Volume 2 - CH 1.2

Picking Shino up after her part-time job, spending couple-time in his apartment, and then seeing her off at the station—that was Sandai’s usual routine.

However, such a routine was now on hold until the end of the finals. Spending all the available time for Shino’s test preparation, and then zeroing in also on the traveling time on the train during which Shino was supposed to be able to take a step back from studying to take a breather—he was semi forcibly making her open a textbook and workbook.

At this very second on a shaking train, Sandai was helping Shino study.

“Damn it… you said you’ll walk me home, but it’s actually for this?”

“You finally noticed?”

“I was so sure you wanted to increase the time for flirting with me…”

“I do want to increase our time together too, but right now it’s all about making good use of available time for studying. Don’t you think this is an efficient use of time?”

“R-Right.”

Sandai nodded satisfyingly, but Shino’s cheek was twitching.

“Uwh~.”

“Come on, open the next page.”

“Wait! I wanna do just one more question from this one!”

“I see. Alright then, we’ll move on after you solve that.”

“…Okay.”

In her own way, Shino seemed to be firmly aware that they didn’t have time, and proceeded with the studying as Sandai said despite complaining.

However, it was certain that studying wasn’t something Shino was used to, and Sandai could tell from the air around her that she was accumulating a considerable amount of stress.

So far, Sandai had only given Shino the stick, and the time seemed about right to finally throw in the carrot.

Still, even if Sandai were to mention the carrot, his weak imagination couldn’t even come up with any ideas of what kind of carrot would be best…

For now, Sandai tried to look up how to cheer up your girlfriend on his phone. And then many things came out.

The internet is convenient. It can give you all kinds of insights into matters that are difficult for you to figure out on your own.

That said, it is by no means all-mighty, and every article could also contain content that is contrary to one another. Just as it had been the case with the Christmas present, this time was also the same; the more he surfed on the sea of internet, the less he understood what the right answer would be.

At a time like this, you should give up the approach of trying to find the correct answer on your own. Instead of poorly adding an element of surprise, it is best to ask the person directly. And Sandai understood that after having gained all kinds of experiences.

“Hey Shino, it’s sudden, but I think a reward is needed for when you avoid failing.”

“Uwh?” Shino broke into a small grin, and her ears twitched. However, it was only for a moment that she showed that happy expression. “The thought makes me happy, but I don’t need it.” Shino’s reply was short.

“You don’t want one?”

“Like, you always try to do something for me, but if you keep doing that, your wallet’s just gonna get lighter.”

Shino was apparently worried about the condition of Sandai’s wallet, but… that worry of hers was unnecessary.

Sandai was supposed to start his part-time job at the aquarium on the 1st of December, and the earnings from that part-time job was paid every 25th, with the earnings cut-off at the 15th. In other words, he should have a decent sum of money available at the end of next month, so he could expect to have the funds for the reward.

After being told the matter by Sandai, “Eh?” Shino was surprised. “You’re starting a part-time job?”

“It’s gonna start at the beginning of next month or so.”

“That’s soon! Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I was going to tell you one of these days. It was fairly recently too that I got the job.”

“What’ll happen with you picking me up after I’m done with my job…?”

“I’ll only work the hours that’ll let me pick you up in time.”

“I see. By the way, where is it? What will you be doing? Are there any girls?”

Sandai noticed that Shino had narrowed her eyes. His instinct told him that this would be the part where he must not make a mistake in his reply.

He knew that Shino had a strong jealousy and possessiveness precisely because he was her boyfriend.

“My part-time job is at an aquarium that’ll be newly opened. I will be there doing cleaning. There is a woman. The vice director who was the interviewer was a woman. And other than her… it’s possible there’ll be more among those I haven’t seen and greeted yet. It’s just that my job will be cleaning. I won’t get involved with people.”

“That vice director, how old is she?”

“How old was she again… I feel like I’ve heard it, but I don’t remember since it went in one ear and out the other. I do recall hearing it about two or three times, but I can’t remember.”

Sandai chose his words as carefully as possible so as not to upset Shino. By the way, he wasn’t lying, and the fact that he didn’t remember the vice director’s, Komaki, age was also the truth.

“…I wanna see you working once the aquarium opens, so can I come?”

At the same time Sandai felt the silent pressure from Shino that was like, if there’s nothing to hide, of course I can, right?, a slight unrest spread within him.

He was slightly worried about how Shino would react to Hajime. Shino got no mercy towards guys either.

That said, getting flustered right here right now would only cause unnecessary suspicions. Calmly, Sandai maintained his usual expression.

“I don’t think it’s gonna be very interesting to see me working, you know?”

“It’s not about if it’s interesting or not! I wanna see!”

“…Oh, I see.”

Sandai pushed his brain into full throttle.

And then he realized a certain fact; he would finish his job before Shino = impossible for Shino to come to the aquarium while he would be on the job.

Having realized there was nothing to be afraid of, Sandai judged that he should welcome Shino’s wish, as well as in order to not cause a sense of discomfort.

“Alright. I’ll look forward to it.”

“Okay!”

Relieved that he had somehow managed to make his way through after seeing Shino happily giving a nod, Sandai decided to get back to the topic before he could ruin it.

“Anyway, that means I’ll have the funds for it. So don’t be reserved. I’m gonna straight up tell you myself if it’s an unreasonable request.”

“I see.”

“That’s right. No need for it to be now. Let’s see, once the tests are over and you manage to avoid failing, then let’s think about it again.”

“If you’re insisting that much, then I guess I’ll just have to accept the reward. Thanks.”

After making Shino understand that there would be no need to worry about the condition of his wallet, Sandai seemed to have gotten her to agree. Although there was some reluctance, Shino would be receiving a reward from Sandai.