V3Ch6: Don’t Forget That Summer Part 1

Translator: Soafp

---

The web commercial that shook the world quickly garnered millions of views, surpassing two million views in no time.

Despite being targeted towards high school students, the bold and thrilling approach was met with great acclaim.

My SNS was flooded with “Endaaaaaaaaaaa” on the day the commercial was released.

The secret content that my sister had kept hidden was based on the theme of “Beauty and the Beast.”

After my sister’s kiss, sparkling effects enveloped me, and just before the curse of the Bunnyman was broken, the commercial ended. The viewers were left wanting more! The second installment is already in the works!

In the end, my true identity was not revealed, but it didn’t really matter anymore. The setting was too elaborate, claiming that I and the princess were once in love before I became Bunnyman. It was an overly complicated setup.

My sister’s smile captivated the hearts of the viewers and charmed a large audience. Offers for her appearances are pouring in, but she casually said, “I’m not going to accept any of those. No way.”

The reservations for the Bash shoes are doing great. We already received a pair, and they are the latest model with excellent performance, incredibly comfortable to wear. You can check the site here. Click the URL below→

Due to the sponsorship deal, we receive a new pair every six months throughout our three years of high school.

“You’re flaunting it in front of a single person like me… Damn lovey-dovey couples! I told you, Yukito Kokonoe, didn’t I? Don’t make this situation any bigger. I told you, right? You should have listened, right?”

“I haven’t responded.”

“Why would you hold a limited-time shop event?! Can’t you be quiet for once?! The school office is flooded with inquiries because people know about it!”

“Don’t worry, Sensei. We’ve already prepared a hoodie and a T-shirt for you. Wear it as loungewear. You can even choose other merchandise according to your liking.”

“Ugh, fine! Make it a free size. I might resell it if I need to.”

“Don’t do it.”

Some wise person once said that summer vacation is short, but I don’t think so. It can be considered one of the privileges of being a student to have over a month of holidays. At least, once you become a working adult, it’s challenging to have such an extended break unless a state of emergency is declared.

As I thought about how funny Clammbon looks when it laughs, I half-listen to Sayuri-sensei as she goes over the notices for summer vacation.

I’m in serious study mode right now. I’m completely focused on the task at hand.

“Especially you, Yukito Kokonoe, make sure not to cause any trouble during summer vacation! I’m already fed up. I don’t want to be called to the school during my break either. Seriously, I’m counting on you.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll talk to the principal and make it easier for you to take paid leave.”

“That would be really helpful for the other teachers too. Having unused paid leave is such a waste. Whenever my favorite artist’s concert is on a weekday, I feel like killing my grandma.”

“Wait, was last month’s memorial service a staged murder?”

“I have eight grandmas, you know. Just let it be like that.”

Paid leave is a right for workers, and there’s no need to explain the reason for taking it.

Whether it’s black school rules or paid leave, such negative customs in Japan need to be improved as soon as possible.

“Anyway, my well-being depends on you!”

“I’m not causing trouble on purpose, you know?”

It’s not like I go looking for trouble; it just comes my way, and I can’t do much about it until I encounter it.

“Well, I know that… Anyway, let me have some peace. I’m tired too, you know? Do you know that other teachers have been oddly nice to me lately? They’re being considerate of me. I’m still in my late twenties. I’m still in my late twenties!”

“That’s not a bad thing, no?”

“It’s your fault, you know? Do you understand? Well, never mind. Just make sure everyone spends the break peacefully. I don’t want to see suddenly wild girls after the summer vacation. You’re free to go wild and have fun, but make sure to be responsible with contraception. Okay, dismissed.”

With the least amount of trust and the most vivid warnings, Sayuri-sensei leaves the classroom. My lack of credibility is priceless. But by that time, I was almost done with everything.

Mineda, the gal girl who became my seat neighbor after the seat change, starts talking to me.

“Kokonoe-chan, what have you been doing? You’ve been in such a rush.”

“Oh, nothing. I just finished my summer vacation homework.”

I show Mineda the completed printout. I had been bracing myself for how much homework we’d get as high schoolers, but it turned out to be quite manageable.

There were printouts, exercise books, and a standard composition.

“But summer vacation hasn’t started yet! It’s tomorrow!”

“I write a dozen or so book reports. I always have ten book reports in stock.”

“You really did… You’ve already finished them all…”

During long vacations, there aren’t many variations in assignments. It’s rather uncreative that every year we have to write book reports, but if you just write something like “I empathized with the author’s feelings” or something similar, you can write the report without even reading the book.

Some people like to take jabs at the younger generation, claiming they don’t read books anymore, but with the rise of web novels and such, the younger generation is probably reading more than the old folks. Tell them that, those old-timers.

“Are you busy during the summer break?”

He gives me a wry smile as he approaches. Surprisingly, the refreshing and handsome man seems a bit childish.

“Ha? I’m an introverted loner. I’m not busy at all!”

“Why are you getting a bit defensive there?”

Well, I tried saying I’m an introverted loner, but it seems it doesn’t really work anymore. It’s a lost cause.

“To be honest, during summer breaks, I’ve mostly been hospitalized. So, spending it alone is better than before. It’s not like I have anything else to do.”

“Why are you talking as if you’re scared of your own past? Also, why do you keep forgetting about my existence? I’ve been looking forward to the summer break. Let’s hang out together! We’ve all talked about it. Let’s go to the beach!”

The gleaming white teeth of the refreshing and handsome man sparkled. I’ve been thinking this for a while, but does he like me a bit too much? And yet, he’s so popular, but I don’t hear any rumors about him having a girlfriend.

“The beach? I just went there with Shiori.”

“We’re not going fishing, we’re going for a swim! Come on, Yuki, let’s go!”

A beach trip? Honestly, I don’t remember ever doing that.

“Yukito’s coming too, right? It’ll be a wonderful memory.”

It seems that Hinagi will be going as well. The beach, huh… This kind of summer might be fun.

“Alright, let’s give it a try.”

“Yeah!”

I’m sorry, Sayuri-Sensei, just after you called me a damn Riaju.

I’m going to become a real Riaju!

---

“Part-time job? You?”

“Yeah. Watching you and the others made me want to try doing something during summer vacation too.”

“Is it because you got addicted to gacha and need money desperately? I’ve told you not to waste money on it, haven’t I?”

“No, it’s not that. I just want to experience different things like you, Yukito.”

During the break time, while happily drawing a complicated maze in her notebook, Hinagi-chan comes to me for advice on her summer vacation plans. It seems she’s considering getting a part-time job.

“Cafes or convenience stores, maybe?”

“Isn’t that bothersome?”

“Eh, really?”

Haa, this is a problem, this is a problem. Hinagi-chan’s thinking is sweeter than Tokyo Hiyoko’s. [TL: Some kind of sweet]

“Listen carefully. The service industry nowadays is becoming increasingly complex. Even something as simple as payments has various options like cash, credit cards, IC cards, and electronic money, making it incredibly troublesome. Working part-time just during the short summer vacation won’t give you enough time to learn the whole process. Besides, companies are reluctant to hire students for such a short period, despite the manpower shortage.”

“…I see. Now that you mention it, it might be like that. I didn’t really think about it, but being a store clerk must be tough. So, what kind of part-time job do you think suits me, Yukito?”

Hinagi-chan is raising her eyebrows in thought. Her enthusiasm for work is something I’d really like to appreciate.

A part-time job for Hinagi… Hmm, is there anything suitable…?

“Clinical trials… MLM… information products… acting as a middleman… resale… scam promotions…”

“Wait, wait! What are those ominous words for!?”

“I don’t think it’s going to work.”

“Exactly!”

I try to calm her down by showing three fingers.

“Don’t worry. Stay more relaxed. It’s the ‘Yukito Kokonoe’s Rule of Right Hand.’ The thumb means ‘courage,’ the index finger stands for ‘hope,’ and the middle finger is ‘toilet.'”

“Geez….you are really….. Fine, I’ll listen to you, just say it.”

See, it’s easy to remember because it forms ‘Yukito.’ Got it?

Hinagi-chan lets out a deep sigh, furrowing her brows.

“In other words, if you get a stomach ache and need to go to the bathroom during class or on your way to school, you should be brave enough to take immediate action. Then there is hope. Patience is poison to the body. The feeling of despair you get when you can’t go to the bathroom is so great that you can’t even relax your mind.”

“What are you talking about!”

I got sidetracked. What was I talking about? Oh, yes, yes, I’m talking about money.

“I sealed that rule, though… It’s the ‘Yukito Kokonoe’s Rule of Left Hand.’ The thumb means ‘kidnapping,’ the index finger stands for ‘threat,’ and the middle finger is ‘escape.’ It’s perfect for quickly making cash—”

“You idiot!”

I get scolded by Hinagi-chan for suggesting such absurd ideas.

“I see. Hinagi, do you still love reading books?”

“Eh? Yeah, of course. That’s why I’ve been kind of dreaming about working at a bookstore or something. The aprons are so cute, right? Hehehe.”

Her face lights up with a big smile. I see, she enjoys reading.

“You said you wanted to experience various things, and it’s not like you’re in desperate need of money for a part-time job. Is that right?”

“Y-yeah. What’s up? Did you think of something again?”

“Leave it to me, Hinagi. This will suit your pace, fulfill your thirst for knowledge, and it’s all up to your motivation.”

“Is there such a convenient part-time job?”

“Well, it’s not exactly a part-time job, but how about trying to write a web novel?”

“Eh…? I do like reading, but… I’ve never written a novel before…”

“Everyone starts somewhere, right? Alright, let’s do it! Monetize your passion!”

“Wait, you’re suddenly saying this, but…”

“First, let’s start by studying recent trends, Hinagi. Check the rankings and learn from popular works. As Sanjoji-senpai said, it’s the summer of art. So, let’s make it your summer of knowledge. That’s why I’m counting on the expert, Natsume.”

“What is it with you, Kokonoe-san? Why are you suddenly on your knees?”

“That’s right. Here, I’ll give you Tokyo Hiyoko.”

“Don’t make blatant bribes! …… it’s too sweet and I’m getting thirsty.”

“Here you go, melon soda.”

“Kokonoe-san, let’s think about the taste lineup a little more.”

“Hey, hey, Yukito. Am I really going to write a novel?”

“Trying everything is important. You can’t gain experience without taking action.”

“……True. Yeah, it sounds interesting! I’ll give it a try too.”

Hinagi-chan seems to be getting excited about the idea.

And so, the aspiring author, Hinagi Suzurikawa, took her first step into the world of writing.