Entering a Company From Another World! – Chapter 280

“Well, everyone probably has something they want to say, but I’d like to get straight to the main topic.”

The pre-briefing session for the new recruits had ended, and with their hiring confirmed for a month later, all that remained was to wait and see how many would actually show up on their first day.
Our roles as people on the ground had, for the moment, come to an end.
Once they joined us in a month, there would likely be plenty of things to do, but we could deal with those when they arose.
The plans for the newcomer training were steadily progressing, and so far, there were no issues.
However, I wondered if it was our company’s bad habit that things never seemed to end cleanly.
After the pre-briefing session, we were bombarded with questions from the newcomers. They asked if we weren’t afraid to fight, how we became so strong, and even about our annual income. Just as we were wrapping up our work after answering them and sending them off, Keiri-san spoke to me as she was leaving.

“Oh, right, Jiro-kun.”
“Yes, Keiri-san?”
“What was your party’s name again?”
“Party name?”

She asked me as if she had forgotten.
She had been the one in charge of facilitating the session, and I presumed she’d been thinking about the report on the pre-briefing as she looked at her documents.
My questioning look caused her to shift her gaze from the documents to me.

“Huh? Didn’t we decide on one?”
“No, do we even need a party name? This is the first I’m hearing of it.”

We exchanged questioning glances.

“…Well, we’re getting more newcomers than expected, and I figured we couldn’t keep track of them without dividing them into teams. It’s unpleasant to be referred to by numbers or symbols, isn’t it?”
“Well, I suppose so.”

I agreed, but it was clear she had completely forgotten. I didn’t miss the cold sweat trickling down her cheek.

“So, please have it done by next week!! I’m a bit busy after this!!”
“Wait!?”

I braced myself for what was coming next, but she brushed it off with sheer momentum and left.
And the deadline was shorter than I expected.
I watched Keiri-san run off, unable to chase after her.

“It can’t be helped.”

I resigned myself to the situation and mentally reconfirmed when the next time we could all gather would be.
It turned out to be today, with two days left before the deadline.

“It’s true that we didn’t have a party name, but… am I the only one who feels this is incredibly late?”
“Now that you mention it, it does feel a bit late, but we’ve all gotten used to just being ‘the party,’ so I feel the same way.”
“Hmm, I’m a little surprised, though.”

I had sent out an email briefing everyone and asked them to come up with ideas for party names. So, the discussion itself wasn’t a problem.
However, as Minami said, this topic was indeed coming up rather late.

“I understand you want to complain, but please bear with me. We’ll be getting more Dungeon Testers, and you wouldn’t want to be called ‘Team 1’ or ‘Group A,’ would you?”
While not necessarily a complaint, we had all left impressions on our groups with our individual names. The idea of giving ourselves new names now felt a little strange. It wasn’t unpleasant, but there was a sense of incongruity, a feeling shared to varying degrees by everyone.

“Come on, it’s fine. The other parties seem to be getting names too, so let’s give ours a cool one. Right? You agree too, Katsu-kun?”
“No, I’ve never actually done something like this before.”
“Ah, Katsu hasn’t done this sort of thing before, has he?”

Everyone took their preferred seats. Though we were spread out, our voices were amplified by our magic crests, making conversation easy. Kaido and I sat at our usual table, while Minami, Kitamiya, and Amelia took the sofa. Katsu sat in the seat opposite Kaido and me after he had prepared and distributed our drinks. Our beverages—coffee, cocoa, green tea, black tea, and orange juice—reflected our individual preferences, but that too was part of our identity.

“I don’t know if this will be helpful, but I asked Keiri-san to get me the names of the other parties.”
With everyone ready to listen, I opened the email on the PC I had prepared. The sender was Keiri-san, and everyone seemed extremely interested in what I was about to say. After all, most people never have the opportunity to decide on a party name in their lifetime. Those who play online games might have done so within the game, but they wouldn’t necessarily use it as their real-life identity. Musicians have band names, but this was different.

“First up, the all-male party of mages. Their name is ‘Golden Hill’.”
“What’s so golden about it?”
Perhaps it was because I had read out a fantasy-sounding name first, but Kaido immediately interjected with a remark a daring adventurer party from a fantasy novel might have.

“I don’t know. I didn’t ask for the reason. They probably discussed it and settled on it.”
“Since they came up with a name like that from the start, my expectations have been lowered, which is a relief.”
“Perhaps. I’ve never had to decide something like this before.”
“Next, we have Himusumi’s party.”
“…”
By listing party names that sounded a bit too much like the cliché, I had intended to make it easier for them to speak up. As a result, the atmosphere had eased, making it more conducive to conversation. I had expected Kitamiya to react when Himusumi’s name was mentioned, but she showed no signs of concern and simply drank her tea.

“Their party name is ‘Wings.’ According to Keiri-san, it’s a simple summation of their desire for flight and progress.”
“It’s sort of… normal, isn’t it? Lacking any twist.”
“Is that so? I think it’s clear and easy to understand.”
The reaction to Himusumi’s party name was rather subdued. It wasn’t trying to be outlandish, nor was it particularly plain. The sensible team name elicited nods of agreement from everyone.

“Next is Kanzaki’s all-female party. Their name is ‘step beat.’ The meaning is apparently to come together rhythmically.”
“They’re going with a serious theme again, huh? In that case, should we go with a fantasy theme?”
“Why would you say that?”
So far, as Minami said, only the first party had a fantasy-like name. The remaining two had gone with clean, straightforward names. To maintain balance, we needed a fantasy-themed name, as Minami suggested.

“We are, after all, the top team of Dungeon Testers! We can’t possibly choose a measly name!”
“There are only four teams, what are you talking about?”
“If that’s the case, let Minami announce hers.”
“Leave it to me!”
However, there was no such requirement. As long as the name clearly identified us, it was fine. So, I decided to let Minami, who was always the first to jump into such topics, announce hers. All eyes turned to her as she stood tall and proud.

“My party name is ‘Moonlit Perch’! Since we’re a company serving the Demon Lord’s Army, who worships the moon god, and this party is where we gather, I decided on that name!”
“Oh, that’s surprisingly normal for you, Minami. I thought you’d come up with something more chuunibyou-ish.”
“Me too.”
“Me too!”
I, Kitamiya, and Kaido were stunned by the party name she announced. Kitamiya, who had been fully prepared to dismiss it as impossible, was visibly surprised that such a normal name had been chosen.

“I like it! Min-chan! I love that name!”
“It’s sensible.”
Amelia praised her sincerely, and Katsu expressed his admiration. Minami nodded in satisfaction at their reactions.

“Well, we’re the ones who have to use it, aren’t we? A chuunibyou name would just be embarrassing.”
“So you are capable of discerning that.”
“If it were someone else, I’d think of something much more outrageous!”
Minami’s expression briefly turned serious, and Kitamiya nodded solemnly. Then, Minami’s face softened.

“Now then, next is… Kaido-senpai! GO!”
“Eh!? Is this a nomination system!?”
“Come on, I’m excited to hear what party name Kaido-senpai will come up with after me!”
“Ugh, after Min-chan? I’ve been blindsided in an unexpected direction, so it’s hard to say.”
By now, the nominations had become a flow, and Kaido reluctantly stood up to give his idea.

“The party name I came up with is ‘Kiai Dan’! What do you think?”
“That sounds incredibly intense.”
“It’s a solid ten points, right!?”
“Of course, it’s a hundred points!”
“You got a failing grade!? No, ‘Kiai Dan’ is fine. Our group often solves problems with sheer willpower, and isn’t your name a reflection of your existence?”
And so, Kaido somewhat bombed. Kitamiya, with a “no” expression, and Minami, with the same expression, mercilessly cut him down. Frankly, I also thought it wasn’t great, but I sipped my coffee without showing it.

“Gosh! Fine! If you’re going to make that face, Kitamiya-chan must have a good name, right!? Next is Kitamiya-chan!”
“Me? Fine, but don’t expect too much.”
Amused by Minami’s goading, Kaido stomp his foot in frustration and somewhat resentfully nominated Kitamiya. She placed her teacup down, gave a brief preface, and stood to announce it.

“It’s ‘Four Seasons,’ written as ‘Hitotose.’ I found it when I was researching last names and thought it was nice. Our party has people with various personalities, right? And I thought that connected them, like the changing seasons completing a cycle.”
“That’s a very Kitamiya-like way of thinking. I think it’s good.”
“Yeah! I think it’s beautiful! Karen-chan.”
“Yes, I’d be happy if you liked it.”
“Boo, boo.”
“Alright, alright, Min-chan, no booing just because you didn’t bomb.”
It was a party name that suited the serious Kitamiya. It was well-organized and I thought it was good. Now, half of the announcements were complete. The remaining were me, Katsu, and Amelia.

“So, I just need to nominate the next person, right?”
By this point, it had become a nomination system, but the flow was smooth, so we decided to go with it. Kitamiya, feigning a moment of thought, nominated:

“In that case, Katsu-kun, please.”
“Me?”
It was Katsu. Well, following the pattern of woman-man-woman, it made sense for Katsu to be nominated.

“I’m not very good at this, but I’ve thought of something.”
Honestly, I was curious about what name Katsu would announce. Minami, Kaido, and Kitamiya had all come up with names that suited them. In this context, what name would Katsu present? He rose hesitantly, and after waiting for Kitamiya to sit down, he spoke.

“I was thinking ‘Challenger.’ As Dungeon Testers, it’s a profession that constantly challenges, so I thought it would be straightforward in that sense. If it seems too simple, we could add something to it.”
“Oh, that’s good! It sounds cool!”
“Compared to ‘Kiai Dan,’ it’s quite pitiful.”
“It’s good, isn’t it? It’s easy to understand.”
“…”
I wondered for a moment if I should honestly accept the reason he gave for the name. Doubting if Katsu’s feelings might, in fact, be similar, I nodded shortly after, and Katsu’s expression relaxed with relief.

“Alright, next, Amelia-san, please.”
“OK! It’s my turn!”
Next, Amelia was nominated. Full of energy. She raised her right hand, stood up with the brightest demeanor, and smiled.

“Legend Brave Party!”
She announced energetically. Her American upbringing was no mere facade, and her native pronunciation echoed through the Party Room.

“In short, LBP!”
“Literally translated, it means ‘Party of Legendary Heroes,’ right? I didn’t expect Amy-chan to go for something like that.”
“Yes!! I love names like this!”
“It’s a bit surprising, but I don’t think it’s bad.”
“I’m thinking of studying English conversation. It would be cool to be able to say that name natively.”
“Really!”
The reaction was a little delayed. Minami was the first to notice the meaning of the name. While the meaning was probably straightforward, this was another name that was likely to be met with divided opinions. Kitamiya and Katsu reacted with mild surprise. Kaido and Minami seemed more receptive. As for me, if I had to judge, it was borderline acceptable. Amelia, pleased with the surprisingly positive reactions, bounced up and down. She was likely holding back to avoid bursting through the ceiling with her energetic jumps, but she was still jumping quite high.

“Now, finally, it’s Jiro-san’s turn!”
“Last, huh? Well, that’s fine.”
After everyone seemed satisfied, Amelia turned to me with a smile and nominated me. Starting with Minami, followed by Kaido, Kitamiya, Katsu, and Amelia, it was my turn last. I was impressed that everyone had come up with such good names. I responded casually. Since everyone had stood up to announce their names, I also stood up.

“Seed & Sprout. In Amelia’s style, S&S.”
Amidst everyone’s attention, I announced the party name I had chosen.

“It means ‘seed’ and ‘sprout.’ In the beginning, we couldn’t do anything. But by gathering here, like seeds sprouting, we have each bloomed flowers to become who we are today. I propose this name to remind us of our origins.”
“Oh, the leader is going for a serious one, I see.”
“It feels like it really suits us.”
“‘Seed and Sprout,’ I think it’s good.”
“Yes, I think so too.”
“Yeah! It’s easy to understand!”
With everyone’s ideas presented,

“Well then, from these ideas, let’s decide on our team name.”
We decided to discuss it further.

Today’s Aphorism:
While I believe it’s necessary, it becomes embarrassing when done again.

That’s all for this installment.
Thank you as always for pointing out any typos and for your feedback.
If you enjoyed this, please leave a review, rating, bookmark, etc.
*The first volume of the book is published by Hayakawa Bunko JA.
It was released on October 18, 2018.
The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year.
Volume 2 was released on December 19.
Volume 3 was released on February 20, 2019.
The content includes revisions and additions to the material posted on Shousetsuka ni Narou, with the inclusion of unpublished interlude chapters.
Please consider purchasing the new volumes!

A manga adaptation was serialized in Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third” as featured in issue 9.
I hope you will enjoy that as well.

Thank you for your continued support of this work.