Volume 1
Chapter 4: My Feelings Are Accelerating (Not Necessarily in the Right Direction) (Part 4)
●○●The Tsundere Office Lady Learns●○●
When asked which day of the week is mentally the toughest, most people would probably say Monday. Today, as always, I put on my suit. Apply some casual makeup.
The moment I step into this unchanging routine, I’m overwhelmed with dread.
“Good morning…”
I open the office door.
Greeting my colleagues halfheartedly, I hurry to my desk.
Lately, seeing Masato on weekends has boosted my zest for life, but that doesn’t exactly translate to work motivation.
I’m mostly just here for the paycheck.
Just before reaching my desk.
Without thinking, I glance at the large whiteboard in the center of the office.
This whiteboard lists the week’s schedule, including anyone’s days off.
“Huh…?”
At first glance, it looks the same as always. But something catches my eye.
The Friday column. Looking closer, Miki-senpai is taking the afternoon off.
Friday is the day of our “banquet.”
If she’s taking the afternoon off, does that mean she’s skipping this week…?
“Morning, Seira!”
“Oh, good morning, Miki-senpai.”
As I’m thinking about it, Miki-senpai shows up at the perfect moment.
Might as well ask.
“Miki-senpai, are you taking Friday afternoon off?”
“Heh heh heh… Yup, that’s right. But don’t worry, I’ll still make it to the ‘banquet.’”
“? Oh, okay.”
“Curious about the reason…?”
Miki-senpai grins mischievously.
Ugh, she totally wants me to ask…
“W-Well, I’m a little curious…”
Playing along, I say I’m interested, and Miki-senpai beckons me closer with a finger. She wants me to lean in.
Reluctantly, I move closer.
“Have you heard of ‘companion attendance’?”
“…Huh?”
Companion attendance. I’ve heard of it.
It’s when you meet up with a host beforehand and go to the club together… Wait, no way!
“Yup…♪ I’m going on a date with Yusei-kun, then heading to the club together♪”
“…”
I’m so jealous!
Ridiculously jealous. What, that’s not fair!
“Apparently, that club doesn’t offer much incentive for hosts to do companion attendance. You’ve gotta be a real favorite to get one~ Oh, what a problem, being so favored~!”
Ugh, she’s so annoying.
But it’s probably true. I knew Miki-senpai was getting along well with that host…
“S-So, did the host ask you to do it?”
She looks away.
As expected. She asked him herself, didn’t she? Phew. I let out a quiet sigh of relief.
If the host had invited her, I’d be done for.
If Miki-senpai asked and got a yes, there’s still hope for me. It means I can ask too.
Alright, time to act fast.
“I… I’m gonna try asking too.”
“Nice, nice! Go for it! And, you know… there’s this too.”
“?”
Miki-senpai points to the whiteboard behind her.
There, I see it.
“Oh… it’s already bonus season, huh?”
“Exactly! Hehe… My wallet’s ready. I’m gonna enjoy this companion attendance to the fullest… Maybe even get him a gift…”
True, with a bonus coming, it’s easier to splurge a bit.
Companion attendance isn’t something you can do every week, so this is the perfect chance to make a good impression.
My heart races with excitement.
“Well, Masato-kun seems to think highly of you, Seira, so I bet he’d say yes to companion attendance!”
“Good luck!” Miki-senpai says with a smile, heading to her desk.
This is valuable intel.
I pull out my phone and message Masato. Our chat ended with my message last night, but I don’t care.
Seira Mochizuki
“Morning, Masato.”
“If it’s not okay, feel free to say no, but… could we do companion attendance this Friday?”
I rewrote it two or three times to get it right.
I still haven’t met Masato outside the club. This is a chance to take a new step.
I can’t take Friday afternoon off on such short notice, so unlike Miki-senpai, I probably won’t have time for a proper date outside the club.
But even just grabbing a quick meal before heading to the club is fine.
That alone would be a special moment for me.
I swore I wouldn’t stay just a customer and a host forever… Masato’s reply will probably come around 11 a.m.
That’s usually when he responds in the morning. Until then, I just have to wait.
I end up spending the whole morning fidgeting restlessly.
The long-awaited Friday.
Uncharacteristically, I’m wearing a slightly nicer suit.
I’ve checked my makeup and appearance in the mall’s restroom. Yes—I got the okay for companion attendance.
When I got his confirmation, I practically jumped for joy.
It’s fine. I’ve put in every effort possible today.
I take a deep breath.
The club, “Festa,” is about a five-minute walk from the station’s opposite exit. For companion attendance, you usually meet somewhere close to the club.
Makes sense, since you’re heading there together afterward.
I glance at my watch.
It’s my favorite one—a silver bangle with a small face and a faint pink sheen.
It’s almost time for Masato to show up.
My heart’s pounding. Is meeting outside really this thrilling?
“Seira-san!”
My heart skips a beat.
That voice. That vibe. There’s no mistaking it.
I turn toward the voice slowly.
“Good, I didn’t keep you waiting too long, did I? Sorry!”
There stands an angel… no, a devil.
He’s just too cool. An assault of coolness. I’d probably be happy even if this Masato punched me right now.
His usual loosely permed black hair.
A white short-sleeved collared shirt… with the top button undone, revealing a glinting silver necklace.
Sleek black pants that give off a formal vibe, different from his club look.
It’s just, like…
“Too sexy…”
“…? Did you say something?”
“N-Nothing! I wasn’t waiting at all. Let’s go, okay?”
Oh no. I said it out loud.
But this is unfair! Dressing like that… He probably chose a semi-formal look to match my suit.
And yet, that heart-melting smile of his is as strong as ever.
This is a weapon. A lethal one.
“…”
Don’t tilt your head so cutely…
Ugh, my eyes are drawn to his neck… His collarbone… No woman could resist this!!!
He’s totally teasing me!
“J-Just come on, let’s go!”
“Yes! Sorry, thanks for reserving a place! I’m excited.”
Ahh, he’s so cute~ I can’t handle this~
Wait, this is a date, right? I’m on a date with him, that’s the vibe, yeah?
It’s just a dinner date… but… it’s perfect.
Careful not to let my excitement show, I head toward the restaurant I reserved.
“Reservation for Mochizuki at 1:30.”
“…Oh, yes, right this way.”
…That receptionist was totally staring at Masato… I get it, but sorry, this guy’s mine.
A sweet thrill runs down my spine.
An indescribable sense of superiority. It’s irresistible. Addictive.
We make it to the restaurant. Just walking side by side with Masato feels like a dream. I barely remember what we talked about.
I agonized over choosing this place.
I considered a fancy restaurant to show off my mature charm, but somewhere too upscale might make Masato feel out of place.
But a place too cheap might not satisfy him.
So, I went for a middle ground.
A restaurant with terrace seating. A bit pricey for a college student, but just right.
“Wow… this place is gorgeous…”
“Hehe. Getting excited over this? You’re still such a kid, Masato.”
“W-What? No way, I’m totally an adult.”
“Hehehe… Sure, sure. Come on, sit.”
A table on the terrace.
The sun’s starting to set, and the park’s streetlights are flickering on outside.
Yup. I picked a place with a great view.
“Order whatever you want. I’m paying.”
“Huh? No way, let me at least cover a bit!”
“No way. I’m the one who insisted on this companion attendance, so you’re not spending a single yen.”
“That’s too much…”
“Really, it’s fine. Don’t worry about it. Like I said before, money’s not an issue for me.”
No one to spend it on, no hobbies. So, right now, I’m spending it on Masato.
To me, it’s the most natural thing in the world.
“…That pasta was insanely good… When was the last time I ate something this delicious…?”
“Hehe… Yeah, it was really tasty.”
Honestly, I barely tasted it.
But Masato is right in front of me… and he’s eating so happily.
That alone maxes out my happiness meter. There’s no joy greater than this.
I’m so glad. Truly glad.
While sipping tea after the meal, I bring up something I’ve been curious about.
“Hey, Masato.”
“…Yes?”
His puzzled expression is adorable. My adorable Masato.
“…Why do you do this job?”
“…Uh…”
It’s a question that’s practically taboo.
I know that. It’s a business where you sell yourself, in a way. Everyone has their reasons, and as just a customer, I’m not supposed to pry.
But I’ve come to know his charm. So I couldn’t help but wonder. He doesn’t seem like the type to choose this kind of work.
Even at the club, he stands out as different. Maybe that’s why I was drawn to him.
He scratches his cheek, clearly struggling to answer.
…He doesn’t want to talk about it, does he? That’s why I didn’t ask over SNS.
I wanted to ask this face-to-face.
“Sorry. It’s hard to talk about, right?”
“No, it’s not a big deal or anything…”
He hurriedly sets down his mug.
“The truth is… I was broke. I grew up in a facility. Then someone at the club was kind to me, and they let me work there… That’s about it.”
“Huh…? A f-facility…?”
A facility, like a children’s home?
“Yeah, that’s right. Kinda weird, huh? I don’t have parents.”
“…! I’m so sorry!”
“W-Wait, no, no! I don’t mind at all, it’s totally fine!”
I asked something stupid…
Without even considering Masato’s feelings…
“It’s really okay. I’m blessed now. I live a normal life… and I’m happy.”
“…”
—A swirl of emotions mixes inside me.
The feeling that the smiling Masato in front of me is adorable, the regret for asking something foolish.
And.
An overwhelming, irrepressible desire to protect him.
“Man, that was seriously delicious! Thank you so much!”
“No problem. Just a thank-you for always.”
Masato stretches grandly as we leave the restaurant.
Every little gesture of his is so lovable, so irresistible.
“But I haven’t given you anything in return…”
“Hmm… Then how about hanging out with me like this again?”
“Huh? Of course, I’d love to!”
Hehe… Score. I naturally secured the next meetup.
Not before the club next time… maybe after.
Because I’m done with just being a customer and a host with Masato. I want to be someone he can rely on, someone who can protect him.
The corners of my mouth lift unconsciously.
“Shall we head to the club?”
“Yes! Let’s go!”
I start walking, and Masato follows.
I’m buzzing with excitement, but unlike usual, I’m not nervous. I feel light, yet my mind is clear, like I’m in some perfect state.
Right now, I might be able to say something bold that I normally couldn’t.
“Hey.”
“…?”
Hey, my cute Masato.
“Is it… okay if we hold hands on the way to the club?”
“…S-Sure, that’s fine.”
Masato hesitantly offers his hand. That fact sends an uncontrollable thrill through me. It’s because I’ve gotten closer to him. Because I’ve glimpsed his heart. This is a huge step. A massive step toward Masato and me moving beyond just customer and host.
Our fingers intertwine. Masato’s hand is warm.
Oh. This is the best feeling. I’m drunk on sweetness.
The warmth of his hand feels like trust. He’s letting me in. That realization sparks an indescribable urge in my chest.
…Hey, Masato.
I look at the precious boy walking beside me. Cool, cute Masato. And yet…
Poor Masato.
I’ll protect you.
So you don’t have to do this job anymore. I’ll work hard for you.
I grip his hand tightly and I’ll never let it go.
Let’s stay together forever.
----
T/N: With this chapter 4 is done, C5 should be done by next week as well.
Also, Join our discord to get latest updates and discuss about LNs. We have already picked two new fantasy series about that info will be on discord too.
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