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 22: Communication with Rikka.
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Communication with Rikka.
“Hey, I’m so bored~”
“Are you busy at work, Onii-san?”
Two messages from Rikka arrived during the afternoon hours.
And,
“Sorry for the late reply. I just finished work now,” Shuuto responded at 9:30 PM, as he got into his car to head home.
“Oh! Finally got a reply. I was getting worried, you know.”
“I thought so because it showed ‘read’ right after I sent the message.”
The two had exchanged contact information and had been messaging every day. Although they hadn’t met since going for barbecue, their relationship had grown closer through messages.
“I was so bored. I even went for a walk alone today.”
“Haha. Well, wasn’t that enjoyable in its own way? Did anything interesting happen?”
“I tried to pet a stray cat that came close, but it ran away. I thought it was friendly, but I felt betrayed.”
“Hahaha,” Imagining Rikka pouting in dissatisfaction at the moment the cat escaped, Shuuto burst into laughter inside his car.
“Where are you now, Onii-san? Still at Charlotte?”
“I just left Charlotte and I’m on my way home by car. I’ll have to cut off texting for now because I’ll be driving. Is that okay?”
“Oh, then can’t we talk on the phone? If you use the speaker, it’s okay even while driving, right?”
“Is it just me, or do you seem to have a ‘pay attention to me’ aura? Am I imagining things?”
“It’s not your imagination. Also, let me appeal a bit. Until you get home, you can talk to a model on the phone, you know? It’s a perk, isn’t it?”
Following those words, Rikka sent three heart stamps in a row.
The determination to “definitely make a phone call” comes across.
“Let’s do a phone call then?”
“Sure, I got it. I’ll call you in a moment.”
“Yeah yeah! I’ve been waiting.”
Seeing that reply, Shuuto activated the speaker and made the call.
“Hello.”
“Hello~. Good job on your work.”
“Thanks. Did you not have work today, Rikka-san?”
As Shuuto started the car engine, he grinned slightly, listening to her cheerful voice.
“You’re as lively as ever,” he remarked.
“Well, since I had nothing today, I had free time. You can even tell over the phone that I’m bursting with energy, right?”
“Well, yeah. Isn’t it a good time to watch videos or something to pass the time?”
“I was watching a livestream until just now, but it ended.”
“A livestream?”
“Yeah, a Vtuber’s livestream. My favorite.”
“Wow. Rikka-san, you watch those videos too?”
It was news to him. He threw the question while focusing on driving.
“I like games, so I watch them. Oh, and when I say ‘favorite,’ it’s a female Vtuber, so don’t get jealous, okay?”
“I won’t…”
If this conversation had taken place face to face with Rikka, he would have likely been teased with a smirk.
“Onii-san, don’t you watch any V-related stuff? Honestly, I can’t picture you watching them.”
“If I were to watch, it would probably be movies. A little bit each day.”
“Wow, you’re acting all mature.”
“Whether I’m acting mature or not, I am an adult.”
While giving such a straightforward response, Shuuto steered the conversation back a bit.
“But I was actually thinking of checking out some Vtubers.”
“Really!? Is there someone you’re interested in?”
“I wouldn’t say I’m not interested. It’s just that, to have more topics to talk about… I guess. Sometimes customers bring up that topic, and I can’t keep up because I don’t watch them.”
“So, you’re trying to do something like what a hostess does, Onii-san?”
“Ah, haha. Well, I do want you to have a good time, and I want to enjoy myself too.”
“Hmm. I get that, so just make sure not to get too popular. It’d be a problem if there’s no availability when I want to reserve you.”
“Since I have many reservations planned for the future, please make an early booking.”
“Hehe, getting carried away, aren’t you?”
While lying on the bed, Rikka playfully teased, wearing a mischievous smile.
“By the way, Rikka-san, who’s your favorite Vtuber?”
“Her name is Nanahoshi Sakura. She’s not good at games, but her voice and gestures are super cute.”
“Oh, I think I heard that name today from a customer who visited the shop.”
“Really!? She’s amazing, with over a million subscribers. You should check her out sometime.”
“Got it.”
Shuuto, now intrigued by who Rikka was supporting, was eager to look it up when he had the chance.
“Make sure to watch, okay? I’ll ask for your impressions to make sure you’re not lying.”
“Sure, sure.”
And just as he replied casually, right after that, Rikka, in her characteristic style, said something unexpected.
“So, how about we meet on your day off, Onii-san?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Let’s talk in person. Maybe do a little date while we’re at it.”
“I usually like to rest on my days off, you know?”
“Hmm, maybe the signal is bad.”
“I just want to relax on my days off.”
“Huh? Did you enter a tunnel?”
“Hello? Hello?”
At this point, Shuuto briefly glanced at his phone.
The screen showed a good signal. He wasn’t in a tunnel. And the replies were coming through just fine.
—She seemed to pretend not to hear only when it seemed like she might be rejected. This realization struck him at that moment.
“On your day off, let me send you my schedule.”
“Hehe, thanks. Let’s go to a café or somewhere we can relax.”
“Sure thing.”
Unable to match Rikka’s consideration at crucial moments, Shuuto made a promise.
The drinking party with Nonoka was also slowly approaching.