Chapter 66Sheltered Girl
After entering summer vacation time for less than ten days in the second half of July, I felt a mysterious sense of frustration, even though I still had more than a month of vacation time. But this time, I did well, including with my summer chores. I had to wake up early because of my part-time job, but when my lifestyle was organized, I had a mysteriously positive mindset. A little in between my part-time job, or when I'm in serious mode.
What's more, I'm happy because I met someone through my good deeds.
"Good morning, Sajou-san."
"Good morning, Sasaki-san."
Not worth it, Sajou Wataru. A cute college girl spoiled me.
Whenever she visited this second-hand bookstore, she would always look for me. Sasaki-san would say, "Sajou-san!" with a dull expression on her face, and I would gawk and say "Oh, welcome", and show a nonchalant attitude that made her give a thumbs down. Can't you find a guy more handsome than this guy from the same college as you?
"As always, it's summer sunshine, and Sasaki-san is dazzling."
"Ah, you said that again. You are 'flirtatious', aren't you, Sajou-san?"
"If I were 'flirtatious', then the positive characters in my class would be party-goers..."
No matter how she sees me, I'll never be the love interest of a beautiful girl like her, so it's easy for me to express my praise. If I tease Sasaki-san, she'll just take it as a joke.
"P-Party-goers? What's a party-goer?"
"Oh, no..."
Sometimes, Sasaki-san shows a "sheltered girl" attitude as I said before. This is the level I experienced in the early days of entering middle and high schools. I also didn't know what "flirtatious" meant until recently. When I told her that she didn't need to remember it, since it was a rather old-fashioned expression, she clearly said that she didn't want to. It's hard to explain youngsters' language in words because everything is so sensationalized...
"I'm sorry about that. I wonder if I'm not having a bad influence on Sasaki-san by getting involved with a kid like me..."
"No... ...Sajou-san is not a child. You are a hero to both me and Kou-kun."
"No, ha ha ha, you're good at complimenting me."
Too nice...? She was so good at complimenting me that I thought she was trying to seduce me. A second-hand bookstore clerk with a shabby apron around his neck like me can't possibly be a hero... because I can't do a backflip. If I start with a kick, I'll panic and break my back. Bullsh*t, Sajou kick! (Weak attack)
"Yes, I'm the one who doesn't know about the world... and looked like a child in front of you, Sajou-san."
"Eh, hey, hey, what's wrong?"
If it's just a pep talk, Sasaki-san is pretty good at it too. Why does she keep trying to compliment me? She's like a peony when standing, like a peony when sitting, and like a lily when walking, so I don't understand why she lost her confidence.
"Look, I'm stuck in my studies."
"What?"
Study? Did you say 'Study', Onee-san? I'm not even just stuck, I'm almost off track... Oh my, she woke me up so suddenly, it's super stressful. All I see is the reality... ...that I'm starting to lose interest in college...
"Speaking of you, Sajou-san, that was a nice change of pace. It makes me feel as if I'm one of the adults and as if I'm smart."
"..."
Um, well... yeah. You said something cruel with such a beautiful smile. Oh, I see. Did I make you feel like an adult because I acted childishly? It's nice to be able to go around in circles. I almost thought, let's talk endlessly. Yeah, more.
No, but, eh... Did you have that intention behind your visit? Anyway, I think I look dumb to you, I think it's a really bad idea to talk to a guy who's dumb and feels smart...
Since you're pretty, so I'll forgive you.
Well, she's a student at a girls-only university (which is very important). I'm sure that her level of study material there is at a level that would take away her 'SAN' grade if it were me... ...so it's no wonder that she got stuck.
"...Heh...?"
"Sajou-san...?"
As I mocked myself, Sasaki-san tilted her head with a dumbfounded expression on her face. Damn, she's making cute gestures here and there, I can't stop my heart from pounding. If this is how it's going to be... just take my body... three times bigger than a gut punch! (Self-destructive)
"No, if I can help Sasaki-san, I'll cooperate as much as possible. Please use me as much as you can."
"Eh...? Use, what is it?"
"Yeah, use me as much as you can."
Whether it's Sasaki-san or Natsukawa-san, nothing makes me happier than being useful to pretty girls. I even worked part-time for that purpose in middle school. In the end, I hardly ever donated anything to Natsukawa, but thanks to her, I was able to buy many games and items.
"Well then... You go to Preparatory High School, Sajou-san, do you have any secret special tricks for your studies?"
"Ah, there is one that is very easy to understand."
"Eh? What is it, tell me?"
Ah, you have a great taste for that... ...Are you that bad at studying?
Special tricks for study, huh... I'm not kidding now, my current ability is mediocre... but my motivation is different from when I took the high school entrance exam. Back then, I felt like I could study forever, I don't remember it being that hard.
"Well, this isn't a method, it's just a story of experience..."
"That's okay, I don't mind...! Please tell me!"
"That's... Direct feedback from what you learned."
"Feedback..., what is it?"
If this is happening, I don't mind if I'm a bit open in this situation. I don't think I'll say anything even if my mouth is torn, but if she just thinks of me as a tool to make her feel better, then I don't care anymore.
"In my case, the more I study, the closer the possibility that I can get into the same school as the girl I like."
"Eh...!? Th-The girl you like!?"
At first, my grades were average. At that time, I heard that "Kōetsu High School is the high school that Natsukawa Aika wants to go to". I knew that if I studied hard, I wouldn't be late, so I could use my endless motivation to go to the same high school as Natsukawa. This is a "trick for study". How are you, hardworking b*stards?
"Do you still like her? Perhaps she's already your girlfriend now?"
Hey, hmm... ...Did you listen to me? Gosh, I think I've fallen for the romance chat sense that girls love. I think we've gone off the topic of study altogether. She didn't bite, it was a way of approaching with the determination to devour with sparkling eyes. She seemed so aggressive that this couldn't be compared to a night school trip.
"Well, I did like her but I had given up. I realized after I entered high school that she was on an upper level that was not on my level."
"Wh-What a wonderful girl, ...so you gave up because she was too attractive, huh."
You're also on the same level, you know... ...Why must you be so humble and not say much when you're so beautiful? Why are you so uptight with me, who is a high school boy? Do you want to go around in circles once again?
"A-At any rate! What you need to do is sense that your motivation is useful for studying. You have something interesting you want to aim for, right? Just imagine the feeling you'll get after reaching that goal."
"Something interesting I want to aim for...?"
What exactly was Sasaki-san's main reason for studying? To get a job...? I heard that if you want to become a civil servant, you have to do a lot of hard studying... ...That must be difficult.
But for example, what if you consider that by studying hard and getting a decent job, you can make your dear little bro, Kouta-kun, happy? After talking to her a few times, I found that she seems to have a foolish side too, so this could be a good motivation, right? Although that's not the case...
"For example, like me, you'll be able to spend time with the boy you like in high school later on."
"Li...? Th-The boy I like?"
"Ah, you've never had any experience with boys before, have you?"
"D-Don't be so rude! I've had experience with boys too!"
What the heck!?
I was shocked, I was horrified... That's right, a beautiful female college student must have had experience with at least one or two guys. It's impossible for a pretty girl like her to be out in the open. If I were a pretty girl, I would make ten guys pay for me.
I suddenly felt nauseous. Let's finish the job and get out of here... hmm?
"...Um."
"~~~"
"Um, Sasaki-san?"
Why are you shaking and pointing at me? Do you think talking with me like this every day counts as an "experience with boys"? Don't be silly, Onee-san, if you were a normal girl, you'd know what I mean by "experience with boys". You know, something more erotic.
—Oh, that's right, she is indeed a sheltered girl...
"This kind of thing can't count as 'experience' with guys, you know?"
"What? Is that so?"
Oh no, I might have said something too much. Stop it! Can you stop looking at me with that suspicious gaze? Ah, there's no need to hold hands for heterosexual friendship, right? Is it okay for you to make a high school boy like me your target?!!!
Author's Note: —Just look on the internet!!!
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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