Saturday marked the sixth day of my life of part-time jobs.
Beep, beep, beep... Beep, beep, beep...
.........
Ding-dong...
"Hah!?"
I bolted upright, spurred by a foggy sense of dread. It felt as though I’d heard the doorbell ringing in my dreams, or perhaps I’d forgotten something crucial.
As my consciousness sharpened, that sinking feeling only intensified. I scrambled to check my smartphone screen and—
It was already this late!?
Crap, I had to move!
I had never overslept this close to the wire before.
I’d worked my shift at the liquor store until the very last second the previous night, but even so, the timing hadn't been much different from usual.
If I had to guess, it was likely because the weekend rush had increased the delivery volume. I’d spent the whole night hauling heavy crates of alcohol, and the sheer physical toll was finally catching up to me.
Was that why I was so exhausted?
Ding-dong...
Knock, knock...
Oh no—Mayumi-san!
I’d completely forgotten that this was the time she usually arrived to deliver my bento. Deciding that getting dressed could wait, I rushed to the entrance to open the door.
Wait... now that I thought about it, was today a day I even needed a bento?
"I'm opening it now!"
Leaving the questions for later, I called out to Mayumi-san, who was presumably waiting on the other side, and turned the lock.
Click.
The doorknob turned, and the door swung open. Standing there, just as I’d expected, was Mayumi-san.
"Good morning, Takanashi-sa... n?"
Noticing that I hadn't even started getting ready, Mayumi-san tilted her head, her expression shifting to one of mild confusion.
"Oh my. Not ready for the day yet?"
"I-I'm so sorry. I overslept..."
Hearing my confession, Mayumi-san stepped inside with a polite "Excuse me," moving to the chair to set down the neatly folded laundry I'd given her yesterday.
She glanced at the bread sitting on the table and then checked the clock.
"It’s a shame, but it doesn't look like you have time for me to cook breakfast. I'll toast the bread for you, so please, go get ready."
"I'm sorry, I'll be quick."
Prioritizing speed, I left the kitchen to her and started changing my clothes.
I considered heading to the changing area, but there was no time for such formalities. Mayumi-san didn't seem to mind, so I figured it was fine.
"By the way, what brings you here today?" I asked, wondering if there was another reason for her visit beyond the laundry.
"I just wanted to check on you, just in case. You seemed quite tired yesterday."
"......I'm sorry."
After rushing through my morning routine, I returned to the table to find the toast and a drink waiting for me.
As I bit into the bread, Mayumi-san watched me with a discerning eye.
"Sleeping in like that... aren't you getting quite exhausted?"
It wasn't just yesterday's work; the strain of suddenly juggling multiple unfamiliar part-time jobs was likely starting to show.
That was a distinct possibility, but including today, there were only two days left. I just had to power through this final stretch with sheer willpower.
"No, I'm fine. I was just a bit late getting in last night, that's all."
"......I see. I'll come pick you up after school ends."
"Thank you, I’d appreciate that."
Mayumi-san looked as though she wanted to say more, but in the end, she bit back her words.
She had accepted my answer for now, but I could tell she’d noticed something was off.
"...kun, Takanashi-kun?"
The sensation of someone gently shaking my shoulder brought me back to consciousness. When I opened my eyes, I saw Todo-san’s worried face hovering over me.
I’d intended to stay awake, but it seemed I’d drifted off without even realizing it.
"Are you all right, Kazunari?"
Behind Todo-san stood Hayato, his expression similarly clouded with concern.
I looked around; we were at the usual flowerbed.
I remembered eating my bento, but everything after that was a blank. Which meant I’d been out cold since lunch.
I pulled my smartphone from my pocket to check the time. There were only about five minutes left until the first bell.
That’s right—the watering! I turned toward the flowerbed, only to see that the soil was already damp.
Which meant...
"Sorry... you even did the watering for me..."
"Don't worry about that. We can handle that much. More importantly, are you okay?"
It seemed they had let me sleep until the last possible second, even finishing the cleanup for me. I felt terrible for being such a burden.
"Kazunari, aren't you getting pretty worn out?"
".........To be honest, it’s been a bit of a struggle."
"Takanashi-kun, if it’s too much, you should take today off. I'll talk to my grandfather..."
"I'm okay. This stage of the work ends tomorrow, and I'm only working the morning. I can rest properly once the afternoon hits."
".........Okay, I understand."
I hated making them worry, but since I’d come this far, I only had to hold on for one more push.
"This goes here... and this like that..."
I was busy sorting documents by department, organizing them in Japanese alphabetical order, and filing them away with specific numbers.
By applying the same numbers to related files, I was creating a system where everything could be identified at a glance, making future searches much easier.
Fortunately, there was plenty of shelf space, so organizing them for clarity was a breeze.
Alright, this box is done.
I went to lift it onto the desk and—"Ow!?"
A sharp pain shot through my right hand—specifically from the callus that had formed just below my right ring finger.
There were two other spots that looked like they were hardening into calluses as well.
I’d been hauling heavy loads at the liquor store constantly, and between the weight and perhaps a poor grip, these calluses had appeared before I knew it.
It was my first time dealing with them. I’d heard about them before, but experiencing the real thing made me think, "Ah, so this is what it feels like."
The fact that it hurt more than I’d expected was a nuisance, but I couldn't exactly stop using my hands. I just had to endure.
The part-time job at the Satsukawa family was done tomorrow, and the liquor store job would end next week. Just a little longer...
"Wait... am I finished?"
The box in front of me was empty. When I looked around for the next one, I realized the boxes that had been strewn across the floor were all gone.
The work was truly over.
I double-checked the department names and the files lined up on the shelves. Everything seemed to be in order. I’d been so absorbed in the task that I hadn't even noticed the end approaching.
If that was the case, what would I do tomorrow?
Even if it was only half a day, losing out on that planned income would sting. If there was other work to be done...
Knock, knock...
Click...
"Good work, Takanashi-san."
Mayumi-san had come to check on me.
As she stepped into the room, she noticed the empty floor and her eyes widened in surprise.
"Oh my. Could it be that you've finished everything?"
"Yes. I surprised myself, but it was over before I knew it."
"Don't tell me you did all this without taking a single break again..."
"......I'm sorry. I was just focused on the work. I didn't even notice the time."
When I told her the truth, she sighed and muttered, "Well, I suppose it can't be helped," looking quite exasperated. At the very least, she didn't give me a punishment. (Not that I was hoping for one.)
"First of all, excellent work. You really gave it your all. Thank you so much."
"No, thank you as well. I was in a bind because I couldn't find work, so you really saved me."
We bowed to each other, and when our eyes met as we straightened up, we both broke into smiles.
"Hahaha..."
"Ufufu... Honestly, Takanashi-san. Ah, that's right—since you clearly haven't taken a break, I'm here to force you to rest. I've prepared some tea, so please come to the living room."
"Yes, thank you."
With the work finished, I had no reason to refuse. I followed her, feeling a touch of sentimentality.
It had been a short time, but this might be the last time I’d step into this room where I’d worked every day.
I took a final look around. Unlike when I’d first arrived, the shelves were now filled with neatly organized files.
Feeling a surge of pride at what I’d accomplished, I closed the door behind me.
The filing might have been over, but I was already locked in my next battle.
My opponent was a formidable foe named drowsiness.
I was sitting on the sofa in the living room, nibbling on the sweets and tea Mayumi-san had provided, but I felt my head start to droop. I had to keep forcing myself awake.
The exhaustion was real, and now that the work was done, the tension that had kept me going had snapped. Everything that had been wound tight inside me was beginning to unravel.
As usual, Mayumi-san was sitting right next to me. I could feel her watching me, but I didn't have the mental energy to worry about that; if I let my guard down for a second, I’d be dead to the world.
"...Takanashi-san, down you go."
Down I go? Before I could process the words, Mayumi-san’s hands reached out and gently pushed me over.
I ended up horizontal, and the situation was unmistakably a lap pillow.
Normally, I would have bolted upright in a panic, but today I lacked the strength to resist.
Even so, I tried to push myself up, only to be held down by a gentle but firm pressure.
"There's still plenty of time, so please, sleep for a while."
"No, really, this is... I can't..."
"No 'buts.' Consider this a punishment for not taking your breaks. Now, stay still and sleep."
Mayumi-san’s tone was playful yet firm, and as she spoke, I felt my last shred of resistance crumbling.
"I'll wake you when the time is right, so just let yourself sleep. If you're this tired when you talk to Sara-chan tonight, she'll see right through you, won't she?"
I had a brief moment of surprise—wondering how she knew about our calls—but I didn't have the energy to ask. My consciousness began to dissolve into a hazy slumber.
"Ufufu... how nostalgic."
I thought I heard those words from somewhere far away, but only for a fleeting second...
"I... I truly don't know what to say..."
I was practically ready to perform a full kowtow in apology, but Mayumi-san only beamed at me.
"Goodness, I told you not to worry about it."
Exhaustion, the release of tension, the sugar from the sweets, the afternoon lull—multiple factors had conspired to knock me out. But still, I couldn't believe I’d actually accepted a lap pillow from Sara-san's mother.
The moment I’d woken up and realized the situation, I’d been overcome by the gravity of my blunder. I’d been sitting in seiza on the sofa ever since, apologizing profusely.
Ugh... I really want to apologize to Sara-san, too... but I can't even tell her about this...
"Giving you a lap pillow was my decision, Takanashi-san, so please, let it go. Or... is a lap pillow from your mother-in-law really that much of a problem for you?"
"No, it's not that, it's just..."
"Then, since both you and I are perfectly fine, there's no problem at all, is there?"
Was that really how it worked?
Even if Mayumi-san said she was fine with it, it was still a massive problem for me.
I’d accept her kindness this once, but I vowed to never let my guard down like this again.
"Well then... um, thank you very much."
"Yes, you're very welcome. Fufu. It actually made me quite happy; it reminded me of my own high school days."
"Is that so?"
If this situation reminded her of her high school days, she was likely thinking of Masaomi-san.
I’d heard that Mayumi-san had been the senpai and Masaomi-san the kouhai, the same dynamic Sara and I had now. Perhaps they’d shared moments like this back then.
Wait... I often got lap pillows from Sara-san, too. In that sense, were we really following in their footsteps?
"Now then, I'm going to start on dinner, so please, just relax. I expect that person will be home before long."
Mayumi-san stood and headed toward the kitchen.
Watching her leave, I found myself genuinely curious about what kind of high school life the two of them had led. I hoped I’d have the chance to ask her about it one day.