Antique Shop?BEAR? - Chapter 35
Chapter 35 – Death Anniversary Candle
Friday, September 10th
Hayashi Nozomi, who was employed as a clerk at Kamata Estate Liquidation Company, threw on a cardigan in the chilly air-conditioned office.
“Seriously, my body responds to heat so well.”
The president of the company, who had a large figure, was still fanning himself, seemingly hot. Since most of the employees were out on the job, the president and Nozomi were the only two people in the sales office. The president’s desk was by the window, and Nozomi was seated at a desk near the entrance on the other side. However, the president’s desk was right under the air conditioner.
“The heat has been unbearable lately.”
“I guess so.”
Nozomi confirmed the request for the project with a gesture of affirmation, liaised with the client, and presented the meeting and a simple estimate. She had never been to a crime scene before. Although the photos were all checked thoroughly, she shuddered at the prospect of fainting on the spot if she were to visit a horrendous scene or a contaminated room. The president was scanning the handwritten data from the old job sites and reloading them into his computer. In the early days of the company, he used to write the data by hand, therefore he always grumbled how painstaking the process was.
“Hayashi, have you ever been to Kuma’s shop?”
Nozomi paused in her typing and regarded the president. “I haven’t been there yet, so I hope to visit soon.”
The president had told her before that he was there on the opening day.
“Go and see it. It’s quite a stylish place.”
“Huh. But it’s only open late at night, isn’t it?”
Kuma, who operated the antique shop, was younger than Nozomi but had been with the company for at least five years longer than Nozomi, who had joined mid-career. The previous year, he was appointed by the president as the sales manager, a post he had never held before. He worked fast and was polite to customers, which was probably why he was appointed, but Nozomi thought he was a strange one.
“Did you buy something, boss?”
“I bought a vase of forget-me-not.”
“Heh. A vase of forget-me-not…”
?????????
Those who had been out on the job site returned to work in the evening. Despite the fact that this company was a small one with only ten employees, sales were increasing every year, and the benefits and salary were generous for what was considered a demanding job. Needless to say, the salaries for the clerks were fairly average.
Kuma Kouki, the owner of the antique shop that was being mentioned earlier, showed up in a suit since he was only there for a meeting and site inspection. Tall and quite handsome, she nearly fell in love with him, but he was married. Next to him was Takashi Aiba, one of his colleagues. Aiba was single and occasionally hung out with Nozomi for drinks.
“Hayashi, please check the contracts for me.”
Aiba brought over the contracts they had discussed.
“Yes, there are three, right?”
While Nozomi waited for him to affix his seal, Aiba posed for a drink.
“I can’t do it today.”
“Why not?”
She whispered so that the others would not hear. “I’m going back to my parents’ house for the weekend, so I’m taking the bullet train home today.”
“Too bad… Another time, then.”
Is this a good feeling?
With no boyfriend, the 31-year-old Nozomi regarded the 29-year-old Aiba as her younger brother, but she didn’t feel bad about asking him out.
After finishing up the rest of her work, she was about to leave the office at 7 o’clock. At the same time, Aiba came out of the office.
“Good work.”
“Good work. Hayashi, if you don’t mind, here’s…”
“Eh?”
Aiba pulled out a box wrapped in light brown wrapping paper from the pocket of his bag.
“Tomorrow is the anniversary of your sister’s death, right?”
“Eh!… Is this alright?”
“I hope she will be pleased.”
“Thank you very much.” Nozomi accepted it nearly crying.
“I’ll walk you to the station.”
The two of them left the office together.
“I went to Kuma’s shop and he picked that up for me.”
“So you went to Kuma’s shop, too.”
“I’ve been there twice already. Let’s go together next time after a drink.”
“Mmm.”
Nozomi smiled, somewhat delighted.