Episode 163: Toward Sara-san’s Birthday

「Thank you very much~!」

Even though I left the store without buying a single thing, being told that makes me feel slightly guilty.

As for why I went into the convenience store, the free job magazine currently gripped in my hand is the answer.

I can’t let Sara-san see this, so I’m going to read it here in the park and then head home once I’m done.

The problem is… whether I can actually find a job.

If it were just a normal part-time job, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but there are a few hurdles this time.

The most important thing is whether it’s possible to work according to the schedule of Sara-san’s school trip… that’s the biggest issue.

Next is the duration. It has to be a job limited to a short period, like one week.

And finally, on top of the age requirement of being a high schooler, there’s the time limit of it being after school. I can only apply if a job clears all those conditions.

I wonder if I can pinpoint a listing with those specific requirements.

Plus, it’d be a huge help if it’s a job that’s okay for a beginner…

I still have plenty of time, but I figured I should start looking early on the assumption that it’ll be hard to find.

So, why am I looking for a job with such difficult conditions? The reason is actually quite simple.

I want to buy Sara-san’s birthday present with money I earned from my own labor.

And if possible, I want to manage the funds for her Christmas present too.

That’s why I want to work without Sara-san finding out.

Of course, I know it’s hard to make much working for only about a week.

But since the only time I usually have free is after Sara-san goes home after dinner, the income per day would be peanuts even if I worked then.

That’s why I want to earn as much as possible during that one week when Sara-san is away on her trip.

Conveniently, it’s also a plan that lets me distract myself from the loneliness, so it’s like killing two birds with one stone.

Well, thinking about it is easy, but once the conditions get that narrow, finding a job is actually pretty tough…

Since I just started looking, I’m not panicking yet, but I haven’t found a single listing that fits the criteria.

I might just have to keep searching, prepared for this to go down to the wire…

「Are you looking for a job, by any chance?」

!?

I was so absorbed in reading the magazine that I didn’t notice someone approaching.

But this voice…

「Todo-san.」

「Hello, Takanashi-kun. You were so deep into reading that I wasn’t sure if I should say something… but if you’re reading a job magazine, are you looking for work?」

「Ah… well.」

What should I do?

Todo-san isn’t the type to go around blabbing, so I just need her to keep quiet for Sara-san’s sake.

「Yeah, I’m looking for a part-time job. But it’s kind of a struggle because of the specific conditions I need. More importantly, sorry to ask, but could you keep it a secret from Sara-san that I’m looking for a job?」

「Oh, really? Got it, I’ll keep it a secret. But is there a reason you’re keeping it from Satsukawa-senpai?」

Yeah, I figured she’d ask that.

But if she keeps quiet, I guess it’s fine…

I explained the reason I wanted to work and why the conditions were so difficult.

Halfway through, Todo-san’s eyes started sparkling…

「I see~… I’m so jealous of Satsukawa-senpai. I wish I had someone who cared about me that much. No matter what everyone else says, when I see you two getting along, I think it’s so sweet and happy.」

This is typical Todo-san. To think she takes our… situation… so positively…

「If that’s the reason, I want to help too! Um, see, my grandpa runs a liquor store, and he mentioned he needed some help. If it’s okay with you, Takanashi-kun, should I ask him?」

「Wait, that would be a huge help! If it’s not a bother, I’d definitely like to ask.」

Oh, this is what they call a godsend. Rather than working somewhere I don’t know at all, I’d much rather work somewhere I’m at least slightly familiar with.

「Yeah, got it. Also, since we’re at it, why don’t we all hold a birthday party for Satsukawa-senpai!? Of course, that’s only if everyone’s schedules work out, but I’m sure she’d be happy.」

I see, I hadn’t thought that far.

Maybe the fact that I didn’t even consider the idea of everyone gathering is because I’m not used to those kinds of connections, or maybe it’s a lingering effect of my past…

Still, the idea of everyone celebrating together might be good. I can celebrate with just the two of us separately anyway…

Yeah, that sounds like fun!!

「You’re right! Let’s ask everyone!! Since we’ve all become friends, this might be a great excuse to get together! I want to give her a fun celebration if I can, and I want Sara-san to be happy…」

「Right! I’m looking forward to it too… now that we’ve decided, I have to think of a present for Satsukawa-senpai. Ah, but first we have to contact everyone!」

I’ll send out the messages tonight.

More importantly, I need to decide on a specific gift soon, but I can’t quite make up my mind… I want to figure out the budget I’ll need, too.

But wait, it wouldn’t be bad to consult her right now.

「What kind of presents make girls happy when they get them from a guy?」

「Hmm, in this case, it’s for a lover, right? If it were me, I’d be happy with anything the person I like picked out… and I’m sure Satsukawa-senpai would definitely be happy with anything from you, Takanashi-kun.」

「I think so too, but that’s why it’s hard, in a way…」

If I were to receive a gift from Sara-san, I’d definitely be happy no matter what it was.

So I’m sure Sara-san would be happy too, but if I’m going to do it, I want to give her something that makes her even more excited, and something that stays with her as a memory or a physical object.

For example, just normal jewelry isn’t very interesting… hmm…

「I have an image of Yokogawa-kun being really knowledgeable about this kind of thing, though.」

True, if it’s Hayato… wait, that’s it!!

「Hey Todo-san, would you mind coming with me to look for a present sometime? If the timing works out, Hayato can come too.」

「Yeah, of course! I want to go look for a present too, so let me know when you decide on a day!」

Alright, if I invite Hayato with this…

I’ll hope it gives him a bit of cover.

And after that, the part-time job was settled by helping out at Todo-san’s grandfather’s shop.

It’s a temporary gig to fill in for someone who can’t make it due to personal circumstances.

It’s only for a short time at night, and the work involves preparing for the next day’s deliveries and cleaning up, so it’s not difficult, which is a relief for me.

「Welcome home, Kazunari-san.」

Since I was a bit late, Sara-san was already at the house first, just as I expected.

「I’m home, Sara-san. Sorry I’m late.」

「No, it’s fine. Dinner will take a little longer anyway. …By the way, did something good happen?」

Sara-san asks me with a smile.

As sharp as ever… or maybe I’m just easy to read…

「No, it’s just that I might be able to meddle a bit with Hayato and Todo-san’s situation… I’ve never had the experience of doing something for a friend like this before… even if it might just be meddling.」

This is only half the reason, but the fact that I’m happy is true. I’m glad I can feel that I’ve actually made friends like that.

As if my happiness was contagious, Sara-san gives a happy smile and slowly pulls me into a hug.

「There’s no such thing as ‘just meddling.’ I can tell you treasure your friends, and I love that about you, Kazunari-san.」

「Yes… thank you.」

「Fufu… I hope Yokogawa-san and Todo-san end up like us.」

Sara-san seems to truly feel that way, which makes me happy too.

Until now, Sara-san barely managed to have polite, social relationships with anyone except specific people like me or Natsumi-senpai.

She used to say it was to avoid causing trouble for me, but I’m sure the current Sara-san genuinely considers those two as friends.

Thinking that the kind Sara-san might be returning to her original self a bit makes me happy.

「Even if those two become a couple, they’ll definitely never beat me and Sara-san.」

「Yes, of course. My feelings for you are the strongest, after all.」

Sara-san says that in a rare, playful tone.

So, I’ll go along with it.

「Does that mean I’m the luckiest guy in the world?」

「Yes, I will definitely make you the happiest person, Kazunari-san. I love you…」

As Sara-san hugged me, I firmly swore in my heart that I would make her birthday one where she truly felt happy…