Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16818093075629868223/episodes/16818792438105633626
―――Call it grueling work or whatever.
The workplace where I finally understood why people say “I could use an extra pair of hands” was over before I knew it—my last day came quickly.
“Huh? You’re done today?”
“Yeah, I can’t skip school too much. I’m just a regular high schooler, not some celebrity intern.”
“…I see. If you’re stuck on your future plans, give me a call.”
“Uh… sure…”
Maybe because it was my last day, the director I met earlier gave me his business card.
“Huh? You’re quitting today!?”
“What a waste! You should get a job right now!”
“Sorry, I don’t have my high school diploma yet.”
“Publishing companies love people with no experience!”
“Wait, wasn’t this a job that required quite a bit of education?”
Maybe because it was my last day, everyone was desperately worried about my future.
“Oh, right. You’re still a student, aren’t you?”
“That’s right, I’m a solid second-year.”
“Well, then bars are out… Hey, isn’t there a good restaurant or something around here?”
“Huh? Going out to eat with Irie-kun? I’m coming too!”
“Weren’t you two close? I thought you belonged to different agencies—”
“We’re not exactly close, but Irie-kun’s here…”
“……………”
Maybe because it was the last day, I even got a dinner date arranged.
And maybe because it was the last day—
“Please, Irie-kun… just a little longer… could you work just a little bit longer…!”
―――At the cafe, Ando san bowed her head to me.
“Seeing a grown adult desperately bowing like that is actually pretty unbearable.”
“Doing it in public just makes it worse.”
At dusk, when the day’s schedule was finished.
Since it was the last day, she said, “I’ll treat you to dinner,” and we headed to a slightly fancy cafe.
Kirishima seemed to have finished all her plans for the day too, so here we were, sharing a table together.
Incidentally, the Napolitan pasta on the table was quite delicious. The risotto in front of Kirishima looked tasty too, so I was hoping to get a bite later.
“Well, you see… At first, I just needed someone to handle some light tasks. This past week was busy, but things should settle down starting next week.”
Manager Ando took a sip of juice and continued.
“But then, what do you know? You pay close attention to your surroundings, you’re efficient. You handle more than what’s asked of you, and you’re good at communicating. Every time I leave the site, people ask about you. Do you understand how I feel?”
“Come to think of it, I did get quite a few business cards.”
“You don’t usually get that many.”
I should probably keep them safe.
Might be something to brag about someday.
“Well, school’s right before the cultural festival. If I slack off any more on prep, my classmates will probably get mad, and I’ll get a scolding call from the teacher…”
“Hmm… Yeah, I guess so. Asking you to miss a major school event? Even I can’t bring myself to say that.”
I’d be fine skipping it if it came down to it, but I don’t know if everyone else would let me get away with it.
Unlike Kirishima, who talked it over beforehand, I’m just skipping school for a part-time job. Considering attendance days and my school records, skipping any more would be bad news.
“…Actually, you don’t seem too surprised, Kurusu-chan.”
Glaring. Ando san shot a glare at Kirishima sitting next to me.
Then, for some reason, Kirishima poked my cheek.
“I know Irie is a workaholic. What surprised me was you showing up without any notice.”
“That hurts, Kirishima-san. I’m eating. It was her who kept quiet, Ando san.”
“You could have told me beforehand. You’re the only guy I’ve exchanged contact info with, you know?”
“Huh!?”
“Kirishima’s comment just made a grown adult who’d forgotten her dazzling blue spring start sparkling-eyed. What are we gonna do?”
“She finds that amusing, so it’s fine.”
Well, she’s kind of… endearing? That probably makes her easy to get along with.
But the way she overreacts to romance just doesn’t feel like someone in their twenties.
“Still, I have to say, Irie-kun really came through for us.”
“Please don’t casually hand me notes saying ‘Details later’.”
“Of course, your pay will be sent through the agency. If you want, I can even ask my boss to add a little something extra.”
If they’re adding something extra, that’d be appreciated.
Money never hurts, so maybe I’ll buy some new cooking tools with this. Looking forward to the transfer.
(…Well)
To be honest.
Money is just an excuse, or something like that.
The truth is―――
“Hey, Ando san.”
“Hm? What is it?”
“We’re done here for today, right?”
“Yeah. I’ll call a cab to take you home later.”
“No, if it’s okay, could I stop by somewhere with Irie on the way home?”
…Just a little. My heart seemed to leap.
But, seemingly oblivious to my reaction, Ando-san relaxed her lips and gave me a thumbs up.
“If Irie-kun’s with you, no problem. Young folks should enjoy their after-school time together.”
Whether I’ll enjoy it or not.
As for that, who knows how it’ll turn out.
After all—
(My real business is over here, after all.)
…it was the matter I’d been putting off.
If Kirishima had stepped in, then I had no choice but to step in too.
Thinking that, the Neapolitan pasta I put in my mouth somehow… strangely, for some reason, didn’t taste like much.
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