Episode 191: The Final Day of the Part-time Job Lifestyle

Kazunari-san invited me on a date for my birthday!!

And it’s a date at the aquarium!!

Ah, I’m so excited I might not be able to sleep tonight…

What kind of clothes should I wear on the day?

Choosing coordinates that Kazunari-san likes has become my favorite thing to do lately. I’ve been secretly adding more to my collection whenever I go out with Natsumi… I really hope he likes them.

「I’m home.」

「Welcome back, Sara-chan. Oh, did something good happen?」

「…Why do you ask?」

「Nfufu~, anyone could tell with a face that happy.」

Even if I touch my face… I won’t really know for sure unless I look in a mirror.

「By any chance, did Takanashi-kun ask you on a date for your birthday, Sara-chan?」

「!?」

「Oh, a bullseye! That’s wonderful, Sara-chan.」

「…Yes.」

I can tell my mouth is relaxing into a grin.

But it can’t be helped.

Ever since he asked for my time this coming Sunday, I had my hopes up. But Kazunari-san wouldn’t tell me what we were doing… he’s a little bit mean.

On our usual days off, we might go out shopping or do some window shopping, but we haven’t actually had a date with a set destination yet.

The biggest reason is that so many things have happened one after another since we started dating, and to be honest, we just didn’t have the spare mental energy.

Especially during that one incident I don’t even want to remember, I didn’t even have the luxury to think about things like that…

Of course, as long as I’m with Kazunari-san, I’m happy no matter where we are, so I have no complaints at all. But a real date is special…

Kazunari: 「Good evening, everyone.」

Nishikawa: 「Good evening. It’s been a while, everyone.」

Hanako: 「Good evening. Good to see you’re all doing well.」

Todo: 「Good evening. This is the first time I’ve done a RAIN call with this many people!」

Hayato: 「True. It’s my first time too. Good evening.」

Tachikawa: 「Good evening, everyone! Long time no see.」

Natsumi: 「Yahho~.」

Yuji: 「Good evening. Kazunari, how’s your body holding up?」

Kazunari: 「Well… somehow.」

I decided to try a group RAIN call for the first time.

We could’ve just used text, but I figured talking would be faster, so I suggested it and everyone cleared their schedules because it sounded like fun.

Nishikawa: 「Takanashi-san, how are things on your end?」

Kazunari: 「Everything is going according to plan. All that’s left is the big day itself.」

Yuji: 「Does that mean you were able to buy the present?」

Kazunari: 「Yeah, I managed.」

Todo: 「Takanashi-kun is really working hard. My grandpa was praising him.」

Whoa, unexpected info… that makes me honestly happy.

Hanako: 「Then Onee-chan will have to praise you too next time we meet.」

Tachikawa: 「Hanako-san, you’re still sticking with that setting…」

Natsumi: 「More importantly, Takanashi-kun, I talked to Sara today and she’s starting to notice. She’s still a bit off-track with her guesses, though.」

I guess keeping secrets from Sara-san really is hard. I thought I was doing a good job…

Kazunari: 「By any chance, do you know why she’s noticing?」

Natsumi: 「She mentioned a few things. Like you not being able to wake up at your usual time in the morning, finding a shirt in the laundry with different dirt than usual, your body getting toned…」

Crap… the shirt was a blind spot.

I guess not paying enough attention to that was a failure.

Tachikawa: 「That’s amazing… as expected of Satsukawa-senpai!」

Hanako: 「Her ‘commuter wife’ status isn’t just for show.」

Nishikawa: 「Hey, Takanashi-san, just how much are you letting Sara do for you?」

Even though it was through a phone screen, I could tell Dark Nishikawa-san had appeared just by the way the highlights vanished from her eyes. Scary…

Hayato: 「Anyway, let’s focus on the final confirmation for the big day.」

Yuji: 「Right. We should confirm the specific meeting time and what everyone’s bringing.」

My two best friends stepped in right away. Friends are truly a treasure.

Taking their lead, we confirmed the schedule for the day, everyone’s timing, and what to bring.

Once that was done, the meeting was over.

Todo: 「It’s my first time going to a boy’s room, so I’m actually looking forward to it~」

Hanako: 「I recommend disposing of any hidden… items… while you still can.」

Nishikawa: 「Wait… um, it’s also my first time visiting a man’s room… and now I’m suddenly anxious…」

Kazunari: 「No, there isn’t anything like that.」

Natsumi: 「True, no way he’d keep dangerous goods in a room that Sara practically lives in.」

Nishikawa: 「……That sounds convincing, but it makes me feel incredibly complicated.」

Man, I don’t know… I’m a bit scared they’re gonna ransack my place.

Saturday

Sara-san was in high spirits again this morning.

She looked so happy that every time I saw her, I realized all over again that my actions were right.

「Let’s meet in front of the station tomorrow.」

「In front of the station? Is that alright?」

「I just thought it’d feel more like a date that way.」

「I see, if that’s the case. It’s been a while since we’ve met up somewhere to go out together, Kazunari-san.」

Even though it’s because we couldn’t get our schedules to work out, I feel bad that we haven’t been able to have a proper date.

I want to make sure I plan them more regularly from now on…

Alright, today is the last day of the part-time jobs.

Time to give it everything I’ve got.

On the way home from Kazunari-san’s house, my head was full of thoughts about tomorrow.

My outfit for tomorrow is already decided. I chose an outfit that Kazunari-san likes. The menu for the bento is also decided, so I’ll do the prep tonight… what else…

Ah!? That’s right, the money!

Since I’m the one holding his bank book and the cash card for the account his mother deposits money into, Kazunari-san always has a bare minimum of cash on hand. It’s an online bank so I could withdraw it even now… right, I’ll go to the convenience store with Kazunari-san.

And while I’m at it… I… could…?

…That’s right, I’m the one managing Kazunari-san’s living expenses.

In that case, how did Kazunari-san prepare the tickets for this time?

No, maybe he received some pocket money from his mother. Or maybe it’s money Kazunari-san had kept on hand.

…I tried to act calm, but I can feel a small seed of something growing larger in my heart.

And then I saw the figure of Kazunari-san heading off somewhere…

「Good morning!」

「Good morning, Takanashi-kun. Today’s finally the last day, huh… it’s a shame.」

「Ahaha, I’m happy to hear you say that.」

「I heard from Marina-chan, but is your right hand okay?」

「It’s fine. Besides, today’s the day I finish up my work!」

This job ends today too. They’ve really looked after me, and as a way of paying them back, I’m planning to work even harder than usual today.

「Well then, I’ll get started!」

「I’m counting on you.」

Alright, let’s do this.

I’ll use gloves, and I decided to borrow an apron today. I check the delivery schedule for tomorrow…

「Good work, Takanashi-kun!」

「Hey, Kazunari, good work.」

It looks like Todo-san and even Hayato came by today.

The two of them are together, and it’s good to see they’re keeping in touch properly.

I tossed a grin Hayato’s way, and he returned it with a wry smile.

「Since today’s the last day, we came to cheer you on!」

「By any chance, I was the one called here by Marina-chan.」

「We’re best friends, so of course we have to cheer you on at a time like this!」

Todo-san gave a smile, and Hayato looked happy too.

But I’m glad they came to cheer, but they aren’t planning to stay until my shift is over, are they?

「Um…」

「Ah, we’ll be over there making decorations for tomorrow, so don’t mind us.」

「That’s how it is, apparently.」

Maybe sensing what I wanted to say, Todo-san told me in advance.

I see, well, that’s fine then.

Since it’s the final day, I want to focus on the work.

I watched the two of them walk off together and started my tasks.

Today’s workload is about average, so I should be able to finish a bit early.

I load the items in reverse order of the delivery route. The boxes that felt so heavy at first seem a bit easier now; maybe my body’s just gotten used to it.

Load them… bring them out from the warehouse… load them… as this familiar work approached its end, the pain in my hand started to flare up despite my best efforts to be careful. Endure it, endure it…

「Good work, Takanashi-kun. Oh, you’re already finished with the loading?」

Grandpa poked his head out.

Maybe because the usual regulars aren’t here today, he might just be bored.

「Yes. All that’s left is organizing the warehouse.」

「Then you can take a little break. Marina-chan and the other one were talking over there earlier; why don’t you go see them?」

「I will, thank you.」

With that, Grandpa headed back into the shop.

I decided to take him up on the offer and go check on those two while I took a break.

If they’re flirting, I’ll just leave them be (lol).

As I started walking toward where Grandpa had pointed, I saw someone running toward me.

Trot, trot, trot…

「Ta-Takanashi-kun! Wait a second!」

For some reason, Todo-san was running my way.

By wait, did she mean stay right here?

I waited there for a moment, and Todo-san reached out to me.

「H-here, take this. It’s a little something for you!」

In her hand was the usual can of coffee.

I’m happy, but since it’s every time, I feel a little guilty.

「Thanks as always. By the way, where’s Hayato?」

It looks like Todo-san came alone.

I just meant to ask out of curiosity as I thanked her and took the coffee…

「Eh!? Ah, um, y-yeah, he’s over there working alone!」

?

Todo-san gave a bit of an unnatural reaction right then. It’s not weird at all for Hayato to be working alone, so why did she stumble over her words?

I felt a bit of a question mark pop up, but I took a sip of the coffee anyway.