Chapter 23: At Nagumo's Father's Company

At Nagumo's Father's Company

After taking several trains, we arrived in front of the high-rise building where Nagumo's father works.

Men and women in school uniforms during the day on weekdays tend to stand out a little in a bad way.

Lunchtime was almost over, and business people in suits were frequently coming in and out of the entrance to the building we were heading for.

He appeared to be returning from a meal at a nearby restaurant, carrying only his wallet.

"Hey, let's stop after all."

"What are you talking about after coming all the way here? Come on, let's go."

"Huh?"

Even though Nagumo's father might be right in front of him, he was starting to get scared, so I dragged him to the elevator.

The stares from so many adults hurt.　

I stare at the numerous company names housed in this building and the signs next to them listing the floor numbers.

"Um... the thirty-seventh floor, huh?"

There are about four different paths to get to the elevator, and each one seems to reach a specific floor.

Do I need to take the elevator?

"...Otome-chan, over here!"

"Eh?"

Nagumo, who had been hesitant, suddenly grabbed my arm and pulled me away from the elevator.

We hid in the shadow of a potted plant about the same height as Nagumo, which was displayed at the edge of the entrance.

"Wh, what is it, Nagumo..."

"Shh!"

Nagumo put his index finger to his lips and silenced me.

Following Nagumo's gaze, which looked more desperate than usual, I saw two men in suits walking towards the elevator lobby.

A young man in his twenties and a man of an age who wouldn't get angry if you described him as an old man.

The young man had brownish hair neatly styled with wax, his forehead exposed, and his muscles visible even through his suit. He seemed like a cheerful, athletic guy with good communication skills.

The man, on the other hand, had short hair mixed with gray. He had dark circles under his eyes and wrinkles. His physique seemed to have more fat than muscle. He was exactly the image that would come to mind for most people if asked to "imagine a tired salaryman."

"...That's Dad."

Nagumo muttered.

For a moment I was about to ask a silly question, "Which one?", but judging from his age it was probably the older man.

"What!? The company Nagumo-san worked for before was a really black company wasn't it!?"

The sporty, outgoing guy spoke in a voice so loud it echoed throughout the elevator hall.

Perhaps he is the type who has a naturally loud voice, but he looks completely normal.

"Your voice is too loud..."

The man called Nagumo-san lightly scolded him.

The cheerful guy apologized, saying "I'm sorry," without seeming to feel too bad about it.

Nagumo's father continued.

"Well, that's true... It caused my wife a lot of trouble."

On his left hand he was wearing a wedding ring.

Even now that his wife is gone, he still hasn't taken off the ring.

It may be a natural thing, but to me it just didn't look like Nagumo father had abandoned Nagumo mother.

"I understand!"

The extroverted guy nodded vigorously, almost exaggeratingly.

"My previous company was also in a bad state! I was so strapped for cash that I could no longer do the things I had always taken for granted!"

The extroverted guy just keeps talking non-stop.

How tough it was working for a black company.

"If I hadn't had the help of those around me, I would have easily committed suicide! I just wanted to get relief as soon as possible!"

"Yeah, I'm glad you're doing well."

Nagumo's father listened quietly while nodding occasionally.

When I looked closely at Nagumo father's face again, I felt that he looked exhausted.

This may still be better than his previous job.

Are the gray hair, dark circles under the eyes, and wrinkles all just physical manifestations of the hardships he has endured up until now?

"But I'm glad I changed jobs to this company! Let's do our best, fellow changers at the same time!"

The cheerful guy flashes Nagumo's father a dazzling smile that rivals the sun.

Nagumo's father's tired expression also regained a small smile.

"Ah, that's right... I'll do my best, thank you."

The two then got into the elevator and headed back to work.

"Nagumo..."

Nagumo's father and the outgoing guy who was probably his junior disappeared from sight, and we came out from behind the potted plants.

"…………"

Nagumo didn't say anything.

"...Talk to your father again. It doesn't seem like your father abandoned your mother."

"………Yeah"

Nagumo nodded slightly.

I'll pretend I didn't see that he was crying.