Chapter 47

Since it was already dark, Yugen decided to escort Arisa to the front of her house.

The two walked side by side.

Although it had been hot during the day, it was already early autumn, and the night was a bit chilly.

Perhaps it was also because her body was reacting to the temperature difference between day and night, and she was wearing a cool summer outfit.

"Are you okay? Arisa."

To Yugen, it felt a bit cool, but Arisa seemed a little cold.

When he asked, Arisa showed him that she was hugging herself with both hands.

"I'm not very good with the cold..."

"Even though your last name is Yuki (Snow)?"

"It's just a part of my last name, you know."

Arisa laughed softly.

Still, she did seem a bit cold, so it wasn't a lie.

Arisa was also wearing clothes that seemed less resistant to the cold compared to Yugen.

In any case, it wouldn't be good to catch a cold from the cold.

After thinking for a moment, Yugen gripped his jacket with both hands, pulled it slightly, and asked Arisa.

"Do you want to borrow it?"

"Eh? ...But won't you be cold, Yugen?"

"Let me save face."

When Yugen said this, Arisa replied, "Then I'll take you up on your offer."

He took off his jacket and handed it to her.

She carefully put on the jacket, being careful not to wrinkle it.

The jacket completely covered and hid Arisa's body.

"It's warm. ...Are you okay, Yugen?"

"I'm better than you were a moment ago."

It felt a bit cooler, but his body temperature seemed to have changed.

However, it wasn't unbearable.

"Really... thank you."

Arisa squinted her eyes.

Then she looked down at her feet.

"I don't like winter."

"Because it's cold?"

"Yes. And no one ever lent me a jacket when I was shivering."

Meaning no one was there to help her.

Or perhaps there was another meaning.

Yugen didn't know.

"But this year's winter... I might start to like it. I have a feeling."

"Alright, then I'll try to make you like winter. ...Although it's still more than two months away."

It was only mid-September.

Talking about winter was a bit premature.

"By the way, Yugen. This might not be a good thing to ask... but..."

"Your measurements?"

"No! ...I mean, you paid for the coat, right? I was just wondering how much it affected your finances. You have a limited allowance, and if it was your parents' money, I feel bad."

"I see."

He wanted to say it was fine not to worry, but Arisa was the type to care about such things.

Since they would be spending more time together, it was better to let her know.

"My parents cover the utilities. And they give me money for clothes to avoid embarrassing situations."

For clothes, he kept receipts and billed them later.

However, his parents were a bit casual about it, so it was somewhat haphazard.

"What about food expenses?"

"Enough to avoid starving, which is 15,000 yen. Plus 5,000 yen for pocket money."

"...That's surprisingly low."

"Well, I can't complain since I'm living alone by my own choice."

Still, 20,000 yen for food and entertainment was a bit tight.

So...

"The rest is from my part-time job."

"Oh, you have a part-time job?"

"Yeah... I haven't mentioned it before."

Yugen only went to club activities once a week.

Except for Saturdays, which were for Arisa, he had five days off.

Since he didn't have any particular hobbies, he spent his free time working part-time.

"Earning your own money is admirable."

Arisa said this with a tone of genuine admiration.

Yugen was happy to be praised by Arisa, but at the same time, he felt a bit complicated.

"Um, no, well..."

"What's wrong?"

"I was thinking... that's not quite right."

Arisa tilted her head at Yugen's hesitation.

"I'm not working out of necessity; I'm doing it because I have free time. It's a hobby. I can quit anytime."

Living alone was a whim of Yugen's.

It was only possible because his family was relatively well-off.

"A student's primary responsibility is academics, right? So... part-time jobs and club activities should be secondary unless you're forced to do them or planning to make a living from them. If your parents are around, children should focus on their studies."

"But Yugen, you're managing your studies well, aren't you?"

Indeed, Yugen's grades were not bad.

He wasn't neglecting his studies for his part-time job, but...

"But I'm not putting my all into it. ...I think I should be studying as diligently as you. ...But this is just my personal opinion."

"Can I ask one more thing?"

"What is it?"

"Well... if you think so, why don't you do it?"

It was a natural question.

If he thought earning his own money was great, it would be one thing, but it was strange to think it was bad while still doing it.

Of course... there was a reason for it.

"I'm not a good kid. I'm a bad kid... Studying alone is boring. And while a student's primary responsibility might be academics, I think the primary responsibility of life is to enjoy it."

However, there was another reason Yugen worked part-time.

Since his future was almost decided, he would inherit his parents' business and the Kosegawa family's leadership... meaning he had no real freedom of career choice.

Yugen's freedom was only during his student years.

That's why his parents allowed his whimsical part-time jobs.

"You're not a good kid, indeed."

On hearing Yugen's response, Arisa said this.

Yugen couldn't help but chuckle.

"I wanted you to deny that."

"But..."

"But?"

"I like that about you."

Arisa giggled.

Yugen's heart skipped a beat.

While they were talking, they arrived near Arisa's house.

"Should I go all the way to your door?"

Yugen asked.

Usually, Arisa would say, "This is fine," but...

"Could you come all the way to my door today?"

For some reason, she wanted him to see her to the door.

Of course, it was only a five-minute walk, so it wasn't a bother.

Yugen followed Arisa to her door.

"Since I've come this far, can I say hello to your parents?"

"Yes... but my stepfather isn't home right now."

Arisa then pressed the intercom and spoke to the person on the other side in a slightly apologetic tone.

"It's Arisa. I'm home now. ...Could you open the door for me?"

After a while, the door opened roughly.

Arisa shivered.

A middle-aged woman with a slightly displeased expression came out.

She was Arisa's stepmother, Ami Tachikawa.

"Really, leaving the housework and coming home so late! You've been quite rebellious lately..."

"I'm sorry. I kept Arisa out late."

Yugen stepped forward to protect Arisa.

He then bowed slightly.

He pasted a social smile on his face.

"This is... Kosegawa-kun. Thank you for keeping my daughter company."

Ami Tachikawa seemed taken aback for a moment.

Then, with a guilty expression, she said to Yugen.

(...If you don't like Arisa, why did you oppose the marriage?)

Ami Tachikawa seemed to be against the arranged marriage between Yugen and Arisa.

However, she didn't seem to particularly dislike Arisa.

She was likely the one who slapped Arisa's cheek during the engagement meeting.

If she disliked Arisa, it shouldn't matter whether Arisa married Yugen or not.

It was completely incomprehensible.

Although, he didn't really want to understand.

"No, I enjoyed it too. ...I'm the one who kept her out late. I'm really sorry. Please don't blame Arisa."

When Yugen said this, Ami frowned.

However, she couldn't continue scolding Arisa in front of Yugen.

"Arisa, come inside."

"Yes."

Ami ignored Yugen's words and led Arisa into the house.

Then she closed the door roughly.

"Is Arisa going to be okay?"

On the way back, Yugen was a bit worried about Arisa when his phone rang.

A message from Arisa appeared on the screen.

"Thank you for protecting me."

"Can I ask for your help again next time?"

Yugen sighed in relief.

Incidentally, Yugen's part-time jobs are:

- Restaurant service, 1050 yen per hour

- Private tutoring, 2000 yen per hour

- Miscellaneous tasks at a law firm, 1500 yen per hour

He will work more details into the story later.

The miscellaneous tasks at the law firm are based on what the author's friend did as a college student. When asked if a high school student could do it, it was said that as long as they understood confidentiality, it was possible, though connections were needed.

Since he works quite a bit, Yugen is relatively well-off for a high school student.

Before the next episode, there will be a side story. I plan to post it within three days.

The identity of the noise in Chapter 12 will be revealed.

If you find it interesting and want to read more, I would appreciate it if you could bookmark and rate the story (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents).

True Dere Level: 10% → 20%

It has increased significantly.

Currently, it feels like "If I marry this person, they will protect me."

Marriage still seems unrealistic.

When it reaches one-quarter (25%), it will change again.

If you are interested in the Dere Level,

I would appreciate it if you could bookmark and rate the story (change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ below the table of contents).