Chapter 30: Bare Legs

Reading Settings

Translator: Soafp

---

Sugawara-senpai flinched at my question, her shoulders trembling.

Maybe I had been too direct.

But this was too important to leave as just my own assumption.

“…It's not that bad,” she muttered, averting her eyes.

—Which meant the violence did exist.

“When does it usually happen?”

“Well… when my dad's work isn't going well, or when he drinks too much, I guess.”

So it wasn't discipline.

Just taking his frustration out on her.

She called it “work,” but it was probably gambling.

(What should I do about this…)

Even if I reported it to the police or child services, she would probably defend her father as things stand.

But if I forcibly took her out of this house, I could end up being treated as a kidnapper.

Even if it wasn't a fundamental solution, was there any way to at least prevent the abuse for now?

Right now, what he desperately wanted was money for gambling.

“Senpai, we haven't officially started yet, but as your employer, can I give you one instruction?”

“Well… I guess that's your right.”

“When you come to work at my house, don't wear any bandages or tights.”

“…What?”

She probably wasn't even trying to resist her father's violence.

Then all I had to do was give her a reason to resist—

A justification strong enough to make even her father hesitate.

“I'm actually a bare-legs kind of guy. If you're going to work for me, I'd like you to match my preferences.”

“…Fukagawa-kun, you're not actually some huge pervert, are you?”

“All men are perverts, you know?”

I said with a small smile.

“Show me your beautiful hands and legs.”

She was probably hiding bruises from her father under those bandages and black tights.

If she started working for me, and her father hit her and left marks, she'd be unable to follow my “work instructions.”

From his perspective, if he didn't want to lose me as a source of money, he'd hesitate to lay a hand on her.

“Make sure to tell your father about my instructions, okay?”

“…!”

Her eyes widened.

Maybe she understood what I was really trying to do.

Then she smiled softly.

“Alright, I understand. I have to match my boss's preferences, after all.”

“It's a loss to humanity to hide such beautiful hands and legs.”

“I feel like I'm gradually turning into… some kind of secretary who serves you under the desk.”

“…”

I hope I don't get sued for workplace harassment.

---

After finishing the cup noodles, I left Sugawara-senpai's house.

I was about to head home, but I stopped in front of Komori's house next door.

(Might as well ask now.)

If something like arson were to happen, Nodoka would be able to respond faster than I could.

From my house, it's too far.

I took out my phone and sent her a message.

“I'm in front of your house. Can you talk for a bit?”

She replied within ten seconds.

“Eh? Now?? Is it super urgent??”

“Not super urgent, but there's something I want to ask you. If it's hard, we can talk on the phone.”

“It's not hard, just wait—10 minutes! No, 5 minutes!!”

“Got it.”

We had only just parted, so she probably didn't expect to see me again.

Honestly, I had planned to take it easy myself.

But after seeing her father's condition, I couldn't relax.

I felt an urgent need to act.

Exactly seven minutes later, the front door opened.

“S-sorry! Did you wait long?”

“No, I'm the one who showed up suddenly.”

For some reason, she was out of breath.

Her clothes were slightly messy too.

Once inside, Anna greeted me—and I immediately understood why Nodoka had been in a rush.

“Onee-san suddenly started brushing her hair, putting on makeup, putting on a bra, changing clothes—it was chaos in the house!”

“A-Anna, be quiet!!”

Nodoka hurriedly tried to cover her mouth.

Ah, I see.

She had been relaxing at home and rushed to get ready when I showed up.

I joked,

“I wouldn't have minded messy hair, no makeup, no bra, and some loose, holey clothes.”

“I would mind!! Especially the no bra part!”

“Why? It's kind of gyaru-style, isn't it?”

“You think calling it ‘gyaru-style' makes everything okay!?”

She led me to her room.

Textbooks piled on the desk, plushies from the arcade, an open bag of gummies, a charging cable by the bed.

Compared to Sugawara-senpai's barren room, the difference was striking.

“This room really smells like you, Nodoka.”

“W-what!? I sprayed so much air freshener!”

“You tried your best for five minutes because I was coming, huh?”

“Y-you tricked me!”

She puffed her cheeks like a child.

I couldn't help but smile.

“So, what's the favor?”

“Yeah… it's about Sugawara-senpai. Something serious.”

“…Is it like with me? Something life-threatening?”

I froze.

Did she realize?

Well, it wouldn't be strange—after everything.

“…Yeah. But keep it a secret from her. She wouldn't believe it anyway.”

“So that's why you suddenly got close to her… Honestly, I have mixed feelings about that.”

“Huh? Why?”

I tilted my head, genuinely confused.

She shook her head violently.

“N-no! I just thought you might do something dangerous again! Like that red-haired pirate—this time your arm might get torn off!”

“Oh, that. It's fine this time.”

Arson and suicide aren't things I can stop by throwing myself in the way like a traffic accident.

“Hey, I've been wondering something.”

“What?”

“Why are you so desperate to save people?”

Just saying “because I'd feel bad” wouldn't convince her.

I needed to explain a bit more.

“Have you ever seen an animal that got run over?”

“No… have you?”

“Yeah. When I was in elementary school, a big truck ran over a stray cat right in front of me. I rushed it to a vet, but they said it died instantly.”

The truck driver probably didn't mean to.

If anything, the cat was at fault.

But as a kid, I couldn't understand that.

“I couldn't sleep for days after that. Every time I lay down, I kept seeing it—over and over.”

“I see…”

“Maybe I'm just weak. Most people feel bad, but they don't dwell on it like that.”

The helplessness.

The unfairness.

Those were what really stuck with me.

“That's all it is. I just don't want it messing with my sleep. Sleep is important, right?”

“That was such a serious story, and that's your conclusion!?”

“That's how it is. I'm not trying to play hero.”

It was a purely personal reason.

For my own peace of mind.

If it's something beyond my control, like with Yuzuki, I'll give up.

“Anyway, what's the favor?”

“After sunset—specifically after 10 PM—I want you to keep an eye on Sugawara-senpai's house from your window. See if anyone suspicious is hanging around.”

“10 PM? Until when? I need to sleep too.”

“Just until you go to bed.”

There was a reason for that time.

High school students can't legally work past 10 PM.

And she usually goes straight to her part-time job after school.

The “nightmare” also mentioned the arsonist acting at night.

So it was most likely after she came home and fell asleep.

“She'll probably stop coming home on weekdays soon, so focus on weekends.”

I'd try to avoid situations where she stayed home, but I couldn't guarantee it every time.

Nodoka nodded.

“But what if I actually see someone suspicious?”

“If it's clearly a crime, call the police immediately. If not, call me.”

“Got it. I'm not super confident, but… since it's your request! I'm only doing it because it's your request! Don't get the wrong idea!!”

“Y-yeah. Thanks.”

Was this… tsundere?

I wasn't entirely sure how to react.