When I Got My Heart Broken by a Childhood Friend, I Ended Up in a Romantic Comedy With Her Mother - Chapter 14 - As a Man

Chapter 14 – As a Man

We returned home in the evening.

“Ikkun, I had a lot of fun today.”

“M-me too… It was fun for me to spend time with Haruna-san.”

“Ufufu… See you later.”

“S-see you later.”

Although we were both shy, we waved at each other and entered our respective homes.

We’re right next door and we could meet whenever we wanted to.

But I feel so lonely somehow.

“…I’m home.”

My parents haven’t come home from work yet.

But that’s fine.

Now I want to chew on this unspeakable feeling of loneliness and isolation.

I grabbed a drink and plop myself down on the sofa.

Today, the image of my date with Haruna-san came back to my mind… It really makes my heart flutter.

Even though I’m a guy, feeling fluttery and delicate is kind of disgusting.

Whenever I think of that very cute person, no matter what I do, my heartbeat won’t calm down.

It was a really fun date.

But…

The money for today’s movie, drinks and lunch were all paid for by…Haruna-san.

Even though Haruna-san is an adult and has more financial power, as a man, I feel a little…No, I feel really pathetic.

If things continue like this, no matter how much time passes, I will never be able to break free from the relationship between a childhood friend’s mother and her next-door child, who’s like a son.

Well, to begin with, my relationship with Haruna-san is limited to this summer only…

No, that’s why I want to firmly mark myself as a man.

On Haruna-san’s chest.

“…Ah, that’s it!”

I’ve got an idea.

◇

The space is filled with the smell of fried food.

“The reserved guest has arrived, number 87.”

“Double-check to avoid mistakes when you take it.”

“And how much longer until it’s ready?”

The kitchen was bustling.

It was an atmosphere I had never experienced before, so I couldn’t help but gasp.

But I can’t just sit around and do what I’m told.

“Excuse me.”

“Ye-yes?”

I was approached from behind and I freaked out…

“The arrangement of the hors d’oeuvres…”

“I-I’m sorry. Did I do it wrong…?”

“No, you’re very good. As expected of Haruna-san’s son.”

“Oh, no, Haru… Auntie is my next door neighbor.”

“Ah, right. But Haruna-san always says you’re like her cute son, you know?”

“I-I see…”

I smiled bitterly.

“Well, keep it up then~”

“Yes.”

I concentrated on my work again.

‘Eh, working part-time?’

‘Yes… Well, I was thinking preferably at the supermarket where Haruna-san works… Is that okay?’

‘Yes, it’s the perfect timing. We’re just looking for a short-term part-timer for the busy Obon season.’

‘Is that so?’

‘Ikkun, would you prefer a fish shop or a deli?’

‘Um… Respectively, what’s the vibe like?’

‘Well, the fish shop, especially the fresh fish section, is a hardcore male-dominated environment, a bit like a sports club.’

‘I-I see…’

‘At the deli, especially in the prepared foods section, it’s the opposite, more of a female-dominated environment. But even there, it’s quite sporty, I guess?’

‘B-both sounds scary, but I wonder if the deli is still kinder? It’s all women, after all…’

‘Ikkun… Your cheating spirit isn’t activated, right?’

‘H-huh? Tha-that’s not true. Because now, I’m Haruna-san’s boyfriend… I’m devoted to you.’

‘…………”

‘Ha-Haruna-san? I’m sorry, did that sound disgusting?’

‘I… I ended up saying something mean… and got a counterpunch.’

‘Ha-Haruna-san…’

And so, that’s how I ended up working as a short-term part-time worker at the local supermarket where Haruna-san works part-time.

“Shibata-kun, you’ve gotten settled, it’s time for a break.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

I bowed my head and left the kitchen for the break room.

“Excuse me…”

When I entered the rather large room,

“Ah, Ikkun.”

“Ah, Haruna-san.”

We smiled at each other.

I might have been relieved.

“Tha-thank you for your hard work.”

“Thank you for your hard work. It must have been hard.”

“Well… They were kind enough to teach me, so I’m fine.”

“I see.”

“Also, I got a bit of a compliment.”

“As expected of Ikkun.”

“Ahaha… Ah, I’m going to go buy some lunch food.”

When I was about to leave the room,

“Ikkun, here.”

“Yes?”

“This lunchbox is for you.”

“R-really?”

“Sorry, I forgot to tell you.”

Haruna-san stuck out her tongue slightly.

She’s still so cute that I can’t help but admire her.

“Go ahead.”

“Thank you very much.”

I immediately opened the lunchbox.

“Ah, it’s fried chicken.”

“Yes… Ah, now that I think about it, since you see a lot of it in your deli job, does it make you a bit disgusted?”

“No, not at all…”

I picked it up with my chopsticks and crunched it.

“…Ah, I knew it.”

“Eh?”

“I had a little taste of the fried chicken they make in the deli.”

“Yes?”

“But compared to that… Haruna-san’s fried chicken is way better.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Hehe, even if it’s just bias, I’m happy.”

“Tha-that’s not true… At the very least, Haruna-san’s home-cooked meals are the best for me.”

“Ikkun… Stop it~ If you say that, Ayano-san… your mother will be sad, won’t she?”

“It’s okay. My mother always says so and she’s aware of it.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“Ufufu.”

When we were having such a conversation…

“Hmm, I feel like you two…”

A part-time lady who was on break called out to us.

“Yamada-san?”

“Rather than a parent and child, you two are more like lovers.”

Gulp!

I looked at Haruna-san.

Haruna-san’s mouth was also trembling slightly.

“Tha-that’s…”

“Ah, it’s okay, it’s okay. I’m a very tight-lipped person.”

Clang.

“Hah~ I’m so tired~!”

“Ah, Tazaki-san and Miyoshi-san! These two are somehow more like lovers than mother and son~!”

“Ehh~ Really~~?”

Oi!

“Haruna-chan~ Is this why you haven’t been approached by any men until now~?”

“The men at this workplace, from employees to part-time workers to old men, are all after Haruna-chan.”

“She has big tits and a big bum. Even the customers approach her too.”

“Ever since Haruna-chan started working, there’s been an increase in self-proclaimed ‘househusbands,’ it’s quite annoying, to be honest.”

“Seriously, women like her are a sin~ Well, she falls a bit short compared to my younger days, though~”

“This woman’s quite the talker~!”

“Such a show-off~!”

T-these aunties are really something…

Surely, because she’s a whole generation older than Haruna-san.

In about ten years, Haruna-san might also become like that…

“…Ahaha.”

…There’s no way that will happen.

Because she’s a goddess.

“U-um.”

“Hmm?”

“Do Haruna-san and I really look like that? Do we look like…lovers?”

“I-Ikkun?”

“Yeah, that’s right~… Well, in reality, you look more like a freeloader… Or maybe a sugar baby?”

“Ugh!”

“If you’re feeling frustrated, just work hard and earn some money.”

“Yup, that’s right~”

These aunties made fun of me.

“E-everyone, please don’t bully Ikkun too much.”

“…No, it’s fine, Haruna-san.”

I picked up my lunch box and shoved it down in one go.

“…Thanks for the food.”

I finished my tea and stood up.

“I’m going back.”

“Eh, already? But it’s still break time…”

“I just can’t sit still.”

“Ikkun…”

I smiled at Haruna-san, who seemed somewhat anxious or worried.

“I’m off.”

“…Yes, do your best.”

When we smiled at each other,

“””Whew~♪”””

The aunties started fussing again, but I ignored them.