01x08 - Episode 8

[bunniefuu]

You've achieved everything.

Let's end this here,

Ayaka.

Huh?

I can't accept that.

I did

my best to do everything you wanted.

Could you please listen to my request?

Huh?

I...

cannot like you.

"Ayaka is in Love with Hiroko"

"Episode 8: The Decision of Love"
Collect these documents

- Yes.
- to use in the next meeting.

Yes.

Is it not good?

Would this be alright?

Oh, sorry. Please decide on this

within the next week.

- Yes.
- Yes.

Oh, this...

Does Hiroko look cooler than ever?

Mmm...

When she's worried,

she likes to put pressure on herself.

It must be because of that.

Because she's a very responsible person,

she probably thinks she has to

devote her life to work.

Times have changed.

Is she an old-fashioned office worker

or something?

What do you mean by that?

- Ayaka.
- That startled me.

You like to suddenly appear.

What is Hiroko-senpai worried about?

No, that matter...

Haa... Right.

Hiroko-senpai is becoming

a sales manager?

Don't tell everyone yet.

Even though it's
something that be accepted

without a second thought,

that woman likes to cause problems.

By the way, Yuya...

Is it okay to talk about this

without telling Hiroko?

Yeah.

Well,

if it were Ayaka, it should be fine.

Huh?

Right.

There must be some sides that

only Ayaka can see.

Only I can see?

Whether it's good or bad,

Hiroko always carries the burden alone.

Hiroko-senpai, good morning.

Good morning.

Senpai, please let me help you.

Oh, Ayaka, thanks.

That was a great help.

Then...

Oh, can you hold this

while we wait to present?

Yes, leave it to me.

Hiroko-senpai, this is...

I'd like you to check this for me.

- Sure.
- Thank you.

This character...

When Hiroko is with Ayaka, it's like

she doesn't have to go to

any lengths to do anything.

I think she probably

enjoys herself with you.

Perhaps.

It's not just a matter of promotion,

but maybe she's carrying

something alone.

"Alone?"

I knew it.

Moreover,

since before, Hiroko always

blamed herself before blaming others.

That's why...

if Hiroko ever seems cornered,

I want you to say...

Huh?

- Hiroko-senpai.
- Oh, Risa.

What happened with Ayaka?

Hmm?

You're avoiding Ayaka, right?

You're really watching, huh?

Of course.

It concerns my crush.

Senpai...

You really like Ayaka, don't you?

Sorry, I have a meeting later.

I want to learn from you, Senpai,

and work well with each person.

So I can stand by your side proudly.

I see.

And it's because of you, Hiroko-senpai,

that I've changed.

Even during today's trip,

I realized again

how much I like you, Hiroko-senpai.

I...

really like this girl, huh?

Haa...

What are you thinking about now?

Huh? Really?

- Yay!
- Oh!

Thank you very much.

We'll be in your care.

- We did it!
- Yay!

Hiroko-senpai is capable,

loved by the boss and the subordinates,

and is relied upon by everyone.

Even then...

And...

Who will Hiroko-senpai rely on?

What do you want to talk about?

I've said everything.

Yes.

But it didn't come from the heart,

did it?

Hiroko-senpai said that

because you wanted to protect me, right?

What are you talking about?

I don't care what other people say.

I don't care what other people say.

I just...

simply like Hiroko-senpai.

We are a boss and the subordinate.

And we are one generation apart in age.

Yes.

First of all,

we are both women.

It's not related.

Moreover,

we can't get married.

What then?

What about parents and children?

Let's think about that together.

Heh.

Think about that together?

Don't carry it all by yourself.

What you are worried about,

let me bear it too.

Don't say it so easily.

Haa...

To continue to stay in the company,

the relationship you want is too risky.

Not everyone actually understands.

Even you yourself may be criticized.

No matter what we do,

you and I will never be happy.

- That's not true.
- It is true.

It happened before.

A relationship ended because of that.

Why don't you understand?

Don't look down on me.

The one who doesn't understand is you.

If you don't want to reveal it,

then you don't have to.

If someone makes fun of you,

just tell me.

I won't lose to other people's voices.

But...

do you think someone will

actually do that?

Huh?

Yuya-senpai and Kumi-senpai said,

if Hiroko ever seems cornered,

I want you to say...

that we will

not leave Hiroko alone ever again.

I'm sure Senior Hiroko will understand.

That it's different from when

your senpai had to face the pain.

No one said anything bad about you.

That...

Isn't it the trust that you

worked so hard to build?

Just like you did to me

didn't you also do it on purpose

to face everyone?

Stop k*lling your own feelings.

But...

you're still young,

and can still get married and have kids.

There are many good people

outside the company.

There is still a possibility that

you'll fall in love with someone else.

Is that really alright?

Even though I know that you

have an ex-girlfriend.

Did your ex like it?

Even though you treat me like a kid.

My niece! I think you're like my niece.

Even though you lied.

I...

am not a l*sbian.

Even if I got dumped,

But even so, I like you.

About marriage, kids, us being women,

whatever it may be,

I'll never give up on you

for those reasons,

absolutely not.

I don't like others.

That kind of thing...

I don't want to hear it from

the mouth of the person I like.

I see...

I...

k*ll my own feelings,

and made the woman I like get hurt.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry, Ayaka.

I like Ayaka.

I don't want to...

lose the person I love

again.

[One year later]

Hiroko won't be here today, huh?

Seems like being a sales manager

is a lot of fun.

Huh, a promotion?

Amazing.

No, huh? But why?

How did you know about

Hiro-chan, your enemy?

That is...

I know that from someone lovely

that I'm talking to.

Huh?

You have a girlfriend?

Ah, hello.

Welcome, my love.

Huh?

- Huh?
- Huh?

Risa-chan, are you sure

about this woman?

Huh?

- No, we haven't...
- We're getting to know each other.

Right, Risako?

Risa-chan.

If you don't like it, just say "no".

Even if you're a Mama,

don't speak rudely.

- Yes.
- Hmm?

[Otori Jinatsu
Event Producer]

[Global event producer]

What a truly wonderful person.

Ayaka-senpai.

There's a lot of work that

needs to be checked.

Sure.

Let's check them all out.

Sorry, I'm not very good.

Even though I thought

I should learn faster, but...

Don't do it alone.

Let's try together.

Yes.

Then, this way.

Where do you want me to check?

- On the second page...
- Mmm.

Boo!

Hiroko-san, you came today.

Good job.

I thought you would be shocked.

Oh.

Food is ready. Let's eat.

Yes.

Just like a newly married couple.

- Bon appétit.
- Bon appétit.

Mmm!

Delicious!

That's good.

Because you usually cook all the time.

It's fine.

As a sales manager,

you always have to come home late.

Of course it's my job.

How is the new employee?

She's a good kid and very diligent.

Plus, everyone uses

the guide that you made.

Wow, I'm glad then.

If it's Hiroko-san's, it must be good.

Everyone believes that.

No.

I trust everyone too.

Of course Ayaka too.

Hiroko-san.

This is the day...

Oh, smells so good.

What's wrong, Ayaka?

Hiroko-san...

Kiss!

Now, kiss me!

Her eyelashes are so long.

So cute.

Ayaka is so cute.

That's not it.

Alone in the same room with me,

don't you want to do this and that?

"This and that?"

I...

have no charms?

I can't say that

I'm so serious that

I don't dare touch her.

No.

That's not it.

Not at all.

I'm glad you feel that way.

So please wait for me

to handle my feelings

for a bit more?

Huh?

Because I...

want to cherish you, Ayaka.

Ah.

Alright.

I'm sorry, Ayaka,

for many things.

"For many things?"

In the end, I didn't come out.

Oh.

I know I'm making you

endure unnecessary things.

But...

I want to stay with you, Ayaka

and stay in the company, too.

I'm sorry that

you're dating a selfish person.

I actually wanted to shout it out

to everyone in the company.

That "Hiroko-san is my girlfriend"

five times a day.

Wow, that's more than I thought.

But

I'll do my best to endure.

Over the years,

Hiroko-san has faced many problems

because you choose to protect others,

but I love what you chose.

Thank you, Ayaka.

[SAL Creative]

Right.

This...

Umm...

I heard that last year,

Ayaka-san confessed to manager Hiroko.

That's right.

Does that mean...

they're dating?

I wonder.

I don't know.

My approach didn't shake her one bit.

So sad.

Ayaka is still advancing like usual.

But well,

if they don't tell us themselves,

we shouldn't judge them.

Right.

But...

These days...

If you ask which one is expressing more,

it should be Hiroko...

Now, Hiroko-san.

- Do your best this after noon.
- Yes, thank you.

[This is a work of fiction]