Chapter 03: Monou-san's Weaknesses (Part 2)
In the blink of an eye, it was already afternoon.
"Alright, Sanezawa-kun, get ready to go."
"Yes, I understand."
According to the plan, Monou-san and I were going on a business trip.
Observing the marketing situation of the stores in the real world was also an important business task.
"Do you have the extra items?"
"Yes, I do."
I raised my hands and carried a paper bag.
This is called "supplementary items," not a "hexagonal wooden block" (these two phrases are homophones in Japanese).
It's an industry term that simply refers to promotional items or advertising materials designed to increase sales.
Some related items are decorated POPs in front of bookstores, posters, foldable leaflets for sample reading, or souvenir items received when purchasing special editions.
*Note:
- POP = Point Of Purchase
- Foldable leaflet (a thin promotional item designed to look like a booklet)
Typically, these items are brought into stores with the books. Of course, the sales department would bring these items to the bookstores when they were conducting surveys in nearby areas.
"Let's go to 'Tatsuya' in Shibuya first. The person in charge there always finds ways to buy books, so..."
As Monou-san had just left the shop, she muttered softly,
"I'm really sorry! I'll take care of it right away!"
We heard someone's excited voice.
My colleague Kanomata was standing in the hallway talking to someone on the phone.
She looked very worried. Even though there was no one around, she kept bowing and apologizing.
"Yes, sir... I've caused you more trouble... Sigh."
She hung up and let out a soft sigh, then finally noticed us.
"Eh... Chief Monou... and Sanezawa-kun too."
"Are you in trouble?"
"Yes... Actually, it's a small mistake in our work."
Kanomata and I are both in the sales department, but we work in different rooms.
She is in Sales Room 1, while I and Chief Monou are in Sales Room 3.
Room 1 is responsible for areas related to comics and novels. It is also the most efficient sales department in the company.
Everyone in the company and the employees still see Maruyama as a company that thrives thanks to comics and novels.
"This book with the signature was supposed to be used in the introduction of works adapted into anime, and I forgot to send it to them... It should have been taken to the bookstore today..."
"We shouldn't shirk responsibility in our work. In the final steps, always check with colleagues carefully."
"You're absolutely right. At first I wanted to have someone else do it, but there are really too many bookstores this time..."
"Show it to me."
She took the paper Kanomata handed her.
On it was the list of bookstores responsible for introducing the works.
Monou-san took a pen and drew circles on the paper,
Then she gave the paper back to Kanomata.
"Sanezawa-kun and I will go to the bookstores circled on the paper."
"Eh! Really... really?!! But for Chief Monou-san to do it herself..."
"I only chose the bookstores that I can go to, since we are going on a business trip to those places today anyway. So you don't have to worry."
"You have helped me so much! Thank you so much!"
Kanomata bowed deeply.
It's true, Monou-san. She always seems cold on the outside, but inside, she's someone who thinks about her subordinates and friends.
"Okay then, I'll give this to you."
Kanomata replied happily and handed something to Monou-san.
It was... a car key.
"Huh? What's this?"
"Huh? What is this?"
"This is the key to the utility vehicle. Anyway, this time the book launch requires a lot of signed books... Fortunately, there's a newly delivered vehicle... Chief Monou, please use this car! It's utility vehicle number four! I'll find someone to help you."
"Thank you very much!" After saying that, Kanomata quickly left.
The number of autographed books is even more than I imagined. When they are packed in those paper boxes, a vehicle is needed to transport them.
Normally, we use the train for business trips, but today, unexpectedly, we have to use a commercial vehicle.
While I was thinking about these things, I suddenly realized.
"Huh? Chief Monou?"
Her face turned pale as she stood next to me, stunned.
We temporarily left the high-rise and headed for the parking lot.
After checking the carefully packed boxes of autographed books in the trunk, we got into car number four.
Monou-san would be the driver.
Being the boss, she didn't say anything and immediately took the driver's seat, so I sat quietly next to her.
But a second later... I regretted my decision.
As soon as we set off, we ran into a problem.
"Uh... Chief Monou."
"..."
"Chief Monou."
"..."
"Don't you feel... the car is moving very slowly?"
In fact, it was very slow.
In any case, the speed was too slow.
At this speed, it's understandable that the cars behind us are honking at us.
"I think we should drive a little faster..."
"Don't... don't talk to me!"
She suddenly shouted.
Monou-san's face turned pale as she... sat in the driver's seat.
Her whole body was leaning forward, her hands gripping the steering wheel tightly. She seemed very nervous, looking straight ahead with an uncertain gaze, lacking any confidence.
...Eh, wait a minute.
Seriously, wait... just wait!
"Chief... Chief Monou."
"I told you not to talk to me...! I'm not talking... not talking at all! Safety is the most important thing... As long as there's no accident... Yes, as long as there's no accident."
"...You don't have a driver's license, do you?"
"How can you be so sure? Besides, mine is... a yellow license! I... I have a yellow license."
"Eh... And when was the last time you drove?"
"Probably ten years ago."
After hearing her mumble like that, my face turned pale.
Ten years ago.
In that case, it's as good as not having a license at all!
And to have a yellow license on top of it... It's not like you're actively driving, so you haven't had any accidents or broken any traffic laws!
"No, it's okay! Don't worry about it! I often take taxis, so I still remember the routes very well."
"Even if you say that... Huh?"
"Huh?!!! What's going on? Why didn't you say so before?"
"You have to turn right at the previous intersection."
"That can't be... How could you not mention such an important thing?"
"I'm really... really sorry. In short, change lanes first, then turn right."
"Change... change lanes?!!??! How do I do that...?! Is it like this?"
"No, this is the windshield wiper control!"
"I was just kidding... kidding with you! Uh, I guess I have to pull this lever, right?"
"That's the convertible top control!"
With my life in serious danger, I had to be honest with her:
"Find a place to stop the car! I'll take over driving!"
After telling her to stop at a nearby convenience store, we switched positions. Her ability to park so close to the convenience store is impressive. We had to skip three bookstores that we could have entered to reach the fourth, and finally managed to pull into the parking lot.
After that, I drove safely to the bookstore we were going to. Monou-san, who was sitting next to me, immediately seemed exhausted, and her voice became subdued.
"...I had no choice, did I?"
She started to defend herself before I even said anything.
"I've never had the chance to drive before."
"Eh, you don't really need to drive in Tokyo. You can take the train or a taxi. Besides, not everyone has a driver's license."
After looking at the back of the car and seeing no obstacles, I turned on the signal light and changed lanes.
Monou-san, who was sitting next to me, let out a soft sigh.
"Sanezawa-kun... you're quite familiar with driving, aren't you?"
"It's just a trivial thing for me."
"Do you drive a lot?"
"No, not really. I haven't driven at all since I got my license in college."
"I see. Then you're like me. I got my driver's license in college too, but I never drove."
"Anyway," Monou-san continued.
Her voice sounded rather depressed.
"...Sanezawa-kun, maybe for you, college is still 'not too long ago', but for me, it's 'ten years ago'... We are completely different. One remembers, but the other can't remember clearly..."
"Please... don't get discouraged like that, Monou-san."
Since this topic seems to be quite sensitive, I didn't know what else to say.
I just kept silent,
"Cough cough. Whatever."
Monou-san cleared her throat and sat up straight.
"You should drive faster. It's getting late."
"Yes, I understand."
I nodded gently.
It was also because of Monou-san's driving skills that we arrived later than planned... But since she had finally regained her composure, I thought it would be better not to say anything.
"After we finish our tasks..."
Pausing for a few seconds, Monou-san said,
"We'll discuss the contents of the memo."
"Yes, I understand."
I nodded softly, hearing the tension in her voice.
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