Chapter 398 - Don't Be Afraid
(1)
"Toya-san, please wake up. It's morning."
I wake up as Airi tells me to.
"Good morning, Airi."
When I pat Airi's head, Airi looks happy.
"Breakfast is ready. Please get ready."
"I understand."
After getting ready and changing my clothes, I go to the dining room.
Breakfast with Airi.
The news is playing on the television.
Two months have passed since I started my new life with Airi.
It seems we have both gotten used to it.
But there was something on my mind.
"Hey, Airi."
"Is something the matter?"
"Why do you always wake me up at the very last minute?"
"Eh?"
If I woke up earlier, we could spend a relaxing morning together, I say.
Hearing that, Airi giggled.
"I wanted to let you sleep as much as possible, but if you say so, Toya-san, I will wake you up a little earlier."
"Please do, wake me up a little earlier."
"I understand."
After eating breakfast, it is time to go to work.
"Well, I'm off."
"Yes, have a safe trip."
Sent off by Airi, I head to the company.
Arriving at the company, I prepare as usual.
However, today of all days, Tatsuhiko-senpai does not come.
Not only Tatsuhiko-senpai, but Natsumi-san does not come either.
I wonder what happened?
Without the two of them arriving, the morning assembly began.
"Huh? Is Uehara absent?"
"No, I haven't received any contact?"
Sakamoto-san from the office says.
"That's a problem. Well then, Katagiri-kun, please just study for your exam."
The President says.
Then, about thirty minutes after work started, the two of them arrived.
"I'm sorry, Natsumi has been feeling unwell since this morning."
"Couldn't you have contacted us?"
"She started feeling sick on the way here..."
"Please be careful from now on."
"I will. Toya, sorry. It was today's work, right?"
I hear about today's duties from Tatsuhiko-senpai.
Having continued for two months, I have grasped the general flow.
I listen only to the key points of the explanation, ask about unclear points, and take notes.
Once the explanation is finished, Tatsuhiko-senpai goes out on his rounds.
The incident occurred during the lunch break.
While eating my bento, Natsumi-san's condition seemed strange.
My colleagues Iizuka-san and Sakamoto-san call out to her.
She has barely touched her bento.
And then she suddenly heads to the restroom.
Iizuka-san accompanies her.
"Katagiri-san, I'm sorry, but could you buy some lemon water?"
"Understood."
I go to the convenience store and buy some lemon water.
"Here you go, Natsumi-san."
Natsumi-san was lying down in the reception room.
The President also checks on her.
"Sakamoto-san, call Uehara back immediately."
"I'm contacting him now."
Is it some sudden illness?
Tatsuhiko-senpai returned.
"Where is Natsumi?"
"She is lying down in the reception room."
"Uehara, did she go to the hospital?"
"Her condition seemed strange, so I was thinking of going after work today."
"You can leave early today, so take her to the hospital immediately. Since it's probably the first time, you should accompany her too."
"Understood. Toya, I'll leave today's portion to you. When you're done, send the data to my PC."
"Understood."
The two of them left early just like that.
"Sakamoto-san, I will look for a contract employee immediately, but can I ask you to handle things alone for the time being? Toya, if you have free hands, help her out."
"Understood."
"Understood."
"I must also look for someone to fill in for Uehara."
The President seemed to be troubled about finding a replacement for Uehara.
I wonder what is happening?
Having finished that day's work, as I was about to go home, I was called by the President.
"I want you and Koriyama to split and handle a part of Uehara's work."
"Um, did something happen to Tatsuhiko-senpai and Natsumi-san?"
When I ask, Koriyama-senpai and the President were laughing.
"Go home and ask your girlfriend, and get scolded."
Would Airi know?
After returning home and changing, I asked Airi while eating dinner.
Airi burst out laughing.
"That is so like you, Toya-san. But indeed, she might get angry at that."
"Why?"
"Toya-san, don't you remember the incident with Kanna during the high school school trip?"
That time Kanna suddenly felt unwell during lunch?
"I remember, but... Ah!"
"Did you understand?"
"So that's what going to the hospital meant..."
"It is a joyous occasion."
"Indeed."
I see, Natsumi-san is going to be a mother.
What will she do about work?
Will she continue?
While thinking about various things, I took a bath and watched television.
Airi returns from the bath.
"It will be tough from now on."
"Yeah. Natsumi-san will probably take maternity leave too..."
"I am not talking about that!"
"Eh?"
It seems I have soured Airi's mood.
What's wrong?
"Toya-san, don't you think that only women have a hard time with childbirth?"
"Well, the one who gives birth is the woman, so isn't the woman the one who has the hardest time?"
"Toya-san, do you intend to make me do housework even while I am pregnant?"
"Ah..."
"My, what a troublesome person."
"Sorry, sorry. You're right."
I had never thought about such things.
I thought there was no need to think about it for the time being.
But it is a path we will surely cross.
It is not someone else's business.
Everything is a joint effort between the two of us.
"In sickness and in health, huh..."
I muttered to myself.
Airi places her hand over mine.
"Will you share it with me?"
Airi says.
"Of course."
"Thank you very much."
Tatsuhiko-senpai must be having a tough time around now.
Getting pregnant and giving birth are not taken for granted, but are miracles.
A message arrived on my smartphone. It's from Tatsuhiko-senpai.
"They say Natsumi is in her third month! I'm shocked!"
What should I reply?
When I was troubled, Airi gave me advice.
"I think you should just reply normally."
"You're right."
I send a message to Tatsuhiko-senpai.
"Congratulations."
"Oh, I'll let Natsumi know too."
A message arrived from Natsumi-san.
"Thank you."
What does it feel like to become a father?
Anticipation? Anxiety? Hope? Disappointment?
Various emotions must be mixing together.
Alright!
Let's not give up on life and walk looking forward.
Let's reach out to the fragments of love and embrace them strongly and deeply so they do not disappear.
(2)
"Thank you for your purchase."
I wonder if I managed to meet today's quota with this?
A glamorous job, a beauty consultant at a department store.
The reality is a job that is quite a test of physical strength, standing all day in heeled shoes.
There was some kind of analogy for this.
Ah, a paddling duck.
Not losing one's smile even when it's tough. The absolute basic of basics.
Also, well, it's obvious, but due to the nature of the job, there is no male labor.
Carrying heavy luggage and changing displays must also be done alone.
Occasionally, male staff members with obvious ulterior motives help me.
And then there is dealing with complainers.
"I thought I could become beautiful like the person in the commercial, but it's completely different from my image! Is this really it!?"
Take a good look at your own face in the mirror before coming back, you bastard!
I want to say at least that much, but
That is still fine; it is still better since they actually buy the product.
There are also monsters who come bare-faced, have a full makeup done with samples, and then leave.
Customers aiming only for samples never end.
Having only been at the sales floor for a month and already having this many complaints, I dread to think of the future.
Exhausted, when the store closes, I finish the closing duties and change in the locker room.
"Kanna. You're doing well today too! Aren't you the one increasing sales the most?"
The one speaking to me is Kikuchi Mizuki-san, a beauty consultant for the brand in the neighboring booth.
A kind senior colleague who gave me various advice when I didn't understand things at first, and turned away the creepy male staff member I mentioned earlier.
"I might not be suited for this job..."
The one grumbling like that is Endo Hana-san, a beauty consultant. She is my peer. It seems she is being followed by a stalker.
He apparently calmly does things that are nothing but harassment, such as ordering discontinued nail polish saying, 'I'm thinking of giving it to my girlfriend.'
Well, I can't really talk about others either.
Occasionally, I feel the unpleasant gaze of men.
For now, I listen to Endo-san's grumbling.
Apparently, she was pestered by a so-called 'beauty otaku.' What's more, they left without buying anything.
"I'll set up a mixer for you next time, so find a husband and retire to get married."
Kikuchi-san comforts her by saying that.
I wonder if that actually counts as comfort, though.
Apparently, it is not a workplace where people stay for many years.
In my case, on the very day I became a salesgirl, I was told, 'Tada-san, you're married, so why are you working as a beauty consultant!?'
It seems Kikuchi-san is also aiming to get married and retire soon.
The one she is dating is Toda Takuya from the sales headquarters.
Apparently, he is number one in popularity among the female staff.
And so, the locker room gets lively with talk about mixers.
It is a story that has nothing to do with me, who is married.
"Excuse me, I'll be leaving first."
Saying that, I leave the department store and walk toward the station.
Commuting by car would be fine, but my car has poor fuel efficiency, so I commute by train.
Even though it's the countryside, the crowded hours are still crowded. And as if it were natural, gropers appear.
You might think that if you hate gropers, you should ride the women-only car, but most of the local trains are only one to three cars long.
There is no way a women-only car exists.
There is an insolent fellow who touches my butt while I am irritated by the fatigue of work and my colleague's grumbling.
Is it since I started living with Makoto? Or is it since I started working?
I don't just get frightened like in the old days.
I stomp on their toes with my heel as hard as I can.
Usually, they retreat with this.
As I said earlier, I don't know what kind of fantasy they have about beauty consultants, but there are occasionally stalkers.
Because of past incidents, I have become sensitive to such presences.
I repel them before reaching home using the method Mika taught me.
When I return home, Makoto welcomes me.
Except when he is traveling for away games, that is.
Apparently, J-League practice doesn't have that much of a time commitment.
It seems to be because the time a human can concentrate in a day is about two hours.
Except for days when there are matches, he is basically at home.
Since I stand all day during the day and have various things to do like paperwork and sending direct mail after closing, I inevitably end up late.
Makoto changed after a certain day. He seems to have grumbles and complaints, but he has started doing housework in his free time.
Today, he prepared dinner for me, and on top of that, he even prepared the bath.
"What will it be? Dinner? A bath? Or..."
Smack
"It would be bad if the dinner got cold, so I'll have dinner."
"Understood. I put my utmost skill into it today too!!"
Perhaps Makoto has gotten into cooking recently, as his skills have improved remarkably.
After eating dinner, I take a bath, open a can of beer, and relax.
While watching television, I vent about what happened today to Makoto.
"It's quite a harsh job..."
"Sorry, it's always stories like this every day."
"Well, it can't be helped. If venting makes you feel better, vent it all. That's what a husband is for, right?"
"...Thank you."
I know Makoto has complaints too.
Right now, I leave almost all the housework to Makoto.
Though I do it on my days off.
But Makoto doesn't complain about that at all.
I wonder why?
I tried asking Makoto.
"When May came and you started working in earnest, I started doing the housework, right?"
"Yeah, I feel bad about it."
"I thought about it then. I overlapped it with my past self. And then I realized, 'Ah, so this is what it means'..."
I see...
"And at the same time, I thought about it. The difference between me and Kanna."
"The difference?"
"I also have times when practice is tough or when I hate it because I can't get the results I want in matches, but 'I chose this path because I love it'."
Isn't that the same for me?
"I have the joy called victory. Kanna doesn't have that, right?"
Joy... the smile of a customer when they hold a product.
Women seek dreams in beauty.
I am helping with that dream.
"Makoto, you and I aren't that different..."
"Eh?"
You made me realize that.
"Thank you."
"Ah, yeah."
Makoto seems to be bewildered.
"Alright, tomorrow is early too, so shall we sleep?"
"Indeed."
A lifelong partner who makes us realize things we didn't notice about each other.
I can finally tell Airi. The good things about being married.
If that can erase even a little of Airi and Toya's anxiety, that would be good.
(3)
"Kosei!"
"Naru, you're late today... Oh? Who are those two?"
The man and woman who came out together with Naru from the classroom.
"Kosei, let me introduce them. My friends, Tsukahara-san and Nakayama-kun."
When Naru said so, the two of them bowed.
"Hitomi, this person is my boyfriend, Kosei."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Tsukahara."
"Nice to meet you, I'm Eguchi."
"Eh? Eguchi..."
Tsukahara-san is bewildered.
Well, that's natural; if my surname is the same as her friend's, she would be bewildered.
"Naru, did you explain the situation?"
"Ah, not yet. Let's go to a fast food restaurant. I'll explain there, okay?"
Naru explains about us at the fast food restaurant.
Of course, she kept the matter of the Egoist hidden.
"It sounds like a story from a drama~"
Tsukahara-san says so and laughs.
A simple and innocent girl with beautiful black hair that reaches her shoulders.
On the other hand, Nakayama-kun is a manly boy with a buzz cut.
"So, what about these two?"
I tried asking Naru.
"Can't we invite these two to the Watanabe group?"
"Eh!?"
"I mean, there are working adults and university students, and only we are high school students. It's fine to increase the younger demographic, right?"
Indeed, during the Watanabe group's gatherings, we are often isolated.
"Did you talk to these two about the Watanabe group?"
"I did. Or rather, the fact that these two started dating is also thanks to the power of the Watanabe group."
"What do you mean?"
Naru explained the circumstances.
The two of them had been conscious of each other since they entered the school.
And, the incident occurred on the day Nakayama-kun tried to hand over a love letter at the end of May.
Apparently, the love letter he had hidden in his desk was seen during cleaning time.
Naturally, he became the target of teasing.
Nakayama-kun desperately trying to get it back, and the boys teasing him.
Naru intervened there.
To put it simply, Naru dealt with the teasing boys.
Then, handing the retrieved love letter to the dumbfounded Nakayama-kun, Naru drags Tsukahara-san, who was watching the situation, in front of Nakayama-kun.
"Do your best. Hitomi is waiting for Nakayama-kun's courage."
Naru knew Tsukahara-san's feelings. After all, she was her first close friend in high school.
Nakayama-kun summoned his courage.
"I've liked you since the first time we met. Even starting as friends is fine. Please go out with me."
But Naru said, 'Do it over!'
"Saying starting as friends is fine is a lie, right! Say it honestly!"
Nakayama-kun corrected himself.
"Please go out with me as lovers."
"...Thank you for summoning your courage. I liked you too."
And so, the two of them apparently started dating.
"But why is that the power of the Watanabe group?"
"Since I lent a hand, it's the power of the Watanabe group, right?"
Such a forceful method is also typical of the Watanabe group.
"Right? What do you think, Kosei?"
Naru's eyes did not permit refusal.
I send a message to Nishimatsu-kun.
"Isn't it fine?"
"He says it's fine."
Naru is delighted and invites the two of them.
And so, the two of them joined the Watanabe group.
Everyone welcomed them.
Then after talking for a bit, we parted ways with the two of them.
"Thank you, Kosei."
"You don't have to worry about it."
I wore a smile while looking at Naru's current figure.
"What's wrong, Kosei?"
Looking at my face, Naru says.
"No, just that you've become more like a high school girl."
Naru's cold, sunken expression was no longer there.
I thought, she has become able to make such a smile.
The Watanabe group high school division, huh.
A refreshing summer breeze, though too early, blows into the Watanabe group.
(4)
"Explain to me what this means!"
That night, I was called to USE by Emi.
The cause was the two people sitting in front of me, Anan-kun and Naka-san.
Apparently, Naka-san ran away during a shoot in Fukuoka.
Anan-kun also accompanied her in a way that chased after her.
And now they are in front of us.
Naka-san is crying.
"What is the reason you ran away?"
Anan-kun answered on behalf of the crying Naka-san.
It was a simple but difficult trouble.
She was selected as the lead actress for a certain stage play.
Naka-san was also apparently happy with the unprecedented speed of her promotion.
But when they opened the lid...
There are pointlessly many nude scenes and love scenes.
She could still endure up to that point.
But, they put their tongue in during the kiss scene.
Naka-san refused.
She naturally argued back, asking if there was really a need to go that far.
The director was furious.
"Throw away your cheap pride! Nobody needs such a thing! There are plenty of replacements for you!"
And so, Naka-san ran away from the rehearsal hall.
Is it alright for me to voice an opinion?
That wasn't the only story.
Apparently, she was also offered a casting couch arrangement by the director of that stage play.
"I thought about it for a moment if it was for the sake of becoming an actress... but I can't betray Anan-kun!"
Saying so, Naka-san cries loudly.
We don't have strong connections in the entertainment industry either.
But on the other hand, we want to respect her feelings.
We were at our wits' end.
Then, their manager, Nakamura-san, returned.
"What are you guys doing! Go back and apologize to the director right now! You can still make the last flight!"
Saying so, Nakamura-san pulls Naka-san's arm.
"The one who needs to wait is you! Nakamura!!"
Emi shouted.
"I'm curious about how you are getting these jobs! Explain yourself!"
Nakamura-san explains.
The director of this upcoming stage play has strong connections in the entertainment industry.
If this stage play succeeds, the path to movie appearances will also open.
There is no way we can let this slip by.
However...
"Nakamura... how does it look from your eyes? Tell the truth."
Emi was asking Nakamura-san.
"The two of them have talent. That is for sure. Even up to now, although on local stations, they have received offers for TV commercials. But for nationwide expansion, connections are indeed..."
"So as long as we make connections, the two of them have a chance to bloom, right?"
"Yes, so even though this job might be painful, I want them to take it. If only they have experience and connections..."
Nakamura-san pleads.
Emi leaves the final decision to me.
"You are the president of this agency, you know? I will follow your decision."
Emi looks at my face.
I think and state my opinion.
"In this job, the only one who can make connections is Naka. There is no merit for Anan."
"That is not true. If we sell them as a pair..."
"Nakamura-san, you said, 'the two of them have ability'."
"But..."
"Even if they were to sell because of that, if rumors that she did casting couch work spread, everything would be ruined. I won't let our talent take such a risk."
"But it's a waste to let them end up only on local stations like this."
"I think Nozomi is right. Our agency will aim for the top by competing with real ability."
Emi said.
"If you say connections are necessary, I will make them. I won't let the two of them do petty things like staying only within the Kyushu region. We're aiming for the whole country."
"How are you going to make them?"
"Among my shareholdings, there were a few CM production companies. I will pitch them there. If they are well-received in commercials, they should be able to aim for dramas and movies too."
"What you say makes perfect sense, but..."
"I will make the connections. You just drill the tips for passing auditions into them. After that, it depends on their own ability."
"...Understood."
Nakamura-san accepted.
"All three of you, stay at a hotel tonight and return to Fukuoka tomorrow morning."
When Emi says so, the three of them leave the office.
But can connections really be made so easily?
I tried asking Emi.
"If push comes to shove, I'll just pitch them directly to the relevant sponsors."
Just how wide are the connections of the Eguchi Group...
(5)
"Welcome home, thank you for your hard work~"
"I'm home, Airi."
It seems to be true that June to October is the off-season.
Even so, there are monthly visiting audits.
Still, as I relatively get used to the work and become able to have my own time, they let me study for the exam in between.
After work is finished, I stay behind a little and devote it to study time.
Since there are actual professionals in that field, I ask for advice so as not to get in the way of their work.
Tatsuhiko-senpai and Natsumi-san have started leaving on time.
Once I finish studying, I go home.
After eating dinner, I take a bath and immerse myself in studying.
Still, when Airi returns from the bath, I have my hands full keeping her company, though.
While talking with Airi, I watch television and relax.
And when the time comes, I get into bed.
I hear about what happened from Airi.
The high school division, huh.
It seems Naru and Kosei are also fully enjoying their high school life.
It seems Kanna's married life is also finally starting to stabilize.
Although Kanna's work also seems to be tough.
I also report to Airi about what happened today.
My work has also changed a little.
To put it simply, I got outdoor work.
I ended up taking over a portion of Tatsuhiko-senpai's work.
Work is important, but cherish your family more.
Apparently, that is the President's motto.
Also, new clients are increasing.
Although it is mainly through introductions from clients.
Our reputation is reasonably good.
Apparently, switching tax accountants increases once the busy season passes.
Sometimes I go around doing sales to acquire new clients.
Not just sales, we also open SNS accounts and blogs, and sometimes hold seminars.
In the end, there is no change to being busy.
When I talk about such things to Airi, she says, 'It must be tough.'
While watching the 11 PM news, she says, 'You should probably go to sleep soon.'
I turn off the television, dim the lights, and get into bed.
"Thank you for your hard work. Please do your best tomorrow too."
Airi gives me energy at the very end, and today's day has ended.
Let's do our best tomorrow without being afraid.
I was encouraged in that way.