Choices for the Future - 6: A Chance Seized

A few days later

Hotel Cafe

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1

Chairman

Hello, Suzu. Thank you for inviting me out to have tea with you.

2

Byakkomachi

Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to meet with me, Grandfather.

3

Emu

Thank you very much!

4

Chairman

Hahaha. There's no need to be so formal with me.

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5

Chairman

Anyway, have you two already ordered?

6

Chairman

I recommend this cafe's seasonal parfaits. They're absolutely superb, and I've fallen completely in love with them.

7

Emu

Parfaits...?

8

Byakkomachi

Didn't your doctor tell you to keep an eye on your sugar intake, Grandfather...?

9

Chairman

Yes, and...
I am doing my best to treat myself to dessert only every so often...

10

Emu

(This is Suzu's grandpa...?)

11

Emu

(He seems a lot nicer than I was expecting.)

12

Chairman

I heard that you've been studying management while at Morinomiya, Emu.

13

Emu

...!
Y-Yes, that's right. Also, you know about me?

14

Chairman

Of course. The Otori children have always been a studious and hardworking bunch in my mind.

15

Chairman

So, I couldn't feel more honored that you chose Morinomiya as your place of study.

16

Chairman

Now... You're here to discuss the Kikyogumi matter today, yes?

17

Byakkomachi

Yes.
First, we ask that you take a look at this.

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18

Chairman

Hmm...

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19

Chairman

Did you put this together with Emu here, Suzu?

20

Byakkomachi

Yes. Otori came up with the base idea, and we worked out the details together.

21

Chairman

Yes, I see...

22

Emu

...!

23

Emu

(He seems like a nice person...
But things feel so tense when he stares into your eyes like this.)

24

Emu

(No, don't look away...)

25

Emu

(Suzu and I need to convince him that we're serious about this...!)

26

Chairman

...

27

Chairman

Hehe. Intriguing...
This one could turn into something truly special.

28

Emu

Huh?

29

Chairman

Ah, I was just talking to myself.
I only took a quick glance, but the idea has promise.

30

Byakkomachi

...!
Does that mean...?

31

Chairman

Yes. The board is set to meet one week from now, so you should try presenting it to them then.

32

Chairman

If you manage to convince them, then we'll put it into practice.

33

Emu

Th...

34

Emu

Thank you very much!!

35

Chairman

However, this is all I can say.
The onus will be on you both to convince the rest of the board.

36

Byakkomachi

Yes, of course.

37

Byakkomachi

Um, Grandfather?

38

Chairman

Yes?

39

Byakkomachi

I love Morinomiya very much.
I want it to keep putting on the best shows a hundred years from now.

40

Byakkomachi

In that respect, my feelings are no different from yours or those of anyone else on the board. So...

41

Byakkomachi

I promise to convince them.

42

Chairman

...

43

Chairman

Good. I'll be looking forward to your presentation.

44

Emu

(We're going to present our idea to the board...)

45

Emu

(We have to explain our idea to them and convince them that it's a good one.)

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46

Kijima

Have you ever encountered situations where you had trouble conveying what you were thinking or feeling to someone else?

47

Emu

(Just trying my absolute best won't be enough...)

48

Emu

(So...)

49

Emu

(I have to practice communicating my ideas!)

Otori Household - Living Room

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50

Shosuke

Wait, say that again...

51

Emu

I need you to teach me how to give good presentations!

52

Emu

Like the ones you guys give for work!
I wanna learn how to do that!

53

Shosuke

Like the ones we give for work...?
When do you have to present your idea, anyway?

54

Emu

In a week!

55

Shosuke

A week...?!
You're joking, right...?!

56

Emu

I absolutely have to figure out how to convince everyone!

57

Emu

I need to speak effectively and make the right gestures... If I don't take how people will see me into consideration, then they're probably not going to understand how I feel.

58

Emu

I know this is really hard and that I'm asking a lot...

59

Emu

But I'm sure that I need to do this if I'm gonna turn this dream into a reality! I want to give a good presentation!

60

Keisuke

Emu...

61

Shosuke

*Sigh*
Sounds like you're serious...

62

Emu

...!

63

Keisuke

If you're that motivated, then there's no harm in acquiring some public speaking skills.

64

Shosuke

Yeah, this is a good chance to do that.

65

Shosuke

We'll teach you everything you need to know, and you'll be giving presentations that can change any naysayer's mind in no time.

66

Emu

Really...?

67

Keisuke

Yes. So, let's get started.

68

Emu

Okay! Thanks, you guys!

Next Chapter: Getting Our Feelings Across