The Delinquent Shimizu-san Sitting Next to Me Has Dyed Her Hair Black-Chapter 2Volume 3 . - Shimizu-san and Part-Time Work
Shimizu-san and Part-Time Work 2
“Is that all the questions?”
“Well, yes. Just to confirm once more, there’s been no particular change in the relationship between Ai-san and Yousuke-san, right?”
“None at all.”
Shimizu-san furrowed her brow as if to express she was tired of the questioning.
“Kaho-san, Why did you think there had been a change in Ai-san and Yousuke-san’s relationship?”
Kaho-san paused for a moment as if thinking, then began to speak again.
“It’s because it’s almost their time limit.”
“Time limit? What do you mean?”
“The time limit for the two of them to be together.”
“What do you mean? They’re in the same class, the same club, and they’re even on the student council together.”
When I asked again, it almost seemed as if Yousuke-san and Ai-san were always together in the school.
“That’s true for now. But what about after that?”
“What happens after?”
“Yes. After the cultural festival, they’ll retire from the student council, and during the second term, they’ll retire from the Astronomy Club as well. From now on, the time those two can spend together will gradually decrease.”
“That’s… certainly true.”
I hadn’t really thought about it, but the time for Yousuke-san and Ai-san to retire was approaching.
It also meant that the time they could spend together was dwindling.
“They also have to study for their entrance exams. As time goes by, it will become increasingly difficult for them to meet alone. And as that happens, the chances to convey their feelings will disappear. That’s why I thought if they are going to confess, it should be now or at least during the summer break.”
“I see…”
“Well, I’m sure Ai and Yousuke-kun are aware of that.”
“Huh?”
“Then why haven’t they confessed?”
Shimizu-san voiced the question I had been pondering.
“Maybe you already know?”
“I wouldn’t be asking if I knew.”
Kaho-san paused thoughtfully before speaking again.
“I think Ai and Yousuke-kun each have their own reasons for not confessing, but what they have in common is probably fear.”
“What are Yousuke-san and the others afraid of?”
“They’re afraid of ruining the relationship they’ve built up until now, or rather, until today.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think for the two of them, who have spent a long time together since childhood, the relationship as childhood friends is a very comfortable one. So I suspect they’re both internally afraid of that relationship changing. That’s just my guess, though.”
Kaho-san said it was just a guess, but it didn’t seem too far off to me.
“Because their relationship has been so strong and unchanging for so long, it might take a lot of courage to start a new one.”
With those words from Kaho-san, the break room fell silent.
I guess I hadn’t fully understood the relationship between Yousuke-san and Ai-san.
As I was thinking this, the manager appeared in the break room.
“Hondō-kun, it’s getting busy, so could you help out a bit earlier than scheduled?”
“Understood.”
It seemed that the place had gotten busier while we were talking.
“I’ll go ahead then, so please join me when you’re ready.”
The manager left quickly after saying that.
“I have to go back now. Kaho-san, thank you for sharing so much with me today.”
“There’s no need for you to thank me. I should be the one thanking you for listening to my question seriously. It was fun, so let’s talk again when we have the chance.”
“Yes.”
Leaving the break room, I made my way back to the kitchen once more.
***
“Hondō-kun left, huh?”
“Yeah”
“Now it’s just the two of us.”
“Yeah”
“Aren’t you lonely without Hondō-kun around?”
“Yeah… wait, no! I’m not lonely!”
I had been responding casually, but she took advantage of that.
“Really? You seemed lonely to me.”
“I’m not lonely! It’s just a pain to be alone with you!”
In fact, I wasn’t lying. I found this wolf-cut Kaho difficult to deal with.
“Come on, don’t say that. Now that it’s just us girls, let’s have some girl talk.”
“No way.”
I stood up from my seat and started walking towards the door.
“Where are you going?”
“Anywhere but here. It’s more exhausting to be with you than anywhere else”
“That’s harsh. You’re making me so sad I could cry.”
“Then cry if you want to.”
Despite her claim about being on the verge of tears, her face was still adorned with a smirk.
“Looks like I’m out of tears for now. But hey, calm down. Since I’m your Senpai, I’ll listen to your troubles.”
“Alright. Tell me, what should I do to shut up a noisy coworker at my part-time job?”
“Maybe if you engage in some love talk, she’ll be satisfied and quiet down”
“I don’t have anything like that.”
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“Really? Don’t you want to ask how to get closer to Hondō-kun?”
“What…!?”
Of course, I had never once discussed Hondō with Kaho.
The only possible source of information would be…
“…Did you hear it from Ai?”
“I want to say you got me… but no”
“Then who told you?”
“No one told me. Kei-chan, anyone who sees you with Hondō-kun would notice right away.”
“Don’t spout nonsense.”
Up until now, the only people who had realized I might have feelings for Hondō were Ai, Seto, Teruno, and Yousuke.
Thinking about it now, it seems the number has grown.
“No, I’m not making it up. Actually, you were even more obvious than Ai”
“That’s definitely a lie.”
“With Ai, it was hard to read at first whether she liked Yousuke-kun as a childhood friend or as a man. It took a while before I realized that both were true at the same time”
Even with Kaho’s keen observation skills, it had been difficult to discern Ai’s affections.
“Compared to that, Kei-chan, you might not express much in words, but anyone can clearly see you like Hondō-kun as more than a friend when they see how happy you look talking alone with him.”
“…”
Kaho seemed to be having fun.
I glared at her with all my might as a form of feeble resistance, but it didn’t seem to have any effect.
“Kei-chan, Hondō-kun seems to be oblivious to the affection directed at him, so maybe you should be a little more honest about your feelings?”
Kaho’s words felt less like teasing and more like advice from a senior to a junior.
“…It’s none of your business.”
“Maybe so. But Kei-chan, I think things between you and Hondō-kun would progress if you were just a little more honest.”
“You don’t know, but he’s kind to everyone. It’s just that he also randomly shares that kindness with me. He doesn’t really think anything special of me.”
There was a time when Hondō told me I was important to him.
I was over the moon then, but now I wonder if I’m not the only one who’s important to him.
Maybe he says the same thing to other classmates?
Maybe I’m overthinking, but I can’t quite shake this thought.
I felt something touch my cheek as I was lost in these thoughts.
“What are you doing!”
Upon checking, it seemed that Kaho had poked my cheek.
“You seem to have cheered up. A sulking Kei-chan is cute, but I prefer the energetic Kei-chan.”
“Shut up!”
“Don’t be mad. Sorry for poking your cheek.”
“If you’re going to apologize, then don’t do it in the first place.”
“I’ll be careful next time. Anyway, I think you should have a little more confidence, Kei-chan.”
“Confidence in what?”
“Confidence that Hondō-kun likes you.”
“W-What are you suddenly talking about!”
Kaho was spouting something unexpected.
“Sure, I only know you and Hondō-kun from here, but even so, it’s clear to me that Hondō-kun thinks of you favorably, Kei-chan. No matter how kind Hondō-kun is, he wouldn’t have such a happy expression when talking with someone he doesn’t care about.”
I couldn’t deny that she might have a point, but is it really true?
“Huh, it’s just your imagination. I’m going ahead.”
“You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed.”
I left the break room while blaming the heat gathering in my face on the room temperature.
***
