“Didn’t I say as much?”
“Well, sure, but you had to expect it would be shocking for me.”
“You just experienced this yesterday.”
“Yeah, but I thought that was a setup specifically for going to other worlds.”
“The fundamental idea is no different.”
I was whispering back and forth with Peeps, who was perched on my shoulder. Fortunately, the surrounding area was clear of people. He said he could use magic to bring me here instantly, so I figured we might as well test it—and now we were actually here. It was making me more excited than I should have been for my age. The possibilities of this spell were endless.
“Could I use it, too?”
“Currently, you have only received my mana. You may have the power needed to use a spell, but that alone is not enough. However, if you keep to your daily training, you will eventually be able to use magic just as I do. It may still take time, though, depending on several factors.”
“Oh, is it possible for you to expand on that a little…?”
“Once you have returned from work, I will teach you.”
“Really? Thanks so much, Peeps.”
“I’ll await you at home.”
Suddenly, I was really looking forward to my after-work time. I’d have to finish up early and get back home.
“You’ll go to the bathroom in the cage like you’re supposed to, right?”
“Yes, I am fully aware.”
With a brief answer, Peeps vanished along with the magic circle. What a clever bird he was, learning where to use the bathroom on day one. He only cost three thousand yen, too. What a bargain! I did still wonder why he was a little cheaper than the other birds, though.
The workplace looked the same as usual. We weren’t a very well-known business—just an average-size company, the sort you’d find anywhere. Bad sales meant bad wages. And naturally, I didn’t get paid overtime, so I had been barely scraping by since I’d been hired.
Changing jobs was out of the question, since before I knew it, I had passed thirty. To someone like me who had experienced a job drought before, facing the market again was a frightening prospect, so I let my company work me to the bone. I figured they’d probably keep using me like that until the day I died.
“Mr. Sasaki, could you take a quick look at this settlement report?”
“Hmm?”
My colleague had spoken to me from the next seat over. He was a newer employee who had been here for four years now. He’d enrolled right out of his technical college, making him twenty-four this year.
Other companies might consider a fourth-year employee a key part of the team, and as a coworker, he was excellent. Unfortunately, those above him were nearly a decade older, so he was still being called the new guy. I felt kind of sorry for him. In my personal opinion, he was the best worker in our office.
“…Right. Yes, the language here does bother me a little.”
“Oh, you thought so, too?”
“You know how the department head is. I think you should explain that part a bit more.”
“Thank you, I will.”
“You really don’t need to spend your time on trivial things like this. Feel free to ask me whatever you want— In fact, you could just pass it straight to me. Then maybe you could get some work-work done, and we’d all benefit.”
“Work-work?”
“You know. Stuff you could use somewhere else…”
“……”
“…What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. I was just thinking you’re absolutely right.”
“Right?”
He was still young—there were better places that would let him shine. He didn’t need to spend all his time working for a dull manager at this tired old company.
“Want to go have a smoke?” he suggested.
“No, no. I don’t smoke.”
“Then I’ll buy you a soda or something.”
“Well, I suppose…”
Accepting his invitation, I got up from my seat. Normally, we’d have gone to the vending machines on the same floor. This time, though, he led us right past them and outside. I followed him quietly, wondering where on earth he was going.
Eventually, we came to an alley next to our company’s building. It was two, maybe three meters wide. No vending machines in sight. He picked a spot with no one around—what did he want to talk about?
My colleague, expression serious, spoke.
“Mr. Sasaki, would you be interested in going independent with me?”
“Huh?”
“I plan on quitting this job next month.”
“…Oh.”
This was a heavier topic than I’d expected. He filled me in on the details—he’d started planning a start-up half a year ago. He’d already been talking to several business connections he had, and that was apparently going well. As for his team, he’d called up some of his school friends and had gotten quite a few of them on board.
“I think having someone with your experience would really help us out.”
“……”
It seemed like he’d asked me because he thought having at least one older person would round out their young team. I was extremely happy to get the invitation, but it was such a sudden offer it caught me off guard.
“Can I count on you? I think we can offer you more than you’re getting now.”
“Well…”
But I couldn’t exactly answer on the spot, could I? I’d just adopted Peeps the previous day. I was pretty pressed for time right now.
“Would you give me a little while to think it over?”
“Yes, of course. You’re even free to see how things go from the outside for a year or so. I know you’re probably uneasy with a bunch of young people like me putting together a start-up. It’s only natural.”
“No, that’s not what I meant. It’s just that my, well, private life is a little busy…”
“Huh? Oh, are you getting married?”
“…No, that’s not it.”
“It isn’t? I’m sorry; I guess I shouldn’t have asked that.”
“But I am really happy you invited me. Thank you.”
“Not at all. I’ll look forward to your answer.”
“Okay.”
He explained he would be the face of the company. I’d always thought he was talented, but to launch a start-up at his age—that was really something. Having him approach me so frankly was an unexpected and happy occurrence.
If there did end up being something I could help them with, I’d gladly give him a proper answer then.
I had just gotten back from work and was at the door of my apartment when I noticed a figure in front of my next-door neighbor’s place. A middle school student wearing the sailor uniform of a nearby school was sitting with her knees up and her back against the door. A bag sat next to her—probably the one designated by her school. When I noticed her there and looked over, she glanced up at me as well, and our eyes met.
“Hello,” she said in greeting.
With the temperature dropping down fast, I felt chilly just looking at her, hugging her knees and making herself seem even smaller. I didn’t notice her wearing any cold-weather clothing under her skirt—only her socks were visible, pulled up all the way. The wind had been strong recently, including today. She must have been cold.
“It’s been getting colder out. Are you all right?”
“…I’m fine.”
This wasn’t the first time I’d talked to the girl. I’d known her since she was in elementary school. She’d been living in the next unit over with her mother since before I moved here. From her seat on the floor, she claimed that her mother wouldn’t let her into the apartment until she got home. This woman was either a toxic parent or a neglectful one.