Chapter 129 - Reconnaissance
(1)
"Thanks for the hard work."
I entered the shop where I work part-time.
There were still few customers at this hour, and the owner was in the break room with a newspaper spread open, reading.
"Oh, Sakai-kun. Good work."
The owner noticed me and greeted me.
"But is this really alright? Filling up your entire holiday break with part-time work."
"It's fine, please don't worry about it."
No matter where you go during a holiday break, it's just crowds of people, and it gets annoying.
Besides, it gives me an excuse to turn down invitations from those people.
"Well, don't be like that; take at least one day off. It's better to be able to rest a little."
"Then, just one day."
"Hey, Makiko, don't just give him one day—let him have two days off, Thursday and Friday. Sakai-kun has been working non-stop."
The one who walked in saying that was the owner's husband, who serves as the shop's cook. Ryosuke Kuwata.
He has a large build, like a big bear, but his hands are surprisingly dexterous.
All the bread served in this shop is handmade by Ryosuke-san.
The bread has a reputation for being delicious.
"See, Sakai-kun. Hurry up and change. I'll do your hair like usual. Honestly, if you keep this up, you'll never get a girlfriend."
Being told that, I made my way to the changing room.
Once inside, I quickly changed and tightened my tie.
As expected, I can't wear a tracksuit in a food establishment.
A sense of cleanliness is important.
My hair is a mess, but I can do something about that now.
When I left the changing room, Ryosuke-san told me to sit in a chair.
As I sat, Ryosuke-san began applying wax to my hair and styling it.
"It might be about time you cut it shorter."
"How much should I cut?"
"Sakai-kun, any hairstyle suits you, so just do whatever you like."
"That's right, Sakai-kun's basic features aren't bad."
The owner joined the conversation.
"You won't get anything out of me just by flattering me."
"It's not flattery. If you wear proper clothes and present yourself properly, you'd be popular, Sakai-kun."
No, if I wanted to be popular, I would have done that.
It's not that I particularly want to be popular. Besides, even if I got a girlfriend, there's no merit for me.
I'd be made to spend money. I'd have to carve out time. I'd have to accompany her even on my days off.
That kind of thing is a hassle, so it's easier and better to be alone—that's why I'm alone.
If I were with someone, I'd have to come up with topics of conversation; I don't have that much of a vocabulary or many hobbies.
If I had to name a hobby, it would be coffee, and the only other thing I can do is soccer, and there's nothing else I want to do.
I just want to live a peaceful, unremarkable life.
It's not that there isn't a girl I'm interested in, though.
"Ryosuke-san, an order's come in~!"
The one who entered the break room energetically was a fellow part-timer, Ichinose-san.
The person I mentioned before.
You know, the one I was told about when they said, "There's someone you're interested in, isn't there?"
A very cute girl with a great figure and a bright personality.
If I had to point out a highlight, it would be her large breasts.
Let me be clear, it's not that I like huge breasts or anything like that.
Just a highlight point.
There's no one else, right? (I was half-forcibly put into it) In our little circle.
Well, being in a circle isn't a bad thing, so I joined reluctantly.
They don't take activity fees, and the messages are just a bit noisy, so it's not a problem at all.
Though I get summoned occasionally.
That's why I've scheduled my part-time work.
I'm not the only one who turns them down by saying, "I have work~."
"The customers are increasing. Sakai-kun, come help out too."
Ichinose-san spoke, and since Ryosuke-san's styling seemed finished, I went out to the shop.
(2)
Occupying the counter were one man and a group of three women.
I know the man.
My friend, Ryuji Nakajima.
A student in the same year and department as me.
Someone who played soccer at Shiroshina.
Now he's in the Soccer Club circle.
"Have you decided on your orders, guests?"
"The usual for me."
"I'll have an iced tea."
"Lemon squash."
"Coffee float."
After taking the orders, I posted the slips in the kitchen.
"As always, Yoshiyuki is an ikemen when he's working."
You don't use "ikemen" just to say someone looks good.
Their actions and inner self have to be polished too.
As for the look, it's just that the uniform of this shop is cool.
"Coming from you, that sounds like nothing but irony."
I said that to Nakajima.
"But you were popular when you played soccer, right? You should play soccer again."
"I can't, I have work."
If I were going to play soccer at university, I would have honestly gone to a Private University.
But if I said that, it would reveal that I had a recommendation for soccer, so I kept quiet.
"Nakajima-kun, was there such a handsome person at our university?"
One of the women said to Nakajima.
"You didn't know? His name is Sakai, and he was famous back when he played soccer."
"Heh~, I'm not interested in soccer. Is he the person who sometimes sits next to Nakajima-kun?"
"That's him."
"No way, this person is the one who always comes in loungewear!?"
"Yeah, humans can transform, right?"
"I can't believe it..."
The group of three women were dumbfounded.
It's not rude loungewear. It's legitimate outing clothes.
Even so, the top and bottom set costs over 10,000 yen.
How many days' worth of food do they think that is?
"By the way, Nakajima-kun, is the soccer club activity okay for today?"
"There are parts where seniors are prioritized, so what's the point of me, who isn't even a substitute, going to practice?"
"Ah, I see."
I was relieved by this.
The anxiety factor of being forcibly put into a soccer match became zero.
"Speaking of soccer, I heard you're on good terms with the fantasista from Hofu High?"
"Yeah, recently I was forcibly made a member by the inner circle."
"No way!? That person is kind of cool! Introduce me next time!"
"That person comes to the shop occasionally. With his girlfriend."
The one who said that was Ichinose-san.
"Private chatter during work is NG, Sakai-kun."
"Sorry, sorry."
"Who is she? This person is cute."
I guess so; Nakajima-kun probably doesn't know her.
In my mind, she's a top-class woman.
"I'm Honoka Ichinose. I'm in the nursing department."
"Heh, I'm Ryuji Nakajima. I'm a friend of Sakai's whom I met at university. Do you have a boyfriend?"
"I don't."
Huh?
Didn't she say she had one the other day?
"I see, what a waste for such a beauty."
"I'm not happy being told that by someone who is with three such lovely women."
She's the type of person who says things so bluntly.
I don't dislike that about her.
As the four of them finished their idle chatter, they finished their drinks and settled the bill.
"Thanks. The coffee here is great."
"I'll let Ryosuke-san know. Thank you for your patronage."
If possible, I hope they don't use this place as a spot to hit on women.
Then, there was some commotion at the entrance.
"Eh!? No way!? Seriously!!"
"It's this person, right!? The transistor who was on TV."
Knowing about transistors at that age is a threat (T/N: a pun/mishearing of fantasista).
I guessed who had arrived.
He occasionally comes with his girlfriend.
And he's a good customer who converses quietly and then leaves.
However, today seems to be different.
...My mouth hung open, and the words "Welcome" wouldn't come out.
Instead, Ichinose-san said it for me.
"Please, this way to your seats."
Ichinose-san guided them to the seats for large groups.
"No way!? It's Honoka! You were working here!?"
Sashihara-san pointed at Ichinose-san in surprise.
"Ai-chan. Eh!? Why are you here?"
"I heard Sakai-kun was working, so I came to see his work ethic."
"Uh, um, how many people?"
"Six, I think."
Those who came were Katagiri-kun, Tosaka-san, Eguchi-san, Ishihara-kun, Watanabe-kun, and Sashihara-san.
"Then, the seats in the back will be fine?"
"That's fine."
Saying so, the high-quality customer led the uninvited guests and swarmed into the back seats.
(3)
Student cafeteria.
"Hmm..."
While eating lunch and consulting among themselves about Sakai-kun, Airi began to worry.
"What's wrong, Airi?"
I asked while eating the bento Airi had made.
"Toya-kun, as a fellow man, what do you think? About Sakai-kun."
"I think he's normal?"
"That's the thing, he's normal. When he's acting normal."
"?"
"Rather, he feels like the type who would be popular, Sakai-kun."
"Could you tell me more about that in detail? Tosaka-san."
Watanabe-kun joined the conversation.
"I want to know too, how on earth that guy with the twisted guts can seem like he'd be popular."
Eguchi-san was also full of curiosity.
Ishihara-kun was eating a normal bento.
I looked at Eguchi-san's hands.
Her fingertips were rough and covered in bandages. She must have worked hard to make it.
I'm envious, Ishihara-kun.
"When he's working, he's a total ikemen. To the point where you wonder, 'Are they really the same person? Does he have a split personality?'"
"Really?"
Eguchi-san looked at Airi's face suspiciously.
"He's probably a person whose on-off switch is very clear."
I followed up for Airi.
"That gap is just so intense."
Saying so, Airi began to worry again.
So her worry is, "Why can't he do that normally?"
Then, Watanabe-kun made a proposal.
"For now, why don't we go see this 'on' state Sakai-kun? I feel like the conversation starts from there..."
"That's fine, but it's not the kind of cafe where you should make a fuss, okay?"
I gave a warning to stay quiet.
It would be unbearable if we were banned from a place where I could finally relax with Airi.
"I get it."
While saying that, he sent a message.
It seemed Eguchi-san would join them.
"We're finished after the 4th period. Is meeting around 17:00 okay?"
Airi asked.
"I'm fine. I'm killing time with Isshy."
"Tosaka-san, what's the name of the shop?"
"I believe it's Blue Bird."
"Got it, then let's meet at Blue Bird at 17:00."
Watanabe-kun said.
17:00, Blue Bird parking lot.
Four cars were parked in a row.
As I tried to enter the shop, I was surrounded by three women who came out.
Before those three stood a small wall.
"When you talk to Toya-kun, go through me first!"
Faced with Airi's spirit-filled declaration, they left without saying a word.
At that moment, a voice was heard from inside the shop.
"No way!? It's Honoka! You were working here!?"
It seemed Sashihara-san knew someone working there.
Airi and I entered the shop and greeted Sakai-kun.
"Welcome..."
A sunken voice was heard, as if a public execution was awaiting him.
"Sakai! Be energetic when greeting customers!"
"Yes!"
A large man slapped Sakai-kun on the back.
Airi whispered into Sashihara-san's ear.
"That's the person, the one who seemed close with Sakai-kun..."
Then Sashihara-san turned back to Airi with an "Eh?"
For the time being, we were guided to our seats and each took their preferred order.
"I'll have an American."
"I'll have a lemon tea."
"Lemon squash."
"An iced tea, please."
"Cafe au lait."
"Coffee and a sandwich and pizza toast and pilaf..."
Bonk
"Just coffee is fine, right?"
"N-no. The food here is delicious..."
"I wonder what you came here for today~?"
Back off while Airi is laughing.
Today as well, the way to handle Airi is working perfectly.
"Coffee, black."
"Understood."
Saying so, Honoka-san headed toward the kitchen.
"Airi, are you really sure? That it's Honoka..."
"You'll know if you watch."
Sashihara-san looked at Honoka-san.
Just as Airi said, they certainly seemed close.
"Hmm... so that's how it is."
Did some troubling situation occur?
"Sashihara-san, do you know who that person is?"
"What do you mean 'do I know'? That person is high up in the nursing department's popularity rankings. Honoka Ichinose."
I always wonder where that kind of information comes from.
"Is there some problem with that?"
The target now is the queen of our campus, you know?
Watanabe-kun looked as if he wanted to say that.
"Honoka's family is poor. She lives alone, but in a run-down apartment. Because of that, she doesn't date men much, let alone invite them to her house."
"Yeah, that means the conquest is difficult. But she has a boyfriend, right?"
Watanabe-kun asked.
"No. As I said before, her policy was not to make a boyfriend. But then she was saying, 'I found a wonderful person at my part-time job'..."
"Does that mean it might be mutual?"
"Yeah, the possibility is close to 100%."
"Then the hurdle has lowered significantly. You know how he usually looks, right?"
"She said he's usually spacey, but when he's working, he's a wonderful man. He seems calculating but has a natural side. Apparently, he also has a strangely high sense of justice, but doesn't want to stand out. He's a person who believes that nothing good happens when you stand out."
...That's a roundabout way of saying, perhaps.
"The person Honoka-san is interested in is Sakai-kun."
Tosaka-san said with a smile.
I noticed the car was driving in the opposite direction.
Was that the plan from the start?
"My boyfriend is also spacey normally, but he's the type to act when the time comes. Besides, he's unexpectedly kind, and though he's obtuse and clumsy, he's a hardworking person."
Did you come here to let me hear your lovey-dovey stories?
"If this is about telling me to confess or something, I'll pass. I hate troublesome things. If I fail, I won't be able to work there anymore. I like that shop."
"He really is just like Toya-kun. The way he makes excuses to run away. I guess the only difference is a forward and a keeper."
"Do you remember when you played a match against me?"
Katagiri-kun started talking.
"The first goal conceded was treated like my great achievement, but can you say for sure that you don't regret it?"
Eh? Suddenly talking about soccer?
"Going back to the basics, I do wonder what would have happened if I'd jumped out and deflected it then."
"It's the same now; it's about when you jump out. It's too late to regret it afterward, you know? There are some youths that can't be erased."
"..."
"I'm told I'm good at jumping out, but I'm just jumping out because I don't want to regret it later. I told you about when I received a confession from Airi. It was the same then."
I've boldly made the choice not to engage in romance in the first place, though...
"If you have no interest in romance, no interest in women, then I thought that was fine. But you're interested in Honoka-san, aren't you? In that case, I'll push you off the cliff. You can't give up before you've even eaten."
"Even if it's true that Honoka-san doesn't have a boyfriend, are you certain she's interested in me?"
"What will you do if I tell you?"
"I can tell you, but once you hear it, Sakai-kun, you can never go back, okay? You've reached the moment where the keeper has jumped out, the ball has flown into the perfect spot, and you're about to make the final shot."
Are you really going to put that much pressure on me?
"What will you do, Sakai-kun?"
I agonized.
At the point where the keeper has reached a position to shoot, I think going back is almost impossible.
I've been played well, haven't I?
If there is a "time to jump out" as Katagiri-kun says, it's probably now.
"...If you have proof, I want to see it."
"Are you prepared?"
"Yeah."
When I answered, Katagiri-kun said "Airi," and Tosaka-san manipulated her smartphone and showed it to me.
It was a log of the exchange between Sashihara-san and Ichinose-san.
I stared at it intently.
At the end, it says "Keep it a secret from Sakai-kun," but is this okay?
"Do you have confidence now?"
Katagiri-kun asked.
"You'd been verifying the facts from the start, then."
"Yeah. But the one to make the final decision is Sakai-kun."
"...If I end up having to quit my job, please take responsibility."
"It seems it's decided."
I nodded.
"Airi."
When Katagiri-kun said that, Tosaka-san manipulated her smartphone.
"Sakai-kun, check the group chat."
Told by Tosaka-san, I opened my smartphone.
Upon operating it, a message appeared on the screen: "Honoka has entered the room."
Everyone was typing "Nice to meet you~."
"It's the first step," Katagiri-kun said.
I know what he wants to say.
I typed, "Good evening, nice to meet you."
"No way! Sakai-san was here too!? Can I add you!?" came the reply.
If there's anyone who could say "no" here, I'd respect them in a sense.
"Please, nice to meet you."
Then, a reply came in the private chat.
"I'm Honoka. Nice to meet you."
"Likewise."
"But it's surprising that Ai-chan and Sakai-kun are connected. As expected of the circle ( ´艸｀)"
"Are you okay now?"
Katagiri-kun asked.
"Yeah, thanks for everything. I should probably head home soon."
"We've been here for a while."
I hadn't even noticed we'd stopped.
Whether it was because I was absorbed or because Katagiri-kun's driving is that good.
"Thanks for tonight, I'll treat you to a cup of coffee next time."
"It's too early to be happy. We haven't even passed the ball yet."
"What do you mean?"
"For now, we've just created the environment. The actual passing starts from here."
"?"
"Well, anyway, good work."
"See you tomorrow~"
Saying so, he dropped me off and the car left.
For now, I have to reply to Ichinose-san's message.