SWNOVELXO Chapter 45 - A barrage of questions from Mr. Morishima
Following Morishima-san, we… arrive in front of a certain cafe.
It looks like an open cafe where you can choose to sit either inside or outside.
“What will you do? Will we sit outside?”
“That sounds good… the weather is nice, so let’s do that.”
“Understood, then… there’s a spot open at the end over there. Please sit there.”
“Huh?… What about our order?”
“I will handle that. This cafe serves delicious milk tea and coffee… Which do you prefer?”
“I’m more of a coffee person…”
“Okay, got it. I’ll be right back.”
Morishima-san then briskly enters the cafe.
“…It’s easy, isn’t it… No, it’s probably because I’m slow, Morishima-san is being considerate…”
While thinking about such things, I sit at the edge of the terrace.
In about five minutes, Morishima-san comes back.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here you go.”
“Thank you, Morishima-san. How much do I owe you?”
“It’s okay. After all, I invited you today.”
“I can’t let you do that.”
I say it in as firm a voice as possible.
Probably because I thought she would brush it off.
“……Hmm… Okay. Then, please treat me to a cake later.”
“Alright, I can agree to that.”
“You are really assertive, aren’t you?”
“I’m just being fair. I don’t intend to discriminate, we should be equal.”
“……You seem like someone who would help with childcare.”
“What?”
“Nevermind… Anyway, I wanted to ask you something…”
“Okay, I’m not sure if I can answer, but…”
“What do you think about marriage?”
“…That’s quite a sudden question. Can you be a little more specific?”
“Well… for starters, do you want to get married? Generally speaking, as a 26-year-old.”
“Is that what you meant… Honestly, I haven’t thought about it.”
“Really, do you think that’s a typical male perspective?”
“What do you mean?”
“I would like to get married soon… but it’s hard to find someone my age who feels the same.”
I see… so that’s what she wanted to talk about.
Indeed, I am close to her age.
“Ah… I see. Is it a problem if the person is older? You’re cute and likely popular, plus they would have more financial stability.”
“…Thank you. But if they’re too much older, it feels a little… And most of the people who approach me at work are of that category. It’s hard to reject them, and it’s quite troublesome. I guess that’s not something I should be saying as someone who’s looking for a marriage partner, right?”
“…I see.”
…What should I say in such a situation?
I can’t come up with anything clever.
“Well, there are people like you, Mito-san.”
“Me?”
“Yes, because you don’t look at female employees with those kinds of eyes. And yet, you’re not cold either. It feels like you treat us equally?”
…I don’t have much confidence in that recently, though.
“That’s not exactly it. I just… don’t really think about it that much. You are my colleagues after all…”
“I see… So that’s how it is. Mito-san, if you were to get married, what kind of person would you want as a partner?”
“Hmm… I haven’t really thought about it much…”
“Yes, I understand that. So, just roughly.”
Huh? Somehow… when did it turn into a question about me?
“…Someone who’s fun to be with, who makes my heart race?”
“Do you think that’s necessary?”
“What?”
“Aren’t those the criteria for a lover?”
“…Wait a minute.”
…Come to think of it… are love and marriage different things?
“Personally… I think it’s better to be with someone who’s fun to talk to and doesn’t make you feel pressured. The feeling of excitement and fun is temporary.”
“…You have a point, you’re quite realistic, aren’t you?”
“Yes, that’s how women are…”
“Haa… I’ve heard of it, but…”
My older sister used to say something similar…
But… it’s refreshing to hear it so clearly.
“So, what do you think?”
“Hmm… I can’t deny it, I guess?”
“I see… Would you prefer someone older or younger?”
“What?… I don’t have a preference… but I’ve only ever dated people my own age.”
“Hmm… So you’re not against it…”
“Um…”
“What would you do if a female employee confessed their feelings to you? Speaking in general terms, as an employee of our company.”
“…It might be troubling… Workplace romances can be tricky…”
“Umu…”
“Uh…”
What on earth is she asking me?
“Ah, I’m sorry. You’re just easy to talk to, Mito-san. Do you have an older sister?”
“Yes, I do. We’re two siblings, and I have an older sister.”
“No wonder it’s easy to talk to you… So you’re the youngest son…”
“I’ve never really been told that…”
“Then, maybe we’re just compatible.”
…Certainly, it’s comfortable.
The ambiance, I guess… it feels like there’s no need to be careful.
“Well, it might be comfortable.”
“Hmm… I think that’s all for now.”
“…I’m not sure what just happened… Was that a consultation?”
“Yes, I wanted to hear the opinion of someone my age. Thank you for taking it seriously, Mito-san.”
“Well, if it helped.”
After that, we talk about our hobbies and have a light-hearted conversation…
“Shall we have some cake now?”
“Yeah, let’s do that. What would you like?”
“There’s only one choice for me, cheesecake.”
“Oh, nice. I’ll have the Mont Blanc then.”
I get up from my seat and head inside the cafe.
…So love and marriage are different…
The content I thought I would be discussing was different…
That was a thought-provoking conversation…
It was an opinion unique to women…
Yeah, it was good to come today.
Morishima-san is also nice once you talk to her.
I’m just enjoying myself.
While waiting in line, I find myself lost in these thoughts…