───● The Tsundere OL Finds Out ●○●
If you ask people which day of the week is the most mentally draining, most would probably say Monday. Today, like any other day, I put on my suit. Put on some makeup half-heartedly.
This moment, when I step back into my unchanging daily routine, was unbearably depressing.
“Morning…”
I opened the door to the office.
I offered a perfunctory greeting to my colleagues and walked quickly to my desk.
Lately, the prospect of seeing Masato on the weekends has boosted my overall motivation for life, but that doesn’t necessarily translate to motivation for work.
I’ve mostly resigned myself to the fact that it’s just for the money.
Just before I reached my desk.
I glanced absentmindedly at the large whiteboard in the center of the office.
This whiteboard has the schedule for the week, and if someone is taking a day off, their schedule is written there, but.
“Huh…?”
The whiteboard looked the same as always. However, one thing caught my eye.
In the Friday column. Looking closely, I saw that Miki-senpai was taking the afternoon off.
Friday is the day of our “banquet.”
If she’s taking the afternoon off, does that mean she’s not going this week…?
“Seira, mornin’~”
“Ah, Miki-senpai, good morning.”
Just as I was thinking that, Miki-senpai showed up at the perfect time.
Might as well ask her.
“Miki-senpai, are you taking Friday afternoon off this week?”
“Fufufu… That I am. Oh, but don’t worry, I’ll be at the ‘banquet.’”
“? You are?”
“Wanna know why?”
Miki-senpai grinned slyly.
Ugh, she definitely wants me to ask…
“I-I am a little curious…”
When I dutifully said I was curious, Miki-senpai beckoned me over. She wanted me to lean in.
With a sigh, I went closer.
“Ever heard of a douhan shukkin?”
“Eh…”
Douhan shukkin. I’ve heard of it.
If I remember correctly, it’s a system where you meet up with a boy beforehand and go to the bar together… wait, no way!
“That’s right~♪ I’m going on a date with Yuusee-kun, and then we’re going to the bar together♪”
“…!”
I-I’m so jealous!
Insanely jealous. What, that’s not fair.
“I know, right~? Apparently, there’s not much benefit for the boys at that bar to do douhan? So they won’t do it unless you’re like, a serious favorite of theirs~ Man, what a pain~ I guess he’s really taken a liking to me~!”
S-So annoying.
But it was probably true. I knew Miki-san and that boy were getting along well…
“S-So, did the boy ask you?”
“…”
Ah, she looked away.
Of course. She asked him herself. Thank god. I breathed a sigh of relief inwardly.
If he had been the one to ask her, it would have been all over.
But if Miki-senpai could ask and get a ‘yes,’ then there’s still hope for me. It means I can be the one to ask, too.
Alright, time to put that plan into action.
“I’ll… I’ll ask him, too.”
“Ooh, nice, nice. And besides… there’s this, you know, this.”
“?”
Miki-senpai pointed to the whiteboard behind her.
There.
“Oh, right… It’s almost bonus season, isn’t it.”
“Yep! Fufufu… my wallet is more than ready. I can enjoy the douhan to the fullest…! Maybe I’ll even buy him a present…”
It’s true, with my bonus coming, it’s easier to splurge a little.
I obviously can’t do a douhan every week, so this is the perfect opportunity to make a good impression.
My heart started to pound with excitement.
“Well, Masato-kun probably thinks well of you, Seira, so I’m sure he’ll say yes to a douhan!”
Good luck! Miki-senpai said with a smile as she headed to her own desk.
That was some good information.
I immediately took out my phone and messaged Masato. The conversation from last night ended with my message, but I didn’t care.
<Mochizuki Seira>
‘Masato, good morning.’
‘It’s okay to say no if you don’t want to, but would you be able to do a douhan this Friday?’
I rewrote it two or three times before settling on that wording.
I still haven’t been able to see Masato outside of the bar. This is a chance to take a new step.
It’s too late to take Friday afternoon off now, so unlike Miki-senpai, we probably won’t have enough time for what you could call a proper ‘date.’
But just getting dinner before going to the bar is enough.
Even that will be a special time for me.
Because I swore to myself that I wouldn’t stay just a customer forever. …Masato’s reply will probably come around 11 A.M.
That’s usually the time he replies in the morning. All I can do now is wait.
I ended up spending the entire morning feeling restless.
The long-awaited Friday arrived.
Uncharacteristically, I wore one of my nicer suits.
I’d already checked my makeup and appearance in the bathroom of the shopping complex at the station. That’s right. I was going on a douhan.
When I got the ‘OK’ message, I jumped for joy.
It’s okay. I’ve done my absolute best to look my best today.
A deep breath.
‘Festa’ is about a five-minute walk from the exit on the opposite side of the station where I am now. Apparently, for douhan, people tend to meet up somewhere close to the bar.
Well, that makes sense, considering you’re going there together afterwards.
I glanced at my watch.
Even my watch was my favorite one. A silver bangle, with a small face and a pale pink surface.
It’s almost time for Masato to arrive.
My heart is pounding. Is it possible to be this happy just from getting to see him outside?
“Seira-san!”
My heart skipped a beat.
That voice. That aura. There’s no mistaking it.
I slowly turned towards the voice.
“Thank goodness! Did I keep you waiting? I’m sorry.”
“…”
Standing there was an angel… no… a demon?
He was just too handsome. An assault of handsomeness. Right now, I think I’d be happy even if Masato punched me with all his might.
His usual loosely permed black hair.
A white, short-sleeved collared shirt… with the top button undone, revealing a sparkling silver necklace at his throat.
The chic black pants gave him a different kind of formal look than when I see him at the bar.
It was just…!
“Too fucking hot…!”
“…? Did you say something?”
“N-Nothing… I wasn’t waiting long at all. Let’s go.”
Whoa, that was close. The words just slipped out.
But this is just too much! Coming here dressed like that…! He probably chose a more formal look to match my suit.
And on top of that, his usual heart-melting smile was still there.
This is a weapon. The kind that could easily kill someone.
“…?”
Don’t tilt your head like that, you’re too cute…!
M-My eyes are being drawn to his neck…! H-His collarbones… there isn’t a single woman alive who wouldn’t look!!
You’re teasing me, aren’t you!
“L-Let’s just go!”
“Right! Sorry for making you get a reservation and everything! I’m looking forward to it.”
Ahhh, so cute~ I can’t~.
Eh, this is a date, right? I’m correct in assuming I’m on a date with this boy, right?
It’s just a dinner date, but… still… it’s the best.
Trying to keep him from noticing my racing heart, I started walking towards the restaurant I’d booked.
“Reservation for Mochizuki at 6:30.”
“…Ah, yes, right this way.”
…That girl at the reception desk… she was totally staring at Masato… Well, I can’t say I don’t understand… but sorry, sweetie. He’s mine.
A sweet pleasure ran down my spine.
An indescribable feeling of superiority. It’s intoxicating. Addictive.
We arrived safely at the restaurant. On the way, just having Masato walking beside me felt like a dream. I barely remember what we talked about.
In the end, I chose this place, but I agonized over the decision.
I wanted to show him my mature, older woman side and pick an expensive place, but I was worried he’d feel intimidated if it was too fancy.
But on the other hand, I wasn’t sure if a cheap place would be good enough for him.
So, I chose a happy medium.
I picked a restaurant with a terrace. The kind that’s a little expensive for a college student, but still nice.
“Wow~ this place is beautiful…!”
“Hehe. Getting this excited over something like this, you’re still a kid, Masato.”
“Hey, th-that’s not true. I’m totally an adult.”
“Fufufu… it’s fine, it’s fine. Here, sit.”
A table on the terrace.
The sun was already setting, and the streetlights in the park outside were starting to flicker on.
Yep. I’m glad I picked a place with a good view.
“You can order whatever you want. I’m paying.”
“Wh-What? You can’t, let me pay for at least a little.”
“Nope. I’m the one who insisted on this douhan. You’re not paying a single yen.”
“But that’s not right…”
“It’s really fine. Don’t worry about it. Like I said before, I’m not exactly hurting for money.”
I have no one else and no hobbies to spend it on. So for now, I’ll spend it on Masato.
For me, it was the most natural, obvious thing in the world.
“…This pasta was so delicious…! I can’t remember the last time I ate something this good…”
“Fufufu… yes. It was very good.”
Honestly, I barely tasted it.
But Masato was sitting right in front of me… and he ate with such a happy look on his face.
That alone sent my happiness meter through the roof. There’s surely no greater joy than this.
I’m so glad. I’m so, so glad.
As I was enjoying my after-dinner tea… I decided to bring up something that had been on my mind for a while.
“Hey, Masato.”
“…Yes?”
His blank expression is so cute. My cute Masato.
“…Why are you doing this job?”
“…Ah, well…”
This was a taboo question.
I knew that. In a way, it’s a business where you’re selling yourself. Everyone has their own circumstances, and as a mere customer, it’s not a line I should cross.
But I’ve come to know his charm. So I couldn’t help but wonder. He’s not the type of person who would choose this kind of work.
Even at the bar, he clearly stands out. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to him.
Masato scratches his cheek, at a loss for how to answer.
…As I thought, he doesn’t want to talk about it. That’s why I didn’t ask over text.
If I was going to ask this, I wanted to do it face-to-face.
“I’m sorry. It’s a difficult thing to talk about, isn’t it?”
“Ah, no, it’s not really a big deal, but…”
He put down his mug in a fluster.
“The truth is… I don’t have any money. I grew up in an institution. And then, someone who works at that bar was really kind to me, and they let me work there… that’s basically it.”
“Eh…? A-An institution…?”
An institution, like a children’s home?
“Ah, yes. It’s weird, isn’t it? I don’t have parents.”
“…! I’m so sorry!”
“Eh? …Ah, no, no! I really don’t mind, so it’s okay!?”
What a stupid thing to ask…!
Without even knowing what he’s been through…!
“Really, it’s fine. I’m blessed now. I’m living a normal life… I’m happy.”
“…!”
—A mix of emotions swirled within me.
The feeling that Masato, smiling in front of me, is adorable, and the regret of asking such a stupid question.
And also.
An undeniable, and overwhelmingly strong desire to protect him.
“Man~ that was really delicious! Thank you so much!”
“It’s nothing. A thank you for everything you always do.”
We left the restaurant, and Masato stretched his arms out wide.
Every little gesture he makes is so endearing, so irresistible.
“But I haven’t done anything to repay you…”
“Let’s see… then will you go out with me like this again?”
“Eh? Of course, I’d love to.”
Fufufu… yes. I managed to naturally secure our next date.
Next time, not before going to the bar… but after.
Because I’m no longer just a customer and he’s no longer just a boy. I can be someone he can talk to if he’s in trouble, someone who can protect him.
I can’t stop a smile from spreading across my face.
“Well, shall we head to the bar?”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
I started walking, and Masato followed.
My spirits are high, but unlike usual, I’m not nervous. It’s a strange feeling, like I’m floating, but my mind is crystal clear.
Right now, I feel like I could say something bold that I normally wouldn’t be able to.
“Hey.”
“…?”
Hey, my cute, beloved Masato.
“Can we… hold hands on the way to the bar?”
“…O-Okay.”
A little shyly, Masato holds out his hand. That simple fact excites me beyond belief. It’s surely because I was able to get closer to him. Because I learned what’s in his heart. This is a huge step. A huge step for Masato and me to stop being just a customer and a boy.
I intertwined our fingers. Masato’s hand is warm.
Ah. This is the best feeling. I’m drunk on the sweet bliss.
I can feel the trust in the warmth of his hand. He’s opening up to me. The reality of that fact makes an indescribable impulse well up in my chest.
…Hey, Masato.
I look at the beloved boy walking beside me. The cool, cute Masato. And yet…
The pitiful, lonely Masato.
I’ll protect you.
So you won’t have to do this kind of work anymore. I’ll do my best for you.
I squeezed his hand tightly. So that we would never be separated.
Let’s be together forever.
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