Hello? Oh, hey, Mom.
You didn't have to call me so early in the morning.
I just got worried all of a sudden...
You haven't been so obsessed with your books
that you've neglected your livelihood, have you?
I'm fine.
People at work aren't being mean to you, are they?
Like your coworkers, your senpai, or your boss...
My coworkers and senpai are all nice,
and my boss...
My boss...
Hey!
Good morning, Yamagami-kun!
I just got to work, so I'm going to hang up now, okay?
Okay, talk to you later, then.
Good morning.
Good morning!
You didn't have to hang up just to say hi to me.
Examine Unexpected Problems and Hide-and-seek
My daughter got me a new necktie!
Put it on me, Yamagami-kun!
I don't know how to tie a necktie...
I'll do it for you.
Wow, Chihaya-kun, you're quite good at this.
It's like you're used to tying your boyfriend's t—
Chi-Chihaya-san?!
Well, how does it look?
It looks good on you.
Wearing nothing but the tie?
Oh, whoops. I totally didn't see you there.
A-Are you okay, sir?
I can't believe you guys...
choking and stomping on your boss...
Stuff like this will make the news, it will!
The first thing that'll be on the news is the fact our boss is a stuffed animal.
Ichimiya-kun...
What is it, sir?
We all went out drinking the other day,
but I can't help but feel like there's still a wall between me and the newcomers.
Well, their boss is a stuffed animal...
I'd like to interact with them more.
Do you have any suggestions?
Interaction, huh?
Hasebe,
could you put the Section Manager on your shoulder while you work?
Why?
To interact with him.
Man, I need to try to get my work done as fast as I can.
Wow, you're so motivated, Hasebe-kun!
Well, it'd be rather embarrassing being seen with a stuffed animal.
I've been working here for the last 30 years.
You should learn a lot from me today!
Rock, paper, scissors! One more time!
Wow, I didn't know that there was a spot where we can slack off like that...
I learned a lot today!
Don't learn any weird habits!
Welfare Benefits Office
All right, Yamagami-kun, I'll be in your care.
I'm a little nervous.
Well, just relax.
Let's see...
I can't see down below because of this bump...
You're out of line!
He just randomly scolded me!
There we go...
Let's see...
Um...
Was I doing my work properly?
Yamagami-kun...
Be careful of a lot of things.
I consider myself a hardworking person, but...
Next is Miyoshi-kun. I'll be in your care!
S-Sure...
Wow! You're tall for a woman
and the perfect height to sit on the shoulder!
Self Conscious
Your shoulders are wide, too, so it's easy to ride!
Self Conscious
Unlike Yamagami-kun, I can see below very well!
Self Conscious
Why?! I was trying to compliment you!
And then, and then, my son's wife...
...is my son's wife...
One Hour Later
Because she's my son's wife...
Two Hours Later
This is hard...
Please don't speak.
If she finds out you're a talking stuffed animal,
her story will be even longer.
So tired...
Is that enough, sir?
But I haven't seen you working yet.
But if Toko-san sees this...
Miyoshi.
Working with a stuffed animal...
You really want me to lecture you, don't you?
This is going to continue?
I'm beat.
How was it, sir?
This year's newcomers have more freedom or something...
But that's fine.
The ward office used to be more strict
with more control and rules...
Have you been a stuffed animal since then, sir?
Yes.
Then it was totally flexible.
When I was young, it was harder on people who stood out for many reasons...
If you were a fast worker, you'd be told to slow down.
Huh? But why?
Because if one person works hard,
other people have to work hard, as well, because we get paid
the same amount.
Hasebe-kun's father was hardworking, so people were hard on him.
He became rather desperate, until he got married.
Hasebe, even if things are the way they are now,
we can change it once we get more authority!
Let's do our best!
It was so rough...
Well, anybody would get mad if you lectured them looking like that.
But, apparently, things must be rough.
There are people who work here for their livelihood
so it depends on everyone's personal values.
Hey, what's going on?
Oh, Hasebe-san.
Actually, I don't even look like my father, though.
Hasebe-kun...
I'll always be there for you.
He did the same thing his father did...
Yesterday, I was able to interact more with the newcomers...
But is the reason I can't seem to break the ice with them
because I'm lacking something?
Toko seems like she's always
hanging out at the ward office, lately...
What's the matter?
Is something on your mind?
I wonder if Toko doesn't have any friends...
What is it I'm lacking...
Now that you mention it...
I'm not sure.
You guys are ignoring me?!
I'm suddenly worried...
Now that you say that, I guess you have a point...
Hear me out, Miyoshi-kun!
Yes?
What do you think I'm lacking?
Huh? Um... shyness?
I'm in this form because I'm shy!
Toko-san does come to the ward office practically every day...
But why all of a sudden?
Well, when I think about it...
Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!
She's always, always... by my side.
That's for a different reason.
I'm hoping that Toko has friends her age,
but now I'm worried.
Hey.
We've got a visitor.
A female high school student!
Senpai, your reaction is good for a change...
Wait? This school uniform is...
Oh, there you are. Hi, Dad.
What? Dad?
Oh, Kanon!
The Section Manager is a father?
Come on, Kanon.
I'm Kanon Momoi.
Thank you for taking care of my dad.
Isn't she cute?
People say that she resembles me.
Does she?
By the way, Kanon, what brings you here today?
Mom asked me to bring you something.
Come on, I'm so embarrassed coming to my own father's workplace.
And how do you feel about your father being a bunny?
Mom apparently noticed something when she heard your voice earlier.
She gave me this to give to you. Your tail!
My tail!?
When you got your new body before,
mom forgot to put it on.
So you've been like that for a few months.
Oh, I didn't even notice!
Here.
I see.
This was what I was lacking!
Now I feel relieved! Right, everyone?
My dad's not liked at work?!
I have arrived, you public servants!
Toko-chan?
Hey, what're you doing?
You two...
We're friends.
Anyway, Kanon, what are you doing here?
I had something I had to do.
Also, what's the deal with this stuffed animal?
It's the new mascot for the ward, apparently.
Huh? It's lame.
She covered for her dad...
Toko-chan, let's go get some tea and head home.
What? I just got here...
That's fine. Let's just go. See you later!
So the Section Manager's daughter is also Toko-san's friend...
The problem has been solved.
You guys!
The thing that you thought I was lacking...
Is this, right?
So Toko-san does have a friend.
Thank goodness!
You're all ignoring me again!
I'm glad.
I'm clueless, but I guess that's good!
Mom?
You just called me this morning... What is it?
Well, we ended in the middle of our conversation. You know,
you were talking about your boss.
Oh, yeah, he's a nice person.
He's a cute boss...
Yay! Yay!
And then, my son's wife
didn't even prepare miso soup for lunch!
Why don't you even understand that?!
Heyo, Miyoshi-kun!
Miyoshi-san is all burnt out!
A-Are you okay, Miyoshi-san?
I'm okay. This is work, so...
But, Yamagami-san, why are you working here?
Why do you ask all of a sudden?
Well, I just wanted to talk...
Because all I ever do is listen...
I... I wanted to find the civil servant who allowed my name
and complain to them.
Have you found them?
That's after I've learned to do my work properly.
I don't want to slack off like Hasebe-san!
So you haven't started looking for them yet, then.
By the way, did you go to a university or a technical college?
I went to a junior college and majored in literature.
I love to read books, so...
A junior college... so two years?
Wasn't it short for you?
It was so fast,
but I wanted to work.
So you could complain?
Yes, there's that, too, but...
I can also buy a lot of books with my salary!
You're so focused.
I'll end it here for today.
Miyoshi-san, you must be tired.
You should rest up in the reference room while you put these back.
Oh, right... I'm sorry.
No... Actually, I'm sorry about my sister.
N-Not at all!
I want to quit...
I totally heard that.
Ha-Hasebe-san!
I-It isn't what you think!
It's not that I really want to quit...
Right, right.
It's not like I hate Toko-san, Tanaka-san,
or the section manager or anything like that...
Right, right. Don't worry about it.
It's like a belated beginner's slump, right?
Yes, something like that.
I totally understand,
because I've got no motivation all year around.
I'm sorry. I should deal with Tanaka-san, Toko-chan
or the section manager, but everybody likes you.
Besides, I'm allergic to Tanakas.
That's fine.
But why are you allergic to Tanaka?
By that I mean I don't really like the name "Tanaka."
I see...
The reason I want to quit isn't so much about the work,
but I didn't finish graduate school, so I think I might be regretting that.
That I can't empathize with.
Because I slacked off in college, too.
I want to learn this casual attitude a little...
But why did you get a job while you were still in graduate school?
I asked my parents to let me take the college entrance exams again after I failed once.
And to add to that, I asked them to let me go to graduate school, too.
But my father became ill,
and he doesn't have long...
Miyoshi-chan...
That was the lie they told me
to get me to come back home.
If it's hard, you can cry, you know...
I understand that they're worried about me.
But I tried not to bother them too much because
I went to college with scholarship money, too.
You can scream. Just scream!
But everyone's so admirable.
Everyone has something they like,
or something they have to do, or want to do...
I have nothing. Everyone seems so out of reach.
Hasebe-san...
Okay, then I'll just master the art of slacking off!
Um... please just work.
I'd better get going.
Yeah, you should.
Everybody will be worried about you.
I feel much better after venting.
Thank you very much.
No problem. You didn't have to be so polite.
I feel relieved, now that I've seen someone beneath me.
Beneath
I-It's not what you think!
Beneath
I'm beneath... all the way at the bottom.
No! Um...
Please don't say that you're beneath like th—
It's okay, it's okay.
I'm not even worried about it, so just go back.
Let's do our best together, Hasebe-san.
If your attitude is too casual, your life will end up unfulfilled...
That was meant to be encouragement!
I'm fine. Just fine. You can go back now.
Oh, Miyoshi-san, are you all right now?
Oh, yes.
I'm... fine.
"I'm"?
But Miyoshi-san seems to be better, so I'm glad.
Hasebe-san, you're slacking off again!
Five more minutes.
I'll be recovered in five minutes, so please, leave me alone.
A-Are you all right?
I felt as if a beginner's slump started the other day,
but I'm okay now.
It's not the visitors or the work environment's fault,
so I'd better work hard!
Oh, Saya-chan.
I need you to listen to something.
What is it, Tanaka-san?
Well, I was wondering... if you would marry my grandson?
Well, um... You're kidding, right?
I'm serious.
He just became a banker. He's responsible and such a good boy.
Very responsible.
I was hoping you would be his wife.
U-Um...
I know! I'll change the subject.
Well, how is your son's wife doing by the way?
That's that. But my grandson...
He's really responsible and such a good boy.
Wow, that's amazing, Miyoshi-san!
It's not amazing...
Does this happen often?
Getting this kind of invitation?
Not a lot, but sometimes.
Wow. What about you, Hasebe-san?
Yeah, sometimes.
Senpai and I go to people's houses for field surveys,
so it comes up in conversation sometimes.
But Senpai seems nicer than me, so he probably gets that more—
Or so I thought, but then again, maybe not...
Anyway, but you know, they probably don't mean any harm,
but they probably want to marry a civil servant.
Because it's a secure job.
But she asked me to quit my job and get married to him.
They value your personality.
That's amazing, Miyoshi-san.
Wow!
It's not amazing!
I... I don't intend on dating anyone right now.
How can I tell her that?
Just decline, plain and simple.
Ignore it.
I have no idea!
Miyoshi-chan, haven't you ever declined something like this?
Like getting asked out?
I-I have, but...
But eight or nine times out of ten, they cry.
What did you do to them?!
I-It's not like I rejected ten people...
That wasn't the concern.
How did you reject them?
W-Well....
I like you! Please go out with me.
What?! Why is he confessing his love to me?
There must be better girls out there...
He should reevaluate himself.
U-Um... you should take a look at yourself in a mirror and think again.
Something like that.
O-Of course he would cry...
Why don't you think positively and just meet him?
What?
What is Tanaka-san's grandson like?
Well... She said he's a banker, and a responsible, good person.
He's 22, responsible... I think that was it.
From the way it sounds, he seems decent.
Miyoshi-chan, maybe you shouldn't.
Why are you deciding for her?
Tanaka....
No, it might be a different person... I'm probably just thinking too much into it...
I wonder what's wrong with Hasebe-san.
No idea.
Marriage... If I get married and become a housewife,
maybe I'll have time to go back to school!
That's terrible!
I'm terrible! I'm a terrible person!
Calm down, Miyoshi-san!
Maybe she was just proud of her grandson.
So you shouldn't take it so seriously.
Yes, she's right.
You're right... not so serious...
But if Tanaka-san is serious,
when you decline...
You should take a look at your grandson and think again.
Tanaka-san will have a heart attack, so please be careful.
Fight!
The weight of my feelings is crushing me.
And then, listen to this, Saya-chan, my son's wife...
She's been talking for over an hour,
but she hasn't mentioned anything about her grandson...
Thank goodness.
Maybe I was being too self conscious.
Now that I think about it, her grandson has his own feelings, too.
I'm embarrassed.
Saya-chan.
Yes?
So when are you going to marry my grandson?
He is a banker, responsible and such a good boy. Responsible...
T-Tanaka-san... Um, I have no intention of getting married... so...
I see, Saya-chan...
Tanaka-san...
I'll bring him here next time.
Tanaka-san!
This Week's Servant Quiz!
This week's Servant Quiz is a kanji puzzle!
You have to figure out which kanji goes into this box.
The answer's on the website.
Though, if you don't get this right, you're pretty stupid.
Toko-chan, you might not want to say something like that.