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Translated by Raze Edited by Dark

Prologue- What comes to your mind when you think of the word “Okan”?

Okan. It’s generally a word which signifies meanings with reference to mothers. Most people tend to speak of it intimately. That’s what I think about it. I understand it well enough that it’s not something bad.

However, it is a word that is used in referring to a mother who is caring and has a sweet character, and not used for a 16-year old child. Moreover, it is by no means a word that should be used for a high school boy who is of a completely different gender.

However, it is.

I opened the messaging app that was displayed on the screen of my smartphone——Tap FINE to open.

“Okan, are you free today? Would you like to go somewhere?”

………….

I live in a small old house in Fukuoka. The place is a bit shabby but there was a room for me, and I had no complaints about my current state. I was just lying on my bed typing a message.

I’m a 16-year-old high school boy——Kannonzaka Kyoya, and tired of receiving messages from my friends. I’ve been getting quite a few messages from classmates too. Even in class, everyone goes ‘Okan, Okan, Okan’. Can’t they do something about the way they call me? I don’t know whether they changed ‘Kannonzaka’ to ‘Okan’ or is it just because of my personality.

“Nope, it’s better than being afraid of.”

While speaking to myself, I typed a reply. The one who I’m replying to is Oosagi Takumi. Though her name is quite masculine, she’s a girl. She’s really cute and pretty. And yes, people call me ‘Okan’ regardless of my gender. Reality is quite sad.

“Don’t call me ‘Okan’. And I can’t come today because I have to go to a limited-time sale and then volunteering.”

“So that’s how it is. Sales have priority over friends, but that’s alright. I’ll invite you out later again. Let me know if there’s any discount for snacks or sweets.”

“Ah, Lux mall has an all-you-can-eat candy pack offer for 300 yen”

“The train fare to go to Lux mall will be expensive though. But thanks anyway, Okan. I love you. Next time I go for a sale I’ll get you something.”

“Then don’t call me ‘Okan’”

“But why volunteering though? It’s spring break.”

“Various reasons.”

Volunteering is mainly held by the school. There aren’t many people who are willing to volunteer in spring break but there still are a few. You won’t get any points for volunteering, but it’s important to make a good impression on the teachers and remove the scary image of myself. In my case, especially the latter, since I have a scary and intimidating face. I try to participate in such activities to improve my image. If I say it out openly, that’ll just make me depressed.

As I turned off my phone, I could see my evil face on the dark screen. Ah, can I even do something about this? This face of mine. According to my mother, my face isn’t that bad but my aura is more intimidating.

To test it out, I looked at myself on the dark screen and flashed a smile that reflected back at me. Yes yes, I suppose it’s a little better. I’ve been scaring children and getting barked at by dogs, but I’m still better off smiling. That’s right, a smiling face is the best. Yes, but I really don’t want to see any more of this person so I turned on my phone again. It was about 10 o’clock.

“Oops”

I was late for the special sale. The Chinese cabbage and pork were cheap today, I can’t miss them. I have to shop cheaply. It’s an effort so that I can save my household budget, which is essential for a poor household like ours. As a person who helps with the housework, it’s something that I cannot miss.

(The Toradora vibes are killing me XD. This guy is the incarnation of Ryuji lmao)

So it wasn’t an exaggeration to say that good taste was on sale. It’s a wonderful hobby that makes my family happy and I even benefit from it as well. However, I feel a bit sad because this is also one of the reasons I’m being called ‘Okan’.But that’s not a good enough reason for me to give up on my hobbies and I don’t hate myself. Well, except my face.

Wallet, check. License, check. I’m always happy to see my motorcycle license. This is the first time I’ve obtained a real license, so I feel like bragging a bit. However, I want to retake those photos that gives off an aura, telling people to avoid me. I don’t really like photos.

I put the wallet and driver’s license in my pocket and left my room. As I’m walking through the living room,

“Kyoya”

I was stopped. My mother, who was in the kitchen, looked over at me.

“Volunteering gets over today, right?”

“Mom? Ah, yes. It’ll be over today.”

“I’ll talk to you after you return.”

“?…Alright”

What was that? I think I should’ve asked…well, maybe it’s something important that can only be told while sitting down. I’m now in my second year of high school, so perhaps it’s about my career. For the time being, I’ve decided to pursue higher education, but I am yet to decide which university to take the entrance exams for. I’ve heard people starting to wage a war while starting to prepare for the exams. When I think about it, I get a sense of crisis. But I’m so carefree that I’ll probably forget about it in 3 days.

Anyhow, I want to get a part-time job soon. I’ll be needing various things in the future. You need money to get qualifications, licenses and other things such as to hang about normally or pursue higher education.

I can’t thank my parents enough for taking so much care of me. It must be very hard to raise a child. So, I have to be as considerate towards my parents as much as possible.

I want to be the kind of son who can earn enough money on his own to give his parents a gift on their wedding anniversary or birthday. And if I’m able to buy my own motorcycle then I’ll have nothing to complain about.

“Well, I’ll get going then.”

While thinking about such things, I went towards the supermarket on my father’s motorcycle.

New novel, as I promised. I’m dividing the chapters into very small parts because I translate whenever I get time, much more convenient. And I know I’m late, but Merry Christmas.

And enjoy the mass release.

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