Otherworld Company Chapter 19.1: In Companies, Colleagues should Support Each Other Regardless of Rank and Designation

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Single – No Girlfriend

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee) + Recruiter

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

“Oh, I had a dream of being almost killed by an SD Sentai Robot Mascot.” (Jiro)

“No, Senior, that was real.” (Kaido)

“Of course.” (Jiro)

　I said as I woke up, staring at the white ceiling, my words containing a lot of wishful thinking. However, Kaido who was awake returned a tsukkomi.

“I’m just asking, but this isn’t hell right?” (Jiro)

“Senior doesn’t even think this is heaven. But if there is a nurse in hell, I feel like I can go there, but I’m just glad that Senior and I are alive.” (Kaido)

“I was stabbed by a huge sword through my stomach… Oh no, before I was relieved to be alive, I was surprised to find out that I was no longer human.” (Jiro)

“What do you mean?” (Kaido)

　I laugh intentionally in response to Kaido’s stunned reply.

　At first glance, it seems like nothing is going on, and we weren’t enthusiastic about our conversation, which was a silly conversation.

　I and Kaido were looking for words with all our hearts, thinking that we had to talk about something and keep it going.

“Ah, what about Masaru and Minami?” (Jiro)

“I don’t know. I just woke up.” (Kaido)

“I can’t see the clock… I don’t know what time it is.” (Jiro)

“I don’t know how long we’ve been unconscious?” (Jiro)

　The room is brightly lit, and of course, there is no such thing as a window in this underground facility’s infirmary.

　For the time being, the fact that we are alive and stuck here means they are probably fine.

　I need to confirm their safety, but I don’t have anyone to ask at the moment.

　I should get out of bed and look for them, but even though my body doesn’t hurt, I can’t bring myself to move.

　I have an idea why, it was obvious from the beginning.

“You almost died.” (Jiro)

“I’ve never felt such a crushing sensation in my life.” (Kaido)

“Don’t underestimate me, I’ve been blown up and stabbed before.” (Jiro)

　I answered him back.

　The conversation was neither a boast of misfortune nor a self-deprecating joke.

　It was a topic I had been avoiding, but it was surprisingly easy to talk about.

“Kaido, what are you going to do?” (Jiro)

“…I don’t know. What will you be doing Senior?” (Kaido)

　It’s just a nuanced conversation with no subject or anything, but we both know what we want to say.

　We both know what we want to say.

　This is, in a sense, a crossroads.

　Masaru and Minami had just started and were shown such a scene, but for Kaido, it might be good timing to see if he can continue this job or not.

“I will continue.” (Jiro)

　I don’t know if it will help him decide, but my intentions haven’t wavered all that much.

　I’d like to examine my mental structure for an hour to see how I can spit out such words after almost dying.

　Whether to quit or continue working, it’s something that everyone who works at a job says at least once and thinks about at least once.

　It’s not a word that doesn’t show up here because it’s a question.

　But for me, the idea of quitting never came to mind.

　I’m sure why I’m going to want to continue, but unfortunately, I don’t have that kind of work ethic or serious personality.

“At any rate, until I can turn that damn f*cking golem into scrap.” (Jiro)

　Well. The only thing that comes to mind is a simple personal grudge. I’m not going to cry myself to sleep when I’m beaten.

“Hng.” (Kaido)

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? I am serious you know?” (Jiro)

“No, Senior, look in the mirror. If you stand in front of the kindergartners in the neighborhood with that face now, they will definitely call the police. To be frank, it was a yakuza’s expression.” (Kaido)

“…” (Jiro)

　Did I have such a battle-hungry personality?

　I reached out to my face, but my face was laughing.

　I didn’t mean to be a combat maniac, but apparently, I can’t say I’m not anymore.

　Not bad, but a bit of a shock.

“Hmm, then I won’t quit either.” (Kaido)

“You don’t have to go with me.” (Jiro)

　Kaido, who was worried for only a few seconds without worrying about my feelings, made a quick decision.

　It’s an action that any Japanese would take to fit in with someone else, but this is a matter of life and death.

　I want you to stick to your own will this time.

“No, it’s impossible for me to stay behind alone when Senior quit, but I think I can handle it if I’m with Senior.” (Kaido)

　This Kouhai who gave me a thumbs up and laughed as he pulled his hand out of the futon, showed no doubts on his face.

　This junior sometimes says embarrassing things with a calm face.

　It makes me happy, but I won’t let it show on my face.

“Well, if you decide so, I won’t say anything.” (Jiro)

　Although I advise him before he makes his choice, after he makes his choice, I will only give him a push.

　If you’ve made your decision, there’s no need for me to tell you anything else.

“Isn’t there a cigarette here…?” (Jiro)

　When the future of me and Kaido is decided, I have to confirm the thoughts of the other two, but for the time being, I reach for my chest pocket, which is the usual place where those are kept, but my hospital clothes are not equipped with cigarettes. My hand naturally grasps air

“Is this what you want?” (Voice)

“Oh, thank you.” (Jiro)

　I naturally reached for the cigarette that was offered to me and used the light from her fingertips to light it.

“What the—!? Supervisor Evia!?” (Jiro)

“You look better than I expected.” (Evia)

　It was so naturally presented that I received it without question, but it was the devil herself, the usual slacks-wearing Supervisor Evia.

　I’m surprised when her existence that was never there suddenly appeared.

“The first thing the person who slept for three days asked for was a cigarette.” (Evia)

“Do you want me to put it out?” (Jiro)

“I do not care.” (Evia)

　I scratch my head at the words of the supervisor who replied to me, as I looked at her with a stunned expression.

　I know it’s not common sense to ask for this in a medical facility.

　So, I tried to put it out because I was feeling guilty, but I got permission from the supervisor, so I decided to smoke it as it is.

　And I wasn’t that surprised to hear that I slept for three days, which she said casually.

“You’re not surprised?” (Evia)

“I had a lump of metal stuck in my stomach; you know. I wouldn’t be surprised if he had been unconscious for ten years or so. If anything, three days is a win-win.” (Jiro)

“You’re right. I had complex fractures all over my body, so it was a wonder I could move at all.” (Kaido)

“…” (Evia)

　As we talked, Supervisor Evia relaxed her usual sharp expression and smiled wryly.

“It doesn’t sound like the words of a victim.” (Evia)

“If it’s hell, we’ve been experiencing it before, ma’am.” (Kaido)

“I’ve learned that it’s harder to be tortured mentally than physically.” (Jiro)

　I never thought that the day would come when my experience of the death march from my previous company would come in handy.

　I didn’t think that the day would come when I would be more afraid of working hard, wearing out my spirit, tasting a living hell, and not being able to find meaning in living.

　I think about it myself, but in retrospect, it was a pretty scary environment. It’s rare to find an environment that’s scarier than the one where you’re almost physically killed.

　If I had sued, I would have won.

“Are both of you masochists?” (Evia)

“”No!”” (Kaido & Jiro)

　I denied the words of the supervisor who, whether she knew my feelings or not, lightly chided me.

　It may have been an unavoidable reply, but I hope that I will not be lumped in with those perverted groups who take pleasure in pain.

　Just because I was able to get back on my feet doesn’t mean that I was okay with the pain.

　I’m still afraid of dying, and I’m still in pain.

　I’m sure it’s the same for Kaido.

“It’s a shame.” (Evia)

“No, don’t say it regretfully with such a serious expression.” (Jiro)

“Senior, I thought I could be a little bit of a masochist.” (Kaido)

“Don’t be hasty Kaido!” (Jiro)

　No matter how beautiful and S-like the supervisor is, it is definitely a path that will not allow you to come back.

　Calm down and stop yourself Kaido.

“I was about to have a slave. Oh well. Let’s get to the point.” (Evia)

“That was dangerous.” (Jiro)

“A slave.” (Kaido)

　The conversation ended once Kaido had prevented himself from becoming one of the supervisor’s slaves.

　The supervisor, who had put on her professional face, bowed her head quickly.

“The cause of this scandal is the mismanagement of the Research and Development Department, the result of unplanned actions in addition to the lack of supervision. The responsibility lies with that department. I’ll make them sorry and send them to apologize later, but I’m also responsible as the supervisor. So, I’ll apologize to you guys first.” (Evia)

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