74: Strategic Victory

“Hey, Rex, why do people have to work?”

We had a habit of meeting up and talking at a bar with Martin every Sabbath, which came once a week. We were already proper working adults.

However, it had only been two months since we started—now it was mid-May. It was around the time when we were starting to get used to our jobs and could discover our own “enjoyment” in our work.

But Martin’s face looked completely worn out, just like I did when I was tired of the world. I became curious about what kind of cruel fate had befallen him.

“Day after day, meaningless excessive tasks… Selling techniques that are borderline criminal, asking the boss for ‘guidance’… Maybe it would have worked in the past, but now everything is impossible with today’s moral standards. And they judge what is ‘possible’ or ‘impossible’ based on the criteria from when the economy was better. How many times have I shouted, ‘Then you try it! In this day and age! In the current economic situation!'”

Martin’s workplace was supposed to be a well-known top-notch company, but indeed, it seemed quite outdated and falling apart.

As I listened to Martin’s complaints, I thought back to my past life.

I had experienced it too. A period when I couldn’t see the trends under an boss who demanded absolute obedience… My life was filled with various misfortunes, leading to my execution by burning at the stake. But I was told by an all-knowing and all-powerful being that the boss was safe, and it left me boiling with anger.

“Rex, isn’t your job tough?”

Fortunately, I had never thought it was tough.

After all, there was no way I would choose the profession of “teacher” without doing any research. As a result of my research, I was convinced that it wouldn’t be too stressful.

In general, being a “teacher” sounded like a stressful job. No overtime pay, harassment from superiors, students being insolent… The workplace itself was tense because everyone was in such a situation…

However, for me, who had rushed through the escalator from nursery school to university, aiming to become a “teacher” meant something slightly different from aiming to become a “typical teacher.”

I could be a student while becoming a teacher.

Because those who became teachers at the school became teachers at the school.

Although I was assigned to the middle school curriculum, my former mentor was still there, and on top of that, I had a good reputation among the teachers.

I had excellent grades and good behavior. I had served as the student council president in middle school and high school.

So, the teachers would treat me as they would treat an “excellent student.”

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Martin wasn’t so clueless that he couldn’t understand this advantage unless I explained it from scratch, but his mind was muddled with stress and alcohol, so if I summarized it, the first benefit was “no harassment.”

And thanks to my acquaintance Alex, the potential drawback of “relationships with students” didn’t become a drawback.

It’s not that they are friendly, but rather, they treat me like a gang leader, which is somewhat bothersome. However, the distance between me and the students is not too far or too close, and they all listen to what I say obediently.

Do you understand, Martin?

I… I prepared my work environment before starting my job.

“That’s cheating!”

Cheating, huh.

Well, it’s true that the idea of “preparing the work environment before starting a job” doesn’t come to mind until one has experienced life for a while…

However, Martin, I have only one complaint about my current workplace.

It’s that I don’t have any acquaintances of the same generation…

No, of course, there are peers. They exist. But, somehow, they feel distant. Everyone calls each other by their last names followed by “san,” except for me. I’m the only one called “Rex-san.”

Being addressed with “san”…

When you become an adult, it feels like the distance grows, doesn’t it…

“No… You’re a peer, right? That’s inevitable…”

I don’t understand why it’s like, “It’s okay if it’s Rex.”

Well, that’s why you and I… are best friends.

“Ah, I see. You’re having a tough time too…”

I think we can continue to drink like this on our days off for about two years.

“Why two years?”

Because I’m getting married in two years.

“Huh?”

I’m going to marry Milim, me.