I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!
Chapter 122: Digression Assistant Manager Mishimas Ingenious Deduction

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I, Yūko Mishima, the acting manager of Book Cafe Rakunichi, and the unbelievably beautiful heiress part-timer, Haruka Shijoin, were both at a loss for words.

At the moment, we were in a very peculiar situation, hiding behind a pillar in the café, and we were drawing curious looks from the surrounding customers.

However, there was a reason why we were playing this hide-and-seek-like game, and that reason was the presence of President Shijoin and the part-timer, Shinicirou Niihama, who were sitting face-to-face on the other side of the pillar.

It all began a dozen minutes ago—after President Shijōin and I had finished our confidential investigation.

Being bombarded with razor-sharp questions by the highest authority of our company was truly torture. I was sweating profusely, enough to want to change my underwear, and my stomach was making gurgling noises like a drain.

But that hellish time had finally come to an end, and I returned to work with a sigh of relief. But then, I happened to notice that Niihama, who had just finished his part-time shift today, had been caught by the president, and the two of them were deeply engrossed in conversation.

“I-Is it possible… that they’re discussing how I, as the acting manager, usually handle my duties? Could this be a sign of my demotion!?” I couldn’t help but imagine the worst, and without realizing it, I ended up hiding behind a nearby pillar to eavesdrop on their conversation—only to discover that Haruka-san, an employee at our café, was already there, listening intently to their conversation with a troubled expression.

I was taken aback, and I asked her what she was doing—

“Miss Mishima, I know you’re working, but please give me a moment! If my father had stopped Shinichirou-kun and said something strange again, I have to intervene as a member of the family! Every single time, I feel so apologetic…!”

Uncharacteristically, Haruka-san, who usually had a gentle and relaxed demeanor, responded with a touch of anger.

While it was well-known within the company that the president doted on his daughter, from the looks of it, Haruka-san was not the typical spoiled heiress. She seemed to be a decent girl with a genuine sense of rebellion against her father.

For over ten minutes, we both eavesdropped on Niihama and the president’s conversation due to our respective circumstances. During that time, our faces continued to show increasing astonishment and perplexity.

(“??? Wait, no… huh? What on earth is going on? Why is Shinichirou, who’s just a high school student, speaking so fluently about our company’s business strategies? And the president, while a bit surprised, is accepting it normally?”)

“U-Um, Miss Mishima… didn’t Shinichirou just now… talk about something incredibly complicated?”

“Y-Yes, it was quite a complex discussion. I was also listening intently.”

Both Haruka-san and I, unable to contain our surprise, whispered to each other in hushed tones.

“Even among the employees at headquarters, there aren’t many who can discuss things so eloquently. Actually, it seems the president is genuinely impressed as well.”

“I-Is that so…!?”

Of course, if given enough time, I could submit a reasonably well-prepared business strategy. However, it would inevitably be a safe and low-risk proposal.

In that respect, Niihama was fearless—or rather, he approached it as if saying, “It’s impossible to stick to just selling books,” which was considered a taboo for bookstores, and his proposal was close to a complete overhaul of the business.

Not only his eloquence, but I was also genuinely impressed by his audacity.

Speaking so boldly in front of the president of a major company, and to do so with such confidence…

“Shinichirou-kun really is amazing… That he can discuss work matters with your father…”

“Eh?”

“I’ve invited Shinichirou-kun to my house before, you know. For some reason, my father has been strict with Shinichirou-kun since then. Mother, on the other hand, was overjoyed…”

“Wha—!? Invited to your house!?”

Wait, hold on. Meeting your girlfriend’s parents is one thing, but to suddenly meet both of them!?

Moreover… in Japan, one of the leading prestigious families and an overprotective father like the president… Didn’t Niihama’s mental state collapse!?

“That’s why I’m happy. That they’re having such a pleasant conversation. After meeting a few times, it seems my father has finally accepted Shinichirou-kun.”

“Oh…”

Stealthily peering at the scene between father and boyfriend from behind the pillar, Haruka-san was genuinely smiling with joy.

It seemed to be a heartwarming sight for Haruka-san, as her expression carried a sense of relief and happiness, like a reconciliation between previously estranged family members.

(However, Shinichirou-kun is really fortunate… Haruka-chan, who is unbelievably beautiful, cares for him so earnestly. It seems like he’s also recognized by the Shijōin family… Huh!?)

In an instant, a revelation flashed in my mind.

The uneasiness I had felt about Shinichirou’s presence multiple times. A revelation that could explain everything suddenly descended upon me.

(That’s right… Without much thought, it’s clear that something is off about Niihama. There’s no way he’s just an ordinary high school student…)

First of all, it’s strange for Haruka-san, a super-celebrity heiress of the Shijōin family, to be dating a regular boy.

In a modern setting, families like the Shijōin, akin to aristocracy, would surely be concerned about lineage and wealth (I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing), and it’s hard to believe that their princess would be able to have a normal romantic relationship.

(However, Shinichirou has already been introduced to the President and his wife at the Shijōin residence, and it seems he’s well-liked by the lady of the house…)

Moreover, Shinichirou is unbelievably talented himself, skilled at understanding others’ emotions and leading them. Frankly, he could become a full-fledged employee starting tomorrow without any issues.

Yet, he also has some oddly unconventional aspects, and he’s aware that he’s out of sync with ordinary people, which has left him oddly shocked.

(And then, his exceptional ability to discuss corporate strategies from a macro perspective… Unless he can foresee the future, there’s no way he could acquire that in a short period of time…)

Considering all of these factors together, Shinichirou’s true identity is—

(He comes from the prestigious Niihama family, respected even by the Shijōin family to the point of being a prospective son-in-law…! His relationship with Haruka-san isn’t just a cute boyfriend-girlfriend thing, but they’ve been engaged since childhood!!)

Reaching this truth, I was left astounded.

I’ve never heard of the Niihama family, but surely they’re a well-known prestigious family in the upper class.

That extraordinary talent of Shinichirou’s, which far surpasses that of a high school student, and the reason he’s able to date Haruka-san, a president’s daughter, everything fits if that’s the case.

(While part of it might be due to the father’s affection for his daughter, he’s surely testing whether Shinichirou is suitable to be a part of the Shijōin family…! If Shinichirou is working here to get used to the company he’ll inherit as the son-in-law, it all makes sense!)

…Wait a moment, if that’s the case…

(If Shinichirou becomes the president’s adopted son… it wouldn’t be strange at all for him to inherit Chiaki-rou Bookstore as the future president, would it!?)

A chill of sweat washed over me with that premonition.

Actually, today feels like I’ve sweated enough for ten years.

(Y-Yikes! I’m in trouble! I gave him so much work thinking he could handle anything! In about ten years, I’ll probably be stuck in the basement organizing documents for the rest of my career as retribution!)

I was wracked with anxiety, faced with the potential landmine that might be buried in my future.

Why, whether it’s Haruka-chan, the president, or Shinichirou, do members of the Shijōin family set traps for this pitiful single woman who’s just an ordinary employee!?

“Um, Miss Mishima? You seem to have suddenly become flustered and downcast, what happened…?”

Before I knew it, Haruka-san, who was next to me, was looking at me with a very pure concern in her eyes.

Yeah, she really is cute. Shinichirou will definitely give his all for her.

“Haruka-san… um, please tell Shinichirou later… that Mishima bowed down and said, ‘I’m so sorry for being impertinent!’…”

“Eeeeh!? Wh-What are you saying, Miss Mishima!? Please hold onto your feelings!”

While hearing Haruka-san’s voice, who was now genuinely worried about my mental state, I quietly let out a sigh, realizing my own pettiness for wanting to intervene so quickly once I understood that the stakes were high.