Chapter 13
TL: Akabane
***
"Boss, actually--"
I can't believe I have to demonstrate in this way the "reporting and communications" I learned when I first became a member of society. I was shocked because I thought it wouldn't pass anyway.
After the meeting was over, I told only the department head about the press coverage. And that I was the one in the picture. Then he showed me the biggest smile of the day.
"That's so funny. This is my laugh the most this year."
I didn't think it was funny, but it was a hundred times better than being lectured. It's not that there really was a passionate affair, and the office is denying it. I told him that things had settled down. He seemed to understand and said, "Don't worry about it."
I didn't tell him that we had met alone. I was afraid of causing an unintended misunderstanding.
"But you really got an appointment, didn't you?"
"Don't lick my contact network, okay, Fujiwara?"
In conclusion, the policy of appointing Aimi Momoka was agreed upon. After the Sales Promotion Department prepared a request for approval, the appointment was approved by the Board of Directors after receiving approval from the various departments.
Of course, this is only for internal use. The only thing that had happened was the official approval of the company, saying, "You can use her." The negotiations with the person herself were entrusted to me, the planner, and Fujiwara, my escort.
I thought it would be misunderstood as a flame sale. So I didn't take it seriously. I heard that the fathers of the board members are melting down. I don't know if that's how it's supposed to be, this company.
"--But still, I'm surprised it passed. That request for approval."
"Would you say that in front of the person who made it?"
"That's because it's true, isn't it? Even Araki-san was mumbling while making it.
If the request for approval is poorly written, even if the content is serious, it will usually be criticized. That's why you have to put in a certain amount of effort, but this time it was tough.
Even if the allegations of infatuation are not the direct cause, the circumstances of the withdrawal from the group have a negative impression on some people. It was difficult to find a reason why that would not be taken as a demerit.
In the end, the news report itself was a hoax. It came down to this. The witness is here. Instead of thinking poorly and putting up excuses, all I had to do was to firmly state the facts.
-- So, we were at a certain coffee shop.
I had no trouble finding a way to call her. I told the company that I had mobilized all my friends and contacts. It was not a black connection. They didn't say anything about some blurbs.
I knew a short text would be ignored, so I called her on the phone. I told her I had an important favor to ask, and she was so defensive that I could tell even over the phone. She didn't say she wouldn't come, which was a relief for now.
"But, is she really coming?"
"You can leave if you don't want to wait."
"Araki-san. Please don't say that."
More importantly, why this guy of all people? His lukewarm voice that doesn't sound like a gymnast annoys me. The hot coffee I just ordered seems to go cold in an instant.
The manager said, "It'll be a good experience," but I'd rather leave it for another time. I wanted a reliable senior like Yamazaki to accompany me here.
"In the first place, you are a fan right, Araki-san? Isn't that a mixture of public and private?"
"It's for work, so it's fine because I'm not doing it for my own personal use."
"That's a very violent way of thinking. ......"
"Don't say that. It makes me sad."
It was a coffee shop I usually use, but it was a good place to meet up. Fortunately, we were the only customers there. The modern atmosphere reminded me of a pure coffee shop. I have never thought about whether it actually is or not.
The bitter taste of coffee spreads in my mouth. I hold back the urge to smoke a cigarette. Smoking is allowed in all seats, a rarity in today's world. It would be a disaster if she walked in just as I was smoking. It would make a bad impression.
The two of us are waiting in line, so it looks as if we are at a blind date. It's embarrassing, so I really want her to come quickly. When there were less than five minutes left until the appointed time, the door of the restaurant opened. A woman.
"Here!"
I urged, raising my hand. Fujiwara was a little surprised, but she followed my words and came over. Standing in front of our seats, she has a puzzled look on her face.
She is wearing a black hat and glasses, but she is definitely Momo-chan. My head is spinning with joy at seeing her for the first time since the handshake. She wears the skin of a working person, but I felt like it didn't cover her whole body.
"Thank you so much for your time. My name is Araki from the ◯◯ Stationery and Sales Promotion Department. This is my colleague Fujiwara."
"Pleased to meet you."
We both hand her our business cards. I was worried that Fujiwara might be too casual, but it seems that she has mastered customer etiquette. That's a relief.
I ask her to sit down, as I don't want to stand around talking to her. We sat down as she sat down on a chair. I ask the owner for a cup of coffee and clears my throat.
"Thank you for coming in today."
"No problem ......."
On the phone, I simply told her what I needed.
She seemed puzzled that there was another employee there, not just me.
"I'm glad it's a beautiful day. It would have been difficult for you to come in the rain."
Fujiwara, that's a good line for an introduction. After all, you should be in sales. Get the hell out of our department. This doesn't mean I'm asking you to leave. I'm just pushing your back.
"...... I like the rain. The sound of my footsteps is soothing."
"It's quaint, isn't it?"
No, I was surprised that Fujiwara knew the word "quaint."
But, well, let's leave that aside. For the first time, I'm glad I brought Fujiwara along. It must have been a "good experience," as the director put it.
"--Momoka-san. Let me get to the point."
I know her real name, but since she has not told anyone her real name, so that's not the right thing to do. I dared to call her this, considering the possibility of misunderstanding.
Fortunately, we were the only customers. The owner and I are familiar with each other, and he promised not to leak anything to anyone. Thank goodness.
"We are planning to make posters for an exhibition in three months."
"...... Yes."
"That's where we would like you to be on the front page."
Currently, she is a freelancer, not affiliated with anyone. In other words, she is unemployed. We haven't heard what happened after she left the company, but it's convenient for us that she doesn't have to go through an office or anything.
It's not only from a budgetary point of view, but above all, it's her own decision. We are not manipulated by the backstage, and the decision is based on whether we want to do it or not. This was my personal wish as a fan.
"Um, ...... why me?"
As usual, she seems wary.
That's not so surprising. This is coming from the man who denied it on the day she quit her idol career. I don't want her to use this as an opportunity to come back, but the fact remains that it would be a shame not to take advantage of her beauty.
"Can't you just say that she is beautiful?"
"That's not true, umm ......."
She is shy with her eyes down. She's cute. That's the kind of thing that tickles men's fancy. Right, Fujiwara?
"She's cute."
"I know."
I whispered to him so she wouldn't hear. For the first time, I felt like we were in agreement. But I was sure the young people would love it. I'm told that the fathers of the board members are also impressed with her, so in a way, there's nothing to be afraid of now.
"But if you appoint me, I'll be in trouble."
Don't worry. I made sure to include that point in the request for approval.
"No problem. I heard about the press report from Araki. He said that the circumstances of your departure from the group will not affect our image."
"Why?"
"Because the news report itself is untrue."
This is where the release from her former agency came in handy. It's also significant that the weekly magazine that reported the story didn't dig any deeper than that. But, well, the populace, other than the dolts, are not that interested.
So if you ask why they are beating her up, they are simply going with the flow. Stupid creatures. Really.
"B-But ......"
"Momoka-san. The haters will make a fuss no matter what we do. But we are not human enough to leave your charms behind without a word."
I couldn't have written this in the request for approval, but it was still my true intention. It seems that Fujiwara, who is standing next to me, agrees. He nodded his head.
"Our company is what is commonly referred to as a small to medium-sized company. We don't have the name recognition or power of a large company."
"......"
"That's why we need your help, Momoka-san. You have the charm that attracts people's attention."
Fujiwara would call this a mixture of public and private, but that's okay. In fact, if they don't stop to look, there is no point. Getting people to visit our booth at the exhibition is the mission we have set for ourselves. Beyond that, it's a sales job.
"Of course, there is a possibility that people will say a lot of things about us because we are in the public eye. There's no chance of being slandered, either."
"......... Yes."
She nodded her head emphatically in response to Fujiwara's explanation, which seemed to add a second blow. Perhaps that's what I'm most concerned about. If not for that, she would still be out of my reach.
"But we will do what we can for our company. This is the first time our company has invited a well-known person to participate in a promotional activity, but we will take a resolute response against slander."
"Resolute, response ......?"
She did not seem to understand well. Fujiwara took the baton of explanation.
"In recent years, slander against celebrities using the Internet has become a major problem. Our company doesn't intend to go through with it."
"......"
"Therefore, we will respond accordingly - in other words, we will protect you. From slander mistaken for criticism."
A proper response simply means that we will file a police action. We will post an update to that effect on our official website once the posters are out.
We will have our upper management say so much. The attraction she has is tremendous. It's such a shame that she quit being an idol.
But I was secretly happy. The look on the board member's face when we submitted the proposal for approval. They were eager to show their small-to-medium-sized mettle. I was glad to be working for this company.
"--Please let me think about it for a little while."
It's not that we want her to come to a conclusion right now. We didn't come here with that intention. I told her, "No problem," and watched her walk out of the coffee shop. I was tired with a thud, but it was a pleasant tiredness.
"Araki-san, maybe you're better suited for sales."
"I don't want to hear that from you."
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, Fujiwara is more suited for it."
He laughs again. But it doesn't matter now. I was in the mood to at least buy him another cup of coffee.
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