"So, What is it that you want to talk to me?"
After the lecture, I called Kurusu-san to the college cafeteria.
I had already made my order and was drinking coffee. I said: "It's really important. Will you listen to me?"
"Sure, I take my best friend seriously. Are you going to confess? See, I'm a little shy and I'm not ready for..."
The way she wiggles her hands on her cheeks, despite her lethargic expression, is cute but surreal.
"No, it's not that."
"...I see."
When I denied it with a wry smile, Kurusu-san sagged down as if she was disappointed for some reason.
I'm not sure but did I make a mistake again?
"So, What is that important thing you wanted to discuss with me?"
She was back to her lethargic face.
We've been friends for a long time, but she's a really strange girl. It might the reason that I never get tired of spending time with her.
"Yeah. Actually, you know that Sarasa-san and I used to live together, right?"
"Well, I was told that both of you lived together after the first date or something…"
"What? Was that so?"
It is true that there was a time when I wanted to brag about living together with Sarasa-san and told everyone around me about it.
Now that I think about it, that was an embarrassing thing to do.
"Well, let's put that aside…. Now that we've broken up and I've already moved out, I have nowhere to live."
"Are you saying that you want to live with me in… my room?"
"I'm not going to do that, so don't worry."
"It's really annoying to hear you say that…"
Even though she is my best friend, I am not so bold enough to ask her to let me stay in her room. I don't have such a daring and insensitive spirit.
"I'm sure you do have many connections, don't you? I'd like you to introduce me to a part-time job ..."
"A live-in part-time job?
"Yes, please."
Actually, my parents have been sending me money on the condition that Sarasa-san and I live together, but when I informed them that we broke up, they stopped sending money.
So I asked Kurusu-san for advice on finding a part-time job and a room.
She has a wide range of connections, and she's been working at various jobs. So, she's someone I can rely on.
"Hmm, well, I can introduce you some, but you might not get to choose the type of job you want."
" I don't mind, I'm just grateful if you introduce me to them."
"Hold on a minute."
Kurusu-san took out her smartphone and started to make a call to someone.
She was probably contacting someone for my part-time job.
"Oh, hello? It's me. I know, you were looking for someone to take a part-time job at the manager's place. … Yes, that's right. There's a boy who's looking for a part-time job too. I wanted to introduce him to you…. Yeah… Yeah… Really? I'll bring him over tomorrow, okay? All right."
The call ended in a flash. Kurusu-san put away her smartphone and turned to me.
"So, I'm taking you to a part-time job tomorrow. Keep your schedule clear. Okay?"
"Yes!"
I'm glad, it's going to be okay.
I really can't stop thanking Kurusu-san.
As I was excited to find out what kind of part-time job it would be, Kurusu-san and I had a great time talking about it.
"Hmmm… part-time job... I won't allow you to do that without you telling me."
***
The next day, Kurusu-san took me to a stylish bar where she works.
The name of the bar is "Aprecio", which means "Appreciation" in Spanish.
As for the appearance, the interior of the bar is dark and adult-oriented, which seems comfortable to me.
And in front of me is the manager, Kurusu Daigo.
I had a vague idea from his last name, but he seems to be Mone Kurusu's uncle.
He seems to be a kind and splendid old man. He gave the image that would make him popular.
"I understand the story. So, let's see..."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm late. My name is Shoryu Kiryu."
"Yes, you're Kiryu-san, right? What you'll be doing is mainly customer service. I'll be hiring you as a part-time worker. But if you perform well, I might officially hire you. What do you think?"
"By all means, please."
If that's the case, I'm hoping for the best.
Besides, I heard that the salary was good and the other employees were friendly and kind.
This is also a social study. I want to give it a try.
"Yes, I understand. I'll rent you a spare room in the apartment next to my store. It's a cheap apartment. The rent is even cheaper. I'll deduct it from your salary. Is that okay?"
"Yes, that's fine."
That's perfect!
As long as I can live, I'm happy to live in any kind of rundown apartment. I can't complain.
They've done so much for me, I'll repay them by working hard.
Then the manager handed me the uniform and said, "Hmm, I understand. Well, I'll be counting on you from today. I've prepared a uniform for you, so go and change in the changing room there."
"Yes, I'll be in your care from now on"
I hurried to the changing room.
I turned the doorknob and opened it.
"Eh...?"
"Huh...?"
There was a woman standing there in her underwear!
She had the appearance and style of a model, and her black underwear made her look even sexier.
The woman looked puzzled as if she didn't know what was going on. The same goes for me.
"..."
"..."
...Well, wait a minute.
Let's briefly analyze this situation once again.
A woman is changing her clothes. I intruded.
Okay, that's a pretty simple conclusion. In other words...
"Kiki..."
"Whoa, whoa!"
"Oh, ... huh?"
"Pervert! Pervert!!"
"Wait, What? that's my line! And why did you say pervert twice?"
It's important.
Anyway, I can't stay like this.
She hurriedly hid her body with her clothes and said to me with a bright red face."Now, close the door quickly, will you?"
"Oh, yes. Excuse me."
I closed the door of the changing room as she asked.
I gave a small pat on my chest.
"Um, you know..."
"Yes?"
"Why are you coming in here? Isn't it normal to leave the room?"
"Because you told me to close it quickly…"
"Why are you staring at me like that? No, just get out of here already! Tch!"
Hmmm, this was indeed my fault.
I apologized and hurriedly left the room.
I never thought I'd be caught up in this kind of romantic comedy-drama.
But it was strange. The manager told me to come here. The changing room's door wasn't even locked in the first place.
"Um, manager?"
"Hmm? What is it?"
I called out to the manager who was waiting for me.
The manager had a curious look on his face while Kurusu-san was drinking a drink before I knew it.
"Boy, could it be that your uniform didn't fit?"
"No, It's not that. There was someone in the changing room..."
The manager clapped his hands as if remembering, "Oh," he said.
"By the way, Hishinuma-san was changing her clothes."
I wish he had said that first!
"Hishinuma-san? Kakeru-kun, did you peek into the girl's changing room?"
With a frown, Kurusu-san glared at me.
I like the gaze of a pretty girl, but when I'm on the receiving end, it's scary.
"Huh, I couldn't avoid it! It was just an accident!"
I waved my hands in the air and made an excuse, but there was no sign of Kurusu-san's grumpiness subsiding.
I felt kind of bad since she had gone through the trouble of introducing me to a part-time job.
Well… I've got a lot of work to do.