Ultimately, Haruka Yuzan didn't go and have milk tea with Mikoto Tamamo.
With his understanding of little Ms. Green Tea, if they dared to go have milk tea together today, by tomorrow the whole school would know about this seemingly "accidentally" revealed piece of information.
"I'm sorry, Classmate Haruka, I was so happy yesterday I didn't tell xxxx about this matter. I didn't expect her to spread it out, I'm really sorry for the trouble it caused you."
Yes, that's probably what she would say, and maybe she'd add,
"Haruka, Otome wouldn't blame you for this, would she?"
It's like watching a drama unfold. Is this what drinking milk tea is about? No, it's about drinking one's own reputation away.
Moreover, Mikoto Tamamo is a little Ms. Green Tea herself, why bother spending the money?
Drinking from her merits some thought, though.
Walking home after school, the boy couldn't help but laugh to himself, indulging in such wicked thoughts.
Passing by the convenience store,
through the wide glass windows, Haruka Yuzan spotted Reiko Onodera in her work uniform.
Calling it a uniform, it was really just a simple apron from the convenience store, tied around her delicate waist. Even as the weather was gradually getting hotter, the madam still wore long sleeves and jeans.
The simple and plain outfit looked so enticing on madam, with stone-washed blue jeans accentuating her thighs and buttocks, making them appear rounder and fuller; the long-sleeved upper garment too was bunched up by the apron.
The braided hair hanging down the front was seriously dangerous...
The madam was bending over, restocking the shelves continuously while a girl dressed in a similar work uniform stood beside her.
She seemed like a Spice Girl? Golden curls tied into twin ponytails, a tan complexion, knee-high socks, a short pleated skirt, and excessive makeup and hair accessories—the quintessential look of a Spice Girl.
Reiko Onodera moved the large boxes around, whereas the Spice Girl was nonchalantly fiddling with trinkets.
After some thought, he decided to go in. It was better to buy ingredients like udon noodles for dinner in advance. Of course, he could just tell Reiko Onodera that Mrs. Onodera would buy them on her way home from work.
But is the trip to the convenience store really about buying things? Mainly it's about seeing someone.
He had not seen Mrs. Onodera at work for such a long time.
...
"Sister Reiko, can you leave after finishing these?"
Arisugawa Hoshina placed the bags of potato chips onto the shelf and casually inquired.
"Yes, I can leave a bit earlier today. I have something to deal with tomorrow morning, so I'll come in early to cover for her," replied Reiko Onodera, heaving a large box toward the storage room.
Seeing the overly handsome boy approaching, Spice Girl's tone softened a bit.
Glancing at the boxes scattered on the floor, Haruka Yuzan shook his head, then smiled and said, "Sister Reiko, I'm here."
Hearing the noise, Reiko Onodera looked up, her eyes filled with surprise, "Haruka, what are you doing here?"
"I'm here to help, of course." The boy flashed a bright smile, casually stacking two cardboard boxes atop each other,
What had been a heavy burden for the two women was easily hoisted by Haruka Yuzan.
"I've got this, put it down," Reiko Onodera hurried over to help the boy with the boxes.
The two of them were close enough that Haruka Yuzan could clearly sense the faint fragrance emanating from the lady.
"This is nothing, just tell me where you need them," he said.
His arms were strong and muscular, moving these items was naturally an easy task for him.
"Alright then."
Seeing this, Mrs. Onodera didn't insist. She directed Haruka where to put the boxes and then turned to move other stock.
However, every time Reiko Onodera pushed a box, she hadn't gone two steps before Haruka Yuzan came midway to relieve her of it.
Just as she was about to push another box, the boy quickly returned and once again took the heavy box from her hands.
"Haruka!"
Reiko Onodera pouted slightly with discontent, her eyes hinting at a trace of complaint.
Mrs. Onodera was that kind of person, always fearing she'd have nothing to do.
"Sister Reiko, take a rest, I'll handle this here," he said in a notably chivalrous tone, which took a different meaning in the ears of Reiko Onodera, a traditional homemaker.
A single mother who's often busy could really use that kind of attention, the tiniest of things in life could touch them.
The mature and sensual madam, busily helping and enlivening the mood, appeared alongside the handsome and active high school boy, creating a heartwarming scene that Arisugawa Hoshina couldn't help but envy.
Who knew the usually gentle and honest Mrs. Onodera knew such a handsome young man?
Perhaps noticing the envy in Arisugawa Hoshina's eyes, and looking at the boy earnestly contributing, everything made Reiko Onodera's heart swell with a warm happiness.
That heart, which had been dormant for so many years, was slowly starting to stir once more.
How long had it been since she had felt cared for?
.......