Divorced 55-year-old, Ojiro, becomes a light cargo driver (10). Promise

Episode 13: Promise
The second week of operations.
You need a jacket in the morning. It's hot when you move around at noon. It gets cold again in the evening.
I can feel in my body that the seasons are starting to change.
The email from Mr. Saeki was short.
--Last week's operations were fine. Please continue with the same conditions this week.
--We will increase the number of shipments as planned.
Haru looked at the screen and let out a breath.
"It passed."
I nodded silently as well.
Haru opened the calendar and checked the number of shipments for this week.
Next to last week's "12," this week it said "16."
She traced it with her fingertip and added it to her notes.
"It increased, didn't it?"
"It did."
Just that was enough to make me feel like I could drive calmly again today.
Past noon.
Masaru returned and stood next to Haru's desk.
"I got in touch with the factory direct contact."
He said that and handed over a memo.
Haru looked up.
"Who is the person in charge?"
"I got their name too. It's Mr. Murakami. He said he can spare 5 minutes at 5:00 PM today."
"What about the test?"
"Next Tuesday morning. 9:30 AM. Starting with one shipment."
Haru said.
"Let's go."
"I'll go too," Masaru said.
Haru replied briefly.
"Let's all go together."
I grabbed the car keys.
Before 5:00 PM.
I was in the driver's seat. Haru in the passenger seat. Masaru in the back.
In front of the factory, there was a slight smell of oil. Inside the gate, it was quiet, and sounds echoed.
I presented my business card at the guard station.
I received a visitor's badge and hung it around my neck.
"Please be punctual," the guard said, and opened the gate.
Mr. Murakami, the person in charge, was standing at the entrance of the office.
"A greeting is enough for today," he said, and gave a slight bow.
"Thank you very much," Haru said, bowing her head.
"Regarding the test next week, please let me confirm the time."
"It's 9:30 AM. Please tell the guard your name to enter."
The reply was short.
"Understood."
He continued with instructions.
"I will instruct you on the parking spot and the handover location on the spot. Please take photos only after receiving the signal from us."
"Yes. I will follow your instructions."
Haru took out one document from an envelope.
"This is the corporate copy and a copy of the insurance."
He looked over the documents and nodded.
"You are prepared, I see."
"How should I handle the reports?"
"Send them upon arrival, photo, receipt, and completion," Haru replied immediately.
"I will use a fixed format. If I'm going to be late, I'll call first."
The envelope was returned.
"Understood. See you next week."
Then, his tone softened just a little.
"Don't push yourself. Safety first, please."
"Yes. I will operate with safety first."
Haru bowed her head. Masaru bowed slightly too.
I bowed my head a beat later.
When we went outside, the wind was cold.
Masaru said quietly.
"It makes a difference just to have shown our faces."
Haru replied with a "Yeah."
We returned to the car.
I gripped the keys in my pocket again.
My fingertips were cold, and I put a little strength into them.
Night.
The main office.
The current main office uses the desk in my room.
On the desk, there's the template for Mr. Saeki.
The test memo for the factory direct.
The draft of Ken's payment sheet.
The papers are piling up, and the edge of the desk is getting crowded.
Haru closed her laptop and put her bag over her shoulder.
"Well, I'm heading home."
"Yeah."
When she put on her shoes and reached for the door, I said.
"Haru."
"What?"
There was a short pause.
"Let's go get something to eat."
Haru raised her eyebrows.
"Now?"
"Yeah. Just for a bit. Let's eat something warm and come right back."
Haru was silent and gripped the handle of her bag again.
"I still have work left."
"It's fine if it's left. Let's take a break for now."
I continued.
"Just for today."
Haru smiled slightly.
"Do you remember the promise?"
"I remember."
"Then, let's go."
A local diner.
A shop with only a counter.
It smelled of steam.
The clerk placed water down.
Haru looked at the menu and closed it immediately.
"I'll have the recommendation."
"Is grilled fish okay?"
"That's fine."
I ordered the fried chicken.
The order was placed.
Haru said.
"I'm glad we went to the factory today."
"I'm glad too."
"Mr. Saeki also said there are no problems this week."
"No problems is the best thing."
Haru nodded.
"Really, that's true."
The grilled fish arrived. The fried chicken arrived too.
Both of us ate in silence for a while.
Haru took a sip of miso soup and said.
"...Let's stop talking about work."
"Yeah."
Haru didn't put down her chopsticks, but turned her gaze toward me.
"Then, I'll ask."
I nodded.
"...Ask."
"Yu, what do you think of me?"
The words didn't come out immediately.
But I didn't want to end it in silence.
"When you're around, it's easier for me to make decisions."
"What kind of things?"
"Various things."
I thought for a moment before saying.
"Even when I'm heading home."
Haru's chopsticks stopped.
"When you're heading home?"
"After you get out, the passenger seat is empty, you know."
I continued without looking away.
"It's too quiet, and I can't settle down."
Haru ate a piece of fish and paused for a moment.
Then, she said in a small voice.
"Me too."
"What?"
"When you're not there, the way home is scary."
I ate a piece of fried chicken, swallowed, and said.
"When that happens, contact me."
I adjusted my tone.
"If it's too much, just tell me it's too much, and that's fine."
Haru let out a breath.
"...Yeah. I will."
"Yeah."
I nodded too.
"It would help if you told me."
Haru smiled just a little.
"You said 'just a little,' though."
"We talked more than I thought."
"Yeah. But that's it for today."
Haru said.
"Because it's a promise."
"That's enough for now."
The bill was placed on the table.
I took it.
Haru said immediately.
"Next time, I'll pay."
"Why?"
"I don't feel comfortable always being treated."
"You're serious, aren't you?"
Haru shrugged slightly.
"That's just my nature."
When we left the shop, the night air was cold.
Haru held the front of her coat together.
I stood on the side of the road.
In front of Haru's apartment.
At the bottom of the stairs, Haru took out her key and stopped.
"Yu."
"Yeah?"
"Today... thank you."
"Yeah."
Haru unlocked the door and looked back before entering.
"Be careful on your way home."
"Yeah. I will."
The door closed.
The sound of footsteps faded away.
I stood at the bottom of the stairs for a little while.
I'll drive tomorrow too.
But today, I moved forward with the promise first.

(To be continued)