After school, Airi Miyama declined Ichinose and the others' invitations because she was supposed to have a date with her boyfriend.
So why is she working part-time here…?
I was stunned, standing there, seeing Airi in Tatsuya's uniform holding a book. There must be some deep reason she lied, but it's none of my business as an outsider.
(Alright. I'll pretend I didn't see this and get out of here—)
As I turned to leave quickly, Airi placed the books she was holding at the register, came out, and pulled my shoulder with all her strength.
"Hey, what are you doing here, nerd?"
Airi, who stopped me, frowned suspiciously and glared at me.
(I-I'm just here to buy a book…)
"Are you planning to tell everyone that I'm working here?"
"Huh?"
"I-I'm telling you, I got the school's permission, and it's within the hours allowed by the school rules! There's nothing shady about it… nothing…"
Airi's face gradually clouded, and she looked like she was about to cry.
It seems she thinks I would spread bad rumors about her working here.
I wish she'd stop with the prejudice and paranoia against nerds and introverts… but considering my usual behavior, it's understandable.
"Um, hey. Aren't you misunderstanding something?"
Not knowing how to explain, I spoke awkwardly.
"I-I'm just here to buy a light novel, I didn't—"
"Please!!" She started, in a huffy voice.
"What…?"
"Please don't tell Yuria or Rui-chan about this!"
Airi begged me desperately, with large tears streaming down her face.
"Please… please!"
Is it that serious?
What should I do?!
(A nerd like me can't handle a girl's tears!)
"—Okay, okay. That's enough of your lover's quarrel."
A woman with short blonde hair had somehow inserted herself between us and spoke up. She had a mature air, and her apron badge read "Saito" and "Manager."
"Airi-chan, lover's quarrels are a big no-no during work."
"…"
Airi, sobbing, couldn't respond. If you don't tell her I'm not your boyfriend, this situation won't get resolved…
"Alright, it can't be helped. Airi-chan, take a break. Boyfriend-kun, come with me too."
"Uh, okay."
☆☆
We were led to the staff waiting room behind the register, where we sat facing each other on small folding chairs.
(Being brought here feels like being treated as a shoplifter.)
"Feel free to continue your lover's quarrel here. Oh, but it'll come out of your pay."
The short-haired blonde manager left with a sly smile.
"Sorry, nerd…"
"No, I should be the one apologizing."
Even though I had no reason to apologize, I did it reflexively. There must be a reason she's so desperate to keep this secret.
As Airi calmed down, she wiped her tears and looked at me.
(Airi Miyama is looking at me so intently…)
If I had to summarize my thoughts in less than ten characters: "Her boobs are huge."
Her face and hairstyle are as cute as a model in a fashion magazine, but her breasts are as big as those of a gravure idol. In fact, they're even more erotic…
(What am I thinking in this situation?!)
I quickly looked away and averted my gaze.
Facing her at this close distance is too much for an introvert—
"Airi suddenly got scared."
Since moving here, we have yet to speak, but Airi has started talking slowly.
"I was worried people would call me poor again like they did in the past."
"P-Poor…? What do you mean?"
When I asked, Airi bit her lip and began to speak again.
"The truth is, Airi's family is really poor. My father died when I was little, and my mom raised me alone. It's been tough. I've never had an allowance, and I've faced a lot of hardships."
Airi began to share her life story. It was a situation far removed from the image I had of Airi Miyama.
(This is a million times heavier than I imagined…)
"When I was in middle school, all my friends started using makeup, but I was left behind and had a hard time. I didn't want to feel that way in high school. So, I worked hard to save money, learned about fashion and makeup, and became the cute version of myself. Thanks to that, I finally thought of myself as the cutest. But I faced the reality that it costs money to maintain that cuteness."
I see. So that's why she's working a part-time job.
The Airi Miyama I knew always seemed like she was on the cutting edge of fashion. Everything she wore was always dazzling and stylish. I never imagined she had struggled so much.
"I, I don't care if people make fun of me for being poor! I'm used to it… but I don't want Yuria or Rui-chan, who have been my friends since the first year, to find out. So, please."
It seems Airi still thinks I might mock her. But working a part-time job doesn't necessarily mean you're poor.
(I feel deeply misunderstood. As a representative of nerdy introverts, I need to set the record straight.)
"I… I respect you, Airi. I would never make fun of you."
"What?"
"I know how it feels to be able to buy anything with the money one has earned themselves, so… in a way, you're an adult. I could never make fun of someone like you, and I won't."
"Nerd…"
Even though I'm a nerdy introvert, I hope my reassurance got through to her.
"…You're surprisingly kind."
A gentle smile returned to Airi's face. Does that mean my words reached her?
"Being a nerd, I thought you'd say something like 'I'll keep quiet if you let me touch your boobs.'"
"Wha—! I-I would never say—"
"Or do you want to try touching them? Airi's boobs." She spoke in the third person.
With a sultry smile, Airi placed her fingers on the top button of her white blazer. I couldn't miss the glimpse of her large cleavage.
Is it… okay? Can I touch Airi Miyama's big boobs? The ones every guy has dreamed of…
"Just kidding. Did you expect that? You're such a nerd."
It seems my curiosity as a virgin was just played with.
Yes, I did expect it. Even though I'm not a big fan of Airi Miyama, all boobs are innocent (a wise saying).
"I have to get back to work. You were here for something, right? That book with the weird title."
"Oh… I almost forgot."
Remembering, I dashed out of the room and headed straight for the store floor.
☆☆
It's gone… It's not here!
The book I wanted, "Sucking S-Class Beauties' Boobs in Another World and Absorbing Their Cheat Skills," is gone!
There's no sign of the light novel I was looking for in the corner.
I thought it was in stock… sigh.
(It seems like my luck was bad to the very end today.)
"Hey, nerd, did you find it?"
"…No, it's sold out."
"Pfft, haha!"
Airi burst into laughter as I dejectedly slumped my shoulders. It's infuriating… does she know whose fault this is?
Maybe I should just get back at her by spreading rumors about her past. Haha as if I would ever do that...Huh?
"What's this?"
Airi held out a book to me.
What's going on? Is this a trap?
I reluctantly took it, and the moment I did, my eyes widened.
"This… this is volume one of 'Sucking S-Class Beauties' Boobs in Another World and Absorbing Their Cheat Skills.'"
"The title is gross, but this is what you wanted, right? I reserved it for you when you called."
No way. She's an angel…
I want to punch myself from a few seconds ago who was thinking about spreading rumors about her…
"Well, where's my thank you?"
"Oh, thank you… very much." I bow low.
I was so grateful I ended up using formal language, adding a respectful bow.
"That's not the kind of thank you I meant."
"Huh?"
"I reserved it for you, so you owe me. Buy me something tomorrow at the school cafeteria."
"W-what?" The cafeteria is known to be pricy.
"Since you discovered Airi's true nature, I'll be blunt: Airi is all about money. So, treat me to something at the cafeteria tomorrow."
This girl… she's not an angel, she's a devil! This big-boobed devil! Succubus!
"By the way, nerd, what's your name?"
"Uh, it's Ryota Izumiya…"
"Okay, Ryota. I'm looking forward to tomorrow's lunch."
Oh no. You weren't kidding??!
Having lunch at the cafeteria with the big-boobed beauty is a disaster.
(My peaceful life… is definitely over.)