Chapter 59

It was after school.

As I opened my planner in the classroom to check what my part-time job was today, one of my classmates called out to me.

"Hey, you're working part-time again today, aren't you?"

The one who spoke was Iwamoto. Iwamoto is popular in the class, but he's not someone I interact with much. Well, to be honest, I don't really have deep connections with anyone.

"Yeah. Please don't tell anyone, okay?"

It's a public high school with the lowest entrance exam scores in the prefecture, but there is a rule that prohibits part-time jobs. I think if a teacher found out, I'd just get a little warning, but if I were forced to quit, it would be a big problem. A huge problem.

"Where are you working today? I always imagine you working at different places."

Iwamoto casually sat on the edge of the desk.

I don't have time for chitchat...

"I do a lot of different jobs. If I find a better-paying one, I switch. ...Sometimes I get caught lying about my age and working late shifts, and I get fired."

Late-night construction jobs pay well...

Looking at my planner, today's job was a good one.

"Today, I'm helping with a midnight move. It's a rush job, so the pay is good."

Iwamoto's eyes widened.

"What's that? I thought you usually worked at a café?"

"Oh, you knew I worked at a café in the neighboring town?"

Well, most of the class knows. I'm sure a few teachers know too. I've been working at that café since middle school, lying about my age. The pay is low, but it's an easy job. The owner is a good person and has been kind to me.

Today, they said they have enough people, but they'd prefer if I could come. Normally, I'd prioritize it, but the midnight move pays 50,000 yen in a day. If they were short on people, I'd feel bad, but since they can manage without me, it's fine.

"Midnight move... We're still in our first year of high school. Why do you need so much money?"

Why do I have to explain this?

"It's not like I have too much. What's the problem?"

Ah... I want a cigarette.

"You seem to be pushing yourself pretty hard."

"Yeah, I am."

I get about five hours of sleep... But I really need the money. There's no other way.

"If you were a girl, would you do compensated dating?"

Hmm. I can't imagine it. Being with a creepy old man would be too much.

"I don't know. Men and women are different, I guess. If I didn't mind being with an old man, maybe I would. I don't know how much it pays, though."

"Rumor has it you can get over 30,000 yen per session."

"Really?"

"Really."

That's a lot. Let me think about it from the other side. Dealing with a super attractive old lady... No, that's impossible.

"I don't think I could do it. Besides, isn't compensated dating just an urban legend?"

Being with someone you don't like... I don't know if I could do that with someone I have no feelings for. If they were attractive, it might be okay, but those people don't have trouble finding partners.

"Apparently, Kitsu from our class does it."

Does it... What, compensated dating?

"...Really?"

"Keep it a secret, okay?"

I'm shocked. Completely shocked. She's the class beauty. I even had a bit of a crush on her... Wait, if I had the money, could I be with her? 30,000 yen is a lot of money...

"Should I even be talking about this?"

"To be honest, not long ago, Kojiri got to know about it and was with her."

Kojiri is a gloomy, otaku, and overweight. Personally, I don't have a bias against otakus, but he's not the type girls like. Can you really be with someone just because they pay you?

"Kojiri secretly recorded it on his phone."

What? That's scary. I'm starting to have a bias against otakus.

"Anyway, there's a group that bullies Kojiri, right?"

"Huh? Really?"

I knew Kojiri was isolated, but I didn't know he was being bullied. I thought he just didn't fit in, like me.

"Endo, you should pay more attention to your surroundings..."

"...Sorry."

I don't have the time or mental space for that... But bullying is wrong.

"Well, that group happened to see the video on Kojiri's phone."

"What? So it's not a secret anymore?"

Iwamoto chuckled.

"Technically, it's still supposed to be a secret, but yeah."

That's a terrible story.

"But is it okay to have such a video around?"

"That's the thing. The bullying group showed the video to Kitsu and threatened her. What they demanded... you can guess, right?"

This is a disaster.

"So, she went to Kojiri and said, 'Oh, that's an extra 30,000 yen for the video.'"

"..."

What?

"According to rumors, she later threatened to spread the video online if he didn't do what she said."

Wait, you mean she only saw and heard this?

"Her response was, 'Is it okay if my friend joins us?' with a bright smile. Like a demon."

... I know. I know what kind of 'friend' she's talking about. I've completely given up on asking her. It's a crime. Yeah, crimes are bad! ...Ah, I want a cigarette!

"...Women are scary..."

"Yeah, they are."

Iwamoto chuckled.

"You don't seem to have trouble with the opposite sex, though."

Iwamoto said something strange.

"Huh? Not only do I not have trouble, I've never even held hands with a girl."

Except for school events.

"Really?"

"Yeah. And you don't seem to have trouble either."

You look good, after all.

"Unfortunately, I don't have any luck either."

Hmm. Whatever.

"Well, I have to go to work now."

I stood up with my bag.

"Sorry for bothering you."

We were the only ones in the classroom, bathed in the setting sun, but Iwamoto didn't move.

"Aren't you going home?"

"I'll go in a bit."

Hmm. It doesn't matter. As I was about to open the sliding door to leave the classroom, Iwamoto asked,

"Endo, are you not interested in the opposite sex?"

I turned around.

His face was hard to see in the backlight of the sunset.

"Not at all... Of course, I'm interested. You're the same, right?"

"Yeah."

The leafless ginkgo tree outside the window cast a complex silhouette.

"But I don't have time for that now. It's expensive, too."

It's partly an excuse, but it's also true. Dating is a dream within a dream.

"I see. I'm the same."

Iwamoto gracefully got off the desk and slowly approached me.

"This is a thank you for listening."

He handed me a small piece of chocolate.

"Thanks."

"...They say sweets are good for fatigue."

"Yeah, I guess."

I put the chocolate in my mouth. ...Does this chocolate taste different?

"See you later."

"Good luck."

He waved and ran off. I had to hurry to make it on time.

I quickly forgot about the conversation and rode my bike to the job.

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The sunset was early this time of year.

The sky, which had been red a while ago, was now dark blue. The classroom, without the lights on, was so dark that it was hard to see the clock's hands.

The announcement for the end of the school day echoed sadly.

In the empty classroom, she muttered softly.

"This is all I can do."

The branches of the ginkgo tree rustled in the cold wind.