Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk

Chapter 77 Let's take a nap, Section Chief

Chihaya Yuri paused for a moment, reaching out to touch her wine glass, but her movement was a beat slower than usual.

"Behind the numbers are people...and often, people are much more troublesome than numbers."

Kiryu Yaya listened quietly without interrupting.

Chihaya Yuri continued:

"Some people, even knowing that their projects are rotten, will still try to repackage them and hand them over to the bank, waiting for the next person to take them over."

"That's how it is with Rokka."

"Many cases I've seen before were like this."

She frowned slightly, and her voice softened.

"What's most infuriating is never business failure."

"It's like someone who has already failed but refuses to admit it and insists on dragging others down with them."

At this point, she gently shook her head.

"It looks terrible."

Kiryu Yaya looked at her and chuckled softly.

"As expected, the senior really hates bad debts."

"Hate."

"More annoying than someone you hate?"

"No, at least bad debts don't lie."

She spoke with a very serious expression.

But because of the alcohol, his face, which usually seemed too sharp, now had a rare softness.

As Kiryu Yaya looked at her, the gloom that had been weighing on his heart was gradually diluted by the alcohol and the light.

He raised his glass and took another sip.

Chihaya Yuri also took a small sip.

Then she suddenly looked at him and whispered:

"But you are too."

"I?"

"You used too much force this time."

Her eyes were already somewhat glazed over when she said this.

Yet his tone remained calm and serious, just like usual.

"Although the Miyazawa case is important, in the end, it is just a case within the banking industry."

"During the Shiraishi case, it was understandable that you worked so hard. But in the Miyazawa case, you went a bit overboard and it was a bit too conspicuous."

"That's not good."

Kiryu Yaya looked at her and smiled.

"Are you worried about me, senior?"

Upon hearing this, Chihaya Yuri actually thought about it quite seriously.

I guess so.

Then she added:

"After all, if you ever get into trouble, I'll be the first one to suffer."

Kiryu Yaya laughed out loud.

"That's a really senior-style reason."

"That's how it is."

After Chihaya Yuri finished speaking, she raised her hand and rubbed her temples, as if she had only just realized that something was wrong.

"……strangeness."

"What's wrong?"

"I feel a little dizzy."

Her voice trailed off.

The blush on her cheeks had also deepened noticeably.

Kiryu Yaya looked at her and finally realized that the situation was not good.

"Senior, are you drunk?"

"no."

She instinctively retorted.

But this statement was not convincing at all; on the contrary, it was evidence that she was drunk, because her tone of voice was much softer than usual.

Kiryu chuckled.

"That sounds like something a drunk person would say."

Chihaya Yuri slightly raised her head, as if she wanted to glare at him.

But just two seconds after their eyes met, she couldn't help but blink.

The effects of the alcohol were gradually building up.

It was her first time drinking alcohol.

At first, I could maintain my composure through habitual restraint, but after a few drinks, that usually taut shell began to loosen.

Her shoulders were no longer as straight as they were in the office, and the hand supporting her face looked a little lazy.

His eyes were already somewhat unfocused.

Kiryu Yaya glanced down at the table.

Before he knew it, he had already drunk six or seven bottles, while Chihaya Yuri had also emptied more than two bottles.

For someone like her who has never drunk alcohol, that was enough.

It was only then that he realized a very serious problem.

Chihaya Yuri is so drunk, how is she going to get home?

Just then——

Suddenly, a semi-transparent interface popped up in front of Kiryu Yaya.

[New life options have been triggered]

[The usually aloof Chihaya Yuri, for the first time, drinks alcohol and reveals such a relaxed side in front of you.]

Faced with a heavily intoxicated Section Chief Chihaya, you have the following choices:

[Fork in the road 1: Pretend not to see it, ask the shop assistant to call a taxi for her, and go home by herself.]

(Reward: Bank deposit increased by 1 yen)

[Second branch: Ask for her address, personally take her home, and ensure her safety.]

(Reward: Bank deposit increased by 3 yen)

[Branch 3: Taking advantage of her drunkenness, he confesses his feelings and takes her to a nearby hotel to "take care of her for the night."]

(Reward: Bank deposit increased by 10 yen; Chihaya Yuri's affection level increased, with a higher probability of unlocking a romance route)

Kiryu Yaya looked at the third option and his lips twitched slightly.

This damn system, it really does turn into something inhumane at times like this.

Taking advantage of someone while they're drunk—that's not a romance story, that's a crime story.

However, she was still a little worried about simply asking the shop assistant to call a taxi for her.

It would have been fine if it were earlier, but it's already eleven o'clock.

After a moment's thought, Kiryu Yaya decided to personally take Chihaya Yuri home.

However, after drinking so much, he also felt a little dizzy.

Kiryu Yaya put down his wine glass and looked at Chihaya Yuri across from him:

"Department Head."

"Um……"

She looked up, her eyes already somewhat lost.

"Where do you live? I'll take you home."

Chihaya Yuri blinked, as if trying to understand the sentence.

Two seconds later, she drunkenly gave an address.

"...It's...not far from the bank...the apartment over there..."

Kiryu Yaya nodded, paid the bill, and slowly got up to walk around to her side.

"Can you stand up?"

"able……"

Chihaya Yuri said she could, but as soon as she stood up, her body swayed noticeably.

Kiryu Yaya had no choice but to reach out and support her.

The woman's body was soft and warm; even through her shirt and suit, one could clearly feel her feverish body temperature after drinking.

The evening breeze blew in from the alley entrance, carrying a hint of nighttime coolness.

Kiryu Yaya helped her walk forward. The smell of alcohol, the night breeze, and the faint fragrance from her hair mingled together, inevitably stirring up a sense of romance in one's heart.

"Slow down."

"……Um."

Chihaya Yuri leaned almost entirely on him, her steps unsteady.

Chihaya, the section chief who usually has the final say in the financing review class, was now as docile as a drunken big cat.

After walking for about ten minutes, the two finally arrived at the apartment building where she lived.

Compared to the dilapidated little apartment from the late Showa era where Kiryu Yaya lived, this place was obviously much better.

There is access control downstairs.

The hallway was bright and the walls were clean.

It's at least a decent upscale apartment for singles.

Chihaya Yuri rummaged through her handbag for a long time for her keys, and finally just shoved the whole bag into his hands. She closed her eyes and leaned against the door, looking like she was about to fall asleep standing up.

"...You drive it."

"it is good."

Kiryu Yaya found the key, opened the door, and helped her inside.

The house wasn't big, but it was very tidy.

Light gray curtains, natural wood flooring, bookshelves neatly stacked with professional books on finance, law, and several corporate finance, and even the coasters on the coffee table are arranged properly.

It looks just like her.

Cold, efficient, and not allowing any unnecessary mess.

But now, the owner of this house is clearly no longer alive.

Kiryu Yaya helped her into the bedroom and gently placed her on the bed.

"alright."

"Take a nap, Department Head."

He intended to simply cover her with the blanket and leave, but unexpectedly, Chihaya Yuri reached out and grabbed him, muttering something under her breath:

"Kiryu-kun..."

"Have another drink with me."