Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Hasn't Yuu Been a Bit Neglectful Lately...?
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"Hasn't Yuu been a bit neglectful lately...?"
"Ah! Come to think of it, we haven't even done proper introductions."
"My apologies. I'm Yu Sanghyeon."
"Eh, a Korean name...? You're an exchange student?"
Somehow, her gaze felt even stickier than before. And her lips seemed to glisten as she licked them.
"Ah, yeah."
"Were you perhaps an athlete?"
The owner stared at my prominent pecs bulging even through my T-shirt, her throat bobbing as she swallowed.
"No, nothing like that.... Anyway, when should I start? Tomorrow okay?"
She snapped out of her trance, her eyes glazing over my body without realizing it, then forced an awkward smile.
"H-Hoho. Sure, why not. Can you start tomorrow evening?"
Judging by how she wasn't scheduling me for lunch, she must have figured she could handle the lunch rush solo without paying hourly wages.
Businesswomen really are different. Even while scanning my body, she was clearly calculating labor costs in her head.
"Yes, evenings it is."
"So, starting tomorrow at 4 p.m.? No running away, okay?"
She looked like she wanted to cling to me tight.
I gave an awkward smile, nodded, and left the shop.
That woman might be a total bitch on Mesui's level.
I've gotta guard my junk. She might gobble me up in an instant.
Anyway, 4 p.m. start.
This throws a bit of a wrench into my academy schedule.
As I recall, two liberal arts classes are in the 8th period. But whatever, it's not a big deal. It's just a temp job until I save Harumi, so it'll be fine. Honestly, I could just sit back and rake in money without even going to the academy.
The issue is staying at the academy to keep contact with the heroines.... Skipping a couple liberal arts classes won't get me academic probation.
Even if I do get warned, one call to the director might smooth it over. I'm seen as this mystery agent who wiped out a yakuza group and took down active politicians, so she'll probably grant most favors.
Might as well call her now that I'm thinking about it.
Ring....
Ring....
It's ringing, but no answer.
She's probably busy.
Last time, something seemed up with the Kurogami family. Maybe she's handling that.
A few more days and whatever gift she promised will come, so I'll let her deal with that on her own.
.
.
.
Next day at the academy.
Luckily, today's last class ends at 7th period. Of course, it wraps at 3:50 p.m., so I'll have to haul ass to Matsuba, but this body can handle it no sweat.
"Yuu!"
As I walked through the main gate, Saki sidled up cheerfully. Ever since I relieved her sexually and she took my load in her panties, the distance between us felt way closer.
"Hey, Saki. What's up?"
"How about we three grab coffee now and dinner later?"
Does she have something to say?
With her personality, she'd set me and Ren up alone if that was the goal, not suggest a group dinner like this. What's her angle? Anyway, gotta turn this down.
"S-Sorry, I've got something starting at 4 p.m. for the foreseeable future."
"Eh?"
"S-Something...?"
Saki and Ren stared at me in unison.
"Picked up a little gig recently. Won't last more than a few weeks... but weekdays from 4 p.m. will be tough."
"What about classes?"
"Dunno? It'll work out."
"What kinda talk is that, you punk!"
To grab my much taller head, Saki hopped up and somehow locked me in a headlock.
"Planning to ditch your student duties?!"
Her petite but soft breasts rubbed against my temple, feeling great, so I just took it. Through her thin clothes, I could feel her bra, and her sweet girl scent wafted over.
"Um.... W-What about our weekend plans...?"
At Ren's worried question, Saki immediately released the headlock.
"Don't worry about that. I'll definitely make time for Ren."
Ren gave a light smile and nodded.
"Then I'll wait without worry. Let's have fun this weekend."
Ren shyly covered her mouth as she smiled. That one eye-smile made all my efforts feel worthwhile.
"Hmm? So you two are like newlyweds or something?"
"W-W-What are you saying?!"
Another one of her cheeky remarks.
"Nooo~ The wife tells her hubby to do well at work and she'll wait, and the hubby says even if work's busy, he'll keep their date. Totally couple vibes~"
"D-Don't say weird stuff!"
Slap!
So embarrassed, Ren smacked Saki's arm with her palm.
"Ow!"
Saki recoiled in shock. They'd make a great comedy duo.
"Ow.... Ren-chan, you hit harder than expected."
I wanted to watch them more, but time was short.
"Anyway, I'm off. See you tomorrow."
"Ah...! Yeah!"
"Mm... Okay. Bye, Yuu."
Last was Saki's puzzled expression as I fully exited the gate.
"What urgent thing does he have to rush off to? Part-time job?"
Saki kept tilting her head, guessing what Yu Sanghyeon was up to.
Even if they'd grown closer, prying into personal matters without him bringing it up first was rude, so both Saki and Ren fidgeted anxiously, stewing inside.
"Probably. Sanghyeon-sunbae must need living expenses too...."
"But so suddenly? We're total besties now. And he didn't even discuss it with us...."
Mid-sentence, Saki jolted as if something struck her.
"No way...."
She trailed off.
Her face showed she was debating whether to voice the thought popping into her head. After agonizing, Saki gently tugged the sleeve of Ren, who was walking ahead.
"Huh...?"
"Hey, Ren-chan."
"What's wrong...?"
Even now, Saki hesitated to speak her mind. But she steeled herself and opened her mouth.
"Hasn't Yuu been a bit neglectful lately...?"
To Ren, the question felt out of left field and embarrassing. She tried hiding her flushed face as she replied.
"Neglectful? What do you mean?"
"Just that. Up until last weekend, you two were dating and all cuddly every day. But right after the date, doesn't Yuu feel kinda distant?"
Not distant, more like distracted by something else—but Saki lacked the dating know-how to split those hairs.
"Distant... feeling."
Hearts can start off indifferent, but once someone points it out, they tilt that way. Ren always seemed level-headed, but that was just surface; she had zero dating experience either.
So here were two girls—one who'd learned romance from smutty doujins, the other from lit novels—trying to deduce a guy's feelings.
"Kinda feels that way...."
"See! I knew it! Ah... What do we do...."
Ren asked the pacing Saki.
"Saki, you've been weird since earlier. Hiding something from me?"
"Guh!"
Saki choked in surprise.
"N-No! I-It's not that!"
Anyone would suspect her.
"You have some guess...? Why Sanghyeon-sunbae suddenly changed."
Ren's voice trembled faintly. Had she been too passive? Too stiff on their date? Made him see her as boring? Dark thoughts raced through her mind.
And Saki's next words lit them all ablaze.
"I-I'm not saying I know for sure, but... m-maybe another girl...?"
"!?"
"N-No no no! Wait! I'm not saying Yuu definitely has another girl— just maybe possibly?"
Saki waved her hands frantically to reassure Ren. But her face lacked conviction. She'd clearly witnessed Yu Sanghyeon and Harumi sitting close, chatting intimately.
Ren bit her lip.
"...Even if so, I have no right to complain. We're not officially dating...."
Self-defense, drawing lines before more hurt. Yet a new fear bloomed in Ren's eyes.
"What are you saying! You two are basically dating already!"
"Eek...."
Saki's sharp words pierced.
"Ren... I didn't mean to go this far, but if you stay so wishy-washy, some other she-cat might snatch Yuu! Guys like him are rare. Really. I'm not saying move in or marry now, but he's worth grabbing tight."
She ranted to shake Ren's passivity.
It almost felt like self-reproach for wanting to stay just friends with Yu Sanghyeon herself.
Not that Saki realized her own true feelings.
"...Yeah. I need to try harder."
Ren resolved herself.
The air grew heavy.
Saki fidgeted, regretting her words, then brightened with an idea.
"Ah, aaa~ I'm starving. Let's grab something."
"Eh...? It's not even 5 yet."
"Psh~ When you're down, you gotta eat. Anyway, night snacks just pack on pounds, so better early. Right?"
Sound logic.
"In that case... shall we?"
"Yup yup. Found this family restaurant that just opened—huge portions, super tasty. They even have parfaits for dessert."
Mentally drained and feeling hunger pangs, Ren perked up.
"Really? Where?"
Saki grinned.
"Matsuba."
The two headed for the bus stop.