ch1-ch20 · 006-ch6

Chapter 6: Going to Work

"And yet you really brought her to the office!?"

The department head's roar boomed through the office before I could even get a word in.

The expressionless girl — Lumiel — was gripping my hand tightly and refusing to let go.

"With all due respect, sir, you were the one who said you wouldn't approve another day off. You said if I was lying, I should just bring her in."

"How the hell was I supposed to know you'd actually do it!? And we've got deadlines to meet! Your irresponsible time off is dumping extra work on everyone! It's causing trouble! TROUBLE! Right!?"

He spun around dramatically as he said it.

But there was nobody at the desks behind him.

"She's so cute, like a real angel!"

"Are your parents still not back? That must've been so hard..."

"Are you okay staying at senpai's place? He's not doing anything weird, is he?"

"Making her stay home alone to come to work is just cruel, pure cruelty."

Everyone had gathered around me.

Lumiel maintained her expressionless composure.

After the World Clock yesterday, I called the company to ask for the day off, but they gave me those conditions, so I reluctantly came to work with Lumiel.

I pulled a move like an elementary school kid who actually goes home when told to leave... pretty immature of me, I admit.

Logically, I knew it wouldn't kill anyone to take a day off after a disaster, but the values ingrained from years as a corporate slave aren't so easy to change.

By the way, her cover story — just like I told the department head on the phone — was that she was a relative's kid I was looking after. Of course, it was a flimsy lie that would fall apart if anyone looked into it, but if that happened, I'd just confess she was a Descent Beast.

Why not just explain from the start? Because G-Rank Awakener is too embarrassing to have spread around! Don't underestimate how fast gossip travels in the countryside!

Below is a record of the morning's battle between 'Me, Who Didn't Want to Take Her' and 'Her, Who Was Determined to Come.'

"No."

"How am I supposed to explain your existence!?"

"A contracted partner."

"So I'd have to talk about Descent Arts and Awakening. But if people find out I Awakened, I'll be mocked... especially the department head — I absolutely don't want him to know!"

More than anything, I didn't want Lumiel to see me getting yelled at during work.

"Your wings and stuff are too conspicuous. People will ask questions."

"Then I'll just make them disappear."

Then Lumiel made the feathers above her ears and the wings on her back disappear. I hadn't asked for it, but she'd also made herself look younger. I see — apparently she could change her appearance even in human form, similar to how she transformed into a white cat.

"...Is this okay?"

Lumiel did a little spin and tilted her head.

She looked exactly like a foreign young lady. Without the wings, she looked perfectly human.

"...Hmm."

I'd call the company, show that I was willing to bring her, and if they refused, she'd probably give up...

Brrr... click

『You're not gonna say you're taking today off too, are you?』

I think most people start with "hello," Department Head.

"Sorry, it's, uh, a bit of a situation..."

『You think that kind of lie's gonna work!? Then bring that relative's kid you're talking about!! If they really exist!!』

Click... beep beep

"..."

——And back to the beginning.

"Work is work. Keep your personal life separate."

"Oh, Sugawara! You tell him too!"

The only one still at his desk actually working — my coworker Sugawara — fixed a stern gaze on Lumiel.

I'd heard he was a fan of cute girl characters, so I thought he'd be on my side, but this guy... he's serious about work!

"Saying you're looking after her — you should be dropping her off at school or a facility during work hours. Or rely on other relatives or friends. That's the responsibility of an adult looking after a child. Bringing a kid to the office without permission is irresponsible. I can't focus on work."

Sugawara pushed up his glasses and tapped away at his keyboard. Every word was so perfectly logical that nobody could argue — until Lumiel slowly approached him.

"...Don't be mean."

She puffed out her cheeks and looked up at him with those words.

Sugawara pushed up his glasses again——

"Hohyah... an angel ♡"

"SUGAWARA! What the hell are you doing on the floor!?"

Sugawara, you're the best.

The department head pointed his finger at Lumiel.

"Fine, I'll give you a condition! YOU work too. This office has no use for outsiders. If she's someone who can contribute to the company's profits, I'll turn a blind eye!"

This guy's making demands now.

Expecting a girl who looks elementary school age to do actual work — that's a ridiculous ask. No, he probably just wanted an excuse to kick her out.

Then, Lumiel slowly raised her hand.

"No problem. I'll work."

"You... you're really eager, aren't you..."

Lumiel's eyes were dead serious.

The department head looked a bit taken aback but agreed.

However, a few minutes later——

"Nooo!! The documents flew everywhere!!"

"Lumiel-chan!? A shredder isn't for feeding all the papers into!"

"This is bitter!! Who made this tea!?"

"Lumiel-kun!? You don't have to reply to the emails! At least save them as drafts first!"

"The snacks for visitors are gone! Who ate them!?"

"Nooo don't delete that file!!"

The office descended into chaos.

"H-hey, Maeda! Stop that kid!"

"Department Head, she's doing her best in her own way. Let's be patient."

"The company's going under!!"

In the end, the verdict was that "keeping her seated was better for the world than letting her work," and her apprenticeship was terminated on the spot.

"——Finally, I can actually work..."

As I quietly did my work, Lumiel sat on a chair in the middle of the office, swinging her legs idly.

"You okay? Not bored?"

"Want a snack? Auntie loves these."

"Should I buy you a juice? Anything you don't like?"

"Everyone, please don't spoil her..."

"Having some healing at the office really makes work go smoother."

If work was really going smoother, that would be great, but it was pretty obvious who wasn't doing their job. And of course, the department head could see it too...

"Don't fuss over her!! Don't do unnecessary things at work!!"

He was furious again.

But unlike usual, when the office would shrink into silence, this time was different — everyone argued back.

"It'd be cruel to just leave her alone, wouldn't it?"

"Department Head, isn't being unkind to children a problem as a human being?"

"A boss without love can get sued for power harassment, you know."

"!? G-guh..."

Crushed under the pressure from everyone, the department head looked profoundly uncomfortable. I never thought the day would come when everyone would unite like this.

Just then, the office door opened, and the president stepped in — his shiny bald head his trademark.

"Presi—"

"It's sudden, but we're moving this office the day after tomorrow. Location is the 10th floor of the Atlanta Building in Kioka Town. It's all covered by subsidies, so the equipment's brand new too! Get pumped and work hard, everyone!"

Pushing the department head aside, the president left with a loud laugh. Skinhead, reddish-purple suit, gold fan in hand — the visual was way too sketchy, President...!

Everyone stared blankly at the door where the president had vanished. Work was interrupted, and we spent the rest of the time hurriedly packing for the move.

◇◆◇◆◇

"See you all at the new office the day after tomorrow~!"

"See you later, Lumiel-chan~!"

"Don't EVER bring her again!!"

With the department head's scream at our backs, we headed home. Whether it was because of Lumiel's chaos or the healing effect she brought was unclear, but for the first time in a while, everyone left on time. With the moving work associated with the relocation, tomorrow and the day after were days off.

"It's gonna feel lonely around here..."

The destroyed buildings bore the scars of the disaster. In an ordinary disaster area, people would be waiting for reconstruction, but no homes would ever be built here again. Eventually, it would be reborn as a defense stronghold like Akayama Town.

After all, the next World Clock would open in about a month.

"Bus for Kioka Town is now departing! The next one will be along shortly, so please don't rush! Keep your luggage to a minimum and proceed with your relocation procedures in Kioka Town!"

A line of people carrying luggage was being guided by staff. Thanks to national subsidies and donations, the residents of Aoba Town could move to another town for free. The news said that patients who couldn't be moved immediately would be transferred once their condition stabilized.

『――As announced by the prefectural government, please decide on your new residence and complete your move within 10 days. All costs will be covered by the national government. Despite the hurried circumstances following the disaster, please do so within 10 days...』

A car with a loudspeaker passed by.

Our office's sudden relocation must have been for this reason too.

"Since the next World Clock opens in a month, 10 days is reasonable... they've gotta demolish all the buildings and clear the land after that."

There would probably be strong opposition from people who had attachments to this town. But there was no choice other than moving. It was unavoidable.

People living near the ocean or an active volcano always face the risk of tsunamis or eruptions, but whether they happen is a matter of chance. Not so with the World Clock.

Because the World Clock always opens.

Even in a democratic nation, it's hard to imagine unlimited "freedom of residence" being permitted in the face of a guaranteed threat.

Relocating all residents to safer areas and turning the place into a full combat fortress — like Akayama Town — was the rational choice.

"(Maybe I'll head to my parents' place tomorrow and talk things over...)"

My family home was in Aoba Town too. I wanted to hear what my family thought before deciding what to do next.

○○○○○○○

I'd appreciate follows and ratings. Thank you very much.