Chapter 1: 1

As a side note, I will keep certain terms in the original Japanese because I think it sounds better. I assume many people already know the meanings of these words, but I will still give the English definition for those that don’t.

さん san – Mister/Miss
君 kun – somewhat less polite than san and used to address someone younger or same age as speaker
先輩 senpai & 後輩 kouhai – senior and junior (either at school/work/etc) depending on the context, I’ll either use the Japanese term or the English

I will also keep the order of their names Last Name First Name as in the original Japanese. It just sounds and flows better to me. Chihiro’s inner monologue/inner thoughts will be italicized.

The novel also focuses on Mukai being referred to as キャリア採用. Directly translated it means “mid-career hire” but the deeper meaning is that he’s not a new university graduate hire (like Chihiro was when he joined the company). So therefore, he has more experience and was scouted.

Without any further ado, here’s Chapter 1 of Kiraina Otoko by Anzai Rika.

Chapter 1

Ah, I give up. 

“I look forward to working with you all.” Being faced with a refreshing smile, Chihiro was quick to judge the newcomer. 

On an early morning at the end of May, the two standing in the office facing Chihiro were his senior in the Product Development Department and the newly hired recruit. The man that was to be Chihiro’s new coworker. 

“I’m Mukai Shinya.”

Standing right in front of him, Mukai was just a little bit taller than Chihiro. Chihiro was also reasonably tall, however, Mukai had a high stature and was the type that looked even taller due to his larger build. He gave off the impression that he played rugby or something of the sort. 

While observing Mukai’s sturdy figure, Chihiro felt slightly hostile. 

Of course, he wouldn’t say such things out loud. So with a radiant smile, he responded, “Looking forward to working with you. I’m Minami Chihiro in charge of Sales Promotions. I’ll give you this for now.” 

Mukai accepted his business card gracefully. Although he was not the flashy type, there was a masculine charm in his hidden double eyelid. The suit he was wearing looked like an off the shelf Japan-made suit, but it was altered to fit him precisely. His short hair was also styled in a casual manner. He was quite a fashionable person. Chihiro was also someone who paid attention to his outward appearance. So, that much he understood. 

And as for his talents, well, he was HR-certified. 

Last month, Chihiro had happened to hear that a mid-career hire was supposedly coming. 

“You do a great job working on your own, but you’ll reach your limit eventually. I’ve been continuously talking with HR to find a mid-career recruit, and I finally got contacted by the agent telling me that they were introduced to an S rank candidate.” The director of the Development Department cheerfully patted Chihiro on the back and said, “Good for you!” 

Chihiro was not very happy. 

He had heard from some of his fellow female HR employees that the newcomer was a same year graduate as them. Naturally his work history hadn’t leaked, but it sounded like his academic background was on a similar level to Chihiro’s. Chihiro, who hated to lose to others, suddenly felt his competitiveness surge. 

“Mukai-kun, your business cards are ready, so later on can you come to the General Affairs Office to pick them up? There are also various papers you have to sign. Anything else, you can ask Minami.” 

“Understood. Thank you very much.”  

His senior left and Mukai once more turned to Chihiro. “Minami-san, which desk is mine?” 

Hesitating for a second, Chihiro finally answered him frankly. 

Doesn’t matter what your work experience is, I’m the senpai in this company. 

Be that as it may, Mukai was a mid-career hire with outstanding talents. Acting condescending on the other hand was uncool. 

“I think you already heard but Mukai-kun and I are essentially the only two working in the Sales Promotion Department. I made an island out of the four unused desks, but if it bothers your work, please tell me. We can change the layout.” 　

One corner of the Product Development Department was divided by a simple partition and a tall houseplant. Up until now, Chihiro was using the four empty desks. He cleared up one desk for Mukai’s arrival, but he left the layout the same way. 

“No, it’s fine here.” 

Despite his aggressive appearance, Mukai had a soft demeanor. Sitting at his desk, he curiously looked around the office with keen interest. He didn’t seem like an obstinate person. 

“It seems that until now, Minami-san alone has been in charge of all things related to Sales Promotion.” 

Chihiro had unconsciously developed a sense of rivalry, but it seemed that Mukai had no intention of competing. Or, what if from the start he didn’t even think of me as a worthy rival, Chihiro thought to himself suspiciously. Chihiro’s personality was really terrible.  

“I’m impressed. It’s challenging even for teams working together for things such as new sales promotion projects.” 

Being flattered so suddenly, Chihiro felt a bit taken aback.  Moreover, it seemed like Mukai hadn’t even done it on purpose. 

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“Not at all, after suddenly being told that I would be selling our company’s products directly, not knowing what’s what, I somehow made it this far.” In order to not let his hateful nature leak out, Chihiro replied modestly with a pleasant smile. 

NITTA, the present company Chihiro joined right after graduating, is the top manufacturer for control related equipment. They manufacture all sorts of sensors and safety devices for factories, and their main output is security-related products intended for general consumers. 

For better or worse, it’s a reliable top-ranking company that’s popular for students. However, the culture is outdated. Management hates taking risks, and the products made for general consumers are through a third-party manufacturer. But, since Chihiro joined the company, things are changing little by little. 

“The security products other companies have supplied us have been a hit across the board. From now on, it’s likely that general interest in security products will also continue to increase. We tested some in-house goods and the response was fairly good.” 

Not surprisingly, the in-house manufactured goods’ profit ratio was high. 

Taking this as an opportunity, the company created their own brand and became a new business. 

“As the underling in Development, my job was communicating with Promotion Companies. I was then told that this was just right for me, and I became the manager of Sales Promotions. By the time I noticed, it was like being exiled to an island alone.” 

Be that as it may, he was content with this position. At any rate, as it was his first office job, and he was just fumbling around. As long as you do your work adequately, no one says anything. Approaching five years since he joined the company, while his colleagues went through various difficulties, Chihiro had been passing his time carefree with no one above to press down on him and no one below him to guide. 

The quality of comfort in a workplace greatly impacts human relations. 

If possible, he wanted to get along well with the mid-career-hire that suddenly appeared. 

“I’ll introduce Hata-san at the meeting in the afternoon, but he’s someone from the Promotional Company who’s taught me a lot. Since Mukai-kun is also here now, it’s very reassuring.”

While listening to Chihiro explain things, Mukai also chimed in with a remark here and there. 

“This is our company’s organization chart, but am I understanding correctly that the one  responsible for approving all things related to sales promotions is the Chief Marketing Executive?” Mukai pointed the tablet at Chihiro. It was an organization with a hierarchy that put the Executive Officer as the head, but the name was displayed as the manager. 

“Our direct supervisor is the Product Development Manager.” 

“Who is in charge of the promotional budget then?”

“That would be the Product Development Manager I think. It depends on the scale, but if you don’t discuss it at the regular meeting, it’s likely a large budget won’t be granted.”

“I see.” 

Taking the tablet back, Mukai continued to stare at the organizational chart in deep thought. 

It seems like this carefree job is going to become more strict from now on, Chihiro thought to himself while feeling dejected. He wanted to get along with Mukai, but a man that’s excessively capable was a nuisance. 

“I’m being summoned to General Affairs, so I will leave momentarily.” Mukai stood up after checking the time on his smartwatch.

“Ah, okay. See you.” 

“Minami-san,” While fixing the knot on his tie, Mukai turned to face Chihiro again. 

“When I heard that I would be forming a two-person team with someone of the same age, I was honestly a bit on guard. But I’m glad that Minami-san seems like someone easy to work with. I still lack a lot of experience, so I don’t know how much help I’ll be, but I will do my best to support you. I look forward to working with you.” 

Chihiro, who was listening absentmindedly, became flustered when Mukai bowed his head courteously. 

“Same here, great to be working with you.” 

Responding all flustered, Mukai laughed. He looked friendlier with the corner of his eyes scrunching down. 

“Well then, I’m off.” Unintentionally leaving a favorable impression, Mukai once more bowed lightly and left through the partition. 

Watching his retreating figure, Chihiro let out a sigh of relief. 

Sure enough, he’s really good.

Notes

Any mistakes are all mine. I’ll be posting twice a week on Mondays & Fridays. So look forward to it.

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