Trucker, floating away.
A week has passed since the battle against one of the Four Heavenly Kings. “Agatsuma Shipping Company” was back to normal business.
Customers bring their cargo to the company, fill in a photocopied form, and pay a fee. Then, I and Shiny take care of the cargo and transport it.
Of course, the truck is not transformed into a robot. To tell the truth, I don’t need this feature. I don’t need the transforming function for my peaceful slow life.
Today, too, I’ve finished the morning reception, and I’m checking in with Kirie before loading the packages for today’s delivery.
“Today’s packages are in the Gehae and Yine districts. Please take care of them.”
“I’ll take care of it. Let’s go, Shiny.”
“All right. Let’s load it up.”
Shiny and I load the truck, and Kirie goes back to the office.
Mireina is manning the reception desk at the counter. The packages to be brought in will be delivered at a later date, except for those in neighboring towns. It was a good decision to make the deliveries in the neighboring towns in the afternoon.
Today’s morning deliveries totaled fifty. The number has been gradually increasing since we reopened for business. Apparently, the townspeople had been waiting for us, and we were inundated with requests as soon as we reopened for business. I never thought I would be so happy to be in demand.
“Haa…, we’re busy today, too.”
“Yes. It’s as if the battle with the Four Heavenly King was a lie.”
“Well, this is our daily life. As you said, we are not heroes. It is normal for us to work like this and get paid for it.”
“I understand. I don’t want to be involved with the Demon Lord or the Four Heavenly Kings anymore.”
I’ve said it many times, I’m a truck driver. I don’t want to fight, I want to work and enjoy a leisurely, slow life. I don’t want to be reborn in this world and get caught up in battles.
Then the door connecting the warehouse and the office opened and Mireina, a girl with platinum blonde hair and a work outfit, came up to us with a smile on her face.
“President, Shiny, today’s lunch will be seafood fried rice.”
“Oh, seriously!? Yeah!!”
“My favorite! That’s Mireina!”
“Yes. Because today is a special day.”
“Yes, it is.”
“It’s the one we’ve all been waiting for.”
Yes, today is a special day for us … members of society.
Me, Shiny, Mireina, and maybe even Kirie are all excited.
“Mireina, let’s be extravagant this evening, shall we?”
“Yes. I understand.”
“Oh, the president has a big heart, doesn’t he~?”
“Muh-huh, it’s okay at least for today.”
We should celebrate the big day. I think this is common in Japan and other countries. Of course, it’s my treat. As the president, I have to at least buy my employees a drink.
Yes. Today is the long-awaited payday.
Tama and Kirie are in charge of the payroll.
The cost of snacks and juice bought with points is deducted from the paycheck, and the remainder is paid. Tama seems to have calculated everyone’s point consumption, so I don’t have to worry.
Shiny and I were talking while making a delivery.
“I’ve been buying and eating a lot on my first paycheck.”
“Um…, if you put it that way.”
Points are deducted as common to all employees, as there should be no spoiling. When it comes to all-you-can-eat modern delicious snacks, no matter how many points you have, it’s not enough. Besides, it is a snack that would not normally be available in this world.
“After work, we’ll have a pay ceremony. After that, we’ll go to a restaurant for dinner.”
“Pay ceremony?”
“Oh, there was a pay ceremony at the company I worked for. We’d gather the employees at the end of the day and hand out the paychecks in front of everyone.”
“Hmmm. Hmmm…what a hassle. Can’t you just hand it?”
“No, I think it’s fine.”
“Then that’s fine.”
“…”
At the company I worked for, the president would hand out paychecks in front of everyone. The company president would give a pep talk and the employees would read the company motto together. It was a hassle and I wanted to leave as soon as I received my paycheck, but for some reason I remember looking forward to that ceremony.
“No, we’re going to have a pay ceremony. “
“Really? Well, that’s fine.”
Maybe it was because I was feeling kind of lonely.
I was motivated to do well when the president told me to do my best. So I want Mireina and the others to do their best too. I’m only the president in name, but as the president of this company, I feel like I want to address them.
“President. We are arriving at the next delivery destination.”
“Oh, okay. I’m counting on you, Shiny.”
“Yes. Next is…”
Shiny flipped through the list of destinations.
After the morning delivery, Shiny and I returned to the office.
After eating a warm meal prepared by Mireina, we started delivering to the surrounding areas. The number of deliveries is gradually increasing, so we are busy. Well, most of the deliveries are for individuals, so it’s over quickly.
Recently, I’ve been getting requests from other merchants and companies to transport their goods, but since I only have one truck and I’m busy with my own deliveries, I couldn’t accept their requests. It’s a pity, though.
“We’re back…”
“We’re home. Hey, Nina.”
“You’re interrupting. Shiny Blue, president.”
Nina, aka Niramana, the head of the Adventurers’ Guild, was talking with Mireina and Kirie just as she leaned over the counter.
“Ah, President, Shiny. I’ll be right back for lunch.”
“Please do. I’ll be right with you. Today we have Mireina’s special seafood fried rice.”
“Oh, that sounds delicious. I’ll have some with you.”
“Yes. I’ve never had lunch with Nina-san before.”
“I’ll help you, too, Mireina.”
“I’m counting on you, Kirie.”
Well, this is the scene of everyday life. And to have lunch with beautiful girls.
“Wait a minute!! I didn’t approve of this, why is Niramana eating with us like it’s normal!?”
Shiny snapped for some reason. She really doesn’t like Nina, does she?
“Hah… Shiny Blue, I get my meals with the president’s permission. You have no right to complain.”
“Ugh. The guild chief can leave the guild alone and have a meal at a shipping company!?”
“Ah, I finished my work in the morning. Now I’m taking a lunch break to make the rounds of the town. No problem.”
“Then go to a café in town. Why are you coming all the way here!?”
“Of course, because I’m on patrol as an escort. You’re escorting the president, so that’s fine, but who’s escorting Mireina and Kirie? These two pretty girls would fall into slavery in no time if they were kidnapped.”
“That’s…”
Well, this is Shiny’s loss.
I, for one, am grateful for Nina’s presence. The only thing that would make Milaina and her family safer is if one of the “Adventurers of Arcobaleno of the Seven Colors” would stop by. Maybe we should make a sign that says something like, “Police Officer Stops by.” I’ll make a sign like “Adventurers’ Guild Leader Stops by” or something.
“Okay then!! I’ll eat in my room!!”
“Oh, hey, Shiny.”
Shiny disappeared into the kitchen.
Then Nina let out a sigh and blurted out to me.
“She seems to hate me a lot. Well, it can’t be helped…”
Nina smiled sadly.
Shiny Blue and Niramana.
The relationship between the two is not just about being an adventurer and the head of the adventurers’ guild. I’m sure there’s something about them that we don’t know either.
I thought about that as I ate my seafood fried rice.
I’m sure Nina would be able to tell me if I asked her, but I don’t want to go to the trouble of digging into their past to find out. Because that’s privacy and it has nothing to do with my work.
“Nina. What is your relationship with Shiny?”
“Buhuh.”
Just when I was thinking that, there’s Kirie.
She’s already finished her seafood fried rice and is sipping her after-meal tea. She’s asking like she’s completely killing time, like it’s one of her after-meal pastimes.
“What, are you interested?”
“Yes, I am. I told you about me and Mireina, but Shiny’s past is unknown. She doesn’t talk about her family or where she came from.”
“Wow, I’m curious too.”
Oh, my, Mireina wants to know too? Well, of course.
By the way, the fact that Mireina is a demon is a secret between us. I don’t think they would believe me if I told them, and no matter how you look at it, Mireina looks like an ordinary human being.
“I don’t know about her family or where she came from, but I can tell you the story of when she first met me. Would you like to hear it?”
And here, Nina’s eyes are on me.
Well, if you’re willing to talk about it, I might be willing to listen. I don’t care what Shiny’s past is, it doesn’t change the fact that she is an employee of this company.
“Then, since we’re here, I’ll appreciate it.”
Nina nodded lightly and took a sip of tea to moisten her lips.
“I met Shiny Blue five years ago when she was fourteen.”
I was nervous for some reason.
