s bad to be in a relationship…”
I didn’t think it would fall on me…
I didn’t expect it to bother me this much…
Because the Chief is too cute…
“Damn it! It’s okay! Let it be!”
With a half-crazed mind, I headed for the office…
“Ah– Good morning, Section Chief Matsuura”
“Yes, good morning. Mito-kun, I hope we’ll work well together today?”
“Yes, I hope the same.”
“Alright, then I’ll be on my way.”
…Everything’s normal… that’s good…
Of course, that’s how it should be.
Personal life and work are separate.
Alright! I should follow suit and get to work!
Only the sound of the keyboard clacking…
Good… this is good… I can concentrate without any distractions.
“Well… it’s about time for lunch break…”
I was able to concentrate more than I thought…
I thought I’d be more… flustered…
Could it be… because I enjoyed that dinner party?
So, I was able to refresh…
“I was able to greet normally in the morning too…”
“Hey! You seem to be in a good mood?”
“Sho, you… are you working overtime?”
“Ugh… no, I should be fine. We have a company drinking party today too.”
“Huh? That’s tough on a weekday…”
“Well, today was the only day everyone was available. I’ll ask, but… are you coming?”
“No, sorry. I’ll pass again today.”
“Alright then. Well, it’s not like you have to force yourself to come.”
“Sorry… even if I go, I’ll just ruin the atmosphere…”
“No… as always… I don’t think that’s true? There are people who want to talk to you…”
“…Is that so?”
“Yeah. They say they don’t know how to deal with you at work because they don’t have a chance to get to know you.”
…I see… there’s that aspect too…
Maybe I need to think about it a bit…
After that, when I returned to my desk after lunch break…
“Mito-kun, do you have a moment?”
“For Section Chief Matsuura… and Section Chief Tamura… what’s going on?”
“We thought we’d have a little chat.”
“Shall we go?”
“Ye, yes…”
What’s happening? What’s going on?
I was led to the section chief’s private room where I had once dozed off…
“Eh!? Me!?”
“Yes, that’s right. We thought you would be the perfect candidate.”
“…Well, I can do it, but…”
“I also thought so.”
They want me to participate in the planning and development as an advisor for the new frozen food they’re developing…
If it’s Western-style frozen food, I can give some advice…
I had told the section chief about some circumstances when he consulted with me.
“But… would I be up to the task? Wouldn’t it be better to hire a specialist?”
Can someone like me, who ran away from becoming a professional…
“Of course, that was one of the proposals. But this time, the theme is to make it delicious and easy at home. They want to hear from someone who cooks as a hobby. Besides… hiring costs a lot.”
“I see… that’s true.”
“And if you, the son of a Western restaurant owner, are involved, you’d know the taste of the real thing, right?”
“…Yes, more than I’d like.”
“Of course, you can refuse if you want. I haven’t told them yet. They just asked if there was such a talent in my department.”
…I owe a lot to the section chief since I joined the company…
“In that case, what about my regular work?”
“I’ll adjust it. The project starts after the Golden Week holiday, so I’d like you to train the new guy by then. I think it’s about time Mito-kun started doing that.”
“Training juniors… me…”
It’s true, I’m at the age where it wouldn’t be strange to be a supervisor…
“That’s not allowed. You need to affirm yourself.”
“Eh?”
“You are a more excellent talent than you think. You’re a valuable person who works earnestly and sincerely. What you lack is self-confidence and interaction with others.”
“Oh? Isn’t that the same thing you could say to Reina-chan?”
“Uh… that’s…”
“Well, never mind. Like I said earlier… So… what do you think?”
…I don’t particularly have a reason to refuse…
Above all, I want to meet the expectations of those who recognized me.
Because my life was one of being unrecognized…
It feels good after all.
“If I’m acceptable, I’d like to accept. Though I might disappoint you…”
“Don’t worry. In a good way, I’m not expecting that much from you. If that happens, we’ll just hire a specialist, and there are others besides you. You should relax and do it casually.”
“…Thank you. In that case, please convey my decision.”
“Alright, I got it. Then, I’ll leave the rest to you, Reina-chan.”
“Yes, Chief.”
With that, the chief left the room…
“Uh… ? Is there something else?”
“So, sorry!”
“Eh!? Ah, please raise your head!”
“I told the chief that Mito-kun might be good…”
“…The thing yesterday?”
“No, not that far… Just, I’ve heard such a story…”
“Is that so… The chief knows about my situation, you know?”
“Eh…?”
“He’s quite a hard man to get a read on…”
“Chi, Chief~! Geez…”
“By the way… your tone has changed since a while ago?”
“…It’s fine… because there’s only Mito-kun…”
…Gohaa!
I thought I was going to spit blood…
What a line…!
“So… is that so… should we go back!”
Otherwise, I might feel weird, even in the office…!
“Wa, wait…!”
Section Chief Matsuura grabs my hand as I try to leave the room.
“Wh, what is it?”
“Um, well… er…”
Her intense upward gaze stimulates my brain…
It’s no good… I’m losing consciousness…
“…It’s okay. I won’t tell anyone about Saturday.”
Before I knew it, I was whispering in her ear…
“Hyan!?”
“You’re a cute person, Reina-san. Now, excuse me.”
“Huh? Eh, eh–!?”
Ignoring her surprised voice, I walk quickly down the corridor…!
Am I crazy!? What did I do!?
What did I say!? I said she’s cute!?
What a line to say at work…!
Before I thought about it, the line and action came out…
Haa– I don’t understand myself…