After planting the apple saplings, I returned to the living room to read Grandpa's books and do some research on apple cultivation. As evening approached, I took Miriam with me and headed back to the headquarters of the Timer Association. We had a meeting scheduled with that high school student. It was a bit of a hassle, but it was a weekday and they were students, so it was unavoidable. We rode the train to the Timer Association, and upon arrival, we spotted Kirigaya-san on the entrance sofa where we had our morning chat, so we approached him. "Hi, Yamada-san. I appreciate you making the effort to come. Kirigaya-san noticed me and called out. "No trouble at all, I have plenty of time now. "Is that so... The others should be arriving shortly, so please wait a bit... Oh? When Kirigaya-san looked towards the main entrance, my attention was drawn there too, and I saw the high school girl we had encountered previously in the restroom, looking around anxiously. "She's wearing her school uniform, I see." "Well, I gave up on that... Kichi-kun!" Kirigaya-san called out to Kichi-san. With that Kichi-san noticed us and came over. "Sorry for the delay. Kichi-san approached and bowed. "You're not late. Go ahead. Following Kirigaya-san's prompt, Kichi-san glanced between Kirigaya-san and me and, for some reason, chose to sit beside me. It doesn't look like it, but could it be that they really don't get along? "Kichi-kun, as I explained before, this is Yamada-san, who has now joined our company. Yamada-san, this is Kichi-kun. Kirigaya-san introduced us succinctly. "Ah, I'm Kyoka Kichi. I apologize for what happened before. And thank you for your help. Kichi-san introduced herself, offering a bow as she apologized and expressed her thanks. No doubt, the apology was for drawing her sword, and the thanks were for the water I had treated her to. "No problem at all. It couldn't be helped. Oh, and I'm Tatsuya Yamada. It's a pleasure to meet you." "Yes, thank you. I'm looking forward to working with you." She's turning out to be a much more proper person than she first appeared. And she doesn't come across as someone with a high sense of pride. "Yamada-san, you should know that the incident the other day was Kichi-san's first assignment. She was probably nervous, so I hope you can be forgiving. Kirigaya-san added this explanation. "Of course. I wasn't bothered by it at all. Kichi-san, you shouldn't worry about it either. One shouldn't impose stress or pressure on someone younger. In these times, you never know what might be said, and if she were so inclined, it would be easy for her to socially 'eliminate' an older man like me. That's why I've been keeping my distance, but... "Ah, thank you very much." She doesn't seem like the type, though. She appears to be free of malice. "What became of the woman from before? She seemed unconscious."

"Oh, yes. I took her to the hospital afterward, but fortunately, there were no serious issues, and she has since been discharged." "That's good." I was a bit worried. I've also heard about the man being arrested for assault. "We are just waiting on Ichinose-kun now ..."" Kirigaya, Kichi, and now Ichinose... They all have such cool surnames... Me? I'm Yamada. A kanji you learn in first grade. "I thought he had left earlier..." Huh? "Could it be, you go to the same school?" "Yes, we're in the same class." That's pretty amazing... But to be teamed up with those two... It would be so alienating to listen to them talk about class stuff. "Oh, there he is, Ichinose-kun!" Kirigaya-san again called out towards the main entrance, and I instinctively looked over. There was a young man with black hair looking our way. Additionally, he was also wearing a high school uniform. "I apologize for being late." Ichinose-kun apologizes with an air of indifference. "If it's for school, it can't be helped. Go on and sit down." When Kirigaya-san says that, Ichinose-kun glances between me and Kirigaya-san. After a brief moment, he finally takes a seat beside Kirigaya-san. "Yamada-san, this is Ichinose-kun. Ichinose-kun, this is Yamada-san." Kirigaya-san introduces us more succinctly than before. "I'm Yuusei Ichinose. Pleased to meet you." His first name is also cool. "I'm Tatsuya Yamada. Pleased to meet you." We introduce ourselves briefly as well. "Now that the introductions are done, I'll leave you young people to it." Saying this, Kirigaya-san stands up, and all three of us look up at him with a perplexed expression. "Kirigaya-san, I'm not that young. I'm not much younger than you." "Yamada, you're missing the point." Miriam murmurs into my ear. "Oh, that is not the case at all. Well, I have another job to attend to, so I'll take my leave now." Kirigaya-san says this briskly and quickly makes his way to the elevator.

"Puhh..." "There he goes ..." As we watch Kirigaya-san leave, Tachibana-san lets out a sigh, and Ichinose-kun murmurs. "Is something wrong?" "It's just, that person... they're rather scary..." "He has a mysterious feeling aura." Huh... He does seem a bit shady, that's true. "It's like a 'business smile,' isn't it? His eyes aren't laughing." "Exactly. It's like they lack a human touch." I wouldn't go that far. "Yusei-kun, we should be using polite language, shouldn't we?" Kichi-san warned him. "It doesn't really matter, does it? Besides, Yamada-san, why are you being so formal with me?" "I'm a working adult, that's why." Normally, you use polite language. Though, I do have my doubts about using honorifics with high school students, but since we're colleagues and he's apparently from a notable family, I'll let it slide. "Is that typical for working adults?" "I think so. Even Kirigaya-san speaks politely, right?" The two of them chat away. Feels like youth. "Don't worry about it, just talk however you're comfortable. I'm going to have some tea; would either of you like something to drink?" "Eh? But..." Kichi-san is hesitant. "Don't worry about it." I wasn't so underpaid that I'd begrudge spending a little over 200 yen on high schoolers. "Yamada-san, I want a cola." "Um, then I'll take water, please." "Got it." I stood up and made my way to the vending machine. "Buying water, huh? Wouldn't kids usually go for juice?" Back when I was a student, I never bought water. Just like Ichinose-kun, it was always something like cola, though girls might be worried about their calorie intake. "Yeah, I thought the same, but it's not good to criticize a girl's choice. Even Ruri goes for the low-calorie stuff." "That's for your sake, meow." Ah... Have I put on weight recently? Maybe I can't indulge like I used to. Maybe it's time to research some sort of magic for that?