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"When did I start thinking about marrying Iroha Isshiki?
Maybe it was right after we started dating, or maybe it was after we'd been living together for a while. Or perhaps it was when I saw happy children clinging to their parents' hands.
I've been vaguely thinking about marrying Iroha for that long. But the clear desire to marry her definitely began with the wedding I attended the other day.
We're practically an old married couple, but I'm absolutely not tired of Iroha. In fact, I'm completely immersed in her charm, to the point of being in a 'swamp' of adoration.
So, while I'd love to go straight to Ginza, buy an engagement ring, and propose with a dramatic "I won't die!", there are some practical issues.
"Yo, Hikigaya."
It was my boss, Mr. Tokiwa, who called out to me. Today, too, he was sharply dressed in a suit, his slender body exuding the aura of a Tokyo businessman.
"Ah, good work, sir."
I replied, naturally in my work suit. I was currently enjoying lunch at the cafe in the building where our office is located.
"I have an urgent matter. Do you have a moment?"
"Yes."
When I answered, Mr. Tokiwa sat across from me. It was what you'd call a 'lunchtime meeting.'
At first, I used to think, "Work even during mealtime...?" but now I don't think anything of it. The epitome of a corporate slave, or perhaps a corporate mirror? It doesn't make a difference either way...
"You just finished the final report for the client, didn't you?"
"Yes... All that's left is the internal report."
The 'client' referred to the company I was in charge of. For some reason, I found myself in the consulting industry, known for its demanding work.
There were several reasons why I was drawn to this industry.
First, I was genuinely attracted to the work itself. The more I researched it, the more its scope felt like an extension of the Service Club, and even though I knew it would be troublesome and hard, my interest wouldn't fade. When I decided to knock on its door, I abandoned my dream of being a stay-at-home husband.
Also, Iroha once said something about wanting her husband's annual income to be high, but that wasn't my primary motivation. I was surprised myself that a day would come when I'd seek fulfillment in work.
"We've got an urgent case from MGO Group. Can you take it?"
"Huh...?"
I was truly surprised to hear that name. It's a huge conglomerate, known throughout the world. It's not the kind of company a third-year employee like me should be handling.
For reasons I don't quite understand, this is an opportunity.
The consulting industry is a tough world, heavily reliant on individual skill. If you can't make a name for yourself, you have to leave the field.
That fact had made me hesitant about deciding to marry. I'm not lacking in confidence in my work, but it's a risky situation to start a family.
However, what if I could handle a project from such a large company? It would definitely boost my reputation, and it would raise the company's standing as a business partner.
"I'd love to take it, but what's the content?"
Still, it was too early to jump at it. It could be a subsidiary of the group, or, rarely, a cleanup after our screw-up led to the client demanding a change. This boss of mine, he casually throws burnt-out projects my way...
"I can't tell you yet."
"Seriously...?"
I unintentionally replied in a blunt tone to the unexpected answer. This is definitely going to be a troublesome one...
"Is it a job caused by our mistake?"
"No. It's completely new. I can tell you if you decide to take it. I'm warning you, it's going to be very hard. Can you do it?"
Mr. Tokiwa's face became more serious than usual, intensifying his already strong gaze. The fact that he couldn't tell me meant it was something problematic to the public, and it would be a considerably big job.
It smelled fishy, but... I couldn't find a reason to refuse. No matter how hard the job was, if it could help open up our future, I would reach for it.
"...I'll take it. Please let me do it."
When I said that, putting strength into my rotten eyes, my unreasonable boss grinned and nodded.
â---
When I entered university, I thought I'd have found something I wanted to do by the time I graduated.
But when I opened the lid, what did I find? Perhaps because the person I spent the most time with was an unparalleled realist, I never dreamed big dreams.
"Ooh, Isshiki-kun~"
Today, again, I heard that annoyingly familiar voice. While thinking, "Ugh, what a pain," I turned my gaze and the section chief, with a gentle smile, said:
"Can I get a refill of my tea?"
"...Coming right up~"
How many times now, I wondered, "What era is this company from?" It was probably the three hundredth time. I sighed internally and stood up from my seat.
This company I joined is probably what you'd call a "white company." There's hardly any overtime, and the pay is decent enough. From the outside, you'd say I'm in the successful employment group, but these old customs that remain are quite stressful.
"Here you go."
I offered the tea I brewed in the pantry to the section chief. He lifted his barcode-like hair, which seemed even thinner than when I first met him, and with the same smiling face, he said:
"Oh, thank you. You're always so good to me."
"If you think that, you could do it yourself, you know?"
The section chief's expression stiffened.
But it was only for a moment, and then he burst out laughing with a wide open mouth.
"No, Isshiki-kun is as funny as ever!"
I really wanted to follow up with, "I'm being quite serious, though," but I decided against it since it would be pointless.
No matter how cold I acted, he remained like this, so it was hopeless. I wondered if being too good at taking jokes was a bad thing. If I pulled out enough hair from this barcode head that even a leader couldn't scan it, would he finally get angry?
"Haa..."
Returning to my desk, I followed the text on the screen, trying to remember where I had left off. This is why I didn't want to be interrupted.
"Hey, Isshiki-san."
Did she notice my sigh?
Sano-san, at the desk next to mine, rolled her chair closer and spoke in a hushed, confidential tone.
"How about a break soon?"
"Oh, yes."
Looking up at the clock, it was just past three in the afternoon. Since my work had just been interrupted anyway, there was no reason to object.
When we got to the break area, Sano-san sat on the bench and chuckled.
"Well, your 'salt' reactions are still as strong as ever. The section chief is too, though."
"Haa... That's true, isn't it?"
I said, sighing next to Sano-san.
Sano-san is my senior by one year. She's not exactly a mentor, but because we're close in age, we often spend time together like this.
"What do you think about him not understanding when he's being teased?"
"You're pretty good at teasing yourself, Isshiki-san."
She'd say things like this, laughing merrily, a mix of criticism and playful teasing, which made her quite an endearing character.
'Because it can't be helpedâ' My phone vibrated in my hand as I was about to continue. When I unlocked the screen, a message popped up with a 'whoosh.'
'Sorry. I'll be home late today, so go to bed first. I'll grab something to eat.'
That was the only message from my senior. Given the way it was written, he'd probably be on the last train, or even later.
I was about to sigh again when Sano-san said, "Oh," as if remembering something.
"By the way, did you hear? Nakai-san from Division Two is getting married."
"Huh? Oh... Is that so?"
For a moment, I wondered who she was, but then I remembered that Sano-san and I had gone out to eat with her once.
Now that I think about it, she mentioned having a boyfriend for four years... I wonder if that's about the right time to get married.
"That's nice..."
I unintentionally mumbled.
Words slipped out, even forgetting polite language. Perhaps I was too relaxed because it was Sano-san. But it was a genuine feeling, strong enough to just come out.
"Isshiki-san, you have a boyfriend, don't you? Any talk of that?"
"Nothing at all right now..."
I shook my head and replied to Sano-san, who was grinning broadly.
I probably think it's not the right time yet. My senior has been busy saying it's the crucial moment, and even though we live together, we don't have much time to see each other.
"Hmm... But that's a bit surprising. Isshiki-san, you had a desire to get married."
"Of course I do."
After all this time together, it's natural to think about marriage. When my middle school friend reported, "I'm a mom now," I honestly felt envious.
I'm not fixated on the form of marriage, but I want to see what lies beyond it. ...Though maybe I'm the only one who feels that way.
"Then why don't you make him so obsessed with you that he'll want to propose?"
"Make him obsessed...?"
I gave her a suspicious look, thinking, "What's she suddenly talking about?" Sano-san chuckled slyly.
"I bet it's probably entered the 'rut' phase, hasn't it?"
Sano-san's observation hit too close to home, and I was at a loss for words. Compared to when we first started dating or living together, the heart-pounding excitement had certainly lessened.
"Then how about doing something you've never done before, out of the blue?"
At that single remark, I imagined my senior's various expressions:
A surprised face. A dumbfounded face. Being flustered, clearly agitated.
Ah, yes.
There's more I can do.
"That might be a good idea."
I met Sano-san's gaze and flashed a similarly mischievous smile.
â---
No, really, it was awful.
After getting the receipt from the taxi driver, the time on my phone showed past 1 AM. The project I'd received from my unreasonable boss was so hard that burnt-out cases felt adorable in comparison. To have to meet again tomorrow morning at 8 AM, I'm heading straight for corporate slave territory...
"I'm home..."
I quietly opened the front door, trying not to wake Iroha, who was likely already asleep. I tiptoed to the living-dining area and turned on the light, and the just-closed entrance clicked open.
She probably woke up from my presence, I thought, and turned aroundâ
"Sorry, did I wake you...?"
I stopped there, losing my words.
Standing at the entrance of the living room was Iroha, as expected. However, the problem was what she was wearing.
"Welcome home."
She walked towards me, yawning softly, her body enveloped in a sheer negligee.
Her legs were barely covered, and the cleavage from the transparent parts was assertively making its presence known. The black-based negligee made Iroha's white body stand out remarkably, and my gaze was fixed on her.
To put it simply, she looked incredibly alluring.
"Oh, oh..."
"Mmm..."
She came right up to me and then hugged me tightly. It seemed like a spoiled gesture, yet Iroha exuded a bewitching allure that seemed to indulge me.
"Please go to bed soon."
She said, then unexpectedly stood on her tiptoes and brought her face close, as if to kiss meâbut instead, Iroha gently stroked my cheek with her fingertips.
To put it simply, it was just that gesture. But it felt as if she had become a completely different person, and her alluring smile made my heart pound.
"Well then, good night."
"...Ah."
I replied only that, dumbfounded, and Iroha left the living room.
Her back and legs were almost completely visible from behind, which was also perfectly erotic, and to my dismay, my body reacted honestly.
"What the... seriously."
I muttered that, then ran my fingers through my hair. Could this be...? Even at this hour, was this an invitation for the night? It was a regular weekday, but given that feeling, it would be normal to take it that way.
Carrying a confused feeling, I quickly took a shower and, after finishing my bedtime routine, entered the bedroom. Lately, my "monkey moves" of going for as many rounds as I liked had quieted down, and I had become more temperate, so if Iroha was in the mood, just once...
"...She's asleep, though."
Peering into the dimness, I saw her peaceful, healthy sleeping face. With a mix of disappointment and relief, I slumped my shoulders and slipped under the covers.
"Mmm..."
A faint sound escaped Iroha's lips, and she hugged me with her eyes still closed. She used my shoulder as a pillow and then stopped moving.
"...Iroha?"
"Sigh..."
It seemed that was unconscious, as the only response to my call was her peaceful breathing. Yet she clung to me as if with strong will, and the softness of her body was conveyed to me.
"Give me a break..."
I had an early start tomorrow, but I didn't feel like I could sleep at all.
She had made my heart pound for the first time in a while, but then again, that was Iroha's charm.
Every time something like this happened, I felt like I was falling deeper and deeper for Iroha.
So, looking at her beautiful and lovely sleeping face, I thought again and again: I want to be with this girl for the rest of my life.