…
Ten minutes later.
Everyone sat down, and they finally understood what was going on.
"Oh, it's a job hunt," Aina sighed in relief. That phone call had almost gone through.
Tokita-senpai nodded and said, "Yeah, there's a school reunion and a drinking party tonight. I just wanted to prepare a bit in advance, do some self-analysis."
Since Izu University graduates in March, Tokita-senpai was now in the second semester of his third year. Around this time, most students already had jobs lined up.
In Japan, job hunting requires careful selection and preparation—it could determine your entire career.
After hearing Tokita's explanation, Kamishiro and the others nodded in understanding.
"Yeah, you do look like you're going for an interview."
"And even the questions sound like something from one."
"It's hard to believe—it's already time for our seniors to job hunt."
Kamishiro sighed. It felt like they had just started college.
Wait...
They had just started college…
The reason it felt so sudden was that their club didn't have any second-years!
Which reminded Kamishiro of something—the club's leadership transition ceremony.
Time to start preparing.
"I guess I should start preparing too," said Azusa, stretching lazily and leaning on Kamishiro's shoulder. "Ugh, I don't wanna get a job. Hey Kamishiro, does your family have anything I can do? I'll work for you!"
"Work for me?"
Kamishiro was a little tempted—having such a gorgeous girl around, who wouldn't want that?
He seriously considered the feasibility of having Azusa work at his family's tea farm.
Hmm…
If Keiko and Azusa were together...
Okay, scrap that idea!
"I refuse!"
"Eh? You're so cold!" Azusa pouted and ruffled Kamishiro's hair in mock anger. But she had been joking—she wouldn't really be any good on a tea farm.
"..."
Kamishiro's mouth twitched. This wasn't coldness—he just didn't want to go home and find his tea farm turned into a sake brewery!
And if Keiko and Azusa, two wild spirits, were together...
He had a feeling things would spiral out of control.
|????????)
For safety's sake, he had to refuse—with tears if necessary!
Or maybe… he could start his own company?
The moment that thought popped up, Kamishiro found it increasingly plausible. He could bring in his friends...
He pictured Kouhei, Kitahara, Yamamoto...
"..."
Great. No friends left!
In that case, he could recruit some girls~
Then—
Images of Kiyoko, Sakurako, and the rest popped up in his mind.
Perfect. No girls left either.
Kamishiro bowed his head in despair. His company had failed before it was even founded.
(Ｔ▽Ｔ)
Azusa blinked in confusion.
Wasn't she the one talking about finding a job?
Why did Kamishiro suddenly look like he'd lost all hope?
Luckily, Kamishiro's spiral didn't last long. He was distracted by Aina's exclamation.
"Interviews are this complicated?!"
Having never experienced one, Aina had searched online and was instantly overwhelmed by the intricate process and super-formal questions.
If she went for an interview...
She'd probably get eliminated at the very first question.
So scary! She suddenly felt anxious.
Kamishiro and the other two leaned over.
"Yeah, they're pretty complicated."
"Well, it is about your entire future."
"So you need to prepare answers to all those questions in advance?"
"More or less."
Tokita-senpai answered calmly. Although some improvisation was possible, he definitely preferred being prepared.
The more Aina read, the more anxious she felt—her mind already imagining a nightmare interview scenario.
Speaking of which, the seniors should have already prepared by now, right? In that case…
"Why don't we do a mock interview?"
Aina suggested. That way, not only could they help the seniors prepare, she could learn something too!
A win-win!
"Oh?"
Tokita and Azusa blinked, then looked intrigued. A real practice run could highlight a lot of things they might otherwise miss.
Seeing that the seniors didn't object, Aina went ahead and said,
"We four will act as the interviewers."
Tokita: "That's a big help, really."
Azusa: "Then let's assess things beyond just entrance etiquette."
Aina: "Okay, let's practice the questions we'll be asking—"
"Wait a second!"
Just as she was about to ask the first question, Aina turned around in confusion to look at the three behind her.
"What's wrong?"
These three were definitely up to something weird again—Aina had a bad feeling about this...
That's the kind of instinct you get after spending a semester with them!
Kamishiro: "Since it's an interview, it should be complete, right? That includes proper etiquette!"
Iori: "Senpai's outfit is way too gross, I can't focus at all!"
Kouhei: "Let's start by fixing that."
Aina:乁(′｀;)?
She looked uncertainly at Tokita-senpai's attire.
A suit, leather shoes, and well-styled hair...
That should be perfectly fine for a job applicant, right?
Could it be that TV dramas have lied to her?
One minute later—
Aina wasn't sure if the TV dramas were wrong, but she was certain:
This was definitely wrong!
Who in their right mind shows up to an interview wearing nothing but a necktie?!
(???□?)?*?
What happened to proper etiquette?
They had none!
And the worst part was…
After stripping down, both the interviewee and the interviewers actually looked pretty satisfied with it.
Kamishiro: "Oh! Now this is what you call sincerity in job hunting!"
Iori: "Way more comfortable like this!"
Kouhei: "Let's start the mock interview already!"
Aina: "..."
So did they just assume she'd accept all this without question?
Why?!
Why does a girl like her—who's barely ever even held a guy's hand—have to see this group of degenerates' basketballs every day?!
(っ╥╯﹏╰╥c)
Actually, that's not even the worst part.
The truly terrifying thing was… she was starting to get used to it.
Aina gave up. She chose to stop resisting.
...
Kamishiro: "Then let's officially begin the interview. Please prepare yourselves."
Iori: "Let's start with some common questions."
Kouhei: "Can you tell us about your 'hobbies and special skills'?"
Aina: "Let's begin with Mr. Tokita!"
"Okay!"
At that moment, Tokita-senpai sat up very properly in the chair, with excellent posture and a composed expression.
As long as you ignored his totally naked body, he was the model job applicant!
"My hobby is scuba diving!"
"Oh!"
"Nice hobby!"
The three of them nodded in approval. Don't underestimate a simple question like this.
A person's hobbies can reveal a lot—like their personality or lifestyle.
Scuba diving, from any perspective, was definitely a plus.
As for his special skills...
They all instinctively thought: "drinking." In the workplace, even that could be a plus—as long as it's within reason.
"My special skill is playing the piano."
Kamishiro: "I see."
Iori: "So you're good at playing piano."
Kouhei: "Very elegant."
The trio nodded, but in the next second, they all turned to Aina with wide, disbelieving eyes.
Piano?!
You've got to be kidding!!!
How does something as refined as piano match with a booze-guzzling beast like you?!
What's next?
You pound drinks and then play naked piano concerts for fun?
That trope only works for beautiful girls—not you!
Kamishiro: "We're docking a point."
Iori: "Agreed!"
"Why?!"
Aina was baffled. Piano should've been a bonus!
The three of them answered confidently, "Lying deserves a penalty, obviously."
"..."
Great. These looks-obsessed jerks refuse to believe anyone.
Though... even she had trouble connecting "piano" with that senpai.
Still...
Why did the air suddenly smell kinda sour?（λ?_??）
Must be her imagination~
The salty trio ignored Aina's mocking gaze and turned to Azusa-senpai.
Next up:
It was Azusa-senpai's turn for the interview!
Unlike with Tokita...
Interviewer Kamishiro immediately sat down beside Miss Hamaoka.
And without hesitation, placed his hand right on that drool-worthy thigh, savoring the silky smooth skin.
???????‵?
So, Miss Hamaoka, what are your hobbies and special skills~?
...