Actually, There’s Someone at Your Workplace Who Likes You ~ I’m Being Transferred to a Sales Office Filled With Only Beautiful Women!? - Chapter 52: Am I... An Eccentric Person?

“Around me, since my student days, I’ve been surrounded by people who competed based on academic ability and talent. So I’ve rarely had close interactions with someone like you, Hirabayashi-kun, who has such wonderful sincerity, enthusiasm, and smile.”

Jinguji-shochou said this with a serious face while staring intently at me.

But I think people like me were everywhere. I didn’t think I was a particularly unusual type. Saying I had wonderful enthusiasm and smile was definitely overestimating me.

“Shochou… flattering me won’t get you a free meal.”

“Now, now, Hirabayashi-kun. I’m not looking for that kind of standard joke.”

“Ah, sorry.”

She rejected my joke quite seriously.

Jinguji-shochou seemed intelligent, and unlike me who’d graduated from a third-rate college, she’d probably graduated from a top university. If she’d lived in that world, there probably would be many people who competed based on intelligence and ability.

Conversely, I wasn’t smart and didn’t have any special skills. That was why all I could do was approach things with diligence and sincerity.

“Hirabayashi-kun. You are…”

“Huh?”

“Somehow a mysterious person.”

“Am I… an eccentric person?”

I’d never thought of myself as eccentric. I wondered if that was how I appeared to the Director…?

While I was thinking this, she suddenly laughed.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I mean you have something mysterious that attracts people.”

“Th-thank you.”

No, no. Being told something like this by the excellent and gorgeous Jinguji-shochou was too much. There was a limit to how much you could flatter me.

“Shochou. Really… I won’t treat you to anything, okay?”

“I know. Actually, partly as thanks for the success with Kagaya Manufacturing, let’s have a celebration. I’ll treat you.”

“What? No, I was just doing my job, so thanks are completely unnecessary!”

“It’s fine, Hirabayashi-kun. Let me thank you. After all, it’s thanks to you that I didn’t go along with the Executive Director’s invitation, and it’s thanks to you that I met President Kagaya. I can’t be satisfied just relying on my subordinates. At least let me thank you properly.”

Could it be that I— Had I deeply hurt Jinguji-shochou’s pride…?

I looked at the Director’s face with concern—huh? That wasn’t it; she was smiling happily. I was relieved to see she genuinely wanted to thank me.

Well, it was common in society for bosses to treat their subordinates to drinks. I guess I’d gratefully accept her hospitality this time.

“I understand. Thank you. I’ll accept your offer.”

“Good, that’s the right attitude. Shall we go tonight?”

“Ah, yes. That works for me.”

By the way, I felt like Rin-san had also said the same thing to me.

I wondered if older women see me as childish…?

Back at the office, Jinguji-shochou informed Honoka and Ruka that she had received a request for personnel referrals from President Kagaya.

Right away, Honoka showed a broad smile and made a victory pose. When she showed her radiant smile, with her round eyes, small face, and petite build, Honoka really did look as cute as an idol.

“Yay! As expected of Reika-shochou!”

After saying this in an exuberant voice, Honoka suddenly lowered her voice and looked at me.

“…and Hirarin.”

“Why did you say that part so quietly?!”

“Um… just because.”

“Well, whatever, it’s fine.”

I responded to Honoka with a slightly grumpy face and voice. Of course, that was just an act. I wasn’t actually upset.

As I’d told the Director, this wasn’t due to my abilities but because Ran-san, Rin-san, and President Kagaya were all good people. I shouldn’t be the one receiving praise as thought it was “as expected”.

“Come on, Rinta-senpai. I think it was thanks to your effort and enthusiasm.”

From beside Honoka, who had a mischievous grin on her face, Ruka spoke to me consolingly and smiled at me.

Since Ruka had witnessed the scene with the Hikawa sisters, she was probably trying to tell me “I understand what really happened”.

She really was a kind junior who cared about her seniors. I appreciated her thoughtfulness.

While saying “Thank you”, I winked back at Ruka from an angle where only she could see, to let her know I understood her consideration.

“Eh…? Ah, um…”

Ruka suddenly became flustered, and her face turned bright red as if flames were about to burst out. Oh no… Did she think the wink was pretentious? I wish I hadn’t done something so embarrassing.

“What’s wrong, Ruka-chan?”

“Ah, it’s nothing, Reika-shochou…”

Ruka pulled at her bangs with her fingers, trying to hide her face. The Director looked at Ruka with a slightly puzzled expression, but then seemed to remember something and said to everyone:

“Oh right. We haven’t finalized the personnel referral yet, but thanks to Hirabayashi-kun’s great work, things went well with Kagaya Manufacturing, so we decided to have a celebration tonight. Would Hono-chan and Ruka-chan like to join us?”

“Ah, Director. I can’t. I need to go home early today. Aww, I wanted to eat something delicious… What a shame!”

“I also have plans… I’m sorry, Reika-shochou.”

“Oh, I see. Both of you can’t make it. Well, can’t be helped, Hirabayashi-kun. Shall we go, just the two of us?”

Both of them expressed their regret. But going out for drinks alone with such a beautiful boss…

—I thought for a moment, but then again, there was no need for me to be awkwardly conscious of her being a female boss.

In today’s era, there were more female bosses, and for communication between bosses and subordinates, such situations were bound to happen. It would be strange and self-conscious to be overly aware of it.

So I simply replied “Yes, understood” as if it were nothing unusual.