Slow Start ch136

p1
>Ichinose here.
>I've sorted out all the documentation
>for my part-time job with Tama-chan next month.
>Tomorrow is the long-awaited interview!

>I-
>I'm getting nervous...

>Well,
>we are filling in for a friend who cancelled,

>so you don't need to get too worked up about it.
>Our recruitment is all but confirmed.
>I-
>Is that so?

>>The final hurdle before becoming a part-time warrior!

p2
>That being said,
>>Hiroe House

>this is a paying job,
>so the interview will still be pretty important.
>I-I see.

>That's right, Hana-chan!
>The interviewer's impression of you will be decided the moment you meet!

>It's just like love!
>I-
>I see!
>Like they say, first impressions are everything!
>Erm~
>I wonder about that~
>>Momochi the Bystander

>Well, I've been defeated by that love, though...
>Fufu...
>Awawawa!
>I-I know!
>Let's try running a simulated interview!

>Now then, Hana-chan!
>Begin the interview!
>Eeh?
>Hyeeh!

>Wow.
>So this is the interview venue, huh?
>It's like you're putting on a comedy sketch.

>Excuse me~
>Door goes rattle~
>>Air Door

p3
>Erm,
>I'm Ichinose Hana!

>Don't look so sullen!
>Hyeh!?

>I-
>I'm Ichinose Hana~...

>Don't smile like an idiot!
>Eeep!?
>Isn't this interview a little harsh for a high schooler looking to work part-time?

>Let's see.
>Ichinose-san, was it?

>Why did you choose our company?
>Your acting's so good, Hiroe-san.
>Maybe she was a model or something.

>Eh?
>Well, um, Tama-chan invited me to...
>HUUH!?

>Hah!
>I'm gonna get yelled at again...!

p4
>I-
>I chose this place because I'm interested in postal work!
>Good!

>That's the spirit!
>You get a point!
>Yay!
>Ah. So there's a point system, huh?

>Now then,
>could you tell me what's good about yourself?
>Erm, um, sure.

>>glance

>At my high school, I work as a secretary for the student council. I am skilled at doing work carefully. I am good at concentrating so I believe I'm well suited for organisation work. If I am hired, I will do my absolute best to be of use to you!

>LIAR!!
>Eeeeeep!?

>You think I'm going to stay quiet and let you say a bunch of random superficial things...?

>You just googled "high schooler", "postal work", "part-time" and "interview"
>and quoted word-for-word the article on the fourth result, didn't you!!?
>Eeep! I'm sorry~

p5
>I swear...
>People are so quick to turn to their smartphones for the answer to everything...
>Hah~

>Smartphones and the like should be smashed to pieces immediately!!
>Don't smash me to pieces!!

>Eh...?

>Haha-chan...
>You seem somewhat happy about that...
>Why are you getting excited...?
>Hah!
>Y-You've got it all wrong!!

>Never mind that.
>Let's just start over!!
>Here we go, Hana-chan!!
>H-Hyesh!!

>>Trial and Error

>...

>?
>Hiroe-san?
>Another thing...

p6
>There appears to be a one year difference between the age on your resume and your school year.
>Care to explain that?
>!

>I-I got sick
>and became a ronin,
>so I'm a year behind.

>But,
>I want to live my high school life to the fullest
>to make up for being a year behind everyone else!
>I mean it!

>And a part-time job is just part of that!
>Hana-chan...!

>You get 100 points...!
>Hiroe-san...!

>Fufu...

>Come to think of it,
>Hana-chan told her student council friends that she was a ronin too, right?
>Yep.

p7
>They ended up finding out by sheer coincidence,
>>Busted by the age on her resume

>but Hana-chan confirmed it just like that. She was really cool~
>I'm a ronin. So what?
>Wah!
>That's amazing, Hana-chan!

>Ufufu♪

>I wonder if the whole neighborhood will eventually learn Hana-chan was a ronin some day...
>Knowing Hana-chan, that might be possible.
>No it won't!

>>Oniman
>...

>Hannen-onee-san.
>What's wrong?
>Ah,
>well...

>...I was just thinking
>about how
>having to be frank about yourself
>to someone you're meeting the first time
>must be pretty harsh.

p8
>Okay, we're off to the interview!!

>Yep.
>We'll prepare some appreciation snacks and wait for you.
>Just relax and do your best~

>I practised a lot with Hiroe-san,
>but,

>telling a stranger about me being a ronin is still
>scary...

>Oh, Tama-chan.

>Good afternoon~
>This way, please~
>I'm glad you decided to fill in for this job.

>Honestly.
>Cancelling your part-time job because you wanna put everything
>into releasing a new book for the winter event of all things.
>Well y'know, that is important.
>>Just buys stuff
>>Just buys stuff

>Ah, this is Ichinose Hana-chan who'll be working this part-time job with me.
>I-It's nice to meet you!

p9
>Yes, Ichinose-san, right? Good to have you.
>Okay, it's a bit sudden, but when can you start?
>Erm, well~
>What do you think, Hana-chan?
>R-
>Right!

>Ah.
>Good work~
>What did she ask you about?

>Nothing...
>Nothing?
>Oyaki

>She didn't ask me anything...
>Not even about the ronin thing...
>Even though she took a proper look
>at my resume...

>Ah...
>Hannen-onee-san was worried about that too.
>About that.
>I gently informed her myself ahead of time.

>Aha.
>Tama's so capable.

>>Nice call!