Chapter 27

Parsed with an automated reader. The content accuracy is not guranteed.

Following their initial objective, they are searching for a part called a capture board which is necessary for recording.

Or rather, was searching.

“Ah, a new mouse came out……oohh, so cool!! Ah, over there, eh, a 32 GB memory at this price?! That’s incredible, I want……hold on a second me, I just bought one the other day…………”

As soon as she stepped into the store, Ootsu’s character did a complete reversal.

On the other hand, Masaki is at a distance, watching over her warmly as if she was his own child. He smiled as he said, “You love these things, don’t you?”

“Thank you for coming to our store. May I know what you are looking for?”

A female store employee welcomed Masaki.

“No, I’m not in much of a hurry so I’m fine without any assistance.”

“Oh, excuse my rudeness then.”

“It’s better not to take away her ‘job’ after all.”

Right after he expressed his gratitude to the female employee, Ootsu returned.

With an extremely embarrassed expression.

“…………Sorry, there was something that caught my eyes, therefore I spontaneously……”

“I, it’s fine! You looked like you were having a fun time, so I thought it’d be bad to stop or interrupt you.”

“I’ve wasted your precious time. Sorry……”

“No. Leaving that aside, if you want to look at things a little more, I can just keep wandering around on the side……?”

“I’m already satisfied so let’s finish up our business quickly. Mhmm, I apologize for my behavior.”

While stating her contentment, her gaze flickered onto PC parts different from the objective.

She’s feigning composure but it seems she’s still craving to see more.

“……Ootsu-san.”

“What’s wrong?”

“I also want to learn some things about computers so can you teach me about the parts lined up on that shelf over there?”

“…………Can’t be helped then. I actually wanted to go back to work immediately but since Masaki-san is asking, there’s no way around it. That’s right, what a needy person you are!”

Ootsu began to hum with a skip in her step as she says that. Masaki could only make a wry smile in response.

The two left the store after 5 pm.

As winter is around the corner, it’s starting to get dark at this time, causing the setting sun to shine between them.

“Sorry for holding you up this late……”

“No, no need to apologize!! I’ve also learned a bunch from this.”

“……I appreciate your consideration.”

Ootsu gave an earnest apology after leaving the store. She repeatedly bowed her head to the point that the people around her were giving her weird looks.

Masaki enjoyed their time together as well so he had absolutely no complaints. However, her serious personality probably won’t let it go unless she apologizes.

“Oh yeah, want to go eat something? Your stomach should be empty by now, right?”

Masaki suggested that as he put his hand on his stomach.

“No thanks, I can…………”

“Please don’t hold back! Look, doesn’t that place look delicious?”

If the fact that she inconvenienced him lingers in her head, she’ll end up condemning herself.

Therefore, Masaki had to take a forceful approach to invite her.

“It’ll all be out of my own pocket so let’s not hesitate and go in!”

“……All right. I’ll go.”

Unable to resist any longer, Ootsu followed Masaki’s suggestion.

The place they entered is a small hamburger shop which is constructed of dark brown wood and has a melancholic atmosphere.

However, the use of warm-colored lighting adds a soothing aspect to it.

They sat at a table for two in the back of the store.

“There’s only one menu. Let’s look through it together. Ah, doesn’t this look tasty?”

“Y, yeah.”

Ootsu responded to him as if she were about bite on her tongue.

She was calm up until Masaki led her to their seats

Now, the two are in a situation where they are sitting in close proximity, facing each other.

(……I-i-i-i, isn’t this a date!!?)

Moreover, this isn’t a table for lovers going out.

Couples who don’t go out to a fancy restaurant are usually those who have been going out for several years.

But it was already too late when she became self-conscious about it.

She became flustered and couldn’t look Masaki in the face.

“I’ll get this……which one are you ordering, Ootsu?”

“I, I’ll take the same…………!”

“Got it. Excuse me, waiter! I’ll order two of these.”

The entire flow of the conversation was like that.

They’re no longer just a couple, instead, they’re now a married couple. A father and mother going out.

(Why did I order the same thing……?)

What’s even worse is that the only one who is being overly conscious of it is Ootsu.

Masaki paid no attention to it and only treated her as a coworker. When she tried to peek at his expression, he made a puzzled face, as if a question mark was floating above his head.

(Cute)

Ootsu almost unconsciously raised the corners of her mouth but she desperately held it back.

She controlled herself by recalling inside her head the scene of Masaki streaming and her sending a red superchat of 50,000 yen.

“Fuu……”

“What’s the matter, Ootsu-san?”

“Listen up, Masaki-san. You shouldn’t invite women to places like this.”

“W, why!?”

“It’s a secret, okay, a secret? It’s meant to stay unknown……”

Seeing him constantly reacting with “did I do something wrong?,” Ootsu felt her heart hurt with a sting.

Honestly, I had this chapter ready for a while now but just procrastinated on taking it from google docs and formatting it.

Also, next chapter will be posted tomorrow (maybe).