NOVEL NEXT Chapter 46
So, after being pressured by the part-timers at work, disguised as a “suggestion” from the manager, I ended up agreeing to act as a sort of bodyguard for Kondo-san.
“Oh, there you are! Hi, Mizuki-san!”
“Hey, hello, Kondo-san.”
Well, before anything else, I had to confirm the details with her. We communicated through the Marine Snow group chat and managed to sync up our schedules. We arranged to meet one weekday evening.
“You’re in your uniform, so did you come straight from school?”
“Of course! High school has regular classes unless it’s a holiday. What about you, Mizuki-san? You’re a college student, right?”
“I skipped.”
“Oh, that’s bad!”
“That’s the privilege of being a college student.”
Well, if it wasn’t for Kondo-san’s situation, I wouldn’t have skipped. But saying that would be a bit mean, so I just laughed it off.
“Still, you’re in a school uniform, huh…”
“Oh? Are you one of those guys, Mizuki-san? Getting all nervous around high school girls?”
“Not exactly. It’s just that I might get stopped by the police if I’m not careful.”
“That’s what you’re worried about!?”
Yes, that’s exactly what I’m worried about. In fiction, the whole “high school girl” thing might be played off as a joke, but in reality, it’s no laughing matter. If you’re with a girl in uniform, it’s blatantly obvious, and it could be trouble legally.
“But still, Mizuki-san, you’re just a college student, right? You don’t need to be that scared.”
“As soon as I hit adulthood, excuses like that don’t work anymore with society.”
“But there’s only a four or five-year difference?”
“You can say that when you’re at least in your twenties.”
The law drastically changes how you’re treated, even with just a year of difference. An adult at nineteen and twenty—wait, now it’s eighteen and nineteen? Anyway, until you’re legally considered an adult, a few years make a huge difference.
Even though I’m still a student, I’m confident that most high schoolers are still just kids. After graduating high school, you just naturally start to feel that way.
“Well, standing around and chatting forever is a bit much. Shall we move to that family restaurant over there? I’ll treat you.”
“For real!? I was thinking I should be the one treating you since you’re helping me out.”
“I can’t let a high schooler treat me…”
Sure, logically speaking, Kondo-san’s point makes sense, but letting a kid treat me just doesn’t sit right.
“Oh, if that’s the case, then I’d love a baked cheesecake from Marine Snow!”
“Nope. We’re not talking about this in a place full of people we know. And don’t suggest going somewhere you’re likely to be watched.”
“Aw, too bad.”
I wish she’d show a bit more caution. I already figured she was a bit carefree when she decided to continue working part-time, but Kondo-san is a little too laid-back.
That said, warning her too sternly here might make her rebel unnecessarily, and the conversation could get awkward. Though, given her personality, that might not be a real concern, I don’t exactly understand how teenage girls work.
Anyway, she could just be joking, so it’s better to handle this lightly.
“—Just the two of you?”
“Yes.”
“Then right this way, please.”
And so, we quickly moved to the family restaurant.
“…So, about that. It seems like you’re in a bit of trouble?”
“Oh, but can I order something first?”
“Sure, go ahead.”
No need to rush. Given the nature of this conversation, it’s better if she talks in a relaxed state. Though, she already seems plenty relaxed.
“What are you going to order? Or should I ask how much I’m allowed to spend?”
“I’m not that stingy… As long as it’s reasonable, I won’t complain. Unless you’re a huge eater?”
“That’s so not true! How could you accuse a high school girl like that? Mizuki-san, you have no tact.”
“Am I really the bad guy here?”
Honestly, Kondo-san is being worse. I’m the one feeling sorry for having to confirm whether I’m the kind of person who’d set a spending limit when I said I’d treat her.
“Well, since we’re here, wouldn’t you rather chat casually, like we’re on a friendly date?”
“That’s something you should do with your boyfriend or a classmate you’re close with.”
“I don’t have a boyfriend! And the boys in my class are all idiots. I can’t see them that way. That’s why I’m trying to get my fix with you, Mizuki-san!”
“Please don’t drag me into that. It’s legally problematic.”
“Aww.”
I’m begging you, don’t. Kondo-san might just be joking around, but this is serious for me. It could ruin my life.
“Also, on that note, Kondo-san, you came to me for help, right? And now you’re trying to make me act as your stand-in boyfriend. What’s the deal? Do I really rank that high in your eyes?”
“Oh, are you really asking? Really?”
“You’re oddly excited… Yeah, I guess I am curious.”
“Then let me answer. Honestly, I think you’d make a decent boyfriend.”
“Wait, what?”
Don’t go speeding past my expectations like that! Wait, is my approval rating really that high? I thought I was just a nice guy!
“Why… why me? We haven’t even interacted that much. What’s there to like?”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong. I don’t actually like you in that way. It’s not a romantic thing.”
“…Yeah, saying you like me would’ve been an exaggeration. I guess I overreacted…”
I was so thrown off that I completely jumped to conclusions, but you don’t necessarily need romantic feelings to consider someone as boyfriend material.
Feelings can develop later, and when she said “boyfriend,” she probably meant it in a more practical sense.
“Still, that’s surprising…”
“Is it, though? You’ve got a pretty good setup, Mizuki-san. You can do both the hall and the kitchen at work, and you step in to help when I’m in a pinch.”
“That’s just part of the job.”
“You’re also clean and well-kept, and your personality is gentle and kind. You have this polite, calm demeanor.”
“That’s also part of the job—being presentable and polite is just common sense in customer service.”
“And you’re mature! Totally different from the dumb boys in my class. You don’t look at girls inappropriately either. There’s absolutely no lewd vibe from you!”
“That’s because it’s work.”
I don’t know… While I understand that she’s praising me, it feels like she’s only seen my professional side and is idealizing me a bit too much. It’s more like she’s attached to the idea of the “mature, dependable older guy” rather than liking me as a person.
“Anyway! From my perspective, Mizuki-san is totally a catch! I’d even say yes if you asked me out! …So, how about it?”
“…How about what?”
“Well, since I’ve gone ahead and said this much, I think it’s only fair you say something back!”
“…Kondo-san.”
“Yes!”
“A decent college student doesn’t date high schoolers.”
“Aw, what a shame.”
It’s not a shame. I’ve said this a few times, but it’s illegal. Just sitting here in a family restaurant with a high school girl in uniform is already risky, so please don’t joke around about stuff like this.
“On a different note…”
“Yeah?”
“You’re being so upfront about all this, but you’re not actually confessing to me, huh? Not that I’d accept, but.”
“Well, it’s not like I seriously like you or anything. I just thought I’d throw a little light flirtation your way. Besides, I think the guy should be the one to confess.”
“I can’t tell if you’re playful or secretly a romantic.”
“Did you just call me a ‘bitch’?”
“That’s your imagination.”
I wouldn’t go as far as to call her a “bitch,” but I definitely think of her as a bit of a gal.