Kazunari-san has invited me on a date for my birthday!!
And it is going to be a date at the aquarium!!
Oh, I am so excited that I might not even be able to sleep tonight...
I wonder what kind of clothes I should wear on that day...
By now, the outfits that Kazunari-san enjoys have become my own favorites. That is why I have been secretly and quietly adding to my wardrobe whenever I go out with Natsumi... I would be so happy if he likes what I choose.
"I'm home."
"Welcome home, Sara-chan. Oh my, did something good happen?"
"...Why do you ask?"
"Hehe~, anyone could tell just by looking at that happy face of yours."
I patted my own cheeks, but without a mirror, it was hard to tell for myself.
"Could it be that Takanashi-san is taking you on a date for your birthday, Sara-chan?"
"!?"
"Oh, bullseye! That’s wonderful, Sara-chan."
"...Yes."
I could feel the corners of my mouth loosening despite myself.
But I simply couldn't help it.
From the moment he spoke to me about this Sunday, I did have my expectations. However, Kazunari-san wouldn't tell me any of the details... He is being a little bit mean.
On our usual days off, we might go out for shopping or window shopping, but we haven't actually had a proper date with a pre-determined destination yet.
That was largely because so many things had happened one after another from the time we started dating until now; to be honest, we just didn't have the leeway.
In particular, during that one incident I don't even want to remember, I didn't have the luxury to even think about such things...
Of course, as long as I am with Kazunari-san, I am happy no matter where we are, so I have no complaints at all. However, a date is something special...
Me: "Good evening, everyone."
Nishikawa: "Good evening. It has been a while, everyone."
Hanako: "Good evening. I'm glad to see you all looking well."
Todo: "Good evening! This is the first time I've ever done a RAIN call with this many people~"
Hayato: "You're right. It's a first for me, too. Good evening."
Tachikawa: "Good evening, everyone! It’s been a long time."
Natsumi: "Yahoo~."
Yuji: "Good evening. Kazunari, how’s your body holding up?"
Me: "Well... I'm managing."
I decided to try a Group RAIN Call for the first time.
We could have exchanged messages in text, but I figured talking would be faster. When I suggested it, everyone agreed to match their schedules because it sounded interesting.
Nishikawa: "Takanashi-san, how are things progressing?"
Me: "Everything is going according to plan. All that's left is the day itself."
Yuji: "Does that mean you managed to buy that present?"
Me: "Yeah, I handled it somehow."
Todo: "Takanashi-kun is really working hard, you know. My Grandfather was praising him."
Whoops, that was some unexpected intel... but it honestly made me happy to hear.
Hanako: "In that case, your Big Sister will give you some praise too the next time we meet."
Tachikawa: "Hanako-san, you're still sticking with that persona...?"
Natsumi: "More importantly, Takanashi-kun, I talked to Sara today and she’s definitely starting to notice something. She seems to be misunderstanding the details for now, though."
As I thought, keeping secrets from Sara-san was no easy feat. I thought I was doing a good job...
Me: "By the way, do you know specifically why she's catching on?"
Natsumi: "She mentioned a few things. Like how you can't wake up at your usual time in the morning, or how there are shirts in the laundry with different stains than usual, or how your body is looking more toned..."
Crap... the shirts were a total blind spot.
It was a failure on my part not to pay attention to that level of detail.
Tachikawa: "That's incredible... As expected of Satsukawa-senpai!"
Hanako: "The 'Commuter Wife' title isn't just for show."
Nishikawa: "Tell me, Takanashi-san. Just how much are you letting Sara do for you?"
Even through the phone screen, I could tell that Dark Nishikawa-san had emerged—the highlights in her eyes had completely vanished. It was terrifying.
Hayato: "Now, now. More importantly, we should do the final confirmation for the day, right?"
Yuji: "Right. We should confirm the specific Meeting Time and what everyone is bringing."
My two best friends immediately jumped in to mediate. Friends are truly a blessing.
Prompted by their suggestions, we went over the schedule for the day, everyone's availability, and the necessary items.
With that, the meeting was concluded.
Todo: "It's my first time going to a boy's room, so I'm actually a little excited~"
Hanako: "I recommend you dispose of anything you have hidden away while you still have the chance."
Nishikawa: "Eh... Um, it's my first time visiting a man's room too... I'm suddenly feeling very anxious..."
Me: "I'm telling you, I don't have anything like that."
Natsumi: "She’s right. He wouldn't leave anything dangerous like that in a room where Sara spends so much of her time."
Nishikawa: "......That's persuasive, but emotionally, it's very complicated."
Man, I don't know... I felt like my room was going to be searched, and it was a bit scary.
Saturday
Sara-san was in high spirits from the moment she woke up today.
She looked so truly happy that every time I saw her, I felt reassured that I was doing the right thing.
"Let's meet up at the Station Front tomorrow."
"Is the Station Front acceptable?"
"I thought it would feel more like a proper date that way."
"I see. If that is what you wish, then of course. It has been quite a while since I've met up with Kazunari-san to go out."
We hadn't been able to coordinate our schedules well until now, and I felt bad that we hadn't managed to have a really solid date before.
I’ll have to make sure to plan things like this more regularly from now on...
Alright, today is the final day of my Part-time Job.
Time to give it my all.
On my way home from Kazunari-san's House, my head was completely filled with thoughts of tomorrow.
My outfit for tomorrow is already decided. I chose a coordinate that Kazunari-san likes. The Menu for the bento is also set, so I will do the preparation tonight... Is there anything else...?
Ah!? That's right, the money!
I am the one who keeps the Cash Card and Bankbook for the account where Mother sends his funds, so Kazunari-san usually only has the bare minimum of cash on him. Since it is an Online Bank, he could withdraw it even now... Yes, I should go to the Convenience Store with Kazunari-san.
While I'm at it, I... also......?
...That's right. I am the one managing Kazunari-san's Living Expenses.
In that case, how did Kazunari-san prepare the tickets for this trip?
No, perhaps he received some Pocket Money from Mother. Or maybe it was money Kazunari-san had saved up personally.
...I tried to act composed, but I could feel a small seed of doubt gradually growing larger in my heart.
And then, I caught sight of Kazunari-san heading out somewhere......
"Good morning!"
"Morning, Takanashi-kun. So today is finally the last day... I'm going to miss having you here."
"Ahaha, I'm glad to hear you say that."
"I heard from Marina-chan—is your Right Hand doing okay?"
"It's fine. Besides, today is my Final Work Day!"
This job was ending today. They had truly taken care of me, and as a way of returning the favor, I intended to put even more effort into my work today than usual.
"Well then, I'll get started!"
"I'm counting on you."
Alright, let's do this.
I borrowed some Gloves and, for today, an Apron as well. I checked the Delivery Schedule for tomorrow...
"Good work, Takanashi-kun!"
"Hey, Kazunari. Good work."
It looked like Todo-san and even Hayato had come by today.
The two of them were together; it was good to see they were staying in close contact.
I shot a grin at Hayato, and he returned it with a wry smile.
"Since it's your last day, I came to cheer you on!"
"For the record, I was the one Todo-san called."
"Since you're best friends, we have to cheer for you at times like this, right?"
Hayato looked happy as Todo-san beamed at him.
I was grateful they came to support me, but they weren't planning to stay until the end of my shift, were they?
"Umm..."
"Oh, we're going to be over there making the decorations for tomorrow, so don't mind us."
"Apparently, that's the plan."
Sensing what I was about to ask, Todo-san filled me in ahead of time.
I see. Well, that was fine.
Since it was my final day, I wanted to focus on the task at hand.
I watched the two of them walk away side-by-side and began my work.
Today's workload was about average, so it looked like I could finish a bit early.
I loaded the items in reverse order of the Delivery Destination, starting with the last stop. My body had finally gotten used to the labor; the boxes that felt so heavy at first seemed much easier to handle now.
Load them up... bring them out from the Warehouse... load them... as I neared the end of this familiar routine, the pain in my hands started to flare up despite my caution. Just a little longer...
"Good work, Takanashi-kun. Oh, have you finished the loading already?"
Grandfather popped his head out to check on me.
The regular old men who usually hung around weren't here today, so he might have been a bit bored.
"Yes. All that’s left is organizing the Warehouse."
"Then you should take a little break. Marina-chan and the others were talking about something over there earlier—why don't you go see them?"
"I think I will. Thank you."
Leaving it at that, Grandfather retreated back into the shop.
I decided to take him up on the offer and see how the two of them were doing while I took a breather.
If they were flirting, I’d just leave them be (lol).
As I started walking in the direction Grandfather had pointed out, I saw someone running toward me.
Patter, patter, patter...
"Ta-Takanashi-kun! Wait up~!"
For some reason, Todo-san was running my way.
When she said wait, did she mean for me to stay right here?
I waited on the spot, and when Todo-san reached me, she thrust her hand out.
"H-here! This is a Refreshment!"
She was clutching the usual can of coffee.
I was happy to get it, but since she brought one every time, I was starting to feel a bit bad about it.
"Thanks, as always. By the way, where's Hayato?"
It looked like Todo-san had come over alone.
I only asked because I was curious after thanking her and taking the coffee, but...
"Eh!? Ah, um, y-yeah, he's working alone!"
?
Todo-san had a strangely unnatural reaction. There was nothing odd about Hayato working on the decorations alone, so why did she get so tongue-tied?
Feeling a slight sense of doubt, I took a sip of the coffee.