Actually, There’s Someone at Your Workplace Who Likes You ~ I’m Being Transferred to a Sales Office Filled With Only Beautiful Women!? - Chapter 9: Rinta's "I Want To Do My Best Too"

“I had dealings with this company when I was in Tokyo. I have an acquaintance in their HR department. Can I ask them for support?”

When Rinta said this, Honoka furrowed her brows and gave him a puzzled look. A harsh breath came from her nose.

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

“Well, it’s a case of yours, Kosakai-san. I want to do my best to make it work too. Is that okay?”

“For my sake…?”

Honoka, caught off guard, blushed slightly on her cheeks.

“Well… if you ask me if it’s okay… it’s not that it’s not okay.”

“Got it. I’ll give them a call.”

Rinta took out his phone and made a call.

“Ah, is this the department head? Thank you for your support! I have a request…”

Rinta explained the situation to the person on the phone and asked them to provide follow-up support for the Shimizu branch.

“Yes, thank you very much. I appreciate it.”

After ending the call, Rinta smiled faintly at Honoka.

“All set. The HR department head from WebAd is going to send an ace employee to the Shimizu branch to follow up on the interview with Tanaka-san.”

“Eh…? Who was that on the phone…?”

“Ah, that was the HR director from WebAd. He’ll even come personally from Tokyo to the Shimizu branch. He’s good at handling things, so I think Tanaka-san will feel more at ease.”

“T-THE HR DIRECTOR!? You have a hotline like that? Why would the HR director come all the way to a branch in a rural area!?”

“Well, the HR director here is really a great person. If he and an ace employee handle things together, I’m sure it’ll ease Tanaka-san’s worries.”

“Ah… well, I guess that could work…”

Rinta and Honoka went back to the meeting room where Tanaka-san was waiting and explained the situation about the upcoming interview with the WebAd HR personnel.

Tanaka-san seemed to feel a bit more positive and promised, “I’ll talk to the HR properly.”

Rinta and Honoka saw Tanaka-san off and returned to the office. Ruca was waiting with a worried expression.

“Ah, Honoka-senpai. How did it go?”

“Somehow, Tanaka-san reconsidered withdrawing her acceptance and agreed to have another interview with the WebAd HR person.”

“That’s great! As expected of Honoka-senpai.”

“Ah, no… I mean…”

Honoka gave a troubled look and glanced at Rinta.

Rinta turned to Honoka and spoke.

“Kosakai-san, could I talk to you for a moment? There’s something about your response that I’m a bit concerned about…”

“Concerned? About what?”

Honoka raised an eyebrow and Ruca looked at Rinta with a puzzled expression.

“Hmm… I know you probably don’t want to hear this from someone like me who just got here, but can I say one thing?”

“What is it? Just say it clearly.”

“From watching you, Kozakai-san, it seemed like you were really upset about losing your results. I think if you try to empathize more with the other person, they might be more likely to listen…”

“Are you criticizing me?”

Honoka’s face stiffened immediately at Rinta’s words.

“No, that’s not it. As work colleagues, I just want to make sure we convey things that are helpful to each other. I’d be happy if you pointed out my mistakes freely too, Kosakai-san.”

“Thanks for the advice.”

Honoka said just that, turned her face away, and walked toward the door. She was clearly in a bad mood, her shoulders stiff.

“Honoka-senpai, where are you going?”

“To the restroom!”

Without even looking back, Honoka answered Ruca, then slammed the door shut as she left.

“Ah, I think I pissed her off. I tried to be considerate, but maybe I went too far…”

“Well, well, Hirabayashi-san. It’s work, so pointing out things you notice isn’t wrong. And I can tell you were being considerate enough.”

“But I still made Kosakai-san angry.”

“Well, Honoka-senpai tends to wear her emotions on her sleeve. But actually, she’s really caring, and a good person who looks out for others.”

“Yeah, I can kind of tell that.”

“But, Hirabayashi-san, let me just say one thing.”

Ruca’s tone suddenly became serious.

Rinta tensed up and listened carefully.

“What is it?”

“Pointing it out in front of me, as your junior, might not have been the best move.”

“Ah… I see. I might have hurt her pride. I feel bad… What should I do?”

“Don’t worry about it. Honoka-senpai gets angry quickly, but she also forgets quickly, so it’ll be fine.”

“R… really?”

Ruca’s tone and expression were ambiguous, and Rinta was left confused as to whether she was joking or serious.

If it was true, it would be a huge relief.

“That said, please apologize to Honoka-senpai properly later, Hirabayashi-san…”

“Ah, okay. Got it. Thanks for the advice. It really helps.”

“You’re welcome. Didn’t I say I’d never forget the favor you did for me? This is nothing.”

Rinta was surprised.

Indeed, Ruca had said that after he’d helped her out last night.

However, he thought that was just a formality, something she’d said in the moment, but Ruca was still bringing it up.

Of course, even if “forever” was an exaggeration, Rinta was genuinely touched to know that Ruca was still so grateful.

“I’m going to go take care of Honoka-senpai now.”

Ruca saluted like a soldier with her right hand to her forehead, then said that and left through the door.

Left alone in the office, Rinta watched Ruca’s back as she left and thought that she was truly a thoughtful junior.