The Person Who Gave Me An Extraordinary Life Was You, A Beautiful Executive Secretary - Chapter 8

Episode 8: Why Are You Here?

“So, next I’ll have Kahlua milk, please.”

“Certainly.”

Feeling pleased with her conversation with the bartender, Shiraishi continues to enjoy her drinks, becoming increasingly cheerful and relaxed.

The bartender, deftly pouring colorful liquids into the glass, exchanges words with her.

He’s probably older than I am. I have to admit, he looks really cool. People like him must live in a completely different world from someone like me.

“Do you enjoy your job, Kousaka-san?”

Lost in my contemplation of the bourbon’s bitterness, Shiraishi’s small face turns towards me.

“Yes, to a certain extent. I prefer dealing with measuring instruments and samples over talking to people.”

“What do you do on your days off?”

…Shiraishi is starting to look different.

Her cheeks are slightly flushed, her eyes droopy, and she’s oddly cheerful, with a sweet tone in her words.

Maybe she becomes lively when she drinks?

“I mostly stay home, clean, and laze around. Sometimes I go to the movies or visit a shogi club or mahjong parlor.”

“…Shogi, mahjong…?”

“Yes, they’re hobbies of mine.”

“I’ve never played either, so I don’t really know.”

“Well, that’s understandable. I played shogi with my dad as a kid and learned mahjong in college.”

“I see…”

The conversation stalls. Differences in hobbies are hard to overcome. I should change the topic.

“What about you, Shiraishi-san? How do you spend your weekends?”

“Um…I also do things like tidying up my room and studying for work. I also do some cooking.”

“Cooking?”

“Yes. I don’t have much time on weekdays, but on weekends, I shop and cook various dishes like stew, nikujaga, and takikomi gohan.”

“That sounds nice.”

I admire people who can cook.

I can only make boiled eggs, simple mapo tofu, ramen, and udon.

I’ve heard that guys who can cook are trendy now, but that’s a world far from mine.

“Sometimes I cook too much which is a problem.”

“That sounds great. I’m envious since I can’t cook.”

Crash!

While I was talking with Shiraishi-san, the door suddenly opened, and loud voices poured in.

“Wow, what a nice place. Good choice!”

“Right? Excuse me, can you accommodate four people!?”

A group of men and women enter.

The floor girl attended them and guided them to the table right behind us.

I was trying to continue my conversation with Shiraishi-san without paying much attention to them.

“Huh!?”

I heard a voice from behind me, and felt someone approaching.

“Kousaka!?”

For some reason, I thought my name was being called.

Who the hell is that… huh?

“Yamagata?”

“Oh, it’s Kousaka after all. What a strange coincidence in a place like this, isn’t it?”

That person was undoubtedly Yoshikage Yamagata.

He was bright red, smiling cheerfully, and at the table behind us, there were three girls who looked like they had just finished work at the company, sitting together.

They’re probably from the company’s general affairs department, all dressed brightly and looking well-put-together.

It was like a harem.

Why at a time like this…? This place was originally recommended by Yamagata.

“You turned down my invitation, and here you are. Is she with you?”

He cheerfully looks between me and Shiraishi-san’s back.

“Hello, good evening.”

Shiraishi-san turns and gives him a dazzling smile. Yamagata freezes for a moment.

“…Hi, Good evening. Hey Kousaka, if this is the case, why didn’t you tell me?”

“Shut up, you’ve been drinking too much. It’s nothing special. We were just talking about work and stuff.”

I answered that in a nonchalant manner.

Did she guess my intention? Shiraishi-san, who was right next to me, was nodding her head.

“Hey, isn’t that…”

The girls with Yamagata whisper among themselves.

“Isn’t that Shiraishi-san…?”

“Eh, Shiraishi-san?”

Yamagata’s eyebrows twitch as he stares at her.

“It’s true…it’s Shiraishi-san…”

“Hello, I’m Shiraishi!”

She cheerfully greets them, and the four freeze, speechless.

“Huh? Hey, Kousaka, why…?”

Finally, Yamagata, still puzzled, speaks.

I can understand why. Someone like me with a popular figure from the company here is unusual.

“I told you, we’re just talking about work.”

“But here, just the two of you?”

“We got hungry, so we came here. Got a problem with that?”

“No… not really. However, it’s surprising…”

“Same here. Didn’t expect to run into you.”

“Well… that’s right. Sorry to interrupt…”

Although Yamagata looked unconvinced, he returned to their table with a firm smile on his face.

Not good. With them watching from behind, we shouldn’t stay here too long.

“Shiraishi-san, shall we leave soon?”

“Eh? Do you want to leave already, Kousaka-san?”

“Not really, but our coworkers are here.”

“Oh, well, that’s mutual, isn’t it?nAnd we’re talking about work, right?

She laughs, seemingly unconcerned.

…What the heck, seriously…

I just don’t want to cause rumors or trouble for Shiraishi-san.
But if she says so…

“I’ll have another bourbon.”

“I think I’ll have a wine cooler next.”

When we place our orders, the bartender nods as if nothing happened.

As I sip my bourbon, with its ice floating like an iceberg, I can’t help but feel the eyes on my back, making it taste less enjoyable.

Shiraishi-san still seems ready to keep going…