Source
https://kakuyomu.jp/works/16817330665789841745/episodes/16817330666470089862
After seeing the cute Yuki at the cake shop, I came to the family restaurant where I work.
I heard there were a good number of customers even though it was before the peak of the day.
The restaurant was already bustling with people.
I changed into my uniform and prepared to work in the kitchen.
The manager, whom I had just passed, told me that today would be a busy day, so I try to visualize how the kitchen will run smoothly.
I love my part-time job.
I don’t have to think about anything difficult, I just have to seek efficiency and perform my duties as if it were a game.
I think I am suited for it.
If I have to work in the future, I really want to do simple tasks.
Since Yuki banned me from playing online games because I got too involved in them, I might say that part-time work is my only hobby.
My father has given me a certain amount of freedom to take care of my living expenses, so I’m not in any financial trouble.
However, I was beginning to feel a sense of fulfillment in buying something for my younger sister, Yuki, with the money from my part-time job.
That’s right.
Today, I was looking at Hinoriwa and thought her hair ornament was cute.
I wanted to give it to Yuki.
I don’t know its name and I don’t know where it is sold, so I’ll ask her again next time.
While I was thinking about that, my phone rang.
It was an incoming call from Kouki Futaba.
I thought for a moment and answered it.
She should be with Yuki.
“Listen calmly. Yuki chan has collapsed.”
As soon as the words reach my ears, I turn on the speaker, put down my phone, and starts to change my clothes in a fluid motion.
I take off my uniform in the kitchen.
“Where are you now?”
“I’m at Yukimi kun’s house with Yuki chan. Yuki chan says she’s fine, but she has a fever and I have to tell you.”
“I’ll be home soon.”
“Yukimi kun,”
I hung up the phone.
Futaba was about to say something, but it was a waste of time.
I know she’s fine.
Of course she’s fine.
Still, it is absolutely necessary to see her face and check her condition.
The lock of the locker doesn’t open. I’m frustrated. I managed to get it open.
I finish changing my clothes and head outside at a brisk walk.
I feel uncomfortable because I can’t feel my feet.
I have to put a hole in my part-time job.
I’m going to cause trouble for everyone. I know, but I have no choice.
I just tell the stunned manager near the cash register that I’m leaving, and run out of the store without hearing his reply.
“Yukimi !”
There was Hinoriwa breathing on her shoulder in front of the store.
She must have pedaled her bicycle frantically.
She is looking at me with a serious face.
She stops her bike and runs toward me.
“Why are you here?”
I was about to say—then she hugged me.
I was held by Hinoriwa, who was a little shorter than me.
Stop it. I’m in a hurry.
“It’s okay, calm down, Yukimi. Yuki chan is fine. She just moved too much yesterday and today.”
Moved too much?
I see.
She just moved a little too much. She’s been getting that since she was a little girl.
I know.
“Your face is so pale. Yuki chan is sleeping soundly. Don;t worry.”
She’s sleeping. SHe’s alive.
“…..Yeah.”
“I’ll take your place for now. I’ll put the manager in the kitchen and everything will be fine.”
It’ll be fine.
The manager will be in the kitchen plus Hinoriwa in the hall.
The part-timers will be able to work well and I can see Yuki.
“……Thanks.”
I finally look at her and say.
“Hmm. Your face has regained some color. Please go home slowly so you don’t have an accident.”
Suddenly, my field of vision opened up.
I could hear the sound of cars driving and people talking.
I looked at the sweating Hinoriwa and was filled with gratitude.
Thank you.
The back of Hinoriwa’s hair is swaying in front of her eyes.
I put my hand over the hair ornament that holds her ponytail and ask,
“It’s cute after all.”
“Eh !? W-what was that !?”
She suddenly started fidgeting.
I don’t think she got my message.
“I want you to tell me where they sell this.”
“……A-ah. This, right? Y-yeah. I’ll tell you. I’ll RINE you later.”
She looks stunned and disappointed, but she’s smiling.
“Thank you Hinoriwa. You really helped me.”
“Yeah ! I’ll take care of this one !”
I receive a strong slap on the back and start to walk away.
The dark, falling feeling I had just a few minutes ago was gone.
ーーーーーー☆彡
When I arrived home, Futaba welcomed me.
“Welcome home. I’m sorry to bother you.”
She’s taking off her hoodie.
It’s weird to have this guy at home.
“I’m home. I’m sorry for all the trouble I put you through.”
“Hm, you seem calmer than I thought you’d be. You hung up on me earlier.”
It’s been a while since I’ve seen that smirk on her face.
“My bad. Thanks to Hinoriwa, I calmed down.”
“Mio chan is great.”
“Yeah. Is Yuki sleeping in her room?”
“Yeah. or now, please go up and relax.”
She was looking at me with a gesture like she was begging me to come with her.
“It’s my house though.”
“Fufu.”
I went to Yuki’s room once, saw her sleeping face and felt at ease, then headed to the living room.
I sit down on the sofa and ask her what’s going on.
“So, Yuki suddenly collapsed?”
“Yeah. I thought she was a little feverish, and right after that, she collapsed.”
“I see.”
“Is there anything else unusual?”
“Well, maybe, but I think her phone rang, and she saw a message or something, and then she collapsed. Oh, she could at least get into a cab, I didn’t give her a piggyback ride or anything.”
“I see. Anyway, thanks for bringing her back. I’ll pay for the cab. And Futaba, don’t you have to go home?”
“Yeah, my parents don’t come home until late. I also thought about making Yuki chan a meal that would be easy to eat. Y-you can eat it too if you want to, Yukimi…..”
“I’ll eat it. But if you look in the refrigerator, you’ll see that there aren’t any ingredients in it.”
“R-really? Aren’t you taking care of yourself? Can I go get some shopping?”
“I don’t cook and neither does Yuki, so I’m grateful. I’ll pay for it.”
I can cook what I can cook, but I think it would be faster to buy it.
“I’m sure there is a supermarket nearby. It’ll take a moment.”
Futaba went shopping in a hurry, so she didn’t have anything on hand.
I went to Yuki’s room to see her again.
“Yuki, I’m coming in.”
After knocking, I waited for a few seconds, opened the door and went inside.
“……Onii chan.”
I wonder if I woke her up.
I sat down next to the bed where Yuki was sleeping.
I say while touching my bangs, which are slightly damp with sweat.
“I was worried about you.”
“……What happened to your job?”
Yuki asks apologetically.
You don’t have to think about that.
“Hinoriwa took over for me.”
“I see……that’s very kind of you, Mio chan.”
“Yeah.”
I put my cheek on Yuki’s face and hugged her head.
Yuki was moving around and making noises.
“I’m sorry for making you work yesterday and today. I hope you get well soon.”
“….No, it’s fine. I had so much fun that I got too excited.”
“Futaba said she’ll cook dinner.”
“Yay. …I’m starting to sweat, so get out of here.”
“I don’t care.”
“But I do.”
I really don’t care, but…….
I leave because it looks like she really doesn’t want me to be there.
“So, who was the message from? The one who caused the last damage.”
“…..Hmm? Ah ! That’s right.
Hakari chan said the office found out.”
Ah.
That’s not the only reason why Yuki collapsed.
Still, I had to say something.
I called the number.
“Hello?”
“H-hello ! What’s wrong?”
Oh, you picked up.
At first, I pretended to be a little loud and angry.
“Hey ! How did the office find out? Explain it, Akamori Kyoko ! !”
“Eh !? Why am I the one who got yelled at ! !??”
I called Akamori because calling Hakariya was going to be a hassle.
After that, Akamori, who seemed to think I was really mad at her, started sobbing, so it took some time, but we decided to have a discussion with the manager, including Akamori because she knew what was going on.
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