SWNOVELXO Chapter 52 - Boss Tamura's Story
Thanks to Reina’s invitation, my new life had begun in a flurry.
The next day, I found myself preparing lunchboxes.
“I remember she said she likes karaage… Okay, I’ll fry it with that.”
Instead of wheat flour, I chose a substitute for frying.
“The tamagoyaki will be sweet… Because it’s a seaweed bento, kinpira gobo would be a good choice.”
I continued to make the lunch box, adding cherry tomatoes, sausages, and potato salad.
“Good… The color is just right.”
After draining the oil properly, I placed it on top of the lettuce.
“I’ll place some yuzu… Alright, it’s done.”
I had completed a karaage bento box.
Hmm, it looks delicious… I hope Reina will be happy.
…Am I becoming a maiden?!
After that, I prepared myself, took the lunch box, and left the house.
“Ah— I forgot about the train! I had to take a taxi…!”
I was so engrossed in making the lunch box that I forgot!
For now, I hurriedly make a call.
“Ah, hello… Yes, could I get one… Thank you.”
Good… It seems there’s one nearby.
Well, it seems I’ll be able to avoid being late.
“But… Maybe I’m taking on too much.”
The new employee relationships and the new job…
Hmm, I should be careful.
I shouldn’t push myself too hard, I should just relax…
“If I could do that… I wouldn’t be struggling.”
After that, I managed to catch a taxi and somehow made it to the office before being late.
“Mito-kun.”
Before me stood the Ice Queen…
Oh, is she angry?
No, no… I shouldn’t be late.
I should be able to make it to work on time with plenty of time left.
“Ye-yes, what can I do for you?”
“You’re late today… What happened?”
Does she seem a bit sad…?
But, I can’t think of a reason…
If I tell her that I forgot to call the taxi, Reina might feel responsible…
“No, I was… making a lunch box…”
“Eh?”
“I enjoyed it more than I expected, and it took a bit longer… I’ll be careful from now on.”
“So, so… That’s nice…”
“Eh?”
“I’m, I’m not mad. You just didn’t come to work at the usual time, so I thought something might have happened. It would be a problem if you start slacking off now, when you have a new job to do.”
“Thank you for your concern. I’ll be careful from tomorrow.”
“I-I’m not worried about… A-Anyway! Let’s get to work!”
“Yes, excuse me.”
I sat down at my desk and quickly started up my computer.
In the meantime, I started the day’s simulation.
“Morning meeting preparation, customer data entry, questionnaire compilation…”
During that time, my computer screen turned on.
“Alright… let’s get to it.”
I switched my mind and focused solely on the task at hand.
Phew… I managed to finish in time.
Having finished the input, I leaned back in my chair.
“Time… I still have a bit of a breather.”
“Mito-senpai, good work.”
“Morishima-san, good work too. Thanks for the tea.”
“No, no, it’s the least I can do.”
“That’s not true. The documents I was looking at, you made them, right?”
The documents needed for input are also part of their job.
“Eh…? You can tell?”
“Yeah, kind of. They’re always neat and easy to see. Like the spacing between characters.”
“…You just earned some points.”
“Huh?”
“No, I mean I’m very happy. Excuse me.”
She left, cheerfully handing out tea to the other employees.
That’s when I noticed the section chief beckoning me from the entrance of the office.
“Huh? Is he calling me?”
When I meet his gaze, he nods.
“What could it be? I guess I’ll go and see.”
It’s almost lunch break, so I take my lunch box with me as I leave the office.
“Tamura-kaichou, what can I do for you?”
“No, let’s just talk a little.”
“Oh, okay…”
“Then, let’s go to my room.”
I obediently follow him to his usual room.
“So… how’s work?”
“I’m a bit confused, but I think I can manage.”
“I’m sorry, it must have been a surprise.”
“Yes, to be honest, I was surprised. Suddenly being a team leader…”
“I recommended you because I thought you could do it. But knowing your personality…”
“No, I understand. If I had been told beforehand, I probably would have been too scared.”
“Hmm… You’ve grown a lot. I can feel your determination to move forward.”
“Well, there have been various things…”
“Your family and Reina-chan?”
“Yes, well… I think I’ll try to move forward a little at a time.”
“That’s good. So… how are things with Reina-chan?”
“What do you mean…?”
“Hmm… that reaction…”
“Kaichou?”
“No, it’s nothing… Mito-kun.”
“Yes, what can I do for you?”
“Please take care of Reina-chan. She has a lot on her plate, and there aren’t many people she can complain to.”
“Yes, of course. Um… what about office romance?”
“Oh my…”
“No! It’s not like Reina has anything to do with it… Ah—”
I dug my own grave…
“Young people are good… It’s a difficult issue, but as long as both parties are committed, I think it’s not a problem. However, a certain level of readiness is necessary…”
“I see…”
“If there’s anything, please consult me. Well… then, I’ll be going.”
“Eh?”
At that moment, there was a click.
“Huh? Kaichou and Mito-kun?”
“Well, I shouldn’t interfere with young people. Mito-kun… I didn’t say it until now—but I have high expectations for your work.”
“Y-Yes!”
“Good, work hard. It’s okay to fail. At that time, I will apologize with you.”
With that, the section chief left the room.
I was… touched by his last words.
This is—what an ideal boss looks like.