37 36 Paid leave





 The day after I accepted Amari's request, I went to work early.
 I came to work early and immediately went to the Administration Department.

 In order to 'take care of Amana-chan for three days' as she asked, I first needed to take three days of paid leave.
 To be honest, since I've been in the transportation business, this is the first time I've had to take such a long vacation (*I'm losing my senses due to the hard work).

 The paid leave itself would not be denied, but the problem would be the reason for it.
 Even if I'm stupidly honest and say 'It's to take care of the daughter of an acquaintance,' they might still pursue it as if it has to be me.
 In fact, since Tenri has no one else to rely on but me, she can go through with a thick-skinned attitude, but the person she's going to be applying for paid leave from now on is that Hinomoto manager.

 There's no doubt that the "pressure" is going to come flying at you.
 It's a sure bet that he's going to put pressure on you with his Ago-like tone of voice, as if he's slowly choking you.
 If I didn't give in to the pressure, I would win if I could get three days of paid leave.

 Having reaffirmed my own victory conditions, I face Headquarters Chief Hinomaru, who's taking a bite of French bread right now.
 It's huge.
 You're going to eat something that big now?

 That's a bit of a concern, but first, let's say hello.

''Good morning, Chief Hinomoto.
Good morning, Hayakawa-kun. What's up with you so early?

 I haven't felt the pressure yet to say hello.

"I need to take some time off in two weeks...
I see...

 Ugh, as soon as I heard the word paid leave, I started releasing the pressure!
 Maybe I'm not thinking about taking time off, I'm thinking about the effort it takes to re-adjust my schedule, but let me at least finish.

"I don't mind the paid holidays, but what day are you going to take them?
Well, the week after next, from Friday to Sunday...
Three days!
What?
I've got a bunch of deliveries scheduled for that time, and you're giving me three days?

 Scary, scary, scary!
 I know that's a stretch, but nothing is that intimidating!

 In the event that you're not going to be able to find a way to make your application rejected, you should be able to use it.

If so, there must be a good reason for that, right?
'Yes, of course! In those three days, I had to take care of a kid I know, so I had to take care of him!
Does it have to be you, by any means?
Huh!

 Here it comes, the words that will be said most in this paid leave request........
 As usual, the pressure emanating from Director Hinomoto was tremendous, and if this request for paid leave was for me personally, I would have pulled back pathetically here.
 But.........I was asked by Amari to take care of Amana-chan as a last resort.

 In order to repay that trust, there is no way I'm going to give in for something like this, right? 

 I take a deep breath once.
 I stomp my feet that are about to drop back and face Director Hinomoto, keeping my head calm.

''──I was drummed up that I can handle it. Then I think responding to that is the most correct way to socialize with people.
"! Hmm.....

 After hearing my response, Chief Hinomoto's eyes widened for a moment, and then he showed a pretense of hesitation.
 Come to think of it, this is the first time since I got this job that I've contradicted the words of this man, my boss.
 The guy who was always giving in to the pressure and listening to his words is certainly a little bit surprised to see him stand up for himself like this, face to face. 

 While I was objectively aware of my growth, Chief Hinomoto turned to me with a slightly troubled expression on his face.

I understand how you feel. But can't it be at least two days instead of three?
Due to their schedule, we have to do it in 3 days. After that, I'll have to clean up the rest of the employees' messes, so please...!
Mmm, mmm...

 I know you're busy.
 I don't know how many years I've been doing this always dying job, either.
 Still, I insist that I can't miss those three days at all costs, and I bow my head as a final push-off.

 Even the quintessential Hinomoto manager let out a puzzled snort. 
 Feeling a tantalizing feeling as if this was still not enough........

''──Isn't it okay? I'll be on hand to follow you around in the meantime.
Sure, it's tough to be shorthanded for three days, but it's not as harsh as it should be.

 Suddenly, a word is thrown in my defense from behind me, and I raise my head and turn my head towards it.

''Sanya.......Sakai.....  

 Behind me, I saw Miya and Sakai.
 Both of them looked at me as if they were looking at someone who had no choice, but....

I'll accept Hayakawa-kun's request for paid leave. I'll let the top brass know.
Thank you!

 That backup was the deciding factor, and Chief Hinomoto broke off in abandonment.
 He quickly thanked her and bowed his head again.


Well....it's my purpose in life, you know?

 I was surprised by the unexpected assessment from the head of the department, but I returned the questioning that continued with a wry smile and a vague reply. 
 It's a lie to say that she's a relative's child, and I can't really say that I met my parents through her.

 Aside from Sakai, Sanya, who knew Amana-chan, had a smirk on her face.

 I'm not going to be able to get a good idea of what I'm talking about.

''That Kazu-kun is on paid leave, it's a rare occurrence.
That's not very nice...
Well, this guy hasn't taken a single paid holiday since he joined the company.
'Even Miya? Of course not, right? I've been working there for seven years, and I'm supposed to take my leave... in moderation...

 Huh?
 I've certainly never taken a paid holiday before, have I?

Well, I'm finally realizing that I'm pale.
"No matter how many times I said it, he just said 'someday' half the time. "No wonder they called me the 'Master of Corporate Responsibility'.
Wait a minute, did they call me that?

 I couldn't hide my astonishment as I listened to the words of a dumbfounded Sanya and Sakai. 
 But the two pretend to be unaware of the situation and lazily avoid the pursuit.

It's a good idea to make sure that something doesn't happen to Amana-chan.
You know, I knew...

 I have no words to say in response to Miya, who quietly whispered words of encouragement in my ear so that Sakai wouldn't hear.
 Anyway, thanks to my good colleague, I was able to get three days of paid leave without a hitch...