The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 2Volume 3 .3 - Shimizu-san and Part-Time Work
Shimizu-san and Part-Time Work 3
“Yahho, Kei, I came to play!”
“…What are you doing here for?”
The next afternoon, Ai suddenly showed up while I was working my part-time job at Eito Cafe.
“Of course I came to see you in your uniform!”
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“You’ve seen it already. Go home.”
I spun Ai around 180 degrees and pushed her towards the exit.
“Kei!? I’m a customer today, you know!?”
“So what?”
“This employee is tough!”
“Let’s leave it at that, Kei-chan.”
“Kaho-san!”
When I looked in the direction of the voice, Kaho had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.
“I’m the one who called Ai here today. I wanted to apologize for yesterday.”
“I mentioned it on the phone, but what are you apologizing for?”
“How about we sit down and talk about it? I’ve already got permission from the manager for both Kei-chan and myself to take a break.”
“Why me too?”
“Kei-chan, I wanted to continue our conversation from yesterday as well. Well, let’s sit down for now, anyway.”
Saying that, Kaho guided Ai and me to a table seat in the back of the store.
“Just wait here for a moment.”
After making sure that Ai and I were seated, Kaho disappeared towards the kitchen.
“So Kei, what’s the situation?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb. I’m asking if things have progressed with Daiki-kun!”
I nudged Ai, who was sitting next to me.
“Hey! Hondō is working here too!”
“You don’t have to whisper. Daiki-kun won’t hear us from here. So, what’s the progress?”
“… Nothing’s progressed.”
To be honest, the part-time job was more challenging than I had anticipated, and I hadn’t had the chance to deepen my relationship with Hondō.
“That’s too bad. But Kei, I’m sure Daiki-kun understands that you are working hard at your part-time job, so it’s just a matter of time!”
“That’s right, hang in there, Kei-chan!”
“When did you get back?”
Kaho was standing there, though she was supposed to have gone to the kitchen.
She carried a tray with a chocolate parfait in her hand.
“Kaho-san, what’s that parfait for?”
“It’s a token of my apology. Of course, it’s on me.”
Saying that, Kaho placed the chocolate parfait and a spoon in front of Ai.
“Yay! But what exactly are you apologizing for?”
“It’s about yesterday. Ai, I accidentally told Hondō-kun that you like Yousuke-kun.”
“Oh, that’s it? You don’t have to worry about something like that.”
“Are you sure? She blurted it out without permission.”
“Well, it’s fine if it’s Daiki-kun. He’s not the type to spread rumors about others.”
Ai seemed to trust Hondō to a certain extent.
“But still, how did it come up that you told Daiki-kun I like Yousuke?”
“We were talking about time running out.”
Upon hearing those words, Ai’s expression seemed to cloud over slightly.
“…So you knew as well, Kaho-san.”
“From your words, it seems you were already aware of it too.”
“Uh, I’ve been thinking it’s pretty serious…”
Ai said as she scooped up a spoonful of chocolate parfait and brought it to her mouth.
“Kaho-san, what should I do?”
“That’s a difficult question. All I can say is that it’s better to do things in a way that you’ll have fewer regrets.”
“Meaning?”
“Think about the future. Not just next year but further ahead. By then, it’ll be too late to regret not doing something you could have done. I think it’s important to do your best with what you can do now.”
“I see… okay, I’ve decided!”
Ai exclaimed while raising her index finger and thrusting her arm up with vigor.
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden?”
“I’m going to give it my all and appeal to Yousuke during the summer camp! I’ll make sure Yousuke falls for me!”
Hearing Ai’s words, Kaho smiled gently.
“That’s very like you, Ai. I support you.”
“Thank you! Let’s work hard together, Kei!”
“Why do I have to be involved?”
“Kei, you don’t want to end up regretting things later too, right?”
I didn’t want to admit it, but she was right.
The last thing I wanted was to have regrets.
“…Fine, but I’m not exactly agreeing to cooperate or anything.”
“Great! Let’s both give it our best!”
“I’m happy to see you both so motivated. I’ll treat each of you to one more thing.”
“Really? Then I’ll have a shortcake!”
“You’re still eating?”
“Sweets go to a different stomach! Excuse me, waiter!”
As Ai called out to the waiter, Hondō came over to our table for some reason.
“Hondō-kun, aren’t you in charge of cooking?”
“The two staff members in charge of serving are on break, so I’m temporarily handling the service.”
“Oh, I see! The uniform suits you!”
“Thank you.”
“Kei’s uniform looks good on her too, right?”
“Hey, what are you trying to ask him!”
Hondō glanced at Ai in surprise for a moment before looking at me.
“Yes, I think the monochrome uniform highlights Shimizu-san’s cool side, and I think it looks good.”
“Wha!”
“He said you look cool, isn’t that nice?”
I could feel my face flush with heat.
Hondō always had a way of stirring my heart.
“So, what would you like to order?”
“One shortcake and one pancake.”
“Don’t decide on my order.”
“But isn’t that right?”
“I had pancakes yesterday, so I’ll just have orange juice.”
“My guess was wrong!? Then, please, a shortcake and orange juice please.”
“Understood.”
With that, Hondō once again returned to the kitchen.
“Ai and Kei-chan, the training camp will be a big moment for both of you. I’m looking forward to hearing some good stories later.”
“Leave it to me!”
“Why do I have to tell you… Well, whatever, just wait.”
I shifted my gaze to Hondō.
It was then that I renewed my determination for the upcoming training camp.
