【Your big brother getting a girlfriend, huh...】
【Ah, a boyfriend for Airi...】
【Neither of you have brothers, after all.】
The two of them each dropped a single line of thought and then went silent for a while. I felt like one of them was worrying about something entirely wrong, but maybe they were trying to understand the feelings of the "girl at work" in their own way. Natsukawa's tendency to subtly substitute her own position into the scenario made me feel her high potential as a top-tier student. Even if her conclusion was wrong.
【It’s the same as if Sajocchi had his big sister taken away, right?】
【No?】
【You’re supposed to say "yes" there...】
I’d rather someone just take her off my hands already; I'd read the room and head right out the door to give them space. Aside from that, I don't know... even though she's constantly surrounded by the handsome guys of the student council, she gives off this weird vibe like she’ll never be able to get married, so I'm a little worried about her. She’s #2 on my personal ranking. As for #1... I won't say who, but it's the Disciplinary Committee President.
【I see. Then Sajocchi wouldn't be able to understand her.】
【No, I do? I have delicacy, you know?】
【I said I'm sorry.】
【He's sulking...】
In fact, I've been treating Ichinose-san kindly as if I'd done a complete 180. Ever since I heard that story, I've been overwhelmed by a protective urge. Until then, I felt like she was a "pain in the neck," but now I'm actively looking after her. I mean, do I even have a choice? She's been through a spiritual NTR. I have no choice but to be completely on her side.
【Still, just because her brother was taken by a girlfriend... (lol) That girl is cute.】
【Hey, it’s not really a laughing matter, is it?】
【You think? I just feel like she should just quit the job and make up with her brother.】
【Even after witnessing the scene?】
【The scene... eh? The scene? You mean... that scene!?】
【The, the scene...】
I could practically see the two of them turning red... Heheh, no, I'm starting to fantasize. Calm down. Even though I said "the scene," what Ichinose-san actually saw was a heavy "that." A heavy—no, the destructive power of that is bad enough. Even though he didn't really do anything wrong, I'm starting to find Kuma-san-senpai obnoxious. If only I had that kind of aura of a big, dependable guy...! Is it weight!? Do I just need to get fat and huge!?
【...Now that I think about it, she's practically bowing her head to achieve independence from her brother.】
【Y-Yeah.】
【Aichi, if Airi-chan ever felt that way about you...】
【Stop! Don't say it! I couldn't live!】
【...Sorry, Sajocchi.】
【Why are you so set on making me follow up for you?】
I've already reconfirmed that Natsukawa is a total siscon, so I need to stop casually bringing up Airi-chan's name. Natsukawa, please keep living; I'll be the one to die.
Regardless, what I've learned is that it’s difficult to put yourself in Ichinose-san’s position, even in your imagination. The point is that she loves her sibling, but the relationship between Natsukawa and Airi-chan feels different... It feels like Natsukawa is the "I'll definitely protect you!" type. Ichinose-san's is more like... a "I want to be wrapped up and feel your warmth" type. Hey, what is that, a couple who's been dating for a year and a half and is about to move in together? If anything, they're already under the same roof. It makes me feel like an idiot for only being wrapped up in my futon.
Anyway, I went and said it... Well, neither Natsukawa nor Ashida knows that my junior at work is Ichinose-san, so it's not like they'll feel a personal connection to her. It should be fine. Given Ichinose-san's personality, even when the second semester starts and we're in the same classroom, no connection is likely to form.
◆
I received some grateful words from Natsukawa and Ashida: "Well, just try to be nice to her." It seems it wasn't just me who felt like this was too delicate a problem to solve. When I declared the liquidation of my debt with, "Then let's consider my crimes against Natsukawa settled," Ashida let out a dissatisfied "Ehh." You were just pretending to be angry for your own amusement, weren't you...?
There wasn't much of summer vacation left. The next day, I discussed our future schedule for school days with the old man and Ichinose-san. We reached an agreement on a plan to carry over tasks that could be handled after school hours from the daytime shift.
"...Ah...!?"
"—Whoops."
"Tha... thank you very much..."
"You don't have to carry as much as I do. There are physical differences and all. It might take some time, but we don't get that many customers anyway. Let's take it nice and easy."
"Ah..."
I gathered the purchased books that had been appraised into a specialized basket to be moved. In this shop, if we have three copies of the same book, they don't put it on the shelves; instead, they seem to send them to shops run by the old man's acquaintances. Apparently, he has a surprisingly wide network within the industry.
Ichinose-san was packing books by imitating me, but it seemed the same amount I carried was too heavy for her. She stumbled after taking a few steps. I had a feeling it might happen, so I was able to support her right away. There's no need to push herself in situations where it isn't necessary.
"Here."
"Y-Yes!"
When your impression of someone flips, they start looking cuter by the day. Whether it's the height difference or her appearance that triggers a protective instinct, the way she follows me around is sort of like a small animal. Every time she picks up something heavy, her mouth clearly forms a "hmpf" shape. To be honest, she looks like nothing more than an elementary schooler doing her best. I'm so sorry.
But, for a girl like this to...
I sigh every time I remember. What is her big brother doing? You shouldn't make such a cute younger sister feel sad. You should have handled things more skillfully.
"Welcome...!"
"Oh, that was good."
She's getting used to projecting her voice. When I quietly gave her my feedback right after she spoke, she shrunk back in embarrassment. What is this... what is this feeling of wanting to give her snacks!? If this were Osaka, wouldn't she be going home with a mountain of candy just by walking outside? No, rather than snacks, I want to give her a large piece of bread and watch her nibble on it like a hamster.
"U-Um..."
"Yeah?"
"A-About this..."
"Ah, this is—"
Aside from her desire to improve, she seems to have gotten the hang of the workflow. Even if the old man or I teach her, there are bound to be things we miss. She asks when she doesn't understand, and since she's asking me, I give her a solid answer. Since I'll soon be leaving the job to Ichinose-san alone, I'm putting more effort into this too.
In school classes, even if there's something you don't understand, it's hard to ask. If you were to boldly raise your hand and say, "Yes, Teacher!" and ask a question, you'd end up as a convenient and pitiful guy who gets mocked with "What's up with him, trying to be a goody-two-shoes? So lame (lol)" and then gets used by people to copy his assignments. Thanks, Matsushita-kun, you really saved me back then.
To be perfectly serious, that's what feels good about a part-time job. In the classroom, just doing things normally creates an atmosphere of "Huh? Why are you being so serious?" but here, it’s a real job, so sincerity is simply required. Someone like me gets halfway through the work and thinks, "I want to go home soon," but maybe the truly serious people in this world find more value in a part-time job than in school?
Nah, a serious person wouldn't work a part-time job in the first place. They'd probably look down on it, thinking, "What is a student, whose duty is to study, doing working a part-time job?" I won't forgive you, Matsushita-kun.
"Actually, I was drilled much harder on how to handle the products. But Ichinose-san, maybe because you're a reader, you're incredibly careful. I think the way you handle things so delicately is amazing, especially since I was clumsy at first."
"D-Do you really think so...?"
"Yeah, I'm impressed."
Wait, why am I naturally heaping praise on her? That's right... it's that incredible "year-below" aura radiating from Ichinose-san that makes me do it. It's ten times more intense than Sasaki-san's. Sorry to both of you. I feel like these two shouldn't have met me.
"...Hehe..."
"...!?"
Wait...! What was that smile!? I feel like it's the first time I've seen Ichinose-san look adult-like! Wait, what? Did she get happy from being praised? She smiles like that!? She’s actually really cute!
"Ichinose-san, I think you should show your face more often...—wait, what?"
"...Eh?"
I realized my slip of the tongue as soon as I said it. It just popped out of my mouth before I knew it.
Wait, hey, what am I saying! I already decided it's better never to touch on things that likely have a dark background. There’s definitely a reason why she has bangs long enough to hide her entire face! And she's a girl, to boot!
"Um...?"
"Ah! No! I mean! Like, there's nothing wrong with your face or anything, so I just wondered why you hide it so much...!"
"..."
It was a desperate excuse, or rather, a cover-up. I did think her forehead was a bit wide, but if she grows up like that, she'll probably have a nice anime-style face and would be great material for a cosplayer. I'd like to see it. Though it'll definitely never happen. But I do feel like it's a waste...
Ichinose-san stroked her side-parted bangs with both hands like a job hunter, then lightly pinched them and stroked them again.
"—I-Is that so...?"
"—!"
Guh... so cute. What is that gesture... height differences are amazing; she's looking up at me just by talking normally. She’s already got a pose going with both hands at her head. Her appearance in the work apron is practically already some kind of cosplay. But what is this sense of guilt I feel just from my heart skipping a beat for a classmate... Can I touch your forehead?
"Y-Yeah... right. Yeah."
"I see..."
Isn't this what it means to open up? I felt it even more because I'd been fumbling my way through interacting with Ichinose-san. It’s true that once you become friends, you'll talk about more personal things. I think being able to bring up Ichinose-san's bangs was a big step forward. Delicacy... yeah, I have delicacy, right? Probably, surely, maybe.
There might have been some awkwardness at first, but I think we've reached a point where it doesn't interfere with our work interactions. I feel that bond deepening every day we spend together, and she's gradually becoming able to handle normal customer service. Seeing her get embarrassed when a female customer called her cute is proof of her growth. Not long ago, her mind would have gone blank and she wouldn't have been able to say anything.
Sasaki-san, who occasionally dropped by, had an impressive sense of maturity. Perhaps because they shared some hobbies, she and Ichinose-san were opening up to each other quite well. It still felt a bit like Sasaki-san's friendliness was one-sided, but Ichinose-san was responding properly. At first, their ages seemed reversed, but... how should I put it, Ichinose-san has started to look more like she's actually older than Sasaki-san.
As I felt Ichinose-san's growth, I began to feel a sense of nostalgia for the old-fashioned shop interior, knowing that my time here would soon be over.
However, an incident occurred just as summer vacation was a few days away from ending.
"Eh... Sajou-kun?"
"Eh, Ichinose-senpai...?"
When I finished my shift and went outside, there was a fan waiting for me.
(Please give me your autograph.)