On Monday, Yoichi officially joined Sales Section Two at Futaba Trading Company.
After completing onboarding and receiving his employee ID, he felt a mix of excitement and anxiety.
He had finally become a proper corporate slave.
Even if… both the company and the department felt a little unreliable.
The Sales Section Two office wasn't very large.
Several desks were squeezed together, creating that classic Japanese workplace atmosphere. Most of his coworkers were middle-aged men with friendly faces, and they greeted him warmly as soon as he arrived.
"Oh, so you're Hiroshi's cousin? You're young!"
"Nice to meet you, Nohara-kun!"
Hiroshi patted Yoichi on the shoulder like a proud older brother.
"This is my cousin, Nohara Yoichi. He just graduated, so please take care of him!"
At that moment—
Kawaguchi walked over, holding a file, his expression as stern as ever.
"Nohara Yoichi, right? Since you're here, don't just sit around. Hiroshi—take him with you. Follow up on the beverage restocking and new product promotion plan for Kasukabe Supermarket. I want a report by this afternoon."
"Yes, sir!" Hiroshi snapped upright and gave an awkward salute.
"Understood!" Yoichi followed immediately.
Outside the office, Yoichi lowered his voice.
"Cousin… is this client difficult?"
Hiroshi scratched his head.
"…How should I put it… The purchasing manager, Yamada, is a real 'iron rooster.' Always bargaining, always picky. But don't worry—with your cousin here, we'll be fine!"
Yoichi: "…"
For some reason—
That didn't reassure him at all.
At Kasukabe Supermarket, they quickly found Yamada.
Just as Hiroshi described—
Sharp eyes behind gold-rimmed glasses.
A calculating expression.
Definitely not easy to deal with.
"Hiroshi," Yamada said coldly, flipping through the proposal, "your company's efficiency is getting worse. This promotion plan has no creativity, and the price is higher than last time. Do you think I'm easy to fool?"
Hiroshi forced a smile.
"Manager Yamada, please don't be upset. The price increase is due to rising costs, and we can revise the plan—"
"I don't have time for revisions," Yamada cut him off. "You have two days. Lower the price or give me a better plan—or I'll find another supplier."
Hiroshi's face stiffened.
This was bad.
Losing this client would be a disaster.
Yoichi stood quietly to the side, observing.
Then—
A thought flashed through his mind.
Shin-chan…
He glanced at his watch.
Kindergarten dismissal time.
Yoichi stepped forward.
"Manager Yamada," he said calmly, "regarding the plan and pricing, we do need more time. But may I ask… do you have a child? Around five years old? Attending Futaba Kindergarten?"
Yamada froze.
"…How do you know that?"
"I guessed," Yoichi said with a slight smile. "I just saw a child near the entrance who looked upset—arguing with a friend. I thought… compared to work, a child's feelings might be more important."
In truth—
He hadn't seen anything.
He was betting.
Betting that in this world—
Connections overlapped more than they seemed.
Yamada's expression changed immediately.
"What?! Where is he?"
"Near the plaza outside," Yoichi said.
Yamada didn't hesitate.
"I'll be right back!"
And he rushed out.
Hiroshi stared at Yoichi.
"…How did you know all that?"
"I didn't," Yoichi said lightly. "I just took a guess."
About ten minutes later, Yamada returned.
His expression had completely changed.
The anger was gone—
Replaced by fatigue… and gratitude.
"Thank you," he said sincerely. "My son really was crying over a fight with a friend. Luckily, I got there in time."
"It's nothing," Yoichi replied. "Family comes first."
Yamada nodded.
Then picked up the proposal again.
This time—
He read it carefully.
After a moment, he spoke.
"The price… I understand the cost increase. I'll accept it—but reduce it by five cents from your last quote."
Hiroshi's eyes widened slightly.
That was already a win.
"As for the plan," Yamada continued, looking at Yoichi, "it's not good enough. But…"
He paused.
"You."
He pointed at Yoichi.
"You're sharp. You understand people. I want you to revise this plan. Three days. If I'm satisfied, we'll continue working together."
Both Yoichi and Hiroshi froze.
Then—
"Thank you, Manager Yamada!" Hiroshi said quickly.
"We won't disappoint you," Yoichi added.
After leaving the supermarket—
Hiroshi slapped Yoichi on the back.
"Yoichi-kun, that was amazing! You just saved our entire department!"
Yoichi smiled.
"Just got lucky."
But he knew—
It wasn't luck.
This was the first time he had truly used his knowledge of this world to solve a real problem.
Back at the company, Hiroshi immediately reported everything.
Kawaguchi looked at Yoichi with new interest.
"Not bad, Nohara Yoichi. Making a contribution on your first day. Keep it up—I have high expectations for you."
Hearing that—
Yoichi felt a surge of satisfaction.
This was only the beginning.
More challenges would come.
But now—
He was ready.
When he received his first paycheck—
Yoichi treated the Nohara family to yakiniku.
Watching Misae and Shin-chan happily eating, and Hiroshi smiling proudly—
Yoichi suddenly felt something warm in his chest.
Maybe…
Coming to this world wasn't such a bad thing after all.
A slightly chaotic—but lovable—family.
Eccentric—but interesting—colleagues.
A life full of challenges and surprises.
Yoichi raised his glass.
"Thank you… for letting me be part of this family."
Misae smiled.
"Why are you being so formal? This is your home now!"
Hiroshi raised his glass too.
"Cheers! To Yoichi-kun's bright future!"
Shin-chan lifted his juice box.
"Cheers! I hope Uncle Yoichi finds a girlfriend soon!"
Yoichi: "…"
Some things—
Would never change.
But that was fine.
Looking at the people in front of him, Yoichi smiled sincerely.
His new life—
Had only just begun.