Actually, There’s Someone at Your Workplace Who Likes You ~ I’m Being Transferred to a Sales Office Filled With Only Beautiful Women!? - Chapter 8: Honoka's in Trouble

As Honoka’s flustered response to the phone call was observed, a sense of tension spread through the office.

“Honoka-senpai… what’s wrong?”

“The girl we offered the position to earlier, she wants to withdraw.”

“Eh…? That’s serious…”

“Yeah. It’s a big deal… It was the only sale this month, and now it’s going to be zero…”

Honoka clutched her head, her face turning pale.

The recruitment service was commission-based, so if the candidate didn’t join the company, no introduction fee was received.

The case Honoka had been relying on for this month’s only sale was about to fall through, so her anxiety was understandable.

Rinta, worried, spoke up.

“So, Kosakai-san. That person is still coming here, right?”

“Ah, yeah. But…”

“Then, can I sit in on the interview too? I’ll help convince her.”

“Huh? You?”

Honoka looked at Rinta with a puzzled expression.

She seemed to be thinking, You’re not going to be of any help.

––Well, Rinta himself knew he might not be much help, but a colleague from the same office was in trouble, and he wanted to do whatever he could.

That was his thought.

“The director told me to get you some hands-on experience with the work here… so fine, but don’t get in the way, okay?”

“Yeah, of course. So, before she arrives, can you tell me about the situation so far?”

“Ah… yeah.”

Rinta listened as Honoka briefed him on the profile of the job seeker.

The reason for wanting to change careers was simple: the current job at the local government office was filled with repetitive tasks, and there was no room for further personal growth.

Honoka had introduced her to several companies, mostly in the startup sector, and one of them had offered her a job.

The company that had made the offer was WebAd, a company that dealt with social media and online advertising.

“I’m sorry. I know this is the company you introduced me to, but I just don’t think I have the confidence to push forward anymore.”

The serious-looking woman who had entered the office’s meeting room said this with a downcast expression.

“No, no, no, Tanaka-san. You can do it! Let’s do our best!”

Honoka encouraged her with various supportive words, but Tanaka-san kept insisting she lacked confidence. Eventually, Honoka started to get frustrated and spoke in a slightly harsher tone.

“But the company already knows that you’ve accepted the offer, right? It’s too late to back out now!”

“I’m sorry. But I really can’t do it.”

Honoka let out a big sigh, her shoulders slumping.

Tanaka-san appeared very apologetic, shrinking her shoulders.

“Well… I guess it can’t be helped. I understand.”

“I’m really sorry.”

Honoka finally gave up and raised the white flag of surrender.

Rinta looked at Honoka’s side profile, which was filled with frustration.

If this continued, Honoka’s hard work would go to waste. And wouldn’t Tanaka-san be missing out on an opportunity as well?

Rinta decided he wanted to do something about it for both of them.

“Um, Tanaka-san. Can I talk to you for a moment?”

“Yes?”

Rinta glanced at the resigned Honoka, then turned to Tanaka-san.

“You were thinking about changing careers because you wanted more personal growth, right?”

“Yes.”

“Has that feeling changed?”

“No, the feeling hasn’t changed. It’s just that a friend told me IT startup companies are really tough…”

“I see. That’s understandable.”

Rinta empathized, and Tanaka-san’s expression softened a little.

“But Tanaka-san, the personal growth you’re seeking is definitely possible here too.”

“Yes.”

“This company, WebAd, has a great reputation for supporting new employees, especially in the IT area.”

“Eh…? Is that so?”

“Yes. So how about you meet with HR again and discuss your concerns in more detail?”

“Ah… I see.”

“I’m not saying you should force yourself, but I think you can fully decline after having that conversation. What do you think?”

“Ah… if that’s the case…”

Tanaka-san’s attitude softened a little.

However, Honoka suddenly stood up from her chair, grabbed Rinta’s wrist firmly, and started pulling him toward the door.

“Hey! Come with me!”

Honoka tried to pull Rinta out of the meeting room.

“Tanaka-san, please wait a moment, I’m sorry.”

Rinta apologized to Tanaka-san before following Honoka into the hallway.

Honoka closed the door, then released his wrist and glared at Rinta.

Her long eyelashes and cute eyes usually made her look adorable, but when she glared, it was still intimidating.

“Listen, you! Can you stop saying things recklessly?”

“I’m not being reckless. It’s a fact that WebAd has a great reputation for supporting new employees, right?”

“I know that too, but the HR person at the Shimizu branch here is useless. If you make her do an interview, it’ll have the opposite effect!”

“Oh, I see…”

“Exactly.”

“Then we’ll get support from them.”

“Support?”

“I have connections with the HR department at the head office. I used to work with them when I was in Tokyo. Can I ask them for support?”

“Why are you going this far? It won’t even affect your own performance.”

Honoka frowned and looked at him with a suspicious expression.