Once I was finally able to get to work, I immediately began sorting through the documents, checking the department names printed on each one.
Even within the same department, the section names differed, which made the sorting process surprisingly tedious. For now, I decided to follow the same approach I used in the Student Council: start by dividing everything into broad categories.
Mayumi-san had put on some classical music as work BGM before she left, making for a truly elegant working hours—even if I couldn't have named a single piece.
Being careful not to let the stacks on the desk trigger a paper avalanche, I sorted the documents bit by bit, placing them into the sorting boxes I’d prepared for each department. I didn’t mind this kind of repetitive labor; I simply put my head down and focused.
Before I knew it, I was so absorbed in the task that I lost all track of time.
I sat there, listening to the classical BGM on a loop I could no longer count, my mind entirely on the paperwork. Because of the music, I made the mistake of failing to hear the door open.
I continued working, oblivious to the unsettling presence closing in behind me. I had just placed a set of documents into a box on the bookshelf and started to turn around when—
Squish.
What on earth...?
Something soft pressed against my face, and my vision went pitch black. Had night fallen already? No, my face was just being covered by something. But what?
"Oh my, Takanashi-san... maybe I should tell Sara-chan about this?"
The moment Mayumi-san’s voice reached my ears, a mental alarm blared at full volume, screaming that I was in a very dangerous situation.
"Takanashi-san, you haven't taken a single break since I left, have you?"
"M-Mayumi-san!? No, I... I definitely..."
Of course, I hadn't taken a break. Well, maybe if I believed hard enough that I’d taken one, it would count as a psychological break? As I scrambled to find some sort of logic to hide behind, Mayumi-san’s antics only escalated.
"My, look at you trying to lie. You're a naughty boy. And so..."
An arm wrapped around the back of my neck, locking my head firmly in place. Oh, this was bad.
"It’s punishment time♪"
From that point on... it was torture in more ways than one.
"I’m very sorry. I’ll be sure to take proper breaks from now on..."
I had been subjected to a punishment that was either suffocating or heavenly—I honestly couldn't tell if it was a reward or torture. Now, the scene consisted of me apologizing to a very energetic Mayumi-san, while I felt more exhausted than if I had done actual manual labor.
I hadn't been slacking; I had been working hard. So why was I the one apologizing? It felt a bit unreasonable, but I was quickly learning that I was no match for a crying child, Sara-san, or Mayumi-san.
I looked out the window and noticed the sun had dipped quite low. Checking the clock, I realized for the first time that I had already exceeded my scheduled working hours.
Even though I’d started later than planned, it felt like the time had passed in the blink of an eye. This might have been the first time I’d ever concentrated this hard on a single task.
Mayumi-san looked at the floor, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of the sorting boxes spread out across the room.
"Oh my, you've made quite a bit of progress."
"I've only just grouped them by department for now," I replied. It wasn't modesty; I had only done a rough pass. There was still a long way to go.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you. At first, I spent too much time play—I mean, our talk ran long, and then I couldn't finish my housework."
She definitely started to say she’d played too much, didn't she? Though, to be fair, I was the one she’d been playing with.
Click.
The door opened, and Masaomi-san walked in.
"I'm home."
"Welcome home, dear."
Mayumi-san approached Masaomi-san with a bright smile and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
I stood there, stunned. I didn't expect them to kiss right in front of me, but I suppose being able to do that so casually meant they were truly a harmonious couple. It was actually quite heartwarming.
Masaomi-san noticed me watching and gave a sheepish laugh.
"Ah, sorry about that, Takanashi-kun. Habit, I'm afraid. Mayumi, you knew Takanashi-kun was here. You shouldn't do that so suddenly; you'll shock the boy."
Masaomi-san offered me a small apology while lightly chiding his wife. However, his expression didn't match his words; it was plain to see he was completely smitten with her.
I see, so this is what it feels like to have people flirting right in front of you...
As I watched them calmly, Masaomi-san tilted his head as if surprised by my reaction.
"Oh? You're remarkably composed. When we did this in front of my colleagues before, they were utterly scandalized."
"Ufufu, Takanashi-san has the look of someone with plenty of experience, doesn't he?"
"Eh!?"
I definitely wasn't making a face like that, but Mayumi-san was back at it, using her mischievous streak to drag me into the conversation. Taken by surprise, I could only stammer.
"Oh, is that so? Takanashi-kun's girlfriend is also a high school student, isn't she? Well, well... she's quite the proactive woman, then."
"Uh... well... I wonder about that?"
I had no idea how to respond and became hopelessly flustered. I felt a sting of frustration seeing Mayumi-san’s triumphant smirk.
"I suppose high school might be a bit early, but being loved is a wonderful thing. This kind of physical intimacy is key to maintaining a good relationship."
"Y-Yes. I'll keep that in mind..."
While I struggled to navigate the awkwardness, Mayumi-san stood behind her husband, stifling her laughter with her hand.
"Anyway, you've certainly made a solid start," Masaomi-san said, his focus shifting to the sorting boxes on the floor.
I felt a wave of relief at the change of subject, though I quickly realized I’d spread things out so much there was barely any room to walk.
"I-I'm sorry. Is this in the way of your work?"
"No, I won't be able to do much here until the organizing is finished anyway, so don't worry. Feel free to work however is easiest for you, Takanashi-kun."
That was a relief. I’d almost caused a problem by spreading out without thinking ahead. I’d have to be more mindful of that.
"I didn't think you'd get this far on the first day," he continued.
"That's right. I had to go out shopping, so I feel terrible that I couldn't help at all," Mayumi-san added.
"Oh? So you did all this by yourself?"
I’d just been working normally, but his praise felt good nonetheless.
"I've done similar tasks at school a few times. But doing it today, I realized I enjoyed it more than I expected—or rather, I found that I don't dislike this kind of work."
That was my honest takeaway from the day. Masaomi-san nodded with a pleased expression.
"You might have a real aptitude for this kind of support work."
"Indeed. Isn't he exactly the kind of person you're always wishing for, dear?"
"Hahaha. It's true. No one specifically trains to be my personal assistant, so personally, it would be a huge help."
The conversation was moving into territory where I didn't know what to say, so I stayed quiet. Masaomi-san seemed to pick up on it.
"Sorry, I shouldn't talk about you as if you aren't here. I deal with personnel matters quite often, so it's become a bit of a habit. Don't mind me."
I wasn't entirely sure what a Senior Managing Director actually did, but if he was involved in personnel too, his responsibilities must have been vast. It sounded exhausting.
"It's fine. You'll figure out your aptitude as you go. For now, just be glad you found something you're good at. You learn a lot about yourself once you actually start working."
Working... employment.
I hadn't given any thought to my future path after high school, but the time to decide was definitely coming. Would I go to university or get a job? Come to think of it, what did Sara-san want to do?
We had never talked about it. For the first time, I realized that we would eventually need to sit down and have that conversation.
"Now then, let's leave the heavy talk for later. Good job today, Takanashi-san! I'll get some tea ready, so go relax in the living room. Since you didn't take a single break!"
Seeing me lost in thought, Mayumi-san spoke up with a voice bright enough to clear the air. She made sure to put a little extra emphasis on the "no breaks" part.
"Eh? You didn't take any breaks? Takanashi-kun, being diligent is good, but you have to look after yourself, too."
Masaomi-san gave me a wry smile of warning, which made Mayumi-san’s grin widen.
"Hehe, that's a line I'd like to say to a certain someone else in this room, too."
"...Well, when I concentrate, I..."
"Y-Yes. When I get focused, I tend to get absorbed in the work... I just get swept up in it."
"Exactly! That's how it is. Are you the same way, Takanashi-kun?"
"Y-Yes. Are you too, Masaomi-san?"
We were kindred spirits. The conversation had somehow shifted into us defending each other. Mayumi-san seemed to find the whole exchange hilarious, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
"Yes, yes, I hear your excuses. Just make sure you both take your breaks, okay?"
""Y-Yes...""
Masaomi-san and I answered in unison. It had started as a lecture for me, but somehow he’d ended up getting scolded alongside me.
Watching them, it was incredibly obvious that they were a very close couple. But one thing was also very clear: Masaomi-san was completely unable to win an argument against Mayumi-san.
At that moment, I was left with the distinct impression that she was the one truly in charge of the house.