"Oh, oh! Got it, got it! Is that Kazuo!?"
Although he didn't know where he was, the noisy clamor from the other end of the phone made Kazuo hold the receiver a little further away.
"Hiss—Senior Okino, where are you, it's so loud… And why are you calling me now?"
His cheap senior always disappeared to mess around during holidays. Although Kazuo wasn't quite sure what he did on weekdays either, he was always mysterious… "Hey, I'm at the train station right now, with old man Yoshida, getting ready to go camping. How about you, what are you doing, do you want to come with us to Lake Motosu if you're free?"
Koji's heartless laughter came from the other end of the line again, and Kazuo rolled his eyes speechlessly, huffing:
"Hmph, I'll pass. Nothing good ever happens when I'm with you two. Besides, I'm working a part-time job and reviewing for my exams. I still have a trainer's license to test for, you haven't forgotten, have you!?"
"Hey, you're studying hard, then keep up the good work. Keep your head down and strive hard! Young man!!"
He was playing with the hot-blooded trope from shonen manga again… But before Kazuo could reply, the call was already hung up.
Kazuo held his phone, muttering for a long time… "So why did he suddenly call me anyway…?"
.
"Alright, that kid is working hard, so you can relax now, can't you?"
Although Koji said this after hanging up, he couldn't help but show a satisfied expression.
He actually thought highly of this junior, who was also his roommate and, in some ways, could be considered his underclassman.
They had been together for a month, and he had seen everything he had done. It could be said that Kazuo only needed to get that one piece of paper now.
"Then we'll just wait for the results, won't we?"
"Yes…"
.
"Hmm… Really, calling me suddenly at this time…"
Kazuo put his phone back in his pocket. He had been in the middle of thinking about a topic when he was unexpectedly interrupted by the call.
However, after coming back to his senses, Kazuo remembered that there was still someone sitting beside him… He turned his head and saw the girl staring intently at him.
"Rice Shower-classmate, are you done with your part?"
He only then remembered that he had given the girl a task earlier, but he had been too focused on reading and had somewhat neglected her situation.
So, at this moment, it inevitably felt a bit awkward.
Rice Shower shook her head and said, "Um… I saw that you were very focused, so I didn't dare to disturb you… This, it's already finished… If it's not too much trouble, could you help me check if there are any problems…?"
Although the two of them could communicate normally now, Rice Shower kept using honorifics, which made Kazuo a bit awkward.
However, compared to before, when they couldn't even communicate, it was actually a huge improvement.
But when he heard her say that, Kazuo couldn't help but be taken aback first.
"Rice Shower-classmate, how long have you been done?"
"Not long… Probably almost ten minutes now…?"
...!?
Rice Shower was too considerate of others, wasn't she?
In comparison, a certain unscrupulous fellow, his senior and roommate, was simply outshone.
Although timid, she was also particularly sensitive to others' feelings due to her delicate emotions… If one were to describe Rice Shower, she was like a gentle lamb.
Speaking of which, Rice Shower is a delicate and easily melancholic lamb, Daijin is a kitten unwilling to let others touch her… Xiao Hai Wan… What is she like?
Lost in thought, Kazuo began to pick up the neatly organized documents on the table and flip through them.
Just as Kazuo had instructed, all the documents and order receipts were organized in alphabetical order (based on the Japanese syllabary).
She had even carefully marked the first document of each section.
This meticulousness and patience made Kazuo look at the girl a few more times.
However, Rice Shower was looking at Kazuo with a nervous expression; it seemed she was very uneasy—
However.
"Excellent, Rice Shower-classmate, you did very well!!"
Flipping through them, he couldn't find any faults. Everything was done exactly as Kazuo had demonstrated earlier.
Hearing Kazuo say this, the girl's tense emotions finally relaxed.
Her big, fluttering eyes stared at Kazuo, looking a bit excited: "Really?"
"Yes, you're amazing, Rice Shower-classmate, you completed everything just as I instructed!!"
Receiving Kazuo's affirmation, Rice Shower's small face flushed adorably. With her nervous and uneasy emotions released, she finally showed a relieved smile and quietly made a victory sign with her hand.
It was evident that she deeply craved a sense of validation, finding genuine happiness when others affirmed her.
Kazuo also felt that Rice Shower looked much better with a smile than with her usual timid, tearful expression.
Her cheerful demeanor was like that of a little angel, and for a moment, Kazuo couldn't help but stare.
Rice Shower seemed to notice Kazuo's gaze, and seeing him stare blankly at her made her feel a little uneasy again.
"Um... Asama-sensei... Is there something strange on my face?"
Being caught in such a situation, Kazuo couldn't help but blush, clearing his throat twice as he explained:
"Uh... no... I was just thinking a little. Ahem..."
If he admitted he was simply staring, it would be too embarrassing.
With that thought, Kazuo quickly changed the subject:
"Ahem... Since Rice Shower-classmate has finished the assigned task, why don't you take a short break?"
"When Aoi comes later, we can ask her about the next arrangements. For now, Rice Shower-classmate, just relax."
These were originally tasks he was supposed to do himself, but Rice Shower had helped him complete them, so Kazuo intended to let Rice Shower relax at the front desk.
He, on the other hand, would continue studying, but just as he thought this, Kiryuuin walked straight out of the room and, seeing Kazuo, immediately instructed him:
"Oh, Asama, if someone comes to the store later looking for me, remember to let me know."
As he spoke, his gaze drifted towards Rice Shower.
Rice Shower hadn't actually met Kiryuuin yet (she had been sent to the front desk by Aoi when she woke up), so the moment she saw a stranger, especially with such a deadpan stare, it felt as if she had been glared at.
"Huh!?"
Rice Shower instantly reverted to her extremely shy state.
"Eek--"
The girl who had just managed to smile was now cowering again.
It seemed Rice Shower still had a long way to go to become cheerful.