Chapter 142 – Klein's Spring
That morning's rehabilitation ended smoothly. Afterward, Hachiman apologized to Asuna, telling her he couldn't accompany her to her afternoon rehab session.
"It's okay! Do you have something going on?"
"Yeah, actually I'm meeting with Klein to talk about that matchmaking thing we mentioned before."
"So Klein-san's spring has finally arrived, huh."
"That's why, sorry, I've got to head out now."
"Mm, take care on the way. Oh right, Hachiman-kun, next time I want to meet the teacher too!"
"Alright, I'll bring you along next time."
"Yay! I'm looking forward to it!"
That day, Klein (Ryoutarou) and Hachiman met at a café. As soon as Hachiman walked through the door, Agil greeted him with a smile.
"Oh, Klein's been waiting for you for a while now."
Ryoutarou had arrived earlier and waved from the bar counter. Hachiman nodded and sat down beside him.
"Yo, sorry about this, Hachiman. I should've just picked you up by car."
"Klein, you have a license, huh… Yeah, having a car would definitely be convenient."
"Not that useful in the city, but it definitely expands your range."
"That's true."
It was because of this casual conversation that Hachiman later decided to go for his driver's license.
"So, today's talk is about that thing, right?"
"Yeah, the thing I mentioned before… about introducing me to Miss Takizawa."
"I was just about to arrange a meeting."
"Actually… would it be okay to postpone that meeting for a bit?"
Hachiman looked at the infamous playboy in surprise. He wanted to postpone it? He stared at Ryoutarou and asked:
"Why? Did you meet someone new?"
"Of course not! It's actually about work."
Having never worked before himself, Hachiman replied thoughtfully:
"Ah, is work getting busy?"
"No… the issue is with me."
"What do you mean?"
"You know I did two months of rehab, right? My body's fine now, but when it comes to work, being physically able isn't everything."
"Mm."
"A gap of over two years made things I used to handle easily now difficult to deal with."
"I see."
Hachiman understood what Ryoutarou meant.
While his physical recovery went well, getting back into the rhythm of work, reconnecting with clients—it would all take time.
'Hearing this… man, it really makes me not want to work… But I've got to do my best for Asuna's sake.'
At that moment, Agil, who had been listening silently, suddenly asked Ryoutarou:
"What does that have to do with postponing the meeting?"
"Now that you mention it… Klein, is there really a connection?"
Ryoutarou gave a slightly embarrassed smile, then answered clearly:
"If we start dating, I want to show her my reliable side. I can't do that while I'm still depending on the company's support like some weakling."
"Klein…"
"I can't even do my job properly right now. I'm just half-baked. If I meet someone as mature and reliable as Miss Takizawa now, I might end up relying on her and stop moving forward myself. So before that happens, I need to become a man who can stand by her side."
Hearing those words, Hachiman looked at Ryoutarou again, with renewed respect.
"I see… I totally get it now."
Unable to hide his delight, Hachiman cheerfully patted Ryoutarou on the shoulder.
"I'll go to Miss Takizawa right away and relay your words exactly as you said them. I'll make sure your sincerity comes across loud and clear—leave it to me."
"Thanks, I'm counting on you."
"No problem!"
With that, Hachiman left the café. Watching the still-excited Ryoutarou, Agil remarked:
"You're seriously thinking things through about a woman you haven't even met yet, huh? Klein, you've really changed."
"Huh? Ah… now that you mention it, I don't even know anything about Miss Takizawa yet…"
"Shouldn't you at least learn about her interests?"
"You're right."
Ryoutarou suddenly realized the oversight and clutched his head in frustration.
Postponing the meeting and learning about her were two separate issues—he should've asked Hachiman just now.
"Haha, at this rate, you're really entering full-on arranged-marriage mode."
At the word "arranged marriage," Ryoutarou made a conflicted face.
"Arranged marriage isn't bad… but I still want romance."
Agil patted him on the shoulder with a sigh:
"Just ask Hachiman later. For now, focus on getting your work back on track."
"You're right! Okay, I've gotta sort this out quickly!"
"That's the spirit—go for it."
"Thanks, Agil!"
Ryoutarou psyched himself up, muttering under his breath to give himself courage. Agil watched him warmly just as two women entered the café.
"Welcome!"
The two women nodded politely at Agil and looked around the café with interest.
"Wow~ This place has such a stylish vibe."
"Yeah, really relaxing. Should we sit at the counter first?"
"Mm!"
Though there were open tables, they headed straight for the bar and sat down.
"Two ginger ales, please."
"Coming right up."
As Agil prepared their drinks, he thought to himself, "Wow, what beauties." As he handed them their drinks:
"Here you go—two ginger ales."
"We happened to be nearby and decided to stop by. Heard good things about this place, and it really is nice."
"Yeah, great atmosphere!"
"Thanks for the kind words. Mind if I ask who you heard about it from…?"
"Hachiman-kun told us about it… Agil-san."
The black-haired woman answered, while the pink-haired girl beside her nodded repeatedly.
"Thought so."
Agil grinned.
"Not surprised at all, huh?"
"Well, we just reopened and haven't advertised yet. Everyone coming in now is basically someone we know, so I figured."
"Makes sense."
"Nice to meet you, Miss Yukino and Miss Yui, right?"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Yukino."
"And I'm Yui! Oh wow, Klein-san is here too~ What a coincidence!"
Thanks to Agil's cue, Ryoutarou finally snapped back to attention.
"Agil, what did you just—huh!? When did these two…"
Startled, Ryoutarou bowed hastily. When he raised his head and got a good look at the two women's faces, his own face turned red as he glanced back and forth between them and Agil.
"It's Miss Yukino and Miss Yui!"
"Eh? R-Really!? Nice to meet you, I'm Klein!"
"Nice to meet you, I'm Yukino."
"And I'm Yui!"
Not great at dealing with women, Ryoutarou stammered for a while before managing to ask a safe question:
"Umm… what brings you two here today?"
"Yui and I were out shopping nearby, right?"
"Yeah! Thought we'd check out the place since we'll probably come by often!"
"I see, what a coincidence! Ah, Hachiman was just here, you know."
"Oh really? What brought him here?"
"Well, actually…"
Ryoutarou explained the situation in detail.
"I see, so Miss Takizawa too… Looks like spring is coming."
"That's wonderful!"
"If Hachiman-kun is okay with it, would you like us to tell you more about the teacher?"
"Would you really?"
"Hold on, I'll check."
Yukino said as she called Hachiman. After speaking briefly, she nodded at Ryoutarou.
"He said we can tell you anything that's not private."
"Thank you so much!"
"Then let's start with this."
What Yukino showed him was a photo of Miss Takizawa, sent by Hachiman.