The Talent Development Center
After lunch and a short break, Mimata Chieri took me around in the afternoon to introduce me to the Education Support Team 1, Talent Education Team 1, and Talent Education Team 2.
Of course, Mimata Chieri was doing it out of pure kindness to let the other teams know a new hire had arrived. For me, though, it was the perfect chance to scope out how many beautiful women worked in the other departments. Each team had one or two, just like ours.
“There are other departments like Security and HR, but I’m not that close with them yet… hehe.”
Even so, after being introduced around the three teams and hearing their well-wishes, quite a bit of time had passed. It was already three o’clock. If Mimata Chieri had been the type who got along with everyone—including Security, HR, and Facilities—we probably would’ve been stuck here until overtime.
“This is more than enough. Thank you for taking the time.”
“Hehet, now we can head back to the office, do a bit of work, and then head home.”
“What time do we usually finish?”
I asked just to be sure, even though I figured it was around six. I needed at least a rough idea so I could plan my day. I also had to schedule workout time and whatever personal time I could squeeze in. In short, I had zero intention of working hard.
After all, I already knew the future to some degree. As long as I had a little time, money wouldn’t be an issue. And if I worked too diligently, either Taira Ichiro, Kokoro, or Jiro would feel threatened and send another assassin after me. So yeah, I was absolutely leaving on time.
“We usually get off earlier than most departments—around five-thirty. During the new employee training period, though, it’s closer to eight. The Taira Group only does two recruitment cycles a year, so it’s about ten weeks total. Just think of it as working late for two months out of the year.”
Five-thirty was actually pretty early. I could work out for an hour, get home by six-thirty, and still have dinner. The part about mandatory overtime for two months a year was annoying, but manageable.
“Oh! People who are really hungry for promotion usually stay until eight even on normal days. But you don’t have to do that, right, Junior?”
The implication was clear: since your last name is Taira, you don’t need to bother.
“Honestly? Having the Taira name is all I’ve got. Still, unless I’m told to, I have no plans to work overtime.”
“Ah, really? Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. Let’s head back to the office, Junior.”
Once again, Mimata Chieri took my hand as we returned to the office. Team Leader Shinone Misano glanced at us and asked if she had covered the basics. Mimata Chieri nodded.
“Then follow me. It’s the customary new employee interview.”
I was being summoned by women all day today. Did this count as good fortune with the opposite sex?
The place Shinone Misano led me to was the break room. There were comfortable-looking chairs and tables, and in one corner sat a coffee maker, a small refrigerator, and an electric kettle. Since everyone was still in the middle of work, the break room was empty.
Shinone Misano pulled two cups of coffee, handed one to me, and took a sip from her own. Then she looked over my personnel file and tilted her head. Something seemed to bother her.
“Looking at the address you submitted, Mr. Taira, it lists this Talent Development Center as your residence. Did you make a mistake?”
“Um… to be honest, it’s because my mother is Taira Yukiko. I’ve been staying in the annex here since yesterday.”
Current Residence: Taira Group Talent Development Center — Annex Building
Guardian: Taira Yukiko (Director, Human Resources Development Center)
Shinone Misano’s eyes widened in shock, her pupils trembling. A new employee casually dropping that his mother was basically the boss here? Of course she’d be flustered.
“I… I see. Even so, you mustn’t take your work lightly. For your mother’s honor, if nothing else.”
“Of course. I have no intention of slacking off.”
I had no intention of working hard either, but I kept that part to myself. While pretending to ask about work-related questions, I gathered information on Shinone Misano. She had a husband, but he was currently on a long-term overseas assignment. They had no children yet.
Hmm… With a body that sexy, how exactly does she handle those boiling desires while her husband is away? I was genuinely curious. The same question applied to Taira Yukiko, but since her husband had only been dead for less than a month, she was probably still holding up okay.
There were definitely other men targeting Shinone Misano besides me. Especially the Deputy Team Leader, Kurakake Kuma. That guy was clearly after her.
With his bald head and creepy appearance straight out of an NTR adult manga—exactly like those sleazy villainous bosses—he was the type who would hit on every woman around him. The hostile reaction he’d shown me probably wasn’t because he knew I was a Taira. More likely, he saw me as a rival and reacted accordingly.
“We’ll be holding a welcome dinner for you this Friday, Mr. Taira. It’s just dinner, so please come without any pressure.”
“It’s my first company dinner. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Everyone on our team is nice, so it should be fun.”
A company dinner, huh. Unlike in Korea, I’d heard that in Japan everyone paid for their own share. And apparently they clapped at the end or something? The drinking culture was a bit different from what I was used to. Friday was also the day Han Yugyeong said she had her university orientation. I should message her around then.
“Oh my, look at the time!”
Shinone Misano looked startled as she checked her watch. I glanced over and saw it was already five-forty. We’d been talking for nearly two hours. I’d deliberately acted friendly, asking questions and listening attentively to draw out information about her. It seemed she’d enjoyed it too, because she’d gotten so absorbed in the conversation that she hadn’t noticed how much time had passed.
“Let’s head back to the office. You can go home for the day, Mr. Taira. I still have some things to take care of.”
“Understood. Thank you for your hard work today.”
“See you tomorrow~.”
Shinone Misano gave me a little wink as she adjusted her glasses, then left the break room. I returned to the office. Everyone except Deputy Team Leader Kurakake Kuma had already gone home. He was sitting in my chair, shaking his leg with an irritated expression. Wait, why is he sitting in my seat?
When I entered, he stood up and immediately started questioning me.
“New guy, why are you back so late!?”
“I had an interview with the Team Leader. We got caught up talking and time just flew by.”
“What could you possibly talk about for that long?”
Why was he prying so aggressively? It wasn’t like Shinone Misano was his wife. And trying to act like a husband when she was already married to someone else was just weird.
“I’m sorry, but it’s personal information.”
“What?”
Kurakake Kuma glared at me in disbelief. What are you going to do about it? He seemed used to throwing his weight around with his large build and the authority of a deputy team leader, but that title held no fear for me. And while his size might intimidate average Japanese men, it meant nothing to someone like me—nearly 190 centimeters tall and built with muscle. Kurakake Kuma looked like he was about to explode, but after seeing my physique, he seemed to rein in his anger. He just glared at me and made a frustrated clicking sound.
“The Team Leader told me to head home. I’ll be going now.”
I grabbed the completely empty briefcase I’d left in my drawer, gave Kurakake Kuma a half-hearted bow, and left the office. The sight of his face turning bright red, looking like he might burst any second, was actually pretty entertaining. Even though he knew full well it was a new employee interview, the fact that he still tried to pressure me showed just how obsessed he was with Shinone Misano.
Leaving the fuming Kurakake Kuma behind, I headed to the fitness center inside the Talent Development Center, changed clothes, and started working out. It was partly for my stats, but the bigger reason was maintenance. In the game, even if you worked out constantly, raising physical stats by two points was considered a lot. So I mostly did it to keep what I had.
After about an hour of exercise, I returned to the annex. The housekeeper greeted me warmly and prepared a meal for one. Taira Yukiko still hadn’t come home—apparently she was swamped with work.
The dishes the housekeeper prepared were incredibly delicious again today, proving yesterday’s skill hadn’t been a fluke. After dinner, I went upstairs, tossed my clothes into the laundry basket, and took a shower. Wait… I realized I hadn’t brought any underwear with me. I wrapped a towel around my waist and stepped out. The housekeeper was probably doing the dishes, so I figured I wouldn’t run into her.
“Oh my!”
I ran straight into Taira Yukiko, who must have just gotten home. She was dressed lightly, clearly about to take a bath. When she saw my bare upper body, she let out a sharp yelp.
“E-even if you just showered, y-you should put some clothes on!”
“Ah, sorry. I forgot to bring underwear.”
At the word “underwear,” Taira Yukiko’s eyes unconsciously drifted down toward my crotch. Naturally, beneath the towel was a thick python waiting. Her face flushed bright red the moment she saw the outline. I felt secretly proud. Looks like even one towel can’t hide the presence of my Johnson.
“G-go back to your room and get dressed right now!”
“Yes, sorry.”
If I kept showing off, it would probably backfire, so I quickly retreated to my room and put on some clothes. Then I turned on the computer. Staring at the screen, I muttered to myself.
“Alright. Time to start making some money.”
