The case of me, a plain office worker, being approached by my beautiful boss and the company idol for some reason

“So that’s how it is…”

“Sho had potential but lacked motivation… So this was the reason…”

“So, what do you want to do?”

“Huh?”

“You’re telling me, so I assume you have some sort of plan…”

“Well, yes… I’m debating whether to continue with the company.”

“So… are you considering quitting and becoming a chef?”

“If I quit, that’s what I’ll do. But it’s all still up in the air.”

“I see.”

“In a way, I was inspired by you… embarrassingly enough, I felt at ease knowing you were there. Like I wasn’t alone in this.”

“That… sounds like something I would say. I felt the same way.”

“Heh… It’s a bit embarrassing, isn’t it, us?”

“Indeed… and we’re adults, for goodness sake.”

“But, you know, it doesn’t feel bad. I might have been waiting for something like this.”

“I feel the same. I might have been waiting for someone to give me a push.”

“Heh, we’re both pitiful.”

“Yes, we are. So, it’s still undecided?”

“For now, I’ll think about it while I work. Whether to go to culinary school, or get training somewhere else… or maybe both.”

“If you’re thinking about a restaurant or hotel, I think it would be better to go to school. If you’re thinking about a local restaurant or a private shop, it might be faster to just start working there.”

“Oh, thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Then, as if on cue, the food we had ordered arrives.

“Alright, let’s eat. After all, we’re at a great restaurant.”

“Sashimi, huh…”

“Don’t worry. I’ll share with you.”

I decide to split the dishes first.

“Ah, thanks. That’s one of the things I like about you. A lot of guys don’t like doing that. They tell me to order for myself, like I’m a woman or something.”

“Well, I don’t mind. Maybe it’s because I have a sister. I’m destined to have everything taken away.”

“Ha! What’s that about?”

“It’s not a laughing matter… If I buy sweets, they disappear, if I buy ice cream, I’m subjected to what she calls ‘half a piece’, and even though she says she doesn’t need cake because she’s on a diet, she eats it anyway.”

“Sounds like a fun sister. How old is she? And is she single?”

“She’s thirty this year. Single and living alone, but that’s partly my fault.”

“Oh, because of the issue with your dad?”

“Yeah, something like that… Let’s eat.”

After that, we focus on our meal.

When we’re satisfied, we return to our conversation.

“By the way, is your sister pretty?”

“What’s with the sudden question?”

“Well, I thought it was a bit dull to just talk about serious stuff.”

“Well, you have a point… Is she pretty? Well, I think she’s attractive if you look at her objectively.”

“Do you have a picture?”

“I do… but… well, I suppose it’s okay if it’s you. But don’t laugh, alright?”

I show him a picture on my phone.

“Ha!”

“Hey!”

“No, sorry. It’s just a picture that really conveys how close you two are.”

The picture shows us sitting side by side on a sofa, with my sister hugging my arm.

“That’s what she should be doing with her boyfriend. She doesn’t understand that it’s different with a brother.”

“She looks like a fun and beautiful sister.”

“My sister has always been popular… She’s what you might call an ‘atmospheric beauty’, and she’s charming and caring.”

“But she’s single, huh? Maybe I should make a move…”

“… …”

“Hey, don’t be silent. It’s scary. I know you’re a siscon.”

“Well…”

To my surprise, I didn’t find the idea distasteful.

I suppose if it’s Sho… it would be alright.

He wants to become a chef… No, not at our place.

I won’t let that bastard of a father ruin my precious friend.

“By the way… you’ve been smelling like a woman lately?”

“I knew it would come up…”

“To be honest, it’s causing me trouble because the women at the station are asking me about it. Like ‘Does Mito-san have a girlfriend?’ or ‘What’s going on between Morishima-san and the Section Chief?'”

…Women are incredible.

Even without being seen, the rumors have already spread.

“I’m sorry, Sho. I didn’t mean to cause you trouble.”

“No need to apologize. But it would help if you could explain a little bit. Then I can divert the issue.”

I hesitated to speak, but it’s wrong to cause him trouble.

“That’s how it is… Actually, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with the Section Chief privately. We’ve become friendly, you could say… As for Morishima-san, I’m not sure, but it seems I’m giving her advice on something.”

“Really? When did all that happen?”

“What do you mean?”

“No, I mean, it’s you. You always said you’d only associate with coworkers to the bare minimum.”

“…I have no retort.”

“Well, it’s fine, right? You’re not the type to mess things up.”

“On the contrary. I feel more motivated to ensure that people don’t think that.”

“That’s also why you’re so enthusiastic about your work… I get it. I’ll handle it from my end.”

“I appreciate it.”

“Don’t mention it. You help me out more. So, you’re not dating her, right?”

“No, I’m not. First, I need to finish the work in front of me.”

“Well, I’ll be there to talk if anything comes up.”

“I’ll appreciate that when the time comes.”

I did want an objective opinion that I couldn’t get myself.

That’s how the drinking with Sho ended.

It was a fun time… but more importantly, I felt a weight lift off my chest.

Talking to someone really is important.