Episode Sixty-Eight: That Depends on You, Kanata
“Well then — to celebrate Aozawa-san’s appointment as secretary… cheers!”
At Manager Yamasato’s toast, glasses clinked together all at once, a bright, satisfying sound ringing through the izakaya’s private room.
As of today, I’d be leaving the budget management team, and starting next week, I’d restart my working life as the president’s secretary.
They’d thrown a farewell gathering today, just for the budget management team, in my honor.
I’m glad I joined Yui-san’s company, glad I ended up assigned to this department. Short as my time here was, it had genuinely been a comfortable place to work.
No successor had been decided yet to fill the gap I’d leave. Since I’d still been in training, I hadn’t taken on that much work — but even so, I was bound to cause everyone some trouble for a while.
And yet neither Mitsuya-san nor Seno-san had shown the slightest displeasure about it, cheering me on instead. I’m genuinely grateful for that.
“It’s a happy thing, but it’s still going to be lonely, without Aozawa-chan around.”
Mitsuya-san said it, wistful, beer mug in hand. Mitsuya-san and I have known each other since my very first day as a working adult. Lonely, sure, but at least budget management and the president’s office share the same floor, so it wasn’t like we’d never see each other’s faces again — small mercy.
Seno-san, seated beside Mitsuya-san, pulled a skewer of yakitori apart deftly and spoke up, offhand.
“Still, seriously impressive, though. How’d you even talk the president into it? Aozawa-san, you look so mild-mannered, but maybe you’re secretly more predatory than you let on?”
Put that way, I shook my head, no way.
If “predatory” means someone aggressive about romance, that’s not me. If anything, I think I’m closer to the opposite end of that spectrum.
Even with Yui-san, I’ve always, always been the one getting pushed. Not that I’ve never made a move myself — but that only ever happened because alcohol had scrambled my head. Not really my natural personality. Probably.
“Just like you advised, Seno-san — I just kept showing up at the president’s office, over and over, and told her how serious I was…”
Sorry, that’s a lie. What actually happened was I half-threatened Yui-san into a forced “yes.” But there’s no way I could say that, so I deflected. At least the “told her how serious I was” part isn’t wrong.
Hearing my answer, Seno-san smiled, sly.
“Hmm, that so. Still, I’m jealous. Aozawa-san, maybe you’ve just got a knack for being liked by rich people. I mean, the person you like is rich too, right? Or are you already dating?”
Said so casually that a small “eh” slipped out before I could stop it. Bad — reacting like that basically confirmed he’s rich.
“Oh, Aozawa-san’s partner is rich? How nice.”
Manager Yamasato said it, not particularly bothered, mouth full of karaage.
“No, um, we’re not dating. I just… like them, that’s all…”
“Not dating? But that earring you always wear — that’s definitely a gift, isn’t it.”
Saying that, Seno-san pointed at her own ear, teasing.
“Getting an expensive gift like that and still not dating — don’t tell me he’s married? That’s not okay, you know, affairs. Aozawa-san, you’re too cute to waste on that. No matter how rich he is, you won’t end up happy — better give it up~”
“Seno-san, come on, that’s not it at all.”
Yui-san’s engaged, but not married. So, technically, not yet an “affair.” Definitely not.
But what do I do — if I keep talking, I feel like I’m going to dig myself deeper. Absolutely can’t let it slip that it’s Yui-san, so I forced a strained laugh and stayed quiet, and Mitsuya-san, beside me, gave Seno-san’s ear a sharp pinch.
“Hey now, quit picking on Aozawa-chan.”
“Ow, Mitsuya-san.”
“That earring of yours is probably a gift from someone too, isn’t it?”
“Nope, bought it myself.”
Seno-san’s popular, so that’s plausible. Grateful for the skillful topic change, I let out a quiet breath of relief.
Seno-san had said, once, that she’d “given up” on Yui-san. If she’s someone who could fall for a woman too, she might notice the connection between me and Yui-san. Whether that comment had been serious or a joke, honestly, I couldn’t tell.
“You two really have gotten close, haven’t you.”
Manager Yamasato said it, smiling warmly at the two of them still bickering, loud.
“…Um, I’ve been wanting to ask this whole time — where exactly does it look like those two get along?”
Curious, I leaned in and whispered to Manager Yamasato.
“Seno-san used to hardly talk at all, you know. And Mitsuya-san’s clean and bright, so maybe they just click. They say the more you fight, the closer you are, don’t they?”
I see. To Manager Yamasato, who’s known Seno-san since before either of us joined this department, that’s how the two of them look.
I’d assumed, from all the bickering, that they just didn’t get along — but maybe, for these two, this really is how it works.
Thinking that, I started sipping slowly at my lemon sour. Even after I’m no longer part of the budget management team, I hope we can still come drinking together like this sometimes. That’s what I’m thinking as I sip my drink.
*
“Thank you so much for today.”
Stepping outside the izakaya, I bowed deeply to Manager Yamasato, who’d gone ahead and was waiting outside. If not for her, there’s no way I would have become Yui-san’s secretary.
“Good luck, Aozawa-san. I’m rooting for you.”
Saying that, Manager Yamasato gave my shoulder a light pat. So I looked back into her eyes, steady, and nodded firmly.
I won’t disgrace the face of the person who recommended me. I’ll prove myself useful, no matter what. I made that vow to myself.
“H-hey, don’t lean on me, walk straight. You’re heavy!”
A displeased voice from Mitsuya-san suddenly cut through from behind, and I turned. Supporting a thoroughly wasted Seno-san, the two of them staggered out of the shop.
Seno-san’s state was, without question, entirely Mitsuya-san’s fault. Somewhere along the way, for reasons unknown, the two of them had started a drinking contest.
“O-kay, Mitsuya-san, you’re responsible for getting Seno-san home safe. Well then, great work today, everyone! My husband’s picking me up, so I’ll head out. See you all at the office~”
Manager Yamasato said it, easy and breezy, and left. Left behind, Mitsuya-san stood there, dazed, then shot a quick glance my way.
I scrambled to shake my head, side to side. Impossible, impossible — Seno-san and I live in opposite directions.
“Seno-san, hey, you can get home on your own, right? Stand up, walk.”
Grabbing her shoulder to shake her upright, her whole body just wobbled, loose and boneless, and even I could tell — there’s no way she’s getting home alone.
“Ugh, what is it, Kaori, so loud.”
Startled — Seno-san had suddenly used Mitsuya-san’s given name. The hand shaking her shoulder froze, awkward, mid-motion.
“Um, Mitsuya-san. I don’t think Seno-san can get home on her own…”
“A-ahaha, yeah. Got it, leave it to me, you get home safe, Aozawa-chan.”
“Yes, thank you so much.”
“Ehh, Aozawa-san, you’re heading home already? Aw, too bad. Hey, let’s go to one more place, Kao—mmph.”
Mitsuya-san clapped a hand over Seno-san’s mouth, cutting her off. Bloodshot eyes glared straight into Seno-san’s face.
“Quiet. Please, not one more word. You’re way too drunk.”
Pinning down the still-mumbling, complaining Seno-san, Mitsuya-san gave me a strained smile and turned back toward me. It felt like she was telling me, with just that look, hurry home while I’ve still got her under control — so I nodded and waved to the two of them.
But Mitsuya-san’s genuinely reliable, whatever she says on the surface, so I don’t think there’s much to worry about with Seno-san. Maybe, just as Manager Yamasato said, those two really do click. Thinking that, I headed toward the station.
Along the way, my pocket buzzed. Pulling out my phone, I found myself smiling naturally at the name displayed there.
Did you get home safe? Not too drunk?
The message had come from Yui-san. I’d told her about the farewell party over the phone last night.
Yui-san, so worried about how weak I am with alcohol, had even offered to come pick me up, out of concern. Of course I’d turned her down. Because if anyone saw something like that, it’d be a real problem.
Heading home now. I didn’t drink much today.
I stopped and typed back a reply. Having her worry about me like this makes me so happy. Strange, but whenever I drink, without fail, I end up wanting to see Yui-san.
Wanting to throw myself straight into those arms. Wanting nothing but to be endlessly spoiled.
“If only I could go home to that same house again…”
Voicing a wish I knew wouldn’t come true, my steps toward the house where Yui-san isn’t felt heavy. On a day like this, I’ll sleep hugging my orca. Wrapped in the scent of Yui-san’s favorite perfume.
＊＊＊
The following week. Following Yui-san’s message — “wait in the president’s office” — I headed there first thing in the morning, and found, in one corner of the office, a desk and laptop already set up, just for me.
Running my fingertip gently over the gleaming desk surface, the reality of it all slowly sank in.
A little while later, the president’s office door opened. Noticing me, Yui-san smiled, bright.
“Good morning, Yui-san.”
“Morning.”
“Thank you for the desk. You arranged all this?”
“Yeah. Looking forward to working with you, starting today.”
“Yes, I’ll do my best. To be useful to you, Yui-san.”
Setting her bag down on her own desk, Yui-san turned back to me. “Well then, let’s get you being useful right away,” she said, so I scrambled to pull my planner and a pen out of my bag.
But Yui-san just laughed at me.
“You don’t need the planner or the pen.”
Saying that, Yui-san took my hand, still holding the pen, and pulled. She’s a little taller than me. That beloved sweet scent, and a body slight but soft.
Pulled straight into an embrace, face to face, my eyes went wide, startled.
“U-um… Yui-san? What are you doing…?”
“Hugging you.”
“W-why…?”
“Good-morning hug.”
“Um, wait, did you lock the door? If someone sees…”
“No one’s coming, it’s fine.”
My heart pounded, faster and faster. What do I do, I really want to hug her back. Is it okay if I do? While I hesitated, her arms, reluctant, gently pulled away.
Looking down at me with eyes so full of fondness, something in my chest clenched, tight, painfully.
“Thanks. Thanks to you, I feel like I can get through today too.”
“What was that… Yui-san, you’re always teasing me.”
Watching me flustered like this seems to genuinely amuse her. Lips pursed, I said it, and Yui-san laughed.
“Alright, onto business. There’s something I’d like to ask, is that okay? Next month, I need you to come with me on a business trip. Kanata, are you free? I’d like you to arrange the flights and hotel.”
The word “business trip” came flying out right off the bat, and I straightened up sharp. Fine — I hadn’t scheduled a single thing next month, keeping myself fully open, no matter what came up.
“Yes, I’m free. Where are we headed?”
I opened my planner, clicked my pen.
“Okinawa.”
“Eh, Okinawa…?”
Startled, I found myself echoing it back.
“The new store opens next month, right? This is the site inspection. And since we’re at it, I figured we’d stay at a competitor’s hotel too. I’ve picked out a few options — I’ll share the schedule and the list with you later.”
“Y-yes, understood.”
Heart pounding, I took notes in my planner. Then Yui-san leaned in, peering into my face.
“Also… same room’s fine, right?”
Startled, I lifted my face from the planner. Yui-san smiled, bright, and added, “A double’s fine.”
“Yui-san, what are you even saying…!? That’s a joke, right?”
“I’m serious, though.”
Looking back into those smiling eyes, I couldn’t read a single thing behind them. It almost felt like she’d gone back to being the old Yui-san again.
“…You pervert, Yui-san.”
“Don’t worry, I won’t do anything.”
“Really…?”
Yui-san saying I won’t do anything has never once been reliable. I said it, skeptical, and Yui-san just laughed and said, “Well, that depends on you, Kanata.”
“I’ll book it as a twin room.”
“Too bad. But you’re fine with the same room, at least?”
“…Keep being mean like that, and I’ll book two singles.”
“Sorry, sorry, don’t sulk. We’re at it, let’s share a room, okay?”
Glaring at Yui-san, who gripped my hand tight as if to win back my sulking mood, I still nodded, small, in the end.
*
My first business trip ever — and in Okinawa, no less, about to become a memory I’d never forget for the rest of my life — that was something I had no way of knowing yet, not at this point.