episode_0016

Hyokyo Kyotarou

――

Perhaps it’s the aftermath of the widespread illness, but every day is truly busy. Even though the epidemic has subsided, I can’t take off my mask, and the July heat seeps into my bones. My job isn’t just looking at documents indoors; I also have to load goods onto large trucks with a forklift and deal with the drivers.

I have a mountain of things to do, and it was in the middle of all that when my boss called out to me.

I gave a noncommittal reply to my boss’s voice, which echoed in the dry air, saying, “We have a customer.”

I work as a staff member in the Procurement Management Division of an ink factory, and I’ve become quite capable of handling tasks. I’ve certainly done business with several companies before, but this is the first time we’ve had an unannounced customer.

I haven’t even finished scrutinizing the documents yet, and the cargo inspection still needs to be done. I also have to check the chartered delivery scheduled for this afternoon. Who in the world could have come?

“They’re already waiting in the H12 business meeting room, it seems.”

I thought about complaining to my boss that I was busy, but I ended up turning around without saying anything. This was beyond unquestionable; it made me wonder if I had made some kind of mistake.

There shouldn’t have been any slip errors, nor any complaints from drivers. My relationship with the guard at the reception, who is our contact point, is also good… Could it be sexual harassment? No, that can’t be it. I’ve barely had any conversations with women outside of work.

Bringing a quick memo pad and a pen, I headed to Building H as my boss instructed. The moment I held the card key to the sensor and passed through the automatic door, I felt a temperature difference that made me shiver slightly. Though trembling, I walked alone through the quiet area, making light tapping sounds with my steps.

When I usually have business meetings, it’s not in a private room but often in an open space with just chairs and tables. Who in the world would reserve a business meeting room just to call me? I can’t imagine.

“Excuse me, I apologize for the wait. This is Hyokyo from the Procurement Management Division――”

I knocked, and the moment I opened the door, my gaze was fixated on the woman sitting at the far end of the table. Despite the roll-down blinds being lowered to block the strong sunlight, she was there in the bright, dazzling room.

Just like in the past, she had a slightly rounded bob cut, and her untanned, pure white skin was visible from beneath her white dress. Her face, as she looked at me, narrowing her large eyes slightly, was exactly as it was on that day I could never forget, no matter how much I wanted to.

I never thought I would see her again.

Looking at her, my body completely froze.

“Hey, Hyokyo-kun, that’s rude to the client!”

Noticing the people who had been out of my sight, I bowed so deeply it felt like my head would touch the floor and apologized. Why is the president here? And the senior managing director and managing director too! Besides them, there’s the head of the Public Relations Department… What kind of room is this? Why was I called here?

And there was no chair for me to sit in. I stood silently, bowing meekly, next to a potted plant.

“Very well, Yako Tomoe-sensei. Shall we begin the meeting regarding the commercial shoot? As I informed Secretary Takagi the other day, we would like to play the video in sync with your performance. At that time, we will add a voice-over for the promotional message――”

…I see. It seems this is a meeting for Tomoe to appear in a commercial for the factory where I work. I even overheard the amount, and wasn’t it more than my annual income? That was the figure. More importantly, why am I here? I don’t understand.

Once the meeting started, Tomoe didn’t look my way at all. She continued the discussion with our Public Relations Department head, accompanied by her secretary. The directors, including the president, didn’t say a word. I guess they probably just wanted to see Tomoe.

My boss did say that the bigwigs at our company line up for no reason when a celebrity visits. The head of the Public Relations Department is needlessly nervous. The bigwigs should just stay holed up in their rooms.

“…That concludes our discussion. Do you have any other questions?”

“Yes, if it’s alright, could I borrow this room for a few minutes… no, about ten minutes?”

“Certainly, as you likely need to review things.”

“Also, I would be pleased if you could leave Hyokyo-san here as well.”

Hearing Tomoe’s words, everyone’s gaze turned to me.

Stop it, why do I have to be glared at so much?

“Understood. Hyokyo-kun, do you have work?”

Yes, lots. When I told him that, the president said he would have my direct superior cover my work for today. Afterward, I shook hands with everyone, as if at an idol’s handshake event, and then only Tomoe, her secretary Takagi-san, and I remained in the business meeting room.

“Takagi-san, I’m sorry, but you too.”

“Eh, me too? …Well, I guess there’s no helping it.”

The blonde woman in a suit also looked surprised, then left the room, leaving her belongings behind. As she exited, she looked at me briefly, put her hand on her chin, and smirked.

And then, only Tomoe and I were left in the room.

Tomoe, reunited after six years, was still just as cute and beautiful.

“Hehe, don’t just stand there, why don’t you sit down?”

Tomoe smiled at me, who had practically become one with the potted plant. Scratching my head, I sat down in the seat directly opposite Tomoe, the one where the president had been sitting just moments before.

A silent period simply flowed by. I didn’t know what to say, even though we only had ten minutes. In the first place, how did she know I was here? I was happy, of course. Happy from the bottom of my heart to see Tomoe.

“Hey, Hyokyo-san.”

“Y-yes, Yako-san. What is it?”

I think the tense atmosphere made us act that way. Even though we just called each other by our surnames, it felt so amusing. Seeing Tomoe chuckle, covering her mouth, I also laughed, shaking my shoulders without making a sound.

“…You haven’t changed, Kyotarou-kun. You’re still the same, just like back then.”

“You haven’t changed at all either, Tomoe. …Ah, should I have said Yako-san?”

“No, it’s fine. I want you to call me Tomoe.”

There was no way a conversation like this could end in ten minutes. We, who had reunited, talked about what we had been doing during the past six years. I nodded repeatedly to each of Tomoe’s stories about her rehabilitation, and Tomoe similarly nodded to my stories about my entrance exams for jobs and qualification exams.

It was enjoyable, a very enjoyable time.

But, if there’s a beginning, there’s also an end.

Our childhood friend relationship ended on that day six years ago. Our meeting today must have been a coincidence, like a miracle.

However, we had reunited. Once I saw her face, once I felt her kindness, I wished I wouldn’t have to let go.

Could we meet again? I thought this phrase was forbidden.

I shouldn’t say it; we probably shouldn’t have reunited.

“…Kyotarou.”

“Hmm…”

In the business meeting room, bathed in the evening glow, Tomoe smiled and uttered an unexpected phrase. It was a phrase far from what I had expected, a phrase with the exact opposite meaning of the one she had declared to me that day.

“Shall we get married?”

――

Next chapter: “Confession”