Chapter 147 - Ii-san the Client

Ii-san the Client

TL: Daemon

ED: PuffyPyjamas

“Hey, Kanata, from when was it?”

I tried asking Kanata directly.

“… I don’t know.”

ASW’s Ii-san answered uninterestedly.

In other words, it’s the present. At my seat within the HRG company, I ended up calling the person who was in charge of our client, Kanata.

The topic was as expected, the disagreement that I had with Sana.

With how things were going, I really didn’t think we would end up having a bad fight.

“… I’m quite busy right now… can I hang up?”

“Ah, wait, wait! L-let’s go out for a drink! Today! Tonight!”

Kanata expressed hesitation from the other side of the call.

“…O-okay… S-see you later.”

While stuttering, Kanata gave her confirmation. We didn’t confirm any of the details, but will it be okay? Well, our buildings were only one station away from each other. I’ll just call again when it’s the evening.

“Senpai~ ♡ You’re going drinking today?”

Rei-chan, who seemed to have overheard my conversation over the phone, came over to my seat with a smile. Do you work!

“I also want to go.”

“I mean, it’s going to be with a client. It’s not some lighthearted meal.”

I didn’t tell a lie. Not at all.

“If you’re that casual in inviting a client out to drink… Kufu ♡ Then it must be Ii-san, right?”

“Kuh. How did you find out?”

“I know you veeery well ♡ Is that okay? You’ll be scolded a bunch by Natsumi-ojousama you know?”

“Huh? Why Natsumi-chan?”

After returning to the present, I started by confirming various things. It’s the same as last time, I’ve already broken up with Hiiragi-chan, and I currently am not in a relationship. I was able to determine this after looking at my messaging history. The discussion was currently underway, in order to establish a collaboration between HRG and ASW to create a new game. I was currently on bad terms with their new up and coming character designer, my sister Sana. It’s the same as last time.

“I don’t really understand why, but when Senpai acts friendly with other girls, Natsumi-ojousama’s mood gets worse.”

Jealousy…? Does she like me? Natsumi-chan…? No, there’s no way. Then what is it…?

“Alright, alright. As long as you don’t butt in randomly.”

“Yay. I’m going out drinking with Senpai… Maybe I’ll get drunk…!”

Whispering that, Rei-chan made a slightly pained expression. Dammit, so sly! She’s definitely calculating all her words and expressions! I don’t want to, but I have to admit that she’s cute…!

If I was a virgin it would have been bad. It’s not like that anymore though.

“Senpai, what’s with that smug expression on your face?”

Ohon, I changed to my director’s face.

“Return to work, Shibahara-kun.”

“Okaaay~ ♡”

Pikon, a SNS message from Rei-chan soon arrived. Don’t play with your phone during work.

After looking towards Rei-chan as a way of scolding her, she gave me a quick wink.

[Please leave the restaurant choice to me ♪ I’ll make sure to find a nice stylish and private area where we can drink!]

… She really is a capable person.

After waiting at the restaurant that Rei-chan had reserved for 20 minutes, Kanata entered our room after being guided by a host.

It was just past 7:00 at night. This is my second time seeing the adult Kanata, but she really hasn’t changed much since high school.

“Good work.”

“… Yeah. Sorry, did you—”

Noticing Rei-chan, Kanata cut off what she was going to say. Rei-chan waved her hand with a smile that seemed to have glittering effects.

“Ii-san, long time no see!”

“… Well, I did think that this would happen.”

Kanata sat down across from me and started drinking what we had already ordered.

“…It was a pretty sudden invitation so I was surprised.”

“Sorry about that. You’re pretty busy too.”

“Nope, it’s fine. However, Saa-chan not moving is also a troublesome matter for us at ASW.”

If the disagreement between Sana and I is not solved, both companies are going to be troubled.

Rei-chan cutely picked up the mug filled with beer and began gulping it down. Soon, she asked for a pitcher of beer from a nearby waiter.

“I don’t need that much—”

“Eheheh… Senpai, it’s okay.”

“Eh? Are you getting it just for yourself?”

“Eheheh. There really isn’t that much in a pitcher, you know?”

The amount she drinks really isn’t cute at all!

“I really do drink a lot…?”

Your cheeks are completely red, you beer fairy.

After trying out some food, and sometimes washing it down with beer, we entered onto our main topic.

“To be honest, I don’t even know how I got into such a situation with my sister. I don’t even know her contact information.”

“… It kind of became a taboo. It’s been like that since the home economics club disbanded. Always.”

“It certainly was really awkward for everyone.”

“… Seiji-kun, do you really have no idea?”

“Not at all. If I did, I would have tried to do something about it.”

I guess so, Kanata said.

“Kanata was the closest to Sana, right? Don’t you know anything?”

“… Even if I say something, it happened all the way back in high school.”

“It’s fine with just that. What should my high school self-do in order to prevent the current situation?”

Rei-chan seemed to understand what was going on, as she took a glance at me.

Kanata tried to search for words with a troubled expression.

“Ii-san, it’s fine, even if it’s been a while. Even if it’s just a possibility. Anything really.”

Accepting Rei-chan’s urging, Kanata opened her mouth.

“… Maybe if Seiji-kun were to look after Saa-chan more, even after having a lover.”

If she’s talking about a lover, then Hiiragi-chan is the only one I can think of. Look after Sana more…?

“But, if I did that, she would have gotten mad at me.”

Kanata let out a sigh, and Rei-chan groaned like a cow.

“This is why Senpai is a virgin.”

“I-I’m not a virgin!”

“… Care about her more. I can’t say that it would have been better if you did that, but it’s probably better than doing nothing.”

Care more about Sana, is it…?

I tried to spin my mind, which was clouded by alcohol, but I don’t really get it.

Kanata said that she had to wake up early tomorrow as well, so she left the store. I ended up accompanying her to the closest station.

On the way, I tried calling Sana using the contact information that Kanata gave me, but she didn’t pick up.

“Senpai, why does it have to be that person?”

“What do you mean…?”

“Wouldn’t have been fine with me, Natsumi-ojousama, or even Ii-san? It might be weird of me to say this, but I think you should be able to find other romantic partners. You have so much charm after all.”

The drunken Rei-chan took on a completely serious tone.

“I haven’t thought about why like that before.”

Maybe it’s because it’s my first love? That’s what I thought, but the answer isn’t clear.

“It might be because I don’t need to think about it. There isn’t any room for thinking or something like that… Uhhh, yeah, I think that’s the best way to explain it.”

After voicing my thought, my body seemed to feel satisfied with it.

Rei-chan and Kanata stared at me. W-what is it?

“Senpai, just now, I was thinking that I was right in liking this person.”

“Why thank you.”

“Aaaah, I acted like I was a girl longing from the shadows, and yet he so casually ignored me~”

Rei-chan, that’s why. It’s because you always seem to be trying to raise your likeability through any gap you can. However, I’m troubled because I can’t hate her.

“… It’s because you’re thinking that much, that Saa-chan remains outside of your vision.”

Kanata mumbled.

“Well, I’ll try doing something. I’ll try to be careful about the things you told me next time.”

Next time? Kanata tilted her head, but Rei-chan smiled.

“Yes. Do your best!”