Chapter 65: Bringing my childhood friend into the locker room

Bringing my childhood friend into the locker room

“Boyan-kun, can you assist with attending the third party?”

While I was engrossed in the heartwarming scene in the courtyard, I was called by the person who seemed like the leader of the staff. When I looked around, I saw other staff members getting ready to move to their next tasks. Several, including Aya, seemed to be staying in the courtyard.

“Understood.”

Following the person who appeared to be the leader, I felt a pull on my back. When I turned around, Aya was standing there. She must have hurried over, as her breathing was slightly heavy.

“What’s up?”

“Boyan, you didn’t get this, right? The guest list for the third party.”

Aya grabbed the lapel of my vest with her right hand and held a piece of paper with the names of the guests in her left hand.

“Oh, thanks. I appreciate it.”

After thanking my dependable senior, she smiled satisfactorily. Her expression of mild pride was quite endearing.

“Here.”

Handing me the list, my attention was momentarily drawn to her left hand.

On her ring finger, the engagement ring I gave her was shining.

My heart thumped and a warmth surged within my chest.

I see, that’s why no warning bells have gone off. Presumably, she usually wears it on her finger. It seems to fulfill its role as a talisman effectively.

I had assumed she kept it hidden around her chest while working, so this was a bit unexpected.

As I took the list, I whispered softly.

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“You’re wearing the ring.”

Aya’s shoulders twitched and her gaze fell to her own left hand.

“Mm.”

She muttered under her breath, then looked up at me with an upward glance.

Without moving a single brow, she had a face that seemed to say, “Of course.”

During work—no, beyond school, it must be second nature for her to have the ring on. Although she’s more conscious of appearances than anyone else, once she decides on something, she becomes surprisingly bold. It’s likely that wearing the ring is a routine part of her daily life now, to the extent that she doesn’t need to worry about it.

This fact was so heartwarming that I felt the urge to hug her.

However, the sound of cheers and clinking glasses from the gathering of the bride and groom made her look at me and she signaled with her eyes, saying “See you later”, before heading to attend to her duties.

“Hey, Boyan-kun.”

“Ah, sorry.” Thanks for reading on ManaNovel!

Being called by the leader-like person snapped me back to reality. Oh right, I’m still working.

Pulling out a necklace from under my uniform and switching it onto my ring finger, I headed back to my work station. Since I’m also working at her part-time job, there’s no need to be overly considerate.

In the end, with very little breaks in between, the day turned already to dusk.

As we were cleaning up after the third reception, the leader-like person approached me.

“Boyan-kun, you’re done. You can go.”

“Is it okay already?”

“Yeah, we’re almost done and it’s getting late. Thanks for your help. Having someone like you around is a real help.”

“If you’re short on staff again, just let me know.”

“Really!? Then if we need an extra hand again, I might contact you through Nanto-san.”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

I appreciate that he didn’t directly ask for my contact information.

Good. It seems like there won’t be any problems with this person who’s Aya’s superior.

“Well, Boyan-kun, you’re really a good kid.”

“That’s an overstatement.”

Actually, if it weren’t Aya’s part-time job, I wouldn’t say I’m available to help anytime.

I bowed to the leader-like person, or rather, Shibasaki-san and left the venue.

Walking through the venue, which had now become sparsely populated by staff, I spotted Aya sitting on a bench in the hallway.

When she saw me, she stood up with a cheerful expression.

“Oh, Boyan, you’re finished?”

“They said I can leave now. Sorry. Did you wait long?”

“No, it’s fine.”

“Got it.”

She had probably waited for over thirty minutes on that bench.

Though I was restraining the urge to hug her tightly, I stopped in front of her.

Aya had taken off her vest. Perhaps due to that, her appearance resembled female office workers you’d find in a business district.

With a long-sleeved blouse, black vest, a slightly tight black skirt that reached below the knees and low-heeled black pumps, combined with a face lightly made up, she looked more mature than usual.

If she became a working adult, I wondered if meeting after work would feel something like this.

While I indulged in such saccharine daydreams, Aya took a step closer, peering into my face.

“Are you tired? You seem to spacing out.”

“No, I was just thinking how remarkable Aya is after her part-time job.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Like juice after taking a bath?”

She half-smiled, half-blushed, displaying a mix of happiness and shyness.

Naturally, we walked shoulder to shoulder, our bodies touching as we walked down the hallway.

Her soft upper arm brushed against my elbow. Perhaps she’s tired, or it might be the sense of liberation after work, but she seemed closer to me than usual.

A comfortable sensation transmitted through the soft touch and my fatigued body urged me to embrace her. But, doing that at her part-time job location would be a bit too much, after all.

Even when we entered the staff area, I didn’t see any other staff members around.

Glancing at my phone, I realized it was already past 9 p.m. It’s probably too late for a date now.

I could force the issue for another overnight stay—my instincts have been whispering that it’s still fine since earlier—but if possible, I’d prefer her to rest at home.

The bustling activities of the day, akin to a battlefield, must have left a slight trace of exhaustion on Aya’s face.

As I pondered this, she suddenly stopped as if something occurred to her.

“Oh, Boyan, take off the uniform. It needs to go into the cleaning box.”

While saying that, she reached out her hand to my waist and skillfully started to undo the uniform. It feels like I’m a husband getting undressed by his wife after work. Her actions, so much like those of a newlywed, unintentionally make my groin stiffen.

Aya removed the uniform without showing any concern for my stiffness, then walked over to a nearby plastic box.

When she returned and stopped, she chuckled.

“What’s up?”

“Your outfit is kind of like that of a salaryman, Boyan.”

“Do you think so?”

Aya lightly bumped her shoulder into mine, saying, “Yeah, totally!” So, we walked side by side again.

She smiled playfully once more.

“You know, this is nice. Like meeting after work and walking back home together.”

“…You think so?”

“Yeah”, she said, bumping into me again. This time, she didn’t pull away after the bump.

Seeing her profile, her mouth formed a grin and she seemed truly happy. If I could see this expression every time, I might seriously consider changing my part-time job to be with her.

With her shoulder pressed closely to mine, she muttered almost to herself.

“Boyan, you were really efficient today.”

—Somehow, it seemed cool.

Aya’s inner voice flowed through the touch of our shoulders brushing against each other. Unexpectedly praised by her, I felt a bit flustered. I desperately held back my cheeks from turning red, trying to maintain my composure.

“I was just learning from Aya-senpai’s work.”

“Hehe, I was working pretty hard too, you know?”

“Yeah, your customer service is meticulous and you always have a good smile… I might be falling for you all over again.”

“Maybe, huh?”

Aya, in a tone that sounded dissatisfied, playfully swayed her body from side to side. It’s kind of cute.

Since there’s no one around us anymore, would it be okay to just hug her?

As I tried to pull her shoulder closer, her body’s movement suddenly stopped.

“But, really, Boyan, you were really efficient.”

She said in a somewhat somber tone.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, Senpai said you’re quite attentive… even if you seem absent-minded, you actually pay good attention to your surroundings. Senpai was really praising you.”

“Hmm.”

From Aya’s words, it seems like this Senpai is a woman. Who could it be? I’ve had to remember so many faces and names during work that I only remember the leader, Shibasaki-san.

Attentive, huh?

If that’s how it seems, it’s probably because of the strict training I received at my sister’s workplace. And since this is Aya’s workplace, I have a heightened awareness of working hard here.

If it were any other workplace, I probably wouldn’t have received such praise.

“…and besides.”

“Hm?”

“Senpai said you seem gentle, but there’s probably a masculine side to you too.”

“…Do you think so?”

Aya’s voice sounded a bit sulky, so I gave a somewhat ambiguous response.

It’s the first time someone has told me I seem masculine.

Well, I think just for Aya it’s more accurate to say I’m more like an animal than a man.

“Senpai thought you were sharp.”

“That sounds like Senpai’s misjudgment.”

Then Aya lightly butted her head against my chest.

She clenched her fist against my chest and murmured in frustration.

“Boyan, you don’t realize your own good qualities.”

My good qualities.

I’m glad everyone sees them, but…

I don’t want anyone to know.

From the gently pressed forehead, her melancholic feelings flowed into me.

Suddenly, I recalled the day of our school trip, when we talked in front of the Great Buddha.

I had never really thought about my good points before. But she had been seeing them all along.

My heart pulsated with excitement.

Joy and affection filled my body.

“…Is that really the case?”

“Yeah.”

As she spoke, Aya pinched my belly.

“Whoa!”

I instinctively pulled back my stomach and she laughed playfully.

“You could use a bit more meat.”

…If only everyone thought the same…

“Is it okay to get chubby?”

“Totally fine. It’s reassuring when you’re all plump… you know, like a bear?”

“Is that so?”

What is this?

My face feels so hot.

Aya’s small jealousy and possessiveness are just too delightful.

I wanted to show my joy, but she would get mad if I did.

To cool down my heated face, I headed to a nearby vending machine.

As I tried to take out my wallet from my pocket, Aya’s hand touched mine.

“Wait, Boyan, I’ll treat you. As a thank you for helping me today.”

“Then I’ll take up on senpai’s offer.”

“Hehe, good job, Shinbo-kun.”

She inserted the coins without hesitation and pressed the button. With a clank, a cold sports drink fell down.

“Here, enjoy.”

“Thanks.”

I removed the bottle cap and took a big gulp. The cold liquid and sweetness spread through my overheated body.

As I gulped down the drink, I suddenly felt a gaze on me.

Aya was staring at me intently.

Her gaze wasn’t focused on my face but somewhere around my neck. There was a faint warmth in her eyes and it felt oddly ticklish.

“Aya, aren’t you buying something?”

Drinking about half of it in one go, I asked.

“Yeah… I’ll buy something.”

I almost tried to read her mind as she awkwardly inserted coins, but stopped myself.

Right now, if I hear the answer, I might lose control of my restraint right here.

We walked down the quiet hallway in silence.

At some point, we were holding hands. I don’t remember who initiated it.

Eventually, the door to the men’s locker room came into view.

“Aya, if we keep holding hands like this, I might take you into the locker room.”

I was about to convey my intentions for what’s to come. Even if she protests, I won’t let go.

“I know.”

‘…After all, I’m Boyan’s.’

Aya muttered while looking down.

Her eyes, partially hidden by her long eyelashes, were glistening. Her cheeks were flushed. She seemed to fully understand what was going to happen.

Intuitively, I felt like no one would come for a while.

Holding Aya’s hand, I entered the locker room.