Chapter Three: “The Princess Wants to Win the Prince” — Part Ten

Our work experience hours were set to end at the same time as regular school lessons. The part-timer arrived to take over, so we were able to leave right on time.

“Good work today, Himena-chan. This is from my aunt.”

Just before we moved to the changing room, Iori-senpai came over with two cream sodas.

“Oh, really? Is that all right?”
“Yes. As thanks for today. Let’s drink them in the changing room before we head off.”
“Yes!”

The changing room had chairs as well as lockers. A little cramped, but that meant being pressed up against Iori-senpai, so it was ideal.

“Do you have club practice after this, Iori-senpai?”
“Yes. You’re going straight home, Himena-chan?”
“I am. Nothing on today, so I’ll head right back.”
“Take care.”

It was still bright outside, not the sort of hour that called for that kind of caution. Even so, hearing Senpai say it made me happy.

Iori-senpai is effortlessly cool in every little thing she does.

“How was today for you?”

Senpai asked as she drank her cream soda. The way she brought the cherry to her lips was somehow captivating.

“It was fun! Tiring in parts, of course. But I think I might actually be suited to customer service.”
“You really were good at it. My aunt said so too.”
“Really?! That makes me so happy. I’m not in any clubs, so I found myself thinking — maybe I could try a part-time job?”

Our school had no rule against part-time work, and while it was on the minority side, some students did hold down jobs.

It wasn’t as though anything was stopping me.
Though if I mentioned it to my mother, she’d probably say something like if you have that kind of time, how about cram school instead.

“Don’t take a part-time job.”
“Why not?”
“It’s not safe. You got approached today, Himena-chan.”

She leaned forward and looked straight at me. You understand?

She’s worried about me? And actually, is she a little bit bothered by the fact that I was approached today?
Could it be that Iori-senpai actually likes me, more than I thought?

“Himena-chan, I’m waiting for an answer.”
“Oh! Yes! I’ll take a permanent position under you instead, Senpai!”
“…You say things that make no sense quite a lot, don’t you, Himena-chan.”
“I’m sorry, you’re just far too appealing, Senpai.”

Fine by me, she said, looking just slightly embarrassed.

Is Senpai actually flustered? She goes from impossibly cool to adorable and back again so fast that I genuinely can’t keep up!
And tomorrow I get to be with her like this all day again. Normally lunchtime is all I get.
My heart might not survive it.

☆★☆★☆★☆★

“You can both finish up for today.”
“What?!”

Natsuki-san said it just after the lunchtime rush died down. It wasn’t even two o’clock yet — over three hours earlier than planned.

“In exchange, Iori, make sure you actually rest. Just because you’re finishing early doesn’t mean you can go straight to club practice.”

Natsuki-san’s tone was firm, and Iori-senpai turned away with a slightly sulky expression. A rather childlike side of her.

“Himena-chan, keep an eye on this one. She’s been pushing herself recklessly since she was small.”
“Auntie, please don’t say things like that.”
“It’s true. Working hard and overdoing it are two different things.”
“…I know.”

Senpai looking unconvinced was also adorable.
But Natsuki-san had a point. Iori-senpai always did seem to be running at full throttle.
Working hard mattered, but I worried about her wearing herself out.

“I’ll make you both curry for lunch. Go get changed. You can eat out in the café today.”

Yesterday, because it had been busy, we’d eaten lunch in the break room. At different times, on top of that.
But today I got to have lunch with Senpai!

“Thank you so much, Natsuki-san!”