I apologize for the late post, I forgot to schedule it.
Last time, the number of daily readers achieved a record high of four digits.
Thank you everyone for your devoted readership.
This time, it will be a chapter from a different perspective.
Another Side
A leader is a person who brings us together.
In his usual demeanor, he appears as a good-natured, unremarkable older brother.
With his short-cropped hair, when he’s smoking in the Party Room, he seems more like a cousin or a relative, an older uncle with whom one can exchange lighthearted jokes.
It is precisely because he is that kind of person that he can calmly tolerate someone like me, who uses the old-fashioned suffix “Gozaru,” unless one imagines a character from a historical drama.
As for Katsu, their approach is likely born from familiarity due to being childhood friends and long-acquainted.
The Leader’s way of maintaining distance is natural.
Even with me, whom he has only known for a few months, neither of us, or rather, perhaps I am not sensing it, but the Leader might feel a sense of awkwardness.
However, if I were to dwell on that, there would be no end, so I will leave it for now.
That Leader clearly separates his public and private life.
While he is generally a carefree big brother person, outside of work hours, once the work switch is flipped, he transforms into a serious working adult.
He acts without personal bias, considering the overall profit.
There is no cheap hypocrisy in him that I dislike.
I don’t necessarily think hypocrisy is bad.
I simply dislike seeing people who, convinced they are doing the right thing, act and consequently cause trouble for others, all while smiling and congratulating themselves on their good deeds.
In that regard, I prefer it when the Leader overwhelms the opponent with irrefutable logic, as he does.
The opposing party’s opinion seemed to be digging their own grave by prioritizing their self-interest, but without knowledge, it’s likely we would have been the ones to be swayed.
Glancing at the Leader’s face after the decision, I saw a faint expression of exhaustion.
In contrast, what a lack of a sense of crisis the man named Kaila, not a Dragonkin, but a Tester like me, Toru Himusumi, displays.
Even though the game board has already begun to move, he wears a relaxed, tension-free expression, as if the current discussion has nothing to do with him.
Presumably, the conversation that follows is the main event for him.
If the Leader’s prediction is correct, he should approach Kitamiya next, attempting to persuade her.
My prediction is largely the same.
These successful people in reality have a certain intuitive confidence that most situations can be resolved through action.
Indeed, that is probably not wrong.
“You are merciless, Leader.”
“With these kinds of people, showing mercy only gives them an opening.”
There are countless ways to shut that down.
One of them is to show no pity, like the Leader.
As the Leader said, if you show even a sliver of sympathy, these “successful” people will naturally insert themselves.
“Hey, I’ve done my part, now it’s your turn. Work for the pay you’re getting.”
“I believe that working is losing, Gozaru.”
“Don’t worry, you’re already working by being here.”
“Could it be the trap of Kongming Gozaru?! Leader, you planned this!!”
“You two, if you’re going to fool around, couldn’t you just leave?”
“How rude. I am being perfectly serious, Gozaru.”
“Don’t say things that make me sound unserious!”
Oh, I see those blue veins popping out, Gozaru.
Honestly, for this matter, I intended to deflect it with serious jests, but when “successful” people appear before me, it’s a different story.
The thoughts in my head are already starting to heat up nicely, Gozaru.
The Leader is starting to smoke his cigarette to cool down, and the tsundere, vertically rolled-hair lady—a character who would likely be a heroine candidate but never the main one in a game—is starting to puff up, but honestly, the incubus next to me, who is seriously concocting a plan, is so prominent that it paradoxically makes me calmer, Gozaru.
“…May I continue the conversation?”
“You may, but you’ve been leaving the parties involved alone since earlier, is that alright?”
“How am I supposed to react to the fact that you didn’t forget about me?”
“You should smile, Gozaru?”
“I’ll punch you!”
“That’s not something you say after trying to punch me!?”
“I’m blocking, so it’s fine!”
It’s a good thing I’m accustomed to Katsu’s tsukkomi, but an ordinary person would have certainly taken a direct hit!!
I’m aiming for a gag-like characterization, Gozaru, but I don’t possess the mysterious immortality of “gag compensation.”
So, honestly, it’s a stroke of luck that I was able to catch a professional boxer-level hook with one hand.
I couldn’t help but strike a sharp, smug pose.
It’s like it stopped like in a manga, so it can’t be helped, can it?
“Can’t you be serious for a moment?”
“Of course, Gozaru?”
“Don’t you go moving the conversation forward yourself!!”
“But I refuse!!”
“Can you please stop? We’re here to have a serious discussion.”
Ohh, I finally reeled him in.
I responded by playing along with the words of the effeminate incubus, and I also skillfully played along with Kitamiya’s tsukkomi.
And then, oh, what a surprise.
A clean-cut, successful person gets hooked.
While he may not be on the same level as the phrase “the main act has arrived,” the objective seems achievable.
Maintaining a seemingly oblivious expression, I deliberately turned my face towards the direction of the voice, and saw an expression brimming with anger.
Because that face is well-formed, it seemed even more earnest as it carried legitimacy.
However, this successful person doesn’t understand.
Does he not realize that claiming to want to talk about the protagonist, but using such a cliché protagonist trope nowadays, results in a lack of individuality, causing him to be buried amongst the masses?
A dreamer’s handsome face is nothing more than a clown’s.
“Are we talking about two-timing Gozaru?”
I felt a sound like something freezing over.
The effeminate one covered his mouth with a hand, half impressed and half exasperated, while the Leader chuckled, suppressing his laughter.
I can also gauge the presence of others, you know?
So, I can vaguely understand the emotions of each person in the room.
The Leader is amused, the effeminate one is exasperated, and Kitamiya remains tense.
The drill-haired lady in front of me paused for a fleeting moment, but maintained her emotions.
Now, my statement was remarkably insensitive to the atmosphere, but it wasn’t unintentional, you see?
If it continues like this, I’ll just become a clueless woman, which is a bit of a misstatement, so let me explain: I don’t lack the ability to read the room, I choose not to.
“I believe, Gozaru, that your level of success isn’t enough to manage a harem. Come back after you’ve increased it a bit.”
Well now, this successful person here, whose emotions are fluctuating the most, is quite entertaining.
After all, this successful person, of all things, said he came here for a serious discussion.
The circumstances leading up to this, the problematic issues—doesn’t the general public know that this situation is a lover’s quarrel? Well, he probably knows, but he’s likely been affected by the company’s corporate culture.
Kaido-senpai also talks about harems, harems, but he knows reality, so he’s likely just yearning for it.
He probably can’t actually do it, he’s just a coward.
But this successful person in front of me believes he can do it.
Indeed, he’s probably popular.
With a face like an idol group member, a refreshing smile, and a sometimes cool, serious expression, and a personality that appeals to women, he’s like a hero from a dating sim.
“I’ve heard ‘it’s none of your business’ too many times, Gozaru. How many times has that phrase been uttered since entering this room? Come back after you’ve polished your vocabulary.”
“You, can you please shut up for a moment so the conversation can proceed?”
“That’s right, if this continues, you’ll have to leave.”
“Yes, yes, I’ll shut up, Gozaru.”
He’s dallying his legs and slowly closing his mouth.
Bastet, a third party, is the referee in this situation.
With a single will of hers, yellow or red cards can be issued towards me, and I cannot defy them.
A turn skip is also necessary.
“It’s been a roundabout way, but let’s get to the main point. Regarding Karen Kitamiya’s affiliation, her own will and the head of her department’s will, assuming neither can agree, the MAO Corporation Labor Union will mediate this matter. Both parties will abide by what is decided here, understood?”
“Yes.”
“Understood.”
The representative, we, and the handsome successful person from the other side, with their replies, transition from the preliminary skirmish to the main battle. This tense atmosphere. I don’t dislike it, Gozaru.
“However, arguing here seems unlikely to reach a conclusion. Besides, if I make a unilateral decision, it will leave resentment. What should we do?”
“Can you please stop joking around?”
“Seriously, I’m thinking about this seriously, Kaila. It’s not so much you, but him. What do you want?”
“I want Karen to come back. And then, together again…”
“Together, and get along well, Gozaru? What you did was generally considered cheating. Before even forgiving that, I heard you haven’t apologized to Kitamiya with a single word, Gozaru.”
“That’s right, I haven’t heard it either. In the first place, when I tried to talk, what did you say?”
“That’s…”
“I’m busy now, so let’s do it later, wasn’t it?”
“That’s one yellow card, Gozaru.”
Catching a cheater in the act is a woman’s prerogative, Gozaru.
I am an otaku, not just a little, but quite a lot. I’ve read so many books that it’s more than one or ten fantasy novels, so I’ve read harem stories and I understand them.
Of course, there are heroines in them who, like here, are on the verge of breaking up due to quarrels.
Even so…
“So, that scene. In that case, how am I supposed to be in a relationship with you?”
The protagonists of stories did not abandon their heroines, Gozaru.
“I’ve vaguely understood it. Given my personality, Miki is more feminine, and Toru is attracted to her.”
“In that case, why not share him with her? Fortunately, our company does not have customs that would scorn such practices.”
“I’ve considered that too. But, I couldn’t see it. You will surely continue to gather more girls. I’m her childhood friend, so I’m not mistaken.”
Guys who do that can’t become protagonists, Gozaru.
“I can’t see it, me being by your side, that future. So, answer me, Toru. If I come back, will you be by my side?”
“…I can, no, I will!”
Haa, that’s two yellow cards, Gozaru.
The fact that he couldn’t give an immediate answer shows hesitation, and this scene, my worst prediction has come true, Gozaru.
This development is within the scope of my predictions.
“Eh? My relationship with Toru?”
“That’s right, Gozaru.”
“Why the sudden question, Minami?”
When undertaking a story like this, naturally, we have prior consultations.
At that time, I suddenly had a question.
“I just had a question, Gozaru. Are Kitamiya and that successful person childhood friends, isn’t that right?”
“Stop using that Gozaru speech; it annoys me.”
“I will not, Gozaru. Why should I abandon my own identity?”
“You two, stop fighting and settle it after the meeting. So, what about it?”
“…That’s right, Toru and I are childhood friends. We’ve been together since we were old enough to understand things. What about it?”
A genuine conversation filled with hostility, that is the communication stance between me and Kitamiya.
One could say we are friends who quarrel, but I don’t think so.
From my perspective, Kitamiya is a thieving cat who has encroached upon my territory.
What’s wrong with picking a fight with someone I dislike? That’s what I want to say, but there are times when our wavelengths strangely match.
Therefore, she is a woman I find hard to completely dislike, that’s how I see Kitamiya.
“That’s where, Gozaru, what concerned me was, Kitamiya.”
“So where? Isn’t it normal? Being friends since childhood?”
“That doesn’t matter, Gozaru.”
“It doesn’t matter? You’re the one who asked if they were childhood friends.”
“That’s right, Leader. What’s concerning here is one thing. Kitamiya.”
Precisely because she is that kind of woman, I watched her with caution and observed her.
Precisely because she is that kind of woman, I came to understand her personality deeply.
Precisely because she is that kind of woman…
“Is what you directed towards that successful person truly romantic feelings, Gozaru?”
“Huh?”
“…”
There were times when I had the illusion of looking at myself in a mirror.
“What are you talking about? Of course! Otherwise, why would we even talk about dating!”
“That’s right, Kitamiya might think so, Gozaru.”
“Then…”
“Then, what about that successful person? Gozaru.”
“Eh?”
“Childhood friends are assumed to be together all the time, Gozaru. I feel that way too.”
Interrupting Kitamiya’s words, as she tries to dismiss this as unrelated to the current discussion, I continue speaking, Gozaru.
Because, what Kitamiya is saying is the path I’ve already walked.
I’ve always thought Katsu was someone who would always be with me.
But that was one-sided on my part.
And I was able to realize that because there was a trigger.
So, I will be Kitamiya’s trigger, Gozaru.
“Leader, did you notice? Gozaru.”
“The possibility… but.”
“I have a feeling I’m not wrong, Gozaru.”
“What are you talking about?”
“It’s a simple story. Romance between childhood friends, that’s a staple in stories. But…”
“I won’t do anything like that again! So…”
As I earnestly watched the successful person, who was looking at me, or rather, at Kitamiya—just before arriving here, I was recalling our previous conversation, and realized the conversation had progressed without me. Oops, oops, I almost skipped an important scene.
“So, that’s your answer, isn’t it.”
“Karen!”
Slowly, that spirited Kitamiya smiled gently.
Ah, it turned out as I expected, Gozaru.
“In that case, I can’t go to ‘you’ after all.”
“Eh?”
“I realized. No, I was made to realize. We weren’t in ‘love’.”
She didn’t call him by name, Gozaru.
This incident’s cause is that childhood friends, by becoming accustomed to being together, sometimes mistake their feelings.
“We got too close. We became so accustomed to being together that neither I nor Toru saw clearly.”
“What are you saying—”
“You know, I like Toru. But I’ve never considered what kind of liking this is. But after this happened, I could step back and think. Hey, Toru, do you like me?”
“Of course!! I like you!”
“Yes, but is that liking me as a woman?”
“Yes!!”
That’s three yellow cards, Gozaru.
In other words, a red card.
“I see. You won’t look at me then.”
“I didn’t say that!!”
“You did, Gozaru, and I’m convinced. Successful person, you don’t like Kitamiya at all, do you, Gozaru?”
“That’s not true!!”
“Then why didn’t you deny it with your final words? Gozaru.”
“Eh?”
“It’s possible for childhood friends to become so accustomed to being together that romantic feelings cease to exist, Gozaru.”
I wish it wasn’t true.
For this matter, I was actually planning to lose.
As we exchanged words many times, Kitamiya grew calmer, and considered returning.
But she couldn’t bring herself to make a decision.
We were going to push her to make that decision.
We were prepared to accept whatever the outcome, as it was Kitamiya’s choice, Leader.
However, there was this one thing I wanted to confirm.
I worried if this successful person saw Kitamiya as a taken-for-granted, convenient existence.
I conveyed that to the Leader and Kitamiya, and they brought about this discussion.
Successful person, you should have said that you like Kitamiya not as a woman, but as Karen Kitamiya, in your final answer.
“It’s decided.”
“Wait, Bastet! The conversation is not over yet!”
“It’s impossible to turn this around now~. Besides, from the company’s profit perspective, it’s more efficient for her to be in the current Party. Profit and decorum; both have tipped in their favor. So, only the verdict remains.”
Leaving the successful person, who couldn’t comprehend the final statement, the conclusion of this matter is handed down.
“Based on the results of this case, Karen Kitamiya’s affiliation will be officially transferred to Jiro Tanaka’s Party. I will submit the paperwork to HR. Objections will not be accepted.”
Haa, I’ve worked hard, Gozaru.
All the strength drained from my body, I leaned back against the sofa’s backrest with a slump.
I worked too hard.
Working is indeed losing, Gozaru!!
Another Side END
Today’s word:
“Waaah!!! This isn’t my character!! That kind of seriousness isn’t me!! Gozaruuuu!!!”
This concludes today’s entry.
With this, Kitamiya will be officially transferred to another Party.
In Dragon Quest, this would be like saying, “A Mage has joined your party!” (lol)
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