Chapter 28: First Time

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Translator: Soafp

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[Sugawara Side]

Since Airi Sugawara had no choice but to start working part-time, she had come into contact with all kinds of people.

Customers, the store manager, coworkers, delivery workers.

Unlike before, she now spent much more time outside, and even just walking down the street, she was often approached.

(There really are a lot of weird people…)

Getting hit on had become a daily occurrence.

Religious recruiters, aggressive salespeople pushing expensive products, scammers, sexual harassment, beggars…

The worst of them were the men who, after learning about her financial struggles, tried to pressure her into selling her body—

and for absurdly small amounts of money at that.

(At first, I thought Fukagawa-kun was one of those too…)

Men like that usually assumed someone drowning in debt like her would be easy to win over, and they looked down on her from the start.

Their eyes would shamelessly roam over her body.

But Ren was completely different.

Even so, there were still too many things that didn't quite add up for her to simply believe he had approached her out of genuine feelings.

(I have no idea what his goal is…)

To Airi, it didn't feel like simple charity.

In the first place, there was no reason for Ren—who had no connection to her—to know about her situation.

And if he had known beforehand, he wouldn't have looked so genuinely shocked when she mentioned eating only once a day.

(He doesn't seem like a bad person, but…)

The way he treated her, and what he did for Nodoka Komori—

none of it looked like an act.

That was why she had decided he was worth trusting, and accepted the job he offered.

(But… I'm scared)

If he was spending this much money on her, there had to be some reason.

Whether it was desire, or something else.

But since she couldn't grasp what it was, she didn't know how to deal with him.

(At this point, it might be easier if he really was trying to win me over…)

The soft indirect lighting in the hotel room faintly illuminated Ren between her legs.

She was making a kind of gamble—no, a test.

She wanted to know if he was truly someone she could trust.

(…If he really takes my first time like this, maybe all these complicated thoughts will disappear)

What he wanted was her body.

She would satisfy his desires, and in return receive money—

that should have been the simple arrangement.

“Senpai, please tell me honestly.”

Ren, who had remained silent, spoke carefully.

“Do you like me—as a man?”

Airi couldn't answer immediately.

What exactly did she feel toward him?

Did she like him? Or dislike him?

She definitely wasn't indifferent.

But she didn't know.

She was too busy trying to figure out what kind of person he really was.

“…I don't know. But it's not just gratitude. It's not that kind of feeling.”

“Yeah, that makes sense. For example, if you get lost and someone helps you find your way, you feel grateful—but that alone doesn't make you fall in love, right?”

“You've had a girlfriend before, so you understand, don't you? What it means to like someone.”

“Well, it probably differs from person to person… but a common way to put it would be wanting them to always stay by your side, and naturally smiling just by seeing them.”

Was Ren that kind of person to her?

She didn't know.

It felt like it had been ages since she last truly faced her own feelings.

When you work to earn money, exposing your emotions only becomes a burden.

“Senpai, at the very least, give your first time to someone you truly love. Not someone like me.”

“…Then what am I supposed to give you? I don't have anything else to offer but my body.”

“Well, in a way, you can still give me your body.”

Ren gave a small smile and continued.

“Like this—going out with me, talking, spending enjoyable time together. That alone is more than enough repayment for me.”

“Is that really enough? There's really nothing you want from me?”

“I don't have many friends either, not as few as Nodoka maybe… but I think there are things more important than money. I don't know about you, though.”

“But, but…”

She wasn't trying to deny his values.

She was just scared.

Kindness without expecting anything in return—that only existed in web novels.

Working part-time had made her believe that.

And now, it felt like that entire belief was being overturned.

Ren sat up slightly.

Then he gently took her fingers in his hand.

“Senpai, have you ever held a guy's hand on your own—outside of work or family?”

“…No.”

“Then… could you hold my hand just once?”

She didn't understand his intention, but after hesitating, Airi slowly reached out and placed her hand in his.

Their fingers touched—then gradually intertwined.

“With this, I've taken your first time.”

Airi couldn't look directly at his smiling face.

She felt embarrassed. She envied him.

All kinds of emotions tangled together inside her.

But the strongest one was—

“…Your hands are big and warm, Fukagawa-kun.”

She felt like she finally understood, just a little, why Nodoka had fallen for him.

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[Ren PoV]

The next morning.

The hotel offered complimentary breakfast service.

“Mmm~ this is delicious!”

Nodoka's face lit up as she smiled happily.

It was good, sure—but…

“What's wrong, Ren? Doesn't it suit your taste?”

“No, it's fine. I'm just a bit sleepy.”

“I get it—you couldn't sleep because you were between me and senpai, right?”

“Yeah… something like that. I am a guy, after all.”

“Geez, you're such a pervert!”

In truth, it was more because Sugawara-senpai had suddenly pinned me down last night, and it took me hours to calm my racing heart.

Honestly, I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel like I'd turned down an easy opportunity—but looking back, I knew I made the right choice.

“Fukagawa-kun, where are we going today?”

Seeing Sugawara-senpai smiling more brightly than ever before—

for some reason, it felt like a weight had been lifted off her.

I took out my phone and opened the map app.

“I was thinking we'd go here today.”

Nodoka and Sugawara-senpai leaned in to look at the screen.

“An aquarium? Do you like fish, Fukagawa-kun?”

“No, actually I've never been to one. I heard there's a famous one nearby, so I got curious.”

“Hm… well, sure. I've never been either.”

“What about you? Ever been to an aquarium?”

Nodoka shook her head while stuffing her mouth with sushi.

“Mmgh, nev—been—”

“…Finish chewing before you talk. And just so you know, the fish at an aquarium aren't for eating.”

She swallowed and shouted:

“I know that! Just because I'm not good at studying doesn't mean I'm that dumb!”

“Wait, you're bad at studying?”

“…Oh. I guess I never told you.”

“What was your ranking on the last midterm?”

“I'm not the type to remember stuff like that.”

So bad it's not worth remembering, huh.

Sugawara-senpai also said in that dream that she wasn't good academically—these two really are similar in a lot of ways.

After breakfast, we headed straight to the aquarium.

Since it was our first time, all three of us—myself included—were enjoying it.

At one point, Nodoka muttered,

“…That looks like it'd taste amazing if you glazed it and grilled it,”

while swallowing her saliva—

and honestly, it almost gave me chills.

I really hope she was joking.

After that, we stopped by a famous café for coffee, then took the train back to our hometown.

It was still daytime, so we could've just parted ways at the station, but—

“I'll walk you both home.”

I wanted to take this chance to confirm exactly where Sugawara-senpai lived.

Just in case something ever happened—I wanted to be able to get there quickly.

Sugawara-senpai chuckled softly.

“Guess having had a girlfriend means you know how to end a date properly.”

“It's not a date.”

“Y-yeah, senpai! A date is something a guy and a girl do together, right!?”

“Komori-san, dates aren't always just between a man and a woman. There are plenty of girls who go on dates together too.”

“R-really!?”

“That's not common. Senpai, don't bring web novel logic into real life.”

Sugawara-senpai stretched slightly and whispered sweetly into my ear:

“No matter what you think, I consider this a date.”

Surprised, I stared at her face—but she simply smiled.

Was she always this expressive?

Her brightness almost felt unnatural.

To break the awkward mood, I cleared my throat on purpose.

“Alright, let's go.”

“H-hey, what were you two talking about!?”

“Something way too erotic for Nodoka to hear.”

“Ehhh!? W-wait, what!?”

Teasing Nodoka, we started walking.

---

Sugawara-senpai's house was in an unexpected place—

right next door to Komori's house.

“…Nodoka, you didn't know? She's your neighbor.”

“N-no! I've never seen her before! And there's no nameplate either…”

Nodoka panicked, while Sugawara-senpai explained:

“This used to be my grandmother's house. I moved here this year. You probably didn't run into me because you leave early in the morning, and I barely make it to school and go straight to work after. As for the nameplate… there are reasons I don't put one up.”

That “reason” was probably debt collectors.

Most likely, her father sold their original home under the pretense of repayment—and gambled away the money.

(I should ask Nodoka later.)

If anything suspicious ever happened around Sugawara's house, I'd have Nodoka let me know immediately.

From the second floor, she should be able to keep an eye on things.

“See you tomorrow, Nodoka.”

“Y-yeah! I'll come pick you up again, okay?”

“Yeah, thanks.”

Nodoka gave a small wave and went inside.

All that was left was to say goodbye to Sugawara-senpai and head home—

or so I thought.

“Fukagawa-kun.”

She lightly tugged on my sleeve and continued:

“I don't really have anything… but, do you want to come in for some instant noodles?”

Not tea but instant noodles?

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