Business Guidance Counselor of the Chamber of Commerce (20) Miura's Choice—Justice or Self-Preservation [#CreativeAward2025 #WorkplaceNovelCategory]

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"Society is not kind enough to show mercy to the weak."

Those words, like a coldly sharpened blade, pierced deep into Seiji Miura's chest.
But it was the same kind of blade that had once torn his father and mother apart.
The pain of that day began to ache in the depths of his heart once again.

Takimoto, standing before him, did not break his expression in the slightest, moving only his lips slightly.

"...Come to think of it, the position of the next Corporate Support Division Manager at the Prefectural Federation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry has not been decided yet."

The quiet tone was, conversely, eerie.
It was as if he were toying with Miura's fate, as if it were placed on a scale.

"As you know, I have served as the Personnel Management Committee Chairman for many years. Even now, I attend committee meetings as an advisor."

There was a definite 'power' residing in that voice.
The weight of an inescapable reality.
It pressed down on Miura's shoulders like concrete.

"What... are you trying to say?"

A faint tremor mixed into the voice that asked the question.

"You have done well here at the Sakuragawa Chamber of Commerce. You have also contributed to the economic development of Sakuragawa City. ...That is precisely why. I am thinking that I could recommend you."

Suddenly, the air froze.

"..."

"Miura, you should make a calm judgment."

The words were sweet, and cunning.

Miura closed his eyes softly.
In the deep darkness, his mother's voice from that day returned.

—Seiji, I'm sorry. You must... live... strongly...

The coldness of his mother's hand.
His father's tears.
The curry on the kotatsu.

When he opened his eyes, a quiet light resided in Miura's pupils.

“...I will... live strongly.”

Takimoto’s lips slowly curled into a smile.

“I see... That is an appropriate choice. Then—”

—Rustle.

In that instant, Miura hugged the documents tightly to his chest with both arms.
A burning flame deep within his chest pierced through his entire body.
His legs were trembling, but his soul stood tall.

“...I’ve always been afraid to believe in anything. I was afraid of trusting someone and being betrayed.”

“To protect my own place, I’ve swallowed everything. I watched shops being torn down and my mother’s crying back, without ever raising my voice.”

“But what has that changed?”

The back of his eyes felt hot.
It wasn't anger, nor was it sadness.
It was the voice of his “true self” that he had finally reached.

“It just means that scum like you get to run wild, while someone cries and society continues on without anyone reaching out a hand to help!!”

That shout no longer cared about anyone’s reaction.
Every single word struck Takimoto sharply and directly.

Takimoto let out a small sigh.

“...You are a fool.”

“—Yeah, maybe I am a fool.”

Miura slowly thrust his hand into his pocket and gripped the documents tightly.

As if he were holding the hand of the boy who had been crouching there since that day.

"But you know, if it means staying one of the 'Twelve Apostles' with hypocrites like you, I'd gladly—become Judas."

That was his final farewell to the "system" he had once believed in.
And it was the beginning of a hope named "sincerity."

Miura turned on his heel and began to walk away quietly.
The darkness of the winter night enveloped his back.
But his steps were steady.

Takimoto stared intently at his retreating figure.
Without saying anything else, he simply muttered one thing.

"...You really are a fool."

That voice no longer reached him.
Inside Miura, only the voices of his father and mother were echoing now.

—Seiji, you must live strongly.

With those words in his heart, he began to walk toward the "future."

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