kscans

“Barrier Holder”, “Sealer”, “Strongest KY”.

What’s this? It’s part of my nicknames. KY is practically outdated now, but when it was given, it was in its prime, you know. And so, because of me, the strongest unknown magician, the term still holds behind the scenes.

Anyway, setting that aside, it’s pretty ridiculous, right? The first two, like some kind of final boss titles. But I can’t be a final boss. I mean, I don’t have the substance to do anything with the world. It’s not like I have absolutely nothing. Just normal, like everyone else. A final boss can’t be ordinary. And the protagonist, who is both the front and back of the final boss, can’t pretend either. To take on a grand role, whether it’s positive or negative, an unshakable passion is needed. Back then, if I had something like that, I wonder if I would have walked a different path in life…

(For example, yeah, building a family with that person and having children.)

In the past, I had a girl by my side who could be considered the heroine of my story. There were plenty of sweet and sour events, you know? But I missed out on events that would deepen our relationship even further. She was stronger than me, like a heroine who invites you into an extraordinary world. There was an event where the heroine risked her life to protect me… but I managed to handle it myself. At first, it seemed like that was the direction things were going, but as we fought together, I realized I could win normally. There was also an event where the heroine was kidnapped and the protagonist felt their own powerlessness. But I was able to protect her without any issues. I fought desperately and ended up winning…

With everything that happened, our relationship didn’t deepen completely and the final battle came to an end. After the story ended, we naturally grew distant and that’s how things have been until now. I’m still in the shadows, but she walked into the sunlight. I don’t know what she’s doing or where she is now. I could look it up if I wanted to, but I can’t bring myself to do so.

(… If I, if I had been the protagonist, could I have developed that kind of relationship before the final battle?)

Remember that? Just before the final battle. That kind of development where feelings connect and stay that way… The memory of the night we first fell in love. It’s a classic, right? The protagonist’s attachment becomes their lifeline in the nick of time… But that didn’t happen. There were tough moments, but as always, we fought hard, broke down walls, and became stronger to win. After all was said and done, I got rid of my virginity at a regular old red-light district.

(An old guy regretting the youth he didn’t experience while being jostled on a crowded train… It brings a tear to your eye.)

My profession is a salaryman. It’s not a big company, but I’m a department manager in a fairly large company’s sales department. Last spring, after my promotion, a buddy from high school said, ‘Among us, you’re the one who’s climbed the corporate ladder the highest, huh?’”

I was laughing, but… this is it. It all started when the previous manager had to suddenly quit his job due to family reasons, and I took the mound as an intermediary during the chaos over the successor problem. Now I’m officially the director, but to be honest, I can’t be happy because of the circumstances.

(I still wanted to work with the manager.)

Though I’m working at a mainstream corporation, it’s not just for sustenance. In terms of savings, I have enough for generations to come to live a comfortable life, but there’s that societal image, you know? After graduating high school, I thought I could just enjoy life, but the public eye is harsh, and I had to quit that quickly. It’s only natural that people frown upon those who laze around without working, thinking they’re playing on their parents’ money.

(Well, working normally has its merits too. I may not have become the protagonist, but it’s not all bad.)

Speaking of money, with a simple job on the side, you can earn about as much as an annual salary. But working in the public sphere is quite enjoyable… Oops, I sound like I’m making excuses, damn it… Feeling dejected, I head to the company, and there’s Matsumoto-kun, the cause of today’s apology visit, waiting for me.

“Um, Manager… I’m so sorry, truly… I mean, it’s my fault that…”

In her second year at the company, she’s becoming more skilled, but it’s also a precarious time. It’s a common occurrence to think you’re used to something and then make a mistake. This kid is no exception and made a slip of the tongue. I made sure to give her proper advice, but I don’t intend to blame her excessively.

“Reflecting on your mistakes is necessary, but don’t let it consume you too much.”

“But…”

“No one is without errors. If you’re alive, you’re bound to stumble.”

Excessively wallowing in self-blame will only bring you down sooner or later.

“Oh, right at a good time. Matsumoto-kun, take a look at Inoue-kun, who just arrived at the office with a manga magazine.”

“Huh? What’s this all of a sudden?”

Inoue-kun, who was suddenly addressed, slightly raises his shoulder.

“That girl. Although she’s currently the top performer in our department, when she just joined, it was a different story.”

Geez, even if you say it’s an informal atmosphere, who actually behaves so rudely? My most dangerous moment was when she got drunk and snatched the president’s wig off and threw it. It was the riskiest thing she has ever done. Considering I was her mentor, it could have been serious. But well, I learned that the president could take a joke from that incident.

I tell Inoue-kun about Matsumoto-kun’s history.

“Huh, that’s pretty embarrassing.”

“Exactly!!”

“…Um, why am I getting roasted so hard since the morning…?”

It’s all for the sake of my cute junior. Guiding Matsumoto-kun and Inoue-kun, I head to our business partner when it’s time. Although there was a slip-up, it wasn’t a major mistake that couldn’t be fixed. The other side probably understands she’s still a rookie. Without making a fuss, it seems Matsumoto-kun’s sincere remorse was apparent, and they forgave her. We enter into the negotiations and quickly conclude. The ease with which the discussion is resolved owes to my efforts—it’s not. It’s all thanks to Matsumoto-kun’s contribution. Although she made a mistake, she handled most of it properly, so the conversation progressed smoothly.

“But, it must be great for you. Having a beauty as the department’s top performer must be a motivation boost, right?”

“Haha, oh no, it’s not exactly like that. I guess it’s the nature of men, you know? When there’s charm, the enthusiasm naturally ramps up… yeah.”

“As for our president, though, isn’t it true? If we talk about his strengths, he’s exceptionally skilled in singing ballads.”

Once the work discussion comes to an end, it’s not just a simple goodbye. It would include casual small talk afterward. The employees who are engaging with us, like Ota-san here, are right on the mark. This person is a hit. They’re the kind who make after-talks enjoyable, and that gets me all excited too.

“Uh, what’s that?”

“Oh, didn’t you know, Matsumoto-kun? Our president, in terms of singing ability, is on par with a professional. Especially when it comes to ballads, it’s incredible.”

Even if young people don’t know the songs from that era, they’d still get moved when she sings them. He might look like a chubby old man (E: wig), but when he sings a ballad, it’s incredibly moving. My favorite is “Ruby’s Meriken.” Whenever I go to karaoke with my boss, I always request it.

“Wow, hearing that, now I’m curious.”

So, maybe we should go to a karaoke bar next time? As I’m about to bring that up, the door to the reception room opens. Appearing is the rumored beautiful president. She seemed to need something from Ota-san. But… Oh, she’s different, huh. Yeah, she’s definitely a separate lady. While thinking that, I stand up and, together with Matsumoto-kun, greet her…

“――――”

For some reason, she looked directly at my face and froze. Well, I mean, I’m certainly not an attractive old man, right? Well, back when I was a teenager, I was quite…

“…Hiro… kun?”

“Huh?”

That was an inappropriate reaction for a professional adult. However, at this moment, I didn’t have the luxury to care. The name “Hiro” is only used by one person. But that…

“Chika… chan?”

Huh? What, what, what? No way, both first and last names…

We gaze at each other in bewilderment.

“――――”

The reunion with my former heroine was far too sudden.

(Oh, ring finger on my left hand…)

Internally, I let out a sigh.