SWNOVELXO Chapter 27 - At the Dining Room
In the morning, I dedicated myself to my work, and I was now in the cafeteria for lunch break.
I decided to make a bento every two days, because I don’t want Matsuura Section Chief to worry about it every day.
I also wanted to eat my favorite menu in the cafeteria.
By doing this every two days, I can enjoy it more.
“What should I choose…”
“I’m going for the Katsu Curry.”
“You always choose that…”
“What’s wrong with that? It’s delicious.”
“You should take better care of your health. We’re not as young as we used to be.”
“That’s true… I’m starting to gain weight… and some of my friends are already going bald…”
“They say that happens if you eat too much greasy food.”
“Ugh… No, it’s fine! I’m gonna eat!”
“Okay then… I think I’ll go for the ginger pork set meal.”
We each finish ordering and take our seats across from each other.
“Lucky, huh? They accidentally made too much fried food.”
They seem to have fried too much by mistake when taking orders from the previous person.
…We had that happen at our place too…
Every time, my father would yell…
That’s why we decided to stop hiring part-time workers…
Or rather, they kept quitting…
“You’re lucky. There was no waiting time.”
“Is it okay if I sit here?”
“It’s Morishima! Sure, take a seat!”
“Thank you very much. Excuse me.”
She sits next to Noboru, not me.
Phew… Good.
Her interest in me seems to have waned.
“What… what’s up?”
“No, nothing… My friend is off today, and I thought if I sit with you and Mito-san, you won’t say anything weird and I can eat in peace.”
“That’s right! Right, Yuuma?”
“Yeah… Wait, what?”
Matsuura Section Chief… is glaring at us with an incredible look…
Is she angry? Why? Did I make a mistake?
“What’s wrong?”
“No, nothing… not at all.”
“Mito-san is a mysterious person, isn’t he?”
“Really? I’m just an ordinary guy.”
“An ordinary guy wouldn’t say that about himself…”
“I don’t know about that…”
“You’re really interesting, you know.”
“I know, right? He’s interesting and a good guy… When I was a new employee, he apologized with me for a mistake I made. That’s how we became friends, right?”
“That wasn’t just your fault. Everyone failed to check properly. So it’s collective responsibility.”
I remember he mistyped some data for a conference material.
The cause was that everyone neglected to check it before submitting.
At that time, it was not only Noboru’s fault as he was in charge.
Of course, since it was a trial for new employees, we didn’t get too scolded.
“Oh… that’s nice, like a man’s friendship.”
“Well, we’ve never hung out in our private time.”
“It doesn’t mean we’re not good friends just because we don’t hang out privately… I consider you my friend, don’t I?”
I wasn’t exactly seeking solitude.
But I wasn’t good at interacting with people…
I thought hanging out with someone like me would be boring…
So… I was glad when Noboru started talking to me…
“Is that so! Yeah, that’s right!”
“That’s quite a profound remark you made just now… Maybe you’re right, Mito-san…”
“Hey now, I didn’t mean it that deeply. We should eat, time’s running out, you know?”
“Ah —— Crap!”
“I couldn’t help but start a conversation.”
Afterward, they quickly finished their meals.
While giving instructions in the afternoon, the section manager called out to him.
“Mito-kun, do you have a moment?”
“Ah, yes. Ono-kun, you just need to input based on this data. Take it easy and make sure to do it correctly. Even if you make a mistake, don’t panic. Everyone makes mistakes. The important thing is not to hide it or deceive others… okay?”
“Yes! Thank you!”
After that, he followed the section manager into his office.
“You’re giving quite good guidance, aren’t you?”
“I wonder… I’m worried if I’m doing it right…”
“It’s surprisingly difficult to instruct someone without making them feel small. People tend to judge based on their own standards. There are those who get irritated if something isn’t done, or who think they can do it faster themselves. Especially… in our generation.”
That sounds like my father…
Well, I do have him as a negative example…
“Why do some people shout excessively or act in a threatening manner?”
“I think they are showing off themselves, or maybe they are capable of doing it.”
“I see…”
“Well, the main point is… the matter we discussed has been decided.”
“You’re talking about the advisor position, right? …I’m getting nervous…”
“You said it yourself just now. It’s okay to make mistakes… as long as you apologize and communicate properly. This time, there’s also a trial aspect to it, so let’s think about it lightly.”
“Having you say that… makes me feel a little better.”
“That’s good. That’s about all I can do.”
“No, I respect you, section manager. I admire you for not shouting recklessly or acting in a threatening manner. I want to be an adult like you.”
“…You’re saying something nice. It seems my decision to pick you was right.”
“…Why me?”
“Do you remember the data input test for new employees? I was supervising it… I noticed you, who have a rare ability to endure mundane tasks and long hours, but lack confidence. I thought you might be crushed in other departments… But I believed you would become an excellent employee, so I talked to the HR department.”
“I see… Thank you very much…!”
“No, no, I did what was natural as a superior, and as a predecessor. Besides, I should be the one thanking you.”
“Eh? …Did I do something?”
“You’ve been getting along well with Reina-chan. I’ve known her since she was a new employee… You know she has a different face than usual, right?”
“Eh, yes… I had the chance…”
“It was tough at first… with her beauty, sexual harassment and being hit on were a daily occurrence… Especially for a new employee, it’s hard to reject. It must have worn down her spirit… Still, she had a reason and kept working hard… but gradually, she became as cold as ice.”
“I can imagine… being beautiful isn’t always easy… did you save her, section manager?”
These two seem to have a close relationship that could spawn rumors…
“No, no, I didn’t do anything that cool. I just wanted a subordinate who could do their job and could be properly scolded. Not yelled at, but scolded… I’m good at adjusting, but not at instructing or scolding.”
I see… something I’ve always thought.
Everyone says the section manager is scary…
But he never gets unreasonably angry, only scolds when necessary.
I thought that was really great…
“So… that’s why you brought me in?”
“That’s right… oh, I seem to have talked too much. I’m sorry for taking your time.”
“No, I was glad to hear your valuable story.”
“Please get along with Reina-chan.”
“Eh?”
“She likes you. Shall we go back now?”
Following the section manager back to the department…
Matsuura, the section manager, likes me…?
If that’s true, part of me is happy…
But work is a separate matter…
While pushing such thoughts to the back of my mind, I finished my work for the day.
On the way home…
“Mi, Mito-kun!”
“Ah? Matsuura, the section manager?”
“We’re off duty now! Umm… do, do you have some time…?”
“Eh, yes…”
“…wo, would you like… to go for a drink… with me?”
…It seems I won’t have time to think about it…