Chapter 1

「We got an emergency booking today, so I’m leaving it to you. Make sure you do a good job.」

When your family runs a business, it’s inevitable that the children bear some of the burden.

As usual, Yamanaga Takumi, the eldest son of “Yamanaga’s On-Site Housekeeping Service!”, was roped into helping with the family business again today.

In today’s society, which suffers from a severe labor shortage, energetic family members who can work for low wages and are always available are highly valued and often overused.

Because we’re family, there’s no worry of strikes or mass resignations, so those in charge can use them without hesitation.

「Haa… fine, but what about the pay?」

The option to refuse had been discarded long ago under the pressure of my mother.

I negotiate for better pay to arrive at the best possible terms.

「Let’s see… Today’s a new customer, and the booking just came in, so the rate is higher than usual. How about 1.5 times the usual pay if you work hard and secure a continued contract?」

「Okay, that works. But aren’t you being more generous than usual?」

「It’s a last-minute booking, and I can’t ask the other employees, so I thought it would be easier to offer something you’d jump at rather than haggle with you.」

「I-I see…」

I felt a complex mix of emotions, but not wanting to risk upsetting her, I responded with a forced smile.

My mother seemed pleased that the negotiation went more smoothly than usual and continued writing in high spirits.

「By the way, today was the opening ceremony, right? What time does school end??」

「Umm, the third years were supposed to clean up after tomorrow’s entrance ceremony, and the second years were preparing, so… ahh!? Crap! Dismissal is a bit earlier than usual, but we were supposed to be at school by 9!」

Checking the clock in a panic, I see it’s 8:20.

I commute to school by bicycle, which takes 20 minutes one way.

If I rush to get ready now, I’ll be out the door in 10 minutes.

—Isn’t this kind of bad??

「Really… what are you doing…」

Facing my mother’s exasperated expression, I can’t find any words to retort with.

I let out a dry laugh and stepped back.

I dashed to my room, grabbing my uniform and shirt hanging on the hanger with force.

Then, I changed clothes at idol-like speed.

I roughly throw the pencil case from my desk into my bag and grab the bare minimum of valuables before heading out, only to run into my younger sister Marina in the hallway.

「Mmm? Onii, why are you still here? You said you had to prepare for the entrance ceremony yesterday, right??」

The star of tomorrow’s ceremony questions me.

「Yeah, but I forgot. I’m currently in the middle of being late.」

「Geez, get it together~. You were up late gaming again, weren’t you?」

「No, I really didn’t want to at all, but I was invited… I had no choice… really, I had no choice…」

「So you did play games! Then, it’s the same thing!」

「But this is…」

「No excuses! Understood?」

「Yes… sorry.」

The older brother being lectured by his soon-to-be high schooler sister.

What a pathetic sight.

「If you understand, then good! Go before you’re late!」

「Yeah, I’ll do that.」

As I said this and headed towards the entrance, I was stopped by my mother.

Hey, I’m on the verge of being late here??

「About today’s booking, it’s earlier than I thought, so can you go straight there after school??」

「Yeah, got it.」

「And the location…」

「Just send it to me on LI〇E later, I’m definitely going to be late at this rate.」

「R-Roger that, I’ll do that. I’m counting on you.」

「Understood, I’m off then.」

With that, I dashed out of the house.

「Ahh, I forgot to tell him the customer’s name. But if I write the last name with the map, it should be fine.」

After Takumi left, his mother took out the reservation slip as if remembering something and was momentarily troubled, but once she thought of a solution, she hummed her way back to the office/living room.

〇

Arriving at school and checking my watch, the hands pointed to 8:50.

I think I did a pretty good job pedaling my bike.

I don’t care at all about the strange looks I got from pedestrians as I rode in full standing-pedal mode along the way… yeah, sniff.

I park my bike in the bike shed and run towards the student entrance, where I see an unfamiliar paper posted on the glass door.

I was on the verge of being late and debated whether to just pass by, but decided to take a quick look.

Glancing at the paper briefly, I mutter.

「Ah, I forgot today was class reassignment…」

〇

「Ouu! Finally arrived, huh??」

As I head to the designated classroom, a familiar figure waves at me.

「Didn’t expect to be in the same class as you again this year.」

The one smiling at me was Machinaka Takiji.

We’ve been in the same class since elementary school, making us something like inseparable companions. Our school is private and has quite a few classes, so I was prepared for the possibility of not having any close friends, but seeing Takiji here made me sigh in relief.

「How many times do I have to end up with you…」

「You say that, but you’re secretly happy, aren’t you? In your tsundere phase?」

「I’m not being tsun or dere. Imagine me blushing and saying, “I-I don’t like Takiji even a little bit, okay!!”」

「Uwah… I suddenly feel nauseous…」

「Right?」

There must never be a dere phase for anyone other than cute boys.

「Ahh, and suddenly, I have a special surprise for you, my non-popular and disappointing friend.」

「What? Boomerang boy.」

「Oi, I can’t let that slide. In what way am I non-popular──」

「Enough with the weird act, what’s up??」

My birthday is still far off, you know?

If it’s not related to a birthday present…?

Could it be, Takiji… you went ahead without me…

I want to ask, but I don’t want to know…

With mixed feelings, I ask cautiously.

「In this class, there’s a sanctuary of healing, Hoshino-san is here.」

「Hoshino?? Ahh, that Hoshino?」

「Yeah, there’s only one Hoshino, right?」

There’s only one person that comes to mind when I hear the surname Hoshino.

「Oh? Hello, Yamanaga-san, Machinaka-san.」

As if anticipating this timing, Hoshino Michika approached us.

「Hello…」

「Ossu…」

That’s about as much as high school boys greet an unfamiliar girl in front of them.

I might have lost points for glancing down a bit, trying to show that I’m conscious of the opposite sex.

「I wanted to greet you since it’s our first time being in the same class… is now okay?」

「Yeah, totally fine.」

To think she’d come over just to greet us… A non-popular guy might easily misunderstand this as “Does she like me!?”

「I’m glad. I’ve been watching from a distance, and you two seem really close friends!」

「Well, we’ve been stuck together for a long time, so naturally we became close, ahh, and if formal language is a hassle, you can speak casually, okay??」

For some reason, Takiji’s mouth suddenly started running.

Could it be, this guy…

「I see! Umm… using formal language is just a habit of mine…」

「Ahh… I see…」

「B-But! Since we’re classmates now, can I call you “Takiji-kun!”?」

「O-Ou! O-Of course! W-What should I call you??」

「Let’s see… you can call me whatever you like, Takiji-kun.」

「Then, can I call you Michika…?」

「Of course. Looking forward to getting along, Takiji-kun!」

「L-Likewise! L-Looking forward to it, Michika!」

Huh? This is going well.

I’m feeling completely left out here, like I’m not part of this, and I want to cry.

「Ah, can I call you “Takuto-kun” too, Yamanaga-kun?」

「No, I’m Takumi…」

「S-Sorry!」

「It’s fine, and call me whatever you like…」

「U-Understood. Looking forward to getting along, Takumi-kun.」

「Yeah… likewise.」

As I waved my hand slightly, Hoshino returned to the group of girls with a dazzling smile.

Once we were alone again, Takiji muttered.

「Hmm…? Did my love comedy just start??」

〇

Seriously, who’s a non-popular guy?

Just because he got friendly with the most beautiful girl in our grade, he suddenly starts acting all high and mighty.

On the way home from the opening ceremony, I grumbled, remembering what Takiji had said.

Getting excited over a polite greeting, he’s still just a kid. With these twisted thoughts running through my head, I check the location my mother sent me for today’s part-time job.

「Uwa… it’s surprisingly far…」

Today’s housekeeping job was three stations away from the nearest station to school. And from that station, it was a 15-minute walk, the worst kind of location.

Damn it… if I had known, I would have haggled for higher pay…

It seems like today is just one misfortune after another.

Feeling dejected, I start walking towards the station with heavy steps.

On the way, I checked the name of the client my mother had sent.

「Let’s see… the client is Hoshino Aina-san. 21 years old, a university student, huh.」

Judging by the name, it seems to be a woman.

I hope she doesn’t complain about a man showing up suddenly…

Most of the staff in our company, as one might expect from a housekeeping service, are women.

The client probably expects a woman to come too.

「I hope I don’t get complaints like last time…」

My mind was so full of the trauma from a previous job that I didn’t realize something important at the time.