CH 15

Arc-2 Chapter-3: Introduce Her to the Manager at My Part-Time Job

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Naoya's part-time job is located in a corner of a shopping district.

It is a small store sandwiched between a convenience store and a small apartment. In front of it is a sign that says "Akaneya Used Bookstore". 

It is a used bookstore, as the name suggests.

The store is open from ten in the morning until five in the evening on weekdays.

And is closed on weekends and holidays.

The interior of the bookstore is small and compact, with a wall of bookshelves filled with a large number of books. In the back is a sales clerk's counter. Further inside is the owner's living space.

"Oh my, what a cute customer! Nice to meet you!"

"H, how do you do...?"

In front of the counter, Koyuki bowed her head in confusion.

Naoya also lightly bows his head.

"That is why I brought her here, is that okay?"

"Of course. Customers like her are always welcome!"

Behind the counter, the manager puts his hand on my face and smiles softly.

She is wearing a thin cardigan and skinny pants. Her face is well-shaped, with droopy eyes

Her hair, dyed a dark indigo, is tied up in a single bun and hangs down in front of her chest. She is twenty-three years old.

As Naoya had told Koyuki, she was the perfect person to be called a "Mature Older Sister." 

The Manager held out his right hand and smilingly introduced herself.

"My name is Akaneya, Akaneya Kirihiko! It's nice to meet you, Koyuki-chan❤"

"It's, uh..."

Koyuki cautiously reached out and grabbed her hand.

It seemed to be the first time she's ever met an "Onee-San" character.

They were taken to a four and a half tatami-mat (74.2 Sqaure Ft) Japanese-style room at the back of the store.

Sitting around the tea table, Kirihiko made a pot of tea skillfully. Although it was a Japanese-style room, it was tea, according to her preference.

She even brought out some cookies, which was quite a treat.

"Ooh, are you sure it's okay to do this at a store...?"

"Don't worry, we don't get many customers anyway."

Kirihiko winked at Koyuki, who was still confused.

Next to her, Naoya threw cookies after cookies into his mouth.

"See? I told you, there's no way Kirihiko-San and I are going to get a flag."

"Well, even though I look like this, I'm only interested in girls."

Kirihiko smiled wryly.

As you can see, this person is definitely a straightforward person in heart. Naoya doesn't really know which gender is really on the inside... It's just that this is character that has been with him since the moment they met, and he knows that in any case the Manager is a good person. Therefore, there is no problem.

❄Ugh, this was hard to do without mentioning any gender... この通り、彼はれっきとした男性なのである。内面の性別が本当はどちらなのかは……直哉も詳しくはよく知らない。出会った当初からこのキャラクターだったし、とりあえずいい人ということだけは知っている。ゆえになんの問題もない。❄

As Naoya chewed on the cookie, Kirihiko's eyes narrowed.

"But Sasahara-kun, how in the world did you meet such a cute girl?"

"Didn't I tell you? The other day I helped a girl who was being hit on in front of this store."

"Oh my god, when did this happen! It's a classic school romantic comedy story!"

Kirihiko then moved closer to Koyuki.

"So, how long have you guys been together? About a month?"

"No, no. Me and him are...well..."

After a few moments of hesitation, Koyuki stared at her cup of tea.

Then, with a dignified expression on her face, she told the Manager.

"We're not on that type of relationship...yet."

"Heh, 'yet'... isn't youth just wonderful!"

Kirihiko was satisfied and drank the cup of tea.

Koyuki seemed to have taken a liking to him in earnest. So Naoya felt a little uneasy and looked at her closely.

"Just so you know, she's mine."

"Hee...!?"

"Yeah, I know. don't worry."

Kirihiko looked at Koyuki, who was turning red, and waved with a smile. I guess it's a sign of happiness.