Chapter - 14
Tohru and Konomi were on their way back from the sunset cafe. Tohru had offered to drop Konomi back home, but she insisted on being dropped at the nearest bus stop from Tohru's place, from where they would've had to part ways otherwise. Tohru had insisted of course, but the offer she received earlier had changed something about the equation between her and Tohru, for Konomi.
"You know, if you really do decide to accept my offer and come to work here, you will have all the proper profile of a professional working person. You will have health care, house rent allowance, business cards, paid leaves and all that jazz". Tohru said.
"You don't need to make an extra effort into trying to make me accept your offer. I am convinced of the many pros that come with the job. And.." Before Konomi could finish, Tohru completed her sentence for her.
"You're obviously worried about the cons that are obvious with the job, with the distance and travel time taking time away from your father." Tohru finished Konomi's sentence.
"Yes. Getting such a nice job offer the same day I was fired from my previous job, is a very welcome kindness, but I need to consider my father into it as well. He's all the family I have." Konomi said.
"I understand. Family is important. And I will respect your decision, whatever it may be. Also Konomi-san, this wasn't kindness. I admit I am upfront with my feelings for you. However, my feelings never have and never will come in the way of my work. I am not at liberty to do that. Even I have someone to answer to. We need someone trustworthy with this place who has relevant experience in the industry and local knowledge. You fit the profile. And that's why I offered you the job. I understand the struggle of trying to make something of ourselves while attempting to live life" Tohru explained.
"Thank you for considering me for the position. I promise I will think properly and at length about it." Konomi promised.
They continued talking about mundane things on their way back. By the time Satoh Tohru dropped Konomi two bus stops away from her place, it was considerably late for her, in terms of her usual time of getting back home. But 50 minutes wasn't much and she's not a child with a curfew, so she's fine, she thought.
The date with Satoh-san had gone well. Wait, date? Is 'date' the appropriate word to use for when you are having lunch with your future boss... of sorts? Well, Konomi decided to worry about it when it came to it. That day was still far away, exactly two weeks away.
The bus came soon enough and just as she sat down, exhaustion took over her body. She didn't realise she was this exhausted until she sat down. But then again, the roller coaster of a day, and so much information to process, she should've seen it coming.
Surprisingly for her, social interactions are usually exhausting, but she didn't feel that with Tohru-kun. She felt comfortable and at ease with him. She always felt on edge and felt this undying need to impress whenever she was with Irie Yuki.
Wait wait wait. Why think of him now? He's not relevant. Except he is. He's part of the roller coaster of that day, her mind reasoned.
Be his secretary? Was that even possible? He wasn't the owner of some small running business. He was the head of a multinational corporation. Being his secretary would not be only time occupying but exhausting in terms of mental and physical stress. Not to mention the many things she would need to learn and get used to as part of her duties as his secretary. And then there is the past between them. That cannot be ignored.
Compared to that, the offer by Tohru-kun was such a respite. Working in a restaurant was something she was familiar with and Tohru-kun would be so much nicer to work with as compared to Irie Yuki.
She reached home mentally making the list of pros and cons of working for Irie Yuki vs. working for Tohru-kun.
When did the exhaustion really take over her she had no idea, but soon she was in deep sleep.
Hopefully the kind of sleep that will prepare her for the surprises that tomorrow was going to bring.
