[CH.46] Summer Beach Recreation (Part 1)
"Yes, the 1st quarter review is complete! Let's do our best in the 2nd quarter too!"
"Great job, everyone!"
In response to the manager's words, the three team members chimed in together.
On a day in early July, the four members belonging to the Hamayama SO (Sales Office) were conducting a review meeting for the 1st quarter, covering the months from April to June.
The fiscal year ends in March. Since I joined in April, the sales per team member decreased, but we are doing reasonably well when it comes to budget progress, surpassing the previous year's figures.
The entire company conducts these reviews and announces the goals for the 2nd quarter during this period.
"Next weekend is Forecon, right?"
"Yeah, Hinata-chan, are the reservations okay?"
"They're all set! You can count on me."
I see... I had completely forgotten that it's next weekend. I knew it was around this time, but it's approaching faster than I thought.
Forest Corp Community, also known as Forecon, is a department responsible for employee welfare programs. They have various initiatives, but the most significant event is the annual founding celebration held on a weekend in early July. Everyone from the office goes to a predetermined location, and as long as they provide receipts within a set limit, they receive subsidies.
Therefore, on this day, all the sales offices nationwide conduct some form of recreation activity. Since it's a company event, attendance is mandatory.
"I thought we would be doing it jointly with the Nagoya and Yokohama offices, but it seems different."
The Hamayama Sales Office has fewer employees due to its location in a rural area. The standard practice is to hold joint events with offices from other regions, where there are more employees.
"I'll pass. It would ruin the whole recreation trip."
The manager let out a sigh.
"We received invitations from Nagoya and Yokohama... even Kyoto invited us. But we can't send Nishina and Hinata to places where ulterior motives are so obvious."
"So invitations are coming from all over Western Japan?"
I see. Some employees tend to take full advantage of these recreation events, especially since there are three women here who are undoubtedly in the top five of the company's most attractive employees. They want to invite them at any cost.
"Hanamura-kun, if you want to go, you can go there."
As someone who prefers indoor activities and needs to work on book-related tasks, participating in company events is almost painful for me. Especially since Hamayama is quite far from Nagoya and Yokohama, even if they are nearby. I definitely don't want to go. I considered going if it were in Tokyo because I could meet fellow authors.
"I don't know anyone in Nagoya or Yokohama... What about this year?"
"Yeah, I'm thinking of going to the same place as last year."
"Last year... Where did you go?"
"To Hamayama Seaside Beach."
Kuhou-san told me about it. Hamayama Seaside Beach. It's a leisure facility located along the southern coast of Hamayama City, built two years ago. I hear it boasts a large beach created in the vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, a massive dining area, and a seaside hotel that was crowned the best in Japan last year, offering the best in both scenery and service.
I haven't been there since it was built while I was in Tokyo. It's known for its beautiful scenery, delicious food, and a large number of tourists.
If that's the case, I'd like to go too. Fortunately, I knew about the company event, so I took a break from my side job, and I can do a lot of sightseeing.
"We're planning to have another creative camp, just like last year. There's no better opportunity for the three of us to get together and work intensively."
"Well then, please let me participate in that camp. I can also provide my car. It would be convenient if all four of us go together, right?"
"Huh?"
It was a casually spoken word, but everyone's eyes widened.
"So, um, that...?"
Looking a bit embarrassed, Kuhou-san seemed flustered. Everyone understands our creative work, so there shouldn't be a problem. If we get bored, we can do some sightseeing. I'm used to going out alone.
"Really? Well, I think it's okay, Hanamura-kun. I wanted your input anyway."
"I-it's embarrassing, but... yeah, Hanamucchan joining would be nice too."
"I trust you, so..."
What's this... this sense of unease?
I started to wonder if I had missed something significant.
But I'm a guy, and it's not unusual to offer to drive, right? What is it, exactly?
Oh well. The first weekend of July is going to be a creative camp for all of us.
"Then everyone, make sure to buy swimsuits."
Huh?
---
Saturday in July, 10 AM.
I went to the car wash first thing in the morning, meticulously wiped away any dirt, gave the exterior a nice shine with wax, and cleaned up the rear seats. Of course, I didn't forget to use an air freshener.
Three beautiful women were going to ride in my car. I had to make sure the seats were clean...
I ended up being the driver, taking on the role of the "legs," but the preparations turned out to be more troublesome than I had expected.
Compared to Nishina-san and Kuhou-san, who had organized this founding event, just driving a car seemed like a minor task. But when you have beautiful women as passengers, you can't afford to be casual.
"Well, it's time to go."
I usually had anime songs blasting in the car, but today, considering likability, I played some rock music without even asking what they preferred. I didn't really know what was good, but a vaguely young male atmosphere filled the car.
But, well... July at Seaside Beach. It's natural to swim, of course, but I hadn't even thought about swimming until the very end.
I never expected that the girls, who had been refusing invitations left and right, would show me their swimsuit-clad figures.
I-it's not like I'm getting flustered over swimsuits or anything. I've written countless swimsuit scenes in my romantic comedies. I even received complaints from readers asking how many times those characters were going to the beach after I put in too many swimsuit scenes in the early parts of the novel, insisting they wanted to see illustrations and cover art before it got canceled.
"Heh."
Let's not act all high and mighty. Honestly, I'm looking forward to this. I want to thank them so much that I feel like bowing down in gratitude.
I'm getting way too carried away with these fantasies, and the ladies haven't even gathered yet... This is getting way too creepy. I need to stay focused and not let my imagination run wild.
We picked up Nishina-san, the manager, and Kuhou-san in that order, based on the direction and distance to our destination.
I arrived at Nishina-san's apartment building and immediately called her out.
"So, this is the apartment where Nishina-san lives?"
It's a women's apartment building, fitting for someone who lives alone. The entrance to the apartment building is secured with an auto-lock system, and it's designed to be discreet from the outside.
As I waited by the roadside, a woman carrying a large bag appeared.
"Oh, Hanamucchan, good morning!"
It's my admired colleague in casual attire! She's always in a suit, so this is a refreshing change. She greeted me with an adorable smile!
Ah, this alone is enough to make me happy. Nishina-san looked incredibly cute.
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