I was staring at Yamazaki's eyes for quite a long time, as if I were asking him "what the hell is going on?", but he only shrugged once and blinked, wearing a smirk on his face. He seemed to be satisfied by my reaction, everything probably went as he expected. Just like before, he finds joy in teasing me and watching me suffering. It was my mistake to think of him as a better person, Yamazaki remains the same old perverted sadist, damned be my fate.
Without exchanging many words, we just hit the road to the restaurant Yamazaki mentioned. The girls walked forward, it seemed Fujiwara knew the way as well.
At some point, Yamazaki dragged Ogawa to the side and spoke with him. They caught up with us after a couple of minutes. Whatever their talk was about, I have zero clues. Ogawa made sure to dodge every question, saying it was something personal between him and Yamazaki and nothing in particular.
Speaking of which, I heard once in the cafeteria how our coworkers talked about them both. It's difficult to believe, but apparently they don't quite like each other, whatever the reason might be. I say difficult because personally, I haven't seen anything that could justify those rumors. Every time I tried to find out the truth, Ogawa either tried to change the topic or answered something like 'Yamazaki is a good manager' and that he doesn't hate him. He either knows how to keep his feelings under control, or genuinely says the truth. Probably the second case. Recalling all those times when he loses his self-control over topics he is interested in, I doubt he would hide his disgust of a certain person. So, the rumors are straight bullshit…or are they? It's quite possible that they were talking about their conflict right now.
Well, even if that's the case, I can't blame someone for not liking that old pervert.
"Is your work harder now, Tamayo-chan?"
"Nah, working with the equipment is a pleasure for me anyway!"
"He~, you are incredible."
Apparently, I am not the only one that celebrates his promotion today. As far as I could tell from the girl's talk ahead of us, Ishida was promoted to senior technician yesterday as well. I guess that's why Tachibana joined us, because of the red haired punk, not me.
After a 20-minute walk, we finally arrived at our destination. It's a small, local Italian restaurant that I haven't heard of. Not like I am a big fan of Italian cuisine… Nevertheless, the reviews on the internet tell me that it's a great location.
We were greeted by a friendly waiter and sent to sit at a big round table.
The restaurant also has a small buffet-like island with desserts, as far I could tell from sitting here.
Everyone got their menu card and started choosing a dish. I struggled a bit since I haven't eaten many Italian dishes and have actually zero clue what the hell is a frutti di mare, prosciutto or aglio e olio. Some names sound rather funny… zuppa… Well, I guess zuppa means soup…everything that has zuppa in its name is in the "soup" category, so I must be right with my conclusion. I hope I am.
It would be actually helpful if they described each single dish and didn't expect their customers to be fluent in Italian. The staff appears to be nice and friendly, but the menu issue is pushing back the customers a bit, in my opinion.
Sigh…
I'll just order a random pizza. A pizza, regardless of what toppings it has, is always a safe choice.
Pat — suddenly, someone tapped my shoulder behind me. I turned my face, irritated, and it came out to be Jin.
"Hey buddy, how is life going on?" — he asked me with a wide smile and continued to pat my shoulder, quite hard.
"Hey, good, and yours?" — please, stop, my shoulder hurts me already.
"Fine as well!" — he pointed at his chest, at his outfit, with his thumb — "I work here part-time during the evenings and on the weekends."
"Who's that man, Kazuya?"
Ah, right, Yamazaki does not know about him.
"He was a candidate, but started working for us in the cafeteria. We met back then when you sent me to work at the recruiting center."
"Oh, that time?"
Yamazaki's eyes sparkled.
"When you let a candidate wait for you for a couple of hours?"
"…"
"Right, you were also begging for forgiveness on your knees.
You don't have to recall all the details…
Cough, cough
"Anyway!"
I pointed at him with my thumb — "His cooking skills are splendid."
"You're overpraising me, stop" — he started patting my shoulder again.
Seriously, stop. I'll have to pay a visit to an orthopedist tomorrow because of you.
"I know how to cook Vietnamese, but am still lacking in Italian cuisine. So, what is going on here? Some kind of employee party, heh?"
"That's right, our senior got promoted to a junior manager!" — declared Saru.
"That was to be expected from him, ha-ha-ha!"
Ah…may my shoulder rest in peace.
"Then! Tell me what you order, I'll ask the chef to cook for you all!"
Everyone started saying his order and eventually, it was my turn.
"Eh… actually, I don't know. Do you have "the cook's option", perhaps?"
Nguyen raised his chin and thought for a moment.
"Mhm, no, but! You'll get the "Nguyen's option" if you show trust in me!"
"Uhm, alright, surprise me."
"Understood! Then, excuse me!"
He left, rushing to the kitchen.
"I thought Yukiko-chan does not like spicy food?"
"Erh? I still do. Why?"
"But why did Yukiko-chan order spicy food then? How was it called… Ravioli Forno."
"Kasumi-chan, the dish is not spicy…"
"It isn't? Forno sounds like something spicy."
"Actually, I ordered a spicy dish. Pizza diavolo" — Ishida intervened in the conversation.
My eyes were centered on Tachibana. The Angel was speaking to Fujiwara and Ishida, with her usual, calm and warm smile on her face. A smile that I am no longer worthy of, no, I was never worthy of it in the first place.
"Dia-diabolu…" — Tachibana struggled to pronounce it. It was cute, to say the least.
"Diavolo! Means devilish."
"Eh?! Please, be careful, Tamayo-chan…"
"It's just a pizza, just a pizza! There is nothing dangerous in a pizza."
Half an hour later, the waiter served us our orders. Nguyen's choice for me, by the way, was a pizza whose name I won't even dare to try to pronounce.
Nevertheless, its toppings are 4 different cheeses. I was quite skeptical of it at first, I never really was a big fan of cheese, besides tofu, perhaps. But the first bite changed my worldview incredibly.
Jin, you mad man, how did you know what I will love?
Meanwhile, Tachibana ate her spaghetti pesto, in a very elegant manner, as it suits her. She-
"Boss, can I get a piece of yours?"
Tsk
"Yeah, whatever, take one" — just stop interrupting my thoughts, Saru.
…
Everyone finished his meal. The reviews did not lie at all, this place is dope indeed. Everything, starting from the interior and finishing with the food and the staff, is really worth every penny spent here.
"After such a great meal, there must be a dessert!"
After saying those words, Yamazaki stood up and looked at Ogawa.
"Right."
"Saru, Nakamura, lend us a hand."
"Mhm… I am too full, take Kazuya instead."
Nakamura stood up immediately, but Saru resisted a bit.
"Stand up, shake your ass a little, or you'll end up fat."
"Mhm…"
Finally, Saru admitted his defeat and followed them.
"Tama-chan, mind coming with me to the bathroom?"
After the boys left for the desserts, Fujiwara wanted to go to the bathroom and take Ishida with herself.
"Erh? You always take Kasumi-tan."
"I want you this time!"
"Erh? Don't wanna."
"Common! Common!" — Fujiwara started to pluck Ishida.
"Alright, alright!
The Technician's resistance, just as the Monkey's, didn't last much.
All of a sudden, Tachibana and I were left alone. She was sitting right in front of me. As expected, she didn't even look at me and had her face turned to the left or to the right.
This again…
Ah, I can't live like that anymore.
"T-Tachibana" — I'll talk to her, and if she hates me even more after that, then it is what it is. It's my last chance.
"Can I talk to you for a bit?"
She slightly turned her face to my direction, but still not straight to it. She rolled her eyes at me and looked into my eyes.
Is she that afraid of me?
Erh… I hate to say it, but she looks adorable right now. Apart from being sexist, I am also a sadist, as it seems.
"Y-yes?"
"Look… I know I can be rude every so often. But I want you to know that… eh… I never wanted to insult you."
Tachibana finally turned her face straight at me and then tilted her head a bit.
"I-I believe that you are a strong and independent woman, no matter what! You are an incredible person that I truly admire."
"Kazuya-kun…"
"And this is why it's unbearable to see you hide from me. Please, forgive me…"
"Forgive Kazuya for what?"
"Erh… for underestimating you and insulting you…"
"Pf-"
The Angel sitting in front of me started laughing out of the blue. Tears of laughter flowed down her cheeks. I looked at her confused. What is going on?
"Kazuya-kun is telling funny things" — she wiped off the tears with a handkerchief.
"Erh?"
I am genuinely confused right now.
"Excuse me… but… does it mean you are not mad at me?"
"I am not mad at Kazuya-kun, and never were" — she answered with a smile.
"Erh?! Then…why do you hide from me?"
"I am not hiding from Kazuya, though?"
"…"
You do…
Sigh…
Well, at least she isn't mad at me.
"Yesterday…" — she looked slightly away — "when I heard the news about your promotion, I was really surprised."
"Erh…"
"Kazuya is really incredible! To become a manager, this soon."
"Uhm…thank you."
I felt how my face turned red after her compliment and I looked away as well.
"I-Ishida is more incredible, though! I became a manager just coincidentally because the higher-ups wanted to test something new."
"Right, right. Tamayo-chan is also great, but please, Kazuya, don't underestimate yourself!"
Soon after, the rest of us had returned to the table. The boys brought various Italian, and not only, desserts with themselves. As for me, I really liked the Crème brûlée. Tachibana got Crème brûlée as well and seemed to like it too. I guess our taste in sweets matches?
As much as I would enjoy the moment, talking again to Tachibana without panicking, something bothered me. The old pervert was staring at me the entire time.
What do you need? Stop, it's freaking me out…
…
After we finished our desserts, it was time to leave the restaurant. I was about to hit the road to my house, but Yamazaki grabbed me by the collar and pulled me back.
"Ah, please, don't mind us. We have to talk a bit, you can go."
Erh? Do we have to talk about something?
We waited a bit until everyone left and then stared at each other. What do you want from me? What is that expression on the face, huh? Like if you wait to get praised for something.
"Sigh… So? Tell me everything."
"What should I tell you?"
"Don't make a face like you don't understand! Did you made up already?"
"Erh, I guess so."
"What was the problem?"
"Uhm…there was none, apparently."
"…"
"…"
Yamazaki sighed and left me alone, with a visible disappointment on his face.
Anyway, at last, my main concern is gone, and it is the only thing that matters to me.
…