I ask myself how grateful I am for the life I lead.

  I've worked hard to get here. After leaving uy to study Eid Business Ma, I joined a rge pany iional market. I started as a trainee - even though I was an adult, I took orders from people youhan me. Even so, I quered my spad even became a model employee. Not that I want t, but I worked hard to make it possible.

  My childhood and adolesce were retively normal, even though I didn't have any siblings or many friends. I was always dedicated, but only enough to fulfill my obligations. I was shy until the age of 16, when I began to take more of an i in my cssmates. In order to fit in, I gradually ged my behavior: I started dressing up more, talking to other people and finally made some friends. But I have to admit that there was a bit more to it than that.

  I've never beeype to stand out for my looks. My skin is light brown and my hair is long and straight. If I wao, I could perhaps fit into the group of pirls - but I cked charisma, social skills and a long list of other things. Still, with a little effort, maybe I could make it. Overall, I think I'm... acceptable. Isn't that the sng young people use these days?

  But my attempts were unsuccessful. I didn't really know how to i with boys, and all my retionships never went beyond friendship. I wasn't even successful with girls. In the end, I was a failure with both sexes. It frustrated me, but I never let it get me down.

  And that's how it's been ever sioday I'm a 30-year-old spinster, living my life indepely and alone.

  I've grown more than I should have, which has made my appearaand out. Since I do much, I've bee too thin and tall, with thin arms and legs. To pensate, I dress appropriately, bang out the ck of curves with well-chosen clothes.

  During uy, I tried various forms of dating. I appealed to all kinds of guys and even fessed to several boys and girls. Even so, my bad luck was evident: I was rejected over and ain. Even though my heart was broken, I developed resiliend gave up trying. Romance is no longer a problem for me. After all, as long as I have my shoujo novels and manga, I'm not so lonely.

  Besides, I have work to occupy my mind, so this “little invenience” doesn't distract me so much. Even if it sounds like I'm just making excuses...

  An ordinary day at work

  Outside the residential district was Tokyo's corporate area, where my pany beloo a small multinational glomerate. If we keep iing in the right stocks, I think we'll expand more and more.

  I drive, but I avoid it. I'm afraid to drive a car, so I prefer the subway or sometimes the bus. Today, with no snow, the first option was the best.

  I arrived quickly thanks to the internal railway line. After a long stretch, I was already in front of the main building.

  - Hey! Senpai!

  - Hm? Ishida-kun.

  I reized the voice immediately. It was one of my freshmen this year. Ishida always approaches me radiantly, with an enviable smile, even though it's early afternoon.

  - Good afternoon! You've arrived just in time for the end of the break. Sometimes I fet how punctual you are. - he said.

  - I could say the same about you. You're e, even on a casual day. Even though your deputy head of department, you arrive at the same time as the rest of us normal employees.

  “Normal employees.” He still treats me like a superior. I know that's the correct way to refer to me in the hierarchy, but the formality bothers me a bit.

  - Cut the crap. Even with the differen positions, we're still from the same pany. What example would I set if I arrived at the time I wanted?

  - You're right, senpai.

  Suddenly, he stopped in the middle of the road, right at the entrao the pany. He gave a formal salute, bowing deeply.

  - I want to thank you for c my st shift! I'm sorry for abusing yoodwill again!

  I smiled.

  - What? It was nothing. We should help each other whenever possible, especially in your case, as a first-time father.

  Even at a young age, he ended up being a father. Many would judge him for it, but over time and versations at Happy Hours, I came to uand his situatioer. Both he and his fiancée were insistent, but gradually they adjusted. When we least expected it, he surprised us with the news of his pregnancy. Siheried his best to be a good father.

  - Hehe, my fiancée and I are holding it together. It hasn't been easy for her to cope with the pregnancy... The nausea makes her very weak.

  - That's why you have to be close to her at these times. She needs you there. So don't worry about “abusing” my goodwill. Blink.

  - Senpai... You really are an angel!

  - Not at all! I just like to help, it's no big deal.

  He always exaggerates whealks about me, just like the others. I just do what I when I .

  Even so, it's frustrating that my young kouhai isn't a virgin! He always asks for advi how to a various situations, and I have to hold my ground. I do my best not to let him down as senpai, but holy... I'm lying in many ways!

  We took the elevator up to the third flether. He tialking about the turmoil at home and his pns for the future. I looked at my watch. We were about to face the rush of a typical Friday afternoon - the day when everyories their best not to carry work over into the weekend.

  And... let's go!

  As soon as the elevator doors opened, I saw the freshmen running bad forth with reports in their hands, while the seniors fihem on their puters. Some things never ge, evehe years.

  - Good afternoon, May-san!

  - Oh, good afternoon!

  - Hello, May-san.

  - Hello, May-san!

  I'm greeted with greetings as soon as I arrive. Naturally, I'm used to responding in the same way. Among the faces around me, I see everything: happy, sad, nervous, young and old.

  - May-san, could you proofread my st report? I don't want to make any more mistakes.

  - No problem! Put it on my desk when you've finished.

  - Yes, ma'am.