[CH.21] (Nishina's POV) Hidaka Hanamura, from my point of view.
From my perspective, Hidaka Hanamura was a somewhat mysterious and intriguing guy.
I was born in Tokyo, and he was born in Hamayama, so naturally, we didn't know each other before joining the company. Even after joining as new employees, we didn't have many opportunities to talk face to face.
There were 21 of us in the same batch, with 4 females and 17 males. In such a situation, the lively and outgoing girls tended to stick together, and Hanamura-kun wasn't that type. However, he had a calm demeanor and was trusted by everyone in our batch, which left a good impression on me.
"Hey, Hanamucchan, good morning."
"Yeah, good morning."
Since our batchmates referred to him as Hanamucchan, I naturally started calling him that too. Whenever we met, he greeted me, and during the group activities in our new employee training, he engaged in friendly conversations. But he never came closer during social events like drinking parties.
I felt like he was always talking with other guys... Even when we sat close by, I'd notice we'd end up far apart.
We were in different departments, so I thought it was just how things were. However, the moment I started to pay special attention to him was probably that time.
On a day when I had experienced something so unpleasant that it made me feel desperate, coincidentally, there was a company drinking party.
It was a mistake to let loose and drink excessively to vent my frustrations.
I usually kept my emotions in check and tried to save face, but that day was different... I ended up drinking way too much.
My judgment became dull, and my thoughts began to wander.
Despite that, my colleagues, seniors, and batchmates from the company tried to get me to drink, inviting me to the second and third rounds. I usually declined politely, but honestly, I started feeling like I didn't care anymore. I began to think that if something were to happen, maybe it would be okay. But just as I was starting to think that way, someone forcefully grabbed my arm and pulled me into the shadow of a building.
"Hey, where did Nishina-san go?"
"She seemed vulnerable today, so I thought I might have a chance..."
"Do you know where Hanamura went?"
"Oh, he just left in a taxi with some senior girls a while ago."
"What?!"
I could hear the men's voices getting louder. To be honest, I was too drunk to think clearly, so all I thought was that they were being noisy.
A man approached me as I leaned against the building's wall.
"Nishina-san, are you okay?"
It seems that Hanamura-kun was the one who had brought me into the shadow. Perhaps he wanted to keep me hidden from the other male employees.
I was slightly disappointed. I never expected to be cornered by Hanamura-kun...
Maybe he had some interest in women despite pretending otherwise.
But well, it didn't matter anymore. I had just experienced a major heartbreak, so even if Hanamura-kun were to make a move on me...
"For now, I've called a taxi, so let's head home. Here, have some water. It's best if you go home and rest without pushing yourself."
Saying that, Hanamura-kun handed me a bottle of mineral water.
"Nishina-san, you live with your family, right? Can you give me your home phone number?"
I gave him my home phone number as requested, and he began to make a call on his smartphone.
"Sorry to disturb you at this hour. I'm Hanamura, a colleague of Ninoka Ichihana-san. It seems that Ninoka-san is not feeling well, so I'm sending her home by taxi. Could you take care of her?"
What is Hanamura-kun calling for? I was still feeling dizzy and couldn't quite focus.
Just as I thought I had calmed down a bit after drinking some water, a taxi arrived.
"Well then, take care. Oh, driver, will this be enough for this neighborhood? Thank you very much."
"Um, Hanamu..."
"Goodbye. Get some rest."
I was told what to do, and I ended up being put into the taxi.
Thanks to the bottle of mineral water he gave me, my head began to clear up.
I felt downcast for causing trouble, and I knew I would be scolded by my parents and colleagues...
...But even though I was scolded...
"He was so kind..."
I was surprised that there was a guy who would take care of me in that situation without any ulterior motives. But more than that, I couldn't forget Hanamura-kun's gentle smile when he said "goodbye."
"I should thank him properly..."
And so, a few days later, we unexpectedly bumped into each other in the company's break area.
"Oh, Hanamucchan. About the last drinking party... Thank you for everything! I'm sorry, I showed you such an embarrassing side of me... It's an apology, but if it's okay with you..."
"Huh? Uh... um..."
Hanamura-kun avoided eye contact with me and looked uncomfortable.
"Uh, maybe you've got the wrong person?"
"Huh?"
"I went out for drinks with my batchmates that day, so... I didn't meet you, right? Besides, you were drinking, right?"
"But my mom said her name was Hanamura."
"I think someone probably tricked me. So, you should apologize to that person. Well, I'm out of here!"
And with that, Hanamura-kun hastily ran away.
I watched him in astonishment as he left.
No, my memory was clear even when I got into the taxi, and there was no way I could have made such a mistake.
I didn't understand, and in the end, I couldn't apologize. A week passed, and one day, through our respective seniors, we finally learned the reason.
It seems that Hanamura-kun regretted taking things into his own hands instead of leaving it to the senior girls and felt sorry about it.
He was so awkward.
I couldn't help but laugh.
But it was his awkward kindness that saved me.
Maybe he's still regretting it now. Well, surely not, right?
After that, there were various developments at work, and I was transferred to Hamayama. But when I heard that Hanamura-kun was also being transferred to Hamayama, my heart leaped with joy.
I wanted to become closer to Hanamura-kun. So... let's work together and have fun from now on.
"Hanamucchan, when should we go for a drink next?"
"With everyone?"
"Just the two of us."
"Before the end of the year."
"It's still May!"
Honestly, he's so evasive.
Next time we go out, just the two of us. This time, I'll take care of him.
I'm looking forward to that moment.
...I really am.
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