The Truth

Tsukinaga-san paused, deciding whether the answer I gave was yes or no. After a moment of thought, she decided to open her mouth.

"The truth is...I need money."

"...Come again?"

"I need money, that's why I'm working."

"You work because you need money. Okay, that makes sense. But why do you need money in the first place?"

"That's because during the summer vacation, my parent only gave me a one-time allowance for the entire holiday. And our date at the amusement park cost me almost everything I had. Therefore, if I want to go on another date with you, I need money."

Tsukinaga-san turned her face away. She looked very embarrassed. But she endured all that embarrassment because I kept pushing her.

Curse me! All I can think about is myself.

I'm feeling guilty. While all I had to do to get money was ask my parents, Tsukinaga-san had to work hard to get some.

"So, the reason you're always slow to respond to my messages was because..."

She nodded, confirming my guess.

"I took on several jobs and it wore me out. So whenever I have free time, I use it to rest."

I really am the worst person. I never imagined that Tsukinaga-san would go that far just to go on a date with me.

Instead of praising her, I said cruel words to her. It would be like me spitting on all her hard work just to act like a cool boyfriend.

'Cool boyfriend' my ass! Do I really deserve to be a man for this wonderful girl?

"I'm sorry, Tsukinaga-san!"

I bowed my head ninety degrees.

"I didn't know you had such a situation. All I could think about was myself. If only I'd tried to understand you more, I definitely wouldn't have said bad things to you. I am the worst."

"Wha—?! Raise your head, Minamoto-kun!"

Tsukinaga-san panicked when I suddenly lowered my head. She felt uneasy with people's stares. Even so...

"No, it's not enough. A mere apology is not enough to undo what I did. Do I need to rub my head on the floor to make up for my mistake?"

"Never mind that! Just raise your head!"

Tsukinaga-san tried her best to help me stand upright. Despite that, I still couldn't see her in the eyes. I lowered my gaze as I still couldn't shake the guilty feeling from my chest.

"Listen here, Minamoto-kun. You're not at fault here, in fact I'm the one to blame. I should have told you from the beginning as you said."

"I know I said all those things. However, I should have been the one who tried to reach you. But I stayed passive and blamed everything on you."

Neither of us wanted to budge. Hence, Tsukinaga-san took the fastest way to solve the problem.

"Since we are both at fault, then we are even. So, can we forget about this and move on?"

"No, I still have to make amends to you."

"Oh come on! Just forget it already."

"No, please, let me do that. Otherwise, I won't be able to get rid of this feeling of guilt."

Tsukinaga-san sighed. She knows that I won't compromise any further, so she doesn't say anything else. But, since I kept moping around, she came up with a new topic.

"Oh, right! Are you free next week, Minamoto-kun?"

I raised my face to Tsukinaga-san's question.

"Why do you ask?"

"How about we go on a date? It's been a long time since we've done that."

"Don't you have to work?"

"I've cleared my schedule for next week already. Besides, I'm working so I can go on a date with you. It means nothing if I don't achieve my original goal."

"Okay, let's go."

When Tsukinaga-san was celebrating, I was reminded of something.

"I just remembered. My sister invited me to her club activity for stargazing next week. Do you mind if we go together? She said that there are still a few slots left."

"Are you sure I can come? I don't want to intrude."

"Sure. My sister said it herself. But she told me to tell her when I wanted to invite someone. Would you be okay if our date next week was replaced with this instead?"

"I don't mind. After all, stargazing sounds fun."

"Okay, then. I'll call my sister to let her know."

I reached for my phone and started dialing my sister's number. After a few rings, our call finally connected.

(Moshi moshi, Nee-san. I just want to ask, are the slots for stargazing still available?)

(Uhh yeah, I think so. Do you wanna bring someone?)

(Yeah, it's my girlfriend. It's fine, isn't it?)

(Sure. I'll let the others know...)

(Hm? Moshi moshi. Nee-san? Is the call still connected?)

I was confused when my sister suddenly stopped talking. I moved the phone away from my ear to look at the screen, which the call timer still counting.

At the same time, Tsukinaga-san poked my hand and signaled to me that her break was coming to an end.

When I put my ear back to the phone, to quickly finish the call with my sister, I heard a loud scream.

(EEEEEHHHHHHH???!!!! Kenjiro, you have a girlfriend?!)

I spontaneously saved my ears from the hearing-destroying sound. But I couldn't do a call this way, so I put my ear back on the phone screen.

(Hey, Kenjiro! Why aren't you answering?)

(Sorry, I was saving my ears just now. What did you say?)

(I said since when have you had a girlfriend? Why did you never tell me?)

My sister made a fuss on the phone. I, who was too lazy to listen, cut to the chase.

(I'll answer everything you ask at home since it's going to be a long story. For now, I just need answers. Can I bring my girlfriend or not?)

(Oh, right about that. I think it's fine. The slots are still available anyway.)

(Roger that. Thank you, Nee-san.)

(Okay. And don't forget we will have an interview later.)

(Got it.)

I simply replied to my sister indifferently and ended the call.

"So, how was it?"

Tsukinaga-san questioned me as soon as my call ended. Maybe she was a little curious about the answer too.

"She said you can join."

Tsukinaga-san's face lit up. Her demeanor is usually more calm, but lately she has been more expressive.

Well, I prefer the easier-to-read Tsukinaga-san.

"So, next week?"

"Next week."

We're finally going on a date once more. Even though it won't be just the two of us, at least we can spend time together again after a long time.

"I have to get back to work."

"Do your best! I'll give you the details over the phone."

Tsukinaga-san waved at me and I waved her back. But only a few steps away, she ran back to me.

Before I could ask, "What's wrong?" She pulled my hand and kissed me on the cheek.

When I felt that time was still frozen, Tsukinaga-san pulled back.

"This will do for now," she said with an impish smile before dashing back to her workplace.

I was left dumbfounded by Tsukinaga-san's sudden attack.

"What the hell was that?!"

My brain was still processing, trying to understand what had just happened. For quite a time, I just stood there frozen like an idiot.