CH 12

“Hey, you know, lately… Isn’t Hiyori Ando becoming quite cute?”

Suddenly, her name came out of my friend’s mouth, and I was surprised.

“You’re right. She used to be really skinny. But now it looks like she’s getting proper nutrition, and she’s reasonably plump. And she’s more fashionable than before.”

“Right?”

Then the eyes of my two friends turned to me.

“Or rather, Hidetsugu.”

“W-What is it?”

“I didn’t dare mention it until now, but … what kind of relationship do you have with Hiyori Ando?”

“We’re just part-timers at the same convenience store…”

“But that’s not enough to pull off a stunt like that, is it?”

“I know right. Like carrying a fallen girlfriend in a princess carry.”

Both of them stared at me.

“… none of your business.’

“Uh, he is running away.”

“I thought she was your girlfriend.?”

“I told you she’s not.”

“Ah, speak of the devil, Ando-chan.”

My friend said, and I turned to look.

She was being approached by another girl.

“Hiyori-chan~! You’ve become so cute lately~”

“Did you get a boyfriend, by any chance?”

“N-No, it’s not like that.”

Suddenly, she looked in my direction. We both widened our eyes and ended up looking away.

“That’s nice. I think I’ll approach her.”

My friend said. I turned around quickly.

“I’m just kidding, you look so scary. Hidetsugu, you’re really ….”

“No, I’m not.”

Later, during the lecture, two of my friends continued to smirk at me and look at me, which was exasperating.

******

“Tsugtsugu~, look! I got the cash register~”

Beep, beep, beep, clang.

“ah, good boy, good boy.”

I said with a small clap.

“Ehehe~. With this, I’m on my own.”

“Don’t be silly. You can’t do anything except the cash register. This is where the real work begins, okay?”

“Mou~, You are such a devil~”

“Where is it?”

I let out a sigh.

“Hey, hey, hey. How are things going with Hiyorin lately?”

“Huh? What?”

Koshiba came up to me, grinning, as I asked back.

“Did you kiss her or something yet?”

Then she whispered.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Eh~, why not? You two are dating, right?”

“I told you, no.”

“But living under one roof… I think you both are a perfect match for each other, you know?”

I put my hand on her forehead.

“Koshiba, please.”

“What?”

“Don’t…. say anything that will stir my heart too much.”

“Hmm… Seriously”

Koshiba said.

“Ah, there’s a customer. Welcome~”

Koshiba then went to the cash register.

“…I wonder if I’m easy to understand.”

******

The end of my part-time job.

I bought a bottle of beer and a bottle of shochu and was on my way home. Before, when I went home after my part-time job, time passed in a bland manner. But now, she was waiting for me at home.

With a hot meal ready for me.

–Matsuo-san.

When I recalled her angelic, innocent smile, my face started heating up.

“Like I said, Absolutely not. I’ve decided I’m not going to touch her. ……”

I walked, hoping that the night breeze would somehow cool my burning cheeks. I arrived at my apartment. I stood in front of the front door and felt a bit nervous.

Calm down, I thought.

“Hey, Hidetsugu~”

I was startled by his voice.

“Shuya? Nobukazu? Why are you guys here?”

I impatiently asked my friends.

“No~, it’s been a while since we’ve been to your house, so we thought we’d have a drink at your place.”

“We came here just as you were leaving after your part-time job.”

“Haha, I see. …. Go home now.”

“Eh~, Why~, Isn’t it fine~”

“Yes, yes~! We’ve come all this way!”

“It’s okay, just go home.”

“Besides I have a lot of questions for you, Hidetsugu.”

“Huh? What?”

“Of course, about Ando-chan. ….”

Clang

“Ah, Matsuo-san. I heard your voice, so I thought you might have returned.”

Ando-san showed up, dressed in an apron.

“”What!?””

The place went silent for a moment.

My two friends’ mouths were agape. Most importantly, I opened my mouth. And sweat was dripping down my face.

“Ahh..”

Ando-san also widened her eyes and held her mouth.

“…Hidetsugu-kun.”

A hand was placed on my shoulder.

“Would you like me to conduct an interview?”

“We don’t have…. katsudon, but we do have peanuts.”

“I don’t want it, you idiot. ….”

I held my forehead again and turned my face down.

“Ah, um, uh, that…”

Ando-san was flustered.