CH 23

Touma-kun Invites Shimizu-san

Translated by AmaLynne

Well, today is finally the last day of the final exam.

Eh? What happened to your confession?

Did you chicken out?

No, no, that’s not true…I’m prepared, though.

I can’t tell her before the test.

It’ll cause problems for her…and most importantly, it’s a problem for me…

It’s my first time, after all, so I don’t know what kind of situation I’ll be in…

I’ll just focus on the test for now and think about it later.

I’m trying to figure out the timing and so on.

「Brother? Are you okay? You look…sick with a difficult face?」

「Hmm? No, I’m fine. Don’t look like that. You look good with a smile on your face.」

「…hehe, brother!」

「Don’t hit me!」

「Yeah, yeah, mother…today, brothers and sisters are getting along great. I’m happy.」

「Hey! Father! Stop smiling and eat your dinner! You going to be late!」

「What are you talking about? Still, the time…what!? Why!? I don’t have time!」

Father rushes to eat his food.

「Geez stop! You’re staring at us!」

Dad is the same as ever…Well, I’ll eat quickly too.

I ate breakfast too and headed off to school.

◆◇◆◇◆

「Good morning, Yoshino-kun!」

「Good morning, Shimizu-san.」

I’ve gotten used to this, too…

My tone of voice is always in school mode.

After that, the test starts.

Perhaps the study session helped, but I was able to solve the test in English, which is not my strong point.

Instead of me teaching Japanese, Shimizu taught me English.

Then it was time for lunch break.

I went to the empty classroom as usual.

「Yo, Touma.」

「You’re grinning at me, you…stupid bastard…」

「Haha! You look good! You’ve been rambling on and on, so I had to give you a boost.」

「…I’ll say thank you…in the meantime.」

「Oh? Well, well, well…you finally realize?」

「Well…I guess that’s what it’s come to.」

「At last! Oh, my God, you are. You should have liked it a long time ago. For whatever the circumstances maybe, if you don’t like it, you’ll keep them at bay.」

「…Sure, maybe Shinji-san is right.」

「Oh! You’re being honest today. So when will you do it?」

「I’m not doing it! I mean, it’s a problem before that!」

「Oh, I made a mistake. When are you going to tell her?」

「You old man. I’ll tell her after the test, I guess.」

「Don’t call me an old man! I’m only 25! …I’ve missed…Yeah…well, that would be nice.」

「…Oh, that’s right. My sister wants to thank you, Shinji-san. That…about me.」

「Hmm? …Oh, you talked about it. Fu…I don’t want any of that.」

「I don’t want any of that.」

I said, covering the last part.

「Ah?」

「Haha! I knew you were gonna say that!」

「You little shit…This guy’s got one.」

Then back to the classroom to take the afternoon exam.

Perhaps, but I’m sure I’ll be ranked higher.

And the last test is over.

Well, here’s where things start……

I got ready to go home and headed to my part-time job first.

「Manager, good morning.」

「Good morning, Touma-kun. Good job on the test.」

「I’m sorry for taking a day off.」

「No, no, no, students are supposed to study. How was it?」

「Well, not bad at all. I think I’m in the top 50 in my grade.」

「Wow, you’re still amazing. I got nothing but red marks…」

「Manager, please do your job.」

「Good morning, Tomono-san. I’m looking forward to working with you again from today.」

「Good morning. I’m counting on you.」

「…Yes! I’m going to go change my clothes!」

Wowwwwwww! He’s so cool! You can say something like that without hesitation!

And I’m so happy.

「Fine, you can’t count on me anyway…」

「Don’t sulk, good old man…Come on, let’s get to work.」

「I’ll do my best to be dependable!」

…Now that you mention it, I’ve been blessed with some good adults…

I should be the kind of adult that people think I am, too.

◆◇◆◇◆

Later, I finish my part-time job and tell the manager that I need to talk to him.

「What’s up? That’s unusual, isn’t it? No way! You’re not quitting, are you? Ah! But I’ve heard that the university will be decided during the summer break of my sophomore year…Well, I shouldn’t disturb Touma-kun…Touma-kun, you can work, you’re serious, and I’m sorry…」

I chop him in the head for the time being.

「Ait! What are you doing!?」

「Don’t fire people without their permission. Or are you saying you want me to quit in a roundabout way?」

「No, I’m not! Without Touma-kun, Uncle will be in trouble!」

「The manager is to blame for what just happened. Touma hasn’t said anything yet. By the way…I wouldn’t want to be without Touma, either. He’s always been so helpful.」

「Tomono-san…」

「Oh, yes. Sorry, Touma-kun. So, what’s wrong?」

「I’m not quitting, but…can I reduce August? Instead, I can do five times a week for the first two weeks of July…」

「Of course, that’s fine. Are you still going to study?」

「No…it’s…」

「Well, manager. That’s fine, it’s not like Touma is quitting.」

As he says this, he lightly winks at me.

As if to say, I know what you’re talking about…so cool…!

「Well, that’s true too. Yeah, you don’t have to take it too hard. Well then, take care.」

「Then, Touma. Do it well, okay?」

「Yes, thank you for your hard work. Excuse me.」

I typed a text message on the train.

The reply came immediately.

Okay, that’s good, I thought.

I go home, suppressing my nervousness.

I eat dinner, take a bath, and go out on the balcony of my room.

Now…I’m nervous.

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But Shimizu must have been brave.

Now I have to be brave…!

I manage to press the call button…

Then, as if she had been waiting for it, it connects immediately.

「H-Hello…」

Even over the phone, I can feel the nervousness…

Is it because this is my first time calling?

「Hello, is it okay now?」

「Umm, yes…because I got a text that said…you’re going to call me at this time…」

「Right……」

「Y-Yoshino-kun…?」

Say it! Say it! If you can’t say this, it’s problems before that!

「Uh…have you ever heard of Seibu Amusement Park?」

「What? …Yeah, I’ve been there.」

「They set off fireworks in August, right?」

「Uh, yes…」

「……would you like to go see them with me?」

My body is hot…! What the hell is this!?

「…Eh!? Eh? Eh? What…just now?」

「So…listen up. You want to come with me and watch the fireworks?」

「…Yes, I want…」

Shimizu muttered in a voice that sounded like it was about to disappear.

「I see. Then, I’ll text you later with the details.」

「………」

「Hello? Are you listening?」

「Yhess!? Eh!? I didn’t hear you!」

「We’ll talk about it later. I’ll get back to you.」

「Umm, yes, okay. I’ll wait…」

「Okay. I’ll see you later.」

「Yes, later…」

I hang up the phone and go back inside the room.

「Whoo-hoo! I’m so nervous…」

But I could say it. All I have to do now is wait for the day to come.

I’m going to confess my feelings to Shimizu…!