Chapter 27 – Hello, Mr. Assistant
Novel Title: 跨越千万星辰 (Across Thousands of Stars)
Author：御小凡 (Yu Xiaofan)
Translator: K (@kin0monogatari)
Protagonists: 泽田纲吉 (Sawada Tsunayoshi -MC), 六道骸 (Rokudo Mukuro -ML)
*Please read at Novels Space.space, the original site of translation. TQ*
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If the name Tsunayoshi Sawada was just a little-known office worker two years ago, now his name is enough to cause a topic of gossip in a small circle.
Even though he is a college graduate, being able to sit in the position of section chief in the planning department within one year is enough to make people pay attention to him. Then he was demoted and transferred to the marketing department. But then, he became the section chief again in less than a year.
And just half a year later, the company issued a notice that Tsunayoshi Sawada was promoted to the deputy director of the marketing department.
Vongola’s employees are not lacking in competitiveness. This kind of competitiveness makes them always pay attention to the promotion of other people. Obviously, Tsunayoshi Sawada’s promotion speed like a rocket has attracted many people’s attention.
Looking at his work history, Tsunayoshi Sawada has not made any particularly outstanding achievements. At most, he can only be regarded as conscientious and he has done his own work. Even though Tsunayoshi Sawada is from Italy, where Vongola’s headquarters is located, there are many people with the aura of returnees in Vongola. This should not be the reason why he is so valued by the higher authorities.
However, it was heard from the planning department where he worked in the beginning that he might be connected with Iemitsu Sawada; the one who holds the major shareholder of Vongola. Similar surnames are not uncommon. But once referring to the situation of Tsunayoshi Sawada, this may be the best explanation.
“Well, I’ve heard about this too.” The signal on the subway could only be received intermittently. Iemitsu’s voice fluctuated, making it very difficult for Tsuna to hear, “Actually, if you want to tell them, just tell them. Anyway, you will take my place either way. It’s already decided.”
This approach is not acceptable. Even if it is because of Uni’s personal situation, it still goes against Tsuna’s idea of wanting to start from below. The pressure of working hard as an ordinary employee and working hard as Vongola’s successor is not in the same dimension at all. Just thinking about it gives him a headache.
Thinking of it, he seemed to have not seen Iemitsu for more than 2 years. He wondered about what this person was busy with. Although when it comes to his work over here, he can imagine the hecticness of the main branch in Italy. But him rushing Tsuna to speed up on his promotion meant that Iemitsu wants so much to lay down his burden and travel around the world?
“It’s impossible for me to simply change my surname because of this kind of thing.” Tsuna smiled briefly. But then, he frowned very quickly, looking a little sad and tired, “Uni’s work was handed over the day before yesterday. Today is my first day of work as a deputy director. You deliberately called me early in the morning to cheer me up?”
Having said this, Tsuna raised his head. The station mark on the opposite window was flashing red above the name of the station he was going to get off. He quickly stood up and squeezed out with the flow of people.
“What?! Are you telling me that Reborn…” Tsuna paused for a while before he developed immunity to this name, “What do you mean he will be here soon? If he wants a position in the company, give him one. How about giving him a more formal working hour? …Supervisor? Hey, hey. I can’t hear you. Of course it’s noisy here in the subway.”
The noisy environment made him raise his voice involuntarily. Then, the other party’s words made him frown and laugh self-deprecatingly, “You know, there are always things happening that delay me from learning how to drive. I don’t think learning how to drive and I have fate….”
It’s not that Tsuna’s family is not well-off. So, it’s true that the dignified deputy director of the marketing department squeezes the subway to work every day is giving the impression of him being shabby. Even if Tsuna is willing to overcome the inconvenience of not having a car, he has to start thinking about his current identity as the deputy director.
“Yes, yes, I’ll remember to do that…But let’s do this first.”
After hanging up the phone on the escalator, Tsuna breathed a sigh of relief. But the frown between his brows did not go away. All that spins in his mind is the summer feedback report about ‘White Lover Platinum Series’. Of course, it has been screened and sorted by the people below. Even Uni has already marked some things for him. What he has to do is to constantly adjust the plan to start from Hokkaido and what kind of route and what kind of channels should be used for the promotions of the series. This is in order to hold the grand event across the country so that they can get the desired performance.
During the interval of his thinking, Tsuna secretly smiled bitterly. At the end of the trip to Hokkaido, he was still grateful for the perfect completion of his mission. However, it was still too early to be happy.
The refreshing mood brought by the sweet smile of the lady at the front desk was exhausted quickly once he was waiting for the elevator. The company colleagues who were waiting for the elevator together frequently looked at him with obvious scrutiny. Tsuna even heard the whispered discussions behind him, “that’s him.”
I’m the one who should be asking what’s wrong… Tsuna complained in his heart.
Tsuna faced the floor numbers that changed one by one with a dull expression, complaining over and over again in his mind. Why did he seem to be a different kind? Ah, in their eyes, he must be of a different kind. An outlier who leaps above them regardless of their qualifications and achievements.
“Tsuna.” The moment the elevator door opened, a person who came patted Tsuna on the shoulder. Tsuna turned his head, being a little startled. Enma’s friendly smiling face came into sight.
A sense of relief to see an alliance surged in his heart.
“Ah, Enma.” The two who got into the same elevator greeted each other. Enma soon went off and Tsuna’s expression became dull again.
Recalling the last department meeting hosted by Uni, the main content was to formally introduce himself to department colleagues and explain the handover of the work. The disapproving gazes of the team leaders really made Tsuna feel embarrassed. Except for Shoichi’s considerate gaze, which is still conservative, even with Fujiwara, he didn’t feel that the guy was particularly friendly.
He turned right at the elevator entrance and the automatic glass door opened left and right. There are green plants on the inside near the corner of the wall. Grey and white partitions separate different compartments. The aisle in the middle is covered with dark indigo nylon carpet, which can be walked on without making a sound and disturbing others.
It is usually a very familiar scenery. But for some reason, today, it makes him feel uncomfortable and strange.
Probably…his mentality is different now.
Tsuna walked further inside with his back straight. Hitomi Yoshida, the secretary in front of the deputy director’s office, stood up when she saw Tsuna from a distance.
The other party said ‘good morning’ and handed him a blue folder. Knowing in his heart that this is the schedule for today’s meeting, Tsuna took it, “Thanks for your hard work.”
Am I going to chair the meeting myself? He wondered.
My head hurts.
“Deputy Director, there is one more thing.”
His hands were already on the doorknob. Hitomi’s voice successfully stopped him. He turned his head and saw Hitomi pointing to the door, “Your assistant is waiting for you inside.”
“Huh?!” The calm demeanour in his disguise instantly cracked. Tsuna opened his eyes wide. The CPU of his brain was running at high speed, however, thankfully.
Why did he come so soon?! Didn’t he need a few more days?! Dad, is your concept of time so detailed and slightly inappropriate?!
Sensing that Hitomi looked at him with some doubts, Tsuna coughed to cover up his anxiety. He nodded to her, “I see. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” She replied gracefully, hiding her inquiring emotions and walking back quickly to her seat.
Facing the door that was close at hand, Tsuna swallowed his saliva. He could already feel the gradually focused eyes on his back. He knew that he had been in a daze at the door for a long time to attract the attention of people in the office.
‘Click‘
In fact, there was no sound. The office doorknob will not be old or inferior to make a distinct metallic sound. It’s just that Tsuna felt that there should be something ringing in his ears. Otherwise, why would his nerves tense as soon as he opened the door?
The blinds in the office were probably all opened. At this time, the bright morning light filled the entire space. Uni’s personal belongings were all removed while Tsuna’s things hadn’t been put in yet. This made the office look very formulaic.
Of course right now Tsuna wasn’t paying any attention to how the office looked. There was a person at the desk with his back facing the door. He leaned slightly sideways against the desk, looking down at the thing in his hand that should be a document or something. The strong contrast of light and shadow highlights the sharp edges and the corners of his face. Every line embodies a hard aesthetic. The corner of his mouth is slightly drawn. There is a picky indifference displayed in it.
He looked the same as five years ago. He wore a black hat and ironed suit. As an authentic Italian man, he can speak fluent Japanese with the lingering elegance of a British gentleman. Such contradictions looked very attractive.
Tsuna’s mouth moved. He was still hesitating on how to say a greeting after the long-lost reunion. But the other party had already opened his mouth.
“Ciao”
He said ‘hello’ in Italian simply and casually. It was as if the two of them said goodbye just yesterday. Still focusing on the document, the man flipped through what was left with his other hand. If it weren’t for the two of them left in this space, Tsuna would have doubted whether the sentence of ‘hello’ just now was meant for himself.
“Re-…Reborn.” He took two steps forward with some embarrassment. He managed to keep his back away from the door, “It’s been a while.”
“It’s really been a long while.” Reborn finally raised his head. He scanned Tsuna up and down with undisguised evaluating eyes. He finally smiled, “It seems that you have grown up a lot.”
“What does it mean that I seem to have grown up a lot…” Tsuna retorted reflexively. But his voice quickly became weaker and weaker. In the end, it sounded more like a complaint rather than a rebuttal, “I’m already 27 years old.”
“Oh? I haven’t seen any progress in other places. But his temper has grown a lot…” He narrowed his eyes. The corners of his mouth curled up coldly, “I need to teach you more. Should I teach you how to treat your teacher politely?”
“Wait, wait!” Tsuna shivered. The memories of his past education flooded in. He didn’t want to be used as the person with an apple on his head as a dart target again! “Reborn, what are you trying to do here this time??!”
“I thought Iemitsu had already told you very clearly.” Reborn flicked the document with the back of his finger. He raised his head slightly and looked down with a sense of humour, “I heard that you lack an assistant.”
Of course. Iemitsu told Tsuna a while ago and Tsuna also had done some psychological preparation for himself time and time again. But when he finally saw his former tutor face to face again, he realised that he was going to be his assistant. To have Reborn… No, just thinking about it like this makes his world turn upside down.
Assistant…? Just looking at your face, you are like a loan shark. But you’re here to be an assistant…? Is there any assistant around who is like you who would steal the limelight…?
“Reborn, you see… I already have a secretary…” Tsuna resisted the urge to wipe his sweat as he tried to express his sincerity. His gaze didn’t dare to meet Reborn’s eyes. He could only stare at the brim of his hat, “How can someone with your ability be downgraded to the position of an assistant…”
“Don’t get me wrong. My job is different from that of a secretary.” Interrupting Tsuna’s words indifferently, Reborn threw the document on the table. He accurately caught Tsuna’s dodging eyes. What he said later sounded more like an announcement in the tone of refusal.
“The secretary is in charge of taking care of chores. But I am in charge of taking care of you.”
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*Author’s Note: I have felt a deep sense of laziness for the past two days without writing a single word for three consecutive days… But alas… -YXF
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Next update: 2023.08.30
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