I Started a Lover-for-Hire Service, And For Some Reason, Only Beautiful Girls Are Requesting Me - Chapter 81: Hazuki's Overtime And Feelings

Two days had passed since the subordinate Nagano was off work.

“Manager Hazuki, if you’d like, please have this.”

“W-what is this…?”

Kaya discreetly handed Hazuki a bag of items she had bought from a convenience store, making sure that the other employees wouldn’t notice.

Inside the paper bag were a canned coffee, an energy drink, some bread for a light meal, and ramune candies for a sugar boost.

It wasn’t because she wanted to curry favor that she secretly gave it to her. Rather, it was an action that came from understanding Hazuki’s feelings.

“W-what’s all this?”

“Manager Hazuki, is there anything I can help you with?”

“No, nothing… More importantly, explain this to me.”

Hazuki gave Kaya a suspicious look while motioning toward the paper bag with her eyes.

Being suddenly handed such things, there was no way she could just accept them without question.

“Do I really need to explain? I think Manager Hazuki understands best.”

However, Kaya didn’t back down in the face of her superior’s suspicion.

Perhaps she had an idea of what this was about, as Hazuki was the one to avert her gaze first.

“This is why perceptive people are such a hassle… I’ve been trying my best not to show any signs of fatigue, you know?”

“It didn’t show on your face or gestures. But if I may be so bold, I’d say it’s actually Manager Hazuki who’s the troublesome one for hiding it so well.”

“Then how did you figure it out? You went all the way to the convenience store, so you must have been quite certain.”

“Yes. You’ve been going to pour yourself coffee about twice as often as usual. That’s a habit you show when you’re exhausted, isn’t it? You take in caffeine to fight off drowsiness.”

No one else knew about this habit. Other than Hazuki, Kaya was the only person sharp enough to notice such things.

Kaya deeply respected her superior, Hazuki. She intended to learn everything she could from her.

One of the things she wanted to emulate was not showing signs of fatigue when she returned home to Ryoma.

“You did explain that it ‘wouldn’t affect everyone’s work’, but isn’t Manager Hazuki staying late to cover for Nagano, who suddenly took time off? If you’re handling everything yourself, then of course, we wouldn’t have any issues.”

“…Is that so?”

“It’s okay to rely on your subordinates, you know. And if that’s difficult, at least lean on your drinking buddy—me.”

At this point, there was no doubt that Kaya had seen through everything.

Even so, Hazuki was in a leadership position. She was in charge of managing this workplace.

She couldn’t afford to let herself be spoiled by Kaya’s words.

“I’m relying on my team, which is exactly why I want each person to focus on their own work. Our ability to maintain a consistent level of performance and earn the trust of upper management is thanks to everyone’s efforts. I can’t afford to lose, not when it comes to ensuring the livelihood of those who are working so hard.”

“The reason our performance has improved so much is because of your unwavering support, Manager Hazuki. There’s no one here who doesn’t recognize that. So please, for both our work and your own well-being, don’t overdo it. And one more thing—when it comes to dedication to work, I don’t think anyone surpasses you.”

The level of trust directed at Hazuki from her subordinates was almost overwhelming.

She had to be strict, had to issue warnings when necessary. She was in a position where she could easily be resented. And yet, there were hardly any complaints about her.

That was because everyone saw firsthand how diligently she worked every day.

She never looked down on anyone, never tried to assert dominance. Instead, she listened sincerely to each person.

It was only natural that they wanted to repay her kindness, even in some small way.

“Well then, I’ve taken up enough of your time. I’ll get back to work now. If anything comes up—”

“—Heh, there’s nothing to worry about. Thank you, Kaya-san.”

“Understood.”

With a respectful bow, Kaya returned to her work, intent on finishing as quickly as possible so she could support Hazuki.

Hazuki was the type to always follow through on what she decided. The chances of her ever reaching out for help were close to zero.

But even if she wouldn’t ask, others could still lessen her burden by making their own work more efficient.

The time was 11:25 PM.

“Hello, Chiaki-san. Sorry for calling so late.”

At this hour, Hazuki was on the phone with Chiaki, the CEO of the lover-for-hire service company Farfalle.

“Oh, Hazuki-chan. No worries at all…”

Chiaki, who usually teased her about calling after hours, didn’t say anything this time.

Just from the tone of her voice, she could tell something was wrong.

“It’s rare for you to sound this tired, Hazuki-chan. Did work take a toll on you?”

“Yes, I just finished.”

“You go to work early in the morning, don’t you!? It’s already past 11:30 PM!”

“I was working overtime.”

Hazuki never showed her exhaustion to anyone, but every person had their limits.

Juggling a demanding schedule and working overtime for several consecutive days took a toll on both her mind and body.

She no longer had the energy to disguise her fatigue with her usual tone of voice.

“Haaah… Knowing you, Hazuki-chan, you stayed behind to cover for someone else, didn’t you? You’re so admirable for not dumping work on your subordinates… Meanwhile, I like to take it easy, so I just delegate everything.”

“That’s just what you wish you could do, isn’t it? But in reality, you don’t.”

“…Bingo. If I did that, my team wouldn’t stick around. Since they support me, I have to provide the right kind of leadership in return. That’s why we get the high salary, after all.”

“Yes, that’s only natural.”

Chiaki, the CEO, and Hazuki, the area manager. Their positions differed, but both had subordinates to oversee, giving them plenty to relate to.

“But you know, Hazuki-chan, you’re not very good at this. Covering for someone isn’t something you should do alone.”

“I want everyone to focus on their own work. I see firsthand how hard they’re trying.”

“I think it’s important to teach people the harsh realities of working life. And knowing you, you’d step in to cover for someone even if it was for a personal reason.”

“Because if no one steps up, it would be too cruel.”

“And after taking on all that ‘cruelty’ for others, you call me to fill the loneliness that’s left behind?”

“…Yes, I suppose so.”

Chiaki had meant it as a lighthearted joke, but Hazuki responded in a voice that carried weight.

“Whoa, hey. Hazuki-chan, this time you’re really feeling it, huh? I won’t pry, but I bet it’s not just the overtime getting to you.”

“Yeah… I had buried myself in work and forgotten about it, but now that it’s over, it all comes flooding back…”

Hazuki was someone who carried an immense sense of responsibility. She deeply regretted that she had failed to apply her usual practice of ‘observing her surroundings and assessing the situation’.

Even if there were faults to be addressed, she was in a position where she had to reprimand when necessary. That was the painful part.

The exhaustion from her long hours compounded the emotional strain pressing down on her.

“Sounds like this is going to put some weight on Shiba Ryoma-kun’s shoulders. So, when should we schedule the service?”

“How about the same as last time—Sunday night? I’d like to request it from 8 PM.”

“I have openings during the day too, you know… Are you sure nighttime is okay?”

“Yes. I’ll use the afternoon to rest.”

Now that Nagano’s workload had been covered, it would be meaningless if Hazuki ended up falling ill herself.

Hazuki prioritized work above all else—even over her personal life. The phrase “work is my lover” was no lie for her.

“Understood. Sunday at 8 PM it is.”

“Thank you. Also, could you ask Shiba-kun to dress warmly?”

“Dress warmly? Planning a late-night ride on your beloved bike?”

“It’s cold at night, so we’ll take the car. I thought we could go feel the ocean breeze.”

“The ocean at night, huh? Sounds romantic. Alright, I’ll let him know.”

“I appreciate it. Well then, Chiaki-san, good night.”

“Take care on your way home, Hazuki-chan.”

“Yes, thank you.”

With that, the ten-minute call ended, and Hazuki shut down her PC.

She leaned back against her chair, allowing her body to relax.

(…In this state, I might end up breaking the rules with Shiba-kun…)

On Sunday, she would finally see someone who could comfort her—someone she had longed to meet.

If, in this worn-out state, he said something that truly soothed her heart, it would be only natural for emotions to well up… She might not be able to hold them back.

“If that happens, I wonder if I can just blame it on Shiba-kun…”

She knew she had to follow the rules. But despite that, something she shouldn’t be feeling was beginning to take root in Hazuki’s heart…