My Awkward Senpai (不器用な先輩。)

- Really? - Really.

Look! That's her!

Kannawa from the Publicity Department!

The poster she proposed won an advertising award.

THERE IN A FLASH! PLUMBER

PUBLICITY DPT - KOSUKE HITA

Okay!

Good morning.

PUBLICITY DPT - MINORI TAMANA & RIN SUZUGAYA - Good morning.

PUBLICITY DPT - MIHARU SATO - Good morning.

PUBLICITY DPT - MISAKI TANAKA - Good morning.

Morning!

Good morning.

PUBLICITY DPT - KAORU HISAYAMA - Morning, everyone!

PUBLICITY DPT - KAORU HISAYAMA - Good morning.

Good morning.

Kannawa-san...

About SQ's web announcement...

We can no longer hire "Tsuru-san," the influencer we booked.

PUBLICITY DPT - AZUSA KANNAWA - What should we do?

PUBLICITY DPT - AZUSA KANNAWA - You're the one in charge of this.

PUBLICITY DPT - AZUSA KANNAWA - Before coming to me with questions, isn't it on you to prepare a proposal?

Y-Yes.

If we need a stand-in, use your available resources to find one.

Tell the other party we'll contact them by the end of the day.

Th-Thank you so much.

Oh, man...

I've corrected the necessary documents to send to Planning.

- What?! - Whoa, you did?

Thank you so much.

How do you expect to get any work done with your desk in that state?

- Clean it up. - Yes, ma'am!

Kannawa-san.

- Can I speak with you? - Yes.

Kannawa-san is as cool as ever today.

I think you mean "scary."

She's not wrong, but there are nicer ways of saying things.

PUBLICITY DPT HEAD - EIJI KUROKAWA - As I told you a while ago,

PUBLICITY DPT HEAD - EIJI KUROKAWA - a newbie is joining our department as of today.

- Yes. - I'd like to put you in charge of training him.

Me?

Look, I understand that you've got your hands full.

But this new kid's exceptional.

Just between you and me, he was the top scorer on the exam!

I see...

Which is why we want you, the Publicity Department's ace,

to whip him into shape!

I understand.

We had him look over the new hire training materials,

and he was able to absorb everything so well.

And his responses were so lively...

I really don't wanna!

Why's it gotta be me, of all people?

My communication skills ain't good.

Surely the boss realizes I don't fit in at the office...

Guess not.

For better or for worse, he can be so dense.

I finally established myself as "the one who refuses to go out drinking,

so don't bother inviting her."

Kannawa-san?

Forget it. She never joins us.

Things were finally getting easier.

Teaching the newbie how to do his job isn't the only thing I'll have to do.

Good morning!

Oh, Kamegawa-kun.

I'm sorry for arriving late!

I was cleaning up my probationary desk.

Oh, sorry. Did I interrupt?

Kamegawa-kun, this here is your mentor, Kannawa-san.

NEW RECRUIT - YU KAMEGAWA - It's nice to meet you! I'm Yu Kamegawa!

NEW RECRUIT - YU KAMEGAWA - Yeah... Oh, I'm sorry!

I only need to use my surname in these instances, right?

I'm Azusa Kannawa. It's nice to meet you.

Yes! I'll be in your care, Kannawa-senpai!

I expect great things of you, Kamegawa-kun!

What a good kid.

- Well, I'll leave the rest to you, Kannawa-san. - He's got this friendly charm to him.

Yes, sir.

So I'll be in charge of taking this young man, new to the industry, under my wing.

It's a heavy task, but I gotta do my best.

MY AWKWARD SENPAI

ME? THE MENTOR?! - "Me? The Mentor?!"

I'm sure you heard plenty about our company during new-employee training.

Though we started out developing video games,

nowadays we've expanded into books, apparel, real estate, and more.

That means there are many more projects for the Publicity Department to handle.

If anything is unclear, talk to me immediately.

Yes, ma'am!

My desk is here.

- And yours is next to mine. - Yes, ma'am!

- This is the kitchen. Bring your own cup. - Yes, ma'am!

- The copy machine. - Yes, ma'am!

- Behind me is the printing paper. - Y-Yes!

- The nearest bathroom! - Y-Yes, ma'am!

SWEET POTATO PIE

Snacks from business trips are stashed here.

You're free to take whatever you want.

Th-Thank you.

I guess that covers everything.

Other places I need to show him are...

Thank you so much for giving me a tour.

Can I ask you if there's anything I need help with?

Yes. Please do so.

All right. I think I was able to teach him the important stuff.

- Um, Senpai... - What is it?

Oh, excuse me, but...

I was wondering what I'm supposed to do for today.

I needed to teach him how to do his job!

I'm about to go to a meeting with a client.

I'll have you join me.

U-Understood!

You only need to shadow me and observe the meeting.

But before that...

- Let's practice exchanging business cards. - Yes, ma'am.

You don't need to focus too hard on business manners,

but you should make it a habit to get used to the basics—

Here you go, Senpai.

Please allow our newcomer to join the meeting today.

I'm Kamegawa. It's nice to meet you all.

Nice to meet you, Kamegawa-san.

A refreshing greeting...

AZUSA KANNAWA - A smooth business card exchange...

Whereas I, the mentor, exchanged my cards with the floor...

Based on the research shown,

we would like to disseminate the information on social media.

I need to at least maintain my dignity as a mentor while I'm working.

I appreciate him looking at me so sincerely,

but I'm getting nervous from him staring so much...

No. Every move I make as a mentor affects the new recruit's development!

This is no time to be nervous!

It's no use! I'm so nervous!

- Good work in there, Kannawa-senpai. - Yeah...

I'm tired.

Not from work, but from the heavy burden of being a mentor.

It's almost time for lunch.

As his mentor, I'm the one who needs to extend the invitation, right?

The family restaurant I often went to with Senpai could work.

Isn't it considered workplace harassment for a senior to ask their junior out to lunch?

But if I don't invite him,

it's like I'm sending the message of "I don't plan on getting friendly with you," right?

What'll we even talk about?

The weather?

Stocks?

Daily conversations are the toughest topic fer me!

Senpai?

I! I'm going to a meeting now!

So have your lunch while I do that.

U-Understood.

What was I thinking, running away?

- I'll be heading out now. - 'Kay.

"'Kay"? Just "'kay"?

I could have said a word of appreciation or two.