Yup, his junior was beautiful, sweet, often supported him in many places, and it was fun with her, as their hobbies were more or less similar.
Rather, the two often played MonHun together on their portable device as they waited for clients or stayed in the office overnight.
As for how he acquired the popular gaming device, the former Nifuji was a gamer, a heavy one at that, since, according to his memory, the previous Nifuji often played games during his breaks directly on the desk in his office.
As he became Nifuji, he would bring and play the game when he had nothing to do.
Still, unlike Nifuji, he didn't play as much, and he also wasn't so obsessed that he would buy the game directly during the release, as he didn't care about the game, even if it was old, as he just wanted to distract himself.
Only, who did he expect to expect that his junior, Eri, also played the same game, and when she had nothing to do, she played a co-op with him.
It was impossible for him not to have a good feeling, and like any man, he had an illusion that it would be great to date her, but he suppressed this feeling and didn't immediately make a move. Instead, he observed her to know whether he had a partner or someone she liked, since he wanted to succeed, and frankly, it would be awkward if he made his move and then failed, considering they were co-workers and all.
Before they were a man and a woman, they were a co-worker.
If they came from a different department, even if it was awkward, it wouldn't matter, but they came from the same department and often stayed side by side, most of the time.
The workplace romance wasn't as simple as the school romance, as it was a place for him to earn money, so money first, before love.
He was realistic, after all, and while his feelings weren't as strong, it was better for him to understand his chances, as he wasn't someone who would be desperate to chase after someone, and then, as expected, soon he discovered how often she looked at her smartphone in longing, watching a picture of a woman.
If her gaze was just to look at the woman's face, learning their way of makeup or fashion, he wouldn't be surprised since he often looked over a magazine or a social media to learn how to look good in clothes, to present himself better, yet her gaze was filled with a forlorn look, like someone who was brokenhearted.
Loving someone was like working in sales, he thought; no one could guarantee his success, but he could bring all the elements in his surroundings to success, which led him to success, yet if the one he wanted was interested in the same gender, what could he do?
So, while he was happy with her confession, he couldn't help but ask his doubt before it was too late, as it wouldn't be funny if she left him due to that woman, or still had a lingering feeling toward her, and was unable to forget.
Sometimes, feeling worked that way, after all, even if there was someone who would treat you better, the memory of the past stuck like an anchor that would pull you back when you were about to move on.
It would be great if she could move on with him, but what if she didn't?
The problem with men was that they had to keep everything in their hearts, acting nonchalantly, as if they didn't care, yet the truth was that they loved their partner so much that it broke them when the woman who had always been by their side would suddenly disappear.
Naturally, it also worked the same way with the women, as in most cases, it was a man who was a bastard, and just couldn't control their lower body, playing around when their women were pregnant.
Yet, without a doubt, Eri was dumbfounded by his words. "I... I like a woman?"
"Aren't you?"
Nifuji wasn't an old-fashioned person who thought that love between people of the same gender couldn't be accepted. The love between women, yuri, often transcended any physical barriers, and strengthened their feelings and bonds, so he wouldn't say that Eri's love for that woman wouldn't last forever, so he wouldn't persuade her.
However, this time, she confessed to him, wishing to be his girlfriend, so he wanted to make sure of everything first.
"W-Why did you come to such a conclusion?!"
While Eri lost her calm, Nifuji apologized first. "I am sorry if I am wrong, but..." Then, he told her how he discovered she seemed to be in love with a woman. "I am not saying that you are wrong, and if you like her, then go ahead, as you don't harm people around you with your feelings and even being careful about it, but you confessed to me, wishing to be my girlfriend, so... I can't help but ask you, as I am pretty cowardly, and I am afraid to be hurt after I have decided to accept your feelings."
Still, no matter what, he knew himself well what kind of a person he was, as he was cowardly and afraid of being hurt.
If he weren't a coward, would he move to another department instead of staying in the same place?
As for being afraid of being hurt, isn't this the case with everyone?
Even the one with the highest position, the one who controlled Europe, or even the world, Napoleon Bonaparte, was hurt by love, so how could he be immune?
Then again, his feelings for Eri weren't so strong, as he had never thought of being with her from the beginning, but it would be awkward if he made her embarrassed by saying that she loved a woman, as it wasn't socially accepted, after all, so while he had no need to say anything, he made himself appear to be slightly pathetic by saying that he would be hurt if she wasn't serious and would leave him for another woman, so she wouldn't be the only one who was embarrassed.
However, her breathing grew harder, as her face flushed, before she grasped his hand tightly and said, "Senpai, don't go on the group date tonight!"
"What?"
"Go out with me tonight."
"..."
Facing her solemn eyes, he was in a pause for a moment, "...I don't mind, but what are you planning to do?"
What did she plan to do to bring him out at night?
"W-Wait a moment!"
"Hmm?"
He wasn't sure what she planned to do, but she took out her smartphone and called someone, who soon connected.
"Huh? Eri? What's wrong? Why did you call me all of a sudden?"
A woman's voice was heard from her smartphone, and even if he didn't ask, he could tell that it should come from the woman whom Eri often looked at on her smartphone. Still, it was clear from the woman's voice that they hadn't contacted each other for a while.
"Mayuri!"
Yet, Eri appeared to be strong, then said, "I want to meet you tonight!"
"Eh?"
Yes, to make sure of her feelings, she decided to meet all of them together, so she could show him her feelings and make sure of everything!
"..."
Only... while her plan was good, couldn't she just ask him first?