By the end of January, the new school term's usual hustle and bustle had settled down considerably.
For Umi and me, it was business as usual. What was once a novelty had now become a familiar part of the classroom. I, too, had fully adapted to the daily routine that unfolded at my new desk.
"Hehe, hey, Umi! Can you believe it's almost February already?"
"You're right. We've only got a little over a month left as first-years."
"Oh, come on, Umi, don't play dumb~ There's that, of course, but February means that thing, right? You know what I'm talking about."
"February… Oh, right. Yeah, I guess so."
Listening to Amami-san and Umi's conversation, it was obvious they were talking about Valentine's Day. Unlike the previous term, there were no midterms, so for most students—especially the guys—this was the time of year when their hearts started to flutter with anticipation.
"Speaking of which, Yuu-chin, what did you all do for Valentine's until last year? Since you were at an all-girls' school, was it mostly friendship chocolates?"
"Yup. We'd get together with our close friends after school, make them, and either eat them ourselves or share them with everyone in class. Some girls brought in seriously delicious chocolates, so it was always something to look forward to. Ours, on the other hand, usually ended up like charcoal, so we had to force them down ourselves."
"Oh? What's that, bestie? If you've got a complaint, I'm all ears, y'know?"
Come to think of it, Umi was that type of person. I couldn't help but smile as I thought about the big day.
Until now, February 14th was just another day that passed by in the outside world. But with Umi here this year, I was almost certain to be involved. We had Christmas together, we spent New Year's together… so naturally, there was no way she'd miss Valentine's Day and the White Day that followed a month later.
"Well, putting aside the class rep and Asanagi, what should we do? The 14th is a Saturday, so we don't have school, right?"
"Ah, you're right… So it is."
I had, of course, checked beforehand. This year's Valentine's Day fell on a weekend. It didn't make a difference to Umi and me whether it was a holiday or a weekday, but for others, it was a huge deal.
As if to prove my point, Nozomu, who sat in front of me, seemed unusually interested in Amami-san's group conversation.
"…Sorry, Seki. We're not dedicated enough to go out of our way to give out courtesy chocolates on a weekday."
"I-I don't need them, okay? Besides, I'm trying to cut back on sugar, so I'm off sweets for now, not just chocolate."
"Oh, really? I was thinking of giving chocolates to everyone in class, but especially to the four of us to show my daily gratitude… But if you can't eat them, I guess it can't be helped."
"What—!"
At Amami-san's words, Nozomu's eyes flew wide open in surprise.
Amami-san made and gave out 'friendship chocolates' every year, so with a little thought, it wasn't hard to imagine that Nozomu would naturally be a recipient… But since he'd already said he couldn't eat them since he was watching his sugar intake, he couldn't just take it back.
"Nozomu, even if you can't eat it yourself, I think it's fine to accept it so Tomoo-senpai or your family can have it. Look, even with a sugar restriction, a bite or two should be fine."
"…N-No, it's fine. It would be rude to give something to someone else that they went to the trouble of making."
Even though I knew it was a poor excuse, I threw him a lifeline, but in the end, it seems Nozomu decided to turn down the chocolate from Amami-san. Even if it's just courtesy chocolate, Amami-san is only giving it to the four of us, so it's a clear sign of friendship. I'm sure Nozomu would be happy and secretly dying to have it, but…
…Nozomu can be surprisingly stubborn in odd ways.
Leaving Nozomu to his own devices as he staggered off toward the restroom, the next thing to consider was our plans for the day.
"Umi, it feels weird for me to ask this, but… um, what are we doing on the day? From the sound of it, it seems like you'll be making your own chocolates."
"Y-Yeah. Last year, both Yuu and I were busy studying for exams and couldn't do it, so I'm hoping the three of us, including Nina, can make them together."
"Hee hee, Umi, you'll have to work extra hard this year and let Maki-kun eat some super sweet and delicious chocolate, okay?"
"Nah, Yuu-chin, shouldn't it be bitter in this case? The two of them are already sickeningly sweet and annoying when they're together, so if the chocolate is also sweet, it might be too much for his stomach, y'know?"
"Both of you, be quiet… This year, I'm going to make a proper one all by myself. Maki, it's still a little while away, but you'd better be looking forward to it, got it?"
"Yeah. In that case, I'll be waiting for you at home on Saturday in two weeks."
Umi seems incredibly fired up, so I should probably be prepared to wait for a while depending on the situation. In any case, it's my first proper Valentine's Day, so as she said, I'll look forward to it with anticipation and praise her effort no matter how it turns out.
I'll prepare a super sweet drink.
"Aah, I'm so jealous, so jealous~! Maki-kun and Umi are going to have nothing but fun for a while. First, there's Valentine's, right? Then next month is White Day, and the month after that is Umi's birthday, right? You're packed with events."
"…Hm?"
I almost let it pass, but I stopped myself just in time.
February, Valentine's. March, White Day.
And in April, Umi's birthday…
"Um… Umi?"
"Ah… Come to think of it, I might have forgotten to tell you the most important thing…"
I immediately turned to look at my girlfriend sitting next to me, and it seemed Umi had also forgotten to tell me about her birthday, as she had an awkward expression on her face.
"Yeah. Just as Yuu said, my birthday is in April. I was born on April 3rd, an Aries, and my blood type is AB. What about you, Maki?"
"I'm August 6th, a Leo, blood type AB… but that's not the point."
Mine is still a while away, but Umi's is coming up in two months.
For Valentine's, I'll just be receiving chocolate, and as for White Day, I have a vague idea of what to get Umi in return, but birthday presents are another problem entirely. I have time, and I have strong feelings for Umi, but there's just one thing I'm lacking.
"…Hey, Nitta-san. I was thinking you might know, so I wanted to ask."
"What is it? It's kinda rare for the class rep to rely on me."
"Um──"
The one thing I absolutely needed to prepare for Umi's birthday.
It was money to buy Umi's birthday present.
Since Christmas Day, the environment surrounding me has changed, and not just in terms of personal relationships. To be blunt, it's about the Maehara family's financial situation.
Previously, I was supposed to receive child support until I turned eighteen. An amount exceeding the initially agreed upon sum, including living expenses, tuition, and other costs, was being transferred into a bank account in my name (managed by Mom). However, according to Mom, in subsequent discussions, it was decided to waive the child support payments. The money received so far, minus the minimum necessary for me to go to college, would all be returned after I graduate high school, including the living expenses currently being sent by Dad.
It was Mom's wish that we manage our own lives without any more interference, and Dad had reluctantly agreed. As a result, the Maehara household now relies solely on Mom's income from her job.
Thanks to Mom working tirelessly day and night, honestly, as long as we don't spend money foolishly, our finances are hardly strained, and she said my current allowance will remain as it is.
"…But, even if we're okay now, what if something happens… like if Mom gets into an accident or gets sick and can't work? We might be in trouble then, right? So, I thought it would be better if I covered my own expenses for things like hobbies."
"So, you want to get a part-time job now?"
"…Yeah, something like that."
Mom still tells me, 'That's not something a child should worry about,' but as a child, it's a complicated matter.
"Maki, if it's about money, you don't have to worry about me, okay? I don't mind where we go on dates as long as I'm with you, and as for fashion, I can be creative…"
"Umi, thank you. But I still think money is important."
What I'm thinking about now is her birthday present. As Umi says, I'm sure we can manage somehow with a bit of creativity even without money, and if we put our heads together, that itself would surely become a fun memory.
However, that should be a creative way to make a special day even more fun from a wide range of options. If we're under financial constraints with no peace of mind, wouldn't we inevitably feel restricted?
…Of course, the biggest reason is that it's her first birthday as my girlfriend, and I want to choose a present for Umi without having to stare at a budget as much as possible.
By the way, most of the New Year's money I got from Mom was spent on games and manga I bought to have fun with Umi, and now I only have about 10% of it left in my wallet. Of course, I'm very satisfied with the games themselves, and Umi and I had a blast playing them all through the New Year's holiday, so in that sense, it was definitely a good purchase.
Still, I probably should have saved a little more.
"I see… Well, having a part-time job isn't a bad thing in itself, and I think it'd be a good experience, so if you're going to do it, Maki, I'll support you… But, um, are you sure? When it comes to part-time jobs for high-schoolers, your options are pretty limited… y'know?"
"That's true. I've never had one either, so I can't really talk, but my image of part-time jobs is that you usually have to deal with customers… Hey, hey, Maki-kun, are you okay with talking to strangers now?"
"Well… I plan to do my best."
Looking at the free papers that occasionally show up in our mailbox, most of the part-time jobs are in the customer service industry, so I understand Umi and the others' concern. For now, I can talk reasonably well since I'm with my friends, but outside of that, I'm still like a timid cat.
The ages of the people at the workplace would vary, and the customers would range from children to the elderly… Can I communicate properly in front of complete strangers?
"By the way, Nitta-san, what kind of job do you have now?"
"Me? I work at a drugstore one station away from here, doing things like stocking shelves and working the register. It's usually slow because not many customers come in, but sometimes annoying ones show up, which can be a pain. The shifts are flexible, the pay isn't bad, and the part-time ladies I work with are super nice, so I don't think it's a bad place."
"Wow… By the way, are they hiring right now?"
"I wonder? I think I saw a help-wanted sign on the store entrance, but the manager is pretty forgetful… If you're interested, I can ask for you, I guess?"
"Yeah. Then, could you please?"
"Okay. He should be at work right now, so I'll call and ask him right away."
I could look for and apply on my own, but if she's willing to refer me, that's preferable. And from what Nitta-san said, the conditions don't seem bad, so it might be a desirable place for a first part-time job.
…Of course, that's assuming they're hiring, and if I pass the interview.
"Maki, should we practice for the interview right now? My brother (the NEET) has a blank resume he hasn't used, so all you need is a picture, which you can get taken somewhere nearby."
"Oh, that sounds fun. Then, I'll be the interviewer. Ehehe, well then, Maehara-kun, what exactly did you say to your caring girlfriend next to you when you confessed? I'd like to hear the details, including the situation at that time."
"What kind of industry requires that question, I wonder…"
While Nitta-san was on the phone checking with her workplace, preparations for my part-time job steadily progressed (mainly led by Umi and Amami-san).
Even if it's just a student's part-time job, you have to (1) see a job posting and make an appointment for an interview, (2) properly write and bring a resume for the interview, and (3) get a job offer from the employer before you can finally work there──when you think about it, you realize there's surprisingly a lot to do for something that seems simple.
I may seem to know about the world, but I'm still a naive child who knows nothing.
"Ah, yes, that's right. My frien… no, an acquaintance of mine is looking for a part-time job, so I thought I'd call and see if you're still hiring… Yes, ah, I see. I understand. Well then, I'll take down the sign next time I'm on shift. Yes, well, have a good day."
…And also that finding a job isn't that easy.
"From the sound of it, they're not hiring?"
"Nope. Apparently, they were hiring until recently, but they just hired someone new a little while ago."
I had a feeling from the way Nitta-san's tone of voice gradually dropped, but it seems things won't go so conveniently.
And so, the part-time job problem has hit a snag for now.
"Maki, it's okay about my birthday, so let's take our time looking for a part-time job. Money is important, of course, but a student's main duty is to study, and besides, you still want to aim for the top ranks in the year-end exams."
"That's right, Maki-kun. Umi's birthday will come again next year and the year after, but you only have this one year to spend in the same class as your precious girlfriend."
"…I guess you're right."
I have no intention of neglecting my studies for a part-time job, and I am actually working hard right now, but depending on the workplace, there's a non-zero chance it could be affected. For her birthday this year, I'll just do the best I can with my current situation, and next year when I have more leeway, I can combine my gratitude and a gift for both years.
The first birthday since we started dating is important, but I also need to consider what Umi would want me to prioritize.
"…Yeah, I understand. Thank you, Umi. Then, is it okay if I take you up on your offer this year?"
"Yeah, it's fine. Well, if I find a job with really good conditions after this and get hired in a flash, I might reconsider… but even if not, as long as you're there to celebrate with me, that's enough for me. In exchange, you have to spend the whole day with me, though."
"I see. Then, that's settled."
"Yup. Ehehe, it's a promise."
I still don't know what Umi's birthday in two months will be like, but I want her to keep smiling peacefully.
Just like she is in front of me right now.
"…Hey Yuu-chin, we were just talking about part-time jobs, but what exactly are we being shown here? Huh? Are they trying to pick a fight with us?"
"Ahaha, maybe so. We don't have boyfriends who would think this much about our birthdays, after all~"
""…Sorry.""
It's one thing to act boldly as a couple, but to be all lovey-dovey without a care for those around us might be another issue. Seeing the troubled faces of Amami-san and Nitta-san, and the half-exasperated look on Nozomu's face who had just returned from the restroom, my face instantly flushed red.
"…Umi, let's continue this conversation after school. It's Friday, after all."
"Y-Yeah. You're right, we'll be together until late."
Putting aside the topics we had discussed so far, Umi and I decided to focus on our classes until after school for the time being.
After school, teased by Amami-san and the other two, Umi and I walked home alone together and spent a normal, unchanging weekend at my place.
"Maki, I'm putting the dry laundry here."
"Yeah, thanks. I'm almost done with the cleaning over here, so once that's done, let's relax and play some games until dinner."
"Okay, then, I'll go make some coffee, so I'll use your kitchen."
Since becoming a couple, we've started going to each other's houses whenever something comes up, regardless of the day of the week, but we've decided to spend this weekend just like we used to.
We'd laze around and play together at the kotatsu or on the sofa in the living room, and when we got hungry, we'd order a few things on a whim from the usual delivery pizza place's flyer that we keep at home. We'd eat that while watching a rented DVD, or get into heated battles with the fighting games we have at home.
Although we spend more time together now, the only time we're allowed by the Asanagi parents to hang out this late at night is still only on Friday nights on the weekend. So, this time, which happens four or at most five times a month, is still very precious, even now that we're boyfriend and girlfriend.
Since I finished cleaning first, I was warming my cold hands in the kotatsu when Umi naturally snuggled up next to me. When we were 'just friends', I think we were mindful of our distance, but now, it's almost zero.
"Maki, what are you looking at? Is that the flyer from our usual place?"
"Yeah. Looks like they have a new menu, so I thought I'd check it out."
It's a small chain with only a few stores locally, but they release new menu items as often as major chains, their prices are cheap, and they have a wide variety of products that cater to our needs, so it has completely become our weekend companion.
We decided to try the new menu since we were at it, so we stuck with our usual lineup of potatoes, chicken, and salad for the side dishes, and decided to be adventurous with the pizza. The new products at this store are all quite unique, and honestly, they can be hit or miss, but it's fun to try something like this once in a while.
Pizza Rocket ──I hear on TV that business is tough everywhere recently, but as a regular, I really hope they can hang in there.
"Well, we've pretty much decided what to order, so let's call them later… Huh, Umi, you've been staring at the menu for a while, what's wrong? Is there something else you want to eat?"
"No, I'm good with that… but there's something that caught my eye. Look here, this thing written in small print next to the store's contact info."
"Hmm, let me see…"
I squinted and read where Umi's finger was pointing──.
'Pizza Rocket, Staff Wanted'
① Students, part-timers, and freeters welcome. High school students OK.
② Shifts negotiable. From 1 day a week, short hours also possible.
③ Job description: Store cleaning, customer service, cooking, etc. Delivery also available for those with a driver's license.
④ Hourly wage determined based on ability.
⑤ A friendly and welcoming workplace. Please contact the store (Attn: Sakaki).
"…This is."
I hadn't noticed it because it was written in a small space in the corner, but this is clearly a job ad.
There are many things to confirm, such as the job description and hourly wage, but with work hours that won't interfere with my studies, and high school students being OK──that means I meet the conditions.
It feels a bit strange to call a place I usually call as a customer for a different purpose… but this might not be a bad idea.
"Umi, you know,"
"Yeah, why don't you ask about it when you order? You have tomorrow and the day after off from school, so you can prepare what you need then."
After getting a firm OK from Umi, I decided to contact the store right away while placing our order.
And so, on the Monday after the weekend.
As a continuation of the part-time job talk from the weekend, I decided to consult with everyone else about what happened.
"Wow, so you have an interview after school today. That was fast."
"Yeah. Apparently, the person who worked short shifts before quit, so it's to fill that spot."
I had called on a whim, but they were still hiring, so I was able to easily schedule an interview.
Since it's a rather urgent recruitment, I was told to come for the interview today right after school ends. So, I've been busy this morning with things like submitting a part-time job application to the school and checking my resume, which I hastily prepared over the holiday.
"Oh, is this Maki-kun's resume? …Fufu, look Nina-chi, Maki-kun's photo is super stiff."
"For real, that's hilarious. You were so nervous your lips are all weird. It's just a photo, you should've just acted normal like for your student ID."
"I know that… but it's my first time doing this, so I got kind of nervous."
The day after the interview was set, my face in the ID photo taken at a booth in a nearby supermarket for a few hundred yen is visibly tense. But even so, I retook it two or three times and I'm pretty sure I chose the best one. I was going to throw away the failed ones, but for some reason, Umi took all of them. She said she'd keep them just in case.
I consulted with Umi while writing my resume, and had Sora-san and my mom check the contents. The day before, they helped me practice for the interview, and I received similar evaluations from both.
(Mom/Sora-san) …Everything is an experience, so just do your best.
Something like that, so my practice session didn't feel that great.
"Maki, don't worry, you'll be fine if you just answer like you did in practice. It's just a short part-time job for a student, and if you don't get hired, it's not a big deal."
"Yeah. From the looks of the ad, the place you're applying to seems flexible, but my sister said that sometimes in the food industry, you get in and it's a total sweatshop."
I spoke a little with the person in charge, who is the manager, when I contacted him the other day, but the real test will be when I talk to him at the interview. I've always been a satisfied customer, but honestly, I don't know if the internal workings are solid.
So, all I can do is hope for a good environment.
"Mmm… everyone but me is so amazing. Nina-chi and Maki-kun have part-time jobs, Seki-kun is in a club, and Umi is in bridal training… It's so different from me, just spacing out every day."
"Really? I think everyone is just doing what they feel is necessary, so there's no need for you to feel rushed just because you're not doing anything, Yuu. As for the bridal training comment, we'll have a long talk about that later."
The fact that Umi has recently started learning all sorts of cooking from Sora-san is a secret from the others (I avert my gaze from Umi's silent pressure), but I understand why Amami-san feels that way.
When everyone else is choosing what they want to do (whether it's truly necessary or not) and moving forward on their own paths, you feel like you're being left behind by the group and start to feel anxious. Even if it's just an illusion, and in reality, everyone is only thinking about what's right in front of them.
"Then hey, since this is a good opportunity, why don't you try getting a part-time job somewhere for social experience, Yuu-chin? Like, working at a family restaurant, or ripping off otaku-like guys like the class rep at a maid cafe."
"…Nina, don't try to drag my best friend into that kind of business."
"Just kidding, just kidding. Besides, I don't have any connections like that right now either~"
"A maid… Amami-san in a maid outfit…"
"…Nozomu, your inner voice is leaking out."
That being said, I feel like Amami-san could easily become the poster girl for some place… but with her eye-catching looks, even more people would probably start hitting on her, which would be a pain.
"Ahaha… Well, even if I said I wanted a part-time job, my mom probably wouldn't allow it. She always says things like, 'Playing is also a student's job~'."
"Playing is also, right, Yuu? Not 'only' or 'is'."
"Muu, I know that much. You're so mean, Umi~"
That must mean the Amami family is quite well-off financially.
According to Umi, Amami-san's family is 'barely commoner. In the sense that they're quite a bit above average,' so there's no need to force her to get social experience.
The injustices of society are more than enough once you become an adult──those were Daichi-san's words, but perhaps Amami-san's parents think the same way.
…However, to make that a reality, you still need a certain amount of money, which is the painful part.
Then after school, seen off by the four of them, I headed to the store for my part-time job interview.
Today I'm here as an interviewee, not a customer, so I need to make sure I switch gears and don't talk like I do when I'm ordering on the phone.
"Maki, be careful. You haven't forgotten your resume or anything, right?"
"Yeah, I'm good. You sound like my mom, Umi."
"Like Aunt Masaki? You think so… b-but, I'm still worried about you, Maki."
I parted ways with Amami-san, Nitta-san, and Nozomu at the classroom, but it seems Umi is going to stick with me for a little while longer. Until the last class, I was the one who was nervous and restless, but now our roles have completely switched. Seeing my face tense up as the time approaches, she's worrying more than I am, as if it were her own interview.
This isn't something to think about at a time like this, but that part of her is also very cute.
"Well, Umi, I'm off."
"Yeah, take care. I'm going home today, but call me when you're done."
"Roger."
We walked hand in hand until we reached the fork in the road, and parted ways after crossing the intersection under the elevated railway. Curiosity getting the better of me, I glanced back, and it seemed she felt the same way. Seeing Umi looking back at me and giving a small wave made me feel a little amused.
In that way, Umi and I are really alike.
"…Alright, let's do this."
Energized by the sight of Umi, I entered the store of my regular delivery pizza place, Pizza Rocket, for the first time in a while.
It's been a really long time since I last visited, but the unique atmosphere of the store, a mix of freshly baked dough, cheese, and other spices, hasn't changed.
"Ah, welcome~ …Huh? Are you maybe Maehara-kun? It's rare to see you here when there isn't a sale."
"H-Hello. Thank you for your continued patronage."
The person who greeted me at the register was the familiar female employee who always delivers to my house.
If I remember correctly from the name tag she wore during deliveries, her name was Nakata Emi-san. She looks a little older than us, so she's probably a college student.
"Um, actually, I'm not here to order today, but for an interview. For the part-time job… Um, is the manager here?"
"Yeah. …Oh, right, he did say, 'I have an interview today, so watch the store for me.' Hey, manager~! The interview kid is here, what should I do~?"
Shouting that loudly, Nakata-san went into the kitchen area.
As I waited there with my resume in hand, a portly man who seemed to be the manager came out in place of Nakata-san, who had disappeared into the back of the store.
"Hello, nice to meet you, Maehara-kun. I'm Sakaki, the manager here. The room is tid… ready, so let's have a quick interview over there."
"Yes, thank you for having me."
I bowed my head and followed the manager through the counter area, past the kitchen, and into a room with a sign that read 'Locker Room / Office'.
"Sorry, it's been a bit busy lately, so I haven't been able to tidy up much. Please have a seat on that chair there."
"Thank you…"
I wonder if this is what happens when you're busy with regular work. The small space of about one or two tatami mats was filled with a computer and documents for office work, spare uniforms, and cardboard boxes of cooking utensils, leaving no room to even step once I placed my chair.
I suppose this is what most restaurant offices are like, but seeing it in person, it seems like a lot of work.
"Well then, can I see your resume first?"
"Yes. Here you go… Please take a look."
"Thank you. Let's see, you're a regular, so I guess I don't need to ask about your name or high school… I'll at least ask why you're applying. Oh, of course, you can be honest. The girl who helped you earlier, Nakata-kun, she boldly declared, 'I want money to have fun'."
"Ahaha… Well then, I'll do that."
While he looked over my resume, I answered a few of his questions.
From my reason for applying, to my desired shift conditions if I were to be hired, and even small talk about what's popular in high school right now, thanks to the manager's friendly way of speaking, I was able to answer without getting too nervous, though I did stumble a bit along the way.
This is all thanks to Umi, who spent her precious weekend for me.
After some more light conversation, about twenty minutes had passed when the manager nodded in satisfaction.
"──Okay, we went a little over schedule, but that's the end of the interview. If you're hired, we'll call you in a few days. If not, we'll mail back your resume. Just wait a little bit, okay?"
"Yes. Thank you very much."
I bowed my head firmly once more, and as I left the small office with the manager, the nice smell of freshly baked pizza wafted through the air. Nakata-san was in the middle of preparing an order.
Her big, round eyes stared at me.
"O-Oh, good work. So, how was the interview? Hired? You're hired, right? A new colleague. Hey, hey, manager, what's the verdict? What do you wanna do?"
"Whoa, whoa, it just ended, I can't decide that quickly… Oh, right, Maehara-kun, since you're here, why don't you try some of our stuff? It's a new product we're planning to release, and I wanted to get a young person's opinion. Since you're a regular."
"Oh, yes. If that's the case."
As the manager prompted me, I was led to the store's dining area and got to taste-test a few of the new products (in development) that Nakata-san had prepared.
Apparently, they're still in the trial stage, but this store is as daring as ever. There was a baked curry pizza, which was a pizza with everything including rice on top of the dough, and a hamburger pizza, which was a giant hamburger patty sandwiched between two standard pizzas. The lineup was like something a grade schooler would come up with, thinking, 'Wouldn't this be delicious on a pizza?'
…Well, my impression after eating them was, 'This is seriously delicious.'
My taste buds are pretty childish, so I guess that can't be helped.
"By the way, Maehara-kun, you mentioned money as one of your reasons for applying, but to be frank, there's another reason, right? I took the liberty of asking about your family situation, and I don't think that's a lie. Oh, of course, this won't affect whether you get the job or not, so don't worry."
As one of the reasons for applying that I came up with Umi, I did mention that I wanted to 'help ease my family's financial burden,' but the main reason lies elsewhere. The manager told me to be honest, but I should probably distinguish between my true feelings and what I say officially, so it's a very difficult choice.
"…Um,"
The safe answer would probably be 'No, not really'.
But I felt bad for the manager who took time out of his busy schedule to accommodate me.
"…Yes, actually, my girlfriend's birthday is in April, so I'd like to somehow pay for her present myself…"
"Oh, so you have a girlfriend, Maehara-kun. At your age, you must be head over heels for her."
"Well, yes. Very much so."
In the end, I decided to be completely honest about my biggest reason. Well, since my desired shifts were extremely limited to prioritize my studies from the start, the manager had probably already figured it out.
"I see… Well then, you'll have to work hard, won't you?"
"Yes. This is my first time working, and to be honest, I'm still very anxious about whether I can really do it."
Even so, it's because I wanted to see her happy face.
Seeing my face as I answered with flushed cheeks, the manager grinned.
"I see, I see… Man, you're so young. It's not even about me, but hearing it makes me feel embarrassed."
"No, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have talked about this in the first place."
"Haha, maybe so. But we're pretty liberal about that sort of thing here. Right, Nakata-kun?"
"Yeah. Unlike you two, I don't have a spouse or a lover, so I wouldn't really know. More importantly, manager, get back to your post already. I have a delivery to make."
"Yeah, yeah, I know~"
And with that, the manager, after re-fastening his uniform apron, took over from Nakata-san and went back to cooking.
As dusk approached, the store looked quite busy and hectic, but even so, I found myself thinking that I'd like to work with Nakata-san and the manager.
"…Well then, manager, and Nakata-san as well… thank you for everything today. Regardless of whether I get hired or not, I'll be ordering like usual."
"Oh, thanks for your business. Well, I'll be the one delivering it then."
"Thank you so much for your business every week. We have very few regulars, so customers like you, Maehara-kun, are really precious. We look forward to your continued patronage."
"Yes. Likewise, thank you for everything."
And so, after bowing my head several times and thanking them for the new product tasting, my mission for the day came to an end.
And on that very day, it was officially decided that I would be hired at Pizza Rocket.
A few days after receiving the hiring notice. Today was finally my first day of work, so after school, I headed to the store, my new workplace.
My shifts were arranged so that I'd work one weekday other than Friday, and one day on either Saturday or Sunday, making it roughly two days a week. The hourly wage is just a little above the local minimum wage, but in return, I was told I could be somewhat flexible with my shifts.
"Um… g-good morning!"
"Yeah, morning, Maehara-kun. From today, you'll be contributing not just as a customer, but as an employee too. Here, this is our uniform. Nakata-kun is changing right now, so once she's done, you can change."
"Understood. I look forward to working with you from today."
Holding the new uniform in its bag under my arm, I went to the back of the store, and just as I did, Nakata-san, having finished changing, came out of the locker room.
A refreshing short cut and a slender figure. I hadn't paid much attention when she was delivering, but seeing her like this, I think Nakata-san is a very beautiful woman.
"! Oh, you're here, Maki. I'll be on the same shifts as you for a while to teach you the ropes. I'm gonna be tough, so be prepared, okay?"
"Y-Yes. I look forward to working with you, Nakata-san."
"You can call me Emi. We're going to be working together from now on, so be more casual. I'll be calling you by your first name like I just did from now on too."
"Um, well then, Emi-senpai."
"Ooh, I like the sound of that. Then, let's go with that from now on. Here, hurry up and change into your uniform."
With a light pat on the back, I was pushed into the locker room. My locker had already been assigned, and in the spot with the 'Maehara' nameplate, I put my bag and school uniform, and put on the store's uniform.
"…Yeah, well, this should be it."
I put on the new-smelling uniform and the black hat that had been placed in my locker beforehand, pulling it down low, and checked my appearance in the small full-length mirror in the room.
Everything feels so strange since it's all new to me, but I'm sure I'll get used to it as I work. Everything is an experience.
"──Sorry for the wait. Once again, I look forward to working with you. Emi-senpai."
"Yup. Well then, let's start with the easy stuff, shall we?"
And so, before cooking or customer service, I was first taught how to clean the store and restock ingredients.
It's something you only realize once you actually work, but even simple-looking tasks require meticulous checking if you want to do them properly, and there are many difficult aspects.
Maintaining greasy cooking utensils, pest control, waste disposal, and so on… time flew by in a flash even if I was only doing the little things. I have to do this almost every day, and what's more, I have to do it in my spare time while also being in charge of customer service, cooking, and other preparations… This is indeed a tough job.
"For now, the initial flow of your work, Maki, will be something like this. When you come in, you'll finish most of the store cleaning in the first thirty minutes, and once that's done, you'll prepare the ingredients that have run low during the day, and then you'll be in charge of handling delivery phone calls and customers who come to the store directly. At first, you'll probably have your hands full with just cleaning and preparing ingredients, but once you get used to it, you'll be able to do everything, including cooking. I was just like that when I first started."
"…Yes, I'll do my best."
Emi-senpai will be on the same shifts as me throughout February to teach me various things, but from March onwards, we'll be separate, so I need to thoroughly drill the manual into my head.
…Working is really tough.
Today, I was told to focus on preparing ingredients, so while Emi-senpai taught me how to use the prep tools, I gradually completed the tasks I was given.
"Emi-senpai, is this okay?"
"Yup. Wow, I thought a high school student wouldn't even know how to hold a knife properly, but you're quite good. Do you maybe cook for yourself usually?"
"Yes. My mother always comes home late."
"I see, that's impressive~ I'm completely useless once I get home, so I just eat ready-made stuff every day. Hey, hey, why don't you come over and cook for me on your next day off~ I'll reward you handsomely~"
"Ahaha… As for anything outside of work hours, I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
"Oh, what's this~ you're pretty cheeky for a junior~ you little~"
It seems I'm the first junior she's had at this store, and Emi-senpai is actively interacting with me.
I thought she was a pretty frank person from the first time we spoke… but while I'm grateful for her kind guidance, I feel like there's been a lot of physical contact since a little while ago. I'm a little bewildered, but I wonder if this is normal for a college student.
Perhaps because I'm suited for quiet, focused work, I finished all the necessary prep work in about an hour, so next, I was allowed to watch Nakata-san and the manager cook up close.
"The manager made a manual for all the products, but when it's busy, you won't be able to keep up if you're looking at that, so you'll just have to learn as you go. Oh, it's fine, even if you mess up a little and forget an ingredient, if you put a lot of cheese on it, they usually won't notice."
"Nakata-kun, could you please talk about that sort of thing when I'm not around… Well, I do it sometimes too. Maehara-kun, don't be too influenced by your bad senpai."
"Y-Yes…"
While making such lighthearted jokes, the two of them skillfully prepared and finished the ordered items. On the pre-cut pizza dough of different sizes, they placed different sauces and ingredients for each order and put them into the special pizza oven. While it was baking, they finished the other side dishes and handed the freshly made products and slips to the delivery person.
"Okay, this should do it. We have a lot of menu items, but there aren't actually that many popular ones, so I think it's fine to first remember our main products and then do the rest while looking at the manual."
"Right. That sounds easier than trying to memorize everything."
I'm supposed to start cooking with Nakata-san from my next shift, so today I'm focusing on memorizing the types of pizza sauces and ingredients lined up in the kitchen.
The position of each ingredient is predetermined, so tomato is in the upper right space of refrigerator ①, basil is in the bottom left… and so on. I need to get my mind and body used to it so I can move quickly the moment an order comes in.
I'm still not good at interacting with people, but I don't dislike this kind of memorization, so while staring at the notes I took while Nakata-san and the manager were explaining, I decided to start by memorizing what goes where.
"Hmm… I was honestly hesitant to hire a high school student… Maehara-kun, I mean… because of the time constraints… but it looks like listening to Nakata-kun's opinion was the right choice."
"See~? Maki is quiet, but he's skilled with a knife and not dumb. And most importantly, he has a girlfriend. You gotta factor that into the evaluation."
"Why so much trust in someone just because they have a girlfriend…?"
I don't really get Emi-senpai's standards, but it seems that being honest worked out in my favor. The manager did say 'it won't affect the hiring decision,' but he can't ignore the opinion of Nakata-san, whose work he values.
Society is generally unfair, but sometimes it works in your favor.
When I think about it that way, maybe it's not so bad after all.
After we finished cooking all the menu items ordered over the phone, the three of us were taking a breather when,
──Ding-dong.
The chime announcing a customer's arrival echoed through the store.
"Oh, a customer at just the right time. Maki, since we're at it, why don't you try customer service, including working the register? I'll do it first, so watch me from behind."
"Y-Yes."
Following Emi-senpai, I went from the kitchen to the store's register counter.
"Welcome~ Is this for takeout?"
"W-Welcome… Huh?"
It was my first time dealing with a customer, so I was reasonably nervous as I went to the register, but standing across the counter was a familiar face.
"Maki-kun, ehehe, we came."
"Whoa, the class rep is actually wearing a uniform and working. Kinda funny."
"…Yo."
My very first customers were the usual trio of girls, including Umi.
They all knew today was my work day, so I had a feeling this might happen… and while I was relieved, I also felt a little let down.
"Oh? What's this? Are these girls your school friends, Maki?"
"Yes, all three of them are in my class… You guys could've told me you were coming."
"Sorry, Maki-kun, I thought it might not be good to come just to tease you, but we all got curious. …By the way, is the person next to you your senpai? She's a very pretty older sister, isn't she?"
Amami-san asked with a beaming smile, deliberately teasing me.
…And the way Umi has been glaring at me since a little while ago is scary.
"Hey there~ I'm Nakata, this kid's trainer from today. I'm currently a nineteen-year-old sophomore in college, and by the way, I'm looking for a boyfriend."
"Eh, really? Even though you're so beautiful… Ah, I see, class rep, so that's what it was~ You said something about the conditions being good, but this is what you were really after, huh?"
"N-No, I knew about Nakata-san, but that's not why I decided…"
"Hm? Nakata-san? Hey, hey, Maki, didn't I just tell you to call me Emi? Or is there something you're guilty about~?"
"No, that's true, but we should probably avoid inside jokes in front of customers…"
Taking advantage of Amami-san's playful teasing, Nitta-san, and the quick-witted Emi-senpai all jumped on the bandwagon. I hear Umi's whisper of "idiot," and for some reason, my heart ached.
Even though I shouldn't have done anything wrong.
"Anyway, since you're here, please place your order. Here, this is the menu."
"Thanks~ Umi, come on, let's have Maki-kun make it for us. Which one do you want?"
"Jeez, you're all so full of yourselves… Well then, the teriyaki chicken."
"Got it. I'll prepare it now, so please have a seat over there and wait a moment."
I took the money for their order from the three of them and completed the payment process as Emi-senpai had taught me. Since my first customers were my friends, the atmosphere was relaxed, but I was grateful that I could work slowly without any problems.
"Well then, have the manager teach you how to cook. I'll be chattin' with these girls… I mean, watching the store."
"It's fine if you chat, but please do watch the store."
I'm curious what she'll talk about with Umi and the others, but for now, it's work. Since this is a good opportunity, I'll have Amami-san and Nitta-san, in particular, be the stepping stones for my experience.
After explaining the situation to the manager, I proceeded to make their order as instructed.
The pizza dough is already pre-cut by size, so all I have to do is follow the manager's instructions, add the sauce, ingredients, and then cheese and other toppings before baking.
"Maehara-kun, a little too much cheese, maybe. I'll let it slide this time as a bonus, but be careful next time, okay?"
"Y-Yes."
I never noticed when I was just eating it, but there are surprisingly many things to consider, such as strictly adhering to the gram-unit measurements of the ingredients and making sure the toppings look appealing.
After having the manager check the result and getting a firm OK, I put the pizza in the familiar box used for deliveries, bagged it along with the drinks they ordered, and went back to the register.
"Sorry for the wait. Here is your M-size teriyaki chicken pizza and three zero-calorie colas."
"Oh, it's here. Well then, I guess I'll get back to my post. Maki, you handle the rest."
After exchanging farewells with the three of them, Emi-senpai coolly returned to the kitchen.
(Maki, Umi-chan is a great girlfriend. Take good care of her.)
As she passed by, she placed a hand on my shoulder and whispered that to me.
I guess you could say it's just like Emi-senpai, but it seems she's managed to break the ice with Umi.
"…Umi, what did you talk about with Emi-senpai?"
"Hmm, that's a secret. If I had to say, it was girl talk."
"Well, as long as it wasn't anything bad, that's fine."
I promised to contact Umi as soon as I finished work, parted ways with them after they received their order, and immediately returned to the kitchen myself.
"Maki, we're running a little low on onions, so could you prep some more?"
"Yes, understood."
"Maehara-kun, sorry to ask while you're prepping, but could you help out with the cooking over here too? Just the simple stuff like frying chicken and potatoes is fine."
"Got it."
It was almost 6 p.m., and the phone was ringing off the hook.
My weekday shift ends at 8 p.m., so I have to push through for a little longer.
"S-So tired──"
After finishing my unexpectedly busy part-time job at Pizza Rocket, I was walking alone down the dark street, hurrying home.
Perhaps because I'd been on edge while working until just now, my body felt unusually hot, and I didn't mind the cold, strong February wind much right now. The thread of tension had snapped, and now I was filled with the desire to just lie down in my bed.
It was about a four-hour shift from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., but the fatigue was incomparably worse than a full day of classes at school.
"Emi-senpai said it'll get easier once you get used to it… I wonder if that's true."
If I learn where to cut corners in all my tasks, I'm sure I'll eventually be able to work smoothly, but the work I did today was only a part of what's required, and there's still a lot to learn from my next shift onwards. And although I was fine today, eventually I'll have to deal with unpleasant customers and unreasonable complaints… It seems it'll be a long, long time before I can be a valuable asset to the workplace.
(Maehara) Umi
(Asanagi) Oh
(Asanagi) Good work
(Asanagi) How was it?
(Maehara) tired and sleepy
(Asanagi) Fufu, I see. You worked hard today, after all.
(Asanagi) You have school tomorrow too, so hurry home and get some sleep.
(Maehara) I will. But at this rate, I'm so tired I might oversleep.
(Asanagi) It's okay. I'll come wake you up tomorrow morning.
(Asanagi) Goodness, you're such a baby, Maki, no matter how much time passes.
(Maehara) We were in the baby alliance, weren't we?
(Asanagi) Ah, now that you mention it, we were, weren't we?
As I exchanged messages with Umi, I felt the tension in my stiff body finally begin to melt away.
It's not the weekend, so Umi's curfew has already passed, but as we message each other like this, my desire to be pampered by Umi grows stronger and stronger.
I want to talk more about today, next to Umi. About the tough parts, the surprisingly interesting and fun parts, and about the manager and Emi-senpai.
If I don't talk about it today, I'll probably try to act cool and say something like 'it was no big deal'.
Should I try calling Umi now──as I thought that, I entered the entrance of my apartment building,
"──Maki!"
"Eh?"
As if she had been waiting for me to come home, Umi's face lit up like a blooming flower when she saw me, and she rushed over. Had she just gotten out of the bath? The usual sweet scent of her shampoo tickled my nose.
"Maki, welcome home. Whoa, you look so sleepy. Are you okay?"
"Somehow. No, but before that, why…"
"Were you surprised? Ehehe, actually, I told my mom about your part-time job, and she told me to bring this over for you. It's a little something. You haven't had dinner yet, right?"
When Umi unwrapped the bundle she was holding, there were several Tupperware containers filled with dishes that Sora-san had probably made. There were braised chicken wings and daikon radish, rice balls made with hijiki-seasoned rice, and salad, all things I had eaten during my stay at the end of the year, and all things I had told Sora-san were 'delicious'. It's still warm, so there's no need to reheat it in the microwave.
"…I'll eat."
"Okay. I'll get it ready for you, so you take a bath in the meantime. You worked hard, and you look like you've sweated a lot."
"I'll take you up on that, but is it okay for you to be out past your curfew today?"
"It's not really okay, but just for today. You must be tired from your first day at a new job, doing things you're not used to, so I wanted to comfort you a lot. Of course, you have school tomorrow, so no sleepovers."
"No sleepovers even if tomorrow was a holiday…"
That being said, it seems I'll be able to spend some time with Umi now, so I'm quite happy about that.
The fatigue I'd felt all the way home seems to have eased somewhat thanks to Umi. However, it only 'feels' like it's eased. Of course, if I don't rest properly, I'll get sick like I did the other day, so I won't do anything like playing around.
"I'm home."
"Welcome home. …Though it feels kinda weird for me, someone from another family, to be saying that."
"You've got a point… fufu."
Umi and I said such things to each other as we went inside. Umi prepared my dinner, and I, as told by Umi, went to take a bath.
After filling the tub with hot water, I took off my clothes and casually sniffed my undershirt. Apart from the usual smell of sweat, it seemed to have the smell of the store's kitchen on it. I guess this is proof of my hard work. I'll wash it off thoroughly, though.
"…Phew."
I sank into the tub up to my shoulders with a splash and took a deep breath.
I attended classes as usual during the day, and after that, I worked hard at my part-time job until night. This will probably be the day I've worked the most in my entire life. Once again, I respect my mother who works hard like this every day until late at night, and sometimes even after the date changes.
…From now on, I should be a little nicer to my mother when she oversleeps in the morning.
"──Maki, I'm putting a towel and a change of clothes on top of the washing machine."
"Ah, yeah. Thanks, Umi."
"You're welcome. Dinner is ready, so take your time and come out when you're ready."
With the cheerful patter of her slippers, Umi returned to the kitchen.
"…This is kinda nice."
Listening to the sounds from beyond the frosted glass of the bathroom door, I felt a great sense of peace.
Right now, I'm not alone. There's someone who worries about me more than anyone, who welcomes me home. And that person is the girl I love more than anything, so I'm truly a lucky guy.
I washed my whole body thoroughly with body soap and cleaned the dirt from my slightly long hair with shampoo.
"…Come to think of it, my hair has gotten pretty long."
After rinsing out the shampoo foam, I looked at my bangs hanging over my eyes. I usually wouldn't cut it at this length, but considering my part-time job, it would be better to go to the hairdresser soon. But… I don't like people touching my hair, so I only go unless it's absolutely necessary.
"──Ah, smells good."
After finishing my bath and changing into the pajamas Umi had prepared for me, I went to the living room, where the delicious smell of the food Umi had prepared welcomed my hungry stomach.
"Oh, you look refreshed. Dinner's ready, so let's eat together."
"Together… wait, does that mean you haven't eaten yet?"
"Yeah. Well, I ate a little bit before, but I didn't want to eat alone while you were working so hard, Maki, so I couldn't eat much. But I got hungrier and hungrier while I was preparing it just now… ehehe."
Umi showed a gesture of rubbing her stomach, her cheeks blushing slightly as she smiled shyly.
I had thought the amount in the Tupperware was a little much, but perhaps Sora-san had prepared it with the thought that we would be eating together. As proof, it's served in perfect portions on two plates.
"…I see. Well, it'd be kinda lonely for me to eat alone in front of you, Umi, so let's eat together then."
"Yeah!"
With the dishes Umi reheated and the instant miso soup we prepared ourselves, Umi and I's modest dinner began.
When I eat with Umi, it's almost always delivery, so eating this kind of food at my house is quite refreshing.
"This is delicious."
"I know, right? The meat is so tender, and since it's simmered in vinegar, the taste is refreshing."
"It goes well with rice too. Yeah, this rice ball is also delicious."
"Oh, really? I actually made this seasoned rice. Though, I only helped cut some of the ingredients, and my mom did all the seasoning and finishing touches, and the rice cooker did the cooking. Oh, but I did make the rice balls myself."
"I see. Well, as long as it's delicious, I don't mind."
"I won't get mad even if you say the shape of the rice balls is clumsy, y'know? C'mon, give me your honest opinion, don't run away."
"Umm, ah, it has a shape that makes me feel… your love… and of course, the taste too."
"You fail."
"Ouch!"
It was my desperate comment, trying to be as honest as possible, but I got a forehead flick from Umi with a scary, expressionless smile. I swear I wasn't making fun of her, and it's also a fact that it tasted even better after hearing that Umi had made it.
Even with a girlfriend, communication is still difficult.
"Jeez, stop saying stupid things and let's eat. I have to go home early today too."
"Yeah. I also have to go to bed early today."
She said I don't have to walk her home today like usual, so after dinner, all that's left is to get ready for bed. With the fatigue from work and a full stomach from the delicious meal, I feel like I could fall asleep right away.
I was able to talk about everything I wanted to with Umi during the meal, so there's nothing left undone for today.
"Maki, I'm going home soon."
"Okay."
After cleaning up after the meal and relaxing at the kotatsu for about thirty minutes to let our stomachs settle, I saw Umi off to the entrance as she went home.
"Maki, you can stop here today."
"…Yeah, well, be careful."
Once we were out of the entrance, we slowly let go of our intertwined fingers.
It's the same as always, but when I'm with Umi, I can't help but think 'just a little longer'. I want to be with her just a little longer, hold her hand just a little longer, talk about nothing and laugh together.
Just a little longer, I want to feel the warmth, the softness of her skin, the scent of the person I love.
I know it's not good to be too selfish, but.
"…Umi, um, thank you for today. Thanks to you, I think I can do my best again from tomorrow."
"Fufu, you're so dramatic. But I'm happy you said that. Thank you for relying on me too, Maki."
We hugged one last time, replenishing my Umi-vitamins for the time we won't see each other until tomorrow morning. I've become a complete baby thanks to Umi, but I'm sure this is fine, as long as it's just in front of her.
"…Maki, Valentine's is next week."
"Come to think of it, it's that time already… Time flies so fast."
"Yeah. Fun times really do fly by."
That's why I hope to continue spending happy days with Umi without any regrets.
…Though I'm a little worried about how Umi's handmade chocolate will turn out.