Chapter 104What You Can Do and What You Can't Do
Ichinose-san, who was often terrified by many things, managed to serve Sasaki-san and did her job well. After all, Sasaki-san was just an ordinary customer with a rough tone of speech and walk. When she received her change, Sasaki-san raised her fist and said, "Thank you!", I thought for a moment what I should do. Yeah, she has passed.
"Oh, this is more embarrassing than I thought."
I guess so.
She's the same Onee-san who always uses her hand as a fan. I'm sure her appearance at that time was just an illusion. Sasaki-san and I are probably both exhausted. Sasaki-san is preparing for the high school entrance exam, while I... well, this summer is hot. Meanwhile, I don't like sauteed bitter melon.
At first, I thought Sasaki-san came here just because she wanted to meet me, but like before, she also came here to search for books. She became a customer this time and bought two books. When she left, she said "I'll come back here again" with a small wave of her hand like a lily waving in the wind. Please, just let you be my Big Sis.
"...That was amazing, right?!"
"..."
I couldn't help but spill my thoughts. Ichinose-san didn't reply, but that's okay, after all, I was talking to myself, anyway. The amazing thing is that there are no other customers besides Sasaki-san. After all, it's nearing the weekend, and many people may have finished their shopping in the first half of the day, whether it's a weekday or a weekend.
"I'll be out of here after the summer vacation is over, but if Sasaki-san comes back, I hope you can get along with her."
"Eh...!?"
When I said so casually, I got a somewhat surprised expression on Ichinose-san's face. She looked at me as if to say, "Are you serious?", doesn't she like to get along with Sasaki-san too much? She's not a kind-hearted Onee-san, — Of course, she's younger than both of us. She's a female student from an all-girls university — Eh?
I wonder what Ichinose-san thinks about Sasaki-san in the end. When I look from the end, I think Sasaki-san is very kind-hearted. She's so friendly that I didn't realize that. I hope Ichinose-san doesn't find her difficult to be friends with. In other words, since I'm leaving here soon, then I won't have many chances to meet Sasaki-san again...
"What... ...do you want to quit here?"
"Eh... ...don't you know?"
I was about to quit, so they were looking for a new part-time worker... I wonder what Gramps told her during the interview... ...He was very happy at the time, so he probably forgot to explain some things. Or rather, is Ichinose-san getting along with Sasaki-san, really a good thing?
"Yeah, just as you can see, we don't need two part-time workers in this bookstore. It's possible that if the Manager was still young, he wouldn't have hired part-time workers either."
"..."
I came to this bookstore solely to do the hard work that I could shoulder. Of course, I did work part-time it was mainly in the customer service department, but I don't think I want to let Gramps do too much of that right now. Well, he did refer to this as a retirement hobby, so maybe it doesn't matter. At the very least, Ichinose-san can handle this now.
"Yeah, I did hear what you had to say. I don't know if it will suit Ichinose-san's purpose, but until the summer vacation is over, I will continue to be your senpai."
"..."
Oh, it's bad. I accidentally said something sensitive. Ichinose-san became very upset. It's possible that today, Bear-san-senpai was making out with Yuri-chan-senpai —Gosh, I'm the one who suffered the consequences. Of course, I'm calling him "Bear" in the normal sense. I don't think they'll notice even if Ichinose-san doesn't pretend to be happy in front of them.
"...No..., thank you for listening to my story."
"Oh, yeah... ...hmm?"
I wonder if Ichinose-san wants to thank me more for listening to her story, rather than for teaching her as her senpai... ...although it seems like she's happy that I've listened to her story properly.
Ichinose-san left the cashier counter and started tidying up the shelves as if something had caught her attention. Her face looked as emotionless as the one I used to see at school, though I could see her eyes on her figure at this moment. It feels a little bit, to see people who are hurt like that...
"...I think it's almost time for us to get ready to go home."
The wall clock was already showing the time was already noon. Gramps was very disciplined and strict with time, so he would probably come out soon and tell us to go home.
Until then, Ichinose-san was still diligently carrying out her work.
♦
It was entirely someone else's business, but it was only human that I felt curious after I heard her story. That's why, to be honest, I didn't want to listen to it too much. However, this was Ichinose-san's family business and I knew that I shouldn't interfere, so maybe I was just curious. I'm just a senpai at her part-time job.
In that case, why did Ichinose-san confide in me about such a complicated matter? Even though we've rarely spoken to each other until now, in fact, I was the one who's been cold to her since day one.
Come to think of it, there's only one answer that comes to mind. If you know Ichinose-san well, it would be very easy to find the answer.
"Because there's no one else to talk to me other than you."
I've thought about it a few times before..., ...but I think it's a rather rude idea. It's like she's putting me down. However, I can't blame her for thinking that, I hardly ever see her talking to anyone at school. I don't think there's any need to worry about that.
Including that, I think Ichinose-san must have a high degree of mental independence. To the point that she talked to me, someone she didn't even know that well.
If I hadn't done that, something would have boiled over. I think she revealed her situation to me to protect herself. If she told her parents, it would probably cause trouble for her Big Bro, and I don't think Gramps would sympathize with her either. Gramps' wife would probably talk negatively about it as if she were a smug person. If only, Ichinose-san had a female friend who was close to her... ...I probably wouldn't have known about this situation.
"What does she expect from me, huh...?"
I muttered to myself on the way home, holding the soda can in my hand. Oh no, am I some kind of main character of a story? No, how could that be... ...If that's the case, I must be more handsome and popular with girls, and I must be athletic and great. And of course, Big Sis would be very nice to me... ...or maybe, I shouldn't have a big sister at all, but instead a little sister who is a brocon... ...Eh? Did I think of something wrong?
If she asked someone to listen to her story, and that person wasn't me, would that person do anything for her..., I'm not sure if I can do more than being a senpai at her part-time job. I only teach the common and obvious things, yeah, the very common things. It's quite tiring, and most importantly, this Sajou-sama is only average height. He is very short.
"E-Eh...?"
If it was Sasaki, he might not be able to eliminate the soda content in this canned drink.
♦
[Um, did you finish your part-time job?]
Oh no, the message came earlier.
My Goddess, Natsukawa-sama..., I've never been so anxious about getting a message from you as I am today. I tried to think of a way to explain this after I finished lunch, played games, and took a nap in the bathroom... but she was so impatient!
No, wait, calm down. Natsukawa-sama is punishing you, right? She'll probably just ask you about why Ichinose-san is trying so hard to hang on to her part-time job, right? There's no need to explain anything in detail. I know it would be awkward for me to talk about that kind of thing to a girl. Just tell her that she has a good reason for being independent, so there won't be any problem.
[Dear Natsukawa-sama. How are you spending your time during this continuing scorching hot weather that marks the arrival of fall? I would like to thank you for your continued support.]
[What kind of greeting is that?]
It's gone...! My simple hope that she hadn't contacted me again, my overwhelming happiness at being able to communicate with Natsukawa, and my abundant respect, conflicted with each other, and I reflexively gave a greeting like a seasonal one. It's gone...!
Gosh, if I blink for a moment longer, this is what I immediately get. I don't owe her a favor or anything. I'm very grateful to him for bringing her into this world. Thank you, Great God!
[No, look, I just want to stretch my back for a moment. It's really hot today, isn't it?]
[...Don't push yourself too hard!]
E-Eh, she's very nice... ...but it's strange, I thought she was going to say something a bit harsher. Natsukawa, your Onee-chan aura has gotten a bit stronger, hasn't it? Then, are you taking advantage of this summer vacation to use Airi-chan to even out your strength? It's about time you learned a new trick soon, isn't it? From scratch again? This isn't a one-hit kill, you know...
[I think you're the one who shouldn't try too hard to take care of Airi-chan, Onee-chan.]
....
"...Eh?"
Eh...? Look, are you going to react or... what, are you going to hold back? Do you feel like you've been lured out? Haha, my professional side as a little brother has already come out..., but if you were in my position, I might be able to manipulate people into thinking I'm your little brother for a moment. That's why I'm sure Natsukawa definitely won't back down. That's right. I beg you. I'll cry later.
[Stop calling me "Onee-chan"!]
[Oh, okay.]
Is this serious?
No, you see, just like Natsukawa, the siscon who dotes on Airi-chan, strangely enough, I also have the same fate with someone named Kaede-chan. Because I dote on her. I like the way she eats large portions of steamed buns and the way she makes a bitter face at the scale. I liked the way she lay down with her belly button showing, but only when there was thunder and lightning, she was completely protected.
"—What? You're already here? Please make me a cup of coffee, a cold one. Plus milk in the ratio of about 8:2. And don't forget, a teaspoon of sugar and some caramel powder too."
"Can you give me one minute?"
"40 seconds."
"Okey dokey!"
Author's Note: [Current record] —38.14 seconds/cup.
TL: Reeze27
ED: Reeze27
PR: Reeze27
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