We're Not Even Blood-Related
The new employee training for the first half of this year was a complete success for me. It wasn't just the ten members of my own group. Thanks to their help, I'd managed to pull in quite a few attractive female trainees from the other groups as well.
Between the various activities, competitions, and collaborations with the other teams, my group members naturally expanded their personal networks. We used those connections to draw in some impressive women. There was some overlap in subsidiaries since we focused on looks, but I still built a solid network during the training period. The information these people would feed me later was going to be incredibly useful.
In the meantime, we created a play based on Taira Group history, put together sales PPTs by randomly selecting Taira products, visited each person's subsidiary for tours, completed various assignments, attended lectures, and more. Finally, the last week arrived. It was the week to organize everything we'd learned and review the results of our long-term projects. Most importantly, it was the week the trainees had been looking forward to the most: the visit to Tokyo Disneyland.
The Human Resources Development Center always treated the new hires to a worry-free day at Tokyo Disneyland during the final week as a reward for their hard work. They had apparently rented eighty 45-seater buses just for the trainees. It was more than enough to comfortably fit all the new employees, the Education Teams 1, 2, and 3, and the supporting mentors.
“Alright~! We're departing! Everyone, please board your buses!”
The trainees checked their assigned bus numbers, lined up, and climbed aboard. Since I was driving my own car separately, I simply watched from behind as they got on. When the members of Group 74 I was responsible for shouted, “Mentor, aren't you riding with us?” I mimed turning a steering wheel. They burst into giggles at the sight. Why is that funny? I wondered.
After confirming everyone had boarded safely, I headed to the parking lot in front of the house to get into my beloved car.
Although it was called Tokyo Disneyland, the actual location was in Chiba, just as Seoul Land was in Gwacheon rather than Seoul proper. It was situated in Urayasu City, Chiba Prefecture. Urayasu... What a lewd-sounding name. Without meaning to, my mind immediately wandered in that direction.
“Are you heading to Disneyland?”
I was about to get in the car when Taira Yukiko called out to me. Was she not busy today? She'd been so swamped lately that we barely had time to see each other, so it felt like it had been ages.
“Yes. Are you free today, Yukiko?”
“Mm. The group executive meeting I was preparing for just ended, so I finally have some breathing room.”
A group executive meeting, huh. So that was a thing. In that case...
“Would you like to go together? To Disneyland.”
Taira Yukiko's eyes widened at the unexpected suggestion, but she soon shook her head.
“Mother. I want to go to Disneyland with Mother.”
Taira Yukiko let out a small laugh.
“Hoho! You only call me Mother when it suits you, hmm?”
“Should I call you Mama instead?”
“Yukiko Maman” had a nice ring to it, but she clearly disliked it. Taira Yukiko shuddered theatrically and gave my arm a light smack. Still, her expression showed she wasn't entirely displeased.
“Fine. I'll go with you, so stop teasing me. Then... I need to change my clothes, so could you wait just a little?”
Having finally agreed, Taira Yukiko left those words and went back inside the house. Women always took their time, so it would probably be a while.
In the meantime, I sent a LINE message to the head of Education Team 1, the most senior person in charge of the Disneyland trip. I informed him I would be moving separately today because I had to escort my mother, and he immediately started fussing, asking if any special arrangements or protocols were needed.
I replied that it was simply a cozy mother-son date, so there was no need to prepare anything special. He said he understood and that he would personally look after Group 74. It was clearly his way of asking me to put in a good word for him. I thanked him and said I'd mention him favorably to my mother before ending the chat. Of course, I had zero intention of actually doing so.
It looked like Taira Yukiko's preparations would take at least thirty minutes. What to do until then? As I pondered, I naturally pulled out my phone. The moment I opened YouTube, a few thumbnails caught my eye.
The investment I'd poured in over the past several months was finally paying off. Both YouTube and internet news outlets were in an absolute frenzy over Health Miracle. It seemed Han Yugyeong, who had invested based on my advice, had seen the articles too. A message from her had arrived.
After ending the sweet exchange with Han Yugyeong, I messaged Aris asking if she wanted to hang out over the weekend. She replied with an apology, saying she had a shoot. Hmm, she'd been incredibly busy ever since returning from Milan. She must have made a lot of connections with famous designers there. Seeing this, I could understand why celebrity couples broke up so often. If both were too busy to even meet, the feelings would naturally cool off.
I suggested we meet Sunday night after her filming wrapped up, and she was overjoyed. She probably felt too guilty to suggest it herself since I could only spare a little time. When I offered to come late, she sent back messages filled with equal parts apology and happiness.
After finishing with Aris, I realized I still hadn't given her the autograph from my martial arts master, Fujigasaki Rinka, that Hanasaki Sayaka had asked for. I'd received the signature long ago but hadn't passed it on because I'd simply been too busy.
This had led to the situation where the famous Japanese actress Hanasaki Sayaka was messaging me every few days asking when I had time. If her fans knew, they'd be shocked. Here was Hanasaki Sayaka desperately wanting to meet, yet a mere company employee like me kept saying he was too busy.
Feeling a little guilty, I'd offered to mail it to her, but she practically jumped through the phone refusing. What if it got crumpled in the mail? What if the delivery driver stole it? She begged me to wait until Taira Ryuta had free time.
Since I was meeting Aris Sunday night anyway, I could hand it over during lunch on Saturday or Sunday.
TERT was fine if you entered with a celebrity, but non-celebrities needed an invitation QR code to get in alone. That level of security made sense. It allowed the celebrities to relax and indulge in luxury and pleasure inside the building without worry. Soon after, an invitation arrived from Hanasaki Sayaka. It was simple—just a single QR code.
She kept anxiously asking if I'd received it, whether it hadn't arrived, and if she should send it again. Just how much did she adore Fujigasaki Rinka?
Perhaps because I was Fujigasaki Rinka's only disciple, Hanasaki Sayaka's favorability toward me was quite high. Of course, it wasn't as a man, but more like He's my idol's disciple!—pure admiration.
After finishing my business with Hanasaki Sayaka and putting my phone away, I heard a light knock on the passenger-side window. Taira Yukiko stood there wearing a large-brimmed hat, a white two-piece outfit, and a light cardigan. She had a slightly shy expression on her face.
“You look beautiful, Mother.”
“Huhu, this boy… You’re so good at saying sweet things.”
I got out of the driver’s seat and opened the passenger door for her. I had a strong feeling this date was going to be very enjoyable.