"Hozumi..?"
My heart races irregularly. I have no idea what he's trying to do. It's bad enough that his chest was pressed to my back a minute ago.
"Sorry, but..." I feel the warmth of his fingers on my skin and I retreat reflectively. At this moment...
Hozumi Aito: "Right here... Your notebook left a mark"
"Wha...? R-Really?"
Hozumi Aito: "And one more thing... "Aito reaches out to the desk again and takes my notebook. He points to where I wrote the word 'Movie date' and says "I don't recommend taking a shy girl to the movies because it's hard to talk to her about it afterwards." Aito looks at me a bit longer before setting my notebook back on the desk, and turning his back to me like he lost interest. I space out for a minute... then I come back to Earth and call out to him.
"Um... Thankyou! For everything, um... you were really helpful" I thank him, feeling flustered. Aito slowly turns to face me and nods lightly, saying nothing more as he leaves
The next day... After visiting my uncle at the hospital I walk back to the office. Charm... Aito's face pop's up in my mind. I felt like we got a bit closer last night.
With those thought, I reach the apartment complex. Huh? Who's that person? I get on the elevator, then walk down the hall and find a man I don't know standing in front of the door to the office. Employees frequently pass in and out of the office but it's unusual to see someone standing in a suit like this.
"Um... hello, may I help you with something?" When u call out to him, the man turns around. He's middle-aged, older than I thought. He looks kind of sophisticated. What's he doing at a place like this?
??: "Oh, pardon me, looks like I got the wrong room number, I think it's on the floor above. I apologize for the misunderstanding." The man says as he runs off holding a little piece of white paper. What was that bout?
I open the office door. "Huh? What's going on? It's still a bit early." Usually I'm here before anyone in the cast but today Aito Haruka and Junpei were already here. I give them all a questioning look.
Haruka Doujima: "Oh goog, Seto-dear is here. Can you go babysit for us?"
"Babysit?"
Haruka Doujima: "There..." Haruka says, wincing and pointing at the bathroom
Junpei is standing in front of the bathroom door, a pained look on his face. But his look isn't as pained as the voice coming from inside.
??: "Blehh... urp..."
"Horibuchi? What happened?" I ask the close door but there's no answer. All I hear is the sound of agonized vomiting.
Junpei Kudo: "He was drinking with a client last night"
Kotaro Horibuchi: "When she asked if I could hold my liquor I answered, 'like a camel. But... inever realized.... I underestimated her... because she's a girl, she hustled me! I drank shot after shot"
"You should be more careful! But I guess hangovers happen every once in a while. Still, you should think of the consequences... You have an important date today..." Horibuchi lowers his eyes slightly and makes a small grimace. Then, he starts to wheeze. Now I'm really worried. But... I have to consider what comes after this. He
"Horibuchi, the client you talked to me about last night you're seeing her today, right?
Kotaro Horibuchi: "..."
"I thought a lot about it after you left. I was going to tell you about my new ideas before the date but I think we need to put your health as first priority."
Kotaro Horibuchi: "Nieece... girl..."
"Sorry, but I think you need to call her and cancel..." Before I can finish, the bathroom door opens quickly. Kotaro's complexion is a dull gray, he looks much worse off than I thought
Kotaro Horibuchi: "Don't... cancel"
Haruka Doujima: "Huh? Why not..."
"You're still going to work?"
Kotaro Horibuchi: "Of course I am. My client is looking forward to going on a date with me today..
"..." I know just how much care and planning he put into his date for today. That was why I felt compelled to help him, he helped me see how complex this job and how considerate they were. I understand perfectly well that he wants to go, but as professional, it's not a reasonable request. I;m sure he wouldn't be able to satisfy his client's expectations. This is hard for me to say but, I cant let him go in this condition.
"please give up for today. We'll reschedule with the client and..."
Kotaro Horibuchi: "I'll be fine! Once my stomach stops churning...Oof!" Kotaro clamps a hand to his mouth and retreats back into the bathroom. The strains of painful vomiting serenade us again.
Haruka Doujima: "Yeah, he's hopeless"
Junpei Kudo: "Agreed... I think Miss Seto is right. He should cancel" I nod in agreement, and turn back to face the door.
"Horibuchi... just go home for the day"
Kotaro Horibuchi: "But I told you I'm fine" He sounds very aggravated. "I'll have plenty of chances to date but my client might not!" If I cancel on her today, I can't be a perfect boyfriend! I'll be a horrible boyfriend who breaks promises"
"Yes, but, what is you faint or start vomiting in the middle of the date? I don't think the client would be satisfied. Remember what you told me? Your job is to help women dream with their eyes open. That's why you worked so hard yesterday to draw up a good date plan. I at least partially understand how you feel right now. But... it's just not feasible"
Kotaro Horibuchi: "Oh, shut up you don't understand! You only just found out that our world even existed!
"...!" his words take my breath away. I suppose it's only natural he feels that way... I have no comeback for him because I know he's right. I'm still not fully versed in this world yet. It's only natural I wouldn't be very convincing
Haruka Doujima: "Hey... can you stop taking it out on other people...
Hozumi Aito: "Move"
Uh... I blink at the sound of the new voice
Junpei Kudo: "Hozumi..." Aito, who's been reclining on the sofa until now, is suddenly standing behind me. He gestures with his eyes for us to move behind him, so we do. He slowly, and firmly begins to talk.
Hozumi Aito: "Hey, man... maybe you should listen to her."
"...!" It's not the only people on our side of the door who are surprised. Kotaro also seems surprised to hear what he said.
Kotaro Horibuchi: "Aito..."
