Chapter 169 - The Present” and the Present Becoming One (1/2)

Naturally, I joined the HRG company. I worked part-time for a while there and since I had done more work than some of their other employees already, there weren’t any of the normal assessments to get in.

The interview wasn’t conducted as a way to determine if I got in or not, but rather as a confirmation of my intentions.

After joining the company, I worked hard. All while cooking up that plan.

Including Rei-chan, I got along with another girl. Natsumi-chan became quite upset.

“…I like her to this day. Not just now, it’ll probably be that way until I die.”

I told Natsumi-chan that as she was upset. It seems that she couldn’t hold it back as it seemed like I was wavering.

“I intend on living on with only my memories from back then.”

Natsumi-chan who excessively thought of her sister looked somewhat worried.

Despite that, she didn’t push me. Is it because she heard from Hiiragi-chan the circumstances in which we broke up. At the very least, she seemed to respect my will.

She still remembers me, and cherishes those memories that we made at the time—

I was told that by Natsumi-chan, and so my feelings for Hiiragi-chan did not fade.

What Hiiragi-chan was concerned about was my lack of choice. Since then, I’ve had an increased opportunity to meet other women at college and at work, and have repeatedly made various choices.

With that experience, after I become an adult I would be able to go and meet her. I don’t know whether she will meet with me though. However, if I keep thinking about it, I would get anxious, and so I decided to do my best at work. With a reason to work hard, it became just a bit more enjoyable.

I finally explained to Natsumi-chan the plan that I had come up with in high school.

“What we’ve done so far has been important, but if any of them go wrong, the company will fall. That’s why we should try something new why we still have the capacity—”

After giving that impassioned speech, Natsumi-chan agreed with me.

“Ahahah. That’s unusual. For Seiji-san to speak so passionately. You have a surprising amount of loyalty to the HRG company.”

“I’ve been working here since high school after all. I have a sense of attachment. Besides… well, nevermind.”

She would never believe me if I told her that the business would fall apart if left alone.

“Well, that’s fine. Let’s do it.”

It was the summer of when I turned 25. I think that the plan that I had seen at the end during the “present”, was probably presented at this time. The game would take at least a year to be released after all.

Having the president’s daughter on my side was quite an advantage.

Natsumi-chan spoke directly to the president—Takakage-san, and the project went through, leading to the establishment of a new division.

A young promising employee was then selected to be the new manager. The president’s daughter became my new superior and pushed the project along steadily.

As I had worked part-time here for a long duration, my former superiors, who had been further promoted, highly valued my skills. Thanks to that, there wasn’t any pushback or strange friction that occurred.

“Senpaaai~ I get off at 7:00 PM. Do you want to get something to eat ♡?”

I refused the invitation from the calculating female college student that recently started to work part time, and rushed to get the new business on track.

“I’m underaged, but I would love to pour it for my Senpai~”

She wandered around the desk with a calculating and devilish smile.

I could tell that my superior, who was working at the desk across from me, turned on edge.

“Rei-chan, Natsumi-chan is dangerous, so—”

Bam! I heard the loud sound of the keyboard being hit.

“If you’re flirting around then do it outside!”

“Yaaa~n, so scaaaary!”

Blowing 2 or 3 kisses my way, Rei-chan left the workplace. Since we were still the only two people within the mobile content division, we were in a state where we were still borrowing manpower from other areas.

“Seiji-san, if you’re truly uninterested, then just say it straight up!”

“It’s okay, don’t worry, it’s been like this since a long time ago.”

Natsumi-chan let out a dissatisfied sigh. She still remembers the time when she was still just like a puppy, so it’s really hard to push her away.

I didn’t say it out loud, but whenever I got close to another girl, not limited to Rei-chan, she would end up glaring. It’s a very Natsumi-chan-like behavior as she wishes for her sister’s happiness.

Several social gatherings were held with the ASW company, to whom we outsource our work.

A nostalgic set of members were gathered. Sana, Kanata, Natsumi-chan, Rei-chan, and me.

With there being a table with alcohol, it really felt like a sort of reunion.

“Ah, Senpai ♡ your glass is empty. Do you want a beer?”

The tactful college girl stubbornly stuck to my right side. On my left side, Natsumi-chan played the role of a chaperone by glaring at me with a glass of wine in one hand.

Sana sat opposite of me, with Kanata next to her.

“There’s a bit of respect. Nii-san, you’ve been chased by her for almost 10 years.”

When Sana said that with an impressed expression, Kanata nodded while holding her orange juice in one hand.

“…A one-sided love. Still, ten years is amazing.”

“Don’t praise me like that. Ah, speaking of which.”

Rei-chan clapped her hands, and then took out a photo from her small bag.

“Thanks to this, even when it gets tough, I can continue living.”

It was the selfie that we took together that Christmas in high school.

“You took something like that?”

Natsumi-chan’s gaze was painful.

“…Sana has the group photo.”

“…Saa-chan, you never let that leave your body. You’re always holding onto it.”

“Don’t say anything unnecessary.”

The group photo from that time. Everyone is happily portrayed. In truth, it was fun.

““““…””””

The four of them made an awkward expression.

“Senpai, when will you…”

“Hey kid, don’t bring up a delicate topic like that.”

“But… Senpai…”

“—Outsiders should stay out of this.”