Volume 2 - CH 5.5

Volume 2, Chapter 5.5: Focus More On The Design, Recency, and Comfortability Of The Phone

Work together

→ Leave it to the first years

I met up with Yukinaga-senpai and we both headed towards the meeting place with Grandma.

I walked slowly and adjusted my pace to match Senpai who was hurrying me along. I wasn't late in the first place, so it much of a worry.

As we neared our destination, there was somewhat a strange atmosphere that was recognizable even from a distance.

"D-don’t tell me...is that them?"

"Yeah, my grandma."

A lady dressed in a luxurious kimono while holding a classy parasol. She didn't look like she was dressed to buy a phone.

Seeing Grandma in such a state, I called out to my flustered Senpai to reassure her.

"I-I wonder if my appearance...is appropriate..."

"It's fine. Rather...just look at the person next to her."

Beside the elegantly dressed lady in kimono was an old man busily fanning himself as if he was feeling hot.

Hawaiian shirt, shorts, sandals, and sunglasses. Which tropical country did this old man come from?

"The old man next to her is my Grandpa."

"Eh, I thought it was a stranger..."

Senpai stiffened in surprise. Couldn't be helped she thought that.

Next to a person who looked like she had a formal meeting to attend to was an old man who looked like he was looking for a suitable beach.

But this was business as usual. Grandma wore kimonos most of the time she went out, and Grandpa continued wearing shorts even during winter.

"Oh! There he is! Here, Ikuto!"

"Please don't yell too loud, it’s embarrassing."

The other party noticed us, although Grandpa's loud voice did attract some attention from the surroundings.

And so, we quickly ran up to them.

"Grandma, it's been a while...and Grandpa's here, too."

"Not sorry for coming! Even of you told me back at the dojo not to, I still will!"

"Hello, Ikuto-chan. So, who is this girl accompanying you?"

Leaving Grandpa all to himself laughing, Grandma motioned for me to tell her about Yukinaga-senpai.

Senpai, who was a step behind me, moved forward, and I introduced her to the two of them.

"This is Yukinaga Mutsuki-san. Senpai, my grandfather and grandmother..."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Ikuto's grandmother Jimichi Momoe."

"Jimichi Gouto. Please continue taking care of Ikuto from now on, young lady."

Grandma lowered her head politely, and Grandpa greeted her in an energetic manner while still fanning himself.

"Pleased to meet you, my name is Yukinaga Mutsuki. I am always indebted to Ikuto-san."

Yukinaga deeply bowed. When she raised her head, her face held some tension, but other than that, she was the usual dignified senpai.

"I'm sorry for bothering you today."

"It's not much of a problem, you know? The only thing that's in the way is this old fart."

"You're still saying that?! You really can't keep your mouth shut, old hag!"

"You two, Senpai's here with us today, so don't argue as usual."

If left alone, they would repeat this exchange endlessly, so I should stop them while I still could.

It was something my family and I were used to seeing, but it might look ugly to those around us.

"Senpai, these two are always like this, so don't worry about it."

"....I'm jealous. I wish I could be like that in the future, too."

"Eh...? In that kind of relationship where you just argue all the time?"

"I can tell by the way they look at each at each other and the way they behave that they're really close."

Senpai stared at them with an envious look.

How did they look like in Senpai's eyes? Personally, I didn't really envy them.

"I've been embarrassed because of you!"

"Your existence itself is an embarrassment."

"What did you say?!"

"What?"

"Yes yes, you’re both done now. Should we start moving?"

It didn't really look like it was going to end, so I forcefully ended their conversation and urged them. For now, we headed towards a large electronics store nearby.

However, walking with these three made me stood out a lot. The way we were dressed was rather unusual.

Formal and neat, Hawaiian and casual. A lady and a beauty, a handsome guy and an old man. What a strange group, I thought as we kept walking.

――――

――

―

"―― How about this one? It's small and it might suit Senpai."

"But doesn't it look like it's sickly? The bigger one there..."

"...Don't judge by appearance, okay? Fufu...it might look small, but it's capable."

"Why are you laughing?"

"Ooohh! The characters are big and easy to read!"

"Ah, yeah. That's all that mattered to you."

"By the way, what does Grandma want?"

"The newest model, of course."

"Senpai, there's a way to protect your phone from illnesses, so just the pick the design you like."

"Is that so? Then...can I go with what Jimichi-kun picked earlier for me?"

"The latest model? How sneaky! Then I'll choose the most expensive one at this store!"

"Can you use it? I won't make fun of you or anything, so just take this one."

"Has the young lady decided yet?"

"Yes, I think I'll go with this."

"Ikuto-chan, what color do you think is best?"

"For Grandma...yeah, red might be good? It looks nice."

"Oh my, you chose a pretty model."

"Yes…Ikuto-san chose for me."

"But it looks dim, can you brighten it up?"

"Take off your sunglasses."

The group messed around a lot, but they did finish choosing their phone relatively smoothly.

The selection process was done and it was time to sign the necessary agreements. Senpai was a minor, but she got a letter of consent from her parents in advance, so she didn't have any problem signing the contract.

I was only an escort, so while they were finishing their purchases, I was killing time browsing the latest models.

"Then I'll confirm with your guardian, please wait for a moment."

"Yes."

"Account number...? I don't know such number."

"Haa...sorry, I'll fill out that form, so please hand it to me."

It seemed like they might take a long time. Grandpa looked bored, but Grandma was busy.

While all of this was going on, Senpai, who finished early, came up to me.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, Jimichi-kun."

"Can you use your phone now?"

"They said it should work as is? Then...how about this?"

Senpai looked lovely as she held her white-colored phone up her ear and faced me as she slightly tilted her head.

The combination of her white phone and black hair looked great.

"It looks nice on you. Then, Senpai...here."

"Hm? What's this?"

"It's a gift from me. It's common to put a phone case or a screen protector on them."

"I-I feel kind of bad for taking this...is it okay?"

"Of course. Or rather, I would be troubled if you don't."

While the seniors were completing their signups, I handed Senpai a case I bought while looking around.

It wasn't wrapped or anything, so it might not necessarily be called a gift.

Senpai slowly took the case out of the bag and her eyes opened wide when she the design.

"Bear phone case...?"

"Is it too cute? If you'd like another one, I could give it to Grandpa ――”

"―― N-no! This...yes, I'm okay with this."

I thought it might be too cute for her taste, but Senpai broke into a smile and happily accepted it.

After she struggled fitting the case on her phone, Senpai showed it to me, albeit a bit embarrassed.

"H-how is it? Cute, right? Kuma-chan..."

"Yeah, it’s cute. Senpai, too."

"T-thanks..."

I expected her to turn red and get angry again, but she didn't, and just lowered her head down.

It was a bit unusual for Senpai. She repeatedly kept staring at me then her phone, as if it was something that important to her.

"Ikuto-chan? You don't have one for me?"

"Eh?"

Meanwhile, Grandma seemed like she was done, and I noticed two figures behind me.

Grandma handed out her phone to me, urging, while Grandpa was busily tapping away at the screen with both hands somehow.

I lost to Grandma's pressure, so I bought her a new cover as well.

"Ikuto, mine?"

"For Grandpa, it's more like you to not have one on."

"Is that so. Certainly, it was my style to be on the offensive more instead of the defensive."

I wouldn't call not protecting your phone as going on the offensive, but Grandpa seemed convinced, so I let him be.

Soon after, the four of us had a light lunch, relaxed a bit, and then split our ways.

During lunch, Grandpa went out of control and asked Yukinaga-senpai to marry me, which caused a bit of trouble, but it was peaceful, nonetheless.

After that, I declined Grandpa’s offer for a ride, and instead dropped Senpai off at the train station.

Senpai was enthusiastically staring at her bear-themed phone whenever possible, and it was difficult following her so she wouldn't bump into other people.

I didn't know how much she loved bears, but all she looked at was the cover. Normally, you'd be more interested in the new phone you just bought.

Well, whatever the case may be, it was good that she was happy. Thinking that, I parted ways with Senpai at the station.