Volume 1
Chapter 2: The Name of an Uncontrollable Emotion (Part 3)
● A Tsundere Office Lady Comes to the Rescue
It’s the busy season. The timing varies depending on the company—sometimes it’s the industry, sometimes it’s the department.
For the department I work in, this is precisely that time, and it’s even worse on a Friday at the end of the week.
“Great work today, everyone~”
Having finished overtime, I’m finally free from work. I put eye drops in my eyes, strained from staring at the computer screen all day. Normally, Friday nights would have the usual crew eagerly heading out for drinks, but today, even they’re utterly exhausted.
“Honestly, I’m heading home today. See you Monday~”
“Oh, good work today.”
Even Miki-senpai, the one who first brought me to that place, is calling it a night. She’d already looked pretty worn out by noon, so maybe it’s no surprise.
“I’m at my limit too. Good work, everyone!”
One by one, my colleagues finish their tasks and head home. Amidst it all, I glance at my wristwatch.
“9 p.m., huh…”
True, for those who live far away, this isn’t exactly the hour to go drinking. But I’m lucky—my place isn’t too far from the office.
Even if I went somewhere for a few hours now, I’d still make the last train with time to spare. And if that’s the case, there’s only one place I should go. I’ve never gone there alone before, but that’s no longer enough to sway my resolve.
I finish the tasks assigned to me at lightning speed and shut down my open laptop. I clock out, say my goodbyes, and that’s it—I’m done being a corporate worker for the day.
Grabbing my bag and stepping out of the office, I’m a free woman again.
Under a night sky dotted with a few stars, I stretch my arms wide.
“Sorry I’m late, Masato-kun.”
Imagining the boy who’s completely captured my heart, I quicken my pace toward the entertainment district.
“Welcome, my lady.”
The dazzling space that unfolds as I open the door, the almost theatrical greeting that sends my heart racing with its departure from the everyday—it’s all become familiar by now. Still, since it’s my first time coming alone, the nerves won’t quite settle.
“Do you have a designation for tonight?”
“…Masato.”
“…Understood. Please wait a moment while we prepare your seat.”
The moment I mention Masato-kun’s name, the host at the reception desk looks surprised for a split second. Is there really something so shocking about that?
I’m led deeper into the establishment and directed to take a seat.
“Please wait just a moment.”
With a polite bow, the receptionist turns on his heel and leaves.
I sit down, but waiting for him like this still makes me restless. My eyes dart around, taking in the decor of the place. I must look like some college kid who just moved to the city and is stepping into the urban jungle for the first time.
…A little while passes, but Masato-kun still doesn’t show up. I’ve never had to wait this long before. Maybe I should slip off to the restroom while I have the chance.
Feeling a slight twinge of guilt, I grab my bag and stand up. As I start walking through the place—
“Hey, come on, have a drink with us!”
“Uh, sorry, I don’t drink…”
“What? Don’t be such a buzzkill!”
There’s no mistaking it. That’s Masato-kun’s voice.
It seems he’s in the middle of serving someone.
The thought of Masato-kun attending to someone other than me stings a little. But right now, that’s not what matters.
“How about telling us something interesting, then?”
“Sorry, I’m not really good at conversation…”
“What? Are you seriously a host?”
From the hallway I pass by, I catch a glimpse of Masato-kun’s back. Just hearing a snippet of the exchange tells me everything. He’s not seated with them—he must’ve been roped into this mess by some drunk patrons while delivering their drinks. He’s clutching a tray in his hands.
His posture looks somehow apologetic, and that’s why—
“Masato.”
Before I realize it, I’ve called out to him.
“Seira-san…?”
He turns around, startled. Even today, Masato-kun is impossibly cool and adorable.
“Honestly, I’ve been waiting forever after reserving you. Hurry up already!”
“Oh, r-right now! I’m coming!”
I glance behind him and spot three clearly drunk middle-aged women glaring at me with brazen attitudes. …Sorry, but I don’t have time to lend him to people who can’t even appreciate how great he is.
“My apologies for the wait, my lady. You came back for me, huh?”
“Well, yeah. I just happened to have a little time today. It’s a whim, that’s all!”
“Hehe, thank you very much.”
Once I return to my assigned seat, Masato-kun comes over right away. I have to say, didn’t I score some serious points with that move earlier? “I was really saved back there, Seira-san, when you called out to me… Thank you.”
“It’s fine. But it must be tough, having to deal with customers like that.”
It’s unthinkable that anyone could fail to see Masato-kun’s charm, but maybe it’s better if people like them don’t get it.
As I mull that over, Masato-kun pours a drink into my glass with a wry smile.
“But it’s my fault too, you know. I can’t drink. Everyone’s having fun getting tipsy, and here I am, the odd one out who can’t join in. Isn’t that kind of strange?”
Apparently, he can’t handle alcohol, and he seems to feel responsible for it. Seeing this slightly vulnerable side of him for the first time, I’m at a loss for words.
“Y-Yeah, you’re right. Working in a place like this and not being able to drink—it’s kind of odd, isn’t it?”
“Yeah… it is, isn’t it?”
No! That’s not what I meant to say! Panicking, I turn to face him properly.
“B-But I don’t care about that! I’m not here looking for someone to drink with or anything! Honestly, I’m practically perfect for you! You should be thanking me!”
His expression goes blank for a moment, but then it melts into a smile.
“Haha… You might be right about that. Seira-san, you’re perfect for me. Thank you.”
Thump.
I look away instinctively. The impact of his words is too much. I replay them in my head: “Seira-san, you’re perfect for me.” What a beautiful… intoxicating phrase.
“Y-Yeah, exactly! Someone like me is one of a kind! You’d better treasure me!”
I’ve never felt my heart race like this in my entire life. Sitting next to him, he feels so dear to me.
After that, we drink again and chat as usual. No matter the topic, it’s fun with him. To me, this time is irreplaceable—the best time.
…But every time I remember that we only see each other once a week, that he’s a host and I’m just a customer, my heart aches uncontrollably.
It’s been a month since I first went to “Festa.”
Today is Friday.
I check the time on my new favorite wristwatch, recently bought. Just a little longer. Just a little longer until the workday ends. I can’t suppress the excitement building in my chest. Last week’s chaos has eased up a bit, and since I worked hard today, it looks like I can leave on time.
Not long ago, my life was nothing but working myself to death and crashing into bed. Now, that feels like a distant lie.
I glance at my watch again. The second hand aligns perfectly with the 12.
“Good work today, I’ll head out first!”
Right on the dot, I clock out without hesitation and leave the office. At this rate, I could take on the world.
As I stride out, light as the wind in both body and spirit, I overhear voices from the office behind me.
“Hasn’t Mochizuki been leaving crazy fast lately? Especially on Fridays.”
“Did she maybe get a boyfriend?”
“What, seriously?”
W-Well… sort of? It’s halfway there, I guess. I don’t care what they say about me at the office anymore. I step outside immediately.
Masato-kun is waiting for me.
Lately, that thought alone has given me the energy to live.
My lazy weekends have turned into time for self-improvement, and even work hours don’t feel like a burden anymore—they’re just a means to earn money to see Masato-kun.
If anything, I want more money.
Just as I’m practically skipping toward that place in high spirits—
“Seira-chan!”
Someone calls out to me from behind.
“…Miki-san.”
It’s Miki-san, my senior who first introduced me to that place. She’s already got her bag and seems to have rushed after me, ready to head home too.
Maybe because I was aiming for world-record speed, she looks flustered.
Finally catching up as I stop, Miki-san sighs in relief and approaches me silently.
Uh, did I mess something up at work…?
She walks right up beside me without a word… and suddenly slings an arm around my shoulder.
“You’re going, right? To the feast?”
“Ugh…”
The “feast” is what we call that place—“Festa.” It’s a code word that only makes sense among our little group, born out of a need to keep our visits to a boys’ bar secret from the boss and others. What kind of culture even is this?
But Miki-san’s guess is spot on. Of course I’m going. I was planning to sneak off without telling anyone, and just as I start worrying she might be mad about it—
Miki-san whispers softly in my ear.
“Take me with you too! ♡”
…Please save that kind of thing for your favorite host.
Miki-san skips ahead lightly. Judging by how giddy she gets at “Festa,” she must be pretty smitten with that host of hers. I wonder if she’s okay with money.
(Well, I’m hardly one to talk…)
To be blunt, I want to skip along too. The thought of seeing him soon has my excitement skyrocketing.
Ever since that first day I met him, I’ve been coming to this place every week without fail. It’s only natural—he’s my angel, after all.
His innocent smile, his expressive face, how every single expression suits him perfectly—there’s probably no man in this world better than him.
Lately, I don’t even think about my ex anymore. Not that my ex could ever hold a candle to Masato-kun in the first place—it’s laughable to even compare them.
Lost in those thoughts, I realize we’ve already arrived at the shop. As always, the sign out front is as loud and bold as ever.
Miki-san, walking ahead, has stars in her eyes.
“Here we go—into a dream world…”
“Y-Yeah…”
This is my fifth time here, but I still get nervous before stepping inside. I can’t quite get used to the atmosphere.
Though, once I start talking to him, all of that fades away.
“Welcome, my lady… Oh, Miki! You came back again~”
“Hehe… Don’t be so formal, Yusei. I told you yesterday I’d come, didn’t I?”
Oh, here we go. Miki-san’s already going full throttle with her favorite host, zero distance between them.
I can’t help but admire this side of her. There’s no way I could pull that off. The fear of being disliked outweighs everything else for me.
As I stare at the two of them flirting with hollow eyes, the host suddenly turns to me.
“And this lady… Masato, right?”
“…!”
H-He’s got me figured out…
This is so embarrassing. Have I really become known around here as the girl who always requests Masato-kun…?
…Wait a second. That might actually be kind of nice. Doesn’t that mean it’s official?
I nod and say, “Please,” and the host responds with a smile. If Miki-san’s this hooked on him, he’s probably a good guy.
Not that it matters—I’m all about Masato-kun.
We’re led to a sofa seating area, and Miki-san and I sit a little apart from each other.
“Miki-san… Yesterday was a workday, right? Did you come here after work?”
“Huh? No way! Even I’m not that reckless to come here the night before work! …Well…”
“But didn’t you just say to him, ‘I told you yesterday’…?”
Miki-san definitely said to her favorite host, “I told you yesterday I’d come.”
Which would mean she was here yesterday too—or so I assumed…
“Tch, tch, tch… Oh, is this one of those things I shouldn’t say too loudly? Hmm, what a pickle~ What should I do~? But you’re my precious junior, so…”
With a smug look that’d probably be the top result if you image-searched “smirk,” Miki-san keeps glancing at me. …Wait, was this senior of mine always this annoying?
Her squirming, clearly dying to spill the beans while waiting for me to ask, is oddly getting on my nerves. I mean, she’s a good person and I like her, but…
Miki-san leans in close to whisper in my ear again.
“The truth is… I got his contact info! ♡”
“…!?”
C-Contact info…?
With a playful “tehepero!” and her tongue sticking out, Miki-san leaves me stunned. That’s not fair. That’s way too unfair!
That’s not just the shop anymore—that’s personal. It means she can talk to her favorite outside of work hours.
I want that with Masato-kun too…!
“Good evening. You came back again, huh?”
My body freezes.
That voice, like it’s melting my heart. There’s no mistaking it.
I cautiously lift my gaze, and there he is—Masato-kun, smiling like an angel.
…Oh, he’s not wearing a tie today. That’s nice too…
No, wait!
“I-It just so happened I had some free time…”
It’s not “just so happened” at all—I sprinted out of work at full speed—but I have to say it this way.
Because if I said, “I think about you every day and ran a personal best to get here just to see you,” that’d be way too creepy.
So I pretend it’s a coincidence, an accident.
Otherwise, the walls around my heart might come crashing down. And then—
“Masato-kuuun! Seira’s totally head over heels for you, so keep her company, okay~?”
My senior’s outrageous comment nearly ruins everything.
“Hey, Miki-san!”
I shoot her a look, and her face is already flushed.
The alcohol’s kicking in way too fast!
I need to get this back on track…!
“Ahem… Uh, I mean, it’s really just a coincidence. My senior dragged me here, and I had no choice. And, well, talking to you seemed like the least bad option, so I called you. Got it?”
There we go—not bad. Miki-san’s here today, so the excuse holds up. It might not be all that convincing since I was here last week too, but saying that in front of her would be way too embarrassing.
“Haha… Thank you. I’m not much good for anything but listening, but I actually kinda like hearing you talk, Seira-san.”
“…Tch.”
T-This guy…
His sheer adorableness nearly fries my brain. Honestly, that smile almost took me out in one hit.
“Y-You… You probably say that to everyone, don’t you?”
“Huh…? No… The only weird person who’d request me is you, Seira-san…?”
Just me… I see, just me.
That’s awfully convenient for me, but honestly, the women of the world have no taste. No matter how you look at it, Masato-kun is the best guy on the planet.
“…R-Right. Good then. Yeah, I mean, I’m probably the only one who’d pick a guy like you who doesn’t even drink…”
“Seriously, that’s true.”
But at the same time, there’s a part of me that doesn’t want anyone else to notice how great he is. Selfishly, I want to keep that smile all to myself.
Even though we’re not dating. Even though I’m just a customer he serves at the shop. …Wait, saying it like that is starting to make me want to cry…
And then, I remember what Miki-san said earlier.
“I got his contact info! ♡”
…If. If I could get Masato-kun’s contact info too, there’s no doubt I’d feel like I was ascending to the heavens.
But at the same time, if he turned me down, I don’t think I’d have the confidence to survive the next week. No, I definitely wouldn’t.
About two hours pass.
As always, Masato-kun is an angel, and our conversation is pure bliss. It’s truly a perfect moment.
The staff came by about four times asking, “Would you like to switch hosts?” but I extended every time.
Because I’m not interested in anyone but Masato-kun.
But sadly, happy times always fly by too fast.
“Seira~! Time to go~! How long are you gonna flirt with Masato-kun? Come on!”
Looks like our time’s up.
…Wait, flirt? We weren’t flirting!
I want to, though!
“W-What? We weren’t flirting! Not at all! With this… scrawny… scrawny…”
Oh no. I tried to come up with an insult, but nothing’s coming to mind.
I deserve some praise for at least managing to turn his slim, elegant frame into “scrawny” with a slightly mocking twist on the spot. That’s the best I’ve got.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m scrawny. Come back again, okay?”
He takes my hand.
…Nope, I can’t handle this. I love him. I love him so much.
Just him holding my hand sends my heart racing.
Between that and the alcohol, my body feels hot.
Even while Miki-san is paying at the counter, Masato-kun keeps holding my hand the whole time.
…Now.
Maybe now, with the alcohol as an excuse, I can let myself lean on him a little. Gathering my courage, I rest my weight against him. My heartbeat is deafening.
His sweet scent tickles my nose.
It’s like my entire body is being dyed in him—overwhelmed by him.
“…Seira-san??”
He calls my name. That soothing voice.
But right now, I can’t show him my face.
I can’t let him see me looking this pathetic.
So, keeping my head down—
“…You can’t.”
“…Huh?”
“You can’t take anyone else’s requests but mine…”
I know it’s selfish. I get that he works here, and if someone requests him, he has to serve them.
But just imagining Masato-kun attending to another woman makes my chest ache.
“It’s fine. I only work Fridays anyway.”
“…Oh.”
“And on those Fridays, you always request me, right?”
“…Yeah.”
That’s not fair.
Saying something like that means I have to come every Friday.
Well… I’d come even if he didn’t ask.
Reluctantly, I leave the shop, even though I’d stay with Masato-kun longer if I could.
Once we’re far enough that the shop is out of sight, Miki-san and I sit down on a bench for a moment.
Ahh, today—yet again—Masato-kun was an angel… no, a god.
“Hey, Seira! What’s with all that flirting behind me while I’m paying?!”
“W-What?! Y-You saw that?!”
“…You can’t! (teary-eyed)”
“AAAAAAAAH! Forget it! Right now!”
This is way too embarrassing!!
Honestly, when I first came to this place, I was kind of put off by Miki-san’s behavior, but now I’m in no position to laugh at anyone.
Miki-san cackles loudly.
“That was the best… Well, I’d say let’s head home, but I’m kinda hungry. Wanna grab some food before we go?”
“Sure, that’s fine. Let’s do it.”
Lately, life’s finally starting to feel a little fun.
Of course, Masato-kun’s a huge part of that, but having a senior like Miki-san who looks out for me has made a big difference too.
“Alright, good work today~! See you Monday!”
“Yeah, good work!”
Miki-san and I head in opposite directions. What was supposed to be a quick bite before going home turned into a long chat, and now it’s gotten pretty late.
The date’s already rolled over to the next day.
“Well…”
My place is just two train stops from here—not too far. Still basking in today’s afterglow, I start heading toward the station platform.
That’s when it happens.
“…Nn…”
I freeze, speechless.
Up ahead.
Pushing through a crowd of drunken people, a boy walks alone.
No matter how you look at it, it’s unmistakably… Masato-kun.
There’s no way I’d mistake him.
Masato-kun, in casual clothes.
My heart rate spikes.
The last train’s coming up soon. If I miss it, I’ll have no choice but to take a taxi home tonight. And yet.
My feet move on their own, chasing after him. I’m chasing him.
What do I do, what do I do, what do I do?
Before I know it, I’ve passed the park near the station and entered a residential area.
Ahead of me is Masato-kun.
What I’m doing is, without a doubt, a crime.
(I can’t… I can’t do this…!)
I know. I know this is wrong.
I know full well this is something I absolutely shouldn’t do.
My pounding heart and the heat rushing to my head won’t stop. There’s no way I can think straight. My rationality is screaming at me to stop, but the burning, overflowing desire—the desire for some kind of connection with Masato-kun—won’t let me resist.
Masato-kun stops at an apartment building a short walk from the park.
That must be… his place.
“…Wh—”
The moment I lean out from behind a utility pole to peek at him—
Masato-kun glances back for a split second.
(Did he see me? Did he see me?)
If he comes over here and calls the police, I’m done for—socially ruined.
There’s no excuse I could possibly make.
This is stalking, plain and simple.
Pressing down my racing heart—thump, thump—I cautiously, so cautiously, peek again.
It seems Masato-kun has gone inside.
“Hah…!”
I slump to the ground, sliding down.
I always knew I was a filthy person, but I didn’t think it was this bad.
Even as guilt floods my entire body, my feet don’t stop.
Slowly, I approach the apartment… until I’m standing right in front of his door.
(Katari… So that’s his name, Katari Masato.)
With trembling hands, I open the memo app on my phone.
Tears well up.
I can’t stop crying at how utterly despicable I am.
And yet.
My hands move on their own, typing out the address.
(I won’t use it for anything! I won’t send him stuff! Nothing, nothing at all!)
Then why am I writing it down?
I don’t know.
This is an instant game-over move.
Just then… I hear a noise from Masato-kun’s room.
The sound… I immediately realized it was the sound of a shower.
“…Hahahaha…”
My body slumps again.
Without strength, I collapse to the ground.
I shove the phone, with the memo now saved, into the pocket of my suit.
And I just cry.
Even in a situation like this.
Masato-kun is taking a shower just beyond a single wall.
That thought alone… it’s driving me uncontrollably wild.
I’m truly, hopelessly perverse.
And with that realization, it finally hits me.
No—maybe, deep down, I knew it from that very moment.
“Hey, Masato-kun, I’m broken.”
This feeling… it won’t stop anymore.
1 Comments
Con esto ya se iguala al manga, espero los futuros capitulos
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