I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!

Chapter 107: The Male High School Student Who Came for a Part-Time Job Interview Seems Rather Strange

My name is Yuko Mishima.

Im a rather plain office worker, with minimal makeup. Its a struggle being a 27-year-old who, every time I visit my parents, gets bombarded with questions like, Dont you have a nice person in your life?.

With my curly, slightly messy long hair, cheap glasses, and unremarkable plain suit, I recently ran into a high school friend from our manga club who said, Wow, your face still looks great, but you havent changed a bit! Youre a perfect match for someone whos into understated office lady types!

Despite my lack of sparkle, I do have one bragging right I managed to secure a job at a well-known corporation that everyone recognizes.

Although my university was quite average, I still gave job hunting a shot. I was moved to tears when my victorious journey into the world of employment began.

Or at least, thats how it was supposed to be

Aaaah! What am I going to do about this? Its impossible! Absolutely impossible! I cant handle this!

The clock hadnt even struck 6 AM, and I was already in my workplaces designated private room, holding my head in my hands.

I need to emphasize this: I am a humble 27-year-old office worker, by no means an elite.

However, my employee badge is engraved with a position thats way beyond my station.

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To be precise

Shijouin Groups Farewell Bookstore Caf Acting Manager Yuko Mishima.

Ugh Why am I the acting manager?

This Bookstore Caf is one of the experimental branches exploring the fusion of a bookstore and a caf. They brought in caf management experts to serve as managers.

The reason they didnt fully outsource the caf to an external company is apparently because the higher-ups want to create a caf division within Shijouin Bookstore, or even establish a semi-independent caf company.

Thats why I was originally stationed at the main Shijouin Bookstore branch, handling procurement and planning tasks for a few years. When I was reassigned here, I was genuinely surprised.

Admittedly, there were some complications during the cafs initial launch, but after six months, wed gathered a fair amount of know-how, and business was picking up. Apparently, the upper management was mostly satisfied with the results.

Thanks to this, I was just coasting along as one of the staff members

But then the manager suddenly gets hospitalized? And why in the world did they pick a young woman like me, whos got no experience, as the acting manager?

Im here so early because, as the acting manager, I have too many tasks and responsibilities to handle. Its not that Im brimming with work enthusiasm.

The cause of this whole mess was apparently the managers frequenting of hostess clubs, which was discovered by his wife. Trembling in fear at his wifes wrath, he attempted to escape through his second-floor window only to fall to the ground, suffering a neck sprain and fracturing his right leg in the process.

The were looking for a replacement manager, but since we cant find someone whos immediately available, just keep things running as they are for now whats up with that? Our main pillar, the manager, is gone, and youre telling me to just maintain the status quo?

Moreover, right after summer break ended, we had a mass exodus of college student part-timers Why didnt they let us know earlier that they were all planning to quit? Now, were struggling with understaffing all around, and its affecting our sales And you expect me to fix this with just my supposed talent?

I continued to vent my frustrations and complaints in the empty store, my lamentations and resentments filling the managers office. My gripes about the current situation seemed endless, and I couldnt help but let my stress out by shouting.

However, I couldnt keep whining forever.

Crying or throwing tantrums might grant me relief, but I knew those were only viable options until the end of compulsory education. I was already an adult.

Sigh The biggest concern is still the number of part-timers.

I took a sip of lightly sweetened canned coffee and voiced my current predicament.

Many high school students apply, but why does everyone quit so quickly? Is our environment bad or something? Ive wracked my brain over it, but honestly, these kids are just taking the job too lightly!

Due to a mass exodus at the end of summer, we urgently needed to hire new part-timers, but objectively speaking, none of the applicants and pardon my bluntness were any good.

Attracted by the stylish concept of a Bookstore Caf, theyd apply, only to quit after three days, complaining about heavier workload than they expected. Others would come in and chat endlessly with their friends, and when I gave them a warning, theyd stop showing up without a word. Some would smile and confidently declare during the interview, I can start tomorrow! only to go MIA afterward Ive completely lost trust in high school students at this point.

Having been on the hiring side myself, I realized that the combination of Finally, new recruits have arrived! Lets teach and nurture them with care! followed by I quit immediately creates a sense of futility thats hard to describe.

Another batch of part-time job interviews from 8 AM today. Now, whos the candidate this time?

Switching my mindset from venting mode to work mode, I opened the resume that had been sent to me. While another staff member had handled the interview scheduling over the phone, I hadnt yet examined the detailed information as the interviewer.

The name is Niihama Shinichirou-kun, huh? Well, his face looks kinda cute.

As expected, the resume was pretty standard, but the photo showed a boy in a school uniform who seemed quite earnest.

Maybe this time, he could turn out to be a dependable force

(No, no, I mustnt be deceived! Boys who look this serious are often underestimating the job! Ive been betrayed so many times before Wait, hold on?)

Looking out of the window from this store managers room on the second floor of the shop, I thought I saw a figure outside the entrance.

Thinking it might be a staff member coming in early, I stood up and peered out into the dim morning light.

And then

Huh?

What I saw wasnt one of the staff members but a boy in summer clothes, wearing a school uniform. Oddly, he was standing completely still near the entrance, as if he had been ordered to stand guard like a motionless police dog.

(W-What is that? I cant understand his intentions, and its really creepy Wait, wait, that face)

I was momentarily startled by the boy standing there so early in the morning, but I quickly realized that it was the same face I had just seen on the resume in my hand Niihama Shinichirou-kun.

(Huh? Wait, isnt the interview scheduled for 8 AM? Why is he here two hours early, standing around? Even if he mistook the time, anyone could see that the entrance is closed, right?)

Completely clueless about the mindset of todays teenagers, I held my head in confusion.

Even though the summer had ended and the early morning heat still lingered, why was that boy sweating profusely, standing there like a faithful Hachiko?

Ugh, I cant make sense of this! B-But, I have to do something!

Feeling thoroughly perplexed, I couldnt just leave him there like that, so I hurriedly made my way to the entrance.

Little did I know that this boy would soon become a presence in my life, both a source of salvation and stomachaches, entirely beyond my imagination at that moment.