Episode Sixty-Seven: Please, Don’t Ever Say We Should Stop Seeing Each Other
The ballpoint pen slipped from Yui-san’s startled hand, clattering onto the desk.
Ignoring the bewildered look on her face, I walked right up to the desk.
“It’s about that hour — how about a short break?”
“A break?”
Yui-san glanced at her watch. Half past three. I’d deliberately timed my visit to the president’s office for exactly the right hour for afternoon tea.
Glancing at the trash can beside her desk, I spotted a crumpled jelly-drink pouch tossed away. She hadn’t even been eating a proper lunch lately, it seemed.
I set a saucer and teacup on her desk, along with a small plate holding two macarons, and held out my hand toward her, still blinking in confusion. “Here you go.”
“Just until you finish the tea, that’s all. Give me that much time. I want you to properly understand how serious I am.”
I looked straight into her eyes. Yui-san’s gaze dropped to the tea set laid out before her.
“…Smells nice.”
“It’s the Afternoon Blend. The macarons aren’t too sweet either, so I think you’ll like them. You haven’t really been taking breaks lately, so…”
“So, this is for me?”
At my nod, Yui-san smiled, happy. “Thank you.”
“See, President? I really do pay attention, don’t I?”
I said it, puffing my chest out slightly, and Yui-san pouted, just a little, faintly displeased.
“Stop calling me president. When it’s just the two of us, call me by name, like always.”
“…I thought you wanted to keep work and personal life completely separate, Yui-san.”
I’d assumed the reason she didn’t want me as secretary was to avoid mixing the personal and the professional. So I’d deliberately tried to show I could keep that line clean too — but apparently, that hadn’t landed the way I wanted.
“That’s true, but… I want you to use my name.”
Unusually hesitant, and I tilted my head. Still, it was a welcome request on my end too — I’d wanted to use her name myself, if I could.
“If that’s what you want, Yui-san, understood. …Anyway, drink it while it’s good. It’ll get cold.”
Urged along, Yui-san said “thanks for the food” and brought the teacup to her lips.
I like this tea, but I wonder how Yui-san will take it. Honestly, it’d taste even better as milk tea, but I’ll save that for another time — brewing it properly for her at her own place.
“…Oh, this is good.”
Watching Yui-san stare at her teacup, surprised, I gave a small internal fist pump — success.
“If you make me your secretary, you might get moments like this all the time, you know — sharing tea together.”
Seizing the opening, I pushed the point, and Yui-san, watching me so earnest about it, smiled.
“You don’t need to be my secretary for that, though.”
Her pale fingers plucked up one of the macarons. Then she beckoned me closer and held it out to me.
“Here. One for you too.”
“Eh, it’s fine, that one’s yours…”
“You bought this because you like it too, didn’t you? Let’s split it.”
Saying that with a smile threw off my whole rhythm. I always think it — why is this person so kind?
I hesitated a moment, staring at the macaron, then, unable to resist, bit into the piece she held out.
Yui-san followed, taking a bite of the pistachio macaron herself.
“You’re right, not too sweet, delicious.”
“I’ll bring something good again tomorrow too, so look forward to it.”
At that, Yui-san laughed, troubled.
“Tomorrow too? …Kanata, are you really not going to withdraw this?”
“Of course not. I’ll keep coming to convince you until you say yes. Do you hate it? Me coming to the president’s office?”
I wouldn’t accept vague answers. Pressed like that, cornered, Yui-san let out a small sigh, resigned.
“There’s no way I’d hate it. I’m happy, getting to see your face.”
“If you made me your secretary, you could see my face as much as you want, until you’re sick of it.”
“I’d never get sick of it, no matter how much I looked. Because I think you’re the cutest in the whole world, Kanata.”
Under that serious gaze, I nearly went down for the count. Saying something like that so easily, looking straight at me — I lost my next words entirely. I can’t afford to lose ground over something like this.
My cheeks felt hot. My face must be turning red. Yui-san laughed at me and took another sip of tea.
No, no, I can’t let myself get swept along at Yui-san’s pace like this.
Finishing a cup of tea takes no time at all. My precious window to make my case kept shrinking, fast.
“Once I have a secretary, I’ll have more breathing room in my schedule. Then we can go to the aquarium together, like I promised. I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”
In that calm, even voice, Yui-san said it, like she was gently talking me down.
“But… I could do that too, if I became your secretary, couldn’t I?”
All that matters is easing Yui-san’s burden — so all she needs to do is share some of that busyness with me.
If anything, working in step with Yui-san’s schedule would make it easier for our days off to line up too.
Thinking about it that way, I understood even less why it couldn’t be me.
“Even if it eases things for me, you’d end up busier than you are now, Kanata. I don’t want you pushing yourself. That’s why, no.”
“…You’re the one pushing yourself, Yui-san, but I’m not allowed to?”
At that, Yui-san tilted her teacup lightly toward me. Empty inside. Which meant — time’s up.
“Thanks for the meal. It was really delicious.”
Out of time, today. I wanted to keep pressing, but a promise is a promise. “Can’t keep to a schedule” would be fatal for a secretary, so I had no choice but to withdraw quietly.
“…I’ll come again tomorrow, too.”
Yui-san set her empty teacup on the tray, and my shoulders slumped, defeated.
“Excuse me…”
Head down, just as I turned to leave the president’s office, a voice called “Kanata” from behind, and I turned back.
Those eyes, watching me, narrowed, gentle.
“I was happy we got to talk. I can’t make you secretary, but come show me your face again.”
Saying that with a mischievous smile, I stuck my tongue out at her and reluctantly left the president’s office.
Today… well, fine. It’s the first day, and there’s still tomorrow. Surely tomorrow will do it.
That’s what I’d thought — but the next day, at the same hour, marching into the president’s office with a rare-cheesecake offensive, Yui-san still refused, stubborn, to nod along.
＊＊＊
Somewhere in the middle of all that, before I knew it, the final day of applications had arrived. If I didn’t get a good answer today, it was game over.
Yui-san, you idiot. I knew already, but she really is as stubborn as ever. I’d hoped to win her over through fair, honest persuasion before resorting to the “last resort” — but apparently that hope had been naive.
Nearly afternoon-tea time. Today I’d brought my favorite cream puffs.
I mustn’t lose my nerve. I told myself that, and yet the anxiety only kept growing.
Sighing, head down, Seno-san, seated diagonally across from me, lifted her eyes from her monitor.
“Aozawa-san, headed to the president again today?”
“Yes… but it didn’t work yesterday or the day before either, so… today’s my last chance.”
“I see. Well, once you’ve pushed this hard, backing off might actually be the move now.”
Seno-san’s lips curved into an easy smile. But Yui-san’s fundamentally the clean, unattached type, more the “doesn’t chase what leaves” sort, I’d think… I’m honestly torn on whether backing off would even work.
I’m hopeless at this kind of maneuvering. I already know I’m bad at romance, so someone as skillful as Seno-san makes me a little envious.
But there’s no point regretting, now, what I can’t do. Not at this stage.
Let’s go. To Yui-san. I decided, firm, and slapped my cheeks lightly. It’s fine — I’ve still got Ritsu-san’s personally taught “last resort” in reserve.
With my seniors’ support at my back, I steadied my resolve and stood.
*
Tray in hand, I stood in front of the president’s office. I took one deep breath, then knocked. From beyond the door, Yui-san’s voice — “come in” — and, resolved, I opened the door.
The instant Yui-san saw my face, she smiled, happy. “I was waiting.”
“Cream puffs today. Another recommendation of mine.”
Crisp cookie crust outside, custard inside that isn’t too sweet. Yui-san isn’t especially fond of sweets, so I’d factored that in carefully too.
“So, Yui-san. Today’s the last day for applications — how many applied, in the end?”
I asked, casual, and Yui-san thought it over briefly. “Around thirty, I think.”
Honestly more than I’d imagined. I hugged the tray I was holding tighter.
“And how many made it through document screening?”
“Five, so far.”
Saying “five” so plainly meant the lineup of candidates was probably already decided. Whether I’m among them, I have no way of knowing.
But either way, I felt certain — if I couldn’t turn this around right here, right now, it was over.
“Yui-san… why won’t you choose me?”
Those black eyes looked at me. No hesitation in them at all. I could feel her firm resolve — never going to budge.
“…I’m happy about your feelings, but the reason’s the same as I’ve said, over and over. If you end up busy too, there’s no point.”
Said so plainly, my lips pursed, displeased. Why won’t you understand how I feel?
“…You’re so stubborn, Yui-san.”
“Nothing you say is going to change my mind.”
If Yui-san’s going to say that much, fine. I’ll throw away this naive idea of persuading her the fair, honest way.
“…Understood, forget it, then. If that’s how you’re going to be, I’m not going on any more dates with you. From now on, I won’t see you outside of the office. At all!”
Declaring it plainly, I turned on my heel toward the door.
“Eh!? Wa— wait a second! That’s a completely different issue!?”
With a loud clatter, Yui-san shot up from her chair and rushed to grab my hand before I could leave the president’s office.
Turning back, I glared hard at her, flustered, eyes darting.
“Because that means you don’t want to be with me, doesn’t it? Then, fine. Never mind.”
“There’s no way I don’t want to be with you. The whole reason I wanted to bring on a secretary in the first place was to make time for you, Kanata…”
I looked into her eyes, brows drawn down in a troubled attempt to explain.
I already knew this would put Yui-san in a hard spot. That’s exactly why I’d wanted to avoid this “last resort” if at all possible — but at this point, there was nothing left to do.
Yui-san gripped my hand, tight.
“…Please, don’t ever say we should stop seeing each other.”
Seeing her look so thoroughly crestfallen, something in my chest ached, sharp.
If she won’t make you her secretary, just say you’ll never see her again — Yui’ll agree to anything after that — Ritsu-san’s words came back to me, that mischievous grin on her face as she said it. Turns out she’d been right.
I’m sorry, for saying something I never actually meant — that I wouldn’t see you. But I promise I’ll work hard enough to actually be useful. Just this once… please forgive my selfishness.
“So, will you make me your secretary? If you promise, I’ll take it back.”
“…Kanata. That’s not fair.”
“It’s fine if it’s not fair. Because as secretary, you’d go on business trips together, wouldn’t you? I don’t want that. I don’t want to hand that over to anyone else, not at all.”
The honest truth spilled out before I could stop it. Yui-san’s eyes went wide, startled, looking down at me.
“…Is that the real reason you applied? Were you… jealous?”
Caught dead center, I fell silent, looking down. I know full well I’m being a handful. But I can’t help it.
Of course it’s not fun, watching the person you love choose someone else over you.
Yui-san should already understand that selfish side of me too.
After a beat of silence, Yui-san let out a small laugh. Why are you laughing? Displeased, I looked up, and found her watching me with eyes surprisingly, unbearably gentle.
“Sorry, I didn’t notice. …Say something that cute, and there’s no way I can refuse anymore.”
Saying that, her gentle palm stroked my cheek.
“Really? Then, will you make me your secretary?”
“…If that’s how it is, fine. I’m happy you’re jealous, but I’d never choose someone else if it means making you unhappy, Kanata. In exchange, can you promise me you won’t push yourself too hard?”
Saying that, Yui-san let out a small laugh, shoulders relaxing. So I nodded, without a second’s hesitation.
*
“Then, I’ll head back to work.”
Getting her promise to make me secretary made me so happy I could barely stand it. From now on, I get to work by Yui-san’s side, always.
Right now, I felt like I could do anything at all.
Floating on air, I turned back toward the door. Just as my hand touched the doorknob—
Suddenly, from behind, I was pulled into an embrace so tight I could barely breathe.
Startled speechless, Yui-san brought her lips gently close to my ear.
“…Hey, Kanata. Can I hope for it? That you’ll fall for me all over again?”
Said so suddenly — I caught my breath, unable to help it. I could feel my heart start pounding, loud, frantic.
“This time, I’m never letting go… so be ready.”
Kissed gently on the ear, I turned back, startled, and Yui-san, seeing my flushed face, smiled, bright.
Up until recently, she’d seemed so hesitant to even touch me — had I, without meaning to, pressed some switch of Yui-san’s I really shouldn’t have?
That confident smile, the one that brought back memories of our college days, struck straight through my chest, so easily, and I couldn’t manage a single word back.