LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 21 - Life Changing
“The next day, my life changed… or not.
“Good morning, Mito-kun.”
“Good morning, Matsura Section Chief.”
“Yes. Let’s do our best today as well.”
“Yes, you too.”
…Phew… thank goodness.
She’s acting normally.
This is not a problem for me.
But… is it because I know about her cute demeanor now…?
This gap is also good…
…what am I saying?!
…If anything has changed a little…
“Ah– good morning!”
“Ah, good morning, Ono-kun.”
“Good morning.”
“Yes, good morning.”
It seems I am greeted casually by everyone now.
…How much were they worried about me…?
This is something I should reflect on…
Of course, I’ve always been greeting as a basic social courtesy, but…
Like… everyone’s tone is different…
“Well… let’s do our best today.”
Somehow, my mood is good too.
It’s a concern not to get too involved…
I take back what I said…
It seems my life has changed…
“Mito-kun, is it alright?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“Starting today, let’s have lunch together.”
“Huh?”
The surroundings buzz…
“Huh? What does that mean?”
“Is it that kind of relationship?”
“Ah, I’m shocked…”
But Reina-san’s expression… freezes.
“Quiet–”
Despite not raising her voice… everyone goes silent.
That’s right… this is the Matsura Section Chief I know well.
“It’s not what you think. I can’t explain in detail, but I’ll be asking Mito-kun to serve as an advisor on new product development. So, he will have more time away from his regular tasks here. Before that work begins, I want him to instruct new employees and those in their second year. Since there’s no time for a meeting, it will be during lunch.”
“So that’s what it is…”
“Wow, that’s tough…”
“I’d want to relax at least during lunch…”
“…Anything else?”
“‘…'”
Haha… Being a boss is tough…
Since I know the Section Chief well… I can tell she’s pushing herself…
I wish I could help somehow…
Wait? Why am I… here?
“So, sorry! I didn’t mean to disturb your lunch… I didn’t intend to… Uh… It was troublesome, wasn’t it… I didn’t want to say it like that either…”
“No, no… That’s fine. I know that the Section Chief is actually kind. But… why are you in this room? Is it okay?”
“Ehehe… Ahem… The department head said I could use it… He said there might be some information we wouldn’t want others to hear… It’s better if the information about the new development isn’t leaked, right?”
“Certainly… There could be cases where it’s overheard by salespeople from other companies, or our own sales staff might accidentally talk about it…”
People in sales are particularly vulnerable…
There have been cases where someone has been invited to a drink and ended up leaking information to other companies.
“Here, only management staff are present, so you can feel safe even if you are overheard. So, starting from tomorrow, I would like you to start giving guidance immediately…”
“Wait a minute, please.”
“Huh? Wh-what? Why are you making such a scary face…?”
This is a serious situation…
She doesn’t look well… Seems tired due to stress…
“Section Chief… No, Reina-san.”
“Y-yes…?”
“You can’t just eat salad and udon. When you came to my house, you had second helpings of rice, didn’t you? So, it means you’re not a light eater… and you live in an apartment… I won’t ask for details, but you’re out of money, aren’t you?”
I was seriously considering whether to ask or not… But now that I know, I’m worried.
We will continue to work together in the future.
“Ugh… I’ve been found out… When others ask, I’ve been diverting the topic by saying it’s for maintaining my figure… But yes… I’m out of money…”
“I thought the same. Because you have a good style. Don’t you make bento (lunch boxes)?”
“I’ve been… complimented… hehe~”
“Huh…?”
“I’m sorry… I can’t make them… You saw my shopping basket, right?”
“…Right, I remember now. It was full of ready-to-eat meals and bentos…”
“Ha… It’s embarrassing… I did try at least once, but when I was younger, I didn’t have time to do such things… and starting at this age, I don’t have much time either…”
Well, she arrives at the office earlier than anyone else…
She’s working hard and is in a position of responsibility…
Hmm… Should I give it a try?
I felt happy when someone ate my cooking recently…
“Reina-san… If you don’t mind, could I make a bento for you every other day?”
“Huh…? Eeh—!?”
“You’re being loud.”
“But…! Why…?”
“I’m worried about your health. It’s going to get busier from now on. You need to build up your strength for summer, otherwise it’ll affect your work.”
“Ugh… I know that, okay?”
“But you don’t have money or time.”
“I-I’m sorry…”
“There’s nothing to apologize for. So, is it okay?”
“But, won’t it be troublesome…? I would be happy though…”
“It’s not a big deal. You saw me, right?”
“Certainly… You were making it quickly… But, what about the money…?”
“How much is that udon and salad?”
“…400 yen.”
“If I make it, it would be nutritious and around 200 yen. So, let’s say 200 yen then.”
“Can you really make it for that cheap…? But wouldn’t you be at a loss…?”
“There are advantages for me too since I can make my own portion. I really want to make it, but it’s quite difficult to make just one portion. The ingredients end up half-used, and the amount I need to make…”
“Did you… used to make it for someone else…?”
“Yes. When I was a university student, I lived with my elder sister. At that time, as a thank you for letting me stay, I used to cook for my sister who was a working adult.”
“Ah—So that’s what it was… Phew.”
“Alright, it’s settled then. I’ll start making it from tomorrow.”
“You’re being pushy… Mm… What should I do as a thank you…? If there’s anything I can do, just tell me…”
…I want to punch myself.
What was I thinking just now?
Am I an idiot?
“…No, just continue doing your work as usual. That will be the best thank you. It’s valuable to have a boss who evaluates the work of their subordinates and listens to them. If Reina-san isn’t well, it would be trouble for me.”
“Mito-kun… Thank you. But I will think of a proper thank you.”
“I’ll leave it to you. As for me, this is purely self-satisfaction.”
We then discuss work and finish our lunch.
“Well… shall we go back?”
“Wait!”
“Yes?”
“…The email from yesterday… Can I keep it registered…?”
“…Yes, you can. But…”
“I get it! I won’t be emailing you too much—!”
“Hey—!?”
Section Chief Matsuura hurriedly walked away…
…No, I…
I was about to say… that I wanted to hear her request and that she could email me…
Anyway… it seems my lifestyle is about to change…