Chapter 402 - The Outline of Emptiness
(1)
"Toya-san, please wake up."
"Good morning, Airi."
"Good morning...!"
It had been a while since we did that, a morning greeting.
"Oh, honestly, you are hopeless."
Hugging me happily, Airi immediately got out of bed and headed to the kitchen.
I slowly changed my clothes and got ready.
By the time I finished, Airi had already finished preparing breakfast and making my bento.
...She prepared the bento awfully fast.
Why is that?
"Airi, how do you usually make my bento?"
"Eh?"
Airi looked troubled.
What's wrong?
"...If I tell you, you won't get angry?"
"It's fine, go ahead and tell me."
She said she used frozen foods or leftovers from yesterday's dinner.
For the rice, she apparently just sprinkled furikake or something over rice cooked with a timer.
I hadn't noticed at all.
"I'm sorry for cutting corners."
Airi looked downcast.
I see, did I take away the time Airi had to make the bento in the morning?
"I'm the one who should apologize, I cut into your time to make the bento, didn't I?"
"That's not true at all. Toya-san, you gave me the gift of a happy time this morning."
"Then let's eat quickly. It would be terrible if we cut into even such a wonderful time."
"That's true."
Saying that, I ate while talking with Airi.
"Apparently, from next month until the day of the exam, I can leave on time, but..."
"Is there something?"
"They told me to focus on studying for the exam."
"That sounds tough."
Apparently, large firms give you a month off, but as expected, that's impossible here.
Well, if I got a vacation and failed the exam, it wouldn't be a laughing matter, so maybe it's better this way since it doesn't put pressure on me.
Once breakfast was over, Airi began to clear up.
In the meantime, I prepared coffee.
And then I waited for Airi in the living room.
When Airi finished clearing up, she sat down next to me.
And then we talked about various things while watching television.
When it was time to go to work, I went to the entrance.
"Well then, take care today as well. Have a safe trip."
"Yeah, I'm off."
Seen off by Airi, I headed to the company.
When I arrived at the company, Kamiki-san, who had already finished her preparations, was doing some strange exercises.
"Hey, Kamiki-san. Since it's still outside of working hours, it's fine to talk to you, right?"
"Is something the matter?"
"What are you doing?"
"I'm loosening up my body. Your shoulders get stiff, don't they?"
"I see."
Saying that, I also got ready.
I took out my planner and looked at today's schedule.
I don't have to go out today.
The morning assembly began.
Once the morning assembly ended, work commenced.
"Well, Toya, I'll leave the rest to you."
Tatsuhiko-senpai and the others said that and went out for field work.
The president also apparently has a visit today.
That left me as the only male employee.
And thus, a composition of Sakamoto-san and Iizuka-san VS Kamiki-san naturally formed.
Someone once said. It is dangerous to get involved in a fight between women.
When it became 10 o'clock, a cup filled with coffee was placed on my desk extension. Turning around suddenly, Natsumi-san was there.
Natsumi-san was fiddling with her smartphone.
My smartphone rang.
In order to facilitate communication with Natsumi-san, the use of smartphones within the office is permitted.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not something you should apologize for, Natsumi-san."
I replied like that. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads 変身 (transform) instead of 返信 (reply))
She smiled warmly.
"You certainly have a lot of leeway. Have you never thought that pouring coffee is a waste of time?"
Kamiki-san said.
Natsumi-san looked bewildered.
"Women are the ones who pour tea. Because of such outdated stereotypes, the status of women remains low!"
Kamiki-san declared that while continuing to look at her monitor.
"Uehara-san poured it out of consideration for Katagiri-san, who looked uncomfortable! Who's the one ruining the mood here?!"
"You have no right to deny Uehara-san's kindness!"
It has begun.
"Isn't Katagiri-san the lowest rank among us? He's still an apprentice, right? If anyone should be showing consideration, shouldn't it be Katagiri-san?"
Kamiki-san declared.
"Y-Yeah, that's right. Thank you, Natsumi-san. I'll clean it up myself."
Just then, a phone rang. Iizuka-san at the reception picked up the phone.
"Yes, thank you for calling. This is the Segawa Tax Accountant Office. Yes, I am very sorry. Shimoda is currently out... Unfortunately, the person who would know is out... We will call you back..."
Kamiki-san told her to hand over the phone.
"I am terribly sorry. What is the nature of your business... Yes, please wait a moment."
Kamiki-san asked for the Shii Products file.
I prepared the file.
Kamiki-san handled the call while looking at the file.
"I see, the taxable sales ratio is incorrect. We will correct it immediately and send the data. We are terribly sorry. Goodbye."
After hanging up the phone, she called me over.
"This part is wrong, so correct the data immediately. The taxable sales ratio exceeds 95%."
"But, shouldn't we confirm this with Shimoda-senpai, who is in charge of this..."
"It's an obvious mistake that anyone can see, and the client is in a hurry. Can't you even make that much of a judgment? What a useless full-time employee."
"Wait a minute! Kamiki-san, you are just a clerical worker! I think it's inappropriate for you to interfere in the business!"
Sakamoto-san intervened.
"I obtained my tax accountant license three years ago. Shall I show it to you if necessary?"
Saying that, Kamiki-san pulled out her tax accountant license from among the numerous licenses in her bag and showed it off.
Is that something people carry around all the time?
"Do you still have complaints? The client is in a hurry. Hurry up and get to work!"
I hurriedly began the correction work.
When the correction was finished, I showed it to Kamiki-san to have her check it.
Once the OK was given, I sent the data.
However, this matter did not end with just this.
Shimoda-senpai, Kamiki-san, and I were summoned by the president.
"What is the meaning of this?! Explain!"
"In the report created by Shimoda-san, the taxable sales ratio was less than 95%, but when I recalculated it, it reached 95%. In that case, I judged that it would be more beneficial for the client to use the individual identification method. Therefore, I requested Katagiri-san to correct it."
"I am the one who makes that judgment! Not you!"
"I don't want to hear that from someone who made such a mistake while being conceited about their title of full-time employee!"
"Katagiri, is this correct?"
Apparently, it is one of the methods for saving on consumption tax.
If the taxable sales ratio is 95% or more and the taxable sales are 500 million yen or less, the consumption tax on purchases can be fully deducted.
Conversely, if the taxable sales ratio is less than 95%, or if the taxable sales exceed 500 million yen, the full amount of consumption tax on purchases cannot be deducted from the consumption tax on sales.
Fractions can be rounded down.
In Shimoda-senpai's case, the decimal was slightly below, so he rounded it down and calculated it at 94%.
However, when recalculated, there was a discrepancy, and with a slight correction, it reached 95%.
To put it simply, Shimoda-senpai made a mistake and entered taxable as tax-exempt.
The taxable sales ratio has the enterprise's total revenue as the denominator, and the sum of taxable sales and tax-exempt sales as the numerator.
Taxable sales are ordinary revenues that can occur domestically, while tax-exempt sales are transfers of land leases, government bonds, stock certificates, etc. However, dividends obtained from holding stocks are non-taxable and are not included in the calculation in the first place.
Shimoda-senpai had misunderstood that.
Because of that, the taxable sales ratio rose slightly and exceeded 95%.
As a result, the consumption tax became fully deductible.
Naturally, the business owner benefits.
I explained this to the president.
"Shimoda, what on earth are you doing!"
The president scolded Shimoda-senpai.
"Wasn't it also a problem that you only left behind a single employee who couldn't even handle this level of response?"
Kamiki-san said.
"W-Well, Katagiri-kun is only in his third month at the company. Please go easy on him."
"I think his attitude of taking up a clerical worker's working hours to have her brew coffee, despite being a mere apprentice, is a problem."
I had no words to reply.
"However, he has received good evaluations from the business owners Katagiri-kun is in charge of. They say he handles things very sincerely..."
"That is only natural since it is his job. Furthermore, I believe there is also a problem with his attitude of deciding to remain uninvolved just because it was Shimoda-san's case."
"Katagiri-kun is also a promising talent for our company who will grow from here. Please go easy on him."
"If the president is fine with that, I won't say any more, but..."
Kamiki-san looked at me.
"If you sit back comfortably in your chair as a new employee, you'll have the rug pulled out from under you someday. In fact, a capable person named Sawajiri-san has joined the company. Your place will be gone."
This is tough. Even after entering society, is it still a game of musical chairs...
After we were released by the president, Kamiki-san finished her closing duties without saying anything, changed her clothes, and went home.
"What is with that attitude..."
Sakamoto-san said.
If I don't do something about this atmosphere, won't it be bad?
"Yo, Toya. Looks like you got chewed out too. She's a formidable opponent."
Tatsuhiko-senpai said that, slapping my back.
The clock had passed 6 PM.
After leaving the office, I got into my car and called Airi.
"I'm heading home now."
"Yes... please be careful."
"Yeah."
When I returned home, Airi welcomed me with, "Welcome back, thank you for your hard work."
Today was Japanese food.
I ate together with Airi.
"How is the taste? Would you have preferred a milder flavor?"
"No, it's delicious."
Airi brought out an ochoko and a tokkuri. (T/N: ochoko is a small sake cup, tokkuri is a sake flask.)
"Have a drink. I will have some tonight as well."
"Thank you."
I drank the poured cold sake in one gulp.
Seeing that, Airi said a word.
"So, what happened?"
"...I really can't keep secrets from Airi, can I?"
"No secrets between husband and wife, okay?"
Airi was smiling.
I told Airi what happened today.
"I see, this Kamiki-san person is quite capable."
Airi said.
"But Toya-san, just as the president said, you are a talent for the future. After all, you haven't even gotten your qualifications yet."
Airi said that I have plenty of room to grow, and yet it's amazing that my clients are already satisfied with me.
"It's just as Airi says."
"Now, please take a bath and refresh yourself."
Airi said that, and began to clear up.
I got into the bath and thought things over slowly.
"You'll have the rug pulled out from under you someday."
I thought I had run away from that kind of competition. Is it too late to run away now?
When I got out of the bath, Airi was keeping the household account book.
"Airi, the bath is free, go ahead and get in."
"Yes."
While Airi was in the bath, I watched television.
As I was watching blankly, Airi hugged me from behind.
"Let's forget about today, okay? Toya-san, you said it before. 'Even this single moment is a culmination of moments'..."
"That's right, thank you, Airi."
When I stroked Airi's head, she gave a bashful "Ehehe" laugh.
"Well, shall we sleep today?"
"Yes, let's."
Turning off the television, the two of us got into bed and turned off the lights.
Before long, Airi's quiet breathing could be heard in the silence.
(2)
"As of today, Maguchi-san and Yamabe-san of surgical nursing are resigning. It seems they have some parting words."
They only said commonplace things like "Thank you for taking care of me" or "I was able to gain valuable experience."
They are the fifth this month.
What is to be done.
"And so, there is a vacancy in today's semi-night shift. Can someone cover it?"
You cover it! Hannya! You're just going to sleep in the night-duty room without doing anything anyway! (T/N: "Hannya" refers to a female demon/serpent in Japanese folklore, used here as a derogatory nickname for the nursing head.)
Hannya set her eyes on someone else.
"Urabe-san, you have tomorrow off, don't you? Won't you do the semi-night shift?"
Urabe-san said nothing.
Urabe Manami. A colleague from my year. Taking advantage of her quiet, timid, and taciturn nature, Hannya uses her as she pleases.
Urabe-san has been used by Hannya under various pretexts and has been working for fifteen consecutive days. Even today, she has just finished her day shift... She's going to die.
I couldn't leave her alone, so I raised my hand.
"Excuse me, Urabe-san has plans from this evening, so it's impossible for her."
"What kind of plans?"
Hannya bit.
"She is scheduled to go to dinner with us."
"Which is more important, private matters or work?!"
I knew she would say that.
"She has just finished her day shift. She is tired. I believe it is dangerous for her to do a semi-night shift alone in that state."
Though it would be a different story if she were just sleeping like you.
"Well, Urabe-san has been working continuously, and if she has plans, it can't be helped. I will do it today."
Saotome-san intervened.
Hannya said nothing more. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads 何も言かった (said anything) instead of 何も言わなかった (said nothing)) Though she looked like she wanted to say something.
"Now, Urabe-san, let's go."
Once the handover was finished, I took Urabe-san's hand and went to the changing room.
"I don't really have any plans."
Urabe-san said.
"That's convenient. I'll make plans for you now."
Is here a bad place?
Urabe-san's boyfriend, Kanda-sensei, shouldn't be on duty today. Convenient.
"Manami, you were planning to wait for Kanda-sensei anyway, right? In that case, let's wait at a nearby coffee shop. I want to explain things to you too."
Saying that, I told Manami to contact Kanda-sensei, and then I took her to the coffee shop in my car.
Honoka came along with us.
Honoka has a semi-night shift tomorrow, and I have a late-night shift.
And today is the weekend. The conditions are all met.
Arriving at the coffee shop, after taking our orders, I told Manami to take out her smartphone.
"Since we're here, let's exchange IDs."
Saying that, I forcibly invited her to the Watanabe Group.
Leaving the explanation of the Watanabe Group to Honoka, I sent a message to the Watanabe Group.
"It's sudden, but why don't we have a drinking party today?"
The working group seemed to have no problem.
Everyone probably isn't that busy since it's June.
Katagiri-kun apparently will arrive a bit late. He seems to be busy with various things since it's the end of the month.
The student group didn't seem to mind. Most of them said they would come.
Only Sasaki-kun said, "It's always drinking parties, I have my own circumstances too."
"It's not compulsory, so you don't have to come."
"Yutaka, you're free anyway, aren't you? Let's go. You have to get along with everyone," Yuzuki said.
"Everyone else might be drunk, merry, and having fun, but for me, who can't drink, it's painful."
"If you're going to grumble, don't come!!" Mika was furious.
"I didn't mean it that way. It's just, what is the reason for today? It's too sudden."
"A welcome party for the newcomers."
"Oh? I'm interested in that."
Watanabe-kun said.
"I'll set up the restaurant. The usual place is fine, right?"
"I'll leave it to you."
Manami was dumbfounded watching the exchange.
By the time Honoka finished her explanation, Manami's boyfriend, Kanda Haruma-sensei, arrived.
Kanda-sensei was a pediatric surgeon.
He had a clean-cut two-block short haircut, a shoyu-face, and a tall, slender build. (T/N: "shoyu-face" is a Japanese term for a face with sharp, clean, and traditionally Japanese features.)
He appeared dressed as if he had just come from work.
"What on earth is going on?"
When Kanda-sensei asked, I explained the situation.
Kanda-sensei listened while sipping his coffee.
"Thank you for that. But is it really okay for Manami to join? Manami is shy around strangers..."
"It's fine. Because you'll be with her, Kanda-sensei."
"Eh?"
"Manami, invite Kanda-sensei."
When I said that, Manami invited Kanda-sensei to the Watanabe Group.
"...Is Miyuki-sensei in this too?"
Kanda-sensei was surprised.
I checked the log to confirm.
"Well then, let's meet in front of the station at 8 PM."
Saying that, we left the shop.
"Isn't your method a bit too forceful?"
Honoka said.
"Mika said there's no need for roundabout ways."
Saying that, I went home.
He wasn't there.
Seeing that his car wasn't there, he was probably out playing again.
I left a note and left the house.
(3)
"Oh, Toya, you're here. Come over here."
When we arrived, everyone had already started.
At my table, there were people I didn't know.
A man with a two-block short haircut and a woman with very short hair.
Both of them seemed to be colleagues of Ai-san, Honoka-san, and Nishimatsu-san.
At my seat, there were Airi, Yuki-san and Hasebe-san, the Watanabe couple, Ai-san, the Nakajima couple, the Nishimatsu couple, and in the middle, the ones introduced just now, Urabe Manami-san and Kanda Haruma-san.
Huh?
"Ai-san, what about Kiritani-kun?"
"He wasn't home, so I just left a note."
Hmm.
"But it is an honor to be able to drink with Miyuki-sensei."
"Kanda-sensei is the senior here."
"That doesn't matter. Even pediatric surgery highly praises your skills, Doctor."
Miyuki-san had apparently even pulled off heart surgery on a baby.
"But I read the messages. Looks like Toya is having a tough time too."
Watanabe-kun said.
"Never mind about me, how have things been for Nakajima-kun since then?"
"We have literally finally started our three-legged race."
Hearing that, Honoka-san gave a bashful smile.
They seemed to be doing well.
"Sorry~! I was having a drinking party with a different circle! Am I still in time?"
Kiritani-kun arrived.
Ai-san said nothing.
"It's a fun group like this, so take it easy, Manami."
"So your name is Manami. I'm Watanabe Mika. Just Mika is fine. Nice to meet you!"
Ai-san and Mika-san were proceeding with the conversation without paying any attention to Kiritani-kun.
Watanabe-kun was also talking with Nakajima-kun.
The Nishimatsu couple was talking with Kanda-san.
"Miyuki-sensei is truly amazing."
"That's not true. I'm only doing what is natural."
"I've also heard rumors about Kanda-sensei from my father and Miyuki. They say you are an indispensable talent for our hospital, which has few surgeons."
"If you're going to say that, the responsiveness of the nurses who handle sudden surgical nursing at Nishimatsu Hospital is top-class."
Nishimatsu Hospital really seems like it would be called 'Valhalla'.
More than that, what concerned me was Kiritani-kun's sense of alienation.
Even Airi wouldn't pay attention to him.
Since it was indeed awkward, I tried to strike up a conversation with him.
"Kiritani-kun, how is your job hunting going?"
"I'm doing it properly. I go to Hello Work once a week." (T/N: Hello Work is the Japanese government's employment service center.)
Huh?
"Hello Work updates once a week, right? So once a week is plenty!"
"What do you do the rest of the time?"
You only have one class left, right?
"Lately, I've been spending time at my friends' houses. Playing games, playing mahjong, going out to eat... Ah, I don't go to brothels. Because I'll get scolded."
Hearing that from the adjacent seat, Makoto tried to say something, but Kanna told him, "Leave him alone."
Watanabe-kun and the others weren't paying attention to him at all either.
Isn't this atmosphere bad?
And something else that had been bothering me for a while.
"Senpai, thank you for your hard work today as well! Please enjoy yourself today."
Haruto came over holding a beer mug.
"Ah, thank you."
The adjacent seats were the Tada couple, the Kimoto couple, Haruto, Shiratori-san, the Hiyama couple, and the Mizushima couple.
On the opposite side were the Sakai couple, the Ishihara couple, the Akiyoshi couple, the two from Mustard, and Ohara-kun and Koizumi-kun.
Next to them were the Manabe couple, the Shiina couple, the Tange couple, and the Takemoto couple.
Next to the Tada couple and the others were the Kisaragi couple, Umemoto-kun, Sakuragi-san, Chi-chan, Sho, Kitamura-san, and Kuribayashi-kun.
Next to them were Wakamiya-kun, Suzumiya-san, Sasaki-kun, Kobayashi-san, Takanashi-san, and Tsukimisato-kun.
And next to them were Kamenashi-kun, Morizono-san, Misawa-kun, Kishitani-san, Kosei, Naru, Tsukahara-san, and Nakayama-kun.
To put it simply, although there was some mixing, they were divided into the working group and the student group.
And they were having a lively time at their respective tables.
...Am I overthinking it?
"Toya-san, what's wrong?"
"Ah, no. It's nothing, Airi."
"If that's the case, then it's fine, but..."
Did Airi feel it too?
"Umemoto-kun, what kind of car do you drive?"
Kiritani-kun was asking.
"It's one that was originally a rally car."
"Ah, that one?! Do you go to the mountain passes or something?"
"Well, yes, I go there on weekends."
"Right, of course you'd go!"
"Do you go too, Kiritani-san?"
"Oh! It's hard to speed through with drifting as expected, so I run with grip driving."
"On public roads, it's grip, right?"
Umemoto-kun and Kiritani-kun were talking.
But nobody paid any attention.
The one who did pay attention was Sasaki-kun.
"Is that really so fun? Even though you're just going up and down mountains?"
"You won't know unless you try it, that thrill."
Kiritani-kun replied.
"I can only think that saying things like 'you won't know unless you try' or 'you won't understand even if I explain' is just running away, you know? Are you saying you're just satisfying yourself? To be blunt, what you're doing is a violation of the Road Traffic Act."
"There are plenty of people who don't follow the speed limit!"
"Isn't that 'doing it because everyone else is doing it' also pathetic? Can't you hold your own opinion?"
"What the hell are you trying to say!"
Kiritani-kun shouted.
"I am merely interested in what kind of pleasure is obtained by going to such dangerous speeds. I can't help but think it's just a selfish self-justification similar to addiction to tobacco, alcohol, or drugs, along the lines of 'only those who do it will understand'."
"Ah, yeah, that's right. It's a world that you, who have never done it, won't understand! Right?! Makoto."
But Makoto ignored him.
"Chitose. How are things with Takatsuki-kun? Are you getting along well?"
"I introduced him to Father and the others the other day."
"I see. Does Takatsuki-kun intend to make a living through basketball?"
"No... I intend to get a normal job. I'm thinking of asking to be let into Kimoto-san's team."
"If you have trouble finding a job, just say so. The Watanabe Group will welcome you."
Emi-san said.
"Emi, that's not fair. Give Zen-kun some help too."
Akira-san said.
"Well, as long as you're in the Watanabe Group, you won't have trouble finding a job!"
Mika-san said.
"I see, so there was that option! Emi-san, won't you hire me?! Akira-san is fine too?!"
When Kiritani-kun said that, the two of them sneered.
"We can make a recommendation, but I don't think you would pass the interview."
"I agree. I have no intention of letting in a useless person who is completely hopeless." (T/N: "箸にも棒にも掛からぬ" is an idiom meaning completely hopeless or useless.)
"Isn't that cruel? Takatsuki and Toya get a rigged game, and I'm just useless..."
"For you to want us to view Kiritani-kun on the same level as Takatsuki-kun or Katagiri-kun is an extreme misunderstanding."
"I am a member of the Watanabe Group too!"
"You should say such things only after showing an appropriate attitude!"
Emi-san barked. (T/N: possible typo in source — original reads 一括 (lump sum) instead of 一喝 (bark/scold))
"If you insist, I could consider letting you be Anan's assistant or something."
"I think that kind of discrimination is questionable. Was the Watanabe Group always such a heartless group?"
Sasaki-kun said.
Nobody answered.
"I think keeping silent when things get inconvenient is a bad habit of adults, but what do you think?"
Everyone ignored him.
"The fact that you can't refute it means it hit the mark. Cutting off useless people. The Watanabe Group is a much more cold-blooded and ruthless group than I thought."
"Ah, the mood seems to have been ruined, so shall we head to the after-party soon?"
Watanabe-kun said.
"Um... may I go too?"
Urabe-san said.
"Yeah, I don't mind. It is your welcome party, after all."
"Then maybe I'll go too."
Kanda-san said.
"Please wait, are you running away?! I think adults should at least understand that exchanging opinions is important! Dismissing it as 'it's useless to say anything anyway' is just a mere excuse to escape, isn't it!"
"Is the usual karaoke fine for the after-party? Ah, can the high school group get home on their own?"
"We came by bicycle, so we'll be fine."
"Take care."
Good grief, this doesn't seem like it will settle down. I'm tired of continuing this topic forever.
"Watanabe-kun, there's still time until last call, right?"
"Toya?"
"I thought you were smart enough to notice on your own, but... it seems you won't understand unless it's said."
"So you will give me a convincing explanation?"
"We can talk about Sasaki-kun at the after-party, but first, shall we talk about Kiritani-kun?"
"Me?! I haven't done anything wrong! I'm job hunting properly too."
Kiritani-kun said.
"Are you also a person who won't understand unless I explain it, Kiritani-kun? Have you ever tried thinking for yourself?"
"I'm asking because I don't understand even after thinking, right?"
I let out a sigh.
It's not a good idea to carry over this awkward atmosphere to the after-party when we had such a fun banquet.
How should I say it so they understand?
"The opposite of love is not hate. If I say that, will both of you understand?"
When I said that, both of them tilted their heads in confusion.
(4)
The after-party had moved to a karaoke venue.
Kobayashi-san brought Sasaki-kun along and was earnestly apologizing to me and Watanabe-kun.
"He's always been like this since a long time ago. Once he thinks he's right, he absolutely never changes his opinion."
"I know. It's not something you should apologize for, Kobayashi-san. Nobody is angry."
I placated Kobayashi-san.
Kiritani-kun said he had an after-party for another circle and went off somewhere.
"So, can you stop acting like you're the only one who understands? I want you to explain it so I can understand."
"Sasaki-kun, I heard you have a part-time job?"
"I do. Does that have something to do with this?"
"Do you go out to play with your part-time job colleagues?"
"I don't think I need those kinds of companions. Besides, even if they debate with me, it wouldn't lead to a proper discussion anyway."
"I suppose so."
Everyone was having a lively time with karaoke.
"You're making that face like you're the only one who understands again. Isn't that proof that you lack the ability to explain your opinion to others?"
"Indeed, if this were a company meeting, it would be a huge problem. If it were communication within a company, there might be an issue."
Watanabe-kun said.
"That's what you mean, right, Toya?"
I nodded.
"I heard Sasaki-kun has good communication skills. My Airi was praising you."
"What about it?"
"I heard Sasaki-kun is able to properly accept other people's opinions."
"If it's correct, I'll accept it."
"You assert your own claim after incorporating the other party's opinion. Is that right?"
"Isn't that how a debate should originally be?"
"You are correct about that. I'll admit that much."
"Then, aren't I right after all?"
Sasaki-kun said that he wasn't wrong, so in that case, wasn't the one who was wrong Katagiri-san.
"...You claimed that we ran away, didn't you? That is correct."
Sasaki-kun made a triumphant face.
"That's right, we ran away. We clearly expressed our intention. 'There is no value in debating with you' and 'We have no intention of negotiating'."
"What do you mean?"
"Watanabe-kun said it earlier, didn't he? 'If you did the same thing in a company meeting, it would be a huge problem'..."
"How is that related?"
"This is not a company meeting. It is a place where everyone gathers to have fun and make noise. If you selfishly raise issues and make a fuss by yourself, nobody will pay attention to you."
"...That's an interesting opinion. Then, what would you do, Katagiri-san?"
"Let's see. For example?"
"Eh?"
"Should we use the previous conversation as an example?"
"Yes."
I called out to everyone.
"Everyone, please listen. It's about Kiritani-kun's job hunting. What does everyone think? I think if we leave him like this, the one who will suffer is Ai-san."
"Talking about him is just a waste of time..." said Ai-san.
"Talking about him is just a waste of time..." said Kanna.
"Even so, we can't just leave him alone, can we? At this rate, he'll become a parasite." (T/N: "ヒモ" (himo) refers to a man who is financially dependent on a woman, a parasite/gigolo.)
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone began to debate.
"I've demonstrated it practically with this, are you satisfied?"
I asked Sasaki-kun.
"Explain the difference between me and you."
"It's simple. If you criticize them right off the bat like, 'I think that kind of discrimination is questionable. Was the Watanabe Group always such a heartless group?', anyone would get angry. And everyone is tired. It's too much trouble to deal with you every single time."
"So, what about in your case?"
"You create a place for debate. Instead of throwing your own opinion at them from the start, you raise the issue within yourself and appeal to everyone about it. You set up a place for a meeting and ask them to take a seat. That's all."
Sasaki-kun had created a place for debate only within himself. Even though nobody was sitting there.
That was the outline of emptiness created only within Sasaki-kun.
The things Sasaki-kun is interested in, he appeals to them.
If he does, someone might gently stroke that outline of emptiness.
"You mean I was fighting a one-man battle?" (T/N: "独り相撲" (hitori-zumo) is an idiom meaning to make a fuss or effort all by oneself to no effect.)
"That's right."
Sasaki-kun seemed to understand too.
"And, I'll answer your question. The opposite of love is not hate. It's indifference. A state of having no interest."
"...You mean everyone is indifferent to me?"
"Sasaki-kun, it hasn't been long since you joined the Watanabe Group. This connects to the answer to your previous question, but 'What does Sasaki-kun know about Kiritani-kun?'... That is everyone's opinion."
"How can I get them to have interest in me?"
"I can only answer that you have to show it through your attitude. You have no choice but to appeal to them within the Watanabe Group."
I added that he also needs to be careful about how he appeals.
"Then, why don't you try putting it into practice?"
I asked Sasaki-kun.
Sasaki-kun stood up smoothly and appealed to everyone.
"Why does everyone dislike Kiritani-san so much? It hasn't been long since I joined the Watanabe Group. I don't know him, so I'm interested."
When Sasaki-kun said that, everyone fell silent.
"I guess we have to start by explaining his bad points first."
Watanabe-kun grinned.
"Was it Sasaki? Prepare yourself for an all-nighter, okay?"
Kanna said.
"I'm already irritated today because of Hannya, and now I have to get even more irritated?!"
Ai-san held her head.
"I have a semi-night shift tomorrow too, so I'll keep you company until morning, Ai."
Honoka-san said.
"...I want to say something about Hannya too."
Urabe-san said.
"Isn't that great! I'll keep you company until morning for the first time in a while!"
Mika-san said.
"Toya! You come up with some ideas too! After all, you're the one who brought up this topic!"
Kanna said.
"Alright."
I emptied my beer mug and ordered through the intercom.
In a hurry, everyone emptied their mugs and said, "Mine too!"
After finishing the order, I sat down and answered.
"Let's see, there are various problems, but for now, it's finding a job."