…At least, I should pay for what I ordered myself.
It might be cool to say, “I’ll treat you”, but each cake costs over 500 yen. She said everything and there are about fifteen items… My monthly allowance would be gone in an instant.
After we both finished ordering our food, Sophia’s face was already sparkling with excitement.
She seems a little more childish than usual, which is kind of refreshing.
As I was watching her, Sophia tilted her head.
「By the way, I suddenly asked you out on a day off, but was it fine? You didn’t have any plans?」
「I usually stay home on days off, so it’s fine.」
「I see. Then, does that mean it’s okay if I invite you out on dates on days off from now on…?」
She asks, sounding like she’s probing.
I get a little nervous when she says “date”, but I guess we’ll just go out to eat somewhere again.
「Well, yeah. But are you not busy, Sophia? Don’t you have photoshoots and stuff?」
「Well, I usually work on days off. But I’m not that busy, and sometimes photoshoots end in the morning.」
「…I see.」
「If it’s a photoshoot for a small magazine. Some people even bring their boyfriends to the set and go out to play after it’s over. Ah, do you want to come watch a photoshoot next time?」
Sophia asks with a mischievous smile, and I shake my head.
「N-No, I’m fine. I’d feel out of place…」
「That’s not true. Not everyone’s boyfriend is a celebrity.」
「…F-For now… it’s fine. I’m shy.」
Even if I wouldn’t stand out, I’d be nervous just being in a place with so many people.
「For someone who is shy, you were pretty normal when you helped me.」
「That’s because you looked like you were in trouble. …I can’t be nervous when I’m helping someone in trouble.」
If I clearly encounter such a situation, I can switch gears.
It’s my old man’s teaching. Martial arts are for protecting the weak. …Well, in other words, I can’t be thinking such pathetic thoughts when I’m helping someone in trouble.
Sophia smiled and looked at me.
「Could it be that you’re helping people everywhere like you did today, Yuuto?」
「…Not really. I just happen to encounter such situations sometimes and call out to them.」
「Aren’t you a little too kind?」
Sophia said that, but I don’t think so.
Anyone can be kind to someone.
I… have no redeeming qualities. So, at the very least, I wanted to be someone who could do something for someone else.
「I… can only do things like be kind to someone.」
「It’s not “only”. That’s the most amazing thing.」
…Sophia said that clearly.
──Light Novels──
──Read Here──
Sophia’s face was completely serious, and I was a little happy.
「I’m glad you say that… so, thank you.」
「…Yeah. Well, when you say it so frankly, it makes me feel kind of embarrassed… Anyway, um, what were we talking about? Ah, if you want to come watch my photoshoot sometime, just tell me. I’ll invite you anytime.」
「…Okay, I understand.」
Sophia’s workplace, huh.
I saw it briefly when my classmates were looking at a magazine in the classroom, but she had a lot of makeup on and looked like a completely different person.
Compared to the Sophia in front of me now, she looked much more mature.
After that, Sophia told me a few more stories about photoshoots. As I was nodding along to Sophia, who was talking very enthusiastically,
「Ah, I’ve been doing all the talking.」
「No, you were talking so enthusiastically, and I enjoyed it. You like your job.」
「…Yeah, I do. I especially like being a model because I get to wear all sorts of clothes. It’s like being a princess in a story…」
「…I see.」
「You don’t really get it, do you?」
「…Does it show on my face that much?」
「You’re easy to read. But I think that’s a good thing about you, so you don’t have to worry about it.」
…Even if she says I don’t have to worry about it, I’d probably get scolded by anyone other than Sophia.
I think Sophia is kind and won’t criticize me, but if it shows on my face every time, I might make her uncomfortable someday, so I have to be careful…
「I don’t really understand the part about enjoying wearing different clothes… but it’s not a lie that I enjoy seeing Sophia so happy.」
So, I told her honestly that I enjoyed hearing her stories, and she averted her gaze while scratching her cheek.
「…Thank you. What do you usually do on your days off?」
「Me?」
「Yeah. I’ve been doing all the talking, haven’t I? I wanted to hear about you too.」
Perhaps because of Sophia’s personality, she had been doing most of the talking. I didn’t think it was a bad thing, and in fact, it was helping me out. I’m not very good at talking about myself.
「Usually, huh.」
「You’re usually at home, right? You’re not sleeping all day, are you?」
Of course, that’s not the case.
I do have things I do. I usually spend my days off writing.
…I wish I could just say it honestly, but it’s not something I can brag about like Sophia can.
I’m not a published author or anything, so saying that’s what I do on my days off…
『It’s stupid.』
…I was told that in middle school.
『What’s the fun in doing that when you have no talent or anything?』
I don’t think they meant any harm. But I guess hobbies seem meaningless to anyone other than the person who enjoys them.