The Reliable (?) New Recruits

(It’s finally our first day! I should be meeting my new coworkers in a bit… I’m a little nervous.)

(I talked to Renga-kun here last week… I hope he’s doing alright. It seemed like he was going through a lot.)

(It sucks, but there’s nothing I can do. Let’s focus on work for now!)

What’s with the goofy look on your face? Still busy as ever, huh?

Huh?! D-Daniel-san?! Why are you here?!

What? ‘Cuz I work here?

Nice to meetcha! HAMA Tours department head Iwabuchi Daniel Hiroshi, reporting for duty.

…! …! …!

(N-No way… Department head…? He’s working as a manager again…?! A slacker like him?! Kafka, why in the world did you hire this guy…?)

I’m expectin‘ a lot outta you now that we’re working together again, Chief. ♪ I’m gonna head in first.

Th-This means you’re one of our founding members, you know! I’m begging you, please actually do your work this time!

Gahaha, well, we’ll see!

Good morning to you, Chief. And to you as well, Manager.

Chief, I have set up the flowers you had sent. Thank you very much for the kind gesture.

Good morning, Sakujiro-san! I’m glad you like them.

But of course. Young Master Ka⁠— Ah, I mean, our president also fancies them quite a bit.

(…I guess Sakujiro-san is another one of our founding members. It’s a little weird to be working alongside him, since I’ve known him for ages…)

I will simply be working as an ordinary employee. Thus, if there are any errands you would like done, please direct them to me.

It’s okay, you don’t need to do all of that…

Thanks for takin’ on all the boring busy work, Sakujiro.

Daniel-san… Can you be considerate for once…?!

What, you think I’m just gonna refuse the guy when he’s offering?

Good morning. Sounds like a party in here. Thanks for the flowers, Chief. ♪ Did you think of me when you picked them out?

Ah, Kafka, good mor⁠—

Good morning, Mr. President! You look handsome as ever today.

(Is Daniel-san trying to get on Kafka’s good side…?)

Good morning. I have our other two founding members with me, so I’ll introduce them to you all.

Good morning. I assume you two are the manager and chief?

(Wow… He looks so friendly and reliable!)

This is Kitakata Nayuki. I met him in the investment world a long time ago. I brought him in to lead our financial department.

Please let me know if there’s anything you need regarding our finances. I’ll do my best to help.

(Woah, he’s really got it together…! Thank god…)

(Hm? I feel like I’ve seen him before…but I don’t know where. Maybe a magazine interview or something?)

Nayuki also has experience as the previous COO of JPN’s most popular metaverse service, mahorova. He knows his stuff.

Ah…! You’re that prodigy entrepreneur who made mahorova when you were only 12…!

Oh, that was over 11 years ago. I’m just your average finance manager now, so no need to be so formal.

(He’s achieved so much, but he’s still so nice and humble… Kafka, you brought in the best person for the job…!)

(I wonder why someone as amazing as him decided to come here of all places, but… I guess it’s because he’s friends with Kafka?)

(…I also kind of feel like I’ve heard the name Kitakata somewhere else, but I don’t remember where…)

Nayuki will also be working on some other stuff eventually, but he’ll just be on finances for the time being.

I also hired an intern for us, but…

W-Wahhhhh! I knocked over the flower vase…! HyahhhhI’msorryI’msorryI’msorryyyyyyyy!!

Oh, dear. The flowers that Chief had delivered are a mess.

I-I can pick them up!! Ow!! The glass… I’m bleeding… I’m bleediiiiing!!

*sigh…* Sakujiro, please take care of his cuts and put up the flowers again.

(Th-They have the perfect clumsy girl and capable butler dynamic…!)

Oh, wow… Oh, wow, wow, wow… I didn’t even see you put the bandage on… A-Are you a god?!

Yachiyo. Come over here. Those flowers mean a WHOLE LOT to me, okay? Don’t touch them again.

Ack… Yes, sir, I-I’m so sorry sir, I won’t come near it ever again, sir…

Fuefuki-kun, if I may. When you open a door, remember to first look to your right, then to your left. Keep yourself at least 1 meter away from any fragile objects.

Ye-Yes, sir!!!! I’ll write that down!! I’ll write down every single word!!

Hey, attaboy! He’s got this intern thing down pat.

(Looks like we have another…“interesting” person on our team…)

This is Fuefuki Yachiyo. His application was a little weird and I found it interesting, so I hired him. ♪ Be nice to him, everyone.

(He hired him because he found him weird and interesting…? Why is Kafka always like this?!)

And oooone moooore thiiiing… Tada! It’s Shumai, our mascot dog!

Woof!

Huh, I didn’t even see you bring Shumai in! Wait, why is he here in the first place?!

He’s so cute. Do you already know him, Chief?

Uh, well… I only know him because we found him hurt in the hospital courtyard when Kafka was still an inpatient…

We took care of him in the hospital together. I brought him with me when I got discharged, because he just kept following me around.

So that’s what happened… Aw, Shumai, I really missed you!

Huff huff, woof woof!

Aww, not fair. Why does Shumai only get uppies? Carry me too, like you always used to.

W-What are you talking about…?

Haha, I see you two are quite close.

Ah, it’s not like that, we’re just old friends…! Sorry, we shouldn’t be messing around like this…

I wouldn’t say we’re “messing around,” but you’re right, we are very close. ♪ Manager Nayuki, I hope you’re not planning on making a move on our chief.

(I have no idea what Kafka’s going on about…)

“Don’t make a move on our chief”… O-Okay, I got it!!

Yachiyo-kun, you don’t need to write that down!

Alright. Now that everyone’s here, we can start our first strategy meeting.