A heckler is shamelessly making fun of Kato, and I can’t deny feeling pity for this person who has become a pathetic clown.

It was hard to believe that just a few minutes ago he was excited about the possibility of having a drink with Suela.

“Hahaha, you’re such a funny girl.” (Kato)

“How dumb are you to think I was joking?” (Suela)

“What!?” (Kato)

If she were instead a Japanese, I wonder if there would be a woman who would say things as frank as Suela, I doubt it.

I’d like to point my finger at Kato’s expression, as he desperately tries to endure the humiliation but can’t stop it from leaking out, but I’m not that evil either.

“Kato, you would be hated by women if you keep being persistent.” (Jiro)

“Tanaka, you f*cker—” (Kato)

Today is a day when I was subjected to the annoying things about dating a beautiful woman, but it is not bad if I can laugh like this.

I want to hug Suela, who has smashed Kato as he tried to flirt with her, but I’ll do that later.

“I’m sure you’re under a lot of stress. We’ve got plans later, so why don’t you go have a drink with your buddies?” (Jiro)

“Don’t get carried away.” (Kato)

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“I’m telling you you’re being too pushy.” (Jiro)

Suela said what I wanted to say, which made most of my anger go away, but it didn’t mean that the fire was gone.

I could hear myself realize how low my voice came out.

I didn’t really apply any force, but I grabbed Kato’s right shoulder with my left hand fueled by my emotions that I can’t push down.

Thinking back, I envied this guy more than a little.

I could hear him at work talking about the women he met in between sales jobs, how he had more free time, and how that guy usually went home while I was working late.

I don’t know if it was true, but I also heard a rumor that Kato’s salary was better than mine.

My boss scolded me but smiled as soon as he arrived.

I blamed myself for not being good at moving through the social landscape and wondered many times why I was different from him.

Now, I felt that had changed.

Perhaps it is because I am becoming more aware that in this way, I am achieving solid results, even if my work is not going well.

Kato’s presence, which I thought would be far away or above me, now seems small.

I have no further interest in Kato, who looks at me with a shocked look on his face.

I push him away so that he is forced to turn to the side from my grasp on his shoulder.

“We’re going.” (Jiro)

“Yes.” (Suela)

What came out this time was my usual tone.

Suela’s tone was also her usual.

I pulled on her hand and started to walk slowly, but there was no sound from behind us.

“I’m sorry that someone I know caused you so much trouble.” (Jiro)

“Well, I’m actually still a little angry, you know?” (Suela)

“Huh?” (Jiro)

A short walk away from that place and silence, albeit for a few minutes, lingers.

Suela always responded to my apology for getting out of it by saying that she didn’t mind, but this time was different.

I guess I was subconsciously expecting those words, but I slowed down in surprise and looked at her face.

“ Do you see what I’m upset about?” (Jiro)

Suela looked at me not with a smile, but with a serious expression on her face as she looked into my eyes.

From the conversation, I guess there is a connection to what Kato said earlier, but it doesn’t look like she is angry about the flirting.

“…I’m sorry, I don’t know.” (Jiro)

“That’s true. If you knew why I’m sure Jiro wouldn’t have reacted the way you did.” (Suela)

“…” (Jiro)

I seriously don’t know what Suela is angry about.

Hence my silence.

“Jiro.” (Suela)

In the previous company, I would have just apologized and made excuses and that would have been the end of it, but now I didn’t want to lie to her and didn’t want to make excuses, which made me choose silence.

As if to face me from the steps that had somehow come to a halt, she put her hand on my chest and called my name, as if she was gently admonishing me.

“You are not a god. You will fail and you will be frustrated. That is inevitable because you are just a man.” (Suela)

So, do I need to be more confident?

“Huh?” (Jiro)

Her words stabbed straight to my chest and came into me like I was parched for those very words.

“What I’m angry about is that you are doubtful of the confidence that you should have. You do everything passionately, but you didn’t have the confidence that should have accompanied it. You are straightforward, but you don’t trust yourself enough. You’re trying to force yourself to believe you can’t do something.” (Suela)

She slowly tells me what she has seen and felt.

I just listen.

Certainly, I may not be confident.

I don’t ever want to lose what I work hard on, but I was worried that something would disappear if I did.

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I was anxious about looking desperate, about feeling lost, and about being next to Suela like this.

“I’ve seen what you’ve done. The results are rock solid. So, Jiro, please believe in yourself. You may think you cannot do it, and that you may not be able to rise above it, but that will be true.” (Suela)

Her words support something that lies deep in my heart, like a pillar.

“You can do it because you are Jiro, the man I love.” (Suela)

“…” (Jiro)

“Jiro?” (Suela)

“For now, let’s stay right here.” (Jiro)

“Of course.” (Suela)

The first thing that comes to my mind is the fact that I am not a cool person.

I’ve been seen in all sorts of uncool situations today.

I was seen getting frustrated because my work wasn’t going well, I was comforted when I was down, I was humiliated by my acquaintance’s words, and I was saved from that.

And I even got a confidence boost.

Yeah, I’m not the coolest guy today.

Thank you.

This woman in front of me, I love her so much that I can’t even say any words.

I don’t care if it’s on the side of the road.

I gently hug her.

Yeah, I’ve been getting nothing but gifts.

But I feel like I’ve finally found my place.

Up until now, I’ve just been a cog in a wheel that relies on the force around me to turn, but now I’m going to be the cog that turns my surrounding.

Oh, I’m embarrassed because I thought my work was awkward.

I thought it was a hassle, but I’m such a fool.

Not just Suela.

The supervisor, Kaley, Kaido, and the others are giving me a chance to work because they believe I can do it.

Why didn’t I have the guts to respond to them?

“Thank you, Suela.” (Jiro)

“You look better, Jiro.” (Suela)

“Today I wasn’t cool at all, I’ll show you how great I can become.” (Jiro)

“I’m sure you will.” (Suela)

I hug her again as she accepts my words of gratitude with a happy smile on her face.

I want to live up to her heartfelt expectations.

It might be the first time.

I want to work.

Yes, I believe it.

It’s thanks to Suela.

“Do you want to go somewhere to eat?” (Jiro)

“Well, I’m a little hungry.” (Suela)

But for today, I want you to be patient.

I put aside my desire to work for a little while and went out into the city with Suela to accumulate more energy.

The stares I felt on the way are no longer bothering me.

I can proudly say that she is always beside me.

Another Side

~Evia’s Perspective~

A Retraining proposal.

The document with these words, and the accompanying materials, were much better than I had expected, and I felt my mouth curl up.

The atmosphere that I had thought was somewhat lacking has been improving over the past few days.

“I thought you would end up as just a potential, but you’ve come out of your shell sooner than I expected.” (Evia)

I am pleased but frustrated that it was not me who did it.

I’m not so pure-hearted and naive as to cover up that feeling.

I was going to take some kind of action if the situation continued to be dull, but I decided to think of this as a reduction in the amount of work I would have had to put in.

“I’m looking forward to the future.” (Evia)

As I put the papers on the desk, several resumes were visible next to them. The second group of employees is about to join the company.

Another Side END

Jiro Tanaka: 28 years old – Unmarried

Girlfriend(s): Suela Handelberg (Dark Elf) & Memoria Tris (Vampire)

Occupation: Dungeon Tester (Regular Employee)

Magical Aptitude: Eight (General Class)

Job Title: Warrior

Note for the Day

You need results for your efforts.

However, it is important to believe in yourself to support it.

I was able to know it today.

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