A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 28

Episode 28: Bento

“Huh?”

One early morning, I tilted my head as I looked at the amount of ginger pork I had prepared. The expiration date of the pork I bought was right on the edge, so I thought I’d make a bento box to take with me, but I ended up making more than I anticipated.

“Oh, right.”

I remembered that today, Shizuku was supposed to come to school too. She usually just buys lunch from the school store, so if I prepare a bento box for her too, maybe she’ll eat it.

Just to confirm, I sent a message through the app, asking if she was coming to school today and if she’d like to have my bento box for lunch. I received a quick reply.

“I can come today. Thank you so much for the bento box.”

After that sentence, a stamp of an adorable bear bowing was sent to me.

Feeling relieved, I started packing the two bento boxes with side dishes and rice. Since I made them myself, it’s hard to gauge their quality objectively, but they’re probably just average in taste. There’s nothing particularly special about them, no surprise elements like character bento boxes.

I closed the bento boxes, hoping not to raise too much expectation.

When I arrived at school, Shizuku was already in the classroom. She was surrounded by classmates as usual, but the topic of conversation didn’t seem to involve her, just normal chatter.

I stole a glance at Shizuku while trying to pay attention to the lesson. She seemed to think no one was watching, her eyes wide open as she stared at the blackboard. It was a bit eerie to watch her like that. She probably had to do it to avoid falling asleep. She tried rubbing her head, pinching her cheeks, doing everything she could to keep herself awake.

While I was concerned about her health, I couldn’t help but be fascinated by the sight of her elegant face being squished and contorted.

“……”

And then, our eyes met. Shizuku blushed and quickly averted her gaze.

I got too engrossed in watching her, but it would be rude to continue. I snapped out of it and focused on the teacher’s words to concentrate on the lesson.

During lunch break, I left the classroom with the two bento boxes in my bag. Shizuku and I avoided having conversations in public places. It’s not like we’re in a romantic relationship, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of in public, but somehow, we ended up like this.

Heading straight to the night shift room with the bento boxes in hand, there’s no need to borrow the key from the staff room anymore.

“No one is using it anyway,” Mamiya-sensei said while she entrusted me with a spare key.

When Mamiya-sensei isn’t around, borrowing the key to the night shift room is quite risky, and being able to come and go freely like this, just among us, is truly appreciated.

“…Huh.”

As I tried to open the duty room’s door, I paused after inserting the key.

The door was already unlocked.

I initially thought I forgot to lock it the last time I used it, but I immediately understood the situation when I caught a whiff of cigarette smoke coming from inside.

“Hello, Mamiya-sensei.”

“Call me Akira-chan.”

Inside, Mamiya-sensei was smoking by the window.

Her demeanor still didn’t match that of a typical teacher, but she was approachable.

“Is Kamisaka coming later?”

“Yes.”

“I see.”

“…Ah, would you like a cup of coffee? I’ll make you a cup right away.”

“Thanks, that’d be great.”

―Something about the atmosphere feels different.

While preparing the iced coffee, I felt that the atmosphere was odd.

It was Mamiya-sensei’s words that felt strange.

She usually engages in more chit-chat, but her responses were brief today. There didn’t seem to be any displeasure in her tone, nor did she seem to dislike anything about my attitude, but still.

“…Hey, Mikage.”

“Yes?”

“What do you think of Kamisaka lately?”

“What do I think…?”

The question was quite difficult.

Topics like these shake me deeply.

“As usual… I think she’s doing her best.”

“What else?”

“W-What else?”

“I mean her health. Any changes?”

“A, ah…”

I thought she was asking about my relationship with Shizuku, but it seems it wasn’t about that.

“Her health… I’m really worried. With filming every day and school, she seems exhausted.”

“I’m glad it’s someone like you who’s keeping an eye on her properly… Given the unconventional lifestyle she’s leading, there’s no doubt her fatigue is piling up. I want to do something about it, but there’s really nothing more we, as teachers, can do at this point.”

Shizuku often has to be absent due to her entertainment activities, so she’s been guaranteed the minimum attendance days under various conditions.

The school’s considerations have already been stretched to the maximum, and it seems like they can’t afford to treat Shizuku any more specially to maintain fairness.

“As a teacher, it’s truly embarrassing, but there’s nothing more I can do to help right now. While she’s within the school’s premises, I can keep an eye out… but I’m sorry, outside of school, I’m entrusting her to you.”

Mamiya-sensei, unusually serious, appealed to me.

It seems we’ve reached a point where we can’t afford to joke around anymore.

I’ve always been concerned about Shizuku’s health, even without being told. I nodded firmly.