[LN] Kanojo ni Uwaki Sareteita Ore ga - Volume 1 - Chapter 8

 

Chapter 8 - Telephone

When they arrived at the retro-style café, Shinohara sat in a café chair in the back.

The black-brown café chairs creak lightly and make another slightly louder sound when I sit down.

Shinohara, who was hanging his coat on a hanger, looked a little tired, and I said something out of character.

"I'll buy you a drink."

"Yeah, I don't want it."

Showing a puzzled expression, Shinohara refused.

I find it somewhat aggravating that he refused without seeming to think about it.

"Then I'll force myself to buy you a drink."

"Why? I mean, you said I would buy you a drink today."

Shinohara even pretends to be slightly withdrawn.

If it were me, I would spoil myself without thinking if someone offered to buy me a drink, but apparently Shinohara is different.

"I've been bought drinks on Christmas Eve and stuff, so why not?"

"What are you trying to remember? I'm the one who sent it out."

That being said, I remember that I was hired to get back at Motosaka. It seems that my brain had falsified my memory on its own to preserve my dignity as an older man.

Perhaps it was the unconscious urge to buy him a drink that made him want to regain that lowly dignity.

Well, it doesn't matter either way.

"You're tired of suddenly joining the Circle and being the manager. It's labor, labor."

When he heard the word "labor," Shinohara looked convinced, saying, "Nah, I see. It seems that if there is a reason, they will honestly buy you a drink."

I'm sure you'll be very happy to hear that. But it was really a fulfilling time for me, and it was so cute to see my seniors enjoying playing basketball.

"I was happier when people said I was good looking."

In response to my reply, Shinohara said with a pout, "Eh.

"When a girl tells a boy he's cute, it's a pretty good sign that he's cute."

"Yes, yes."

"What is your reaction?"

Shinohara yanked the menu list away from me with both hands.

I guess I should have put it away because I didn't think about the risk of ordering an expensive lunch because of our current exchange.

But that seemed to be an unfounded fear, as the meals delivered by the waitstaff were all wallet-friendly.

I apologized to him just as he ate more than half of the meal, chatting with me.

"'Sorry about something, did I bother your wallet?"

"No, I was in the mood for this."

"I see."

"Yes."

Shinohara nods and twirls his fork to bring the pasta to his mouth.

This junior usually has a cocky mouth, but he has this kind of caring attitude.

That's probably why I don't mind the cocky way he usually talks to me, in fact, I even find it comforting.

I have known Shinohara for only about two months, but apparently I like our relationship.

"I was nostalgic today, though. It reminded me of when I was on the basketball team."

"What? You were on the basketball team?"

I can't help but be a bit of a kook.

I think it was quite poor handling for that.

You're thinking, "I'm good at that now, aren't I? I used to be really good at it!"

Shinohara's face filled with frustration, as if to say, "That's upsetting.

"Even though I'm ......, I'm still a bit hazy compared to Ayaka-senpai."

"Ayaka? She was once a member of a club?"

"What, you didn't know?"

"I don't know, I mean ......"

In high school, Ayaka was a homecoming club member. She told me that she had also gone home in junior high school because she "didn't want to have less time to herself.

I had no doubts there, and even now, after hearing the facts from Shinohara, I am still half-convinced.

"Hmmm. Ayaka-senpai, you haven't told me after all."

The cold expression Shinohara showed for a moment made me ask a question.

"What do you mean, "I knew it"?"

"It's nothing."

Shinohara showed no sign of concern and called out for the waiter.

What I don't know, Shinohara knows, is Ayaka's past.

I was tempted to ask, but kept my mouth shut as the waiter came over to my seat.

"I'll take your order."

"Matcha-tea ore and cheesecake, please! Would you like anything, senpai?"

The story has completely changed, or rather been changed.

I am not certain what his intentions are there, but I do know that he has no intention of speaking here.

Well, you can ask Ayaka herself about her past.

I gave up and decided to go along for the dessert.

"I'll have an iced cafe au lait."

"Yes, sir."

The waiter bows lightly with a pecori and then turns his back.

The uniforms are simple, but stylish in combination with the atmosphere of the restaurant.

It is easy to see why it is often chosen as a part-time job for female college students.

"It's more unusual for me to be working part-time as Santa."

"Because Santa Claus is cute. It's very seasonal."

Shinohara, who was also looking at the clerk's back, said in a charming tone of voice.

Indeed, Shinohara stood out so much at that time that everyone took notice of her, especially since it was close to Christmas. It was hard to imagine a college student who would willingly wear a Santa costume as a part-time job, but who would become a café waitress.

However, with Shinohara's appearance, she would look good in any outfit.

"I was surprised when I first found out. I was surprised when I first learned that, since senpai seem to drink black coffee."

Is that a compliment? I don't feel bad about it because I too have an image of adults drinking black coffee.

"But I can't. I can't drink it yet. It doesn't taste good."

"I meant that they seem to drink tall there. Senpai is an adult, but he's surprisingly a child."

"Yes, who's the kid!"

Contrary to expectations, it was not complimentary at all. Instead of praise, it was more like a put-down.

"I'm sorry, but I don't have enough money in my wallet to pay to look good."

Shinohara seemed convinced by the answer and nodded, "If you don't have the money, could that be a choice?

It is utterly disrespectful.

Shinohara, who says so, is dressed in a way that makes it seem as if he has plenty of money in his wallet.

The beige trench coat on a hanger looks expensive, and the combination of a black high-neck and a thin necklace, exposed by taking off the coat, looks like they spent a lot of money.

"On the other hand, why do you have all that money?"

Although he was aware that it was a tactless question, Shinohara answered without a trace of disgust.

"I work a lot of part-time," he said. I've been working a lot of part-time jobs, and I've had to work two jobs for Santa."

"I guess so. Maybe I should work more shifts too."

Speaking of me, I currently only work part-time once or twice a week.

One or two shifts a week is a very small portion for a liberal arts college student who is not involved in club activities.

When I was dating Rena Aisaka, I worked five shifts a week, which saved me a lot of money.

He was currently living off his savings, but that is about to run out.

But Shinohara looked disapproving of my hesitation.

"I'll have more free time when my seniors don't come home."

"You know, I think it's crazy for you to come home three or four times a week. Let him at least have a part-time job."

"I'm also a salon model, so you can be lenient with me financially. I can at least pay for your food."

I thought about responding to the salon model or the temptation to become a pimp, but the words that came out of my mouth were questions about the former.

After all, the average college student has no connection to the term "salon model.

"Can salon models make money?"

"It depends on the person, but for me it's about 40,000 a month. It's pretty good."

"Nah..."

Combined with my regular part-time job, that means I make many times more money than I do.

To be honest, my head was dizzy.

But still, I was not inclined to ask them to pay for it.

That is exactly the kind of trouble that would be caused if people found out about it.

'No, thanks. There's nothing more pathetic than letting a younger girl serve it to you."

"Yes, that's why I'm a senior."

I open my mouth with a sigh in response.

"You tried ......, you're out of character!"

"Ho, I didn't even think you'd take me seriously!"

Shinohara puts his fork down on his plate and wipes his mouth with a napkin.

"I'll make a special dinner for you tonight. I'll put my skills to the test."

I frowned at Shinohara, who was deliberately making a strong fist.

Apparently amused by the expression on his face, Shinohara blew up.

"So, what would you like to eat tonight?"

When asked, I fold my arms involuntarily.

The food at Shino Hara is of a pretty high standard, so honestly, anything goes.

But that response is surely the most difficult for the cook to deal with.

"So I told him the first thing that popped into my head."

"Tiramisu."

"Why dessert?"

"No?"

"I'm not saying no, but..." Shall we go shopping then?"

With that said, Shinohara gets up from his seat.

"you can go ahead and leave."

"I understand. Thank you for the meal, senpai."

Shinohara bows his head with a bow and leaves the restaurant first.

I paid, thinking about tiramisu.

◇◆

After Shinohara left, I was washing dishes for two.

The sweetness of the tiramisu still lingers on my lips.

The tiramisu for dessert was very good.

I like something moderately bitter, but with more sweetness.

Perhaps she had figured this out from the menu I had ordered at the café earlier, but the tiramisu that Shinohara made was very much to my liking.

Combined with the strange sense of immorality of eating in a heated room, it is definitely one of the best things I've eaten recently.

The time now is twenty o'clock.

The day's arrangements proceeded more smoothly than usual, partly because Shinohara returned home early.

At this rate, I'll have quite a bit of free time left before I go to bed.

Time with Shinohara was not bad, but I liked to spend time alone.

Since it is the end of the test, after I finish washing these dishes, I want to lie down and surf video sites until I feel comfortable.

It was a blissful time for me as I watched more and more interesting videos from the related videos.

But my modest desire to do so is blocked by the glowing green screen of my phone.

The name on the screen showing the call is Ayaka.

[So, what do you think the customer said?]

"...... Hey, can we talk about this some other time? I just remembered something urgent."

[Well, you're surfing the net anyway. You can do that anytime you want.]

"You can call me anytime you want."

A loud sigh can be heard from the smartphone connected to the speaker.

[You're the only person I've ever had the displeasure of having to deal with when I call.]

"Thank you."

Reply with a sponge to remove dirt from the pressure cooker.

If anything, I was more conscious of getting dirty than talking with Ayaka.

The pressure cooker that my parents gave me has seen very little use up until now, but since Shinohara has started coming to our house, the opportunities to use it have increased greatly.

The pressure cooker must be very happy.

[I haven't finished washing the dishes yet. Sometimes I can't hear you over the sound of the water.]

"Almost there."

[I'm not sure. I mean, aren't you washing dishes longer than usual?]

My hand stopped for a moment at the sharp point.

It is natural that it takes a long time to wash dishes for two people and even the utensils for making desserts, but I am afraid to tell Ayaka about it.

"I've been accumulating this stuff because it's a hassle during ...... test week. Living at home, you have no idea how hard this is."

[Don't be silly, I can do all the housework even during test week. I can even afford to go help out at your house if you want.]

I was grateful for that, but I wanted to avoid running into Shinohara as much as possible.

It is better to do household chores alone than to be cared for at home.

"I don't need it."

[Yeah, I was really going to go for you.]

[Ayaka sounds bored.]

Most men would rejoice in their hearts when Ayaka comes to their homes. However, Ayaka does not really get along with such men.

Therefore, it is inevitable that I, who am really close with Ayaka, would refuse here.

─ ─ If they are really close, they should know a little more about Ayaka.

Such a thought came to my mind unexpectedly.

We were together from my freshman year of high school until the winter of my sophomore year of college.

I believe we have had a dense time.

However, an acquaintance of Ayaka's, Shinohara, told me that they were on the same basketball team in junior high school.

There were plenty of times to say it.

If there is so much that we don't know, it is more aptly described as hidden rather than unspoken.

Of course, that is not the only reason to doubt his friendship with Ayaka.

I don't tell you everything about Reina either, and I know that it is difficult to tell each other everything, no matter how close we are.

Still, there was no denying that there was some loneliness.

It is a bit arrogant to say that there are many things I haven't said, but when it comes time for them to say something they haven't said, I miss them.

A normal friend would have known this and would not have touched it.

But the opponent is Ayaka.

I decided to ask him boldly because I believe in his friendship with Ayaka.

"Well, Ayaka."

[Hmm?]

"I heard you played basketball in middle school."

Stop the water flowing from the faucet.

With the unnecessary noise gone, the silence returns to the one-room room.

The reply was not immediate.

I don't know what that time means to me, partly because it's over the phone.

[Who told you that?]

The tone of his voice was something I had never heard from Ayaka.

It is not an angry or quizzical voice.

...... fear, I guess.

The sound of dripping water from the faucet echoes in my ears.

"Am I wrong to ask ......?"

I stand in front of my phone and look down at the screen.

The icon of Ayaka was displayed on the screen, and it was a picture that must have been taken by the members of the circle.

Ayaka in the icon has a big smile on her face, but the tone of voice I hear seems far removed from such an expression.

[...... First of all, umm, no. It's not that it's bad.]

It is an unusually brusque reply for Ayaka.

Is he upset?

One breath I hear over the phone can give some idea of the emotion.

Just as Ayaka understood me, I could at least guess Ayaka's feelings.

Not knowing Ayaka's past does not change the years we have been together.

Still, I was a little sad that I didn't know Ayaka. The question was born from those thoughts, but I shook my head.

I don't want them to know because we are close.

I guess that's what they were hiding until now.

Otherwise, there would not have been a situation where the middle school story would have fallen on deaf ears for about five years.

"Well, if you don't want to tell me..."

You don't have to say it.

That's what I would always say.

Trying to meddle too deeply in another person's life is just a nuisance if he or she doesn't want it.

I know things that other people don't know, so it is comfortable for me to tell secrets to others. There are many people in the world who try to satisfy their need for approval by asking about other people's secrets with such a desire.

Some seek to get secrets out of a need for approval, while others genuinely want to be consulted out of affection.

A bright person can distinguish between the two.

Ayaka was in that intelligent category.

During her high school years, Ayaka was prompted and asked for advice by boys on numerous occasions.

Ayaka was sensitive to the ulterior motive of trying to get along with him and responded in a bland manner.

I used to think to Ayaka, who was fiddling with her phone with a bored expression on her face.

She is not going to be able to understand any pretense. To her, I was going to be myself, just as I am.

It's not my intention to back down here.

If you have decided to be honest with Ayaka, the best option is to just ask her.

If you don't want to say it, then what?

"I'd like you to say it, even if you don't want me to. I wish you'd say it, even if you don't want to, I do."

[......, you idiot.]

After saying this, Ayaka seemed to have closed her mouth.

The silence is not heavy, more like the usual atmosphere.

Judging the atmosphere to be acceptable, I'll put my words together.

 "All I've heard is that you played basketball. What was it like?"

I don't want to mention that I heard it from Shinohara, just in case.

Even more so, since the two are not the most flattering of friends.

[I won't talk about it now, but I will when I get the chance.]

"Hey, that's the guy who won't talk."

[I'll tell you.]

I shut my mouth at the words that instantly came back to me.

Ayaka exhaled and said slowly.

[I'll tell you, just wait and don't say anything.]

"...... I got it."

The strong tone of his voice seemed to reflect his intention to bring this matter to an end.

But once I asked Ayaka, I was able to remove the perception that I should not ask her about her middle school days.

Of course, I would not ask her indiscriminately, but I probably lied when I said that I would tell her when the opportunity arose.

A better choice then would be to sit and wait.

I wasn't in a hurry. I was satisfied with Ayaka's promise to tell me something that she had never revealed before.

We are not dating, just friends.

If the question is answered, "Why should I tell you?" I am happy because the relationship is ambiguous up to that point.

It was as if being promised was being told that I was at least closer than a normal friend.

The phone's screen flashes to indicate that the battery is getting low.

Ayaka seemed to be in no mood for chit-chatting, and I could hear her working on something.

"Why did you suddenly decide to ask?"

With the sound of things being put away, the question is posed.

"Of course it was because I was curious."

[... yes. Good. I was wondering what I would do if someone said something like, "I'm here for your sake," or something like that.]

"I'm not going to say it. I know you don't like that kind of language, and I'm only going to speak honestly from now on."

There are probably plenty of girls who like words that make their backs itch. Of course, it would have to come from someone close to them, but Ayaka is not even an example of that.

Care is necessary. However, if it is not born from the true heart, it is meaningless to Ayaka.

As for Ayaka herself, she is always carefree in her care, words, and deeds.

Although there is a slight feeling of wanting to pout and say, "Don't put yourself on the shelf and demand it of others," I am more inclined to agree with him.

Because of his own false attitude, he would like his close partner to be just as he is.

[I like that about you.]

"...... oh."

Straightforward words made me flinch.

Perhaps bothered by his reaction, Ayaka corrected him.

[Oh, as a person. I know you know that.]

"I know, so don't tell me every time, it kind of pisses me off. I mean, you're the reason why guys confess their feelings to me."

When a friend of the opposite sex says these words to me, I know it, but I can't help but be somewhat conscious of it.

I wonder if the male friends who liked Ayaka up to now were dropped by these open and honest words.

[I'm only talking to you.]

[Hmm]

[I'm not so vicious as to say this to anyone.]

...... Indeed, though I don't think Ayaka, who basically refuses to confess, would go out of her way to bring someone down.

"Then why did you tell me?"

[...... Come on. Just in the mood?]

Ayaka clears her throat.

Perhaps he was embarrassed out of character.

[Well, I'll see you tomorrow for a drink.]

"I don't know anybody but you. I don't know anyone besides you. I'll be fine when I'm sober, but until then, stay with me."

I would attend the drinking party, but I was an outsider. It was awkward for me to join the table while I was still in my element.

But Ayaka said, 'No need".

[I know people who know people. The girls who came to the Christmas party last year are all from my circle. Tomorrow, the girl you exchanged contact information with will be there.]

"I'm not sure if you remember me. We just had dinner, remember?"

[I remember, I remember. I was so happy when I heard you were coming.]

After all, we have hardly had a line or seen each other since then, but it makes us happy to hear it.

[Well, you should look forward to it. I'm sure you'll have a good time.]

"Yeah, I'm looking forward to it. See you tomorrow."

[Good night!]

In her usual cheerful voice, Ayaka hung up the phone.

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