Chapter 30: CH 30

Chapter 30: - June 23 (Tuesday): Sasamiya's Victory Report

The afternoon of the day after the presentation.

We were waiting at the office for the results of the presentation.

“It’s almost here. I’m nervous. …”

“Don’t be so stiff. It’ll be fine.”

“Sasamiya-san is very strong even in times like this. I need to be stronger too.”

Otomizu was complimenting me, but to tell the truth, I was also nervous.

This Tanabata campaign was a big project that crossed over other prefectures.

The result would have a great impact on the company.

I did all that I could.

Now… let’s see what happens…

>

I received an incoming call on my phone.

It was from the lady in charge.

When I answered the phone, the lady in charge giggled, as if she sensed my nervousness.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. I’ve decided to leave this Tanabata campaign to Sasamiya-kun and the your team.”

“Really?! Thank you very much!”

“Aside from the planning, I have a high opinion of you, Sasamiya-kun. If this event is a success, I’ll entrust you with the next job as well. So do your best.”

“Yes!”

I hung up the phone and looked at Otomizu.

I was sure she had already guessed from the way I looked at her, but she was still waiting to hear the results from my mouth.

“We’ve won this presentation!”

As soon as I said that, the employees in the sales department cheered.

“Really!!? That’s amazing!”

“That means we’ll have to coordinate with all the other staff members! We’re going to be busy at once!”

“Oi, Sasamiya! Give us some work! We’ll all cooperate!”

While everyone’s spirits were soaring, Otomizu was stunned.

It was her first time winning a presentation.

She probably didn’t feel it yet.

“Sasamiya-san, …. D-Did we actually win?”

“Yeah.”

“You mean success, right?”

“Yes. This project includes your ideas. You should be ecstatic.”

Then Otomizu hugged me with the biggest smile on her face.

“Yay!! Yay! I’m so happy! I’m so so happy!!”

“O … Oi, Otomizu! Hey, …”

Normally I would have hugged her tightly because no one was looking at me, but now everyone was here.

As I looked around impatiently, I saw that some of the employees were also looking at me with a grin.

I’m going to be bullied later.

“You guys, shut up!!”

Suddenly, a middle-aged man opened the door of the sales department and walked in, looking displeased.

He was the frog-face director of the department who had been harassing Otomizu for some reason.

It was already almost noon, and he had just arrived at work.

“Hmph! You’re getting carried away just because you passed one presentation!”

The director came up to me and stared at me.

“Hey, Sasamiya! You’re always getting in my way! I’ll have you and Otomizu fired by the director’s authority!”

By “interfering”, he meant that he had bad-mouthed Otomizui to the client during the presentation.

In a case like this, it would be wise for a company employee to just go along with the conversation and let it go.

That was what I would have done in the past.

But this time, I wasn’t going to stay quiet.

“What are you talking about? You’re not the manager anymore.”

“What?”

“The president announced at the morning meeting that you’ve been removed from your position and suspended.”

“Ba…Baka! I’m the president’s son!”

I pointed to the wall of the sales department.

It contained a notice of punishment for the director and an apology from the president for the trouble he had caused the employees.

The director staggered with an expression of disbelief.

The harassment up until now had been disguised as a business caution, and Otomizu had no intention of suing for abuse of power.

That was why I couldn’t take action in my position.

This time, however, it was different.

He went out of his way to contact the client and sabotage the presentation.

We had enough witnesses and evidence.

I talked to the president about this, and this was how I was able to give the director the boot.

The director grabbed me by the chest and shouted with a bitter look on his face.

“… Gu! …G-Guh! … Why! Why do you have to go to such lengths to protect Otomizu! You used to be so indifferent to others!”

I answered that question nonchalantly.

“I was advised by an acquaintance to change my unsociable ways. I guess that helped.”

The manager turned pale and left mumbling, “Stupid … Stupid …,”.

It would be impossible for him to mess with Otomizu again.

As I was adjusting my disheveled suit, Otomizu, who was right beside me, spoke to me.

“Thank you, Sasamiya-san, for all your help. … I … finally …”

She still insisted it was all her fault, no matter how hard I warned her, but I guess she was still scared.

Wanting to reassure her, I stroked her head.

One of the employees in the sales department, who was watching the scene, said loudly in a prankish tone.

“Oi, Oi! How long are you guys going to keep hugging each other? We’re still working!”

The members of the sales department, who had been silent until a moment ago, all burst into laughter.

Oh man, … We were completely in our own world.

“Sorry, Otomizu. I’ll be leaving soon.”

However, it was Otomizu who was grabbing my arm.

I can’t leave on my own.

“… Otomizu. Can you let go …?”

Then she said,

“I… I don’t want to leave!”

“Why?!”

“I don’t know why!!”

“Is it a quiz?!!”

“I don’t know either!!”

“Seriously!!”

“I’m serious!!! I don’t know what to do!!!”

“I want to hear it!!”

The members of the sales department laughed even louder at our embarrassed and freaked out exchange.