When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 50: Like a cat that climbed up a tree and can't come down.

Like a cat that climbed up a tree and can’t come down.

Returning home, I finished dinner.

Today’s dinner was hamburger steak, but for some reason, a whole carrot was standing upright in the center of the hamburger. It was as if it were a Matador sword in a bullring.

I refrained from pointing it out today, but I wondered what kind of reaction I would get if I mentioned it the next time the hamburg steak appeared.

Just thinking about it made me chuckle. By the way, the carrot was steamed perfectly and tasted sweet and delicious.

A bit of a quirky taste, perhaps. But honestly, I didn’t have the capacity to point it out at the moment.

I turned on the TV and gathered around the table.

On the screen, a female celebrity was taking on a food challenge and was just finishing her meal. She proudly held up a large plate, and the host on the screen was expressing amazement.

I watched—or rather, gazed at it. The visuals were there, but the content seemed to slip out of my mind, flowing from one ear to the other.

I glanced at Sajou-san.

“……(moo)”

She seemed to be similar, lost in thought or space while seemingly watching TV.

The TV’s images were reflected square in her black eyes. It seemed as though they were burned into her retina, but in reality, she didn’t seem interested in the TV at all.

Sounds and movements attracted her attention. Just that much.

She seemed like a cat, or perhaps a baby. The image of a child who had just learned to stand and was mimicking the movement of the TV vaguely crossed my mind.

A cat or a baby.

Despite thinking of trivial matters on the surface, my mind was occupied with thoughts about the upcoming parent-teacher conference.

When should I bring it up?

Now? Or maybe now? No, let’s wait a bit longer.

Since coming home, I had been hesitant to broach the subject.

Even if I did, I felt like it would end with a simple “I see.” But just thinking about leaving it unsaid and dragging it around internally made my lips dry and my movements sluggish.

Sajou-san tended to bear her burdens alone and self-destruct when something was bothering her.

It was the same when she stopped coming after the pool halfway through summer vacation.

She disappeared suddenly, then gradually settled in. Maybe she really is like a cat.

It might be the result of not having anyone to talk to about her problems due to her environment, but it’s hard to tell since she doesn’t show much expression. I’ve gotten a sense of when she might be a bit upset from her voice, though.

She seems insensitive in many ways but is also incredibly delicate. Dealing with her feels like handling delicate glasswork.

I can’t help but wish she would just be honest. But considering I usually hide my true feelings and just go along with things, it’s selfish of me to think that way.

I crossed my arms and leaned on the table.

My face still turned towards Sajou-san, I rubbed my forearms with both hands busily.

It’s not cold. I just can’t seem to calm down.

It couldn’t be helped, but I regretted taking on the task at this point.

Damn it.

Why do I have to worry about something like this?

Teacher should have told her herself…

Putting aside the fact that I couldn’t refuse and cursing the pathetic teacher who came crying to me in my heart, there are times when I just can’t manage without venting my frustration, even if it’s irrational.

However.

I can’t keep procrastinating forever.

Just like with summer homework, continuously pushing things off until tomorrow and then being scolded by my mother on the final night while crying and filling out my diary is something I’d rather avoid.

Now that I’m a high school student, I should act a bit more like an adult.

…At this age, even if you haven’t done something, you start to think, “Well, whatever,” and become skilled at apologizing with a mature attitude, but it’s sad to become an adult. It’s quite obvious when the head adult, the teacher, comes crying to the students.

Oh well.

I reluctantly muster up some motivation.

Let’s ask casually and end it quickly.

Regardless of the response, the fact that I tried is what matters.

Saying, “I didn’t do it,” leaves room for excuses, whereas saying, “I tried, but I couldn’t,” at least acknowledges the effort.

That’s the art of adulting.

As I’m about to affirm all the world’s dirtiness and open my mouth, suddenly Sajou-san’s face turns toward me from the TV.

Bad timing, I grumble inwardly.

We’ve been silent this whole time, so why did we both choose this moment to start talking?

It’s like when you try to avoid someone walking towards you head-on, but they also try to avoid you in the same direction, and you end up awkwardly dodging each other.

Except, in this case, I’m the only one feeling awkward. It feels like I tripped while trying to avoid someone.

“W-what…?”

I manage to squeeze out my voice, albeit with a slight stutter.

My cheeks hurt. There’s a metallic taste in my mouth. I accidentally bit my cheek in the heat of the moment. I feel gloomy at the thought of possibly getting a canker sore later.

Sajou-san furrows her brows, looking suspicious.

Though my heart is pounding, she doesn’t seem to care, or perhaps she prioritizes the conversation, as she doesn’t inquire further.

Though it wouldn’t matter even if she did ask, I can’t help but feel relieved. However, that relief quickly turns into astonishment when Sajou-san utters the words that leave me dumbfounded.

“I’m going to get a part-time job.”

…What did she just say?