kscans

Chapter 53 - Defeat

The morning after returning from my trip was incredibly refreshing. Despite a slight hiccup on the second night, I had created wonderful memories with the children and reconciled with an old friend. Overall, a significant net positive.

"Good morning, everyone! Let's do our best today!!"

"Wow, the section manager is in a great mood..."

"He's really easy to read, isn't he?"

"That's not just coming back from paid leave. He clearly enjoyed himself thoroughly."

These half-impressed, half-exasperated glances feel pretty good...

"Boss, where are the souvenirs?"

"If it's stories you want, I have plenty... Stop looking at me with those disappointed eyes. I actually have souvenirs."

Though I have to admit they're nothing special. The place was great for leisure activities, but not particularly known for specialty products.

"Sir, here's the work that accumulated during your absence."

"Yes, yes, sorry about that."

I had made arrangements for things to run smoothly, but there are inevitably tasks that only I can handle given my position. I start working through these tasks one by one. The typical post-vacation sluggishness is completely absent. I'm mentally and physically sharp, making this workload trivial. I immerse myself in work without taking proper breaks until the lunch bell rings.

"Section Manager, would you like to join us for lunch?"

"Sorry, I promised to have lunch with the President today."

"With the President?"

"Yeah, I'm going to brag about my trip."

"What are you, a child?"

"But I think that quality about the boss is actually nice."

With a bag of bread purchased before coming to work, I headed off to launch my assault on the President's office.

"Ah, children really are adorable, aren't they? With those beaming smiles calling me 'Mister, Mister'... are they angels?"

"Is that really the first thing you say? I am the company president, you know."

"Ah, sorry. I'd like coffee, please."

"My goodness, such nerve."

Despite saying that, the President fulfills my request. He's a good man, I think. Then I notice something. A lunch box on the table.

"That's a rather cute lunch box. Is that a loving wife's homemade lunch today?"

"No, I made it myself."

"...You know how to cook?"

Despite knowing each other for quite some time, I've never heard that the President could cook. Given his personality, I would have expected him to proudly bring in his cooking if he could.

"I just started recently."

"Oh? Is this that thing where middle-aged men suddenly start making soba or udon noodles for no apparent reason?"

"Is that really a thing... Actually, come to think of it, my father and the old man next door did start making soba."

But the President's case is different, apparently.

"Actually, I've been hooked on cooking videos online for about two months now."

"...Don't tell me that's the influence?"

"Yeah. At first, I was just watching thinking 'that looks delicious' or 'that looks fun.'"

"But you couldn't stay satisfied with just watching."

"Exactly! So now I'm learning various things with guidance from my wife."

That motivation is totally childlike... Well, I'm hardly in a position to talk.

"So as part of my training, I started bringing lunch boxes. This morning I worked hard while getting instructions from my wife."

"In a sense, it is a loving wife's lunch box. Working together as a couple from the morning... wow, that's intense."

"Don't tease me."

Despite his words, the President looked pleased.

"Let me see your lunch box. What's it like?"

"Of course. Part of the reason I invited you for lunch was to get your opinion."

"Mine?"

"Yes. You're professional at work but quite straightforward in your personal capacity, aren't you? Perfect for an honest evaluation."

"I see... Then allow me to evaluate it with my divine eyes and palate."

"Suddenly full of yourself... Well, here you go."

The President somewhat bashfully opened his lunch box.

"Oh my, how cute!"

Mini rice balls shaped like pandas. Mini croquettes, mini hamburger steaks. Red sausages cut to look like octopuses. For vegetables, there were cherry tomatoes, potato salad, and sautéed burdock root. Not only was there variety, but the presentation was excellent.

The President made this? Even with his wife supervising, it's impressive. I mean, homemade lunch boxes made by men usually end up being an assortment of brown foods, don't they?

"I think the presentation is great. Yes, it really feels like a proper lunch box! I like it."

If someone had handed me this as a school lunch saying "Here's your lunch," I wouldn't have had any complaints.

"Is that so? Well, appearance matters, but taste is the most important thing. Go ahead and try it."

"Um... what about you, President?"

I'm obviously not going to eat all of it. I'm planning to just have a bite of each item. But even taking a bite of everything will reduce the amount considerably. My stomach will be unhappy for the afternoon.

"Oh, I'll be fine. If I'm still hungry, I can buy something later."

"Then I'll share some of my bread with you."

"Are you sure?"

"Well, you're letting me eat your lunch."

"I'm the one who asked you... but if you insist, I'll take you up on that offer."

"Please do."

I bought a bit too much in my excitement, so giving away three or four pieces is no problem. I hand the bag to the President and split the disposable chopsticks to tackle the lunch box.

"Let's see... what should I try first?"

"Wow, what's with this lineup? There's absolutely no consistency. You clearly just picked things based on your mood."

Shut up.

Well, I'll start with the rice ball. It's a bit sad to destroy the panda, but it can't be helped.

"Hmm... President, isn't this a bit too salty?"

"R-really?"

"It's not like 'WHOA, SALTY!!' but it's definitely on the salty side."

This level of saltiness might be appropriate for physical laborers who burn a lot of energy... While I do go out in the field sometimes, I wouldn't call it intense physical activity. The President basically stays in the office.

You need to consider who's going to eat it. That perspective is important (said with mysterious condescension).

"The hamburger... ah, you messed up the cooking time, didn't you? The outside is cooked, but the inside is slightly..."

"Ugh... you noticed."

"As for the croquette, it's the opposite. Overcooked and slightly burnt. Trying to hide it with sauce is sneaky. Points deducted."

"You really don't hold back, do you?"

"You're the one who asked for a candid evaluation."

I continued pointing out issues with each item. Overall, I'd give it 89 points for appearance and 67 points for taste. The President took detailed notes of all my comments, showing how seriously he's taking up cooking.

"Well, this has been very informative. Would it be alright if I try again sometime?"

"Sure, if I'm good enough for you."

"Hahaha, I'll count on you then. By the way, how about you? Would you like to start cooking as well?"

"Cooking? Well, I enjoy eating good food, but..."

"You think it's troublesome? I suppose it might be at first."

For the remainder of my lunch break, I had to endure the President's cooking superiority complex.

(Wait a minute... Wasn't I the one who came to assert dominance?)

What's with this feeling of defeat??