I will make a slight correction.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, single.
His girlfriend, Suella Henderburg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee).
Magic Aptitude 8 (General Class).
Position: Warrior.
School festivals, like the cultural festival, are probably an event that every Japanese person has experienced.
During those times, you often hear that while the actual festival is fun, preparing for it was even more enjoyable.
This is probably because of the atmosphere where camaraderie among friends is born, and it becomes enjoyable due to group psychology, but I have experienced it myself, so I won’t deny it.
So, why am I suddenly starting to talk about this?
“Damn it, there’s nothing more boring than preparing for work alone.”
The ashtray is already piled high with the butts of the cigarettes I’ve smoked.
I was aware that I was a heavy smoker, but since I got my girlfriend Suella and Memoria, and started working as a Dungeon Tester, which involves physical activity, I should have been smoking less than before.
However, after the date in my room with Suella that followed yesterday’s hard work, a mountain of work appeared before me again, as if saying, “You know what’s coming, right?”
I wanted to escape from reality when documents A, B, and C appeared one after another, like in a certain famous RPG where you defeat the Demon Lord, with BGM echoing “Life has its ups and downs, just like in that old folk song.”
Then, the supervisor, who appeared like a harbinger of the Demon Lord, said.
“You’ve overdone it.”
With that one simple sentence, she dismissed yesterday’s actions, but there was no further punishment. She simply handed me a single document.
At first, I got goosebumps thinking that the document would be a termination notice, but the meaning was the opposite.
Notice of Re-training
It seems that due to the incident, there are now more people questioning the abilities of the other testers. This could lead to disruptions in business operations and their limitations being reached too quickly.
In addition, with the upcoming admission of the second batch of testers, it was deemed problematic to continue with the current situation, so a remedial measure has been decided.
“Your abilities are recognized by everyone, but what good does it do if it lowers the evaluation of other testers? Well, this time it was unavoidable, so I’ll let it slide, but it can’t continue like this. I’ve confirmed the lack of ability of those others. I didn’t think it was that bad.”
I recognize the figure of Supervisor Evia, who lets out a sigh.
That’s the feeling of displeasure that comes with more work, even if it’s unavoidable.
But is it not strange that the person in charge of that re-training has fallen to me?
Perhaps the supervisor had predicted a minimum standard, but they must have fallen short of that prediction.
Well, no matter how much you train, she probably didn’t expect one person to wipe out over ten testers.
“Submit a draft by next week. Then, Evia, Suella, and you will refine it together.”
I watched the supervisor, a woman who maintains her ability to work until the end without breaking her strong stance, and the result was a type of work that required me to sit at my desk and PC without moving my body.
Still, when it’s an instruction from a boss who proactively gets things done, I can’t say no.
So, I’ve been diligently working on it.
“While I’ve been grumbling, the framework is complete. Now, how do I refine it further?”
I stopped my fingers from moving and picked up the cigarette I had in my mouth.
I checked the content on the screen for typos and formatting.
For the re-training method, I thought about teaching skills outside of their current jobs, specifically in close combat and physically demanding professions.
What they lack is the ability to handle situations at their weak range and fundamental stat improvement.
Specialization might work in games, but in reality, there are fewer cases where that alone is sufficient for work.
Even idols, to become popular, need to master not only singing but also dancing, talking, marketing, and maintaining their physique.
I understand that, but…
“The problem is, will they get motivated by this?”
From a societal perspective, it’s a sudden change in department or job.
They must have thought they could get by with just their current role.
Normally, that’s impossible.
It’s like trying to clear the final boss with basic starter jobs.
If they don’t understand that, there will undoubtedly be complaints, and at worst, more people might resign.
The task is decided.
The problem is how to get them to do it without causing dissatisfaction.
If there’s dissatisfaction, motivation naturally wanes.
The supervisor, with just a word of “pathetic,” might cut them off and discard them before leaving, but that won’t foster talent.
A common, flawed example is not grasping the speed at which subordinates develop and always seeking immediate results.
This is a tendency often seen in companies that neglect talent development and try to cut personnel costs, only to scramble for replacements when they’re in a bind, or in companies with high turnover.
The supervisor seems to have a good sense of balance, so she probably won’t make any clumsy dismissals unless necessary.
Therefore, I have no choice but to work hard to prevent my boss from doing so.
“What to do… There are limits to bribing them with money, and I don’t have that authority. It’s a visible dead end. Agreement, huh? If only it were that easy.”
In the first place, it’s rare to do work with agreement.
Once you understand and learn the ropes, you just do it.
Personal will, like agreement, doesn’t factor in.
Well, there might be some room for inflow, but if you worry about that, work will be delayed.
So, it’s considered extra and cut.
“Aaaaahhhh~”
If I’m too strict, I might lose personnel, and if I’m too lenient, I don’t know if they’ll be useful.
I consider solutions with the feeling of a balance game, but nothing ideal comes to mind.
My thoughts are going in circles, and scratching my head only relieves the itch, not the worries.
Thanks to spending the entire day facing the PC and writing reports and training plans, it’s almost 6 PM.
Since I gave the other members the day off yesterday, I’m the only one in the Party Room, so I can make noise without bothering anyone.
“Hmm? Yes, coming.”
The chime that rang there, thinking it would be a good change of pace, I stretched and headed towards the entrance.
“Suella?”
“How are you doing?”
Suella was there.
Well, it’s good she’s here, but…
“That outfit.”
“Um, doesn’t it suit me?”
She wasn’t in her usual suit, but instead in a dark blue yukata with white flowing lines, as if inspired by a shooting star.
Her long hair was tied up, and she wore a hairpin. She looked good, even with her tanned skin.
Then I remembered.
Today is the festival at the shrine near where I used to live.
That shrine is quite spacious and has fireworks.
“No, it suits you very well.”
“I’m glad.”
Seeing Suella smile with relief, I could feel the irritation from earlier disappearing.
It’s proven that beautiful women have a healing effect, at least to some extent.
I should say something more insightful, but I regret my awkwardness.
“Did you perhaps come to invite me to the festival… but, Suella can’t go out, can she?”
I wondered if her appearance at this time might be an invitation to a festival date, but Suella and the others can’t do much in an environment without magic.
That was explained at the beginning.
In addition, there’s Suella’s appearance.
A Dark Elf with long ears is nowhere to be found on Earth.
Perhaps she’s just not found, but I don’t know, and it’s not common.
If a beautiful woman like her goes out, she’ll attract attention, and I doubt this company, which strictly prohibits information leaks, would permit it.
I maintained my composure, trying not to let my emotions show from mistakenly rejoicing and then feeling dejected.
“I got permission.”
“Are you alright?”
It seems there’s no problem.
And then, the next concern, the lack of magic power…
“Yes, this hairpin stores magic power and disguised me to resemble the people of Earth using illusion magic, so there’s no problem. However, the effect wears off in about half a day, so I have to return by then.”
That’s also resolved.
The accessory in her hair, the emerald-like jewel on the main part, seems to be fixed with magic and spells.
In the first place, when distributing flyers, it was necessary to send out personnel like this, so there were magic tools prepared, albeit expensive ones.
Of course, they can’t be used easily, but the fact that she brought one means there’s no issue.
“Wait here for a moment, I’ll get ready.”
“Yes!”
There’s no reason for me to refuse.
I was just at a stopping point, having reached a pause.
A change of pace would be fine.
All the dark feelings from before vanished, and a little excitement welled up.
For now, I also need to prepare.
It’s not good to make her wait outside the room for too long, and the room isn’t messy.
I invited Suella into the room, and I headed to the changing room.
A man’s preparations shouldn’t take too long unless they’re particularly elaborate, but an hour or so is normal.
Even just changing clothes and washing my face takes about that long.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“No, it’s my fault for showing up so suddenly.”
“Still, shall we go?”
“Yes.”
Still, making a woman wait feels wrong.
After quickly preparing, I called out to Suella, who was looking at the work I had been doing on the table. She responded gently, showing she wasn’t displeased.
I held my car keys and we walked together.
I wouldn’t do this inside the company, but within the dorms, I offered my hand, and she slowly took it.
Feeling the warmth, we continued holding hands for the short walk to the parking lot.
“Wow, it can be this bright even at night.”
“The company is bright at night too, isn’t it?”
“The atmosphere is different.”
“That’s true.”
It’s a place I’ve been to before.
I know the festival gets crowded at night and I have a few nearby parking spots in mind that are likely to be empty.
Without taking too much time, we arrived at the destination shrine.
Having started in earnest from the evening, many people were visiting the stalls set up along the approach to the shrine, enjoying the festival.
Since moving to this area, I’ve often seen this summer tradition, but it’s been quite a while since I’ve visited as a working adult.
As she climbed the shrine steps, she saw the scene scattering the usual air and eagerly pulled me by the hand to join the flow.
Just by having Suella with me, not being alone, does the view change so much?
I thought festival scenery was all basically the same, but today feels different.
“I learned about it through literature, but seeing it in person is truly different.”
“This too?”
“Yes, I never thought it would be this delicious.”
“The stall owner looked quite flustered.”
“Now, now, I was speaking Japanese properly.”
“Hahaha.”
“Jiro-san just laughed and didn’t do anything.”
“Sorry, sorry.”
Time is limited. As we started walking, the first thing Suella bought was the familiar cotton candy from the stalls.
She knew about it, but this was her first time seeing the real thing. She was surprised and excited watching the process of making it, and when she went to buy it, the shopkeeper, seeing her as a foreign woman from any angle, panicked and tried to use English. Suella, however, spoke to him in Japanese, and they couldn’t communicate.
Seeing us try to accommodate each other’s language, I couldn’t help but laugh. That calmed the shopkeeper down, but he gave us a slightly larger cotton candy, whispering “Please don’t tease me,” which was memorable.
With cotton candy in hand, we slowly walked around the stalls, entering the ones Suella was interested in.
“Ah, what is that?”
“A shooting game?”
“It’s called ‘Shateki,’ isn’t it? Since there’s a gun, do you aim at the prize with it? But won’t the prizes break apart then?”
“They’re toys, not real ones. Want to try?”
“Yes!”
The lineup is much more elaborate than when I was a child, but the principle is the same.
You set a cork in the barrel and shoot it with air.
That part hasn’t changed.
I paid for two people to a young man who might be working a part-time job at the stall, mesmerized by Suella, and he fumbled to get the corks.
But I didn’t miss it. I deliberately gave Suella one extra shot.
Getting angry about every little thing seems wrong, so I used it as an excuse to distract her by explaining how to play, and as a test shot.
“Do I really need that explanation?”
“Jiro-san, do you know how?”
“Ah, you put the cork in here, then aim and shoot.”
Feeling a sense of superiority from her gesture of casually asking me the question from the cheerful young man, I recalled my past experiences and aimed, pulling the trigger. A light “pop” echoed, and a Ramune candy fell in front of me.
“It’s like this.”
“I see.”
“Don’t lean too far forward, your kimono will get messed up.”
“Understood.”
Perhaps it was the result of my daily training, or my senses are sharper, but I was relieved that I hit the target easily. I prevented the young man from peeking and, ignoring his audible grunt, I aimed at the next prize with Suella.
“Hmm, I’d definitely hit it with a bow.”
“If that were the case, this shop would close down. Suella, you’ve never shot a gun before, so it can’t be helped.”
“It’s regrettable.”
Suella frowned, as if she enjoyed it but was unsatisfied with the result. I could only smile.
While I gradually increased the difficulty of the items based on my instincts, Suella’s style was to aim for what she liked, right from the start.
Following the initial Ramune candy, I got a slightly larger snack, and after consuming two more shots, I finally got a bear plushie with my last shot, thinking it might be a souvenir for Memoria.
On the other hand, Suella used all six remaining shots, and the only thing she got was a Ramune candy, knocked over by a deflected shot.
“Want to do it again?”
“Yes, let’s go around once more, and if there’s time, we can do it again.”
“Understood.”
Suella naturally wrapped her arm around mine and we walked.
I had heard that Dark Elves are devoted, but seeing her create such a clear boundary with other men, I could only describe it as a man’s pride.
Since earlier, the eyes of the men at the festival have been drawn to Suella, but she completely ignores them.
She had a brief conversation with the owner of the cotton candy stall, but with the young man from earlier, she immediately put up a distance.
There’s no man who wouldn’t be pleased by that.
I feel a little embarrassed myself, but I wish we could stay like this forever.
Her earlier words probably meant “I want to enjoy it, but there’s no need to go that far.”
She seemed to enjoy herself even after that.
Even now, at the goldfish scooping, she was initially confused by the thinness of the paper, but on her second try, she used her innate dexterity to catch a large number, surprising the shopkeeper.
“Wow, that’s amazing, miss. Have you practiced somewhere?”
“No, I just seemed to grasp the knack for it.”
“Miss, you’re amazing!! Hey, hey, how do I get good at it?”
“Teach me too~”
Her friendly demeanor attracted children around her, and coupled with her appearance, it was impossible not to draw attention from others.
“You’re quite popular.”
“Are you jealous?”
“Yes, I’m so jealous I could cry.”
“Heh.”
I said that to Suella, mixing in a bit of truth. She apologized and asked the boy to give them some space.
“Brother, after seeing what sis did, I can’t show myself being uncool.”
“I’m just clumsy.”
I didn’t need her to tell me her intention.
Despite her appearance, she’s not good at delicate work, but she can probably catch at least one.
I slowly crouched down, paid the money, and received the scoop.
I paid extra, also receiving scoops for Suella and the children.
“You get it, don’t you?”
“Oooh!! Brother, you’re so generous!!”
“Thank you~!”
Thanks to Suella being with me, it feels a bit awkward to have children thank me so frankly like this.
I decided to teach the boy who was about to try, while the girl who was carefully observing the goldfish, and Suella, watched on. I started explaining the tips I had just felt to the girl.
So, I’ll teach the boy.
As the boy immediately broke his, I gently scooped one and handed the slightly damp scoop to the boy.
“Watch carefully,” I preface, and give him a few tips.
The fact that he could succeed made the boy listen attentively.
While watching the boy’s actions, I thought, “If only everyone at the company were this honest.”
The boy started observing carefully this time.
And when he thought “now’s the time,” he moved his hands a little faster and aimed at the goldfish he wanted, and scooped it. The scoop broke.
“Ooooh!! I did it, brother!”
But, indeed, there was one of the target goldfish at the bottom of the small bucket.
“Good job.”
“Yeah!!”
Now, with that finished, I looked towards Suella. It seemed the girl had also succeeded.
She was thanking Suella.
“Brothers, it’s almost time for the fireworks, are you alright?”
“Is it that time already?”
I didn’t say “I messed up,” but when I looked at my watch after the shopkeeper told me, I realized more time had passed than I thought.
The fireworks would start in about ten minutes.
I should have moved earlier to secure a good spot, but at this time, that would be difficult.
I guess I got too caught up in the excitement.
Now, what to do.
The good spots are probably already taken.
I’m hesitant about watching the fireworks in the crowd.
Should I find an empty spot, albeit a little further away? I was pondering this when I felt a tug on the hem of my clothes.
Following the sensation, I looked down…
“Are you going to watch the fireworks too, brother?”
“Yeah.”
“Then I know a good spot!!”
It seems like my luck today is good.
Whether out of gratitude for the goldfish, or perhaps a sense of obligation, he offered to show me a hidden spot for watching the fireworks that he sees every year.
“Is this spot alright?”
“Yes, I feel a bit too watched here.”
It’s rare to see a foreigner, and Suella is beautiful.
In this crowd of men, who have gathered even more than before, it’s probably unsettling for her to watch the fireworks.
So, trusting the child’s word, I followed him, and we arrived at an old park.
It seemed to be behind the shrine and on a slightly elevated position.
It was in the opposite direction of the fireworks venue. There were a few people, but it was much less crowded than the festival venue.
There were also several benches, and some were vacant.
“This is it, brother!!”
“Which way are the fireworks visible?”
“That way!”
I looked in the direction he pointed.
And then, at the same time, flowers bloomed in the night sky.
Really, what timing.
“Beautiful.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve seen them.”
The excited atmosphere of the boy and girl didn’t bother me now.
Suella, seeing the fireworks for the first time, was captivated, unable to take her eyes off the night sky.
She gently held my arm, and we continued to watch together for a while.
Then, it suddenly occurred to me that I’d been so busy with work lately that I hadn’t had opportunities like this.
I must have been lacking in leisure.
Perhaps I was nervous, unusually so, after being promoted to a new position.
It felt like the fireworks, exploding one after another, were easing that tension.
“Thank you, Suella.”
“Did you say something?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
She seemed to sense my feelings and I told her my thanks. Although it was lost in the sound of the fireworks, I’m sure she heard it.
Tomorrow, I might have to get back to work, but I felt like I could handle it.
Jiro Tanaka, 28 years old, single.
His girlfriend, Suella Henderburg.
Memoria Tris.
Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Full-time employee).
Magic Aptitude 8 (General Class).
Position: Warrior.
Today’s quote:
A change of pace is sometimes necessary.
The number of bookmark registrations is steadily increasing.
Thank you all for your readership!!
I look forward to your continued support.
