Actually, There’s Someone at Your Workplace Who Likes You ~ I’m Being Transferred to a Sales Office Filled With Only Beautiful Women!?

I was surprised when we arrived at the welcome party venue.

It was a stylish Italian restaurant located in front of the station. The interior walls were coated with white hand-applied plaster, and the furniture had a geometric design that gave off the impression of being high-end Italian-made.

Well, I wasn’t particularly knowledgeable about interior design, so that was just my impression.

It was an Italian restaurant, so I figured it had to be, that’s all.

“Whoa~! This place is pretty fancy…”

When I murmured that upon entering, Aido-san, standing beside me, covered her mouth with her hand and let out a small chuckle.

From my perspective, company drinking parties were usually held at chain izakayas. I had never even considered the possibility of having one in such a stylish place.

Honoka gave me a sharp glare.

“You’re looking down on this town, aren’t you? Thinking there wouldn’t be any fancy restaurants around here?”

“No, that’s not it. I just assumed my welcome party would be at an izakaya.”

“Oh no, no. Precisely because it’s your welcome party, we made sure to choose a good place,” Aido-san, who had taken off her glasses since it was after work hours, turned her beautiful olive-green eyes toward me and spoke gently. Hearing her say that made me genuinely happy.

“Oh, thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.”

Apparently, they had already ordered a full-course meal for us. A welcome party with three women in such a stylish restaurant—I figured it would be a calm and relaxed gathering.

──I had been naïve to think that.

After the toast, we started with brief self-introductions, but as soon as the drinks arrived, the three of them began drinking vigorously.

I started with beer, but Director Jinguji had a sweet cocktail, Honoka went for wine, and Aido-san chose whiskey—each of them drinking exactly what they wanted right from the first round.

And before I knew it, they were deep in their own discussion, completely ignoring me, enthusiastically debating topics like gourmet food, fashion, and dramas.

Aido-san, without her glasses, exuded an overwhelming beauty, while Honoka was her usual lively and cheerful self.

As for the strict and proper-looking Director, she remained in her neatly worn navy-blue suit while drinking, maintaining her composed demeanor…

But even so, this was a drinking party. The moment she ate something delicious, her model-like beautiful face softened with delight.

“This bagna cauda is really good.”

“Right?! Enjoying delicious vegetables in a healthy way—it’s the best!”

“Hono-chan, Ruka-chan, this prosciutto is amazing too!”

I was completely overwhelmed. All I could do was sip my beer little by little and blankly watch their conversation unfold from the sidelines.

Lively chatter and excited voices filled the air. As my welcome party, which felt more like a girls’ night out, continued for a while, Aido-san suddenly stood up.

“Ah, I’m going to the restroom for a moment.”

“Ruka-tan, wait for me! I’m coming too~”

Honoka quickly stood up and followed after her.

Left alone at the table, the Director turned her gaze toward me.

“Oh… Hirabayashi-kun.”

Come on, don’t look at me like you just realized I was here! I’ve been here the whole time!

I wanted to say that, but I held back and simply replied, “Yes?”

“Still, everyone is drinking quite a lot. Is it always like this?”

“Well, everyone does like alcohol. But today, the pace seems faster than usual. Maybe because you’re here?”

“Huh? Why would my presence make them drink faster?”

“Who knows…? Maybe because they’re having fun?”

No way. That couldn’t be true.

There was no way my presence was making everyone enjoy themselves more.

I had barely participated in the conversation—I was completely left out of the loop.

“By the way, Hirabayashi-kun. Let me give you one warning.”

“Eh…? W-What is it?”

The Director narrowed her beautiful almond-shaped eyes slightly as she fixed her gaze on me.

Her eyes were faintly tinged with red—she must have been getting a little tipsy.

Her model-like beautiful face, flushed from the alcohol, looked incredibly alluring, but… being warned with such an intense glare was downright terrifying.

“This branch has—not counting me—two very cute girls. If you mess around with Hono-chan or Ruka-chan with insincere intentions, I won’t forgive you.”

“Oh, of course! I’d never do something like that!”

I answered without a moment’s hesitation, my conscience completely clear.

I wasn’t the type to chase after women just for fun. There was no way I’d ever act irresponsibly toward them.

…Besides, the women here were way out of my league! There was no way I could make a move on them even if I wanted to!

“Well, if you’re serious about a real relationship, that’s a different story. They’re both adorable and genuinely good girls.”

So, a serious relationship was an option, huh…?

—No, wait. That was not the issue here!

There was no way someone like me would ever stand a chance. What the hell was Director Jinguji even talking about?

“Director, you don’t have to worry about that. Someone like me wouldn’t even be considered, so there’s no chance of me dating anyone.”

“You never know. With two girls around, you might end up clicking with one of them.”

“Ah… Well, sure, including you, Director, there are three wonderful women here, but—”

“You don’t need to include me.”

Oof. The Director shut me down hard. That was scary…

I’d only said that because I thought it would be rude to compliment just the other two. It wasn’t flattery—she really was an incredible woman too.

But thinking about it… considering someone like her, a high-caliber, mature woman, as a potential romantic partner would probably be rude in itself.

—Guess I wasn’t being thoughtful enough.

“My deepest apologies for my rudeness.”

I bowed my head deeply.

“Oh, no, Hirabayashi-kun, you don’t have to be so formal…”

The Director seemed a bit flustered as she placed a hand on my shoulder.

“I didn’t find it rude or anything. If anything, I get it—you wouldn’t even consider me as a romantic prospect, but out of politeness, you felt obligated to say it because I’m your superior, right?”

“Eh…?”

This woman…

I had thought she was strict with others and had a lot of pride.

Normally, someone in her position would say, ‘Don’t put me in your list of potential love interests’. But instead, she rephrased it in a way that was considerate of me.

She was kind and incredibly thoughtful.

Not only was she model-tier beautiful, but she also knew how to look out for others.

Director Jinguji was seriously impressive.

A true mature woman.

I was so taken aback that I found myself staring blankly at her beautiful face.