SWNOVELXO Chapter 40 - Reina's Story
…What… what do we do?
Despite the current situation…
What’s in my head… that’s what I was thinking.
She resembles Ms. Matsuura… no, it might be the other way around.
Is this what Ms. Matsuura would be like when she gets older?
“Good… good evening…”
“…………”
“…………”
“…………”
They overlapped perfectly…
“Eh, um… I’m going home.”
“Eh!? Wh-Why…?”
Ms. Reina seems terribly disappointed…
Huh? Does she want me to stay?
She’s close to her family, but… she seemed ambiguous about it.
Alright, this could be a form of returning the favor.
I’ll relay to them the good points about Ms. Reina and her diligent work ethic.
“So, would it be better if I stayed?”
“Yeah! Ehehe… Mom, could you come in for a bit?”
“Eh, yes… I never thought such a day would come…”
I feel like they’re greatly misunderstanding something.
I must clear up this misunderstanding as soon as possible…!
We sit around a round table, the three of us.
…It seems like I should be the one to speak up.
“Nice to meet you, I’m Yuma Mito.”
“Nice to meet you, I’m Mariko Matsuura.”
“I have a professional relationship with Ms. Matsuura at the company. Of course, Ms. Matsuura is my superior.”
“So… that’s how it is… Reina! What are you spacing out for?”
“Eh!? S-Sorry! I don’t know what’s going on… auuu…”
“As usual, she’s like this when it comes to her private life…”
“I see, she’s been like this since her private life…”
“Mr. Mito–”
Ah–Her face has turned into that of an ice queen.
“I-I’m sorry!”
“It’s okay! It doesn’t matter…”
“Hehe, you two seem close?”
“No, not exactly. I am not dating Ms. Matsuura.”
“Eh? Oh, is that so?”
“Yes… today, I wanted to express my gratitude to Ms. Matsuura, who takes care of me on a regular basis. I asked her to teach me how to cook, so I came to bother her.”
“So… that’s how it was… I misunderstood.”
Phew… it seems the misunderstanding has been cleared up.
“Ms. Matsuura, the misunderstanding has been cleared up… Ms. Matsuura?”
“Hmm…”
What is she sulking about?
It’s tempting to ask, but she might get angry…
“…I see, Reina seems to have a hard time.”
“Yes?”
“Mom! Why did you come here!?”
“What do you mean, didn’t you check your email?”
“Eh? Oh–it’s there…”
“I sent it before noon, and there was no reply… I thought you might have collapsed in your room.”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I had Ms. Reina with me in the afternoon…”
“You don’t have to apologize… you’re a good guy, aren’t you?”
“That’s right! Even at work! He’s reliable… always helping me out!”
What kind of words are those?
Isn’t there anything more delightful than being told this by a respected superior?
“Thank you very much.”
I express my gratitude with all my heart…
“Well, as long as you’re okay. I thought I might help clean up the room, but it seems unnecessary.”
“That’s… ”
“Huh? …Did you clean up because I was coming?”
“Auu…”
“This girl isn’t good at tidying up… You did your best.”
“Haau…”
“So that’s how it was. Thank you, Ms. Matsuura.”
“Do… don’t you feel disillusioned…?”
“Not at all. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Plus… I have a sister too.”
My sister’s room was a chaos… it’s not like that now, though.
“Ho… I’m glad…”
“Can I call you Mr. Mito?”
“Yes, of course.”
“How is Reina at the company? She can be a bit high-strung… her words can be harsh at times, can’t they?”
“Well… I think she’s a good superior who properly evaluates her subordinates’ work. As for her manner of speaking… indeed, it can be a bit harsh at times.”
“I can’t say anything…”
“…She’s actually a laid-back person. She’s a bit careless, but she’s kind and family-oriented. However, she has had a lot of trouble with her family… financial issues, and she’s been working desperately… I’m sorry… I shouldn’t be telling this to someone I’ve just met… it’s rare to have such an opportunity…”
“No, I understand. I can see that Reina is a kind person…”
…I see.
I don’t know the details, but the reason she doesn’t have money is probably due to that…
She must be sending money to her parents… that’s admirable.
Compared to her, I’m not even visiting… I should contact my mom…
“Mom… I don’t regret it. About my brother, dad, mom. Because I made the decision myself. Because… they’re family.”
“…Reina… but, even though there’s such a wonderful person…”
“That’s why! It’s not that kind of thing, or is it? But I want it to be that kind of thing… auuu…”
“Ah–She’s overheating.”
“Haha…”
I feel like I’m about to overheat too, you know?
I seem to be calm on the surface, but…
My mind is in a state of panic.
Why am I meeting with Reina’s mother?
The situation is so strange that it’s oddly calming.
…No, it doesn’t make sense.
“Mr. Mito… I apologize for the delay, but thank you for always taking care of Reina.”
“No, I’m the one who should thank you.”
“What were you doing earlier?”
“Eh? Ah… I was teaching her how to cook…”
“Speaking of which… you’re amazing for a man, aren’t you?”
“My family ran a restaurant…”
“Your parents are alive… you have siblings?”
“Yes, they’re all doing well.”
“I see… that’s nice…”
What’s this… why do I feel uncomfortable?
“Well, it seems that Ms. Matsuura is also doing well at her job.”
“Is that so…? Thank you for saying that.”
“Did something happen?”
“No, it’s nothing… I was just surprised to hear such words of praise.”
“Haha, well, it’s true.”
“Really… thank you.”
“…Huh? Ms. Matsuura… why are you crying?”
“Ah, I’m sorry, I’m not crying…”
“Ms. Matsuura… thank you.”
“You too… thank you very much.”
We shake hands across the table.
…Well, I don’t really understand, but it’s probably okay.