[CH.27] (Mimasaka's POV) Could it be that you were my childhood friend?
I, Rion Mimasaka, am well aware that I'm a reasonably talented individual.
I joined this company as a lateral hire, and while it's a small branch, I became the youngest manager. I've also achieved the highest sales figures in Japan for two consecutive years.
I receive constant invitations to dinners and job offers from both inside and outside the company. Recently, someone even asked me if I wanted to become a model.
I got irritated when they said that if I were taller, I could aim for the world...
But perhaps it's because of this that I tend to call myself "reasonably talented."
"Ohhh... Love comedy manga on Twitter is truly precious! The beer just keeps flowing."
On my day off, I'm alone in my room on the second floor of my parents' house, sipping beer and scrolling through love comedy manga. I'm writhing in delight, a sight I definitely can't show to my subordinates.
"Haah... You really are something."
My mother, who had somehow entered my room without my noticing, sighed for what felt like the umpteenth time.
I live alone in an apartment near the office, but I originally come from Hamayama. On weekends, I always return home to pester my parents and recharge my spirits.
To maintain my weekdays as they are, this is necessary.
"Ohhh... Okome Takashi-sensei, you're not updating [Same Sky]?! And it's such a short one! Write at least 10,000 characters!"
My beloved mentor, Okome Takashi-sensei. I have all the special editions of [Same Sky], and I even have merchandise of the heroine.
I've read the comic adaptation so many times that the book is almost falling apart.
I understand how tough it is to write 10,000 characters because I write my own love comedies on a website. But... I can't help it because I love it.
"Lately, the updates have been sparse... Why, is Okome Takashi-sensei also doing it as a side gig?! Don't make them work! Boss, come out, I'll give you a piece of my mind!"
"Enough already, Rion!"
"But..."
"Good grief... You weren't this careless when you were with Yoshiaki-kun."
"Hmph, don't mention his name."
When the name of the guy who lived next door is mentioned, I can't help but feel a little annoyed. It's been 10 years since we had a falling out during high school...
I wonder if he ended up marrying that girl from back then. Well, it doesn't really matter.
"I'm doing just fine in my own way. Besides, my sister is the one showing off her grandchild, so it's all good."
My sister, who used to be quite attached to me, is already 26 and got married last year. She's pregnant now, so I'm going to be an aunt or uncle soon.
"Aren't there any good guys at your workplace?"
"I told you, it's all women there."
Every time I go to a client's place, I get invited to dinner, but if they find out about my personality, it could affect my work. So, if I ever find a man, it'll probably have to be outside of work.
But I wonder if having a relationship with someone would make it difficult to continue my writing. There are teachers who write while being married... it's not impossible, but finding someone is the hard part.
"If only there was a guy who understood you."
"That definitely means something else... But... a guy, huh?"
If I had to think of someone, it would probably be Hanamura-kun, the subordinate who recently joined our team. He was surprised to find out that I'm a web novel writer, but he treats me without any prejudice.
Well, he seems to have an otaku side himself... But having someone of the opposite sex who understands is a blessing.
He's diligent at work, polite in his words and actions, and strong in areas where I was weak in product knowledge. To be honest, I think he's a good hire. What's more, he's trusted by Nishina and Kuhou, which is the most important thing in terms of work. Trust is the most important factor in work.
He even listened to my embarrassing stories from the past without judgment... He really is a good guy. I remember the strength in his arms when he supported me when I almost tripped.
"Jeez... What am I even thinking at 28?"
"When you were little, you were so cute."
My mom suddenly took out an album.
"Hey, stop it!"
Feeling embarrassed, I snatched the album away from my mom. It fell to the floor with a thud, and the pages flipped open.
When I was a child, I was always together with Yoshiaki, who was the same age as me.
The album was filled with countless photos of us together. I can't stand the thought of them still existing, but from my parents' perspective, childhood photos are treasures, so they're stored where I can't reach.
However, in the album that was opened this time, Yoshiaki was nowhere to be found. Instead, there was a picture of me at around 4 years old, holding hands with another boy who was even younger.
"Who's this child?"
"Oh, that brings back memories. Don't you remember? You lived in Sanarudai in Hamayama until you turned 6."
"Oh... right."
I've been in my current house since I was 6. That's where I met Yoshiaki, my childhood friend.
"At that time, the child next door was from the Hanamura family. He was really attached to you, like a big brother."
"Ugh!?"
Come to think of it... Hanamura-kun's family is from Hamayama, isn't it? I don't know if it's Sanarudai, but it's Hamayama for sure.
The boy in this photo is probably around 2 years old.
No way... It couldn't be.
"Let's just pretend we didn't see it."
The idea that he might have been my childhood friend... It's just impossible.
---
"Hanamura-kun."
"Yes?"
It's Monday, and I'm in work mode, so I address Hanamura-kun, who is organizing documents. I was about to ask if he remembered anything about our childhood, but then I realized that I can hardly recall anything from when I was 4, so expecting him to remember something from when he was 2 would be unrealistic. After a moment of hesitation, I decide to change my approach.
"So, Hanamura-kun, this is related to our creative discussions as well. If you were childhood friends with me, what do you think it would have been like?"
"Hmm."
Hanamura-kun crosses his arms and starts thinking. He always approaches things with genuine consideration, never resorting to jests or sarcasm, which is something I appreciate about him.
"Well, since you, Manager, are a highly capable person, I might have felt a bit overshadowed being your childhood friend. But being close since childhood, I might have admired you a lot."
"I see."
That's probably why I ended up as the one who was dumped by that guy. I guess I never had that kind of charm.
"But..."
Hanamura-kun continues.
"If I could be childhood friends with you at our current age, I think I would have looked up to you a lot as a very cool and beautiful older sister. I'm an only child, so I might have leaned on you as a big sister."
He smiles innocently, like that time when he was 2 years old, and I was 4, and I used to lead him around.
Ah... I have a feeling he had such an innocent smile back then. Well, just a feeling, nothing more.
"Well then, should I try to behave like an Onee-san?"
"Huh!? Um... no, that's..."
It wouldn't be so bad to interact with this adorable and flustered younger brother-like childhood friend while embracing the role of an older sister. After all, I have a good man by my side, don't I? Even though he's still got a long way to go.
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