Chapter 7: Changes Around Me

"Hey, Nishino, got a minute?"

While I was working, the department chief called out to me.

"Yes, what is it?"

"Come with me."

He stood up and walked out of the office floor, so I followed him. We stopped by the vending machines near the stairs.

"Want something to drink?"

"Ah, then… coffee, please."

When I said that, the chief bought a can of coffee from the machine.

"Here."

"Thank you."

I accepted it politely and thanked him.

"Nishino, how’s Akeura doing?"

Kana-chan?

"She learns fast. I think she’s a good kid."

"I see… Lately, you and Akeura have both been staying late, haven’t you? Do you have enough people?"

"Not really. Are we getting any new recruits?"

"No. I talked to HR, but our department’s not getting anyone next year."

That’s not good.

"I see…"

"Think you can handle it?"

"As long as the workload doesn’t increase, I’ll manage."

"Got it. I’ll see what I can do."

The chief said that and placed his hand on my shoulder.

…Not that it really matters, but you’re kinda close, dude.

"Please do."

"I’m counting on you."

After saying that, he returned to the office floor. I downed the canned coffee in one go and headed to the restroom. After finishing up, I washed my hands.

When I glanced at the mirror, I noticed Kana-chan standing behind me.

"Hm? Akeura-san, what’s wrong?"

Of course, I don’t call her Kana-chan at work.

"Senpai, are you okay?"

She stepped closer as she asked.

"About what?"

"Just now—the chief harassed you."

Harassed me?

"How so?"

"He touched your shoulder."

You saw that? I mean… that counts as harassment?

"You think so?"

"Of course! Poor you…"

As she said that, Kana-chan hugged me.

"Uh… hmm…"

Well, come to think of it, when I was a guy, the chief never touched my shoulder. And if some guy tried that with Kana-chan, I’d probably deck him.

"I think, Senpai, your guard’s a little too low."

Is it, though? Anyway, not to ruin the moment, but you’re totally grabbing my butt right now, aren’t you? We’re still at work, you know…

"Kana-chan, let’s get back to work."

"Okay. Can I stay over tonight?"

As usual.

"Hey, hey, has anyone noticed any changes lately?"

It was Sunday, and when everyone had gathered at the family restaurant, I brought it up.

"Changes? Like what, nya?"

Nyāko tilted her head.

"Don’t you feel like guys are standing closer now? I didn’t realize it until Kana-chan pointed it out, but compared to when I was a guy, my boss and coworkers just… stand closer. Some even touch me sometimes."

Ever since then, I’d been paying attention—and yeah, they definitely stood closer than before. Even coworkers who rarely talked to me had started striking up conversations.

"Erotomi, you’re kinda dense about that stuff, nya~"

Kana-chan said the same thing.

"True. You’ve got this pure, easy-to-take-home vibe going on."

Don’t even think about taking me home, you virgin freak!

"Erm, Eromi-san’s kinda airheaded, after all. Deep down, though, she’s a total perv."

Why are these people pretending to be pure when we all know men are basically built around boobs, ass, and sex?

"So anyway, after all that, Kana-chan warned me to be careful. I just wondered if you all felt the same."

"Yeah… that’s definitely a thing," Shachou said, frowning.

"Oh? You too? Guys harassing you?"

"No, no harassment. I’m the company president, remember?"

Fair point. Who’d have the guts to harass their own president?

"Then what?"

"The stares."

"Ahh, I get that," Chihiro said immediately.

"The stares?"

"When I talk with men, it’s obvious—their eyes go straight down."

"Yeah, totally. The difference from when I was a guy is insane."

Seriously…?

I turned to look at Nyāko.

"Of course, nya. In my line of work, if guys don’t look, that’s the real problem, nya."

"I see… but Nyāko, you don’t really have much to look at."

I don’t exactly see any curves there, you know?

"Don’t underestimate an A-cup, nya! And besides, you’re not that different yourself, nya!"

"I’m a B."

"Die, nya."

Nyāko threw her wet towel at me.

"Hey, hey, stop fighting already. Eromi, you’ve never felt that kind of stare before?"

"Not really… I’m usually with Kana-chan, whether at work or in town."

"Ahh, the loli-with-big-boobs girlfriend. Yeah, I guess all the attention goes to her."

Don’t call her that. Even if she is a loli with big boobs.

"Eromi, you got a picture of your girlfriend, nya?"

"Yeah."

I took out my phone, pulled up a picture of the two of us, and set it on the table. The three of them leaned over to look.

"Wow… even more of a loli with big boobs than I imagined."

"Now that you mention it, Eromi, you’re short and have a baby face, too. The two of you just look like pure, innocent lolis."

"Thinking that these two are totally going at it gives me a weird sense of forbidden thrill."

Hey!!

"That’s not the kind of reaction I was expecting! You’re supposed to say, ‘Wow, she’s cute!’ and boost my self-esteem here!"

She is that cute, though!

"You really do have that kind of vibe, you know…"

Shut up!

"I mean, she’s definitely a cute girlfriend, but you look so similar it’s hard to tell you’re not just friends, nya."

We’re lovers!

"Well, you are both girls. Knowing you, Eromi-san, you probably did it again last night, didn’t you?"

We literally did it an hour before coming here!