Cringe girl, take a punch!
Kiyono clenched his fist with an expressionless face.
However, he didn't particularly try to answer Yanami's question. If he was misunderstood, so be it. Lowering favorability was pretty good too.
As long as he thought he looked cool like this, that was enough!
Kiyono pursed his lips, passed by the girl, opened the door, and walked out of the break room.
What he didn't know was that after he left, Yanami kept staring at his back, unconsciously touching her face. Her moist eyes flickered, and finally, a barely audible murmur echoed in the empty room.
"...What an idiot."
[Time passed by in a flash, another two days.]
[During this period, your relationship with Yanami gradually became closer.]
[This losing dog girl clearly got along well enough with most colleagues to call them friends, yet she only actively sought you out for conversation.]
[You originally wanted to maintain some distance from her, but the girl naturally dissolved the boundaries you set up each time. Eventually, you could only helplessly give up this behavior, or rather, deep in your heart you also wanted someone you could chat with easily.]
[Moreover, Yanami was indeed a very easy girl to get along with. Whether in silent or cheerful atmospheres, she could quickly adapt, carefully catching many details. When with her, you didn't need to deliberately think of topics or worry about anything. This was a girl who seemed carefree but actually understood daily life very well and was quite good at interpersonal relations.]
[However, Yanami was at school most of the day, and your daily contact time was only these three or four hours in the evening.]
The evening twilight gradually sank westward, dyeing the slender clouds at the horizon red.
Petals on both sides of the slope danced lightly and dreamily, gently falling to the ground. Light pink and orange-red reflected each other, while stray cats dozed on the eaves of detached houses, their upright cat eyes silently watching passersby.
Kiyono skillfully rode his bicycle, nimbly weaving through this residential area like a forest deer. His flying short hair and clothing edges showed the unique vigorous vitality of youth in the sunset.
The basket in front of his bike held rolled newspapers. Perhaps because he was almost done delivering, he inexplicably felt the sunset and breeze were welcoming him—mm, it felt like a hallucination from working too much.
Forward, turn, brake, deliver.
Soon, the remaining newspapers were all delivered.
Kiyono stopped his bike, looked at the flowering trees blooming by the street, and sighed slightly: "So it's spring now."
Just as his words fell, a small exclamation came from nearby. He looked toward the sound and discovered some things scattered on the ground not far away—fruits and vegetables it seemed, with a bag of rice beside them. Looked like someone had bought too much and couldn't hold it all.
Seeing this, Kiyono quickly rode over to help gather the fallen items into plastic bags. But this person had really bought too much!
"Miss, it's too difficult for you to walk carrying all this alone. I happen to be riding a bike, so let me help you take it back." Kiyono smiled. Since the other person was female, he paused and specifically added, "If you're uncomfortable with that, I can just deliver it to the intersection."
He had no intention of randomly hitting on someone or showing off. He simply wanted to help. Besides, this person hadn't even lifted their head—he didn't even know what they looked like, so he certainly couldn't be doing such a thing.
"Eh! Is that okay? I was just worrying about how to carry all this home. Then I'll trouble you!"
A voice as gentle and moving as lilies rang in his ears.
She lifted her face, and in that moment, Kiyono saw her true appearance clearly.
This was an exceptionally beautiful woman.
She showed him a dandelion-like gentle smile. Her sky-blue hair was tied in a side ponytail, her figure graceful, revealing the inclusive temperament of a mature woman. Her whole being gave him the feeling of a mature Roxy from "Mushoku Tensei."
Oh no, I actually really like this big sister!
Looking at the woman's face up close, Kiyono inexplicably became nervous. He instinctively avoided her gaze and stiffly helped load her things into his bicycle's front basket and back seat.
After loading everything, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief and pushed the bicycle forward. The side-ponytailed big sister followed beside him with her hands behind her back.
"Hehe, the supermarket had a big sale today and I accidentally bought too much. Thank you so much! Can you tell me your name?" Under the sunset, the ageless woman pressed her palms together and smiled at him as they walked.
"Kiyono..."
"So it's Kiyono-kun! I really like that name." She parted her red lips, softly repeating the name twice, smiling with squinted eyes. Though it was ordinary social courtesy, it gave an inexplicable sense of conviction.
"You're also very beautiful, sister."
—Don't show that disgusting smile! And don't take it seriously! Otherwise you'll be seen as a pathetic guy!
When he realized his mouth corners were rising uncontrollably, Kiyono quickly slapped himself to calm down.
"Sister...?"
The blue-haired woman showed a strange expression, then nodded seriously: "Mm, I think that's a great way to address me. From now on, Kiyono-kun can call me sister!"
"..."
The sunset stretched their shadows long. After walking a while, the mysterious woman stopped and pointed to a residence ahead.
"Kiyono-kun, you can leave it here. My house is just ahead."
Kiyono agreed. He had calmed down by now and didn't try to be overly helpful. After helping her move the things to her front door, he suggested taking his leave. As for strange developments like going in for tea, that was impossible—he needed to go to work.
"Please wait a moment, Kiyono-kun."
The blue-haired woman hurriedly said this and ran into the house with quick steps. Soon after, she ran back out and handed Kiyono something.
"This is for you, please accept it as a small token of gratitude." She breathed lightly and winked at Kiyono.
Kiyono looked down—it was actually a small box of cake.
This wasn't anything expensive, and given their age difference, it was just right. He smiled: "Then I'll gratefully accept it."
The two waved at each other, and Kiyono left somewhat reluctantly on his bicycle.
What a one-in-ten-thousand beauty... I wonder if there'll be a chance to meet again?
Sighing lightly, he collected his thoughts and began today's corporate slave life.
That evening.
Yanami Anna's losing-dog-like tragic wailing echoed throughout the entire residential area.
"Mom, where's my cake—!?"