Chapter 49: Awkward men.

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Translated and Edited by: luccayn.

Common Honorifics:
-san: A polite suffix, but not excessively formal.
-kun: A common suffix among friends and younger people.
-chan: A common suffix among people you're close with, mostly used for feminine nicknames and girls, since it's cutesy and childlike.
-senpai: A common suffix and noun used to address or refer to one's older or more senior colleagues in a school, workplace, dojo, or sports club.

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The season was October, right in the heart of autumn. Lately, it's been feeling just a bit too chilly to get by with only a sweater.

Next week, the second-year students of Saijo High School are heading off on their school trip. Naturally, I haven't paid the required savings for it, so I won't be joining them in Kyoto.

Man, I really wanted to explore the ancient capital. As much as I dwelled on the idea, there was no helping it. Money was money, and I had no choice but to give up.

So here I was, flipping through a Rurubu Kyoto travel guide I'd found in the library lobby, standing idly as I skimmed the pages. It reminded me of when I was a kid, poring over game strategy guides at used bookstores because I couldn't afford the games themselves.

“Jeez, there are way too many matchmaking spots,” I muttered to myself.

As I thought about that, my phone suddenly buzzed. The display showed an unfamiliar number starting with a city code I didn't recognize. Though I had no clue who it was, I stepped out of the library to return the call.

“Hello, this is Saijo High School.”

Huh?

“Uh, this is Takatsuki from 2-B. I got a call from this number, so I'm returning it. Who is it?”

“Oh, Takatsuki. It's Shinkai.”

It was my homeroom teacher, Shinkai. I couldn't think of any reason I'd be getting a call from him, but any time you hear from a teacher, it's bound to make you anxious.

When someone asks, “Any idea why you're being called?”, you can kind of understand why some people blurt out an apology right away. I held my breath, waiting for Shinkai to speak.

“I just confirmed that the payment for your school trip was made under your name. You really worked hard to save up—it was down to the wire, but you made it in time.”

“…Huh?”

I had no idea what he was talking about, but one face immediately came to mind: Ukai-san.

I remembered tell him back in third year, on the day of our junior high school trip—when I had to repay some debts—”I wish I could've gone on the school trip.”

There's no one else I know who'd just quietly provide financial support out of the blue. I wondered where he was now and what he was doing.

Let me thank you at least, damnit…

“But why didn't you notify the school earlier? You've got to report things like this properly.”

“…Well, yes. Thank you very much.”

“Thank you? You're a funny guy.”

“Y-yeah. Sorry about that.”

“Right. As for which group you'll join… Well, other students might be an issue, but I'm sure you'll manage fine. You figure it out yourself.”

No way. Could the exaggerated rumors about me being some kind of lone wolf monster have reached the teachers too? That's so embarrassing. I'll just chalk it up to an educational perspective on social dynamics or something.

“Got it.”

“One more thing. Unfortunately, your room will be a single. I tried my best to arrange something, but another school is also staying at the same hotel, and they were already fully booked.”

“No problem. Thank you for accommodating me on such short notice.”

“Not at all. That's all. See you tomorrow.”

“Yes. Goodbye.”

…

“Hell yeah!”

I couldn't help but pump my fist in celebration. I returned the Rurubu¹ to the rack, picked a random recommended book from the librarian's selection shelf, and headed to my part-time job, giddy about my first-ever trip.

“Oh, right. I need to ask the boss for time off.”

I've always wanted to visit Kyoto. Not just to sightsee the temples and shrines, but to indulge in sweets and tea in their birthplace—opportunities like this don't come around often.

I'd gratefully accept Ukai-san's generosity.

“—So, yeah, could I have next week off? Please?”

“Sure.”

After work, I spoke to the boss, who easily gave his approval. Then, rummaging in the cash register, he pulled out a brown envelope from the shelf above, slipped something into it, and handed it to me.

“Take it.”

“Huh? What's this three grand yen for?”

The amount was way too much for a simple errand.

“Your bonus.”

“Wait, why?”

“…”

As usual, the man was sparse with words, barely saying the minimum necessary.

While I stood there pondering, the boss was already sharpening a knife with a serious look, furrowing his brows. When he got like this, he wouldn't say another word—stubborn as ever. I'd lost my chance to ask why I was getting this money.

…Though I had a pretty good idea.

Still, why is it that the men who take a liking to me are all so awkward? If they're going to hand out pocket money, they could at least explain it properly.

“Thanks, boss. I'll make sure to bring you back a souvenir.”

“Mm.”

Huh. A response? That's rare. Did he seem kind of happy? Probably just my imagination. Still, I wanted to pick something he'd genuinely appreciate.

“By the way, the liquor order is done. Anything else for tomorrow's errands?”

The boss pointed to a note stuck on the fridge. Apparently, that's what he needed me to buy.

“Soy sauce and brown sugar,” I read. I'd grab them after school tomorrow. It was the usual arrangement—he'd handle the main groceries, and I'd pick up the heavier items.

“Got it. Goodnight.”

Then, I walked the dark streets back to my rundown apartment. Just one more week, and it would finally be here.

Hopefully, I'd be able to sleep well and focus in class.

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1 — ‘It is a travel guidebook that details what to “see”, “eat” and “play” all over Japan, and has been certified by Guinness World Records™ in 2010 as “the world’s most published travel guide series”‘ https://www.fun-japan.jp/en/articles/13159

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