Chapter Fourteen: My First Part-Time Job

In the end, Sayo Amamiya agreed to Anwa’s proposal.

There was still plenty of time before their meeting with Haruki Sato, so Anwa decided to take Sayo Amamiya to the shopping district first, intending to buy her some essentials. Once Sayo had changed into her now-dry school uniform, the two of them left the house and headed for the nearest train station.

It was four in the afternoon. The train wasn’t crowded, so there was no need to worry about finding seats. They casually chose a spot and sat down just as the train began to move.

Sayo, as usual, was silent, her gaze fixed quietly out the window at the buildings flashing past. Anwa wondered what thoughts preoccupied her mind.

He watched her small hands resting on her lap, and after a moment’s hesitation, reached out to hold one of them. Sayo simply glanced back at him, then looked away to resume her contemplation of the scenery. She said nothing and didn’t pull away.

Seeing this, Anwa felt a surge of delight and shifted a little closer to her.

They rode in silence. Soon, the train arrived at the famous shopping street in Shibuya. After getting off, Anwa led Sayo to a bookstore, where they bought some manga, light novels, and a handheld game console—things to help pass the time. They then went to a supermarket to purchase daily necessities and a change of clothes for Sayo.

By the time they finished, it was around five o’clock. With their meeting with Haruki Sato approaching, Anwa took Sayo straight to their destination by train.

…

Maid Café.

“Welcome home, Master~”

The familiar greeting, delivered in a sweet, playful voice, came not from Tokiko Kurorai this time, but from a somewhat unfamiliar young woman.

“Has Mrs. Kurorai finished her shift?” Anwa asked casually, recalling that Tokiko usually left around four.

The maid blinked in surprise, sizing Anwa up, then noticed he was holding hands with a girl. She explained, “Ms. Kurorai leaves early every afternoon to pick up her child.”

“I see,” Anwa nodded, not wanting to delay her further. He led Sayo into the café.

The place was quiet today, only seven or eight customers scattered among the tables. As soon as they entered, a young woman with cat ears and a black-and-white maid uniform hurried over, stopping before them with a smile.

“Welcome home, Masters. May I take your order?”

Anwa glanced at Sayo, who showed no desire to order. “Just a coffee for now, please,” he said.

The maid looked at them in mild surprise but didn’t press further. “Very well, Master. Please have a seat and wait a moment.” She led them to an empty table and returned to the bar.

As she walked away, Anwa’s eyes were drawn to the black cat tail swaying behind her.

“I wonder how that tail is attached,” he muttered.

Suddenly, Sayo’s voice came from across the table. “Do you like it?”

“Hm?” Anwa looked over to see her eyes also fixed on the swaying tail.

Feeling playful, he replied, “If Sayo-chan would wear one for me, I’d like it even more.”

She turned to him, their eyes meeting for a moment. Then, after a brief pause, she said hesitantly, “If it’s just wearing it, I don’t mind.”

What else could it be besides wearing it?

Anwa raised his brows, about to tease her further, but the sound of high heels approached from behind. At the same time, a delighted female voice called out, “Anwa-kun!”

He turned to see Haruki Sato, dressed in a black office suit, walking toward them.

“Ah, Mrs. Sato,” Anwa greeted as she arrived. She smiled warmly at Sayo across the table, then plopped down beside Anwa, making herself comfortable as if she were at home.

The softness pressing against him, combined with the strong scent of her perfume, made Anwa shift subtly away, putting some distance between them.

Sayo, across the table, also withdrew her gaze from the scene.

Noticing Anwa’s subtle move, Haruki’s lips curled up slightly, though her expression remained unchanged. She then looked curiously at Sayo. “Anwa-kun, I meant to ask yesterday—is this your girlfriend?”

Sayo’s lips parted slightly, but she fell silent, offering no explanation.

Seeing this, Anwa stood, walked around the table to sit beside Sayo, and took her small hand from the tabletop, smiling at Haruki. “Yes, Mrs. Sato. As you can see, we’re dating.”

Sayo didn’t resist, her gaze lingering quietly on his hand gripping hers.

“What a handsome couple you make—truly a perfect match,” Haruki praised at just the right moment.

Then, as if suddenly recalling something, she looked at Anwa with curiosity. “Anwa-kun, what’s the name of that piece you played yesterday? Would you mind telling me?”

Anwa answered without hesitation. “It’s called ‘Zen Zen Zense.’”

“‘Zen Zen Zense’?” Haruki repeated. She searched her memory but found nothing, her expression puzzled.

“Did you compose it yourself?” she asked.

Casually, Anwa lied. “My late father wrote it. He was a music teacher.”

In this world, it was only 2013. Anwa had already checked—there was no Makoto Shinkai, and no such work as “Your Name.” He felt no guilt about his claim.

“I see,” Haruki said, her expression clearing. Then she gave a small bow, apologizing. “I’m sorry for bringing up painful memories.”

“It’s all right. It’s in the past, after all,” Anwa replied lightly, though his gaze slid to Sayo beside him.

She sensed his look, pursed her lips, and turned away, but the hand he held unexpectedly turned over, their fingers intertwining.

[Current Affection Level: 63 (Budding Feelings)]

It’s gone up again! Anwa rejoiced inwardly.

Haruki seemed oblivious to their little exchange. After chatting a bit more, she glanced at her watch. Noting the time, she stood with a smile. “Well, Anwa-kun, it’s nearly time to start your shift. There are quite a few people here tonight just to hear you play the piano.”

Then she leaned in close, lowering her voice. “If you can play more pieces like ‘Zen Zen Zense,’ you might earn some tips~” She even winked at him before turning away.

Watching her go, Anwa’s expression grew thoughtful.

He knew he was perhaps a bit more handsome than Takuya Kimura, but certainly not so striking as to make every woman swoon—present company such as the former convenience store owner and Keiko Kitajima aside.

So, when Haruki Sato had started to approach him, he’d suspected she had an ulterior motive or some favor to ask.

Now it was clear what she wanted.

How wishful.

Anwa curled his lip but didn’t take it to heart. Aside from “Zen Zen Zense,” all the other pieces he planned to play tonight were from this world.

Try to freeload off me? Dream on.