Hachiman found himself in the scenery of a relatively empty company building, save for the Janitors and the low-level clerks and interns. Forget Sunday. Even on Saturday, the company only had half the staff coming.

Hachiman's head was filled with a lot of thoughts. In fact, it was rather messy, though not entirely negative. Perhaps he should talk with someone...

One thing at a time, Hachiman decided to see if Chihiro had some time to spare. Hachiman was a bit conflicted about whether to meet her in a formal or informal capacity.

Before today, Chihiro always initiated meetings and conversations, and she treated him in a perpetually casual fashion.

Previously, Hachiman would only contact her in a somewhat formal capacity. But she always steers the atmosphere to become amicable again. Hachiman could only give up and return the sentiment in kind.

Hachiman couldn't say he had an actual business here, but still...

"Just my luck. Hikigaya-kun, can you help me a little bit?"

"Uh, sure?"

Hachiman followed her to a different area, precisely the first floor.

For some reason, Chihiro seemed to be dealing with several boxes of equipment and miscellaneous items. She tried finding some convenient interns for the job, and Hachiman's luck was to be spotted.

Not that he minded. He was trying to find her, after all.

"These replacement items need to be delivered to Kanagawa for LiPPS concert matters."

Crap, it was the concert of Mika and Kanade's group!

"So sudden? The last concert is tonight, right?" Hachiman squeezed his eyes in disbelief. "Shouldn't it be the job of the supply division?"

"Don't worry. I happened to stumble on these and wanted to help."

"You want me to deliver it, perhaps?"

"There's no way to deliver them on a motorcycle. Not in one departure. But I do need some help." She begged cutely. "I need someone to carry them to our company car. Can you help?"

Hachiman didn't see any problem with that at all. "Sure, are these fragile?"

"No, not at all. But don't throw the boxes around, please."

"Alright."

Hachiman ended up helping Chihiro by carrying two boxes on his shoulders. They were bulky but lightweight, maybe they were props or loosely packed costumes.

As Chihiro bent over and put the last box in the front seat, Hachiman couldn't help but look away in embarrassment. Chihiro might be short and have a baby face, but her figure showed that, yes, she was a fully grown adult.

"Whew, it looks like we have enough time."

"Are you going to Kanagawa?"

"What? Of course not." Chihiro laughed. "You should stop thinking every change of plan is an emergency."

"Ah, right."

Senkawa Chihiro is no longer the personal secretary of a Producer. It was kind of weird when Hachiman kept remembering that fact. Also, Hachiman's paranoia seemed to be even worse than usual.

"So, how's the meeting with the Chief Producer?"

"It went so easy that my mind is drawing a blank on the conclusion. That's why, if Senkawa-san had time, I'd like to have some... uh, consultation about work."

"Told you the truth? I'm so free, I feel bored. That's why I decided to make rounds around the office." Chihiro says. "Let's talk while we have something. I'm craving snacks."

Craving?

"I feel like eating something colder. Let's get some sundae!"

"We're not really close to dinner, but is it alright?"

"It's fine. Women have an extra stomach for sweets!"

Yeah, it's called a fat fold. Not that Hachiman will say it aloud.

青春 の輝かしいステージ ひどく明るい感じ

The Shining Stage of Youth feels awfully bright

(Oregairu/Idolmaster - Cinderella Girls)

Original Story by: Watari Wataru/Bandai-Namco

Written by: ZeroXSEED

Chapter 13 - Chilling with Chihiro-san

Hachiman didn't take a long time to find a good enough café for them to sit in. As Hachiman found out on his first day of work, an office sitting near the crowded urban area had plenty of food shops.

Hachiman wondered if Chihiro didn't feel out of place, considering it's mostly teens and college students who came here.

"Ahh, my head is cold. That's the stuff." She shivered and held her head, strangely excited. "That's the best way to spend a free weekend."

Free?

"So, how does it go, talking with Chief About your Doctor's letter of recommendation?"

"My doctor said it will be dangerous if I continue working full week without a single break. I was recommended to stop working on Sunday, cutting my weekly hours from 34 to 27 hours."

"I expected at least some resistance, but my father casually said that could be taken care of. He even said he would hand the matter to you. If things were that easy, would many salarymen and women have issues with overwork?"

"That's certainly true. Since I'm the Chief Secretary of the Idol Division, I handle pretty much all legal matters within the Idol Division. And changes in contract terms are among them."

"Yes, but my father treated it as easy as flipping his hand. Was it because I am his son?" Hachiman bluntly asked.

"Certainly, it's not that easy to renegotiate terms. Not when you're a contract employee. But you have to understand how risk-averse we are. Let's put aside moral and nepotistic talk... What do you think will happen if we decide to work you to the bone? And you collapse or die?"

"... It would be a scandal."

"Correct. As the largest Idol production in Japan, we have plenty of potential rivals waiting to strike at our exposed weakness. We HAVE to be clean and pristine, or at least clean enough to be free of common legal problems. The cost of enforcing your contract is tremendously higher than just rewriting it."

That's right. Hachiman is just a Production Assistant. As an employee, he is disposable. But as a case study on underage workers, he's invaluable to them.

"Since the changes to the contract terms are in the interest of both parties, it would be an easy process. There are only two of us and the HR Manager, no one else is needed." Chihiro poked his nose playfully. "Naturally, there will still be people who accuse it of Nepotism, but you really don't care about that, don't you?"

"Ah..."

That's right. Unlike Komachi, Hachiman no longer cared about what people thought of him in terms of employment. All Hachiman wanted was to do his job so that his effort would not go to waste.

"Since you're the first, it also sets a precedent. If we were to accept another underage employee, then we would set a hard cap of 27 weekly hours or less." Chihiro laughed. "Of course, come to think of it, Interns rarely work more than 25 hours a week either. And while we don't do unpaid overtime, we're also under immense pressure to complete our work in the fastest time possible. You're neither the first nor will be the last to give up under that pressure."

So Hachiman more or less became a guinea pig, not that he minds too much about it. The company is testing the water, even though Hachiman's situation is extraordinary.

Hachiman did hear about the mass resignation that took place two years ago because senior workers were simply unable to keep up with Director Mishiro's spartan deadlines. Mass recruitment follows, and that's the reason why 346 is full of young and relatively inexperienced staff. They have the drive and fitness to keep up with the new standard.

This is especially true for the Idol Division.

"I see." Hachiman bashfully looked aside. "I'm just afraid of making a grave mistake that will put everyone in a difficult position. I didn't come here to make a mess of the company's workings and dynamics."

Ultimately, Hachiman didn't want to be a burden.

"Make no mistake, you're noticed by this company because you have a family connection, but connection alone cannot make up for a lack of capabilities and potential. We believe you have it in you, Hikigaya-kun."

I don't like bad investments. Director Mishiro's words rang loudly in Hachiman's mind.

"Well, then, would it be fine if you let your ice cream melt like that?" Chihiro pointed her glass spoon at him.

"Ah, crap."

Not that Hachiman particularly cared, since it would taste great. But his ice cream coffee was already halfway melted, while Chihiro's colorful sundae was already halfway consumed.

"Don't think too hard about everything, Hikigaya-kun. Or else you will lose things that are precious to you before you can take action."

"Ah... true."

To be honest, Hachiman was actually the type to take action without thinking. The 11 failed confessions and the dog incident said it all.

"Eating Ice cream with a boy 9 years younger than me on the weekends when most office ladies fight a grueling battle with overtime. Do you think I'm being a little childish here?" She asked him.

"No. Not at all."

Chihiro might look Childish, but that's only on the surface. In the way she carries herself and deals with others, she's unmistakably an adult. Even as she was enjoying her ice cream, she thoughtfully listened to Hachiman's woes and gave him proper advice and encouragement.

Compared to Chihiro, his own father looked positively like a manchild sometimes. His mother has always been the only adult in the household.

"There's nothing wrong with eating ice cream, isn't there?" Hachiman asked her. "Not even when you're going with a subordinate."

"Well, you're not technically my subordinate." Chihiro laughed again. "I guess most Japanese tend to be workaholics for no reason. I have a free weekend, and all I can think is that I wish I had more work to do."

"That's just brainwashing by the greedy corporate pigs." Hachiman didn't mince his words. "Many companies instill uncontested loyalty and remove any sense of value and self-worth from their employees."

Chihiro cringed in response.

"That was a bit much... Hikigaya-kun."

"Am I wrong, though?"

Chihiro wanted to say Hachiman was wrong, but she couldn't. Chihiro valued her work, perhaps a little too much. And that was why she was being melancholic when it was time to have fun.

"It's a little different from that, you see. Back when I was just a Secretary to your father, I was involved directly in helping these girls with all my strength. No, I guess that applies to the both of us." Chihiro explained. "It feels a little lonely, being detached from these Idols."

"I see."

"Nowadays, my job is to ensure that the Idol Division doesn't have legal issues during its activities. However, ensuring they do the right thing isn't the same as supporting them. Does your father express the same sentiment?"

"Something a little different. In Father's current position as Chief Producer of the Division, there are too many Idols than he can handle directly." Hachiman shook his head. "It's impossible to emotionally connect with more than ten to fifteen Idols at a time."

Perhaps, his desperation to help Anastasia too was caused by this sense of detachment. His father wanted to find the passion of being a real Producer once again.

"I guess Director Mishiro really got us there." Chihiro hums. "When she first arrived at the company, Producer and Director weren't the same eye at all. In fact, she deliberately suppressed some of his ideas and projects."

"In the end, the Chief Producer did win. Takagaki-san becomes our finest idol and one of the top Idols in Japan. He also saved multiple Idol careers and made enough profit so that Director Mishiro wouldn't have enough excuse to fire them."

Was there that kind of story?

"Director Mishiro only concerned with profit, and that's why Producer Hikigaya's unusual sense of creativity can be considered unreliable. She wanted to make him an example."

"And in the end, Director lost?" Hachiman asks.

"Yes. It was a total and absolute victory on the Producer's part. Still, by the time fighting ends, the size of the Idol Division has ballooned up so much that a single Producer can only do so much to take care of it. Both of us got promoted because no one else was up to the task."

"So, everything went horribly right for the two of you." Hachiman could sense Chihiro's mild sense of despair. "Because once Idol Division grows to its current size, it's no longer able to be seen as a family."

Chihiro widened her eyes in surprise.

"This is the advantage that 765 Pro had over ours, isn't it?" Hachiman finally realized this. "Because of the importance of interpersonal relationships between the Idol and the Company staff, they can safely put their hearts and minds into doing their best."

Hachiman remembered Yuutarou's desperate justification to protect 765 despite Hachiman's mother's relentless attacks on its value. Putting the stupidity of Yuutaro's grandfather aside, it doesn't mean Yuutaro was wrong.

With 13 active idols and a handful of staff, 765 Pro works just enough to fit into Dunbar's concept of close family and friends.

In 346, the Idol rosters grew big enough to have internal factions. Just the other day, Komachi got into some conflicts with younger Idols. Hachiman didn't feel surprised at all. In fact, Hachiman feels amused by his sister's devilish action.

"But it's impossible for 346 to go back to where it came from. Hence, Director Mishiro invited Komachi and propped up President Takagi in Public." Hachiman wickedly grinned. "Director Mishiro wanted to create powerful rivals to motivate the aspiring Idols of 346."

For Idols who already have established careers, it doesn't really affect them much. Not until Komachi started to take on the Idol world proper.

However, for Idols who have yet to earn their debut, the story is different. Someone like Komachi, who came in blatantly skating on the naked and shameless power of Nepotism yet had talent and training that exceeded their own, Komachi is a terrifying opponent to face.

They have no choice but to push themselves harder, or else Komachi will leave them in the dust.

"Eh?! That was Director Mishiro's plan all along?!" Chihiro expressed an earnest shock at Hachiman's statement. "And you're aware of it?"

"We have a rough idea. But this conversation more or less confirms it." Hachiman nodded. "What's her sales pitch for putting Komachi in without an audition, anyway?"

"Your father and Director believe that Komachi-chan has what it takes to beat Kisaragi Chihaya in the future."

Well, that's not at all impossible. However, it might take more effort than Komachi willing to dispense. Regardless of how much talent Komachi has, Kisaragi Chihaya could be considered one of the brightest geniuses of the decade.

Everything makes so much sense now.

"I guess I'm still a little myopic when it comes to company politics. Hahaha..."

It seems that Chihiro can no longer keep up with these two due to her new assignment. Had Chihiro remained a personal Secretary, she would've seen it light-years away.

"I don't think you can't be blamed for not knowing. Director Mishiro is the type to pull seriously unexpected yet decisive action." Hachiman drank his coffee, which partly tasted like ice cream now. "It's pretty amazing how she can make something personal so damn sterile and methodical."

Chihiro twitched. "You... you admire her?"

"Yeah, I admire her as her employee, but she's really loathsome as a person." Hachiman finished drinking. "Every time I thought I understood how ruthless she can be, I keep getting surprised."

Hachiman and Komachi had thought of the possibilities. But considering all her actions up to this point, there was no doubt about Mishiro's motive anymore.

And in that case, Komachi could go all out without hesitation. And Hachiman would support her with all his strength, too. It doesn't matter if Mishiro or the company treated them as tools for it.

Hachiman and Komachi will use her leverage for their own benefit.

"I was thinking of going back to my old post as personal Secretary to your father..." Chihiro tells Hachiman. "But if I abandon my post right now, then I wouldn't be a responsible adult. I will wait until a more competent Secretary of the Company can be appointed."

Someone had to take care of 346, after all.

"Well, I will have to think about what to do on Sunday. Other than sleeping through it, anyway."

Seriously, does this woman have no life outside of work?

"Don't you have hobbies at least?" Hachiman furrowed his eyebrows in response. "Even I spent my time indulging in hobbies in my free time."

"Hobbies, well, it's a bit embarrassing to admit, but I like partying and cosplaying." Chihiro said in half whispers. "I used most of my paid leave allocation for Comiket."

"I understand Cosplay, but partying?"

"Well, I guess you can say that I'm the type to work hard and play hard, and I like to throw parties small or big at every opportunity. One time I was responsible for the incident with your mother, and I felt bad ever since."

Ah yes, the [Hikigaya Sachie's massacre] incident. The younger Idols were oblivious, but perhaps that was the reason why Kaede was terrified when he and Komachi mentioned their mother.

Multiple idols quit or transferred away to the different departments following this incident. Those who were innocent were still around, still traumatized from the aftermath.

"Was it really your fault?"

"Well, it's my fault that things get out of hand because I don't have Charisma or authority to stop them." Chihiro sheepishly laughs. "No one blamed me, but that makes me feel even worse, so I keep my fondness for parties in moderation."

"You're too hard on yourself, Senkawa-san..." Hachiman shook his head. "I always thought that being an adult meant being able to do what you want while fulfilling your responsibility, so..."

Not being able to indulge in your hobby is... not worth it. What even is the point of getting more money than is needed to live comfortably? Money that you can't even enjoy?

"I guess. I'll throw a small celebration for LiPPS for their successful concert when they come back tomorrow." She happily decided. "And I'll definitely go with zero Alcohol this time."

Ganbatte, Senkawa-san!

...

"Oh, by the way, do you have plans for your future education, Hikigaya-kun?"

"Nope. I don't even want to think about it." Hachiman confidently rebuked. "I want to focus on what is in front of me at the moment. What about you, Senkawa-san? Did you plan to become a secretary all along?"

"I was a giant reclusive nerd back in the day, with well-off parents who encouraged me to seek higher education, so I took double majors in Business and Law." Chihiro smiles. "I failed my Bar Exam that year and decided to work here using my B.A. degree instead."

"Ah, so that's how you got your position as my father's secretary?" Hachiman finally understands. "And now you become Company Secretary of the Idol Division instead."

"Correct. Director more or pushed a promotion on me with my education as the reason. At the time of my appointment, I wasn't qualified to represent the company in court, so I took another attempt and got my Bar certification last year."

Lawyers work on a much more flexible term. It's pretty easy for them to sever their relationship with clients, even corporate clients. However, Chihiro is different. She's an employee.

To begin with, Company Secretary isn't really a common position in Japanese companies. Director Mishiro specifically created this position to make Chihiro bound to the company on a much more permanent basis, while effectively serving as the Division lawyer.

Mishiro did this, knowing that having such a young woman with double majors in the company is like pulling an Ultra-rare Gacha in a single roll. Forget double majors; only 18% of all lawyers in Japan are women.

... As if there was any doubt that Director Mishiro can be a frigid, calculating bitch. Hachiman really wanted to clap his hand, halfway impressed and halfway disgusted. Bravo, Goddess.

"Oh, it's not all bad. I don't really hate the reduced work hours and a lot of free time on Sunday. It's just that I want to support the Idols hands-on like before because it's much more fun and satisfying."

"I can see that." Hachiman nodded in understanding. "I don't think the Director did anything wrong with this arrangement, but I can also see why you feel dissatisfied with it."

"Adding to that, I could refuse the appointment if I insisted. The growth of the Idol Division was at a level where someone had to take the slack. And I don't want to be the one running away." Chihiro replied with determination.

Senkawa Chihiro is not some gullible teen. She's a career woman. An experienced adult.

Most people would proverbially kill to be in her position. Mishiro's decision wasn't objectively wrong from a business standpoint. It just happened to fall on the wrong type of person.

Chihiro, just like Hachiman's father, prefers to make her work close and personal.

When it was time for them to pay, Hachiman had his bill stolen courtesy of Chihiro. He was actually thinking of paying for her share too, but he was not swift enough, and now there are two pieces of paper in Chihiro's hands.

"Senkawa-san, please don't..." Hachiman begged. "I'm the one taking your time, so I'll pay."

"It's fine. The privilege of an adult!" Chihiro waved her hand dismissively. "Besides, you get to listen to my whining, too. So, we're even."

"You're too young to be my sugar Mommy, so at least let me pay my share!" Hachiman said, half-joking and half-pouting.

Hachiman used to think he wanted to be a house husband so that a rich woman could financially support him, but he accepted no pity.

"I don't like charity." Hachiman huffed.

"How about this: next paycheck, it's your turn to pay." Chihiro winked at him. "We will have to talk about new job terms, besides. It doesn't have to be Ice Cream, though."

Eh? Will there be another? Hachiman brushed away the thought. Only smitten middle schoolers think that a woman and man going together always means a date.

Hachiman isn't that much of a loser. Especially since he IS a productive member of society now. Co-workers eating together is the norm, not the exception.

Actually, it was the same with the Idols too. Hachiman will have to stop being too conscious of them as the opposite sex.

"Fine, next payday, then."