"Yes, just click here to start logging your work hours. If you need to clock out, press the button next to it."
Togawa Sakiko wasn't particularly fond of chatting while working—especially not with a girl who, at first glance, seemed to be around her own age.
She had chosen this job precisely because she didn't want anyone to find out that the once well-off Miss Togawa was now working part-time. That's why she felt a certain resistance toward Tsuzuki Chihiro, who was most likely a student.
But then again… the pay was double.
"Got it. So, what exactly does our job entail?"
"Oda-san didn't tell you? Well, if I'm the one explaining, then I'd guess your role is the same as mine—we handle pre-sales services."
"You mean like answering calls for furniture delivery reservations?"
"Exactly." Sakiko nodded. To her surprise, talking to this rather good-looking girl felt unexpectedly easy. "When we pick up a call, the system automatically notifies the customer that the conversation is being recorded. So, if you forget to jot down an address, you can always replay the recording later.
"Oh, right—we're only responsible for pre-sales matters, which include answering questions about pricing and delivery areas, scheduling home visits, and checking order statuses.
"If a customer calls in with a complaint, that falls under post-sales support, which isn't our department's responsibility."
"But we can't just hang up, right? We have to transfer the call to the post-sales team?"
"…" Sakiko glanced at Chihiro in mild surprise. This girl was quicker on the uptake than she had expected. "Yeah, that's exactly what you should do. Otherwise, the complaints will come back to us."
At that moment, Sakiko suddenly recalled the many mistakes she had made when she first started this job. That had been the hardest period for her—she had almost quit.
But her supervisor, Oda-san, was a kind person. At least, she had been very patient with part-time students like Sakiko. Not only had she refrained from docking her pay, but she had also carefully taught her how to handle things properly.
Now, seeing Tsuzuki Chihiro avoid all the pitfalls she had stumbled into on her first day, Sakiko felt a little uneasy.
Of course, even if Chihiro hadn't brought it up, Sakiko would have made sure to explain how to avoid potential mistakes on the job.
"Well, that's everything you need to know. Do you have any other questions, Tsuzuki?"
"No, that's all."
"In that case, I'm heading off now."
After saying that, Sakiko started gathering her things to leave. However, to her surprise, as soon as she stood up, Chihiro followed suit.
"If that's the case, I'll call it a day too. I'm only working at half pay today anyway."
Chihiro was well aware that leaving now meant missing a chance to make a good impression on their supervisor. But that didn't matter much to her—she never intended to stay at this company for long.
What actually piqued her curiosity was the girl standing in front of her. Cute, with light blue twin tails…
And, more importantly, her last name.
Chihiro had already recalled something—their homeroom teacher had mentioned that Soyo had been in a band back in middle school. Besides Wakaba Mutsumi, who was now in Class 1-A, one of the band members had been a Togawa, someone who no longer attended Tsukinomori.
The surname Togawa wasn't exactly common in Japan—it wasn't like Suzuki or Sato, those ridiculously widespread names.
So, Chihiro found it hard not to suspect that this girl had some connection to Soyo and Anon.
Since there was no real benefit to sticking around the office alone, she figured she might as well follow her curiosity. Maybe chatting with this girl would help her get closer.
"…Alright. If you have any questions on the way, feel free to ask me."
Sakiko hesitated but couldn't find a good reason to refuse.
By the time she thought of some excuse—like having something else to do—it was too late. She had already agreed to walk with Chihiro.
Though… she did notice one thing.
Chihiro, like her, wasn't wearing a school uniform.
That detail lingered in Sakiko's mind.
After explaining their early leave to Oda-san, the two strikingly beautiful girls—one tall, one short—took the elevator down from the office building together.
"Where do you live?"
Sakiko was the first to ask, but she had already made up her mind. No matter what answer Chihiro gave, she would name a location on the complete opposite side of the city.
That way, they wouldn't have to take the same train or subway home.
"Togawa, do you want to come over to my place?"
"My place is probably in a different— Wait, what?"
No way.
Who just casually invites someone they met for the first time over to their home?
And to a hotel, no less?!
Sakiko was baffled. But compared to the bizarre customers she had encountered while working in customer service, Chihiro's overly forward nature wasn't that alarming. It was just… a little much.
"…No, I was just asking out of curiosity. Besides, wouldn't your family have a problem with you bringing a stranger home?"
Just as Sakiko was about to leave it at that and plan her escape at the next intersection, Chihiro suddenly stopped walking.
"What's wrong?"
Sakiko turned to look at her, confused.
She saw hesitation flicker across Chihiro's face.
A bad feeling crept over her.
"…My parents died in a car accident two years ago."
"..."
Sakiko froze.
Her gaze turned complicated as she stared at the girl before her. Suddenly, she regretted asking that question.
But hearing that sentence made her reassess Chihiro entirely.
Her outfit was rather plain—though, to be fair, she had likely chosen it deliberately for this job interview. It wouldn't have been appropriate to show up in luxury brands.
Still, to Sakiko, it seemed like Chihiro's clothes were rather modest.
Maybe her relatives took her inheritance… or maybe she's already spent most of it. Otherwise, why would she be working part-time now?
Thinking about it this way, Chihiro's circumstances seemed eerily similar to her own.
No—if anything, Chihiro's situation was much worse.
"…What about school?"
"I dropped out a long time ago."
Seeing that her little sob story was working, Chihiro decided to push further.
"You dropped out?"
"Yeah. I haven't attended school since graduating middle school. I took this job because… well, working in customer service means no one will see me."
"…I'm sorry, I might have said too much. I probably shouldn't be telling you all this."
Tears slipped down her cheeks.
Though she was putting on an act, there was some truth in what she had said.
And in a way, it felt cathartic—like she had finally found someone to unload all this onto.
"…Because you don't want your old classmates to see you?"
Sakiko lowered her head, muttering those words under her breath.
She realized that she had been suppressing something inside her for a long time.
And today, just because of this stranger—someone who seemed so eerily similar to her—
That bottled-up feeling was finally spilling out.