04x01 - Someone from Work

[bunniefuu]

-Protein.
-Retsuko, my beloved disciple.

Protein.

I have nothing more to teach you.

Protein.

The only thing left…

Protein!

…is for you to defeat me!

RAGE

This is the last box.

Thanks. Could you open the boxes?

-Sure.
-Will do.

-Who could that be?
-Probably the electric company.

No way! Already?

Yes? Coming!

It's absurd.

Why should the victim have to move?

There's no way around it.

The previous place can be found online.

Someone like you might connect the dots.

I'd definitely figure it out.

Moving here was a good idea.

The store below keeps it bright at night.

Even if someone tries to stalk her--

She's lost it.

If they do this

then do this, and twist this.

Now you can't move.
Aren't my self-defense skills great?

Ouch! Okay! I get it!

Retsuko! Go on! Break it!

"FUWA FUWA"
PERFORMED BY OTMGIRLS

As I'm heading out of class
And I look up to the sky

I hear so many voices

I'll be leaving soon.

You've got this, right?

Sure.

I haven't had that much fun in a while.

I had fun too.

Listen up, your five-year
crush ends today.

Be a man and step up to the plate.

Thanks for today.

I was a bit scared,
so I'm glad you walked me home.

I could keep doing it for a while.

Only if you want me to.

Really? You don't mind?

Yeah. Not at all.

Thanks.

By the way--

Haida!

Want to come in?

I'll make coffee.

Well, that would help sober me up.
Sure, why not?

She was kind enough to ask.

I can't drink coffee.

What? You drink it all the time at work.

I did before, but I can't anymore.

How about tea?

No!

I'm going home.

I gave you your chance, you idiot!

I promised to keep walking her home
for a while.

That's good.

Tsunoda says it's best to show
your secret intentions.

What? No! I'm just worried about Retsuko!

ACCOUNTING

We're not getting a bonus this quarter!

What?

I budgeted assuming my bonus
would pay the mortgage!

Why is this happening?

I didn't realize no bonus would hurt
my motivation so much.

We should go on strike! Yeah!

Anai looks excited.

He's hoping for a fight with management.

Company performance has fallen recently.

He's drinking coffee.

CONFERENCE ROOM

No one dreams anymore, which is
exactly why we need to dream big!

-Great, President!
-Exactly!

Building our massive theme park,
Chararyman Land,

is becoming a reality!

I visited the plot in Chiba.

How was it?

Nothing but good feelings!

Great, President!

Yes! This year we'll stake
the company's future on this!

Performance is down because you keep
gambling with the company's fate.

President!

Should that a* kick go in the minutes?

Who cares?

What did you do to the president?

I agree with her.

The proposed site is hard to get to.

We'd also need
to develop the surrounding area

to secure enough visitors.

Costs would far exceed initial estimates.

And the theme park market
is saturated in Japan.

The President was upset,
but he canceled the project.

If there's anyone he can trust,
it's Himuro.

The rest of them are yes-men.

That man is impressive.

He deserves a better role
than non-executive director.

That's enough shoptalk.

Tell us, Retsuko, how are things
progressing with Haida?

There's nothing to progress.

He's been walking you home, right?

That means he's your white knight!

Such a romantic development!

And you're saying nothing is going on?

There really is nothing!

Okay, I'm going home.
I have to get up early. I'm going home.

I'm going home!
Okay, then. I'm going home!

He's all about going home.

He always comes up with an excuse.

-Any casual advances?
-None.

Holding hands on the way home?

Never.

-What's the deal?
-I don't know!

That's odd. My app shows him
as your ideal partner. Look.

That app.

What's that reaction?

That app failed to monetize, right?

What does that matter?

It doesn't matter what AI thinks.

What's important are Retsuko's feelings.

Haida likes you, right?

I'll make you feel like you belong!

Yeah, it seems that way.

How do you see him?
Is he boyfriend material?

Or just a coworker?

I haven't really thought about it.

I guess not.

You can't really know him if you
haven't even been on a date.

She's right. I guess I don't really
know Haida.

Back then…

we took taxis everywhere
on the company's dime!

Yes, back then

new employee training was in Hawaii!

Yes!

-And bonuses--
-Were quarterly!

Back then things were great!

Great! Great!

Great! Great!

Great! Great!

What am I seeing?

Senior employees clinging to


Back in the bubble era
before dinosaurs were extinct.

KITCHENETTE

What? As a surprise?

Not so loud!

Sorry.

This will be Director Ton's
thirtieth year in accounting.

We'd like you to prepare a gift for him.

Why me?

What boss wouldn't love a gift from
a cherished employee?

I don't remember ever feeling cherished.

Don't ask me. I have no idea what
would make a guy happy.

I guess you wouldn't.

If I may?

I know a guy who's probably free.

Sorry

to get you involved.

Not at all. I was walking you home anyway.

So where to?

Anywhere is fine.

Aren't you walking fast?

Can we slow down a bit?

Sorry.

Two people out on the town shopping
can't be called work.

This next mission will count as a date.

A date?

I don't think it's--

If Tsunoda says it's a date, it's a date.

Have you thought about dinner?

Dinner?

You haven't, have you?

Pick a flashy spot with good food.
Make the reservation!

What? Now?

-Too slow.
-I'm sorry.

Dating is w*r. Failure to decide
immediately is flirting with death.

You must show strong leadership.

Otherwise, you go in the loser folder.

LOSER

That's what she always does.

How about a wallet?

-Yeah, good idea.
-Really?

But his family might get him a wallet.

I see.

How about a crystal trophy?

Yeah, good idea!

Really?

But that has no practical use.

I see.

Then how about an engraved clock?

Fantastic idea!

Really?

But maybe that's too cliché.

Something a bit more--

-You pick, then.
-Why?

Whatever you decide is fine.

I can't decide.

ANTIQUE SHOP

This is it!

A golden abacus!

It fits Director Ton perfectly, right?

The beads even move! It's practical!
This is amazing!

I'm glad we found something good. Right?

Yeah.

You haven't eaten.

Are you hungry?

Yeah, I am.

Want to eat somewhere?

Sure, sounds good.

I know a place up ahead.

It's a bit of a walk, but--

Announcement of Miyabi takeover bid.

Miyabi would become
a wholly-owned subsidiary.

If the bid is successful,
domestic AI development will--

What's wrong?

It's nothing.

Is that you? Retsuko?

What? No way!

Manaka!

I sang your song at karaoke recently.

So impressive!

It's not. I hardly see any royalties.

I'm still working part-time.

Is your friend okay?

Sorry, we were about to go eat.

I see. Cool. Maybe next time, then.

Yeah, next time.

Retsuko…

should I head home?

Why?

Well, you haven't seen each other
for a while, right?

You're part of OTM, right? Hey.

But I'm going home now.

No, it's totally fine! Really!

I see Retsuko at work all the time!

And I have plans. A friend is coming over!

Oh, no! I'd totally forgotten!

Okay, then. See you!

What was that?

Why was he acting so awkward?

Like I did something wrong. Ick!

Wait. Don't tell me he's your boyfriend.

No, he's not.

Just a coworker.