NOVEL ONLINE FREE Chapter 22 - First Call
After finishing my work, I went shopping and returned home.
Now… what should I do?
…Maybe I should try calling.
I take out my smartphone…
“…Wha, what should I do? What should I say? Is it even okay to call at this time? Wait, when was the last time I called a woman…?”
It’s sad just saying it…
But it’s true… it might be the first time since college…
I only have male friends now…
I’m not good at keeping in touch, so women tend to avoid me…
“…Alright, I need to be brave… let’s go!”
Trembling, I press the button on my smartphone…
And then…
“…Hello… is this Mito-kun…?”
Wow, this is bad, she sounds too charming.
…Am I an idiot? There’s such a thing as email, why did I decide to call?!
“Ah, um… This is Mito-kun, right?”
“I’m sorry, yes, it’s Mito. Good evening, Reina-san.”
“H-hello…”
Is she trembling? Why?
She must be used to calls from men.
Maybe… she doesn’t have much experience… no way.
Such a beautiful woman, there’s no way that’s true.
“Are you free now?”
“Y-yeah… I just got out of the bath…”
…Don’t visualize it!
S-stop it!!
Phew… that was a close one.
“Let’s make this quick then. You can’t catch a cold.”
“Y-you’re so kind… I’m fine, really.”
“No, we can’t have that. So… do you have any favorite dishes? For the lunch box.”
“Oh– you really are going to make it… I feel bad…”
“Reina-san, it’s not like that. You just need to say it.”
“…Th-thank you…?”
“Yes, that’s right. If you seem apologetic, I might think it’s a nuisance…”
“That’s not it! I’m happy!”
“R-really…? I’m glad then.”
“Um… maybe fried chicken…?”
Fried chicken…-san?
That’s so cute!
I’m totally into it…
“…Anything else?”
“Maybe sausages, or a tamagoyaki…”
It’s starting to sound like a kid’s menu.
“You seem to like childish things, don’t you?”
“D-do I? Not really.”
“Really? But I like them too, so it’s fine.”
“… …”
Huh? No response…
“Reina-san?”
“Oh– I’m sorry! I was visualizing it…”
“Huh?”
“Nothing! They are delicious, right!”
“Yes, they are. They’ll be good even when cold.”
“I’ll do my best too!”
“Huh?”
“You said you didn’t need a thank you, but I can’t let it go… I’ll think of something I can do…”
“No, you don’t need to…”
“No! I can’t let this go!”
“…Alright. I’m looking forward to it.”
“Y-yeah!”
“I’m going to hang up now. Make sure you dry your hair properly so you don’t catch a cold.”
“Hmm… you’re treating me like a child… okay… the call was nice…”
The call ends…
“Phew… I was so nervous… Was I able to keep calm?”
Good grief… was she happy? Did she enjoy it?
“…This could be a problem…”
—————————————————
[Reina Matsuura’s Perspective]
Ehehe~, Mito-kun is going to make a lunch box for me…
After getting out of the bath, I drink my drink in a good mood.
“But wait… should I be happy about this? As a woman, what does this mean…?”
When I think about it… isn’t it bad for a man to do this for me?
“Would he want to be with a woman who can’t even cook…?”
Th-this could be a problem!
I need a strategy!
Including what happened the other day…
“I joined the drinking party in a hurry because Mito-kun was participating…”
I managed to catch Yokoyama-kun and asked him to guide me there.
And there was Morishima-san, making a pass at Mito-kun…
“I thought I couldn’t lose… but I didn’t know what to do…”
I’ve never had such an experience… making a move on a man…
Especially competing with other women…
“But… Mito-kun isn’t the kind of guy who flirts around!”
After all, he took the time to send me home…
Was I too bold? Did he pull back?
“Maybe… he just didn’t notice me…”
Maybe he prefers cute types like Morishima-san…
Mito-kun seemed quite flustered…
“He talks to me normally… hmmm…”
Maybe I need to be more aggressive?
I can’t do that!
“Should I try calling him?”
Would that be annoying? But he said I didn’t have to erase it…
Was that just a social nicety? Was he being considerate? Why?
“Uh… Someone please tell me… Ah!”
Oh, it’s mom.
“Hello?”
“Sorry, Reina. Thanks again for this month.”
“No, it can’t be helped. How’s Kazuki?”
“Really sorry… Kazuki is studying hard. He went to a cheap public university, but he said he’s also going to get a professional license now…”
“I see… Is the money enough?”
“Yes, thanks to you. I’m sorry… We’re such failures…”
“Mom, you promised not to say that, right? We’re family.”
“Yes… We’re lucky to have a daughter like you… But don’t push yourself too hard? If needed, I can work…”
“That’s not okay. You’re already having a hard time taking care of dad. I’ll make a lot of money, so don’t worry!”
“But… you’re of marriageable age, isn’t there a good man around?”
“Ugh… there’s someone I’m interested in…”
“You’re a homebody and sometimes you can be a bit harsh…”
“I know… are we done now? I just got out of the bath.”
“Okay… I know I shouldn’t be saying this, but take care of yourself, okay?”
“Yeah, I got it.”
And the call ended.
“Sigh… It can’t be helped. No one’s to blame.”
Feeling a bit down… my phone rang again.
“What now? Mom again? Kazuki?… Eh–!”
I was surprised… eh!?
Surprised, I immediately pressed the button!
Because… it was a call from Mito-kun!
I don’t remember much from that point…
I was too nervous… I thought I might die…
“Mito-kun’s voice… it’s even deeper on the phone…”
I was nervous when he whispered in my ear…
“If he… whispered love to me like that… huh…”
What would happen?
I might go weak at the knees…
“All I remember is… telling him my favorite side dishes… and that I want to thank him.”
What should I do?
Candy? Impossible!
Help with work? Not quite!
“Something that Mito-kun would be happy with… Ah–”
He said it was the best, didn’t he?
It’s embarrassing but… for Mito-kun…
Alright! Yes! I’ve decided!
Matsuura Reina, 28 years old– I’ll do my best!!
But… when is the right timing?