Keiko's child will start elementary school this spring.
Maybe I should consider having a child too.
Well,
Lisa and Ogawa seem to have gotten married.
Eh?
Did they start dating after the reunion when we turned 30?
Exactly.
Impressive.
Congratulations to them.
At our age,
people like to talk about such things more and more.
Shizuno, you're really remarkable.
Becoming a team leader at such a young age,
you're on the path of an elite.
That's not true.
How about you lately?
I mean your boyfriend in your company.
Didn't you say you introduced him to your parents?
(I HAVE A CRUSH AT WORK)
(Episode 10: True Feelings)
Tateishi.
Leave early today to prepare for tomorrow's bookkeeping exam.
Alright.
I'll take my leave first.
I need to go to the Strawberry Sweets Fair today too.
Okay.
Have a nice weekend.
It's tomorrow, finally.
I HOPE THEY SING THE SONG YOU LIKE.
I UNDERSTAND THE MATTER ABOUT THE CAFE. YEAH, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONCERT.
Well,
about that band whose CD you lent me before,
there are still tickets left for their concert.
But I've never been to a concert before.
Do you mean…
Would you like to go together?
It's more of accompanying him than a date.
However, going out alone together on a weekend…
Am I thinking too much?
It has been a while
since we started meeting at the cafe.
We're not in direct reporting lines, but still superior and subordinate.
And he's eight years younger than me.
I UNDERSTAND THE MATTER ABOUT THE CAFE. Even I realize I like him,
YEAH, I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THE CONCERT. our positions and age gap won't change.
Looking forward?
Wait, he meant the concert. He's looking forward to the concert.
Somei doesn't fall for me at all.
Pencil.
Eraser.
BOOKKEEPING LEVEL 1 Eraser.
BOOKKEEPING LEVEL 1 Calculator.
Everything is ready.
The exam starts at nine,
so I should set an alarm just in case.
Tomorrow is finally the bookkeeping exam.
I've studied almost everything I need to.
And I barely passed the mock exam before.
As long as I stay calm, I'll definitely be fine.
I-I should double-check
the things I need to bring.
Maybe drink some water to calm down.
No, what if I drink too much water and end up with a stomachache tomorrow?
Well,
I should bring some medicine with me just in case.
I can't calm down.
I've always been bad at handling formal exams since before.
The first time I noticed this problem
was when I took high school entrance exam.
Oh no, I'm too nervous to understand the questions.
ENTRANCE EXAM, PASS STUDENT NO.
Back then,
I had prepared perfectly.
And during the university entrance exam,
I got an A rate in all the mock exams,
but I only got into my second-choice school.
TSUDA SNACK And I did terrible
in the interview too.
Well,
could you repeat that, please?
I really don't know why this company hired me.
Then…
You passed Bookkeeping Level 2 in your first year at work.
That's impressive.
Because I already passed Level 3 in college.
Looking forward to your performance.
I'll do my best.
I wasn't in great condition at the time,
but I still passed on my first try.
Have I overcome my exam phobia?
It restored my confidence,
so I braced myself and studied hard
to take the Bookkeeping Level 1 exam.
BOOKKEEPING LEVEL 1 EXAM VENUE
Never expected I'd fail without even fighting.
I couldn't sleep at all.
A message from Yui.
IT'S FINALLY TOMORROW, GOOD LUCK
I'M NOT VERY CONFIDENT. THIS TIME IS PROBABLY JUST A TRIAL RUN.
Eh?
DETAILED ACCOMMODATION PLAN This is the Yamanashi hotel we stayed at last year.
Is that what she's going to choose as a reward for the bet?
By the way, the person who doesn't achieve the goal
will have to pay for the accommodation. What do you think?
THEN I'LL TAKE THIS VICTORY.
I'VE ALREADY CHOSEN THE ROOM TO STAY IN.
FOR YOUR REFERENCE
Yui is really amazing
for achieving her goal.
If I hadn't made the bet with Yui,
I probably wouldn't have challenged myself again in my lifetime.
Forget it. It's fine
if I really have to treat her.
MIDORI AME SUITE, DELUXE ROOM TOTAL, 120,000 YEN
Hey
Hello.
You
That hotel suite is way too expensive.
Because
you're treating me for once, I thought I'd splurge a little.
But you're being way too much.
By the way, if I pass the exam,
we have to share the cost.
You'll have to pay half then.
I don't think I'll lose.
Well,
we still don't know it until I take the exam.
And I have another chance to take the exam before summer comes.
By the way,
even if I pass, I'll still have to pay 60,000 yen.
Anyway, if it ends in a tie,
we have to choose another suite.
Good luck.
Geez.
I was so shocked.
By the way,
I just said it without thinking.
We still don't know it until I take the exam.
No.
She suddenly sent a 120,000-yen suite option, of course I'd be shocked.
GOOD LUCK
The exam begins.
I bought their concert T-shirt before,
but dressing like this may seem weird.
Maybe I should wear something nicer.
This one doesn't suit for a concert.
Wait,
why is my closet full of dresses?
No matter which I choose, they all look like date outfits.
What should I wear when going to a concert with a younger guy?
I spent too much time picking out clothes,
so I ended up leaving too late.
Hello.
He looks younger in casual suit.
Sorry I'm late.
No, it's okay.
Let's put our things in the lockers first.
Right.
Is it okay?
I think I'm not being too excited.
By the way, in others' eyes,
what kind of relationship do they think we are in?
This sporty look
suits you very well.
Found it.
Geez.
Should I say he's still being himself?
I think
we are just like being in a date.
Do you mind putting them together?
No. Thank you.
Every single thing
makes me so happy that I can't contain myself.
I haven't been to a live performance since I graduated.
Their singing is really beautiful.
Although he appears to be standing stiffly,
he's actually swaying his body slightly.
The reason he invited me
is probably that among people around him, only I share his love for this band.
It's the limited song from the CD I borrowed him.
-This song… -This song…
is really nice.
I wish there could be a more special reason.
Just kidding.
It's great to hear it live.
Right.
I'm also glad I came along today.
Miss Hayakawa.
Sorry.
Did I cause you trouble?
Should we go out together like this again?
Just the two of us?
I usually go about alone,
so I don't really know about suitable places.
If
you don't mind…
How could I ever mind?
But…
I mean your boyfriend in your company.
Didn't you say you introduced him to your parents?
Actually,
he dumped me.
Sorry.
Dating someone from the same company
is really struggling.
Excuse me.
Could you let go of my hand first?
Eh?
Sorry.
Nothing. I should be the one apologizing.
I completely didn't notice the bicycle.
Well…
You said that we could go out together, right?
If there's any place I can take you to,
I'd be happy to go with you.
Then,
I'll take my leave first.
As expected,
I still can't move forward.
The total score for question three is…
Good.
Yui.
How did your exam go?
It should be okay.
I knew you can do it.
Then,
let's upgrade the meal
and choose one with seafood.
Geez.
What am I even doing?
I've already had enough of office romance.
The person I dated before
was a senior who worked in another department and two years older than me.
Hi.
Please handle this.
Geez.
We're in a secret relationship.
Don't keep clinging to me at the office.
Wouldn't it be even more weird to suddenly act cold toward you now?
Moreover,
you're always frowning at work.
Don't push yourself too much because others have high expectations towards you.
Precisely because we're in the same company,
I could hold on.
That's why I hoped I could become his motivation to work hard.
Let's break up.
What?
Why so suddenly?
And in a place like this?
Because I'm tired.
I didn't have much ambition
and my performance hasn't improved.
To be honest, the vibe you give off makes me feel pressured.
What?
You could have told me about this earlier.
How could I even tell you that?
Things I don't want to see and don't want others to see always happen.
Actually, I've always felt
that dating someone from the same company
is really struggling.
Precisely because we're in the same company,
we still had to see each other even after breaking up.
Please handle this.
I'll help.
Thank you.
I heard Mr. Nonoyama from the Sales Department
is marrying someone from another company.
That's unexpected.
I heard that he and Miss Hayakawa were dating.
No.
I heard they broke up after a big fight.
Office romance isn't suitable for me.
Later,
he changed jobs without even leaving me a farewell email.
Maintaining the current relationship
with Somei might be the best choice.
Besides, I didn't want to date him at first.
I just felt happy and comfortable
to be with him.
And he's a very compatible colleague.
But this feeling made me happier than I expected, which is troubling.
Back then,
when I pulled my hand back,
did that make him feel upset?
MISS HAYAKAWA
Aren't you going home yet?
I'll stay a bit longer.
By the way, how did your exam go?
I'm pretty confident about it.
Perfect.
Let's drink to celebrate then.
I have plans today.
With Yui.
I want to grab a drink.
Well, after the results come out,
let's have a drink with Morizono.
Thank you.
Good work today.
Then I'm going.
Staying home alone makes me want to overthink again.
I really want to empty my mind with alcohol.
Just kidding.
Miss Hayakawa.
Hello.
However…
Why
did you stand there?
Excuse me, may I have another drink?
What about you?
I'll pass for now.
That concert was really amazing.
Since then, I've been listening to it every day.
Well,
about what I said to you after the concert,
in short, it means I like you.
I'm not sure if I expressed it clearly.
Thank you, that made me quite happy.
I was a bit shocked.
Sorry, I didn't get it at all back then.
But office romance is quite tough.
It's not a wonderful thing at all.
After all, it's not good to make people around us worry.
So we have to keep it secret.
Well, that's true.
And we are superior and subordinate,
which means we can't just be in a pure romantic relationship.
If we get too close, we'll see things we don't want to see.
And if we break up…
Well,
are you alright?
You look pretty drunk already.
Miss Hayakawa?
Stop…
Eh? What did you say?
Please,
stop making my heart race.
Strange.
Why did I fall asleep?
Right.
I went drinking with Somei and drank too much.
Then…
Eh?
Are you awake?
Eh?
Where is this?
This is my home.
Sorry.
-Because you passed out at the bar. -Oh no.
I couldn't wake you up,
and I don't know where you live either,
so I brought you back to my place first.
I think
I got too drunk to do anything weird.
I-I see.
Sorry for causing you trouble.
Trams are still running now.
After I dry my hair, I'll take you to the station.
Miss Hayakawa?
Well,
just to be clear,
I didn't do anything.
Sorry, that's not what I meant.
Really.
I was worried that while I was asleep,
I said something weird.
Like sleep talking
or having bad sleeping habits.
Stop making my heart race.
Eh?
Oh my.
Keisuke, you
I told you to tell me
when your supervisor woke up.
Sorry, she just woke up.
I brought tea, please have some.
Eh?
Well, Somei,
who is this?
Eh?
She's my mom.
I'm so sorry
that I bothered you so late at night
and let you see me in such a pathetic state.
It's fine.
You always take care of my son.
You're welcome to visit anytime.
No, don't be so polite. Then I'll take my leave.
I'm going crazy.
The overwhelming shame and self-loathing have drowned me.
Having dinner with a subordinate who doesn't drink, I got drunk and had to be brought back to his home.
Miss Hayakawa.
Sorry.
Well,
I should have handled it in a better way.
No, don't be sorry.
You've helped me a lot.
And now you're even taking me to the station.
That's true.
But, maybe my confession was too straightforward
and it became a burden for you.
While you were asleep,
I've been blaming myself.
Somei.
So you do have such human-like emotions.
Eh?
Just kidding.
Actually,
you don't need to blame yourself.
Because I…
Moreover,
after you got drunk,
you said in your sleep
that being with me makes your heart race,
maybe that's why
I got a little excited.
But,
I really meant nothing by bringing you home.
Moreover, after coming to my place,
you've been sleeping quietly.
You beat me.
Indeed. You make my heart race.
Because I like you too.
Even though you don't speak much,
and are always straightforward,
I know every word of you is sincere.
If it's with this person,
maybe…
That's it.
Would you like to date me?
My pleasure.
I had an office romance before, but it failed.
I see.
That's why I've been hesitating
about whether to date you.
After all, we have an age gap and difference in positions.
That's true.
But,
when we're alone together, we don't need to mind those things.
Right.
But it's better to keep it secret.
Though you might not enjoy discussing this.
Okay.
I enjoy talking with you.
You can tell me anything.
I think
I can understand
the feeling of wanting to keep it secret.
This one is easily confused with others.
Be careful.
I understand.
Please handle it.
Okay, I got it.
Sorry.
The work was so much.
You've worked hard.
The store is around here.
Today is the first time we've met at the company after we started dating,
I was so nervous.
I think you're really cool.
Eh?
When you are at work,
you look really cool.
Spring is coming.
Office romance
seems pretty good.