It Feels Like Going Back To School!

One week later, Mr. Mayeda summoned all the employees from each department to a meeting. Hisaki had already guessed what the manager wanted to relay to them.

All of them entered an annex beside the large warehouse. It was mostly used if the higher management needed to assemble all of the employees at the same time. Right now, only the ones working the morning shift formed a few rows inside the annex.

A few heads in front of her, Hisaki saw Mr. Mayeda standing on a simple podium. He held a microphone in his right hand. Mrs. Koyanagi and Mr. Kajiwara stood not far from the manager.

"Good morning, all. I gather you here for a special announcement," Mr. Mayeda started to talk once everyone assembled. His voice echoed heavily in the empty annex, "Mr. Kajiwara will inform the others later so, you guys would be the first to receive this news."

Heisuke was not here today because he was assigned to the midnight shift. Hisaki really wanted to know his opinion regarding this matter.

Yesterday, Heisuke said he would take a part-time job at the beach. A seaside restaurant was looking for extra help. Even though summer break had just ended, a big crowd of tourists still flocked to the beach.

"As some of you have heard, our boss, Mr. Kinoshita wants to use this chance to promote us. We will expand to the convenience shop business soon with our own branding. At the same time, the ones who have potential could be promoted to better positions."

Mr. Mayeda took a deep breath. He eyed his subordinates who wore excited expressions. All of them were intrigued by such a tempting offer.

"To those who are interested, give your names to either Mr. Kajiwara and Mrs. Koyanagi. You'll need to be tested on several topics. The ones who pass the exams will be given the chance to enroll in either the night or weekend school."

Mr. Mayeda's explanation was a bit long but, Hisaki had already anticipated it. All in all, after they graduated from school, they would be put under special training before officially being promoted.

It was a long process but, Hisaki wouldn't say no to it. This was a good opportunity for everyone who was interested and had the potential that Mr. Kinoshita was looking for.

Whether she would succeed or not, it was better to just try!

After the assembly, Hisaki and her colleagues returned to the office. All of them were chatting about the incoming evaluation.

"I'm scared ah. It has been years since my last exam in high school," Kiyomi's anxious look was enough to show how important this evaluation was to her, "I think we'll be tested in economics and Mathematics."

"There should be other topics too," Arisu slowly rubbed her chin as she kept thinking deeply, "What if they ask us about business? I'm not too well-versed in it."

"It might be possible," Miwa chimed in. Like Kiyomi, she also looked worried but, excitement also flickered in her eyes, "It's already generous enough that Mr. Kinoshita is willing to sponsor the qualified ones. Of course, he needs the best."

Hisaki agreed with Miwa's point of view. She responded, "Let's do our best."

All of them echoed the same sentiment.

Once Mrs. Koyanagi returned to the office, the four ladies submitted their names. Only Minori didn't join them.

"The examination should be held in four weeks if there's no change. I'll tell you the date later," Mrs. Koyanagi distributed a few pieces of printed paper to the four of them, "It's the guidelines. I hope you'd be ready before that."

"Ah, I'm so nervous!" Kiyomi shuddered. Her long bangs framed her small and round face. She blinked her eyes a few times, "It feels like going back to school!"

"If we passed, we're really going back to school," Arisu made a remark. She helplessly shook her head, "It's going to be tougher since we still need to work as usual."

Hisaki didn't say anything. She intently scanned the content of the paper.

The examinees would be tested in several subjects, ranging from economics, Mathematics, language and others related to Mr. Kinoshita's trading business. Although all these wouldn't be as tricky as a college entrance examination, one still had to do his best to excel.

A flame of determination rose up within Hisaki. Only one thought crossed her mind right now.

'I need to study harder!'

Before going back home, Hisaki consulted both Mrs. Koyanagi and Mr. Kajiwara about the history of the business as well as other important questions.

Although she had gotten used to the workflow and technical aspects of the warehouse, there were still more that she hadn't familiarized herself with.

"Seems like you're really interested in this exam," Mr. Kajiwara smiled at Hisaki after giving her the explanation she needed, "It's good that you want to thrive more in the future."

Hisaki smilingly accepted the praise. She asked the middle-aged man, "How about you, Mr. Kajiwara? Don't you want to try it?"

"Nah," Mr. Kajiwara shrugged half-heartedly, "This old man's brain couldn't keep up with new things. Just let the youngsters take over. I'll just work as the supervisor until I retire. I am already satisfied with the yearly increments."

"Hahaha, you're still young and brimming with energy, Mr. Kajiwara," Hisaki laughed hearing the man's funny words, "We still need you to guide us."

Hisaki only clocked out at a quarter past four, fifteen minutes late that the actual time. Instead of directly going home, she headed to the business district. There were a few revision books that she wanted to get.

Despite being over sixty-year-old inside, Hisaki was so excited at the thought of going back to school!

Whether she would pass the exam or not, she was seriously considering enrolling in night or weekend classes. It would certainly be helpful to her later.

With a happy heart, Hisaki walked out of the bookstore with the newly purchased books. She hoped she could bump into Heisuke later if he had finished his part-time job. It was better to immediately persuade him about taking the exam too.

"Hehehe, it's great if we could go to classes together~"

The young at heart Hisaki already imagined walking to school with her dearest old man. They could study together too like the couples in universities. Their romance might start budding earlier!

With spring in her steps, Hisaki went home. Her lips subtly moved as she hummed to the melody.

Suddenly, an idea struck her mind.

Hisaki changed the direction she was heading.