I was translating while my groupmates were busy doing nonsense. LOL Sorry for the sloppy translation!
[Part 2]
Today is a holiday.
It wasn't my plan to watch DVD, read books or spend a relaxing time in my room from morning. Although Hazekursan has invited me to go on a date, it seems that he is too busy, so we could not meet.
Well, occasionally doing this kind of relaxation is also nice.
—It's also because my heart beats fast whenever we are together. I also need to rest my heart along with my body.
I finished reading a paperback, and when I extended my hand to the bookshelf, contemplating whether I should read a different book, I heard the voice of another male and my brother Tasuku from downstairs.
Listening to their voices without really paying attention to the conversation, it seems they have been talking for a long time at the entrance. So I went out of my room and went downstairs, thinking that they should get inside the house.
"Tasuku? You have a guest?"
Seeing my face, a young man behind Tasuku widened his eyes for a moment. And then immediately smiled.
"It's been a while, Onee-san."
Lowering his head, I stiffened in surprise.
Eh, who……? He knows me……?
Unable to just watch without doing anything, Tasuku smacked the young man's shoulder, smiling wryly.
"Kaname, my sister doesn't remember you."
Hearing those words, the young man's shoulder drooped in disappointment.
"She doesn't remember me like I thought…… It's been a while since I last visited after all. Let me say it again formally. I am Hoshino Kaname, Tasuku's schoolmate who often came to disturb here."
Hoshino…… When I desperately searched my memory, a boy popped out of my mind.
"In the past, did you use to have a shaved head?"
When I asked the thing that was imprinted in my memory, he laughed with embarrassment.
"Yes, I played baseball in high school."
Oh, I remembered.
When Tasuku was still in high school, there was a boy with a shaved head who often came here to visit. With his confirmation, those certainly remained in my memory. Now, he is a 26 year old adult man with a slightly longer hair.
Besides, upon closer look, he is quite a handsome man. A high school baseball player with a shaved head transformed into a refreshing young man…… I feel somehow relaxed.
"Talking in a place like this, why don't you go inside? I will make you some coffee."
Tasuku's expression then brightened up.
"Is it okay? Then, Kaname, come in."
"Excuse me, then I will take up on your offer. Sorry for intruding." [T/N: Ugh, Japan and their politeness!]
I showed them to the living room and then proceeded to the kitchen to make them coffee.
"Anyway, it's been long since you graduated high school, right? How nostalgic."
When I placed coffee in front of Hoshinkun, he gently lowered his head and said, "Thank you".
"Because I was busy during my university years, I was not able to meet my high school friends very often. I met Tasuku for only about a number of times during the four years."
"Is that so? What are you doing now?"
"I am a lawyer. But I'm still studying, though."
"Lawyer……. Amazing……"
I gaped due to surprise.
"It's natural since Kaname is studying seriously since a long time ago."
"That's not true."
Hoshinkun laughed shyly as he drank his coffee.
"Then, I'll leave you two. Hoshinkun, please feel at home."
But when I said that, Mother, who came back from shopping, was standing before me who was about to leave the living room.
"Oh my. I was certain you'd be going on a date today."
"I also want to relax once in a while occasionally—"
I pouted as I walked away, but at that moment, Tasuku's scream pierced my ears.
"Huuuuuh?! D-Date!? Sister, you have a boyfriend?!"
"Oh, did I not tell you? But Mother just said it clearly……"
"I had no idea! Because you stayed single ever since you broke up with your boyfriend a long time ago, I thought you gave up on marriage……"
"I did not give up…… Hey, we are not contemplating about marriage yet!"
Because I was getting more and more embarrassed, I ended the conversation to stop its flow as soon as possible.
"Oh, is that so? Who's the guy?"
Eyes shining brightly, Tasuku waited for my revelation. Across him, Hoshinkun stopped drinking his coffee for some reason and stared at me.
"He's a monk, you met him during the memorial service last time……"
"Eeehhh—!!"
It seems that my brother really did not know anything. I have never seen him as tremendously shocked as before.
"Ah! That's why you were acting strange last time at the memorial service!"
"What are you saying?"
"Look, you were very fidgety, your face was fiery red, then you suddenly went home alone. Because of you, I was bombarded by Uncle with potential partners."
So that's what happened…… I did not know.
"But seriously…… The monk last time? Because I haven't seen his face I could not remember at all."
Mother, who came back to the living room with confections, confessed to Tasuku, who was thinking.
"You see, Kano fell in love with a very handsome monk~! Even though she is my child, I felt envious."
"You fell in love?"
Hoshinkun, who was listening quietly the entire time, widened his eyes like saucers.
"That's right! He clearly said, 'There are no women other than Kano-san'! I felt embarrassed, you know? There are only a few people who would say that. Really, you were able to catch a wonderful person. I was pleased."
"Well, you're right……"
Certainly, I haven't even heard "I like you" from my ex-boyfriend. But he [Hazekura] always tells me to the point that I get embarrassed. Well, that may be a great thing. Thinking about it, I somehow felt restless and unable to calm down.
"It seems that Onee-san is very much loved, huh?"
"Haha……"
When Hoshinkun told me that seriously, I showed him a troubled expression.
I just started dating him, but I certainly felt his presence drastically changed something within me.
It was like a war during lunch time at the Western Restaurant Sumiretei.
In the kitchen, the restaurant manager and the kitchen staff were cooking in a rush. And in the hall, the manager's wife and I, along with the part-timers, were manning the floor.
Sumiretei, an old Western cuisine restaurant, not only gained its reputation from the flavors inherited from the previous generation, but also had a reputation for the abundance of the menu. This restaurant has become a popular local restaurant so during lunch time, it is nearly filled with salarymen and office ladies working at nearby companies.
How can we efficiently and speedily deliver lunch to our customers?
I have a long work experience and I am well versed in this but…… Yokotsan, a student part-timer who was recently hired, would have at least an episode of panic attack during lunch.
"Oh, crap, I forgot……!! Kuzuharsan, where should I take this again……!?"
Yokotsan looked up at me with an about-to-cry face at the moment, her eyebrows furrowing.
"It's okay so just calm down. Go, bring this to table number 5."
"Yes. Thank you very much!"
Yokotsan is very pretty, and she is a type of girl that arouses one's protective instincts. Actually, ever since Yokotsan entered, the number of costumers she attracted increased… I felt it.
Her brown hair tied into a ponytail swayed. She is shorter than my 164 cm height, and her big eyes were like that of an animal so she looks a very lovely woman in my perspective.
Eventually, the busy lunch time ended. The whole staff gathered in the kitchen and ate a late lunch, when Yokotsan's phone rang.
"Oh, it's him~!"
Yokotsan took pleasure in getting her phone. While watching her, Hazekursan's face popped out of my mind.
After the incident about the omiai the other day, he became busy thus we weren't able to meet. I would sometimes not receive mails and phone calls. I've been sighing while looking at my phone a lot. [T/N: IS THIS ANOTHER STRATEGY?!]
—Ah~, I want to see him……
"Are you going to see the fireworks this weekend, Kuzuharsan?"
Spacing out, I heard someone speak beside me and I instinctively replied a "Huh?".
Looking at me, Yokotsan, who placed her phone on the table, waited for my reply, her eyes shining brightly.
A fireworks display? Oh, so it's that time already.
"Hmm, I still have no plans for now. Are you going with your boyfriend, Yokotsan?"
"Yes! I'm thinking of going while wearing a yukata."
She happily replied, her cheeks blushing.
I see. A yukata, huh…… I'm sure a yukata would suit Hazekursan. [T/N: Aiya~ someone is in deep shit—I mean, is deep in love.]
With his height, his posture is perfect. And above all, his face is good-looking…..
That's when I suddenly noticed. All I ever think ever since a while ago was Hazekursan.
Eh, I can't believe it. That's strange. Could it be……
When my cheeks blushed on that realization, the door of the restaurant opened with a clank, clank.
"Oh? Perhaps it was the supplier……?"
I stopped eating my lunch and when I went to see who it is, I saw a young man wearing an expensive suit was standing outside the store. The man was using a handkerchief to wipe his perspiration.
Thinking that he's an unfamiliar person, I approached him.
"Mister, I'm sorry. We are temporarily closed right now."
Looking at my direction, he stared at me with surprise and walked briskly towards me.
"Excuse me! Are you Kuzuhara Kano-san?"
"Huh? Y-Yes……"
I looked at him warily when I heard him suddenly call my name. Then he hurriedly bowed his head.
"I-I'm sorry for this sudden visit. I am Department Chief Kuzuhara's subordinate, Ochi Keita."
When I heard his self-introduction, I remembered what Uncle did the other day.
Could it be that this person……
"You are the person my uncle wanted to introduce……?"
"Yes. When I saw your picture, my eyes were caught by your beauty, but the real thing is more beautiful……"
He suddenly got excited and started talking, his eyes gazing hotly at me.
As I thought, he is the person that Uncle recommended for the omiai!! But why here in the restaurant……?
"Err, how did you know that I am here……?"
"Ah, the thing is, I remembered Chief Kuzuhara mentioned that Kano-san is working here…… I did business around this area so I dared to come here."
Ochi-san smiled as though he was relieved to have met me.
Wait, my personal information was leaked though. Also, is he ignoring my circumstances……
"Uhm, is there anything I can do for you?"
Ochi-san suddenly straightened his posture, bowed his head and said, "I'm sorry."
His enthusiasm gave me a little pressure.
"I heard from Chief that Kano-san refused the introduction, but I could not bring myself to give up…… No matter what, I really wanted to see you just once."
With a blush dying his cheeks, Ochi-san said that, staring at my face.
Even if he told me why he came, what kind of reaction should I give in order to convey that I already refused……
As I desperately search for words, he continued to grumble in front to me.
"……Ah, uhm…… I have something to talk about, but when I saw Kano-san, all my thoughts flew out of my head…… But you're really beautiful…… Ah, no! This is not what I wanted to talk about……"
Well, I wonder what I should do.
Although I felt bothered, I decided to convey my honest feelings in the end.
"Err, thank you for coming all the way here, but my feelings are exactly as what my uncle have told you. I'm sorry but with this, I……"
When I lowered my head and was about to go back at the staff room, Ochi-san suddenly said in a panicky voice.
"P-Please wait! Uhm, can I invite you to dinner next time?"
"……Huuuh!?"
Why is he suddenly asking me to dinner!? But, didn't I just flatly refused him just now?
For some reason, I surmised that Ochi-san did not get my meaning.
"Uhm, did you hear the reason why I declined the omiai from Uncle?"
Hearing my words, Ochi-san looked up in the sky with an awkward expression.
"Yes…… I heard. You are going out with someone with the intention of marriage. But the marriage is not yet officially decided, is it?"
"Indeed, it is still not decided but……"
"Then, could you give a chance? Just for one day. To have a . . . deep conversation with Kano-san."
I felt chills running down my spine as soon as he said that.
Th-This…… I met another person like Hazekursan—!!
"……I-I am sorry! I cannot do something like betraying him, so I cannot go to dinner with you, I'm sorry!"
In order not to give him any expectations, I adamantly refused. Ochi-san then let out a sigh and gave me a dejected smile.
"You're right…… You already refused. I'm sorry for suddenly barging in your workplace."
"It's fine……" [T/N: Ugh, Japan.]
"You're in the middle of your break. I am sorry for taking your time. Well then, please excuse me…"
With a polite bow, Ochi-san exited the restaurant.
Sigh—Good grief…… When I looked back to the door that leads to the staff room, I was shocked to witness the manager and Yokotsan peeping at me.
"WhWhat are the two of you doing!!?"
"Kuzuharsan…… Having a boyfriend with the intention of marriage…… Could it be the reason why you were sighing these days……?"
"What kind of person is your boyfriend, Kuzuharsan~!? I wanna know~!! But who was that guy just now? He was pretty cool, though!"
With manager's sad eyes and Yokotsan's knowing eyes focused on me, I felt flustered by the situation.
"No, that…… Just now, that man was my uncle's subordinate and has no relationship with me. And about the boyfriend, it's true that were going out but we only just started, so it's kind of……"
When I explained, I can see that they can't understand what I'm trying to say.
"Hey, you two! Do not put your nose in other people's romance!"
Ah, my savior arrived. It's the manager's wife.
"Hey, the food is going to get cold so hurry up and eat!"
"Ye~s."
When the manager obediently returned, Yokotsan also reluctantly returned. I felt relieved, but when I tried to go back to the staff room, manager's wife gripped my shoulder.
"So? What is going on, Kanchan~~? Can you tell me the details?"
Madam grinned as she looked at me. In the end, should I tell her……
We returned to the staff room, and after I told her what happened, Miyoko-san, the manager's wife, who listened quietly, said with a broad smile.
"Oh my…… That's interesting! Why didn't you tell me sooner, so secretive."
"Oh, it's not interesting at all……!"
At my rebuttal, Miyoko-san pacified me.
"Kano-chan, you have no male's company for a while now although you are a beautiful woman, that's why I want you be in a relationship. That monk? Do not worry about details such as the things he liked about you. I hope you face each other properly."
"Well, you're right but……"
"If you find you do not suit each other while dating, you can break up. You don't know when you'll fall in love, so you should not think too much about it, okay~"
Certainly, what Miyoko-san said was true. I don't know where and when love is going to bloom.
On my way home from work that day, I was surprised to receive a call from Hazekursan.
The moment his name was displayed on the screen of my smartphone, I was overjoyed more than I thought.
"The fireworks display?"
『Yes. Are you amenable this Saturday night? If I'm not mistaken, you will have an early off that day, then will have a late shift the next day, right?』
For a moment, I thought that I might meet Yokotsan there. However, I will be happy to meet with Hasekursan for the first time in a while.
"Yes…… I'm looking forward to the fireworks."
『Good. Then I will pick you up in the evening…… See you on Saturday.』
"Yes."
I turned off my phone and thought a bit while still feeling the warmth on my chest.
The moment I heard his voice after a long while, my certainty was shaken. And remembering Miyoko-san's advise, I was lost in my thoughts.
Hey, guys~~! Guess what? The next chapter will have snu snu. Finally!! Fufufu~
But the chapter is ~20, 000 characters long, so I decided to give you the option.
I’m going to check the poll’s result after 5 days.