Episode 1

Several days had passed since then. Just one word of refusal. That’s all it takes. I’d made up my mind — and yet I still hadn’t found an answer.

Looking back on it even now, her behaviour was abnormal, I think. And yet, abnormal as it was, she hasn’t actually crossed any line. Something about that snagged on me.

In fact, since that day I hadn’t heard from Seriha at all — when we passed each other she gave a small nod, nothing more. If she were driven by something deranged, I’d have thought she’d have acted again by now.

Why does she like me… maybe I could ask her the reason….

No — that’s wrong. I’ve been overthinking this for days and my head has gone soft and girlish. The instant I asked, she’d wind me up the same as before. That’s the only future I can see.

But… there has to be some reason, or none of this makes sense.

A long sigh. Turning endlessly over questions that have no answers is exhausting.

What am I supposed to do.

◇

“Ehhhhhhhh?! That’s such a waste — just take it!! Just say yes!!”

I was staring blankly at my monitor, thoughts churning, when a voice loud enough to wake every drowsy eye on the floor rang out. The source — there’s no need to search. When Hayama-san hits this pitch, something is usually going sideways.

I looked toward the voice and found our Section Chief Hayama — whose personal motto appears to be enthusiasm and fashion — and the perpetually harassed-looking Section Chief Usui from the neighbouring team, both peering at the same monitor.

I’d just taken a breath and decided to stop thinking for a moment when a chat notification arrived. Getting messages during work hours is entirely routine. Nothing strange about it.

And yet for just a second, my breath stopped.

Ito-chaaan, sorry, but when you have a moment could you come over here???

The gyaru again.

She’s close enough to call over directly, but the fact that she checks my availability by chat first — moments like this remind me that she is, technically, a manager.

I sent back a single understood and got up from my desk.

◇

Apparently, a very large beverage manufacturer. In other words: an urgent, large-scale project had arrived from a client you can’t say no to.

This company is a web agency, and each team carries its own clients — involvement in another team’s work is rare. The project in question belongs to Usui-san’s team, but honestly they don’t have the capacity to handle it internally, so they’d come to us for help. That, apparently, was the situation.

The reason I’d been called over didn’t need thinking through.

Honestly, it would be rough. Ignoring things like professional ethics and various labour regulations, it wasn’t technically impossible — but it wasn’t something I wanted to do. I could see a death march in my future.

“I’d want to take this myself but even I know my limits~~ But I also know this is tough for Ito-chan too, you know…”

She was going back and forth, but I couldn’t see any actual plan taking shape. I didn’t want to do it — but if it meant I could concentrate on work, maybe I could put everything else out of my mind for a while.

“I’ll take it. I think I can make it work.”

My manager — the gyaru — her eyes lit up with undisguised delight.

“Really?! You sure?? But you’ve got a lot on already, haven’t you? You won’t end up skipping lunch?”

Ever since she’d seen me skip lunch and sit at my desk straight through the day during a busy spell, she’d become oddly attentive to my eating habits. The concern is appreciated, but I’m not a child.

“I’ll be fine. I’d like to hear the details — Usui-san, could you find some time for me too?”

The overview alone wasn’t enough to understand what was actually going on. I’d start by getting a clear picture of the situation, then work through what needed to be done. Just like always — stay calm, get organised, and it’ll come together.

“Takemi-san, I’m sorry. I really am. I’ve got time in the morning if you can take it now?”

Understood, I told him, returned to my desk for my laptop, and headed for the meeting room. On the way, another large voice rang out across the floor.

“She’s right there!! That girl!! She’s not that busy right now, is she? Let’s have her support Ito-chan!!”

“I mean, not particularly, but — she’s still new, and if we wear her out on something heavy at this stage, down the line it could…”

Usui-san’s flustered voice. He’s always like this. Hayama-san runs him ragged.

Usui-san’s team. New recruit.

I felt a headache coming on. A sweet voice that pulls you toward deep water echoed in my head.

No — I’d decided yesterday. Find the right moment and talk to her.

Fortunately, when nothing unusual is happening, she’s a perfectly normal person. And her professional reputation is excellent.

Hayama-san came back leading a bewildered-looking Seriha, and I let out a small breath and looked away.