A Book Can't Be Judged By The Cover

Chapter 141: Work

Three months later.

The cold morning air greeted Hajime as soon as his eyes flashed open, marking the first light of that very day. In the past, he would feel the urge to sigh first thing in the morning, but right now, it was an entirely different case. Instead of feeling crestfallen, he felt encouraged, and he immediately started preparing for the day.

Compared to the past, there was no need for Hajime to tiptoe all over the house. There were shards of glass and accumulated dirt on the floor way back then, but now it was as clean as a baby’s rear end. With a yawn, he staggered to the restroom, washing his face and changing his clothes for the day. There was water coming out of the faucet, and it had been that way for the past three months now, thanks to Hajime’s life turning around. Hajime couldn’t help but smile as he went about with his preparation.

Adding to that, there was light on the ceiling, and the steady whirring of the fan could be heard coming from the living room. The house also had electricity for the past three months, and Hajime was slightly getting used to it.

It was supposed to be the winter break for school, two weeks of no classes so they could relish the end of the year with their relatives and friends. Since Hajime was lacking in those two departments, however, he decided to work instead. There was nothing wrong with his priorities. Besides, it greatly helped him pay the bill for her sister’s medical needs. Spending precious days with friends seemed like a waste of time for Hajime, but that didn’t stop him from accepting invitations from his friends.

"I wonder if I’ll be running errands for him again. Hopefully, he gives me better tasks, not just taking notes from everyone in his workforce." Hajime muttered to himself, adjusting the tie that he deftly wrapped around his neck.

No matter how many times he wore such an outfit, he would never get used to it. He just couldn’t picture himself wearing long sleeves, a tie, and a suit. But that was the norm, and it was the company’s dress code, so there was nothing he could do about it. It’s not like he looked bad in the outfit; it’s just that he couldn’t see himself as a businessman of sorts.

After readjusting his tie and making sure that the suit hugged his body in a proper way, he walked towards the door. At the last step, he turned around and smiled as a relaxed expression rested on his face. "I’m heading out." He greeted even though there was no one in the room.

As he got out, he gently pushed the door behind him. From a distance, he saw a familiar limousine parked a couple of meters from his place. His shoulders eased as he approached it.

"Good morning, Hajime." Franz greeted, tipping an imaginary hat at Hajime before getting out of the car and opening the car door for him.

Embarrassed, Hajime slightly bowed towards Franz and greeted him as well. "Good morning; you don’t have to come every single day, Franz. I can commute all the way to the building."

"It’s not because of me, Hajime," Franz responded, one side of his lips curving upward.

Once Hajime got in, he realized that he wasn’t the only person in the car. Megumi was there, fidgeting on the other side of the limousine. "G-good morning!" She greeted.

"Keh~" Hajime went on a defensive stance upon seeing Megumi. He was just teasing her, though. "Good morning, Megumi."

"What was the ’keh’ for?!" Megumi asked, shaking her fist at Hajime. "I didn’t wake up early for this..." She muttered to herself.

"I missed you too, Megumi." Hajime teased. "What brings you all the way here, though? Did you need me for anything? Do you want me to reapply as your bodyguard or something? Ah! Is this because I haven’t invited you home for a few weeks now?"

"No, it’s not that!" Megumi desperately rejected the insight. Hajime was right on target, but she didn’t want Franz to know. That’s why she just had to deny it.

"Then what is it?"

"What? You didn’t want to see me first thing in the morning?" She defensively asked. "In any case... how’s work? If you’re having a hard time, you can tell me. I’ll give my dad a word or two or something."

"You don’t have to. Work’s all right." Hajime responded. "I’m learning a lot, and your dad’s been especially patient." ƒreewebɳovel.com

"I heard what happened. You accidentally printed a thousand copies of the pamphlet, right? I can’t believe someone can fail like that." This time, it was Megumi who did the teasing.

"So you came all the way over here to tease me? How thoughtful of you." Hajime forced a smile.

From the driver’s seat, Franz would look at the rearview mirror from time to time, smiling at himself. This was a normal interaction for the two, and he couldn’t help but think that they should just go out already. ’They’re going at it again as usual. Hajime, I think it’s about time you ask the young miss out. She’s dropping too many hints for you already; the least you could do is pick them up.’ Franz said to himself.

It didn’t take long before they arrived at the office building. Once again, Franz got out of the limousine and opened the doors for Hajime and Megumi even though he was told not to.

"Thanks for the ride, Franz-san," Hajime said. Just when he was about to walk into the entrance, Megumi called out to him.

"Hajime, wait!" ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

When Hajime turned around, Megumi handed her a bento. She couldn’t believe that it took her the entire trip to muster the courage just so she could hand it to him. "Well... have fun!" Megumi wished. She didn’t have to tell Hajime that she woke up especially early for the bento.

"Sure!" Hajime’s face reddened, but Megumi didn’t notice it since she was already running back to the limousine.

As for Franz, he couldn’t help but chuckle under his breath after he saw their sweet interaction.