The Woman Whose Life I Saved Turned out to Be the Mother of the Popular Twin Sisters in My Class - Chapter 27 - Carelessness Is the Greatest Enemy

Chapter 27 – Carelessness Is the Greatest Enemy

“Part-time job?”

The library after school is still empty as usual. The gal-ish girl who was a library committee member had headphones on and was enjoying watching something on YouTube.

The only other person in the room other than me was…Kotobuki Yuzuki.

Her black hair had grown a little longer compared to autumn, but it still looked silky smooth with careful care.

I thought that her blazer looked a little tight around her chest when she buttoned it up, but I didn’t say anything.

Her legs, sticking out from under her skirt, were covered in black tights. At this time of year, bare legs would probably be cold. Of course.

Recently, we’ve been talking like this sometimes in the library after school.

We each picked up a book that caught our eye, and while we were reading, we would occasionally chat.

When Yuzuki had finished reading, I remembered my conversation with Shuka yesterday and started to gather information about part-time jobs.

“Yeah. I was wondering if you’ve ever done it.”

“No, I haven’t.”

Yuzuki answered, touching her chin with her fingers as if she was thinking. She turned her gaze my way and continued speaking.

“Will you get a part-time job?”

Her round eyes were so sparkly that they could be mistaken for jewels, and I felt a mysterious gravitational pull that drew me in.

I quickly looked away and groaned.

“I’ve been thinking about it.”

“Where?”

“I haven’t thought that far yet.”

That’s true.

I feel like I’d be better at jobs where I can continue working alone in silence, but as part of what Shuka called the real life project, I’d like to consider improving my skills.

Then, it seems like it would have to be a customer service job. It might help me build the courage and social skills I’m lacking.

“Maybe a customer service job.”

When I answered somewhat uncertainly, Yuzuki widened her eyes in surprise. I narrowed my eyes slightly, implying, “Is it that surprising?” but she quickly laughed in amusement.

“Ahaha, I’m sorry. It’s just that it’s a little different from what I imagined.”

No, I get what you mean.

“Well, I think it’s a good idea. Let me know once you decide on a part-time job. I’ll definitely come and visit.”

When she says she’ll definitely come, it makes me want to keep it to myself. After all, if I’ve just started, I won’t be able to do well for sure. I don’t want to expose my embarrassing moments.

“If I feel like it, I’ll let you know.”

So, I brushed it off casually.

“By the way, Mom has been wanting to meet you, Ao-kun.”

A while ago, I heard from Yuzuki that Kotobuki Mother had been discharged from the hospital. Of course, she wanted to thank me, but I couldn’t refuse, so I was soon given another opportunity to visit the Kotobuki family.

“Yeah, I’d like to avoid that for a while.”

She was really a wonderful person.

She was a beautiful woman who was exactly the person you’d think to be the mother of Yuzuki and Hikari, and she exuded adult charm to the fullest.

I didn’t notice it at the time when I was desperately doing CPR, but I thought her looks were at a celebrity level.

She had black hair, so I felt like she had a lot in common with Yuzuki. I’m sure Yuzuki will grow up to be an adult like that.

“Well, meeting a classmate’s parents can be nerve-wracking. I’m already grateful that you came once.”

“That was quick and helpful.”

As I said this with a laugh, Yuzuki blushed and put her hand on her cheek, making an embarrassed expression.

“…Maybe next we should talk about our relationship.”

“Please refrain from making those kinds of jokes.”

“Who said anything about joking?”

As she said this, Yuzuki closed the distance between us a little. Then her right hand touched my thigh.

The unfamiliar sensation made me flinch.

“I’m serious. It’s troublesome if you think I’m joking. In that case, I have no choice but to show my sincerity, or rather, my resolve, through my actions.”

Yuzuki’s hand slowly moved towards the base of my leg. Then, she moved her fingers slightly, stimulating the inside of my thigh.

“W-wait.”

I instinctively shook my chair and stood up. Seeing my reaction, Yuzuki looked disappointed.

“I think that was a bit too much.”

“Really? I think this is normal for healthy men and women. If you say that, then you should accept my feelings properly. If I feel like my feelings aren’t being reciprocated in the future, I won’t hold back and pounce on you mercilessly.”

Yuzuki said this while looking at me with a serious gaze. A girl shouldn’t say things like “pounce on you”…

However, I realized that the way I say things can change how the other person interprets them. I need to be more careful about how I express myself in the future.

I was of course worried about being “pounced on,” but more than that, I felt the importance of properly conveying my thoughts.

Words are really difficult.

One mistake can change the meaning conveyed, and even a slight change in the way you say things can change the way the other person perceives it.

“By the way,” Yuzuki said this in a deliberate manner.

Was it just my imagination that it sounded like she had been waiting for the right timing?

When I looked at her, she was gazing out the window at the sky. As winter approaches, it gets dark earlier. Seeing that makes me feel the arrival of winter even more.

“It’s coming soon.”

“The final exams?”

“No.”

As I quickly replied, Yuzuki shot me a resentful glare.

“Christmas?”

“That’s right.”

I was surprised that Yuzuki was the one to bring up the topic. But by inserting a joke, I was able to calm her down a little.

“Do you have any plans?”

“Not at the moment. I was just thinking about what to do.”

“What are you thinking about doing?”

I was at a loss for words when she asked me that.

I thought it would be really weird to say it myself, but then Yuzuki looked up expectantly and made me slip up.

“Well, I was wondering if you guys are free for Christmas.”

I quickly looked away.

I scratched my head with my idle right hand to play it off.

When I noticed her lack of reaction, I glanced back at Yuzuki. She had a smile like an emoticon on her face. Has she forgotten that she’s supposed to be a cool character?

“What’s with you? You act disinterested most of the time, but you’re really interested in us. You’re such a tsundere, Ao-kun.”

She nudged me with her elbow, so I quickly distanced myself from Yuzuki. I was already feeling embarrassed, I definitely couldn’t handle any physical attacks.

“It’s not like that!”

No matter how I retort, it seems like it’ll only prove her comment about me being a tsundere. I think the correct reaction in a situation like this is just to honestly admit, “Yes, I’m a tsundere.” Oddly enough, that doesn’t give me a sense of affirmation.

“So, what about Christmas?”

“Um, you see…”

Yuzuki seemed to freeze, as if she was about to say something but suddenly stopped. I felt something was off at her sudden pause, but I was more concerned about where her gaze was directed, which wasn’t at me.

I looked in that direction as well.

“Please be quiet in the library.”

We were scolded by the library committee girl.

I had let my guard down, thinking she was wearing headphones…