Free Web NovelChapter 116: Late-Night
"Eh?!" Hajime let out, surprised that Megumi actually knew about his bodyguarding duties. "How did you know?" At his question, Hajime’s voice trailed off. There was no way he could deny the causation when he finally let out an expression that gave it away.
"Sigh~ I knew it. So that’s why you were acting weirdly." Megumi muttered to himself. "You don’t have to do this, you know. I can take care of myself."
Frankly, the reason why Megumi didn’t want Hajime as her bodyguard was because of the task that Akamine-sensei assigned him. How could he watch over Hajime when he was the one watching him? It was like an endless cycle of watching each other and Megumi felt the situation was a bit ridiculous.
"I have to... it’s thanks to this job that I could go attend my morning classes now, you know." Since Megumi already knew about it, Hajime didn’t think twice about answering him honestly. As much as he wanted to not do his bodyguarding duties, he doesn’t have that much of a choice. He needed the money, and there was no way on earth he’d relinquish such an opportunity to earn quite an amount.
"Why do you need the money so badly anyways? You have your own house, not to mention you don’t have to worry about your water and electricity for some odd reason... in any case, do you really need that much money?" Megumi calmly asked as she took another sip from his milk carton. Hajime did the same so he could buy some time while he thought of an answer.
Up until now, he still hasn’t told anyone about his sister... and he didn’t plan on telling anyone about it until she woke up. Even though keeping up with her medical bills was hard enough as it is, he didn’t want to receive help from anyone, much less from people he knows. He could still take the hardship on all by himself, and besides, it would be a great blow to his pride if he were to ask someone for a financial favor. freewebnovel.cσ๓
At the very least, his bodyguarding duties earn him a deserving amount of money. He didn’t feel like he was cheating Megumi’s dad whatsoever since he was doing his job properly as his bodyguard.
"Sigh~" Megumi let out. "You don’t have to go that far when it comes to your job. A while ago... you didn’t have to risk being left alone to deal with those criminals... I know nothing will happen when I say this..." She continued, wondering why she was uttering those words. It almost seemed like she cared for Hajime or something like that.
Megumi’s face reddened in embarrassment as she held her head down, hoping that Hajime wouldn’t notice anything.
Well, Hajime did notice it, but he pretended not to see anything, averting his gaze as his cheeks also turned a nice shade of pink. Clearing his throat, he took another sip. "Thanks for the milk. And you don’t have to feel weirded out about me being your bodyguard. Your dad and I agreed that my work hours only involve school hours. I wouldn’t go so far as to watch over you before or after school, that would be weird."
Hajime’s words felt like a direct attack on Megumi since she was guilty of the two— watching over Hajime before and after school. Nevertheless, she didn’t mention anything since, just like Hajime said, they’d just be weirded out by it.
"Yawn~ aren’t you sleepy?" Hajime then asked as the silence grew.
"Not really, not yet... " Megumi muttered, shaking the milk she was holding in front of Hajime.
A chuckle came out of Hajime’s mouth as he realized the underlying reason behind the milk. ’She should have said that she wanted to talk. It’s not like I’d outright reject it.’ Hajime said to himself.
It had only been a few months since the two of them decided to befriend each other. Somewhere along that time frame, the two of them had gotten significantly close to each other to the point where they didn’t find it uncomfortable at all— talking with each other on a late night
"How do you know Keiichi? Grade-school?" Hajime asked out of the blue. Apparently, he had been meaning to ask her about it but he just didn’t get the right timing. At least right now, they could converse about it without anyone hearing it, especially Keiichi who could be a little too glued to Megumi whenever he’s there.
"It’s work-related," Megumi responded without missing a beat. It’s as if she’s been waiting for Hajime to ask it all day. "His dad is the CEO of Mizunari Company. Their company deals with anything export-related, that’s why he’s my dad’s business partner. Keiichi is one of the largest shareholders of the company so I have to be on good terms with him." frёewebnoѵēl.com
"Like? Be on good terms like what? Going on dates and stuff?"
"You mean business dinners. There’s no way I’d go on a date with Keiichi." Megumi didn’t want to admit it. Of course, their dinners were usually just the two of them, and they hardly talk about business. Besides, Megumi only had little to no information about their family’s company so there was nothing she could discuss whenever the need arises.
"I see," Hajime was about to tease Megumi about it when he saw her expression. He swallowed his words back before they even come out of his mouth. In his mind, he apologized to Megumi, thinking that he had asked such an insensitive question.
"By the way... Hajime." Megumi then mumbled, once again clutching onto the milk carton she was holding as if she was holding on for dear life. She deeply inhaled before she continued. "Tomorrow’s free, right?"
A nod came from Hajime as he wore a slightly confused expression on his face. "Yes?"
"Would you like to go somewhere together?" Megumi then blurted out. "Let me know tomorrow!" She continued before bolting upright. In a split second, she rushed out of the common area with her eyes shut tight.
"What was that about... she didn’t have to force herself to be considerate about me," Hajime muttered to himself, thinking that Megumi asked him out due to the nature of his bodyguarding duties.
