The Beautiful Kuudere Woman Who Always Reads Books While Standing Next to Me at the Laundromat Turns Out to Be the Vice President of One of Our Clients
It was the day of our date, ostensibly to go shopping for a sofa.
I was tapping my smartphone screen nervously in front of the ticket gate at the station where we had agreed to meet.
I checked the time repeatedly, but of course, time doesn’t warp.
I remembered Tsukishima san’s impromptu fashion show at the laundromat last night. I wondered what kind of expression she would have on her face and what kind of clothes she would be wearing when she showed up.
“…Minato san. Did I keep you waiting?”
Suddenly, I heard a voice and looked up to see a Tsukishima san I didn’t recognize standing there.
She was wearing a simple yet elegant black dress that beautifully accentuated her figure, as she had mentioned. It was a stark contrast to her usual casual attire. The vibrant pink of her hair contrasted with her fair skin, making her stand out in the crowd.
“Not at all.”
“Hmm. Good. I should’ve been able to come earlier, but…my bedhead wouldn’t go away.”
As she said that, a strand of hair on the side of Tsukishima san’s head sprang outward.
“Oh…really.”
“It’s always like this on days like today.”
Tsukishima san glared at her hair with a resentful look and shook the strand of hair with her finger several times.
“…Well…but it looks really good on you. That dress.”
“Hm. Thanks. I took the test results into consideration. I just made the decision based on scientific analysis. There’s no hidden meaning.”
She muttered that in a small voice and turned away. I didn’t miss the fact that her ears were slightly red.
We started walking toward the interior shop we were aiming for, the air between us still a little awkward. The sidewalk was bustling with weekend crowds. I couldn’t take my eyes off Tsukishima-san’s back, walking a few steps ahead of me, looking different than usual.
“But it’s amazing, isn’t it, this kind of thing?”
She suddenly turned around and said.
“This kind of thing?”
“Dates, where the purpose and specifications are vague, and the definition of success varies from person to person. Yet, people all over the world go through this unstable process every weekend without a second thought. It’s like a grand social experiment.”
“Haha…..I guess you’re right. But maybe that uncertainty is what makes it interesting. It’s not predictable, so it’s exciting…..”
“So does that mean….we can do all sorts of weird things?”
Tsukishima san asked with a mischievous smile, like a child.
“Can we skip the weird behavior?”
“Well, I guess so.”
Tsukishima said that, then took my hand and started walking.
“This…this is…”
“It’s weird, right? Your hand is being held by someone else, and you’re not free.”
“That’s really weird.”
“Plus, from here on, ethical and legal constraints will take away even more of your freedom. Today might be the first step.”
Tsukishima san said that while looking into the distance as if seeing into the future.
“Well…isn’t that okay?”
When I said that, Tsukishima san turned toward me with a sudden burst of energy.
“Is…is that okay?”
“But…we’re just buying a sofa, right !?”
“Fufu…yeah. Just buying a sofa.”
“…….Let’s go.”
“…….Okay.”
We started walking again as if nothing had happened. But the awkward yet somehow enjoyable atmosphere from earlier was no longer there.
Instead, we were acutely aware of each other’s physical presence.
◆
Even when we arrived at the vast interior design shop, the strange atmosphere continued. Surrounded by perfectly coordinated living room displays, we were both distracted.
“It feels unsettling. Like we’re being forced to look at someone else’s perfect save data. The most important parameter—the sense of daily life—is missing.”
“Haha…you’re right. It’s nice and clean, but it doesn’t feel like anyone actually lives here.”
Uncertain which sofa to choose, I decided to ask her a question as a starting point.
“What does your ideal home look like, Tsukishima san?”
“My ideal home?”
She paused for a moment, then gave a typical answer.
“A gigabit internet connection, redundant power supply, a spacious desk. And an ergonomic chair that doesn’t strain my back—that’s all I need.”
Her matter-of-fact response made me chuckle. My heart, which had been racing from earlier events, calmed down a bit.
“What about you, Minato san?”
“For me…..a home isn’t just a living space; it’s more like a sanctuary. A space completely separated from work and the noise of the outside world…”
The word “sanctuary” I had used seemed to spark a new line of thought in Tsukishima san. Her eyes gleamed with seriousness.
We had forgotten about choosing a sofa and ended up sitting on a random one, chatting casually.
“So, what’s your definition of the ‘perfect home,’ Minato san? For example, is leaving socks lying around okay? Or is that a no-go?”
“Huh, that?”
As I hesitated, she continued with a serious expression.
“It’s important. It’s a crucial specification that determines the acceptable range of errors in the collaborative effort of living.”
“Hmm…I’d probably pick up the socks because they bother me…eh? Wait, is Tsukishima san’s room that messy?”
“No, not at all.”
“Oh, really…”
“Well, the socks are just an example. There are other things too, like not replacing the toilet paper when it’s running low.”
“Oh, like not making new barley tea when the old batch is running low.”
“Well, for barley tea, we can just prepare two pots and use them in rotation. It’s a rolling update.”
“Well, for toilet paper, we can just buy it on a regular basis and keep it nearby……inventory management?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
For some reason, a meeting to discuss points of concern in their shared living situation suddenly began. The solutions were immediately approved, which was satisfying.
“…Hey, Minato san. About the toilet paper…”
Tsukishima san spoke with a serious expression, placing her hands on her knees.
“Ugh…yeah. What?”
“Is that part necessary?”
“Ah…yeah. It does look like a sofa.”
“Toilet sofa paper?”
“You don’t have to replace it !? Well, I mean…it doesn’t really matter whether it’s there or not, but it makes me feel calm when it’s there…or rather, it’s supposed to be there…is that what you mean?”
“…From that point of view, I think the it is better than the sofa.”
“Then, let’s put it in the living room.”
“Huh…it’s a strange shape. But…yes. That’s right. A sofa equivalent…I see.”
When the conversation came to an end, Tsukishima san suddenly nodded vigorously, as if she had come to a realization.
Her eyes no longer held the sentimental light of before, but rather the clear determination of someone who had finalized the specifications for a project.
“Eh?”
“Minato san, let’s go.”
She took my hand and headed straight for the farthest corner of the store, an area exuding an aura of luxury. It was a section filled with high-end Italian imported furniture. Even without looking at the prices, it was clear this was a world where a single piece could cost several months’ salary.
Ignoring my words, she stopped in front of a single sofa. Smooth black leather, minimalist and sophisticated form, and an overwhelming presence even to the untrained eye. It was an Italian-made, high-end designer sofa.
“…Hmm. This one.”
Tsukishima nodded contentedly.
“Indeed…this one is nice.”
“A sofa is as important as toilet paper, and it plays a crucial role in creating the ‘sanctuary’ you mentioned. No compromises are allowed. Therefore, this is the logical optimal solution. We will purchase this one. I’ll buy it, so don’t worry about it.”
“Wait, Tsukishima san !? It might be the optimal solution, but the price is way beyond reasonable! One hundred…one thousand…one million…!?”
I hurriedly checked the price tag, and there was an unbelievable number that made me give up calculating how many months’ salary it would take.
“But it’s supposedly half price.”
Tsukishima-san pointed to a sign that read “Closing Sale.” If it’s half price, the price drops by one digit, making it just within reach.
“May I help you find something?”
A well-mannered male clerk approached us with a friendly smile. She quickly compared me and Tsukishima san and apparently decided that I was the decision-maker. Her gaze was completely locked on me.
Well, it wasn’t just his appearance; Tsukishima san had also blurted out the phrase “a little ‘tt’” in response to the question, which would have been incomprehensible to someone unaware of the circumstances.
“Um, we’re looking for a sofa….”
Out of nervousness, I blurted out the utterly obvious statement, while standing in front of the sofa.
“Yes. This sofa is from Italy—”
After receiving a smooth explanation from the salesperson, Tsukishima san said firmly.
“Hmm. I’ll take this one.”
“Are you sure?”
“Tsukishima san, are you serious !?”
I tried to stop her in a low voice, but she turned to me and said seriously.
“This is complete compensation for the major system failure I caused with Minato san’s sofa. Also, I want to use it sometimes too. It’s the perfect size for two people to relax on. It’s perfect.”
“Well…no, but…this is going to be in my room? It’s like wearing a high-end brand as an accent piece when you’re wearing all Uniqlo.”
“No, it’s just the right amount of style. It’s much better than wearing all high-end brands.”
“Maybe that wasn’t a good example…but if we were having a meeting after the furniture had gone to sleep at night, wouldn’t it get bullied? It’s the only one born and raised in Italy, right?”
“It’ll be fine. If it’s Italian-raised, it probably has good communication skills. It’s furniture in Minato san’s room, so everyone has a good personality.”
Tsukishima san brushed off the outlandish setting with an excuse.
“Hmm…then maybe…only the servers that aren’t that important are overly high-spec?”
“A stepping stool?”
Tsukishima san asked with a change in her expression. I nodded, even though I didn’t know what a stepping stool was. Then Tsukishima san said, “That’s a waste.”
“Right ! So this is a stepping stool.”
I pressed the point, but it didn’t seem to register with Tsukishima.
“Well, it’s a sofa…but do we need a stepping stone? When would we use it?”
Tsukishima san looked at me warily, as if I were a madman.
“You’re not supposed to stand on it !”
Her logic and attitude left me speechless, and I could only be overwhelmed.
“Then, please come this way.”
The staff said that while looking at me, and Tsukishima san took a step forward.
“With a card, all of it.”
And what she took out of her wallet was a black card with a heavy, gleaming finish that I had never seen before.
I guess Tsukishima san had her reasons.
“Eh…”
The staff’s perfect sales smile froze.
Her eyes darted back and forth between Tsukishima san, the card she had presented, and me, who was standing there in shock.
The gaze that had been fixed on me just moments ago was now completely focused on the petite pink-haired woman in front of her.
◆
Even after leaving the store, I still couldn’t quite grasp the situation. Tsukishima san looked somehow relieved, as if she had just closed a big deal.
“Minato san, this is settled then.”
“Settled…I never intended to ask for compensation for the sofa…I mean, the interest is too high for compensation…”
“Well, I just want to use it. Don’t worry about it. I don’t usually go shopping, so this much is no big deal. Besides, I’ll use it a lot.”
“How often?”
“Every day. I’m hungry. Let’s go eat.”
Tsukishima san started wandering around looking for a place to have lunch, acting as carefree as ever.
Maigetsu