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==============
It was a few days after the weekend, during lunchtime on a particular day.
"Haa..."
I let out a quiet sigh in a less crowded corner of the office. It was Sano-san's "Let's make him dokidoki with something new!" plan. I felt like I was making Senpai's heart race, but I wondered if I was doing it right. It felt like I was just escalating my usual actions, turning them into some kind of seduction. I had a subtle feeling that this wouldn't make him think, "I want to marry her." I wanted to show him my domestic side, but I felt I was already doing enough, and I didn't want to become like a mother figure to him either.
"...Let's go eat."
Well, thinking about it wouldn't bring an answer quickly. I didn't have time to make a bento this morning, so I'd eat out for lunch. It was perfect for a change of pace. I stepped out of the office building and looked up at the towering skyscrapers. In stark contrast to my muddled feelings, a cloudless blue sky was framed by the angular buildings.
"Iroha?"
The moment I started walking, wondering where to eat, a familiar voice called out to my back. I turned around to see a man in a suit looking at me with a surprised expression.
"...Hayama-senpai?"
I instinctively added a question mark, but even in a suit, even here in Tokyo, there was no mistaking him. Hayama-senpai, whom I hadn't seen in years, stood beside me with the refreshing smile I remembered.
"It's been a while."
"It really has. Are you here for work too, Hayama-senpai?"
"Yeah. It's like a warrior's training before taking over the family business."
Oh, right. Hayama-senpai's family was a line of lawyers, wasn't it? I vaguely remembered that being the case.
"It's amazing how coincidences happen."
"It really is, isn't it?" I echoed, feeling a bit unsure how to respond. Hayama-senpai was someone I used to have a crush on. He was someone I couldn't ignore when talking about myself, to the point where I had even confessed to him. But that was in the past, and we were never even dating. After developing strong feelings for Senpai, I used Hayama-senpai to hide those feelings... It sounds really awful to say "used," but that's what happened. So, with all that, it was honestly super awkward.
"Last week, I also met Hikigaya. We're working together now."
"Eh?!"
I couldn't help but react to Hayama-senpai's words. Senpai and Hayama-senpai, working together? What?! That's a bit too interesting of a development.
"What do you mean? What's the situation?"
As I unconsciously leaned forward, Hayama-senpai gave a wry smile. It seemed like my feelings were completely exposed, which was a little embarrassing.
"If you don't mind, why don't we talk over a meal somewhere? I haven't had lunch yet."
"Ah... Okay. Let's do that."
I hesitated, wondering if it was okay to go to lunch with a man other than Senpai, but my curiosity ultimately won out. After all, this was a rare opportunity to hear about Senpai's work life. As we began walking down the sidewalk, I desperately tried to suppress the corners of my mouth from turning up at the thought of valuable information I didn't yet know.
â----
After the meeting, I left the building, and a blue sky stretched beyond the towering structures. Today, again, was about cleaning up after a client company's scandal. I had used my brain so much that I was quite hungry.
Looking at the refreshing blue sky, Hayama's face came to mindâthe guy who had left early as soon as his work was done. That bastard, he went to eat by himself... No, even if he had waited, I wouldn't have eaten with him. I strolled through the orderly office district, wondering where to have lunch today. After glancing at a few shops, a seat in a cafe caught my eye. No, to be precise, my attention was drawn to a couple sitting by the window of that cafe.
"Hayama and Iroha...?"
I inadvertently spoke aloud, and in my line of sight, Iroha was smiling happily at Hayama. Come to think of it, Iroha's company building is around here, so it's probably just a coincidence that they met. But her smile was too dazzling... I could feel a cloudy sky spreading across my heart. Hayama Hayato was the guy Iroha used to like. That's all. And I had no intention of restricting her from having lunch alone with a male acquaintance. Yet, my heart reacted this way, which was troublesome. It was as if I was jealous. Or rather, I could just go in and call out to themâjust as I thought that, my phone vibrated in my pocket.
"Ah, damn it."
The reminder on the screen showed the time for the internal regular meeting. It was too late to go now, and I needed to find a place where I could participate remotely. I was curious about Iroha and Hayama, but the timing was just too bad. Well, I knew nothing was going on. With a lingering feeling of reluctance, I quickened my pace.
â-----
The clock I saw just before reaching the front door showed ten o'clock at night. It was late again today, but at least it was better than last week when I stayed past midnight every day. Thinking that I was probably desensitized to it, a true corporate slave, I entered the entrance and dragged my tired body to the living room door.
"I'm home."
"Welcome back."
In the living room, Iroha, who had changed into her pajamas, was sitting on the sofa, tapping on her phone. Iroha quickly stood up, went into the kitchen, and started warming up the meal she had prepared in the microwave. She was humming a rare tune, in a good mood.
"Dinner's ready."
"Oh, thanks."
I clasped my hands together, saying "Itadakimasu," and Iroha sat opposite me, smiling. She had been unusually cheerful and happy for a while. There was only one reason I could think of for that, and I felt an indescribable emotion. All of this was probably because she had met Hayama during the dayâ
"I ran into Hayama-senpai by chance at lunch today."
...Just as I was thinking that, Iroha casually brought up the topic.
"He said he's been working with Senpai recently, so I asked him a lot of things."
With an even more delighted expression, Iroha continued enthusiastically. I see, the reason Iroha was in such a good mood was because of that...
"Eh...? What's wrong? You suddenly looked down."
"...No, it's nothing."
Honestly, I was so ashamed and pathetic. I thought I understood Iroha, but I didn't understand her at all. Perhaps, I loved Iroha more than she thought. I felt like I wanted to prostrate myself for even harboring a moment of doubt.
"It sounds like things are pretty tough, in various ways."
"Yeah, somewhat."
Although I said that, the problems of an organization that caused a scandal at the level of a press conference were deeply rooted. The more I investigated, the more loopholes in the rules I found, and the more human problems came to light, leaving me with nothing but sighs.
"But, Senpai,"
Iroha murmured that and stood up, moving behind me. She gently put her arms around me like a feather boa and whispered in my ear.
"When things are tough, you can lean on me more."
At that one sentence, I was unexpectedly moved. Is this girl the best? Being a little devil but having a healing attribute is just unfair...
"Well... If I can, I will."
However, I couldn't just drown in those words. A relationship where I was unilaterally supported wouldn't be fair.
"Not 'if you can,' but 'you will.'"
"Whoa..."
She hugged me tightly from behind, and a soft sensation spread on the back of my head. Iroha put strength into her arms as if she was going to strangle me, then lowered her eyes and continued.
"If you collapse, I won't forgive you."
Hearing these words, a small regret spread within me again. This was not the time to be causing her such worry.
"But, me always being supported is a bit..."
"I don't think it's always just you, Senpai."
Iroha said that, quickly let go, and returned to her chair, resting her elbows. She let out a sigh of relief.
"Do you want to hear my manager's complaints?"
"I've heard them about a hundred times already..."
I, too, relaxed my body, and Iroha let out a delightful chuckle. Every time I saw that smile, I thought, I really want to marry this girl.
â--------
The word "weekend" seemed to have taken on a particularly strong meaning since I became an adult. It had been exactly one week since the somewhat hectic press conference. To use an old expression, it was "Flower Friday." There were still piles of problems, but for today, the main task was to return to the office and organize the issues. Being at a client's site kept my nerves constantly on edge, and a familiar place brought a sense of relief. No, well... The fact that I felt comfortable in the office already made me quite the corporate slave. I might even start looking forward to Mondays eventually. Thinking that I absolutely didn't want that to happen, I glanced at the clock and realized it was past noon. No wonder there were so few people in the office.
I left the office and took the elevator down to the first floor. The restaurant right next to the elevator hall was where I ate most often, though I wouldn't call it my regular spot.
"May I take your order?"
"A-lunch, please."
I sat down and told the staff member who brought the water my order. Even though it was in the heart of Tokyo, the lunch set here was reasonably priced and the taste wasn't bad, which was a high point for Hachiman. However, when it came to cost-performance, Chiba would still be stronger. You could find good deals in Tokyo if you searched, but many locations were inconvenient. Chiba truly was the best. So, why don't I go back to Chiba? I want to go back soon...
"Here you go."
As I was pondering such thoughts, the lunch set arrived in less than five minutes. The speed of service was always a high point. Tokyo really is the best.
"Huh?"
As I silently said "Itadakimasu" and picked up my fork, a voice came from above me. It sounded somewhat familiar, but not enough to identify who it was just by their voice. I looked up, wondering what they wanted, and there, standing before me, wasâ
"Hikigaya?"
...an unexpected person I hadn't imagined seeing.
============
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