A Beautiful Model In My Class Comes To The Coffee Shop Where I Work Part-time Only When I'm On Shift - Chapter 32

Episode 32: Isn’t it Romantic?

I rushed out of the shop and headed towards the station.

Following the flow of office workers finishing their day, I kept running while looking around.

I already knew where the final shoot was taking place, as Shizuku had told me. It was not within walking distance from here, undoubtedly, we would need either a train or a taxi.

If she had taken a taxi in this direction, she would have already arrived at the café. So, it must be the train.

Unless she collapses on the train, Shizuku should be somewhere along the way to the café.

“Shizuku!”

Her name slipped out of my mouth involuntarily.

As I approached the point where the station was visible, I suddenly stopped.

There was a small park.

Sitting on a bench all by herself, a girl was looking down. Her face was obscured by a hat and sunglasses, but her silhouette seemed familiar.

“…Shizuku.”

“…Juntaro.”

Shizuku lifted her face, looking terribly pale. However, there was also a somewhat cheerful impression about her.

“I never thought you’d find me so quickly.”

“I guess Inamori-san had a hand in it after all.”

As I said that, Shizuku scratched her cheek apologetically.

I had suspected something was off. There was no way anyone would let Shizuku, who looked completely worn out, wander without stopping her. Inamori-san’s apology didn’t make sense either. She had no reason to apologize, it was all part of her screenplay.

“She told me ‘Once you reach Jimbocho Station, go to a nearby park and take a rest. We will send someone to pick you up,’ I knew immediately that it was Juntaro.”
―Later, Inamori-san explained this to us.

“That was more dramatic and romantic, right?”

That sounded like something that a prankster would think of. Her apology was directed at involving us in her scripted idea.

“It was quite a gentle prank, considering it was pulled on you.”

“Ahaha… Well, it’s almost a straight road from the café to the station.”

Finding Shizuku was terribly easy.

She probably kept it within reasonable limits. The term “gave” might be strange. It was her way of not letting it become too serious.

“But I’m sorry? You were at work, right?”

“Utahara-san looked after things for me.”

“I see… Well then—”

As Shizuku tried to stand up, she swayed heavily in front of me.

I quickly supported her before she fell, and she chuckled wryly.

“Are you alright?”

“I’m okay… Just feeling a bit weak.”

I could feel Shizuku’s warmth as I touched her.

Her body felt unusually hot. It didn’t seem like she had a high fever, but it wouldn’t be surprising if she had a slight fever due to fatigue.

“Let’s postpone the coffee for another day.”

“Ehh…”

“Don’t ‘ehh’ me. Rest your body for now. If I took you in this state, even Utahara-san would be mad.”

“I see… Well, I guess there’s no choice.”

Now, what should we do? I want Shizuku to rest, but I need to figure out how to get her home.

Putting Shizuku back on the train in this condition would be quite a challenge. In that case, a taxi is the only option. I’m worried about whether I have enough money to pay for it, but there don’t seem to be any other choices.

It’s embarrassing, but I’ll promise to pay later and consult with Shizuku’s family if need be.

There happened to be a taxi waiting outside the park.

As I was about to take Shizuku there, the driver got out and walked towards us for some reason.

“Um, are you Kamisaka-san?”

“That’s me…”

“Ah, I see. Thank you for making a reservation. Please get in.”

“Huh?”

Shizuku and I exchanged glances. Then, she seemed to realize something and showed a surprised expression.

“It might be Reiko-san… She’s the only one who would know I’m here.”

“I see.”

She didn’t pick up the phone earlier, but she managed to contact us. We fell for her acting skills.

At any rate, I was grateful that she arranged the taxi for us.

I escorted Shizuku to the taxi, and we got in.

“Get some rest at home. We’ll talk later—”

“…Are you going somewhere?”

“!”

Shizuku, with a childlike face, grabbed my hand.

Her eyes, full of longing, held mine.

I wanted to go with Shizuku so badly. I wanted to be by her side even for a little while. However, I would have to leave my shift halfway if I did. Either way, I needed to get permission from Utahara-san.

“Hmm?”

At that moment, my phone vibrated.

I received a message from Utahara-san.

“Have you met Shizuku-chan? If you have, please take her home. You’re off work for today〜”

I really can’t compete with her.

“Got it, let’s go.”

With that, I told the taxi driver to head to Shizuku’s place.