Chapter 287: A Small Stroke of Luck on the Last Day
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 287: A Small Stroke of Luck on the Last Day
A day that seemed ordinary at a glance, but was in fact quite risqué.
After three more days like that, Renka and I arrived at work. Seeing the owner standing in front of the cafe, we bowed our heads to him.
“Good morning.”
The owner greeted us with a regretful expression.
“Welcome. Today’s your last day, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“Could you stop by the gyudon shop after your shift?”
“Of course. Have you found a new part-timer?”
“I have.”
“When should we do the handover?”
“That’s alright. I contacted the previous part-timer and asked them to come back.”
Hmm, hmm. That’s a relief. I was worried it would be a hassle.
He’s a good owner. I’m glad I didn’t make a move on his wife.
“Well then, I’m counting on you until the very end.”
After our brief chat with the owner, I entered the cafe and stretched.
“So this is our last day at this job.”
“Yeah.”
“How do you feel? A little bittersweet?”
“Nope. I’m just so happy I won’t have to see you anymore.”
There she goes again, saying things she doesn’t mean.
“You’re going to see me at the academy anyway. And at the kendo tournament.”
“At least I’m relieved for now, so I’d appreciate it if you didn’t ruin the mood.”
“You’re so harsh. Is that how I taught you to speak?”
“Wh-who’s teaching who…! Do you have a death wish?”
Despite everything we’d been through, Renka was still as feisty as ever.
I hope she stays that way.
It’s a known fact that when you order a girl to take off her clothes, the sight of her reluctantly showing her underwear with a look of distaste is far more arousing than her simply lifting her shirt without complaint.
The usual Renka was exactly that type.
“Go get changed first.”
“...I’m going.”
“If you don’t speak politely, I’m going into the changing room with you right now.”
Renka flinched at my gentle threat.
Trying to figure out if I was serious, she glanced at my face before cautiously walking past me and opening the changing room door.
Then she paused and looked back at me.
“Th-that…”
“I’ll give you the candy when I take you home today.”
“O-okay.”
My little slave has gotten into the habit of eating candy every single day, and this master couldn’t be more pleased.
Let’s see if you continue the habits you’ve formed over the break at the academy.
Our final shift, which began after we changed, was quite slow.
Even considering it was still early morning, there were very few customers.
Of course, “very few” was still a lot more than when we first started.
“The last person on shift didn’t restock the chocolate chips. I’ll go get them from the storage room.”
“Bring two bags of coffee beans when you come back.”
“Got it.”
Renka and I worked, cleaning up the mess left by the afternoon shift worker, and before we knew it, it was lunchtime.
I walked over to Renka, who had just finished the dishes. I pulled out the indented fingers of the rubber gloves she’d taken off and hung them over the sink.
Then I gently patted the back of the girl, who seemed to be blushing, perhaps feeling cared for by my actions.
“Go have lunch first.”
“Don’t touch me…!”
“Are you a teenager going through puberty? What’s with the fuss?”
“It’s because you touch me whenever you feel like it… Anyway, I’m leaving.”
“See you later.”
After sending Renka off, I looked around the quiet cafe.
This was a place where Renka and I had made many memories, but… not as many events happened as I’d expected.
Normally, things like a customer making a reservation and then canceling at the last minute, a rude old man, or a child’s mistake would occur, and I could gain affection points by resolving them…
Was it all skipped because my relationship with Renka had already progressed so much?
Whatever the reason, our feelings for each other had grown, so it didn’t really matter… but it was a little disappointing.
As I was finishing up some work with these thoughts in mind,
Swoosh.
The automatic door opened, and Hiyori walked into the cafe with a friend.
“Hellooo.”
My luck just keeps coming on the last day. I can feel my spirits lifting.
I’d been in a great mood all day, and this must have been why.
“Welcome.”
“Do you remember me? We met once at the bookstore.”
How could I possibly not remember?
It’s a given for me, but I doubt anyone who saw you once could ever forget you.
“I remember. You asked me to help you pick out a manga, right?”
“That’s right!”
Come to think of it, did I see the friend next to Hiyori at the bookstore too?
I couldn’t recall clearly, but I didn’t think so.
“You weren’t here four days ago. I guess it was your day off?”
Did she come on a day Renka and I were off?
It would have been nice to see her then, too… What a shame.
I smiled brightly at Hiyori’s follow-up question and answered.
“Yes. Today is my last day here.”
“Oh, really? You’re quitting?”
“That’s how it turned out. Can I help you with your order?”
“Yep. Two Chocochip Frappuccinos, please. We’ll have them here.”
“Got it.”
After taking her payment, I stamped the coupon Hiyori handed me. While making the drinks, I listened in on the conversation between her and her friend.
“You know we have to go for one day during the winter semester, right? They said they’re doing locker assignments and stuff after the orientation.”
It seemed they were talking about the academy.
“Yeah. My mom told me.”
“You’re going with me, right?”
“Of course. Why would I go separately from you?”
Has her friend also been accepted into Yebonie Academy?
This was news to me. It wasn’t mentioned in DokiAka. I couldn’t tell if the future had changed because of my appearance, or if it was just skipped over because it wasn’t important.
Either way, it’s finally happening. I’ve waited a long time.
How will Hiyori react when she sees me attending the academy?
Will she write it off as another chance encounter, like at the bookstore?
I hope she’ll think of it as something a little more like fate this time… but that’s probably just wishful thinking.
Her friend, delighted by Hiyori’s words, asked.
“Did you buy your uniform?”
“I did. But do you think I’ll get in trouble if I go with my skirt shortened?”
“I don’t know…? I don’t think they’re that strict… As long as you shorten it within reason, it should be fine, right?”
“Then I’m definitely shortening it.”
Who thinks about shortening their skirt for something like an orientation?
It was a very Hiyori-like idea… It seemed a huge ripple was about to be made in the calm waters of the academy.
A clash with Miyuki, a member of the student council who strictly adheres to the rules, was now a foregone conclusion.
The free-spirited Hiyori and the conservative Miyuki.
With their different values, a major conflict could arise, but since they both have good personalities, it would likely be nothing more than a minor friction.
If things start to get serious, I’ll have to mediate and help them become friends.
After finishing the drinks, I pressed the number for the buzzer I’d given Hiyori.
Hiyori stood up, grabbing the buzzer that was vibrating on the table, and approached with a smile.
Thinking how much I loved Hiyori’s signature lemon scent that already seemed to fill the cafe, I pushed the tray I’d placed on the counter toward her.
“Enjoy your drinks.”
“Thank youuu.”
* * *
After our shift ended, the owner gave us several coupons for his gyudon shop, some simple snacks his wife had made, and a bonus.
The other things were one thing, but the bonus was unexpected.
I thought he’d just pay us our generous weekly wage and that would be it… I guess he really liked us.
As he saw us off, the owner told us to come by anytime if we wanted to work, that he’d be waiting.
After saying goodbye to the man who was holding onto us almost to an uncomfortable degree, I left the cafe and stroked the thigh of Renka, who was sitting in the passenger seat.
“Good work today.”
“Yeah. And stop touching me.”
“You’re going to buy a figure with your pay, right?”
“What’s it to you?”
“Answer me properly.”
“...I am. My display case is full, so I’m going to buy another one. Hey, I told you not to touch me…!?”
Renka stared at me, shaking her head as I ignored her warning and continued to fiddle with her thigh.
Sighing as if she’d given up resisting, she turned her gaze forward and asked.
“You are preparing properly, right?”
“Preparing for what?”
“What do you mean, ‘preparing for what’… The kendo tournament. You said you were entering…! You’re already registered as a competitor, so you can’t back out now. If you’re going to be like that…”
“I was joking. I’m preparing well, so don’t get so angry.”
“...Then that’s fine.”
Judging by the tone of her voice, she’s happy.
Maybe after the tournament, the three of us—me, her, and Chinami—can hang out.
“Want to see a movie to celebrate the end of our job?”
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Knowing you, you’d deliberately book a movie with no one else in it and try to do something weird inside the theater.”
She’s spot on.
“And what’s wrong with that?”
Renka let out a disbelieving laugh, seemingly dumbfounded by my nonchalant attitude.
“What’s wrong with it…! Doing that in a public place is a nuisance to others…!”
“What am I supposed to do when I want to touch you?”
“...You need to get rid of that dictatorial streak of yours.”
“I’ll think about it. But are we just going home like this? Our job is over and everything.”
“You seem to think the end of a part-time job is some kind of anniversary… but it’s not a special day at all, you know?”
“Isn’t that just a matter of perspective?”
“Sigh… Anyway, no. I have to go home and eat with my family.”
She emphasized the word ‘family,’ probably so I wouldn’t ask to come along. It was so transparent it was funny.
“Alright. If you really don’t want to be with me, I can’t force you.”
“It’s n-not that I don’t want to… It’s just, my family…”
“I said I get it.”
“...Right. As long as you get it. Now just be quiet… Hngh…!”
When I pushed my hand deep into her inner thigh, she sharply sucked in a breath.
She pressed her butt firmly against the seat and leaned her upper body forward. It seemed my hand had touched a particularly sensitive spot, sending a jolt of pleasure through her.
Just four days ago, if I’d done this, she would have cursed at me, calling me ‘trash’ or a ‘crazy bastard.’ But now, while she might be displeased, she was quietly accepting my touch.
The more I peel back her layers, the more new sides of her are revealed. Just how far can Renka’s training go?
I have no idea, and it makes me look forward to the future.