At night, this club operates and I work here as an escort, but in the daytime, it's closed for maintenance. Usually just cleaning, checking wines, tables, and so on.
And I still work here, as a cleaner.
The place smells faintly of leftover perfume and citrus-scented disinfectant. Soft jazz echoes from the ceiling speakers as I wipe down the glossy tables, the cloth gliding with a faint squeak. The lighting is dim but comforting—like the after-hours glow of a stage waiting for its next show.
As I'm wiping one of the glass tables, Kaede-san—who I thought was buried in paperwork in her office—suddenly appears beside me, heels clicking softly on the floor.
"Good job last night, Akane-kun. You knocked out those two... killed by rizz huh?"
"Don't phrase it like that!"
She grins and hands me a white envelope. The paper feels thick in my hand, and I open it carefully.
"100,000 yen?! In a single night?!"
"Yep. Those two onee-sans you rizzed gave this to me as payment for you. I said it would be free as thanks, but they insisted. You seduced them pretty good, huh?"
"Well..."
"Hehe... if they only knew you're just a high schooler..."
"I'd be screwed. Like, seriously. They might report me to my school."
"Well, yeah. They seem powerful, no?"
"Yeah, right. The kind of women who can see through lies with just a glance. I hope they don't come back."
Kaede-san leaned against a chair. "Shizuoka's not that big, y'know. I think they'll come again… Especially after experiencing Akane-kun's top-tier seduction."
"Stop saying it like that! I'm cleaning! Go mind your own business!"
She just laughs and walks closer, her heels tapping rhythmically like a countdown.
"By the way, Akane-kun, I have something to say..."
"What? If this is another nonse—"
Before I can finish, she suddenly leans in, placing a slender finger on my lips. Her perfume—sweet and floral with a musky undertone—floods my senses, and I freeze.
Then she whispers, "I'm still a virgin, y'know~"
The words hit me like a truck. My brain short-circuits. Heat rushes to my face.
"W-Why would you even say that?! I didn't ask!"
She steps back with a mischievous smile, brushing her long blonde hair behind her ear. Her eyes twinkle with mischief.
"Because that woman who almost violated you called me a slut, remember? Gotta clear my name, y'know~"
"Well, you didn't have to clarify it. We've known each other for a while, Kaede-san."
Yes, Kaede-san is our former neighbor. The onee-san next door who used to help mom take care of me when I was just a brat in elementary. If I remember right, she's 29 now.
"Haha, you're right. But I gotta be careful not to ruin our deal... which I hope you didn't forget, no?"
"Yeah, of course. You let me work here in exchange for me marrying you when you turn 35."
"Hahaha! Correct! And you know what happens if you break the rules, right?"
"Yeah, you'll tell my mom about my job."
"Correct again~" Her tone suddenly shifts from playful to sharp. Her eyes narrow, like a cat about to pounce.
"So you better keep your promise and don't break the rules… Akane-kun~"
Scary.
Well, the rules are simple enough: no girlfriends, no kissing, and absolutely no sleeping with guests.
Easy, right?
I still don't get why she let me work here if she wants to marry me. If she's really serious, wouldn't she keep me away from women entirely? Unless… it's just convenience. Yeah, knowing her, that might be it.
After my cleaning shift, I head to the convenience store for shopping. The glass doors slide open with a familiar ding. There's always a sale on Saturdays, so I grab whatever I can carry. Instant noodles. Rice. Eggs. Cheap miso packs. The fluorescent lights hum overhead, and the air-conditioned breeze cools my sweat-damp forehead.
Back home, the scent of grilled fish greets me as I step inside.
"Mom... I'm home!"
She's sitting on the worn-out sofa, eating lunch with the radio murmuring on the background.
"Ara, welcome back, Akane. Have you eaten yet?"
"Not yet, Mom."
"Ara... then let's eat together! I missed having lunch with you~"
"Oh... sure, Mom."
She sets the table, and we sit down at our slightly beat-up dining table. The surface is chipped and uneven, but the food looks warm and comforting.
"How's your job? You got home at 1 a.m. and left so early this morning. Don't overwork yourself."
"I'm okay, Mom. You should be the one resting."
She laughs softly. "I can't do that. My job at the dishwasher is still important. And yours at the convenience store must be hard too, right? Especially on weekends."
I feel a flash of guilt. I'm lying to her. But it's for her sake.
"Haha… It's not that hard. And the pay's good, so you should really consider quitting the dishwashing job."
She shakes her head, holding her cup of tea.
"No way. I can't let you shoulder everything alone."
"Look at your hands, Mom. They're full of calluses."
"Well…"
"You work and do all the chores. I can relax at work knowing you're home and safe."
"Haha! Why would you even worry about me?"
"Uhmm… maybe because my mom is so beautiful~ Someone might steal you from me~"
"Haha! Seriously, you're always like this. I wonder why you haven't gotten a hot girlfriend yet."
Because I'll be screwed. Literally.
"I'm just busy, Mom. A girlfriend would be a pain."
"You should enjoy your youth, Akane."
"I will—if you promise to stop working and rest."
"Hahaha! Okay, okay. If my cute son insists~"
In truth, I'm worried she'll accidentally run to me while wearing my host attire. Her workplace isn't far from the club.
Thanks to Kaede-san, I've managed to protect this lie. I can't let it collapse now.
If Mom ever found out… she'd be furious. She has strong morals. She'd probably think I was prostituting myself.
Yep. Mom would kill me.
"Anyways, Mom. After lunch… Let's go shopping!"
"Ehh? What's with the sudden invite?"
"Well, since I was so busy last night, my boss gave me a hefty bonus… We can finally buy a TV! Now you won't get bored when you're home alone!"
"Come on, Akane. Save that money instead."
"But look!" I pull out the envelope and flash the bills. "100,000 yen, Mom! More than enough~"
Her eyes widen, and she stares at the cash like it's cursed.
"Hey Akane… How'd you earn that much in one night? Are you really working in a convenience store?"
Oh shit. I DIDN'T SAW THIS COMING!
Of course mom would be suspicious about this money. Damn!
"Well, uhh…"
"Okay fine. Let's buy the TV. But after this, you're showing me where you work. Got it?"
"Y-Yes, Mom!"
I'm screwed. I have to talk to Kaede-san about this. Immediately!