Business Advisor at the Chamber of Commerce (4) Invisible Pressure, Quiet Obstruction [#CreativeAward2025 #WorkplaceNovelCategory]
<< Previous Story Episode 1 Next Story >>
"Sakuragawa Marche? Don't be ridiculous."
At the Chamber of Commerce planning meeting, Miura dismissed Yuto's proposal out of hand.
Seiji Miura is the Chief Business Advisor of the Sakuragawa Chamber of Commerce.
While he is a powerhouse who knows the field inside and out, he is always calm and collected. He is strong with both numbers and on-site operations, and has earned the deep trust of business owners.
With strong connections to the government and financial institutions, he serves as Secretary-General Takimoto's "right-hand man," handling negotiations and decision-making at critical junctures.
"Even if you gather people for an event, the decline of the shopping district won't change."
Yuto retorted firmly.
"Nothing will change if we don't do anything!"
"Nothing will change even if you do it."
Miura said coldly.
"Even if you gather people temporarily, it will just return to its original state. If you're going to do something like that, it's better for the Chamber of Commerce to provide solid, steady support."
Yuto clenched his fists.
"What do you mean by 'solid support'? Do you just mean handing out subsidies and watching from the sidelines?"
"No. The Chamber of Commerce is an organization that supports stable business management. It's a nuisance when an idealist like you does whatever they want and invites unnecessary confusion."
"Are you satisfied with that, Miura-san!?"
"Shops that are going to fail will fail. That is reality."
"Who decided that?"
Miura stared into Yuto's eyes.
In his eyes, there was a faint flicker of anger toward the "ideals" that had once consumed his own past self.
After the meeting ended, Yuto stood alone in the hallway.
"...I guess it's no use."
Then, a voice came from the side.
"Morita-kun."
It was Mayu Akiyama.
"I think your plan is good, Morita-kun."
Yuto looked up in surprise.
"But, Miura-san..."
"I'm sure Miura-san has his reasons. But even so, I think you're right, Morita-kun."
Akiyama said gently.
"Let's do it. For Kota-kun's sake, too."
Even after that, Yuto continued to go around the shopping district without giving up.
No matter how coldly he was treated or how many times he was turned down, he never stopped moving.
The next day, and the day after that, he continued to walk through the shopping district with the same passion in his heart.
On afternoons with strong sunlight and mornings with cold winds, he knocked on the doors of every single shop, pouring out his words to convey his feelings.
"I want to turn the Sakuragawa Marche into the hope of this town."
Clinging only to that wish, he stepped firmly onto the cobblestones of the shopping district again today.
And so, just as the circle of the shopping district began to widen—
"You're quite enthusiastic, Morita."
A figure, as if draped in darkness, rustled into Yuto's field of vision.
Turning around, he saw Miura standing quietly.
"…Mr. Miura."
"No matter how much you try to persuade the people in the shopping district, the result won't change."
Miura's voice was low and cold.
"Unless the Chamber of Commerce is officially involved, such an event cannot be established. Without rules or funding, there is no way it can succeed."
Even so, Yuto did not show a moment of hesitation; he looked back at Miura with straight eyes and quietly spun his words.
"I will do everything I can. Even if the Chamber of Commerce doesn't move, I believe that if we move, the scenery of the shopping district will change."
However, Miura raised only one corner of his mouth slightly, wearing a cold smile that looked down on Yuto.
"You are free to talk about ideals, but reality is not so sweet."
From that day on, Miura began to move quietly.
He went from shop to shop, whispering into the ears of the owners.
"Participating in an event without official backing cannot be called a wise choice."
"Think about the effort and cost involved in the preparations. You might not sell as much as you expect and end up just losing money."
"Besides… Director Takimoto also seems quite angry about these unauthorized movements."
The expressions of the shop owners clouded over in unison.
"Eh, Takimoto-san is...?"
"If that person is unhappy about it, I have to rethink this..."
"If we get on the bad side of the Chamber of Commerce, it will be troublesome later..."
#CreativeAward2025 #WorkNovelCategory