I’m Ai, 28 years old. After high school, I got a job in my hometown and married my husband when I was 22. Now I’ve been with the company for ten years.
The office I work at is a branch of a local company, way out in the countryside. The people who’ve been there forever still cling to old-fashioned values.Women like me, hired locally, don’t make much money—and honestly, no one expects much from us anyway.I’m fine just keeping things peaceful. The last thing I want is to get ambitious and end up dragged into trouble. So I’ve been doing nothing more than the bare minimum every day.
Misaki was chosen as the next leader.
She was probably talked into it and couldn’t say no.She just transferred here from another prefecture, so there’s no way she understands how things work around here. It’s obvious she’s going to have a rough time. Maybe deep down she thinks it’s a hassle too—but honestly, that’s her fault for not refusing outright.The world works in a way that punishes kindness.The moment you say something like, “I’ll do it,” out of a little goodwill, you’re doomed.
Then it’s “next time,” and “the time after that,” forever.People start relying on you, expecting your help like it’s their right.That’s not the kind of life I want to live.