My Classmate Whom I Helped Seems to Be Mentally Sick, So I've Been Trying My Best to Hide My True Identity, But It Seems Like I've Been Found Out - Chapter 45

That’s How It Is

“Ah.”

Upon arriving at the convenience store, I unexpectedly ran into someone familiar.

Saki Mifune.

She was exiting the store with a convenience store uniform in hand.

I guess she works part-time here.

“Oh, Mifune-san, good evening. Thank you for your hard work.”

“…So, this is why you asked about my part-time job.”

“Eh, did I ask? I inquired if you were working part-time, but that was just to make sure it wouldn’t interfere with our activities in the reading club.”

“…How ridiculous. I’m done for the day.”

Unable to hide her irritation, Mifune-san disappeared into the darkness.

Although I was concernedly watching her depart, Sumire Murasaki standing next to me whispered with a smug smile, ‘I knew it,’ before looking at me.

“It’s surprising that we could even greet Mifune-san by coincidence.”

“Uh, yeah. But, aren’t students from our high school not allowed to have part-time jobs? I wonder if it’s alright.”

“There are plenty of people secretly working, you know? I mean, just like you.”

“Ah, well, that’s…”

“Haha, don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone. It was just that one time, right?”

“That’s true…”

“Everyone has the urge to do something naughty once in a while, right? I guess it’s the thrill of doing something forbidden. I feel that way too sometimes.”

As we talked about this, we entered the store together.

And we headed straight to the sweets section.

“Hey, doesn’t eating sweets at night feel a bit naughty too?”

“But you’re slim, Murasaki-san.”

“Not really? Besides, girls gain weight easily.”

“Is, is that so?”

“But I’m going to eat some today. I’m in a good mood.”

Without looking at the prices, she tossed desserts into the basket and headed straight for the cash register.

I hurriedly tried to pull out my wallet, but she said, ‘I’ll cover this.’

I hastily followed her as she quickly finished at the register and left the store.

“Uh, about the money…”

“It’s fine, seriously.”

“But I feel bad…”

“I want to buy what I want with my own money. Besides, I’m going to be indebted to you today.”

“Indebted?”

“Ah…yeah, that’s another matter. Anyway, let’s hurry back.”

“Uh, okay.”

“Will you… hold my hand again?”

“…Okay.”

After naturally taking her hand, as I tried to take the bag filled with desserts, she smiled and said, ‘You’re so kind.’

The way back was silent.

Worrying if Sumire could hear my heartbeat was the only thing on my mind as we quietly merged into the night.