The Tsundere-Type Office Lady Can't Stop

It had been a month since I first went to Festa.

Today was Friday.

I checked the time on my favorite wristwatch, which I’d bought recently. Just a little longer. Just a little longer until the end of the workday.

I couldn’t keep my heart from pounding.

Until recently, my life had been nothing but working like the dead, then going home and sleeping. It felt like a lie now.

I looked at my watch again.

Right on the dot, the second hand overlapped the twelve.

"Thank you for your hard work! I’m heading out!"

I clocked out the moment my shift ended without hesitation and left the office.

I might be able to take on the world now.

As I headed out, I heard my coworkers talking behind me.

"Has Mochizuki-san been leaving insanely early lately? And only on Fridays."

"Maybe she’s got a guy?"

"Wait, seriously?"

W-well, sort of? You could say I practically have one. ()

I didn’t care what rumors people spread.

I hurried outside.

Masato-kun was waiting for me.

Just that alone had recently given me the will to live.

My utterly lazy weekends had become time for improving myself as a woman, and even work wasn’t a hardship if I thought of it as earning money to see Masato-kun.

If anything, I wanted more money.

Just as I was cheerfully heading for that place, right then—

"Seira-chan!"

Someone called out to stop me from behind.

"...Miki-san."

It was my senior colleague, Miki-san.

She already had her bag and looked ready to leave too. It seemed she’d chased after me.

Maybe because I was aiming to set a world record, Miki-san was in a panic too.

Miki-san finally seemed relieved when I stopped and silently approached me.

Huh, did I mess something up at work...?

Without a word, Miki-san came up beside me... and slung her arm around my shoulders.

"You’re going to the ‘feast,’ right?"

"Urk..."

The “feast” meant that place, Festa.

It was a code word whose meaning only our group knew, invented so our bosses and others wouldn’t find out we were going to a boys’ bar.

What kind of culture is that?

But Miki-san had hit the nail on the head.

Of course I was going.

Just as I thought she might be angry that I’d tried to go without telling her...

Miki-san leaned in and whispered.

"Take me with you too♡"

...I desperately wish she’d do that to her favorite host instead.

Miki-san skipped along lightly. Judging by how excited she got at Festa, she must be pretty infatuated with that host too. I wonder if she can afford it.

(Well, I’m in no position to talk...)

To be honest, I wanted to skip all the way there too.

The thought of seeing him soon had my excitement through the roof.

Ever since the day I first met him, I’d gone to that place every single week without fail.

Of course. He’s my angel.

His innocent smile, his expressive face—he looked good with every expression.

There probably wasn’t a man in this world better than him.

It was only natural that my ex-boyfriend looked like less than garbage by comparison.

Well, it was presumptuous of me to compare them at all.

While I was thinking all that, we arrived in front of the bar before I knew it.

The sign was as flashy as ever.

Miki, walking ahead of me, already had a sparkle in her eyes.

"Come on, let’s go... to a world of dreams!"

"Y-yeah..."

This was already my fifth time coming, but I still got nervous before going in.

I just couldn’t get used to the atmosphere.

Well, once I started talking to him, I forgot all about that.

"Welcome, my lady... Oh, it’s Miki! You came again!"

"Hehe... Don’t be so formal, Yusei. I told you yesterday I’d come, didn’t I?"

Here we go again.

Miki was already going after her favorite host with zero distance between them.

I practically respected her for this. I could never do that.

I was far too afraid of the risk of being disliked.

As I stared blankly at the two of them flirting, the host turned to look over at me.

"And the lady over there... should I have Masato sit with you?"

"...!"

He knows...!

This is so embarrassing. Had I become known around this bar as the woman who always requested Masato-kun...?

...Hm? I’m starting to think I like that, actually. That means it’s official, right? ()

When I said please, the host answered with a smile.

If Miki was this into him, he must be a good guy.

Well, I’m devoted to Masato-kun.

They showed us to a sofa, where Miki-san and I sat a little apart.

"Miki-san... You had work yesterday, right? Did you come here after work?"

"Huh? I didn’t come yesterday. Even I don’t usually come when I have work the next day..."

"Huh? But you just said you told him yesterday..."

Miki-san had definitely told her favorite host, “I told you yesterday, didn’t I?”

I’d assumed that meant Miki-san had come here yesterday too, but...

"Tsk, tsk... Ah, maybe this isn’t something I should say too loudly? Hmm, what a dilemma... What should I do... But you’re my beloved junior, so..."

...Was this senior colleague always this annoying???

The way she wiggled around, clearly waiting for me to ask despite wanting to tell me, irritated me for some reason. I mean, she’s basically a good person and I like her!!

Miki-san leaned toward me to whisper in my ear.

"Actually... I got his contact info♡"

"...?!?!"

C-contact info...?!

Miki-san stuck her tongue out in a playful “teehee,” and I was stunned.

That’s unfair.

That was just too unfair.

That was no longer about the bar.

It meant she could talk to her favorite host outside of work.

I wanted to do that with Masato-kun too...!

"Good evening. Thanks for coming again."

My body went rigid.

That voice that melted my heart. There was no mistaking it.

I timidly raised my eyes, and there was Masato-kun with an angelic smile.

...Oh, no tie today. That’s nice too...

No, that’s not the point!

"I-I just happened to have some free time..."

It was absolutely not a coincidence. I’d sprinted out of work at full speed, but this was all I could say.

Because it would be so creepy to say, “I think about you every day, and I did an end-of-work speedrun today so I could see you.”

So I pretended it was a coincidence.

Otherwise, the walls around my heart might crumble.

Just then—

"Masato-kuuun! Seira’s totally head over heels for you, lol! Keep her company, okay?"

My senior colleague nearly ruined everything by saying something outrageous.

"Miki-san!!"

When I looked over at Miki-san, her face was already red.

The alcohol’s going to her head way too fast!!

I have to get this back on track...!

"Ahem... Um, it really was just a coincidence. My senior invited me, so I had no choice. And, well, you’re the least annoying person to talk to, so I called you over. Got it?"

Good, not bad. Miki-san’s here today, and the reason makes sense.

Perfect.

"Haha... Thank you. I’m not good for much besides listening, but I actually like hearing what you have to say, Seira-san."

"...!"

Y-you...!

He was so cute, my brain felt like it was about to burn.

That smile almost killed me instantly.

"Y-you say things like that to everyone, don’t you?"

"Huh? ...No... You’re the only unusual person who requests me, Seira-san...?"

I’m the only one... So I’m the only one.

That’s incredibly convenient for me, but women really have no eye for men.

No matter how you looked at it, Masato-kun was the best man in the world.

"I-I see. Then that’s fine. That’s right. I want you to stay that way forever."

But on the other hand, I don’t want anyone else to realize how wonderful he is.

I shamelessly found myself wanting to monopolize that smile.

Even though I’m not dating him. I’m just a woman being served at the bar.

...Huh, I’m starting to feel like crying after saying that to myself...

And then I remembered what Miki-san had said earlier.

‘I got his contact info♡’

...If. If I could get Masato-kun’s contact info too.

I’m sure I’d feel like I was floating up to heaven.

But at the same time, if he turned me down, I wasn’t confident I could make it through the following week.

Actually, I probably couldn’t.

About two hours later.

Masato-kun was as angelic as ever, and the conversation was the best.

It was bliss.

The staff asked me about four times, “Would you like to switch hosts?” but I chose to extend every time.

Because I wasn’t interested in anyone but Masato-kun.

But sadly, fun times always flew by.

"Seiraaa! We’re going home! How long are you going to keep flirting with Masato-kun? Come on!"

Apparently, it was time to leave.

...Flirting?! We weren’t flirting!!

I wanted to, though!!!

"W-what?! We weren’t flirting! It’s not like that at all! With a scrawny guy like... like..."

Crap. I wanted to insult him, but I couldn’t think of anything.

You should praise me for managing to turn his slender build into the slightly insulting word “scrawny” on the spot.

That’s the best I can do.

"All right, all right. I’m scrawny. Come visit again."

He took my hand.

Ah, I can’t. I love him. I love him so much.

Just having him take my hand made my heart pound this hard.

Between that and the alcohol, my body was hot.

Even after we reached the counter, while Miki-san was paying, Masato-kun kept holding my hand.

...Now.

Maybe now, with the alcohol as an excuse, I could act a little needy.

I took the plunge and leaned against Masato-kun.

My heartbeat was deafening.

Masato-kun’s sweet scent tickled my nose.

It felt as if my whole body were being dyed with Masato-kun.

"...Seira-san?"

He called my name.

His voice was so soothing.

But I couldn’t show him my face right now.

I couldn’t let him see me looking this shameless.

So I kept my head down.

"...You can’t."

"...Huh?"

"You can’t accept anyone else’s requests... Not anyone but mine..."

I knew I was being selfish.

But as long as he worked at the bar, he’d have to serve anyone who requested him.

Still, just imagining Masato-kun serving another woman made my chest ache.

"It’s okay. I only work Fridays."

"...I see."

"And on Fridays, you always come and request me like this, Seira-san."

"...I see."

That’s unfair.

If he said that, I’d have to come every Friday.

Well... I’d come even if he didn’t ask.

I really wanted to stay longer, but reluctantly left the bar.

Once we’d gotten far enough that we couldn’t see the place anymore, Miki-san and I sat down on a bench for a bit.

Ah, today, as always, Masato-kun was an angel... no, a god.

"Hey, Seira! What were you doing flirting while I was paying for everything?!"

"W-whaaat?! Y-you were watching?!"

"...You can’t. (teary-eyed)"

"Aaaaahhhhhh!!! Forget it!!! Right now!!!!!!"

This is so embarrassing!!!

Honestly, when I first came to this bar, I was put off by Miki-san’s behavior, but I couldn’t laugh at her at all anymore.

Miki-san cackled.

"That was the best... Now, let’s head home... or I’d like to say that, but I’m kind of hungry. Want to grab something to eat before we go?"

"S-sure. Let’s do that."

Lately, life had finally become a little fun.

Of course, Masato-kun was a big part of that.

But my senior colleague who looked out for me like this was a big part of it too.

"All right, take care! See you Monday!"

"Yes, take care!"

Miki-san and I went in different directions.

We’d only planned to grab a quick bite, but it had gotten pretty late.

It was already well past midnight.

"Well..."

My home was about two train stops from here.

It wasn’t far.

I headed toward the station, savoring the afterglow of the evening.

That’s when it happened.

"...Huh?"

I was speechless.

In the direction I was looking.

A young man walked alone, weaving through people passed out drunk.

There was no mistaking him... It was Masato-kun.

There was no way I’d mistake him for someone else.

Masato-kun in his casual clothes.

My heart rate suddenly shot up.

It was almost time for the last train. If I missed it, I’d have no choice but to take a taxi home.

And yet.

My feet naturally followed after him.

I ended up chasing him.

What should I do, what should I do, what should I do.

Before I knew it, I’d passed the park near the station and entered a residential neighborhood.

Masato-kun was in my line of sight.

What I was doing was practically a crime.

(I shouldn’t... I shouldn’t...!)

I knew. I knew this was wrong.

I knew I absolutely shouldn’t do this.

But my heart was pounding noisily, and my head was burning. Neither would stop.

Masato-kun stopped at an apartment building a short distance after leaving the park.

That must be—

"...!"

Just as I tried to peek at Masato-kun—

Masato-kun glanced back in my direction for a moment.

(Did he see me? Did he?)

If Masato-kun came over and called the police, my life in society would be over.

There’d be no excuse whatsoever.

This was stalking.

I forced down my heart, which kept pounding away, and timidly—really timidly—checked again.

It seemed Masato-kun had gone inside.

"Haaa...!"

I slid down and crouched there.

I’d known for a while that I was a filthy woman, but I hadn’t thought I was this bad.

Even as guilt engulfed my entire body, my feet wouldn’t stop.

I slowly approached the apartment... and ended up right outside his room.

(Katari... So that’s his surname, Masato-kun.)

With trembling hands, I opened the memo app on my phone.

Tears came to my eyes.

I couldn’t stop crying over what an unbelievably awful person I was.

And yet.

My body went and wrote down his address all on its own.

(I won’t use it for anything! I won’t send him anything! I won’t do anything, anything at all!)

Then why was I writing it down?

I didn’t know.

This was a one-strike-and-you’re-out offense.

Just then... I heard a noise from Masato-kun’s room.

I immediately realized that the sound... was a shower.

"Haha... Hahahaha..."

Once again, my body crumpled down.

I collapsed there, drained of strength.

I shoved my phone, with the address written down, into my suit pocket.

I cried.

Even in this situation.

Masato-kun was taking a shower just on the other side of one thin wall.

That alone... made me impossibly excited.

I really was a hopeless pervert.

Realizing that, I finally understood.

No, perhaps I’d known ever since that moment.

"Hey, Masato-kun... I’ve gone and broken."

These feelings can’t be stopped anymore.