Chapter 34: Gears of Fate

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Translator: Soafp

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[Akiho Side]

“Akiho!” (Yumi)

Ah, such nostalgia.

Akiho was thinking back to the time when she last saw her in her school uniform. The short skirt, the blouse unbuttoned just enough to reveal a bit of cleavage, and the loosened ribbon—it was like she was deliberately trying to get attention from guys. Akiho had lost count of how many times she'd been exasperated by her behavior.

“It's been a while, Yumi. You haven't changed… still flashy as ever.” (Akiho)

Yumi, who had graduated from a junior college, was now working at a department store’s cosmetics counter since spring. It seemed like a perfect fit for her; she was thriving.

“Flashy? This is just natural makeup. The senior staff wear much heavier makeup, you know? Akiho, you want to learn makeup too, right? If you want to make it your job, you can't be saying my style is flashy.” (Yumi)

“I think it's just a difference in style. Anyway, let's grab some food.” (Akiho)

As a hairstylist, Akiho felt she was growing daily at work, but as a makeup artist, she was still very much a novice. When she saw on social media that Yumi had started working at a cosmetics counter, she decided to reach out for the first time in a while.

“It really has been a while. Since graduation, right?” (Yumi)

“Yeah. I've been super busy since I started working, and our days off never match.” (Akiho)

“That's the thing with our jobs—not having weekends off. I really need to find a guy and get married soon.” (Yumi)

“Oh? What about that guy in your social media photos? Isn't he your boyfriend?” (Akiho)

“Huh? Which one are you talking about? Anyway, I'm single right now. What about you, Akiho? You had a boyfriend in high school, right?” (Yumi)

“Haruto?” (Akiho)

“No, after Furukawa-kun.” (Yumi)

“That ended ages ago. I'm currently making Haruto wait for me.” (Akiho)

“What, you guys got back together? Well, Furukawa-kun… that's different. But you two were so lovey-dovey. I was really surprised when you broke up.” (Yumi)

Broke up, huh?

“Well, yeah. After all, I'm the only one for Haruto.” (Akiho)

“Hahaha, you're so confident, Akiho. But I always felt like you were the one head over heels for him.” (Yumi)

“Th-that's not true. Even now, Haruto wants to see me so badly.” (Akiho)

“You two are still in touch? Oh yeah, you guys were childhood friends. It's like you're destined to be together, unable to part.” (Yumi)

Destined? That's right. We're childhood friends, so we're destined to be together. Well, if that's the case, there's nothing we can do about it, right?

“Yeah, that's true. Yumi, you better find someone good soon, too.” (Akiho)

“Ugh, I hope all you happy couples explode!” (Yumi)

Yumi laughed heartily, and Akiho couldn't help but join in.

“You can't escape fate. Neither can I, and neither can Haruto!” (Akiho)

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[Haru PoV]

“How was it?” (Natsu)

“They're just starting to recruit for internships.” (Haru)

(You found what you want to do and started moving toward it.)

Once I've made up my mind, I just need to act on it.

“You can apply online, right?” (Natsu)

“Yeah, they have a one-week program, so I'll apply for that.” (Haru)

“It'd be great if Yoshino Construction is nearby so you could keep working part-time until graduation.” (Natsu)

“Is that something they do?” (Haru)

“Seems like it. There are even people who go from part-time to full-time employees.” (Natsu)

“Well, yeah, that makes sense. Oh, by the way, Ito-san talked to me the other day.” (Haru)

“Ito-san?” (Natsu)

“You know, the girl who's in the same club as you and in my seminar.” (Haru)

“Haru-kun, you really have no interest in people you're not into. Her name is Miki-chan, not Ito-san. Miki Naito-san.”

(Though it's probably for the best that you're not interested, right?)

I guess it's good that I got it wrong.

(Is it really, though?)

“So, Naito-san said…” (Haru)

“Miki-chan isn't strong enough to protect anyone, you know?” (Natsu)

“Stop interrupting me.” (Haru)

“Eh? Am I the bad one here?” (Natsu)

“Well, never mind. It's just that Naito-san was asking about meeting Na-chan.” (Haru)

“That's it?” (Natsu)

“That's it? Yeah, that's it.” (Haru)

“You didn’t talk about anything else? Like going out to eat or drinking together?” (Natsu)

“Nope.” (Haru)

“Really?” (Natsu)

“We only talked a bit about job hunting. But since nothing was decided yet, we didn’t really talk about much.” (Haru)

(Should I be relieved, or should I feel sorry for her?)

Would it have been better to be friendly?

(You're being so mean!)

If we got too close, you'd get jealous, right?

(Ahh, I can't argue with that.)

“So, Haru-kun in a suit, huh? Oh, the suit! Do you have a suit, Haru-kun?” (Natsu)

“I do.” (Haru)

“Besides the one from the entrance ceremony?” (Natsu)

“Oh, that one? No, I don't have any others.” (Haru)

“Then we need to buy a recruit suit!” (Natsu)

“Yeah, I guess so.” (Haru)

“…I feel like there's a bit of a temperature difference here. Is it just me?” (Natsu)

“Isn't it a bit early?” (Haru)

“It's not early! We need to go buy it on my next day off.” (Natsu)

“Ah, yeah, I guess so.” (Haru)

“Right!” (Natsu)

“I leave it to you.” (Haru)

“Yes, it's up to me.” (Natsu)

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“Aren't all suits basically the same?” (Haru)

“Oh, come on, you've only tried on ten suits so far. You'll need at least three when you start working.” (Natsu)

“But since the job hunting hasn't started yet and you have the one from the entrance ceremony, one more suit should be enough.” (Haru)

“Oh, come on!” (Natsu)

“What? You're rushing things. Your body shape might change, so it's better to have the minimum number you need.” (Haru)

“You're taking away my fun!” (Natsu)

“That's an exaggeration.” (Haru)

“Well, then, how about the ties? Let me choose the ties. They don't depend on body shape, and you'll need a few, right?” (Natsu)

“You're so impatient. Well, I'll leave it to your taste. You know more about me than I do.” (Haru)

“Of course, I'm a Haru-kun expert.” (Natsu)

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“The internship schedule has been decided.” (Haru)

“When?” (Natsu)

“During summer vacation. The first week of August.” (Haru)

The gears of fate have started to move, meshing together just so.

You, her, him.

And, of course, me.

Spring will pass (summer will come)

Autumn will follow (preparing for winter)

“When Haru-kun's job is settled, we need to start preparing for the ceremony!” (Natsu)