LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 23 - New Normal
I, who woke up about 30 minutes earlier than usual, immediately set to cooking.
“I don’t regret taking it on… but to be honest, I thought it would be a hassle once I actually had to do it…”
But I noticed that I didn’t mind it as much as I thought I would…
When I imagined Reina-san’s happy face, I somehow felt pleased…
“Besides… I guess I do actually enjoy cooking…”
I realized that much too late…
This might be all thanks to Reina-san…
“The main dish, fried chicken, has been marinating since yesterday, so all I have to do is fry it… I’ll freshen it up with some lemon. I’ll lay lettuce underneath… The sausages will be in their classic shape… Stir-fried burdock root, stewed hijiki and soybeans… An omelette… I wonder if a sweet one would be better? I’ll make the dessert out of apples, which are good for fatigue recovery. I might as well make it the traditional way for now. I need to practice too…”
…this won’t do.
I have a habit of saying it out loud before making it…
It’s something my father used to say all the time…
To put the image of the dish into words before making it.
That it increases work efficiency and reduces mistakes…
“…It’s actually… applicable to my current job too…”
By imagining it or saying it out loud before I start working on it, I make fewer mistakes.
…I suppose that’s something I can appreciate.
“Well then… I guess I’ll get started.”
I quickly finished the cooking, packed everything neatly into a bento box…
“It doesn’t look very cute… It feels like a man’s lunch box… Hmm, I should probably think about that too.”
Since I prepared everything the day before, the bento was done in 30 minutes.
I changed into a suit and took a taxi to the company.
“That was close, I almost forgot my scooter…”
Will Reina-san… be pleased?
…Am I being too considerate?
After I finished my morning work…
“Mito-kun, do you have a moment?”
“Yes, section chief. I have finished my part.”
“Then, Ono-kun.”
“Y-yes!”
“Please learn from Mito-kun. You’re in your second year— it’s your role to teach the new employees, isn’t it? You can’t keep saying you can’t do it or that you made a mistake, okay?”
“Y-yes…”
“Ono-kun, you don’t need to be so nervous. Section chief Matsuura is just saying that because she has high expectations of you, right? Right, section chief Matsuura?”
“Well… yes… that’s right.”
“I-I’ll do my best!”
“Then, let’s get started.”
“…Mito-kun… I’m… I’m counting on you.”
“Sure, I’ll do everything I can.”
I stood by Ono-kun, giving him advice.
“Image it?”
“Yeah. Before you start your work for the day, imagine what you need to do. That should improve your work efficiency. It reduces waste time and allows you to do what you’ve planned. If that’s the case, you should try it out.”
“I see…! So that’s why you work so fast, Mito-san… I’ll try it!”
“Well, I can only offer advice… but everyone has their own way of doing things, so you should find what works best for you.”
Afterwards, I taught him how to sort customer lists and product information…
“Um… how do I get faster at typing?”
“Personally… I think it’s important to check the content before you type? It’s similar to imaging. And also, not looking at the keyboard… from what I’ve been watching, your finger placement isn’t fixed. You should decide where your hands should be and type from there. Your body should remember it.”
“Y-yes! Thank you! It’s hard to ask about such obvious things… I was told before to think about it myself… not to ask the same thing over and over again…”
“Well… there are all kinds of people. But feel free to ask me anything, no matter how trivial. Even if you ask the same thing… unless it’s dozens of times?”
“Th-thank you!”
I won’t become like my father.
Telling people to figure it out on their own if they don’t know, or to remember it in one go.
I won’t use harsh words that will make them shrink back.
And then, lunchtime came.
I decided to eat lunch in the section chief’s room again today.
The section chief seems to eat out, so she doesn’t use the room much during lunchtime.
She said it’s okay to use it every other day.
She said we could talk about work… and also hinted at other things…
“Wow…! It’s fried chicken…!”
…hey, isn’t this too cute?
Where did the Ice Queen from before go?
“Please enjoy. If the seasoning is too strong or too light, or the quantity is too much or too little, please don’t hesitate to tell me.”
The two-tiered lunch box contained noriben on the bottom.
On top were fried chicken, sausages, lettuce, stir-fried burdock root, stewed hijiki, and cherry tomatoes.
In a separate small box, there were apples.
“No! It’s delicious, and the quantity seems just right. And you even made octopus-shaped sausages…! That’s amazing!”
“Haha…”
It took a bit of time and effort, but seeing her this happy makes it worth it.
I also tasted it… yeah, it’s good.
It seems my skills haven’t rusted.
Afterwards, Reina-san ate with great enthusiasm…
And before I knew it, she finished eating.
“Thank you for the meal. Ah, it was delicious… not just the taste, but the warmth of someone else’s cooking…”
“Reina-san, please take your time to eat next time, okay? Chewing is important and good for your health.”
“Y-yes…”
A sulking face… isn’t that cheating…?
“…Is this okay? In terms of variety and such?”
“Yes! It’s all my favorites! The balance is also good!”
“But the appearance isn’t cute, is it…?”
“Really? There’s the color of the tomatoes and such, it doesn’t bother me. But… do you worry about the plating and such…?”
“You don’t have to be so considerate. Yes, it does bother me a bit. But if Reina-san is okay with it, then it’s fine.”
“I’m more than satisfied with this… Mito-kun.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you very much.”
“Please lift your head. I was the one who suggested it.”
“Even so, thank you. I’m really happy and it was delicious.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m glad. That’s the best compliment.”
“A-also… about earlier…”
“Yes? Did I do something?”
“When I was harsh on Ono-kun, you followed up for me, didn’t you? It’s become a habit… so I was really relieved.”
“No, no, if that’s all it takes, then anytime. I’m sure he’ll understand eventually.”
“Mito-kun… do you think so? Can I do it? I hope so…”
Is it okay… for me to be the only one who knows this face of hers?
Is it wrong… to not want anyone else to see this face of hers?
…Sigh, why are you… only in front of me… this cute…?