kscans

As the end of the workday approaches, the office suddenly regains its liveliness. It’s funny how even as adults, we still do the same things we did when we were students, getting excited after school. Everyone must have their own plans. While my subordinates start getting ready to leave, I grab my cigarettes and lighter and head out of the office. On the way, I buy a sweet coffee from a vending machine and go up to the rooftop.

“Oh, isn’t it Sato-kun?”
“Hey there.”

There was already someone there. It’s the president. I lightly greet him as he tries to light his cigarette, and I stand next to him. Leaning against the railing, we overlook the office district. I strangely like this scene at this time of day. During the day, I don’t really think much about it, but I enjoy watching the office district and the people walking around during the evening and nighttime hours. There are people with faces as bright as those of prisoners who have just been released, and there are also people who look exhausted because they still have work to do. It never gets boring to watch. Except during busy periods or when I have something to do, I usually make it a habit to watch this before going home.

“Hey, hey, Sato-kun.”
“What is it?”
“I have something to discuss with you.”
“Oh, really?”
“Well, you see, I had a fight with my daughter yesterday.”

Oh, his daughter, huh? I think she’s a second-year high school student, the president’s daughter. She used to come to the company’s BBQs and New Year parties when she was little, right? I remember her being cute, looking just like her mother, although she stopped showing up around the time she graduated from elementary school, probably because she felt embarrassed. When she did show up, I used to give her New Year’s money every year. “Thank you, Uncle!” she would say, and give me a kiss on the cheek. She was adorable.

“I won’t go into the specifics since it’s a private matter. But my daughter said I was embarrassing.”
“Haha”
“Hey, hey, Sato-kun. When you talk to someone, you have to look them in the eye, you know? Your gaze is a bit off.”
“Is it ‘off’ or ‘looking away’.*”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about! I’m worried about you. You’re the boss of the sales department, Boss~ Are you okay with that attitude?”
“Well, yeah. It’s probably better than yours, Mr. President.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I have no idea what you’re talking about!!”
(t/n: ずれてるってかずらしてるってか (Zure teru tte ka zurashi teru tteka). sato said is his eyes ‘off’ or ‘looking away’? when in fact his eyes was actually ‘slanting’. it’s a pun where it can mean his eyes is ‘slanted’ or his mental state is ‘off’. when his bos didn’t understand, he jokes his boss is more ‘slanted’ than him.

Well, it’s embarrassing for a daughter her age, isn’t it? I thought the same when I was a kid. I thought, “Why not just embrace it and go completely bald?” It’s kind of embarrassing to hide it with a half-hearted comb-over or even wear a wig. But you know, it’s different. I understand now because I secretly started feeling a sense of crisis.

(Why are hair growth products selling, anyway?)

I can’t give up. I can’t let go of my former self, even if it’s just a little bit left. I’m afraid that if I let go of even that, I won’t be able to get it back. That’s why I can’t let go, and I lie to cling to the illusion of the past. Well, in my case, I’ve used it as a communication tool after experiencing embarrassment once. It’s like being a comedian. The current exchange also seems like a rambling under the guise of a consultation.

“The president’s daughter is a good and straightforward girl, isn’t she?”
“What’s with the sudden change of topic? Well, yeah, it’s true that my daughter is a good girl, but I don’t feel happy being told something so obvious.”
“But she doesn’t shy away from the harsh truth and faces it head-on.”
“Isn’t there something strange about that?”
“Well, you can’t deny the unnaturalness, right?”
“Not that.”
(t/n: this is a subtle joke. they’re misinterprete each other words. one is talking philospohically, the other interpret ie literally. hard to explain. please become japanese)

Until he finishes smoking his cigarette, he seems satisfied with the comedic exchange. The president cuts off the topic and starts drinking his milk tea with a satisfied expression. So it was just a rambling under the guise of a consultation.

“…President.”
“Yeah?”
“I have something I want to talk to you about.”
“Oh, really? Go ahead and tell me. I’m quite skilled in giving advice, you know. I’ve even been called the father of Gotanda.”
(t/n: the pun is on ‘father of Gotanda’. Gotanda is a nightlife entertainment district in tokyo. the play is, he’s saying he is an expert in having fun, instead of giving wise advice)

Gotanda, huh? That’s quite a choice… and a nostalgic joke… Well, whatever.

“The president also has classmates who have children, right?”
“Yeah, that’s right. Most of my high school classmates are married and about half of them have children.”
“Do you still have ongoing relationships with those people?”
“Yeah. I have relationships with the ones who are in Tokyo and we even spend time together with our families.”

I see.

“In high school, there was someone I had a crush on… and now she’s married and… it’s both happy and sad…”
“Oh, I see. So the person you were interested in has a child.”

It doesn’t feel like it’s someone else’s problem. Well, the president seems to have a family, so he’s not affected… but it’s heartbreaking.

“Oh, yeah. It’s a girl. She’s about the same age as my daughter… and when I saw the picture, she looked just like her.”

The president laughs, reminiscing about his youth. Even though I’m the one consulting him, it’s hitting me hard. Don’t go around being Blackbeard and stabbing my heart like that, okay?
(t/n: no more note from me)

“Well, sorry for talking about myself all the time. Please continue.”
“By the way, are you acquainted directly with this girl?”
“No, she’s staying in her hometown…Just for the sake of argument…”
“Yeah yeah”
“What if this person’s daughter were to approach you with a ‘sugar daddy’ proposition? What would you do?”
“—–“

The president was speechless. Milk tea was dripping from the corner of his mouth.

“Well, even if we’re talking about being a ‘sugar daddy,’ it would just be something like treating her to a meal, nothing more,”
“…”
“I’m just saying, hypothetically,”
“Y-yeah… hypothetically, hypothetically, I-I totally get it.”

He understands… He’s catching on. How can someone who can’t read the room run a company? It’s a bit awkward to see the president so flustered, but when it comes to seeking advice from someone older, it’s either the president or my mom. I’m thinking of consulting my mom at some point, but it’s better to have multiple perspectives. And if anyone can vividly imagine the situation, it’s the president.

“Can I tell that girl who’s been on my mind?”
“W-well, that’s… a little, um, difficult… I mean, as an adult… “
“I see.”
“Yeah…”

The conversation came to a halt.

「「…」」

An awkward silence. Is this hell or something? Compared to this situation, even being harassed by Hades and having foul breath blown at me would seem like paradise…

“…I’m sorry.”

Well, yeah, this is my fault. The president is not to blame at all.

“…No… I’m sorry I couldn’t be of any help…”

I silently drank the lukewarm coffee. Even though it should have been disgustingly sweet.

(It’s strangely bitter…)

I cried in my heart.

Note : you guys remember “The Strongest KY” in chapter 2? i just learned what it means. KY literally means “kuuki yomenai” 空気読めない, “someone who can’t read the mood.” [cited from https://japanswitch.com/top-40-japanese-slang-to-know/]. This novel uses hardcore japanese jokes it’s hard to understand. you need to be super proficient with japanese street slang to fully immerse in this novel jokes. and, i am not.