Volume 4 Chapter 4 Business Card 2Nd Edition
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hey, I’m Tota Mirisa. I gave you my business card, and you forgot my name? Well, since you haven’t contacted me while in New York, I guess you weren’t really looking for me.”
She says it lightly, so it doesn’t feel too rude. I think it’s weird to sit at a different table just because she talked to me, so I sit at the table next to her.
”You’re not in uniform today.”
”Yeah. You’re not working today either, right?”
”My meeting got pushed to tomorrow because of the other person. So today, I’m just looking for new clients. I have some time to kill before the shop opens at 10.”
So, she’ll be here until the shop opens. She takes a sip of her coffee with her nails painted a different color than yesterday and says, “Hey, if you’re free, want to grab lunch with me? I’ll treat you.”
”I’m not free. I have somewhere I want to go.”
I remember how Risa-san got upset when I showed her my business card yesterday, so I decline.
”Where’s that?”
”It’s a secret.”
”Come on, you don’t have to be so cautious. I’m not going to follow you or anything. I was just curious about where young guys go. All the guys around me are either my age or older.”
”I’m the same as those ‘guys around you’.”
I quickly end the conversation and get up. It’s cold, so I think about just observing people in the shop or browsing the internet on my phone, but I realize I’d rather be outside walking in Central Park.
”Are you leaving already? The men’s skincare shop isn’t open yet, you know?”
”!”
”That’s the place you’re going, right?”
Is she reading my mind? What’s going on since yesterday? It feels creepy.
”You were looking inside the shop from the street before coming in, right? That’s how I figured it out. I negotiate a lot, so I’m good at observing people.”
She says this proudly and reaches for the hem of the coat Risa-san gave me.
”You got this as a gift, right? It’s from the new series that just came out this year. Are you going to pick out a thank-you gift? I could help you with that.”
”No, I don’t want to bother you.”
I clearly refuse. I think about how she might just be trying to be nice. Maybe I’m overthinking this, and she’ll think I’m being rude.
But when I think about Risa-san working in a new environment even while pregnant, I start to feel like I don’t care if I get made fun of.
Worrying too much isn’t good for the baby, right?
”Do you doubt my taste? You didn’t really look at my business card, did you? Fine, I’ll give you another one.”
For some reason, I ended up getting the same business card from her again.
”I travel to different countries and negotiate for food and goods that you won’t find at trade shows. I also handle a bit of clothing. When you say ‘bother,’ it feels like you’re saying I have no taste, and that’s a bit depressing.”
”…I’m sorry.”
Was I misunderstanding things? Risa-san said it was “flirting,” so I thought maybe she had a “crush” on me. That’s so embarrassing and awkward.
But my intention to give Risa-san a gift hasn’t changed. I don’t want others to say anything about it. It’s just for my own satisfaction, but I want to see her using something I picked out and looking cute.
”So, lunch is fine, right? I can give you tips on picking out gifts. I want to talk to someone your age while having a meal. It broadens my perspective.”
I thought I could escape from this stressful conversation, but I was wrong. I don’t know how to decline nicely, and I feel stuck. Even though there’s no real connection, it feels like I’m being forced into a business meeting.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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