CH 2

Sheltered Lady

Arriving at the later half of July, with barely ten days of summer break behind me, it honestly felt like it’s been an entire month already. But this time around, I’m actually making solid progress with the summer homework for once. Depending on work, I get up fairly early, and I feel oddly satisfied with this lifestyle right now, getting some regularity into it. The serious working mode thanks to my part-time job surely helps with that. What makes me even happier is the encounter born from a good deed of mine.

“Good morning, Sajou-san.”

“Good morning, Sasaki-san.”

Unworthy Sajou Wataru is being spoiled by a university girl. The more often she stopped by at the second-hand bookstore, the more she actually started searching for me. Since she’s walking around saying ‘Sajou-saaan~’ with an adorable expression, even my head turns blank, only able to put out a brief ‘Ah, hello’. Why can’t she just find someone more worthy than this kind of man that I am.

“As always, the summer sunlight and Sasaki-san aren’t too far apart when it comes to the dazzling shine blinding my eyes.”

“D-Don’t say that. You really are a womanizer, Sajou-san.”

“If I was, then all the normies in class are clubbers…”

The only reason I can frankly compliment a beauty like her is exactly because she’s way out of my league. Even if I were to seriously hit on her, it’d just come off as a joke.

“C-Clubber? What is that?”

“Ah, well…”

Sometimes, Sasaki-san really feels like a sheltered lady. It’s like she’s skipped high school all the way up to university. Even the word ‘Womanizer’ she didn’t know until a while ago. I told her that it’s an older expression that she didn’t need to remember, but she flat out rejected that. Since it’s used by youngsters nowadays, and something that feels more like subconscious than openly stated, it’s hard to explain it with words…

“I kind of feel bad. Like I’m negatively influencing you, Sasaki-san…”

“…You’re not, Sajou-san. To me and Kou-kun, you are like a hero.”

“Ahaha, you flatter me.”

…Isn’t she flattering me a bit too much? If I didn’t know any better, I’d say she’s trying to seduce me. But, there’s no way some bookstore employee with an apron around his neck could be a hero.

“I’m just…not too familiar with how the world works…With Sajou-san in front of me, I feel like a child.”

“Eh, d-don’t say that.”

Isn’t she getting carried away a bit? She’s lifting me up to be some kind of god. Why? I don’t get it. Standing, she’d be a Chinese peony. Sitting, she’d be tree peony. Walking, she’d be like a lily. How could someone like her lose confidence like that?

“The thing is…I actually reached a dead end with my studies…”

“Eh?”

Studies? Let alone reaching a dead end, I’m already off the right track…Why am I being forced to look at reality right now? I feel terrified of university now.

“So, talking with Sajou-san is a good change of pace. It makes me feel like I became an adult myself, and that I’ve gotten more clever than before.”

“…”

Um…well, yeah. You say the most cruel things with a straight smile like that. Because I’m such a brat, she feels more like an adult? Talking to me is refreshing to her in that way? That’s what her desires were when she came to meet me? I don’t how to feel about being used in that way and being insulted all the same. Well, she’s a beauty so I’ll forgive her. She is a university girl from a girls-only university (most crucial). No way could I help her in that, being a lowly high school boy after all…

“…Heh…”

“Sajou-san…?”

When I was laughing at myself yet again, Sasaki-san tilted her head in confusion. Damn it, what a cute gesture…My heart won’t stop racing.Now that it’s come to this…Bear with it, my body…! Gut punch times three!! (Self-destruction)

“If I can be of any help for you, then just let me know. Use me as you see fit.”

“E-Ehh…? Use you…?”

“Yes, with no restraint.”

Be it Sasaki-san or Natsukawa, there’s nothing more rewarding than helping beauties like them. I mean, that motivation was enough for me to work part-time during middle school. Though, I couldn’t really help Natsukawa in the end…But, I got to buy a lot of games.

“If that’s the case, then…since you are attending a high-level school, do you have some secret hint to studying?”

“Yes, a very simple one.”

“Eh!? What is that!?”

Oh, she’s biting into it…Is she having that much trouble? Well, right now, things have changed, but when it came to getting into the high school I wanted, my motivation was on an entirely different level. Back then, I was using every free moment to study…What horrifying memories.

“Well, it’s not really a method, but rather depends on your experience…”

“I don’t mind…! Please, teach me!”

“The thing is…the results of your studies showing immediate feedback.”

“Feedback…is it?”

Now that it’s come to this, I need to reveal everything. I always thought I’d carry this to my grave, but since she only thinks of me as a change of pace from studying, I guess it doesn’t matter.

“In my case, my motivation for studying was to get into the same school as the girl I love.”

“Eh…!? T-The girl you like!?”

My grades were pretty much average even back then. When I heard that ‘Natsukawa Aika’s aspired school is Kouetsu High’, I studied as much as I could, working upon unlimited motivation with the goal to end up in the same school as Natsukawa. That is undoubtedly my trick to studying.

“Do you still like that person!? Is she possibly your girlfriend!?”

Um, are you listening to me? Now that I think about it, I might have gotten caught in some love talk all girls love so much. I feel like we moved away from the topic of studying. Rather than biting into it, her eyes are sparkling with excitement now. This is like being on the night of the school trip, everyone asking who you like.

“Well, I do like her, but…I’ve given up. I realized that she’s like the unattainable flower of the school.”

“S-So wonderful…Her charm made you give up…”

You’re in the same category as well. With your looks like that, it feels like I’d need to be some high-level hottie to even properly stand next to you. Why are you even giving me the time of the day? Really just to use me?

“A-Anyway! You’ll find more motivation when you actually see the fruits of your labor! You must be aiming for something big, right? You just have to imagine that certain something in your hands.”

“Something in my hands…something charming…”

What even is the reason for her diligent studying? For her job…? I hear that you need to study like crazy if you want to become some kind of official…Must be rough. But, maybe she’s just trying to get a good job in order to make her little brother Kouta-kun happy. We’ve been talking for a while now, and I can see that she’s very doting towards him, so maybe that’s her motivation? Or, even without that…

“For example, like me…wanting to be together with the person you like.”

“Li—!? A person I like!?”

“Ah, you said you had no experience with men, right.”

“H-How rude! I do have some experience!”

What!? Ahh, what a shock. I guess beauty like her has had some kind of experience with at least one or two guys. If I was a beauty like her, I’d make my own harem. Man, that’s a bummer. I should just get my work done and head home……Hm?

“…Um.”

“~~~!”

“Um, Sasaki-san?”

Why is she pointing at me like that? Are you saying that an average conversation like we’re having counts as this ‘experience?’ That won’t do, Onee-san, you must understand what kind of experience I’m talking a bout, even if you are a proper woman…You know, that erotic one.

—Oh right, she’s a sheltered lady.

“This barely counts as any experience, you know?”

“Ehh!? Really!?”

Ah, I think I said something unnecessary. Okay, hold on a second. Can you not look at me with such a pure gaze in your eyes? Ah, if you grab my arm, it’ll count as an illicit relationship, you know? You wanna lay your hands on an underage high school student? Fine by meeeeeee!!