I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!
Chapter 169: Epilogue I Salaryman and President

The future holds infinite possibilities.

It’s a worn-out phrase, but it’s certainly not wrong. At least, the current situation is something I couldn’t have imagined back when I started my second chance at life.

(…Seriously, the future is hard to grasp.)

Dressed in a suit from top to bottom, I, Niihama Shinichirou, poured amber liquid into a glass, feeling deeply moved.

I’m currently in the lounge on the top floor of the Chiaki-rou Bookstore headquarters building, towering in a prime location.

From this spacious room, you can overlook the sparkling night view in the dark. The interior resembles a high-end hotel lounge, exuding quite a luxurious vibe. However, it’s not a private establishment; it’s a room the company set up for employee welfare.

During off hours, any employee can use it for gatherings or lunch meetings, making it a popular space. But today, it’s reserved.

“President… Aren’t you drinking a bit too much? You’ll get scolded by Akiko-san again, won’t you?”

“Hahaha, don’t be so serious, Shinichirou! Once again, a new business venture hit the jackpot, and our performance is at an all-time high! As a businessman, I can’t help but celebrate a little!”

Seated next to me is the president of our company, Tokimune Shijouin. He laughed heartily, tilting his whiskey. It’s been ten years since I first met him, and either due to active engagement in the frontlines or thanks to his wife, Akiko-san, there’s no sign of aging at all.

(I never imagined I’d be frequently summoned to the president’s office like this.)

After high school, I smoothly entered the university I aspired to and immediately joined the Chiaki-rou Bookstore after graduating.

When I received the notice of employment after the interview, I was ecstatic, partly because of the employment ticket I received from President Tokimune himself in high school… But according to what I later heard, the personnel department made the hiring decision as usual, without the need for the president to go out of his way.

So, I achieved my major goal of getting a job in a white-collar company in my second life, and it’s been five years already. Fortunately, my work is going well, and I appreciate the decency of being treated like a human being in a proper company every day…

“But please stop calling an ordinary employee like me to the president’s office so often, Mr. President… I’m being looked at with eyes like ‘Who on earth are you?’ by everyone around.”

“Hmph, what do you mean by an ordinary employee? Don’t you understand your own worth yet? The ideas you presented when you were in high school have been a significant help in supporting the current Chiaki-rou Bookstore. Even after joining, your numerous predictions about the economy and trends have hit the mark, bringing immense profits to our company. Seeing that keen insight, I naturally want to hear your opinions from time to time.”

“No, that’s…”

It goes without saying that I don’t possess such foresight. It’s just that thanks to the cheat of future knowledge, I could make predictions and stay ahead. And even that will be over once I surpass the lifespan of my previous life.

“You’re talking about things I really don’t understand… Even if that were the case, I can’t see into the future for much longer. In a few more years, I won’t be able to predict anything!”

“Again, I don’t really get it… Even if it were true, you’re exceptionally talented. The ideas and prophecies you’ve presented since joining have greatly contributed. Ideally, I’d want to promote you aggressively to match your achievements… well, let’s wait a bit until you build up more achievements within the company.”

“No, like I keep saying, I don’t have any kind of foresight! What I’ve done up till now was just sheer luck, and I’m certain that in a few more years, I won’t be able to read anything!”

“Still, it’s incomprehensible… Even if that were the case, you’re genuinely outstanding. You impressed Mishima-san, your superior, too. He said, ‘Even when you were working part-time at the book cafe, you seemed like a veteran who’d been a working professional for about twenty years, and it’s a bit intimidating…'”

“Yes, it’s nostalgic for me too. That immature pressure interview.”

“Hey, don’t bring that up again. I was also excited at the time, and my screws were a bit loose.”

With voices slightly tinged by the alcohol, Tokimune and I reminisced, sporting faint smiles.

“Actually… I still think about it from time to time.”

“Huh…?”

“The time when Haruka’s heart broke… If you weren’t there, I wonder if Haruka would have ever returned to her old self.”

For a brief moment, as if the alcohol had sobered him up, Tokimune voiced the possibility that might have been. Sᴇaʀᴄh the N0vᴇlFire(.)nᴇt website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of nøvels early and in the highest quality.

“You saved Haruka, and you gave the impetus for the company’s reform. Because of you, the world surrounding me has changed in a very kind direction. That thought often crosses my mind recently.”

“Tokimune…”

“I don’t believe in the nonsense passed down in the Shijouin family… but you were undoubtedly the ‘savior’ of our family. I truly… deeply appreciate it.”

“Wait! Please don’t bow your head!”

Though he remained seated, I panicked as the president lowered his head deeply towards me. After all, I had only pursued my own feelings of love, and it was too much for a mere mortal like me to receive such gratitude.

“Well, consider that my thanks. As a part of that gratitude, I’ll keep giving you projects. After all, eventually, I plan to leave the company in your hands.”

“…Huh? Pr-Presi…?”

Tokimune nonchalantly dropped this cryptic bombshell, leaving me dumbfounded for a moment. What did he just say?

“So, you’ll be the president. Of course, you’re still inexperienced, but from now on, I’ll train you rigorously in management. Oh, by the way, eventually, you’re expected to become a close confidant to Mishima, who will become an executive.”

“Wha-a-a-a-at!? No, what are you thinking!? There’s no way I’m cut out for that!”

I used to be a corporate slave, you know!? A success story where a slave becomes a king is too heavy!

“What are you saying? Not only do you have foresight, but you’re also incredibly eager for learning, and you’re always filled with the ambition to better yourself. I’m confident that with me passing on all my knowledge and experience, and with you building up an excellent support system, you’ll handle it with no problem.”

Emphasizing his intuition, Tokimune spoke as if it were a matter of course.

“And… I don’t particularly like hereditary systems, but having ‘family’ take over is a natural and less resistant story, don’t you think?”

“Well, that may be true, but…! This isn’t a small local company in the countryside, you know!?”

“Well, in the end, if I judge that you can’t be entrusted with it, I’ll ask someone else. Just keep in mind that there’s also a future where you don’t have to prepare for it with such determination.”

As if enjoying my fluster, Tokimune chuckled and tilted his glass of whiskey.

Oh well, I don’t know how serious he is, but I’m feeling quite exhausted…

“Well, anyway, starting next week, I’ll make sure to set aside plenty of time for teaching management. Make sure to let your family know. If they think you’re being unfairly restrained, I might receive an angry phone call.”

“How motivated are you, really!? Let’s reconsider after all! I’ll just end up as an incompetent second generation who ruins a big corporation!”

To my earnest protest, Tokimune laughed quite amusedly.

(TLN) That escalated quickly.

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