SWNOVELXO Chapter 33 - Greeting the Department
After having lunch with Reina-san, I get to work in the afternoon.
This time, I’m not instructing others but dealing with my own tasks. I have to finish them before the Golden Week holiday that starts tomorrow.
There are various problems such as the date, but for now, I need to focus on this…!
Although I’m already overwhelmed, I manage to get through my tasks…
“Let’s see… Put the documents for this meeting in this file… The client list goes here… Send the email… Alright, this should be okay for now.”
“Mito-kun, how’s it going? Do you think you can finish in time?”
“Ah, section chief. Yes, I just finished.”
“That’s good. Can you come with me?”
“Yes, where to?”
“Let’s go say hello to the department you’ll be working with from next week. Even if it’s just introducing faces, it will help prevent unnecessary complications later on. Most importantly… it improves the impression.”
“I see… I appreciate your guidance. Could you lead the way, please?”
“Yes, of course. I like that about you.”
“Eh? Oh, thank you…”
What’s this? Usually… I wouldn’t think much of it.
But now… it feels like the words are sinking in…
“Oh?… You look good. Was it worth pushing you after all?”
“Huh?”
“No, just talking to myself. Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I follow the section chief, still confused.
…What does he mean?
The department is located on the sixth floor, the top floor, so we decide to take the stairs.
“The place where they cook the products is also here, right?”
“Yes, the top floor is the most suitable. Our building is fire-resistant, but we still need to consider the worst-case scenario…”
If a fire breaks out on a lower floor, there’s no escape…
Upon opening the door at the top of the stairs…
“Oh! If it isn’t Tamura-kun!”
A rather robust, energetic woman is at the entrance.
If I remember correctly… she’s the head of the food department, Mifune-san?
“Mifune-san… please don’t call me ‘kun’.”
“What are you saying! You’re still young enough for ‘kun’! You’re younger than me!”
“You’re only two years older… Hah, Mito-kun, this is Rimi Mifune, the head of food development.”
“Nice to meet you, Mifune-san. I’m Mito from the Audit and Information Division.”
I don’t usually say it, but… this should be the correct official name.
“Ah, nice to meet you. You’re the favorite of Tamura-kun and Reina-chan, aren’t you?”
“Eh… is that so?”
“Yes, it is. Our department’s work is mundane. We do the same thing day after day. Amid that, your diligent and unflappable work is indispensable to our team.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to hear you say that.”
“Hm? That’s a bit different from what I heard. I was told you were a bit lacking in confidence… but you seem to be taking things in stride and the atmosphere around you doesn’t suggest that…”
“Eh?”
“It seems that you’ve really grown. Maybe it’s thanks to Reina-chan.”
“You know, a good woman is said to raise a good man! Are you doing well, Reina-chan?”
“Yes, thanks to Mito-kun, I’ve recently started to soften up…”
“Oh…? I should hear more about this next time…”
“Um…”
What should I do… I’m completely left out.
One thing is clear… it’s confidence.
I’ve received a lot of compliments from Section Chief Matsuura.
Certainly, that might have given me a little confidence…
I need to repay this favor even more.
“Oh, I’m sorry. I’ve known Reina-chan since she was a new employee. I worry about her because it’s hard on her… Even though Tamura-kun and I are different in age, we started working at the same time. We got along well because we were in the same department at first.”
“Is that so…”
“Haha, sorry. This is just the way she is. Energetic, I would say… But not in a bad way. If you speak your mind, she’ll listen. So, don’t hesitate.”
“You lack ambition! If only you had that, you could have gone higher…”
“No, no, this is just right for me. Having a role that doesn’t suit you is not good for you or your subordinates…”
…Of course, I’m sure the manager has his own struggles…
I’d like to hear about that sometime.
“Well, you’re right… Shall we say it’s for next week then?”
“Yes, I look forward to it.”
Next, I look around the room, then speak again.
“I hope for your cooperation as well.”
There’s a round of applause, and everyone shows a smile.
Phew… that’s a relief.
From now on, smooth communication will be crucial.
Finally, I apologize for interrupting their work and leave the room.
“Well, we’re all set for now.”
“Thanks to you, Manager. Thank you.”
“No, no, I didn’t do anything. Now, I’ll be heading back to my office.”
“Understood. Excuse me.”
After seeing off the manager, I head to the break room.
I was a bit nervous and my throat is dry.
“Phew… I still get nervous when I talk to strangers and they’re watching me.”
“Oh? Isn’t it Mito-senpai?”
“Morishima-san, are you on a break?”
“No, I was just thinking about making tea. I think this is a good timing.”
“You’re good at noticing these things, Morishima-san. It’s always a big help. Thanks.”
“…You’re the only one, Mito-senpai. The only one who thanks me for making tea…”
“No, I think everyone feels the same way. And I bet Yokoyama says it too, right?”
“I stand corrected, you’re the only one who always thanks me. It feels good to hear it out loud.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
…I feel like Morishima-san has become easier to talk to recently.
Is it because she’s not pretending to be something she’s not?
Her straightforward manner is much easier to deal with.
“Were you thinking something bad just now?”
“N-no… haha…”
“That’s fine. I can’t pretend around you, Mito-senpai.”
…This means she doesn’t regard me as a threat.
Yes, it’s good that I didn’t misunderstand.
“It’s better to be comfortable, isn’t it? It’s less tiring.”
“You always say things like that… Oh, can I have your phone number?”
“Eh? Well, that’s…”
“I don’t need to be considerate to you, Mito-senpai. I want to consult about work.”
“I see…”
It’s definitely tough, although different from Matsuura Section Chief.
She manages to avoid things that seem like sexual harassment…
She must be accumulating stress…
…All right, she asked for my help.
It’s my duty as a senior to respond.
“Is it not okay?”
“No, it’s fine. But…”
“I get it. I won’t contact you much. It would be nice if you could help me when I need it.”
“Yeah, if I can.”
“You seem different, don’t you?”
“Hm? Do I?”
“Um… It feels like you’ve gained confidence…”
…She’s sharp.
“Well, I’ve been given more responsibilities. I thought it’s not good to be timid forever.”
“Oh, that’s why… Hmm…”
Then, we exchange numbers.
“…This should do it… Now, the water is boiling.”
“I’ll help.”
“Thank you.”
Then, Morishima-san, holding a tray, left the break room.
“Well… I have to change, too.”
It’s still painful to think about the past…
But I have to move forward little by little….