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

Why was Honoka able to interact with Rinta normally?

When Ruka asked her that, Honoka fell into deep thought.

After pondering for a while, she suddenly looked like she had reached a conclusion and nodded.

“It’s probably because… Hirarin is just a good guy… I guess.”

A soft smile spread across her face.

Watching her nod to herself in agreement, Ruka found the sight rather cute.

“I see. That makes sense. Rinta-senpai really is a good person.”

Ruka nodded as well, mirroring Honoka’s warm expression.

“But, you know, Honoka-senpai, this is great news for you.”

“For what?”

“Thanks to Rinta-senpai, it looks like your ‘fear of non-handsome men’ is starting to fade.”

“Huh…? Ahaha. You think so?”

“Definitely. This is a big opportunity for you.”

“Yeah… maybe. Ahaha.”

Maybe it was because the alcohol had gotten to her, but today, Honoka—who usually had a sharp tongue—was admitting things more easily than usual.

“Honoka-senpai…”

“Hmm? What is it?”

“Now that Rinta-senpai has joined our office, I hope we can all keep up the good atmosphere… No, I hope it becomes even better than before.”

“Yeah. Ruka-tan, let’s keep doing our best together.”

“Yes. Same to you, Senpai.”

What had started as a night filled with lingering uncertainties ended in a warm and comforting atmosphere.

〈Rinta’s Perspective〉

At a hotel restaurant, I was having dinner with Manager Hiramatsu and Aihara-san.

As always, Manager Hiramatsu was the perfect mix of dandy and hilarious… No, he was just a really fun middle-aged man.

Seriously, he was such a great guy—both kind and entertaining.

And then there was Aihara-san.

This was my first time having a meal with her.

As expected from an HR ace, someone whose job revolved around people.

She was tall and elegant, with striking features like a half-Japanese model, but her demeanor was incredibly gentle and warm.

“Hirabayashi-san, how is your new workplace? Have you gotten used to it yet?”

“Yes. Everyone on the team is so open and welcoming that I settled in almost immediately.”

“I’m glad to hear that…”

Aihara-san said that with a bright smile before giggling softly, “Ufufu.”

…What was that about?

As I blinked at her in confusion, she quickly covered her mouth with a soft “Ah…”.

“Sorry for laughing, I just thought, Hirabayashi-san, you’re still the same as ever.”

“The same as ever…?”

“Yes. You always say that everyone around you is a good person.”

“Huh…?”

What did she mean by that?

“Even when you came to our company for a hearing before, you called every person you met a good person.”

“Oh, that was… well, because everyone at your company really is a good person.”

“Yes, they are. But I think a big part of it is also how you perceive people. You have a generous heart, don’t you?”

Uh… Did I?

I never really thought of myself that way.

“Ah, no, I think I’m just normal…”

“Well, in any case, I’m glad you’re having fun here, Hirabayashi-san.”

“Yeah, it’s been fun. Though… since everyone is female, I’ve been feeling a bit out of place. Haha.”

“Oh! Is that so, Hirabayashi-kun?” Suddenly, Manager Hiramatsu cut into the conversation. “That’s quite enviable! You must be quite popular!”

What? No way. Here comes another one of the manager’s jokes.

“Indeed, Hirabayashi-san, you’re quite popular.”

Wait, what? Even Aihara-san, who usually didn’t joke around, joined in on it.

Should I just go along with it and say, “Yes, I’m super popular!” as a joke…?

No, I didn’t have the confidence to pull off such a narcissistic response.

“No, no. My previous workplace had only two women, and they were both over ten years older than me. This is the first time I’ve worked with women my age, so I’m just feeling a bit lost. Back in school, I always hung out with guys too.”

“Oh… I see…”

Aihara-san looked genuinely surprised. Her mouth formed a small “O”.

“Man, Aihara-kun, doesn’t it make you jealous? Hirabayashi-kun is surrounded by women his age!”

“Ah, no… Manager Hiramatsu! How many times do I have to ask you not to say things like that?”

“Oh, right, right. My bad, Aihara-kun. It’s just that you always speak so highly of Hirabayashi-kun, so I couldn’t help myself…”

Manager Hiramatsu grinned mischievously.

Wait, what?

Aihara-san spoke highly of me?

If that was true, I was genuinely grateful.

That would mean she acknowledged my work as a career advisor.

Coming from someone as capable as Aihara-san, that was incredibly encouraging—almost moving.

“Ah, thank you very much, Aihara-san.”

Overcome with emotion, I looked directly at her and expressed my gratitude. She, in turn, averted her gaze, looking slightly embarrassed.

“Oh, no… Y-you’re welcome.”

—Huh?

That was unexpected.

Aihara-san always presented herself as composed and professional. For her to react this way… Could it be that Manager Hiramatsu’s comment about her always praising me was just a joke?

Maybe she felt awkward because I took it seriously and responded earnestly?

If that was the case, I must seem like a total fool for believing it so easily.

But now, asking, “Was that just a joke?” would be even more awkward. So instead, I decided to take it at face value and continue.

“Hearing that from someone as talented and wonderful as you makes me even more motivated. Thank you so much.”

“Oh… no. Wonderful, you say… that’s… um…”

—Hmm?

Aihara-san looked even more flustered.

Someone as beautiful and accomplished as her must have received countless compliments before, so why did she seem embarrassed now?

Maybe she was just the type to take words at face value—a sincere and straightforward person.

Just as I was lost in thought, Manager Hiramatsu’s deep, dandy voice cut through.

“Well, that’s how it is, Hirabayashi-kun!”

…That’s how what is?

“I’m counting on you from now on, Hirabayashi-kun.”

“Ah, yes. Likewise, Manager Hiramatsu. Thank you.”

“Yes, yes. As the ‘Hira-Hira’ duo, of course.”

—I had no recollection of forming such a duo, but I just smiled and let it slide.

＊＊＊

From there, the conversation shifted to reminiscing about past projects we had worked on together. The time flew by, and before we knew it, it was almost 9 PM—nearly three hours had passed.

“Hirabayashi-kun, as much as I’d love to continue, I have an early morning train back to Tokyo. Let’s call it a night.”

“Understood. Thank you for today, Manager Hiramatsu.”

“Aihara-kun must be feeling reluctant too. I bet she’d love to keep staring at your face a little longer.”

“Manager, please… Not again…”

“Hahaha, I’m just joking!”

The manager was joking around again. You’re having a hard time, aren’t you, Aihara-san?

Aihara-san lowered her face slightly and glanced up at me.

—Don’t worry, Aihara-san. I understand that it’s just a joke.

To convey that sentiment, I gave her a big, reassuring smile.

Seeing that, Aihara-san blushed deeply and smiled back at me.

Her face was bright red. Maybe the alcohol was really getting to her.

Or perhaps… she really was just an incredibly pure-hearted person.

＊＊＊

After the dinner with the WebAd folks, I got home and suddenly noticed something.

Checking my phone, I saw a LINE message from a high school friend I had reached out to.

“I don’t personally know anyone working at Kagaya Manufacturing, but you should ask Totsuka from Class 3-B. You remember him, right? Totsuka from the baseball team. He was the organizer for this year’s class reunion, so he should have the contact list and might know something.”

Now that he mentioned it, I recalled hearing about a full-year reunion for my high school class this past spring. I hadn’t been able to attend since I was in Tokyo at the time.

My friend had even included Totsuka’s email address. That was really helpful. My friends were seriously all such good people.

I really was lucky… I thought to myself once again.

So, I decided to send Totsuka an email.