A Young Male Hairdresser, Assigned To help Out At The Branch, Finds Himself Bothered By The Playful Antics Of A Lively High School Gal Model Who Seeks Attention. - Chapter 13: Dining Out 3

Dining Out 3

“Phew, I’m full.”

“Me too.”

“Right~?”

The 100-minute all-you-can-eat session ended, and the two, hands on their bulging stomachs, left the restaurant.

Rikka had returned to her usual appearance, hiding herself with a cap and mask.

“Hey, look, Onii-san. This stomach.”

“Huh!?”

It was sudden. With a smirk, she suddenly lifted her shirt, revealing her belly.

“Fufu~, no need to panic over my stomach. There’s no one around, and people often expose their belly buttons in magazines.”

“That’s not a valid reason…”

Smooth, unblemished white skin with a tiny belly button.

Although caught off guard by the sudden exposure, he quickly regained composure, thanks to her unchanged attitude.

“Come on, put it back… quickly. Your clothes…”

“Okay~~.”

She obediently lowered her shirt at those words.

I should say, “Even though you’re innocent, you do this a lot.”

“W-well… anyway, thanks for inviting me out today, Rikka-san. It’s been a while since I’ve been able to unwind like this.”

“No, thank you. I had a great time.”

“I’d be worried if you weren’t satisfied. After all, you snatched away the meat I grilled multiple times.”

“Was that an unnecessary comment? And hey, you’ve taken some from me too, so we’re even.”

“But the number you’ve taken is probably double.”

“Don’t worry about that, don’t worry.”

The conversation at the barbecue restaurant flowed without interruption, creating a cheerful and enjoyable atmosphere.

Just from this conversation alone, it was clear that they were having a fulfilling time.

“Well, it’s about time to leave. I’m fine, but Onii-san, you have work early tomorrow… I mean, today.”

Since it was already past midnight, the distinction between ‘today’ and ‘tomorrow’ became complicated.

“Do you have school tomorrow, Rikka-san?”

“I do have school, but it starts in the afternoon, so I have plenty of time. Oh, sorry… that might sound sarcastic to you, Onii-san.”

“Haha, I don’t think that way!”

Her consideration and quick thinking don’t seem typical for an 18-year-old. She behaves as if dealing with someone of the same age.

“By the way, since I pass by Charlotte every day on my way to school, we might run into each other again.”

“Are you sure you should be giving out that information?”

“It’s fine, it’s fine. It seems like you’d pay more attention to me if I shared some info, right?”

“That’s a selfish reason…”

“I don’t have any friends, so what can I do?”

“Yeah, yeah. I’m your friend, so you don’t have to say stuff like that.”

“…Hey, you know? You always say the things I want you to say, even if you pretend not to.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s not ‘Is that so?‘ You actually know it but pretend not to.”

With narrowed eyes, she punched his shoulder and made a truly happy expression.

Shuuto, feeling thrown off, scratched the back of his head and looked away.

“Um, so, Rikka-san, are you going to take a taxi home?”

“Ah! If it’s about the taxi fare, it’s okay! I’d be happier to use that money to go out together again than to have you pay for it.”

Just as Shuuto was about to take out his wallet from his pocket, Rikka made a scissors gesture as if she had anticipated his move and stopped him.

“You don’t seem like you’re 18, really…”

“There are a lot of mature people in this industry, you know.”

“I kind of get that feeling when I’m around you, Rikka-san.”

“Well, honestly, I don’t need any money. Instead of a taxi, my sister will come pick me up.”

“Huh? At this hour? It’s already midnight…?”

“My sister is a nurse, so she works until late at night. This time is just when she finishes her shift.”

“I see…”

Shuuto had no idea that Rikka had an older sister. He had always thought she was an only child, so this was quite surprising.

“In that case, would you like me to keep you company until your sister arrives to pick you up?”

“Fufuu~, you say that you’re worried about me and want to wait together. Thanks for being so considerate, Onii-san, even though you have to wake up early.”

“…”

“You don’t have to hide your kind side, you know.”

“G-geez, you’re so annoying…”

Somehow, the conversation had turned into him being teased by someone younger. He couldn’t help but respond in this way, feeling like he was being seen through.

“Oh, you could also choose to drive me home in your car, Onii-san?”

“Hey now, don’t get ahead of yourself. Even though we’re friends, it’s not something you say to a guy you’ve only met a few times.”

Giving the kind of caution that’s expected of an adult. It seemed like it was a necessary warning given the situation.

“Uwaaa… You may look like a playboy, but you sure do say responsible things.”

Although she pouted, she also agreed with a “Well, that’s true” in her tone.

“Well, I’ll make this request after getting to know you more, Onii-san.”

“I can feel at ease if you do that. Did you already contact your sister?”

“I did it before leaving the restaurant. I can’t keep relying on you, Onii-san.”

“Huh? Oh… So, you were testing something? Like, ‘Is it okay to ask Onii-san to drive me home?’ or something?”

“Hehe~~.”

She didn’t provide a direct answer. Raising her chest in a vague response, she lifted both corners of her mouth, creating a cute yet somewhat annoying triumphant expression.

“Sorry, I tried~.”

And with that, without breaking her triumphant expression, she spoke. The lack of an apologetic tone seemed to be part of maintaining that triumphant look.

“Well, it’s no big deal. But I’m more surprised that you can talk with that expression on your face.”

“Do you get irritated if you look at it for too long?”

“Do I? But you look cute.”

“Wha?! That’s like saying my usual self isn’t cute!”

“Haha, just returning the favor for you trying it out.”

Being called “cute” wasn’t embarrassing for her due to her profession. She naturally returned the compliment with a laugh, and Rikka came back with a different kind of attack.

“Shuuto-san… you’re being childish.”

“You suddenly changed how you address me, huh?”

“Fufuu~, for someone who’s being mean, I’ll stubbornly use this name.”

“Sure, feel free.”

“But ‘Onii-san’ suits you better, so I’ll stick with that for now.”

“What’s with that?”

“Hahahha~”

And so, for the next 15 minutes until the pick-up arrived, the two of them engaged in lively conversation.

It goes without saying that changing to calling each other by their names brought them closer together.