I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!

Chapter 115: I had only been thinking about working at the same workplace.

Ive been working as a part-timer here at Caf Mocha for the past week! Please take care of me!

Facing the group of fellow part-time workers, including me, for the first time today, Haruka, with a smile as radiant as a blooming flower, offered the drinks and greeted them with a sunflower-like grin.

Um, yeah, Im Haruka Shijouin, and Ill be taking on extra shifts from now on. Its only been a short while since I started, so Id appreciate your guidance

Interjecting, Assistant Manager Mishima added an explanation, though her voice lacked any hint of enthusiasm.

She moved so sluggishly, like a zombie, and her eyes seemed incredibly dim.

Um Manager, are you alright? Your face is awfully pale

Yeah, its like youve seen a ghost

Concerned voices reached Mishima, who looked utterly worn out, from the part-time workers who were unaware of the situation.

While Mishima seemed to have a traumatizing experience related to the departure of some young part-timers, she was a popular and relatable supervisor for the generally serious part-timers.

Hahaha Its just that Im terrified of the calls from headquarters, and Im about to cry. But dont worry about it, okay? Hahaha, I want to die

Amid Mishimas plummeting enthusiasm, the part-time workers were left bewildered by her words.

Well, lets put that aside for now

It seems someone quick on the draw has emerged.

Um, Haruka-chan, Im Namba, a freshman in college. If you dont mind, how about we exchange contact info

Huh? Um, well

Oh, Namba-senpai, quite bold to hit on Haruka right in front of me.

Youre just a typical freshman desperate for his first girlfriend, and I know youre not malicious.

But as a serious guy myself

Oh no, I cant let that slide!

Ouch!?

Before I could dash forward to help the troubled Haruka, Mishima shouted out and delivered a chop to Namba-senpais head.

Just so you know! Flirting in the workplace is forbidden! Especially with her! If this rule gets broken, Ill pour a bucket of coffee beans down your throat and turn you into a human coffee maker! Im dead serious about this right now!?

Uh yes Im sorry

Intensely angry, Mishimas stare left Namba-senpai quivering and apologetic. Haruka, who was protected by the managers intervention, seemed to understand the urgency in Mishimas actions and wore an apologetic expression.

So, thats that! Niihama-kun, Im fully entrusting you with assisting Shijouin-san from now on! Shes still inexperienced, so please take care of her!

Huh?! Uh, yes I understand.

Surprised by the managers sudden decision, Haruka and I exchanged glances. The others around us gave envious looks to me as I was chosen for this important role.

Meanwhile, Mishima was winking at me, almost as if she believed I was Harukas official boyfriend, as if saying, Make sure to protect sweet Haruka from any impoliteness! Youre the right guy for the job, arent you?

Well, I cant complain

A-ah, um Shini no, I mean, Niihama-kun!

Huh?

Haruka, who hadnt yet fully adjusted to the workplace, timidly addressed me, using a name she doesnt usually call me by.

Hello, Im Haruka Shijouin, the new hire! Ill be under your guidance, so please take care of me!

She nervously greeted me, and her bright smile was a little overwhelming. Her mannerisms were reminiscent of a fresh-faced rookie, and it warmed my heart.

Sure, nice to meet you. Im still pretty new here too, but lets do our best together.

Yes! I really want to learn from you, Senpai!

She beamed another dazzling smile, and if I could see that smile again and again

I can confidently say that with just that, the workplaces benefits are undoubtedly the best in the world.

But seriously, what a surprise I never thought Haruka would end up working at the same place.

In a warehouse filled with numerous books, I said to Haruka, who was beside me.

We were currently sorting books to be placed on the shelves, and no other staff members were around. This allowed Haruka and me to speak casually as friends rather than coworkers.

Hehe, sorry for keeping it a secret. But since Shinichirou didnt tell me about the job, I thought it was only fair to keep something from you, too.

Uh yeah

Haruka playfully stuck out her tongue, wearing a mischievous smile.

Seeing her usually demure demeanor accompanied by such devilish behavior caught me off guard, and my heart skipped a beat.

Anyway, I feel like I caused unnecessary worry for Manager Mishima I never expected her to apologize so much

Well, thats partly my fault. I accidentally mentioned your connection to President Shijouins and his fondness for you

After realizing that her employed beauty was the presidents daughter, Mishima apparently rushed to meet Haruka and apologized, practically groveling.

She repeatedly apologized, saying things like, I scheduled more shifts for lovely Haruka-san, hoping her presence would attract more customers Im so sorry! Im so sorry! Haruka seemed utterly baffled by what the manager was saying.

So basically, she thought I might report that I was being treated unfairly at my workplace to my father? I had no intention of doing that at all. In fact, I felt very fulfilled here

Haruka appeared genuinely apologetic for inadvertently causing Mishima so much trouble.

Well, to begin with, Manager Mishima only slightly increased the customer service shifts for Haruka, and it wasnt as if he assigned her any special tasks different from other part-timers. Also, it seems like she had a somewhat nonchalant attitude, thinking that even a slight increase in attracting customers would be lucky.

However, as a result, it ended up drawing in a large number of customers, and now shes trembling at the thought that this information might reach her father, who is the president, and he might explode with, You turned my daughter into a customer-attracting panda, you bastards!'

(At least Haruka promptly denied those worries and calmed things down, but judging by her demeanor earlier, shes probably feeling somewhat pitiful, like If anything happens to the presidents daughter, my life is over)

Or maybe the overly anxious Tokimune-san was just fine with letting her work here.

But then again

Hey, Haruka, why did you suddenly decide to start working? Did something come up that you wanted to buy?

Usually, the reason high school students work part-time is mostly due to needing extra spending money. But in Harukas case, her family is exceedingly affluent, so she doesnt seem like someone in dire need of money.

Well, while Tokimune-san is overprotective, hes also quite wise. He probably didnt give his high school daughter an exorbitant amount of money

Well, you see

In response to my question, Haruka hesitated, looking a bit embarrassed.

What is it? Haruka does tend to get easily absorbed into hobbies, so could she have fallen into the trap of collecting merchandise or anime complete boxes and ended up broke?

Actually its not so much about money, but more about wanting to try the same thing as you, Shinichiro-kun.

Huh the same thing? You mean working itself?

In response to my question, Haruka nodded.

Yes, you see, Ive been struggling with deciding on my future career path When I think about university and beyond, I havent actually worked before, so I dont have any criteria for whats good.

Well, thats understandable.

When youre midway through high school, suddenly youre told to think about your future, but as a student, you lack the experience to determine what path might be best.

The transition from school to adult life, from education to employment, is like stepping into the unknown, leaving you with only vague ideas.

At a time when I was thinking about all that, I saw you working part-time, and I thought if I worked too, it might help me seriously consider my future Oh, of course, Im looking forward to the pay too! This is actually my first time earning money myself!

I see Youre quite earnest.

Maybe my extensive talk about the dark side of black companies might have influenced her, but Haruka seems genuinely focused on her part-time job. Its clear shes determined to use this work experience as a stepping stone to shape her future into something bright.

Although, for someone like me who ended up casually getting a job and eventually faced death by overwork, her sincerity towards her future is dazzling.

Oh, no Im actually not that serious.

Huh?

After explaining her motivation for the job, Haruka, for some reason, let out those words with a slightly embarrassed expression.

As I mentioned earlier, if the goal was to gain work experience, I could have chosen any part-time job. However, right from the moment I decided to take a job, I could only think about working here at this caf. I realized that after I was hired, though

Why is that?

I thought she might have been drawn to this caf after visiting and liking the atmosphere, or maybe because its somehow related to her fathers business those were my guesses for why she chose this workplace

The reason is very simple Its because youre here, Shinichiro-kun.

(TLN: Haruka on the attacc!)

Haruka turned her large, gem-like eyes towards me, and in a casual tone, as if it were something completely ordinary, she said that.

I decided to get a part-time job to improve myself, but I ended up thinking only about working at the same place as you. Its really, you know, Im just relying on my friends too much Unconsciously, I developed this feeling of wanting to work alongside you, Shinichiro-kun.

The words she speaks are just expressions of her own immature attitude and a manner similar to being upset about getting a bad score on a test.

However, Im just left dumbfounded and blushing in response.

She has no idea how much her words are affecting my male heart, how shocked I am by what shes saying.

Its like she doesnt realize how much this is disturbing my equilibrium.

Like doing the same club activity together, sharing conversations, even sharing difficult moments I was hoping for that. When I realized that, I was really ashamed of my lack of seriousness

While for Haruka, these are words expressing her genuine self-disappointment about her immaturity, for me, its like Im constantly stumbling in my responses.

Oh well, why is she so naturally!

But of course, now that Ive been hired, Im determined to give it my all! So, Niihama-senpai, please guide this newbie with all your might!

She formed two clenched fists in front of her chest and declared with great enthusiasm.

That pure and fresh smile of hers is blindingly bright, and absolutely adorable.

(Can I really focus on work with this situation?)

Even though Ive always been earnest when it comes to work, this cute girl just keeps addressing me as senpai, and my heart is in such disarray that I cant concentrate.

The elements of work and youth, which are normally incompatible, are blending together, and in this place of work, the theater of hardship, the smile of the girl Im interested in has thrown my mind into chaos.

Oh, what should I do?

My junior is the cutest in the world.

(TLN) Today is queue day! That means I will be filling up the queue for next weeks chapters tonight. If you want to be able to binge them all in one sitting, head on over to ko-fi in the morning tomorrow!