The Woman Whose Life I Saved Turned out to Be the Mother of the Popular Twin Sisters in My Class - Chapter 26 - Not Enough Money

Chapter 26 – Not Enough Money

It’s late November and we’re starting to feel the approach of winter.

The warmth of autumn is gradually disappearing, and the season of cold air caressing our cheeks is upon us.

The most obvious visual change is the change of uniforms.

At our school, there is no set rule for changing uniforms, and each student changes as needed.

After October, more and more students started putting on their uniform blazers, and now that it’s November, you could say that all the students are wearing them.

I’m already putting on a blazer myself. It’s still not cold enough to require scarves, gloves, and other winter gear, but some students are wearing extra layers under their blazers to keep them warmer.

If you go to the shopping mall, you’ll find a special Christmas area, and illuminations can be seen here and there in the city.

Every year, I think, ‘Oh, it’s almost Christmas,’ but just thinking that doesn’t mean anything particularly different from usual has happened.

But this year…

“Do you have any plans for Christmas, Kirishima?”

Hibino, walking next to me, asked casually. I had just been thinking about that, so I was a bit startled and at a loss for words.

“Huh, what do you mean? Am I being invited to something right now?”

On the way back from school, Hibino and I often walked home together since we took the same route to the nearest station. Today, we had stopped by a bookstore in the department store next to the station, and that’s when Hibino suddenly brought it up.

“That’s not the case at all. I have no intention of going out for an event where there are people everywhere.”

“Well, depending on how you do it, you can avoid crowds. If you go see the illuminations, sure, but you could also reserve a karaoke room.”

“Do I look like the type of person who would enjoy singing at karaoke?”

“Not really. You might start singing the national anthem.”

“I’d be a bit more careful about the song I choose, though.”

She shot me a half-hearted glare.

“It’s not just about karaoke. If you went to someone’s house or something, you wouldn’t have to deal with the crowds, right?”

When I offered another option, Hibino let out a sigh and slumped her shoulders.

“What, Kirishima, do you want to spend Christmas with me?”

Don’t look so annoyed.

I know you’re not serious. Wait, you’re not serious, are you?

“Well, I don’t think that’s a bad idea.”

We met in our third year of middle school, but of course we didn’t spend Christmas together that year.

The reason is exactly what Hibino said earlier.

I don’t have any desire to go anywhere for Christmas either, so I thought there was no need to force her to come if she didn’t want to.

I’m sure she would come if I invited her.

“Kirishima has a harem Christmas waiting for him this year, right? He probably won’t have time to spend it with me.”

“…I guess that’s how it’s going to be.”

It’s not like those plans are set in stone yet. I just have a feeling that it might end up like that. In fact, I’ve even been wondering if maybe I should be the one to invite them.

“Unless they don’t get fed up with Kirishima, that is.”

Hibino said with an amused look on her face.

As usual, I’ve asked the girls to keep their interaction with me in the classroom to a minimum. It’s possible that I’m worrying too much, but I still haven’t made up my mind.

Instead, I try to talk to them on weekends or after school.

“Are you going to spend Christmas with them?”

“Well, I don’t know yet…”

It’s a lot of trouble when those two are together. I’d like to meet them separately if possible.

When I showed a reluctant reaction, Hibino laughed even more happily.

“It’s tough isn’t it having a harem.”

“Don’t act like it’s someone else’s problem.”

“But it is someone else’s problem.”

“If I decide to spend Christmas with you, it might not be someone else’s problem anymore, you know?”

I said, grinning.

Then…

“Please don’t do that.”

Hibino looked very annoyed. It seems like she’s serious this time. Of course, I have no intention of doing something like that either.

“Any boy in class would be overjoyed to spend Christmas with those beautiful sisters.”

I suppose that’s true.

If I just imagine it, it would be a happy time. But when I actually find myself caught in the middle of them, it’s surprisingly not as exciting as I expected.

“I guess I don’t have the talent to have a harem.”

◇

“Aren’t you going to get a part-time job, Onii-chan?”

“What’s that all of a sudden?”

It was dinnertime.

Our mother is working even at this time, so it’s usually just me and Shuka eating dinner.

The TV was just about to feature something about part-time jobs for high school students, and I knew right away that she’d thought of the topic because she’d seen it, but I still replied that way for now.

“Well, I was wondering if I should…”

It’s not that I’ve never thought about it.

My family isn’t wealthy by any means, so I hardly get any pocket money from my mom.

There were times I thought, “Once I’m in high school, I’ll get a job and be able to buy as many novels as I want!”

However, when I was actually put in a position where I could get a part-time job, I hesitated.

And that’s why I still haven’t been able to start a part-time job.

“Well, it’s not like I’ve never considered it, but…”

“You’re just too scared, huh?”

Please don’t say it so bluntly.

It’s a pretty deflating fact I can’t really deny.

“But you know, I think it’s perfect as the next step in your real life project.”

“Huh, what project?”

When did it get named like that? It seems that in Shuka’s mind, my actions of buying clothes and cutting my hair are part of my journey to real life.

“You know, Onii-chan, when it comes down to it, you can show surprising courage, but normally, you’re just a hopeless introvert, right?”

“That’s a harsh way to put it, but it’s pretty much true, so I can’t really argue with that.”

“If you start a part-time job, you’ll improve your communication skills and your courage, you know? Well, I don’t really know.”

Shuka munched on the hamburger and said casually.

At the time, there was a TV show doing street interviews on the topic of “Good things about starting a part-time job,” and many people were saying things like they’ve made more friends and gotten better at socializing.

“And besides, Christmas is coming up soon, so you’ll have to buy a present for your girlfriend, right?”

“She’s not my girlfriend…”

“Well, she’s going to be, so you need to make sure to show that you’re a capable guy.”

Hearing what Shuka said, I started thinking again.

If we’re going to spend Christmas together, it certainly feels like it would be a good idea to give them a present.

I don’t really know since I’ve never spent Christmas with anyone, but that’s the feeling I get.

And if that’s the case, I won’t have enough money. I can’t expect any financial support from my mom. In fact, I shouldn’t rely on that.

That means…there’s only one answer.

“…Socializing costs money, huh?”

“Is that really something you’re just figuring out now?”