Chapter 15: Morning coffee

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Translator: Soafp

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“Good morning, Na-chan.” (Haru)

“Good morning, Haru-kun.” (Natsu)

(It’s a little embarrassing to wake up together for the first time.)

Kind of, yeah.

“When did you wake up?” (Haru)

“Hmm? About 30 minutes ago. I was watching you sleep.” (Natsu)

“That's a weird hobby.” (Haru)

“Hmm? But you were so cute.” (Natsu)

“Not something I'm happy to hear.” (Haru)

“Why not? If you say things like that, I'll pinch your nose— Ah! I forgot I wasn't wearing any clothes!” (Natsu)

“Pfft. When you lifted your arm, the blanket slipped, and I saw everything.” (Haru)

“Pervert.” (Natsu)

Isn't that a bit unfair?

(It’s your fault for looking.)

It’s just a guy thing.

“Ugh! Haru-kun, do you have a class first thing today?” (Natsu)

“Let me check. Hmm? Looks like my morning classes are canceled. I'm free until the afternoon.” (Haru)

“No way! Lucky you. I've got a class first thing, though.” (Natsu)

You should've worked hard in your first two years.

(I wanted to spread my workload evenly across the four years.)

“You're a third-year already. How's your job hunting going?” (Haru)

“Well, I'm managing. Anyway, Haru-kun, I'll make breakfast, so get ready in the meantime.” (Natsu)

“Got it.” (Haru)

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“Na-chan, you have work today, right?” (Haru)

“Yeah, I'll be done by 8 PM as usual. You're working today too, right?” (Natsu)

“Actually, I've got the day off. My senior at work invited me out for dinner. Is that okay?” (Haru)

You're starting to make some friends.

(Yeah, friendships are important.)

“Really? You should go, then!” (Natsu)

“Alright, I'll take you up on that.” (Haru)

“Uh, Haru-kun, by the way, that senior… they're guys, right?” (Natsu)

“…Who knows?” (Haru)

(You're being mean.)

No, I'm not.

(You're totally enjoying my reaction.)

Guess I got caught.

“Ah! Cheater—” (Natsu)

“No way I'd do that.” (Haru)

“…You're right. Sorry.” (Natsu)

“Don't apologize. And there's no way I'd ever cheat. Of course, the senior is a guy.” (Haru)

You're surprisingly

(A bit of a jealous type.)

Yeah, right?

(I do trust you, though.)

“Hey, Haru—” (Natsu)

“I'll be back by 9 PM.” (Haru)

“…You're such a kiss monster.” (Natsu)

“It's because of you, Na-chan.” (Haru)

“Fufufu, but isn't that a good thing?” (Natsu)

“Well, yeah. See you tonight.” (Haru)

“Yep. Take care, okay?” (Natsu)

---

“Furukawa-kun!” (Yuki)

“Hello, Amamiya-senpai.” (Haru)

“Natsu told me you two are dating now, huh? She's a handful, but don't abandon her, okay?” (Yuki)

“What do you mean by that?” (Haru)

“Oh, wait? Natsu, you're here?” (Yuki)

You two are always together, huh?

(We even planned our schedules together.)

“Honestly, I can't let my guard down for a second. Don't go filling my Haru-kun's head with strange ideas, okay?” (Natsu)

“Heeeh~ Haru-kun, is it? Maybe you're the possessive type? But don't worry, Natsu is serious, so you don't have to worry about cheating. I can vouch for her as her best friend.” (Yuki)

“Well, I'm not worried about that. We both understood that before we started dating.” (Haru)

(That's right.)

It's only natural.

The bare minimum.

(It’s not complicated.)

Normally, no.

“Yeah, you're childhood friends, after all. You two were inseparable, even skipping out on drinking parties to be together. You get it, Haru-kun.” (Yuki)

“Hold on, Yuki. The name ‘Haru-kun’ is off-limits.” (Natsu)

“Aw, you're blushing. So cute. Fine, can I call you Haruto-kun then?” (Yuki)

“I'm okay with that.” (Haru)

(But it's my special way of calling you.)

That's adorable.

(Don't tease me.)

“You can call me Yuki-chan too, if you want.” (Yuki)

“Hmm! Yuki?” (Natsu)

“Thank you, Amamiya-senpai.” (Haru)

“Oh, my, how sweet. Well, then, I'll leave you two alone. See you later, Haruto-kun.” (Yuki)

“I'll come by for breakfast with Na-chan sometime.” (Haru)

“I'll be waiting!” (Yuki)

(A date?)

Whenever we went out together, it was always like a date, wasn't it?

(Because being with you always felt special.)

“With me aswell?” (Natsu)

“Of course. You're the only one I'd be meeting for breakfast, right?” (Haru)

“Fufu, you say goodbye to me in the morning.” (Natsu)

“What's with that tone?” (Haru)

“Oh, nothing. By the way, do you want a late-night snack tonight?” (Natsu)

You wanted it too, didn't you?

(…I won't deny it, but it's mutual, right?)

Definitely.

“…I'll gladly enjoy it.” (Haru)

“…Okay. I'll be waiting.” (Natsu)

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[Akiho Side]

“I’m thinking of finding a job in Nagoya.” (Akiho)

Akiho, who was in the middle of job hunting while attending beauty school, brought up the topic with her mother.

“Why?” (Mother)

“Because I want to be independent. I've decided to move out once I get a job. If I live in Nagoya, I can live with Onee-chan and that'll save on rent, right?” (Akiho)

“Do you really call that being independent? Natsuki might have her own job in a year and could be moving out herself. Besides, aren't you really planning to go to where Toma-kun is?” (Mother)

“So, you knew. That makes this conversation easier.” (Akiho)

Even though more than six months had passed since she lost contact with Toma, Akiho still didn't realize she had been abandoned.

“You're such a fool, chasing after a man like that. Have you told Natsuki?” (Mother)

“Onee-chan? Not yet, but since she's living alone on the family's dime, she doesn't have the right to complain.” (Akiho)

“Talk to your father first. Make sure you explain your reasons.” (Mother)

“Got it.” (Akiho)

Returning to her room, Akiho turned on her computer and opened a job search website.

“There are plenty of openings. The question is, where should I apply? Toma-kun's assignment is in a place called Toyohashi, so if I commute from Onee-chan's place— It's pretty far. A round trip takes three hours, and the monthly commuting cost is 26,000 yen. I doubt there's any place that would cover that entirely.” (Akiho)

The average starting salary for a hairstylist is about 220,000 yen. After taxes and other deductions, the take-home pay isn't much.

“I'll look for a job near Onee-chan's place and just visit Toma-kun when I can.” (Akiho)

Akiho had no doubts about her future with Toma and didn't even consider the possibility that things might not go as planned.