NOVEL NEXT Chapter 49
“So, in other words? The person the manager confirmed with wasn’t your parents, but Kondo-san pretending to be them?”
“Y-Yes, that’s right.”
“…Are you an idiot?”
“Ahh…”
My voice naturally turned cold. I had been bracing myself for some excuse, but what came out was beyond my expectations.
To summarize, when the manager tried to confirm the situation by calling the emergency contact registered as Kondo-san’s home, it was Kondo-san herself who answered the phone.
Realizing what the conversation was about, Kondo-san pretended to be her mother and tricked the manager into giving permission for her to continue her part-time job.
In short, Kondo-san’s parents know nothing about this entire incident.
“You know…”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! I didn’t want to quit the job! And I didn’t want to worry my parents!”
“At least try to hide the first part.”
That first part is completely personal feelings… Well, even the second part is personal, but at least “not wanting to worry her parents” would’ve been easier to swallow.
“And what’s with the manager, too? How did he not realize it was Kondo-san herself?”
“I really worked hard! I changed my voice a bit, and I spoke more curtly.”
“Don’t be so proud of that.”
At least act more apologetic. I’m only calm because I’m more exasperated than angry, but depending on the situation and person, this could easily get you yelled at.
“*Sigh*… Anyway, we need to contact your parents first. Then we’ll report this to the manager. We’ll deal with everything after that.”
“Wait!? Wait, please, Mizuki-san! Don’t do that, I beg you!”
“Denied. There’s no way we can talk about this without your parents’ consent. We can’t put a minor in a dangerous situation without the permission of their guardian.”
“I know that! I know, but can’t you just bend the rules a little…?!”
As I pulled out my phone, Kondo-san, with teary eyes, started pleading with me.
Of course, I couldn’t give in just because she begged. Like I’ve said before, this is a serious matter that could potentially lead to danger. It’s no joke.
If something bad were to happen, it wouldn’t just affect Kondo-san herself, but I, who got involved in this, and the manager, who is responsible, would also face consequences.
That’s why getting the parents’ consent, the bare minimum of protection, is absolutely necessary. No matter how much Kondo-san pleads, I can’t let it slide.
‘Hey, what’s that about?’
‘A breakup?’
‘Look, it’s a girl. Probably a high schooler.’
‘The guy looks like a college student? Or maybe he’s already working?’
—But sadly, the sight of a tearful high school girl pleading with me in public was doing more damage to my reputation than the actual danger we were discussing.
“Ah, geez! Fine, fine! I’ll hear your excuses, just lower your voice a bit, okay?”
“Really?!”
“Yeah, really… *Sigh*.”
I couldn’t help but sigh, realizing I had no choice but to yield.
Honestly, that was close. The situation alone—talking with a high school girl in a family restaurant—is already suspicious. Add the topic we’ve been discussing, and it’s even worse.
If we caused a scene and the police were called, I might end up arrested for misconduct before the stalker situation even gets resolved.
So, though it’s regrettable, I decided to show that I was willing to listen and calm Kondo-san down.
“Thank goodness… The truth is, I’m my father’s stepchild, so I’m not biologically related to my mother. They’ve already been through so much, so I really don’t want to worry them more…”
“Can you not casually drop complicated family issues like that?”
Well, if that’s true, I kind of get where Kondo-san is coming from. But even so, how am I supposed to react to this?
That said, from her tone, it doesn’t sound like she has a bad relationship with her family. If anything, it’s precisely because they get along that she doesn’t want to cause unnecessary worry.
But still, there’s something that needs to be addressed.
“This is just my personal opinion, but how do you think your parents will feel if they only find out about everything after it turns into a police matter? How would they feel about being kept in the dark? Have you thought about their feelings?”
“Ugh…”
Her hesitation told me everything. Either she hadn’t considered it at all, or she had, but chose to ignore it.
“Listen, Kondo-san. I’m not trying to be mean here. Sure, I got dragged into this, but as your co-worker, and as an adult, I feel like it’s my duty to help you.”
“…Yes.”
“But you’re doing things out of order. At the end of the day, I’m just an outsider. The manager, the part-timers, we’re all outsiders. The people you should be relying on the most are your parents. Don’t you think?”
“…You’re right.”
“So, shouldn’t you be talking to them first?”
“Yeah… but I really don’t want to quit Marine Snow…”
“Then tell them that. Convince them. You can use the fact that I’ve been walking you home as part of your argument.”
“…Like how the stalker already knows where I live, so quitting would be pointless?”
“Exactly. I mean… wait, are you okay? You’re casually saying some pretty horrifying things. Isn’t this at the level where you should seriously consider moving?”
“That’s exactly why I don’t want to cause trouble for them!”
Even so… really? I mean, it’s a family issue, so it’s not my place to butt in, but still…
“Well, anyway, I think you should try to convince them about all of this, including that part.”
“I’m not confident… I’m really bad at talking…”
“You’ll be fine.”
“You’re so cold, Mizuki-san…”
“No, I think I’m being pretty kind here.”
“Help me convince them…!”
“Asking a coworker to step into a family matter is way too heavy.”
“Then… please be my boyfriend! That way you’d have a reason to get involved, right?!”
“Don’t make things worse!”
It’s bad enough that people are staring after your earlier begging! If this goes any further, I’ll get arrested for misconduct with a minor before we even catch the stalker!
“Ugh…”
“Ugh…!”
—In the end, I gave in. I’m telling you, a high school girl’s teary eyes in public are just too much.