On the train returning to Millennium Academy...
The red-haired girl sitting beside me clutched a brownish-yellow envelope tightly, inside was her first paycheck from part-time work.
"For me… working at a convenience store was really too difficult…"
Yuzu muttered, her expression complicated. "Thanks to Sensei being by my side today… otherwise, I'd have done even worse…"
Well… if I were to be honest, at first, when two customers requested things simultaneously, she panicked and mixed up one person's bento, and accidentally put another person's magazine into the microwave along with the bento. It was genuinely a disastrous start.
I comforted her, "Yuzu, you did really well. It's your first time, mistakes are natural. With effort, you'll definitely improve. The manager even praised your earnest attitude and invited you to work there again, didn't they?"
Yuzu froze in surprise. "N-no! That's not possible! The large crowds during events… even if Sensei is with me, it would be a bit too much…"
Why does it feel like she's already assuming I'll accompany her next time?
Although I would, having her rely too heavily on me after overcoming her social anxiety isn't exactly ideal.
Thinking this, I asked, "Then… next time, want to try a different job?"
Yuzu shook her head. "Ugh… sorry, I've reached my limit… I'll need some time before we can even discuss this again…"
Fair enough.
Yuzu's social anxiety wouldn't be cured overnight. It requires patient guidance and companionship. There's no need to rush.
At least, she's already taken the most difficult and critical first step. From here on, we follow her pace, one step at a time.
When we returned to the Game Development Club, the rest of the members were busy as usual, playing games.
They probably noticed the door open, but the only one who immediately tore her eyes from the screen was Midori.
That made sense, she usually plays casual games, so her attention isn't locked like the others'.
"Ah, Yuzu-chan! You're back! How was work?"
No sooner had Midori asked than she noticed me standing beside Yuzu. "Huh? Sensei?"
Then came Momoi's exclamation: "Hey, wait! Arisu, don't AFK! We're gonna lose!"
But it was too late. Arisu, having abandoned her teammates in the game, rushed over to greet me with a radiant smile.
"Ugh, so unfair!" Momoi threw her hands up in frustration. "We were so close! Arisu, you traitor! I won't forgive you this time!"
"Uh, Sensei," Arisu hid behind me, teary-eyed. "Momoi's angry… can you help me?"
…What kind of strange habits is this child picking up?
I decided to stop questioning it.
"E-everyone."
At this moment, Yuzu took a deep breath and shared her joy: "This… is the money I earned from working today…!"
Momoi clapped. "Oh! Well done, Yuzu! I knew you could do it!"
"Hehe… thanks to Sensei's help…"
"…Huh?"
The atmosphere in the clubroom suddenly turned strange.
Momoi frowned. "Yuzu… you and Sensei… weren't you supposed to just happen to meet? 'Thanks to Sensei' means… could it be…"
Hearing this, Midori's face turned pale. "Onee-chan, what are you saying! Yuzu's part-time work… couldn't possibly have been… with Sensei the whole time…"
I raised an eyebrow, stifling a laugh at their wild speculation.
Thinking carefully, it's obvious. I should have been the one paying, not accompanying.
But Yuzu, immersed in her joy, didn't pick up on the hidden implication and shyly nodded. "Ah… it's a little embarrassing, but yes, it really was like that."
The already strange atmosphere instantly froze.
Momoi's face flushed deep red, Midori's had a greenish tinge.
"Sensei!" Momoi accused passionately, "How could you do such a thing! Paying other girls to go on dates with you! That's terrible!"
I realized her real irritation lay in the word other.
In short, despite the little misunderstanding, I wasn't worried. The person who truly should be panicking was clearly someone else.
"Eh, eh, eh!? W-what are you thinking!?"
No need for me to explain, Yuzu defended me herself.
Moments later, the misunderstanding was cleared.
"Ahaha~ so that's what happened~" Momoi said, patting her head, "I knew Sensei wouldn't do anything weird~"
Midori, relieved, muttered, "Onee-chan, you really need to stop overthinking before you know the situation."
I could only think, yep, they're definitely real sisters.
"Well, I should be heading back then."
Momoi tried to persuade me: "Eh? Not staying a bit longer?"
"No, no, next time for sure."
Midori tried a different angle: "Then let me see you off…"
But before she could finish, an unexpected presence intervened.
"This task is for Arisu!" The Android girl declared firmly. "Arisu will safely escort Sensei to the station!"
"Eh… but…"
"Bang bang kabang~ Arisu accepts the mission! Sensei, come with Arisu!"
Being pulled along by Arisu, I glanced back to see Midori standing at the door, raising her hand helplessly, then letting it drop.
The green headphones on her head seemed even more vividly green.
Perhaps this is a rite of passage every girl who has a crush on me must go through.
After walking a good distance, I finally asked, "Arisu… did you want to talk to me alone?"
Arisu stopped, turned to me, and pouted. "Hmph! When Arisu goes to work, Sensei doesn't come along. Even I can get jealous!"
Huh? She really does?
I was surprised, then asked gently, "Then how should I make it up to you, Arisu?"
Don't tell me she wants me to help her carry bricks at the work site…
As if reading my thoughts, Arisu lifted her chin proudly: "Hmph! Sensei's weak, only level 1 trash, so even if you wanted to work with me, you'd just hold me back!"
…This little brat might be overdue for punishment.
"So, Sensei, make Arisu happy."
With that, she kept her chin high and closed her eyes.
Want it, huh?
Then as you wish!
Though… I did feel a slight resistance at some point in the process.
Probably just my imagination.