Originally, the proper thing to do would probably be to go and say goodbye to the high school that took care of me.
However, as a result of discussing it with my uncle and guardian Tsuguharu, I decided to depart for “Fujisaki Fisheries” in Hokkaido the day after tomorrow.
Anyway, if I went to school now, I would only be exposed to cold gazes mixed with resentment and contempt.
I don’t want to go to a place like that.
Since both Uncle Tsuguharu and attorney Midorikawa seemed to want to distance me from this place as quickly as possible, not a single person blamed that decision.
◆◆◆
“The day after tomorrow, and it’s also goodbye to this tower apartment…”
I went to the tower apartment where I had been living until now to organize my luggage.
Attorney Midorikawa is by my side.
While looking down at the familiar scenery of Tokyo spreading outside the window, I laughed in a self-mocking way.
Really, it is a life of a sudden downpour that is laughable.
“What ‘Young Master of Fujisaki’. From now on, I’m going to live just as a high school-dropout laborer…”
“Certainly, the current situation is severe, but it is too early to give up, Tetsuya-kun. There remains a possibility that Misako-sama’s inheritance will fall into your hands seven years from now. Moreover, even though you are a high school dropout, you carry the name ‘Fujisaki’. If you work hard like your life depends on it, you should be able to expect a corresponding promotion.”
“Midorikawa-san, spare me the consolation. Among people who are all college graduates, there’s no way a high school dropout like me can get promoted.”
Since Uncle Tsuguharu cannot leave Tokyo due to business reasons, attorney Midorikawa, the absentee property administrator, decided to go along with me to Hokkaido.
That is why he has come here.
“Tetsuya-kun, things depend on how you look at them. Precisely because you have the Fujisaki surname, you can protect yourself from having engaged in bullying and from the pursuit of the mass media from now on. Fujisaki Fisheries is also a company managed by relatives, so you won’t receive harsh treatment. If you endure for seven years, property will also come into your hands and the path will open up. Your future is by no means closed off. Once things blow over, there is also the option of studying over again at high school.”
“—At high school?”
“Yes. For a while it will be impossible, but if you wish ‘I want to study once more’ after some time passes, Tsuguharu-san will definitely nod his head. As for tuition fees, if it’s for that kind of reason, I can issue it from the assets I manage. It’s just a little bit of patience now.”
I felt a little bit saved by attorney Midorikawa’s words.
“Is that so… If that’s the case…”
Apparently, my life hasn’t completely checkmated just yet.
◆◆◆
Three hours shaken by transferring from a train and a taxi from the airport in Hokkaido.
Near the port where the scent of the tide drifted thickly was our destination, “Fujisaki Fisheries.”
After arriving, the person waiting for me in the president’s office we were immediately ushered into was a large-built man who made you think of a bear.
“Oh, is it Tetsuya-kun! You came well. Do you remember your uncle?”
The man reached out a big hand while laughing heartily.
“Though we are distant relatives, we are related by blood after all. We met once when you were a child… well, you don’t remember, huh? I am the president of this company, Iwao Fujisaki. I heard about the matter of Misako-san going missing. But that person isn’t going to die easily. She’ll pop back up before long. Until then, you can rely on me thinking of me as your father.”
“I’m sorry… I don’t remember well. But I look forward to working with you from now on.”
Exchanging greetings briefly, attorney Midorikawa left behind,
“Well then, Tetsuya-kun, I’ll take my leave,” and returned to Tokyo without even giving me time to stop him.
That felt strangely lonely.
“Alright, Tetsuya-kun. Today from here on, I will guide you around the inside of the company. After that, we’ll conclude the employment contract, and I’ll give you three days off to sort out your feelings. Work is fine starting from after that.”
“Thank you very much.”
Walking behind Uncle Iwao, I looked across the quieted inside of the factory.
“…There’s no one here.”
“Ah, because our place is marine product processing. Everyone’s work wraps up with a sharp click at around 4:30 PM. In exchange, the morning starts at 7:00 though.”
“Is that so. As expected, the work is considerably tough, right…?”
When I asked that, Uncle Iwao answered while laughing.
“Since you enter from processing at the site at first, honestly I can’t say it’s easy. But, Tetsuya-kun is my kin. Once you learn the work from top to bottom, I intend to raise you as a future plant manager candidate. That’s right, if you work hard steadily for two years, I’ll pull you up to the side that manages the site. So, hold your ground.”
“—Yes, I’ll do my best.”
The thread of my heart that had been strained somewhere felt like it loosened just a little bit.
After that, the contents of the presented employment contract were much more decent than I had imagined.
[Employment Conditions]
Starting Salary: 180,000 yen (Take-home pay after various allowances and taxes is about 140,000 yen)
Housing: Employee dormitory (Dormitory fees free)
Room Facilities: Fully equipped with air conditioner, heater, TV, refrigerator
Meals: 3 meals provided
Shared Facilities: Toilet, washing machine
Bath: Not in the dormitory, but nearby hot springs can be used for free
“Well then, I’ll guide you to the dormitory that will be your base for living from now on.”
The place we headed to led by my uncle was not the old wooden dormitory I had arbitrarily imagined.
“—It’s quite pretty.”
What appeared before my eyes was a sturdy reinforced concrete building, looking at a glance like an apartment building.
“Well, it’s just been rebuilt recently so it’s pretty. Aside from the toilet and washing machine being shared, you can think of it as no different from a regular apartment.”
“Yes.”
With hope in my chest, I opened the door of the assigned room.
Certainly, the interior was pretty.
However, compared to Tokyo’s tower apartment, it was a room so narrow it made you want to laugh.
‘It suits the current me.’
This narrowness felt like it strangely calmed the present me.