{Dinner for Two 2}

After lunch, I actually met the HR manager and had the privilege of going through a mock interview with them.

I was so grateful for such a valuable opportunity, and I truly felt glad that I participated in the internship. At the same time, there’s always a small part of me that feels guilty—thinking it would be wrong not to apply after receiving this much support. But in the end, the decision has to be mine.

If possible, I want to choose a path that I can be satisfied with. That’s how I feel.

That day, I got home before Miyu, so I prepared dinner and waited for her return.

The menu for today was chilled pork shabu-shabu. Just slice, boil, and cool the pork, then top it with grated daikon and ponzu sauce. It’s simple but delicious, and it’s great because you can eat plenty of vegetables with it.

“Atsushi, wasn’t it hard for you to make dinner even though you must be tired?”

As soon as Miyu sat at the table, she kindly asked me this.

“But you also make dinner after work, don’t you? It’s not like I’m working, so this is no big deal,” I replied with a smile, though I was actually a bit tired.

Even though I wasn’t technically working, being in an unfamiliar environment at a real company doing practical tasks was naturally stressful and exhausting. Honestly, I didn’t feel like making anything beyond the chilled shabu-shabu.

Once I start working, making dinner is going to be even tougher. We’ll probably need to take breaks and eat out from time to time.

“Today you were doing PR work, right?”

“Yeah, it was pretty interesting.”

While we ate dinner together, I told her about what I had learned that day. Miyu was also surprised by Sonoda-san’s quick thinking and laughed, saying, “I’d love to meet him.”

And then, about my career aspirations—

“Remember when you said that ‘sales is a job for people who are good at giving praise’? I realized the same thing can be said about PR, and it’s made me a little more interested.”

After I shared this, I confessed my deeper thoughts.

“But I still don’t feel like I have a solid enough reason yet. There are jobs I’d like to try and that I’m interested in, but I’m hesitant about whether that’s really okay. I guess since I’m only in my third year, it’s fine to be uncertain, but…”

Miyu listened to me with a seriousness that felt almost too deep for dinnertime.

Then, she opened up about her own experience.

“I had a lot of doubts when I was deciding on a job, too.”

She revealed her own story.

“Office work seemed difficult, and even though people told me I’d learn on the job, I was worried I’d cause trouble. But surprisingly, it all worked out.”

Back then, Miyu was still in high school.

At that age, she decided on her job and took that step forward—that’s amazing. I’m sure she must have struggled and had her own doubts in ways I never saw, but she never showed it.

Now, she’s become someone I respect, a wonderful senior in the working world.

“‘It all works out,’ huh… I need to become like that too.”

When I said that with a hint of envy, she smiled kindly, as if to comfort me.

“Atsushi, you still have a year left. There’s no need to rush. Plus, nobody goes through life without doubts and uncertainties, so there’s no reason to think that’s a bad thing.”

Miyu really is an admirable senior.

She says exactly what I need to hear and gives me courage. Even though dinnertime might not be the right moment for this kind of heart-to-heart, she takes my concerns seriously and gives thoughtful answers.

It might be an inappropriate thought for the moment, but…

Right now, I felt truly happy.

“Thank you. I’ll take some more time to think it through,” I said, expressing my gratitude.

She smiled warmly and replied, “Sure. I’m rooting for you, Atsushi.”

Hearing that made me think again.

I won’t rush, and I won’t give up. I’ll find a path that I can be satisfied with. More than anything, that will be the best way to repay her support.