Chastity Reversed: Part-Time Life by the All-Girls High School - Chapter 68: Reason

First year of high school, right after summer break.

Today was Friday.  

Normally, this would be the height of youth, but… I’d been skipping school for about a week now.

And the weekend was approaching, even though I hadn’t done anything yet.  

The academic tests were just around the corner.

Evening, in my room.

Once again, I didn’t go to school and spent my time after classes at home.

“…Phew. It’s been a while since I went for a run.”

But recently, I’d been feeling a bit better.

The reason was simple.

Oddly enough, it was because I’d been hanging out in the eat-in space at the convenience store.

Why though? Wasn’t that just loitering?

Well, even as I thought that, I kept going there every day.

I wasn’t sure if it was okay to rely on her like that.

But rejecting her kindness outright felt wrong too—like I’d be trampling on her goodwill.

[How about working here?]

And today. She’d said those words to me.

She’d actually asked someone like me—a guy who clearly seemed to have issues—to work there.

Even I thought it was surprising.

[At least come for an interview!]

And now, here I was, heading for an interview.  

…Well, of course, I planned to turn her down.  

I’d never had a part-time job before.  

In this reversed world—no, definitely—I’d just end up being a burden.  

With my current mental state, I didn’t think I could handle working.  

And they were running a business after all.  

“Haa… What should I do…”

But.

When I saw the Manager’s expression, it became strangely hard to refuse.

She felt like pure kindness personified. My parents might understand me because they were my family, but with her—it was different.

I didn’t sense any ulterior motives… Well, except for how she occasionally glanced at my neck.

Ahh, man. Why didn’t I just refuse back then—

☆

6 PM at night.

The high school girls returning from club activities were gone by now, and the convenience store seemed almost empty of customers.

Was this place really okay?

“Hello~…”

“Oh! You made it!”

Lost in thought, I entered the store.

The familiar name tag, ‘Hokuto’… greeted me warmly.

She gave off the vibe of a friendly big sister.  

But her muscles were something else.  

Not overly bulky or anything—but definitely well-trained. Her back especially looked strong.  

If we got into a fight, she’d probably send me flying.

“Uh… Where’s the Manager?”

“She’s inside with the assistant manager waiting for you. This way! Good luck with your interview~”

“Uh, excuse me…”

Following her guidance, I entered an area behind the register that customers normally weren’t allowed into.  

Behind a thin curtain was what looked like a small office space.  

So this was what it looked like back here…

“…” Stare.

“Oh! W-We’ve been waiting for you!”

“Uh… Hi.”

There was only one small desk that seemed usable.  

Across from it sat the Manager and… the assistant manager?  

“Could you sit over there? Sorry it’s so cramped.”

“…” Stare.

“Oh, uh… sure.”

I sat down on my side of the desk.  

But man—they were staring at me so much it was almost overwhelming.  

The assistant manager had short hair with long bangs covering part of her face.  

Her eyes peeked out from behind her hair and locked onto me without wavering.

…Was this what they called a “mekakure” girl? It was my first time seeing one in real life. (T/N: “Mekakure” (目隠れ) is a Japanese term used in anime and manga to describe characters whose eyes are partially or fully obscured, typically by their hair, an eye patch, or other coverings.)

“…!”

“Oh! Sorry about that.”

When I accidentally stared back at her out of curiosity, she quickly looked away.

Did I stare too much because she was unusual?

“…That’s amazing…”

“Huh?”

“You survived Assistant Manager-chan’s intense gaze!”

Why did the Manager look so surprised?

I just returned her gaze because she was looking at me!

Anyway—I should get straight to declining their offer before things got drawn out unnecessarily.

“About the part-time job… I don’t want to cause any trouble so—”

“—I knew it! You’ve got talent for this!”

“What!?”

The Manager leaned forward enthusiastically.

I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by her energy.

Talent… for working at a convenience store? What even was that?

I’d never heard of such a thing before. Just how short-staffed were they?

“To be honest, this place has some rough customers—troublesome high school girls messing around or demanding complainers—but…”

“I see (confused).”

Wait—what kind of line was that if they were trying to hire someone? What was she even trying to say?

“I handle those kinds of people myself! But most employees can’t stand even watching those situations unfold, yet you—you seem like you could handle it no problem!”

“I’m sorry… Even so, honestly speaking, I don’t feel up to working right now.”

“Then—then! Only when you feel like it!”

“Huh…”

“You don’t even have to work! You can just hang out here like an apprentice? Or maybe as a temporary staff member? Like a live-in helper or something!”

“What even is that…”

It made no sense to me.

What exactly was she trying to—

“You don’t have… anywhere else to go, do you? Neither at school nor at home?”

“…That’s true…”

“Then stay here! It’s fine!”

“No way…”

“Is that bad?”

“N-No, not really… But isn’t it weird? Not working yet staying here?”

“It’s fine! Hardly anyone uses this space anyway! Just me and Assistant Manager-chan!”

Why?

Why were they being so accommodating toward me?

It didn’t make sense…

But—I couldn’t sense any deceit from her words or actions.

“…”

“So? What do you think?”

“…Why?”

“Huh?”

“…Why are you going so far for someone like me?”

All I could feel from her was pure kindness.

But still—it scared me to accept it.

So when I asked—

“—Because I’m an adult and you’re a child.”

“!”

She smiled as she said that.

And in response—I couldn’t say anything back.

That line—it wasn’t fair at all.

All those things I cared about—being “a man”, “the world”, “not being a burden”—none of them mattered anymore after hearing that.

There was no reason left not to rely on her kindness anymore—

“Heheh~ So don’t worry about it.”

“…Okay.”

“You don’t hate the idea?”

“I mean… I have zero experience working part-time though—is that okay?”

“Yes! Absolutely fine!” 

“And honestly… I probably lack common sense too.”

“That’s totally fine! We’ll teach you everything from scratch!” 

“…Also—I might not speak properly—” 

“No problem at all! We’ve even taught non-Japanese speakers from scratch before!” 

“…Actually—I’m from another world.” 

“Huh!? Another world!? Oh well—that’s fine too!”

Why was this person so kind…

I couldn’t take it anymore—I’d reached my limit.  

I wasn’t strong enough to refuse her extended hand anymore.  

“…Okay.”  

Even though I’d given up hope—even though I’d thought I’d never find another place where I’d belong outside of Akari—

“Huh!? W-Wait—”  

“So how’s our new recruit doing—huh!?”  

“N-No! Hokuto-san!”  

“You made a 15-year-old boy cry!? That’s seriously bad news for you as a Manager…”  

“…Another world…!” Frozen.  

“And why are YOU freezing up too, Assistant Manager…”  

In this cramped staff room—with these three chaotic “senpai” bustling around noisily—

Even though it should have been loud—it felt strangely warm here.  

“I look forward to working with you.”   

This was a place where I truly wanted to stay forever.  

And with that thought—I bowed my head in gratitude.