Chapter Fourteen — Monday Problems

Morning assemblies at Kurogane Manufacturing were basically held every day.

On Mondays, the entire company gathered together. On every other day, each department held its own meeting.

I never know what to talk about.

Lately, that had become the plant manager's biggest headache.

From Tuesday onward, he'd been leaving the First Factory's morning meetings to Yashio, the department manager.

The real problem... is Monday.

Like clockwork, the feeling of dread always began to creep in sometime on Sunday evening.

---

That particular day had been unusually busy.

The phone had been ringing nonstop since morning, and none of the work he'd planned to finish was getting done.

“The boss seems unusually irritated today.”

Holding his water bottle, Keisuke spoke to Tsubaki.

Normally, she would have been annoyed by Keisuke's constant inability to focus on his work.

But today, she simply removed her welding mask and looked around.

“You're right. Isn't anyone going to help him?”

Come to think of it, Yashio and Sugitani had mentioned during the morning meeting that they were visiting a client.

They'd probably already left.

“Maybe I should go help him.”

Tsubaki's expression changed instantly.

“What are you talking about, Sano?”

Her response was immediate.

“That would only make things worse! Just focus on your own work!”

“Oh... okay.”

What kind of reputation do I have around here?

Seriously...

His enthusiasm completely deflated, and he returned to work.

---

As lunchtime approached, Wakana from the office stepped into the workshop, which had taken on an unusually tense atmosphere.

She was carrying a stack of documents and walking quickly.

Stopping beside Tsubaki's workstation, she asked,

“How's it going?”

“Same as always.”

“Really? Because everyone seems a little on edge today.”

“Wakana... your powers of observation are terrifying.”

“What are you talking about?”

Wakana laughed.

“I'm the future president, remember?”

Then she glanced at the strange metal structure sitting on Tsubaki's workbench.

The object looked less like an industrial product and more like an abstract iron sculpture.

“Seriously, you made this by yourself?”

“More or less.”

Tsubaki shrugged.

“I'm used to this kind of thing now.”

“Huh. Impressive.”

Nearby, Keisuke listened while sparks flew from his welding torch.

The future president, huh?

---

Even Wakana occasionally hesitated before speaking to the plant manager when he was completely absorbed in a drawing.

She cleared her throat.

“Good morning.”

She remained a few steps away.

“Oh, morning, Wakachan. What's up? This is unusual.”

“Are you okay?”

“Hmm?”

“You seem a little tense today.”

“Do I?”

He rubbed the back of his neck.

“Things have been a little hectic.”

He pointed at the papers in her hand.

“So, what is it?”

“This just came in.”

She handed him an entire folder.

“It arrived by fax a little while ago. Could you read it when you have time?”

“Is it urgent?”

“Not at all.”

“Really? Then I'll read it now.”

The plant manager glanced at the clock.

11:45.

There's no point pretending I'll finish this before lunch anyway.

He set aside the work he'd been trying to finish and looked at the fax.

Handwritten faxes were rare these days.

The letter had been written with remarkable care.

It read something like this:

---

To everyone at Kurogane Manufacturing,

Thank you very much for the kindness you showed me when I contacted you unexpectedly the other day.

I've already begun using the item you made, and it's working wonderfully. I'm thoroughly enjoying my hobby because of it.

Please extend my gratitude to Mr. Takahashi, who performed the welding.

I hope you won't think me presumptuous for saying this, but during my brief interaction with your company, I felt something very warm—a feeling that reminded me of the very best of Japanese manufacturing.

I will treasure the item you created for me.

Please take good care of yourselves, and I sincerely hope your wonderful company continues to grow and prosper.

---

After finishing the letter, the plant manager remembered the thin, middle-aged man who had visited the factory about two weeks earlier.

The man had wanted a custom metal box welded onto his bicycle.

Without much hesitation, the plant manager had assigned the job to Shinji.

He suddenly remembered how awkward the whole process had been.

The customer had stood nearby the entire time, silently watching the welding.

“Do you know who sent this fax?”

Wakana looked over his shoulder.

“Yeah.”

He nodded.

“I remember now.”

“Oh, good.”

She laughed.

“Nobody in the office could figure it out. We thought you'd know.”

“Hmm...”

“What's wrong?”

“Nothing.”

He smiled.

“It's just... a really nice letter.”

“Yeah.”

He looked down at the paper again.

This will work.

“What will?”

Ignoring her question entirely, the plant manager suddenly felt his mood improve.

He finally had something to talk about at next Monday's morning assembly.

---

The following week, the plant manager enthusiastically shared the story during the Monday meeting.

The employees' reaction, however, was far colder than he had expected.

Apparently...

The customer who had written the letter had left a very different impression on everyone else.