Episode 74 – If you keep on playing dumb, I’ll get senpai first, okay?

After school. I went home early today.
The reason was that Ayako san had something to do and wanted to ask me to watch the store.

I told her that she should close the store on such a day, but she refused. In this day and age, she wants to make as much money as possible.

If there are not many customers, the cost of labor and other expenses would be rather negative. ……
Well, I failed to mention that.

So, I’m running the restaurant on my own.

“Why are you here?”
“I thought you might be lonely if you were alone.”

Yuyu, who was sipping her iced latte through a straw over the counter, said something like that.
In the first place, I don’t remember telling anyone that I’m tending bar all by myself.
　
But somewhere along the way, she got wind of it and here she is.

“You’re interrupting my work, can you leave?”
“That’s terrible, senpai! I’m one of your customers who contributes to your sales! Besides, …….”

Saying this, Yuyu looks around the store.

“There are no other customers. What’s disturbing you with this?”
“Shut up. I just need some time to relax and not be disturbed by anyone.”
“You’re so stubborn, senpai. The truth is, you’re happy to be alone with Yuyu!”
“……, you’ve really changed your character, haven’t you?”
“Muu. I’m not talking about that now!”
“I wish you’d give me back the modest Yuyu I had back then.”
“That’s terrible! So you don’t like me now?…”

Yuyu is looking at me with her eyes up and teary eyes.
There is no doubt that this is a common tactic of Yuyu, but it is also very destructive because of her well-defined face.

“Don’t look at me like that.”
“Huh? Senpai. Aren’t you blushing?”
“No, I’m not blushing, C-Close!”
“……Mouu! You don’t have to be embarrassed.”

Yuyu’s cheeks puffed out as she moved away from me.

Why is it that since that day, she has been so eager to see me?
Maybe it’s simply because she’s missed me.

“You really show up every day, ……, do you have time on your hands?”
“That’s rude. I’m here because I want to see you.”
“Don’t spend your time on me, go hang out with the kids in your class or something. Koji-san, right? You two have become good friends, haven’t you?”
“Well, Miorin and I have become good friends. ……”

Somewhat dissatisfied, Yuyu puffed out her cheeks.

“‘Muu……-senpai is really a simpleton.”

For some reason, she made fun of me. There is no doubt about it.

“Didn’t you see my last stream?”
“I did…..”
“……, well, that’s okay. It’s just the beginning.”
“……?”
“(Go for it, me!)”

Yuyu made a fist alone and was enthusiastic about something.

At that time, the bell on the door of the store made a clanging sound.
It was a signal that a customer had arrived at the store.

“Welcome”

I greeted the customer who came to the store.
There was…

“Ah, Arase. I-I suddenly felt like having a cup of coffee while I was in the neighborhood, so I came here for you!”

It was Asagiri.
I don’t really understand the reason.

◆

Today, when class ended, Arase was gone in a flash.
So I asked Sasaoka, who was nearby, where he had gone.

─ ─ Arase? Oh, that guy, and he’s somewhere with a girl …… Hii! I’m just kidding! I heard he was asked to watch the store.

That’s why I tried to invite Sasaoka and Nanami to go to the café to hang out, but they both had other things to do and refused.

I wasn’t sure if I wanted to go or not when they refused.

I could have gone by myself, but I didn’t want to go …… because, you know, you know what they say.
If I went alone, it would make it seem like I went all the way out to meet him, wouldn’t that be a big problem?

…but why am I here?

Because I felt like having a cup of coffee.
Yes, yes. That’s what I was in the mood for.

That’s why I came here.

Well, I thought I would be a good friend to talk to him if he was free.
So why is she here…?

Apparently, there was someone who had the same idea as mine.
I spy on that person who takes the same seat as me while drinking through a straw the iced coffee I ordered from Arase earlier.

When I first met her before, she had a haircut that hid her eyes, wore glasses, and had a generally gloomy atmosphere.
I’m sorry to say it, but she was kind of a wild-looking girl.

Now, I wonder how she looks.
Her glasses were off, her hair was tied back tightly, and she looked brighter.

Cute …….

That was my honest impression when I saw her.
And after that appearance….

“What’s wrong, Asagiri-senpai?”
“No, nothing. It’s nothing. ……”

I was sneaking a look at her, but Mitani-san knew. In order to cover it up, I removed my gaze and took another sip of my iced coffee.

Delicious. The cold coffee permeates my body.
It’s been quite hot lately, so it’s a good way to cool down.

“Hmmm~, it’s really cool to see Senpai at work, isn’t it~?”

Mitain san looks at Arase, who is working as a dishwasher, with sparkling eyes.
She looks like….

“Is someone like Arase your type, M-Mitani-san?…”
“Hmm~, it’s not that he’s my type. My type is someone with muscular abs.”

Certainly, Arase doesn’t look like that. He is not skinny, but he doesn’t look like he has muscles that are so muscular as to be muscular.
So-called standard type.

Then why ……?

“Well, for that reason, you seem to be involved with him frequently these days.”
“Well, well, I’m interested in him.”
“Eh?”
“Well, to tell you the truth, I’ve fallen in love with him.”
“!?”

I was puzzled by how honestly she expressed her feelings.
I am at a loss for words because she is so open and unabashed, without the slightest hint of embarrassment.

As I remain silent, Mitani san continues.

“If someone cared about me like that all the time and helped me like that,…… I would fall in love with him.”

She blushes a little. The incident before when Arase helped Mitani-san.
I wonder if she is remembering that time.

How can I say it, Mitani-san who blushes and speaks now is a …… girl.

“Asagiri-senpai, do you like Senpai?”
“Ehh, no,…… umm,…….”

The words are at a loss for words because of this sudden question.

I Like Arase ……?

It’s obvious. But I can’t help but feel uncomfortable revealing my feelings to others.

“You’re blushing, senpai?”
“Ah, Umm…..”
“Fufufu, If you can’t answer the question, that’s okay. I kind of understand.”
“…….”
“But it’s hard work, you know~?”
“W-What do you mean?””

Mitani-san approached me happily. She then looked at Arase, who was working at the counter, and said

“He’s so insensitive, you know!”
“…… I agree.”

I agree with that.
That naive thing. I don’t think he ever thought I liked him.

Arase was yawning in his spare time.

I don’t …… know what it is, but it’s making me angry.

“So I don’t think I should leave it at that. If you keep on messing around, I’ll get senpai first, okay?”
“……!”

Mitani-san declared happily and fairly.

“Ah, Senpai~! If you’re not busy, please come to this table!　Two beautiful women are free!”

And then, leaving me in a bewildered state, she headed toward the Arase.

“Don’t come here. You’re interrupting my work.”
“Eeh~~? You said that, but you didn’t do anything.”

My heart is pounding loudly. Is it because of that frontal declaration?
Or is it because of …….

And then I let out a small gasp when I see Mitani-san tangling with Arase and Arase wrinkling his brow at that.

I …… can’t lose either!

With a small determination in my heart, I too got up from my seat and headed towards Arase.

(TL/N : It gets spicyy)

(A/N :
[Afterword]

I apologize for the delay in updating this page. I have been a bit ill and have not been able to write for a while.

I wanted to write this kind of exchange!
I want to write more and more about this kind of interaction. I hope to write more and more.

I look forward to your feedback!

[Notice]

Thank you very much for reading my work.

I am happy to announce that I won the Comic Walker Manga Award at the 8th Kakuyomu Web Novel Contest!
I would like to thank all of the readers who have continued to read my work.

Although the comic book project is still in the planning stages, please look forward to seeing Arase and the heroines in the future manga!

I will continue to do my best to bring you more interesting works, so please continue to support me!)

–

–

If you enjoy our content, feel free to donate 🙂 Thank you in advance !

https://ko-fi.com/dasuitl

https://saweria.co/dasuitl