A Story About a Girl Who Took Life for Granted and Fell in Love With a Kind and Introverted Boy - Chapter 2

“…So, I actually know quite a few people in the entertainment industry…”

After lying to Saito that day after school, I was doing “papa-katsu” at a cafe near the station.

We sat facing each other at a small round table. The middle-aged man in a suit sitting in front of me had been bragging non-stop for over an hour since we entered the cafe.

“I have over 1000 followers on social media, so I’m starting to connect with people in the industry.”

“Oh, really?”

I sipped my milk tea through a straw, silently laughing inside at his boasting about having just over 1000 followers.

(He should at least wait until it’s five digits to brag.)

While thinking that, I pretended to listen to the man’s story, but I was actually gazing at a handsome waiter in the distance. The man hadn’t noticed at all that I wasn’t paying attention and kept on with his conversation at the level of adult videos.

…By the time evening passed seven o’clock, I was really starting to get tired, so I decided to leave.

“…Um, I have something to do, so I should go soon.”

“Huh? It’s already over?”

As I stood up, the man also stood and said this.

“Hey, what about an ‘adult’ option?”

“…?”

“If ‘adult’ is okay, how about 40,000 yen? What do you say?”

…Adult. In other words, he was talking about sex. He was offering up to 40,000 yen for it.

To be honest, I absolutely don’t do that kind of thing with adults. It’s just creepy to sleep with someone I don’t even like. So, I’ve never done it before and I’m still a virgin.

“Um…I’ll pass today.”

“Then, when would be good?”

“…?”

Pretending not to hear the man, I left the shop as it was. The man kept calling out to me, but I ignored it all.

(Guess I’m cutting ties with that guy…)

On the train ride home, I deleted all contact information from that man. He was annoying with all his bragging, but on the other hand, if I just listened to his boasting, he’d feel good on his own, so it was easy to deal with him.

But if it comes to physical relations, I guess I don’t need that anymore.

(Meeting just to listen to his boasting and getting 20,000 yen…What a joke.)

Why do people work so hard? Are they stupid? It’s so easy to get money like this.

“Phew…”

Thinking that the world isn’t all that great, I yawned softly.

…The next day, the first day of summer vacation. Alone in the empty living room, I lay on the sofa, enjoying ice cream.

Wearing just a camisole and panties under a braless top, I would have to quickly cover up if any customers came.

“Hmm…”

I lightly chuckled at a video I was watching on my smartphone.

“I’m home~”

From the entrance, I heard Miyuki’s voice. She took off her shoes and walked straight into the living room. She grabbed the collar of her sailor uniform and shook it, letting air into her clothes.

“Oh! Sister, dressed like that again!”

Miyuki started nagging. I took the ice cream stick out of my mouth and retorted, “You’re so annoying~.”

“It does matter what you wear, sister!”

“Such a stickler, Miyuki. Even more than Mom.”

“Well, with such a role model nearby, I have to be serious. Just because it’s summer vacation doesn’t mean you can be careless!”

Lately, Miyuki has been increasingly rebellious towards me. Geez, she used to be the cute little sister who followed me everywhere. Our faces look alike, but inside, we’re totally different sisters.

The only outward difference is our hair; I have long blonde hair, while Miyuki has ponytailed black hair. But that reflects our personalities perfectly.

“Seriously, sister is always…”

Miyuki muttered to herself while taking out barley tea from the fridge and pouring it into a glass.

“Oh, hey Miyuki, give me some too.”

“If you want some, pour it yourself!”

“Huh? Stingy.”

Just as I was thinking I had grown up with such an annoying sister, a notification pinged from my smartphone.

When I checked, it was a Lime message from Mayu.

“Kana, how did your confession to Saito go? ♡”

Saito…in other words, confirming the success of that confession to that introverted guy. Ugh, annoying.

“It wasn’t a love confession.”

I replied, and Mayu immediately responded without hesitation.

“So, how did it go? Success? Failure?”

“I wouldn’t get rejected by such a shy guy.”

“As expected of you, Kana! This means a lovey-dovey couple is born~! Congratulations!”

“Seriously annoying.”

“Oh dear? Aren’t we your cupid? Can’t you talk nicer?”

Mayu’s teasing escalated rapidly. I decided in my heart that I would definitely get back at her someday.

“Okay, Kana, make sure you date him for at least a month, okay?”

“Yeah yeah, I get it.”

“Are you planning any dates?”

“Nothing planned yet.”

“Make sure you go on a proper date with Saito-kun! He’s so cute~! Oh, don’t forget your quota for photos!”

“I got it.”

In response to my reply, Mayu sent a character stamp with a thumbs-up.

“…Sigh.”

I quietly sighed.

A date…a date, huh. What should I do?

(Well, for now, I’ll just get a free meal. He may not have as much money as a “papa,” but at least he can afford a meal, right?)

I opened Saito’s contact and invited him on a date. Since I’m technically his “girlfriend” on the surface, I made sure we exchanged contact information.

“Hey, Saito. Are you free tomorrow?”

(Now, what kind of reply will I get?)

I wanted to finish this “task” quickly and wrap up this farce.

“…Here you go, sister.”

Next to my face was a glass of barley tea. Miyuki had brought it over.

She looked down at me lying on the sofa with a sullen expression.

“What is it, Miyuki?”

“You wanted barley tea, right? You wouldn’t get it yourself, so I brought it.”

“Mm, I don’t want it anymore.”

“What? You don’t want it now?”

“Not in the mood anymore.”

“…Sigh.”

Miyuki glared at me and sighed in exasperation.

“Sister…I’ve been meaning to say this for a while, but you could at least say ‘thank you.’”

“…”

“Even if you don’t want the barley tea anymore, you could at least say something since I brought it to you.”

“Shut up, you brought it on your own. Don’t blame me.”

I averted my eyes from Miyuki and started playing with my phone.

“It’s not about blaming you or anything…”

Miyuki tried to talk to me about something, but since I kept fiddling with my phone, she eventually gave up.

“…Fine. If you don’t want the tea, I’ll drink it.”

She said that and then drank all the barley tea from the glass.

Just then, a notification popped up on my phone. It was a reply from Saito.

“I’m free tomorrow. Is something up?”

Ugh, such a clueless introvert.

“Anyone would understand it’s a date invitation, normally.”

I accidentally muttered my thoughts out loud. Hearing that, Miyuki asked, “What? You’re going on a date, sister?”

“Well, kinda.”

“So, you got a new boyfriend?”

“Something like that.”

“What kind of person is he this time?”

“Who knows.”

“‘Who knows’? Why don’t you know about the person you’re dating?”

“…”

I didn’t answer that question. If I honestly told her I confessed to him as a joke, Miyuki would definitely scream, “How awful!” in anger. I could already picture it.

Maybe sensing something from my silence, Miyuki didn’t push any further. Instead, she started to say something else to me.

“Sister, you should really take good care of the person you’re with…”

…But that’s as far as she went. She didn’t finish the rest of her sentence.

“…It’s not fair, you always get everything.”

“What? Miyuki, you’ve never had a boyfriend?”

“…No.”

“Well, with all your nagging, I can see why. Plus, you probably have pretty high standards.”

“…Hmph, that’s not true. I just want someone honest, kind, and who listens to what I have to say.”

“Yeah, yeah, honesty.”

“…”

Miyuki didn’t say anything else and went back to the kitchen, carrying the empty glass.