Ch.30 The Future. Mahiro Doesn't Want to be a Kept Woman.

The next day.

My duties as committee President begin in earnest today.

However, it seems that not many people use the library during this time of year, so 'tis not as busy as you might think.

At the same time, I am also going back to my part-time job starting today.

I did inform them of my return via email, but... now that I think about it, is my attire going to be fine?

Where I work, we seem to have pretty much every size covered, so I do not think there is much to worry about, but if not, well... I guess I will just have to grow ja.

I generally do not want to use it because it makes me hungry, but I have no choice if 'tis for work.

"Before that, I need to give them a quick call."

I have not done it because I found it a hassle, but if you think about it, reporting, contacting, and consulting are important.

Well, it has been over two weeks, so 'tis way too late in talking about reporting, contacting, or consulting.

However, I cannot just not contact them.

It cannot be helped ja.

"Excuse me, I will step away for a moment."

"What's wrong?"

"Well, I just had to make a phone call."

"Understood. Please take your time."

"Yes. I will be right back."

'Tis lunchtime now.

At our school, using smartphones is not prohibited. In fact, bringing in game consoles is even permitted.

Using them during class is a problem, but using them at other times—such as during breaks—is generally permitted, so quite a few students bring them along.

I will not bring it though.

Now, the phone call.

I open my phone's contacts, select the contact listed as "Store Manager," and make phone call.

"Hello?"

After about two beeps, the person I am calling for answered.

"Oh, hello, 'tis me ja."

"...Well, I don't know who you are when you suddenly say ''tis me' but who are you? This phone number belongs to Mahiro-kun, right?"

"'Tis indeed me, Ouka Mahiro ja. My apologies, I forgot to explain what happened. Actually, I developed 'TSF Syndrome' more than two weeks ago. That is why I am a woman now."

"...Huh? Seriously? Are you really Mahiro-kun?"

"That I am ja. I think I sent an email last week saying I would be returning to work, right? The date on that email should be today ja. Also, I will be starting at 5:30."

"...That's accurate. But still..."

"How frustrating... Should I send some kind of evidence?"

"Well, that would be helpful, but..."

If one is to develop this disease, this aspect is the most troublesome.

Not only has my appearance changed, but even my voice has, so proving my identity over the phone alone is quite difficult.

But how do I prove it this time...?

Fumu...

"So, should I send you a photo I took around the beginning of March? Or should I send you the name of one of my juniors?"

"A photo will do for now."

"Understood ja. ...Here, I have sent it to LINN."

"Okay, let me check."

It just occurred to me, would it not be difficult to prove something properly with a photograph?

After all, they do not believe I am Ouka Mahiro.

Perhaps, they would mistake me, the person they are talking to right now, for my sister or something.

"...That's definitely the photo from that time."

"Ah, the Ishida you see there is probably startled and jumped up when he heard the sound of a ladle falling from the shelf behind him, right?"

"That's information only the people here should know... I see. I understand! You're definitely Mahiro-kun!"

Are you really going to believe that?

...But as always, their demeanor is different when they're with someone familiar.

Their excitement level is rising.

"Oh, so you've become a woman! What a surprise!"

"Right? So, I am starting my part-time job today... Are you sure it will be okay?"

"Of course! I've heard that everyone who develops that disease is either very handsome or very beautiful. So, you must be a beautiful woman, or at least a pretty girl, right?"

"Well, I am a pretty girl, I guess. More or less."

"You're being indecisive. What, are you ugly?"

"No, that is not true. I am properly cute. I know it sounds strange coming from me, but..."

"Okay then! Mahiro-kun, you were originally working at the hall, right?"

"Yeah, that is true. It would be impossible to cook with that hair. Besides, it was just too much trouble."

"That's so typical of Mahiro-kun! Ha ha ha!"

As you can hear from our conversation, I work at a restaurant.

'Tis a privately owned restaurant located between my house and the school, and 'tis a fairly popular place in town.

We have a decent number of part-timers, so unless 'tis an exceptionally busy day, we do not really experience a labor shortage. That being said, we are not exactly oversaturated either. 'Tis just the right number.

In terms of interior design, it might be closer to a coffee shop.

According to the store manager,

"This is a coffee shop!"

That being said, they actually have a pretty wide variety of dishes.

The menu is so impressive that you'd think 'twas a restaurant.

I also thought 'twas a restaurant at first, not a coffee shop.

The reason there are more girls is probably because their uniforms are considered cute.

"...So, I have a question for you ja."

"Oh, what is it? Tell me anything."

"Well, I was wondering about the uniform sizes... Does that store have sizes that would fit someone who is around 130cm tall without any problems?"

"That's really small. Are you that short?"

"That is the case ja. So, do you have it?"

"Of course we do. There are high school girls who are short because they haven't grown properly! We have a range of sizes from 120cm to 200cm!"

"That range is too wide."

I have never really heard of a high school girl who is 120cm tall or even 2m tall.

...Well, there is me, who is in the latter half of 130cm.

"Okay then, I'll get everything ready and wait for you!"

"That is a relief."

"Okay, see you at work! Adios!"

They were in high spirits the whole time.

I always think this, but that store manager is way too energetic...

◇◆◇

"I am back ja."

"Welcome back. What were you doing?"

"Nothing much, just giving a quick call to my part-time job."

"A part-time job? Does Mahiro-chan have a part-time job?"

When I returned to the classroom, Miho asked me why I had left my seat, and when I told her the reason, Mizuki looked a little surprised and asked me a question in return.

Incidentally, the moment I approached, Mizuki immediately picked me up and made me sit on her lap. 'Twas very comfortable.

"Umu. 'Twas around May of last year, I think? I was working a part-time job at a shop on my way home from school. I personally like it, you see."

"No way! I don't think Mahiro-chan needs to work!"

"...What are you talking about noja?"

I was wondering what she was going to say out of nowhere, and then she suddenly declared that I don't need to work.

So, this girl is definitely planning to make me a kept woman, huh?

"Mahiro-chan is a lovely girl! If she were to get injured while working, it would be a huge loss!"

"Loss...? I used to be a man, you know? And I have been working since I was a man, so I cannot just quit over something like this. I am still able to work, after all."

"B-but..."

"No buts, listen up. I am a healthy high school student, too. So would you not agree that gaining work experience through a part-time job would be a wonderful thing? Besides, I have always had a personal dream of working a part-time job during high school."

"Wow, that Mahiro? It's hard to believe that Mahiro, who usually says things like 'I don't want to work,' is working a part-time job."

Miho says this to me with a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

Is she mistaking me for a sloth or something?

"So that is the situation ja, Mizuki. Or rather, how much do you not want me to work?"

"Isn't it the husband's duty to provide for his wife?"

"Well, that's true."

"Hold on a second. In this day and age, that is a pretty problematic statement, you know? You never know where troublesome people are lurking. They are on social media, you know. Crazy people who call everyone a misogynist."

Those are the so-called Twitter feminist. (TL: I swear this is the actual translation)

I have absolutely no idea what those people are thinking.

"Well, even from our perspective as women, they're the weird ones. In the end, it's fine as long as the people involved agree. So I'll say it: Mahiro is our wife. In the future, we'd be happy if she is a full-time housewife."

"Huh? What? Am I not going to be able to work in the future?"

"Do you want to work?"

"Of course. I, too, would like to get a regular job in the future."

Let's say I choose to become a kept woman.

Writing "housewife" as my first choice on the career survey form is kind of embarrassing, is it not?

I suspect these guys will casually write "bride" on my career survey form.

"Is that so...? Do you really want to work that much?"

"Well, you could say 'tis a kind of social learning experience. I mean, as long as I do a minimum amount of work, I can live comfortably with government support."

Was it around 150,000 yen a month?

I can live comfortably even with a regular part-time job, so in that sense, you could say there is no real need to work seriously.

However, 'tis also true that I want to work.

I do not believe that 'tis right for me to just be a full-time housewife.

"In that case, how about working for one of our group companies?"

"To a company in the Uishi Group? But would that not be getting hired through connections?"

"It's alright. Otou-sama doesn't approve of hiring through connections. That's why he intends for even family members to take the proper tests."

"Fumu, that is quite thorough..."

Uishi Group, is it?

Well, maybe that will be fine eventually.

"My brother is tentatively planning to take over, but if Mahiro-chan joins the company, I think you'll definitely be put in charge of the president of one of the subsidiary companies."

Mizuki said this with her usual gentle smile.

……Hmm?

"Huh? What do you mean by that?"

I feel like I was told something pretty outrageous.

"As you know, I am Otou-sama'a daughter. The president's daughter."

"That you are."

"Mahiro-chan, who married me, has also become my father's daughter-in-law. That means you will be part of the Uishi family."

"So... by marrying you, I will gain some strange power?"

"That is, if you take the exam and pass it successfully."

"Seriously...?"

It seems I have really gotten myself into something outrageous...

Marrying Mizuki has resulted in me having to take on some strange titles.

'Tis too late now, so I do not intend to do anything about it, but 'tis a bit of a hassle ja...

"Do your best, Mahiro."

With a sly, malicious grin, Miho teased me.

But,

"Oh, I think Miho-san is in the same situation as Mahiro-chan."

"Eh!?"

It seems Miho has acquired the titles too ja.

"Huh? Why?! I didn't marry Mizuki, did I?!"

"That's true, but since Miho-san married Mahiro-chan, you essentially became part of the Uishi family too."

"W-what... so that means I'm going to start a company too...?"

"That would be the case if you join the company. That said, you both have the right to make your own choices, so we're not forcing you. I just hope you'll recognize it as one of your future possibilities."

"Oh, so 'tis not mandatory then."

"I was so panicked... I thought they were going to make me president..."

"As for Otou-sama, he said he really want Mahiro-chan to live with us!"

"...I see."

...Is it because he's a lo〇con?

That is what I ended up thinking.

◇◆◇

"Well, I am off to my part-time job. I will be a little late, so if you are hungry, feel free to eat first."

"That's really unfair to Mahiro."

"That's right. We're family, so we want to eat together as a family."

"...I see."

I have no problem eating alone, but it seems these two have.

...Besides, I personally find it enjoyable to have a meal with someone myself, so I am genuinely happy.

They are good husbands... no, good wives...

"But, you see, I am supposed to be workinf until 9pm. It wil be quite late..."

"In that case, why don't we just go to the shop where Mahiro works?"

"That's a great idea! Mahiro-chan, do you have enough time to have dinner together?"

"That is not something I cannot do. I am a hard worker, so I am pretty flexible. If you ask, I can easily spare about 30 minutes. If you do not want to do that, we can all eat together after I finish work at 9pm. Luckily, we close at 11 o'clock."

"It's open for a long time, isn't it?"

"Well, yeah."

Apparently, their long operating hours is one of their selling points.

Apparently, they used to stay open until morning, but due to various reasons, they've switched to closing at 11 o'clock.

"Shall we come sometime after 9pm?"

"That is fine with me, but... are you guys sure? You'll get fat if you eat that late, you know."

"It's fine for just one day. I do get some exercise, so I'll be okay."

"For some reason, I have a body type that doesn't gain weight easily..."

((Aren't they going to your chest?))

Miho and I thought the same thing.

In fact, Mizuki does have a big pair.

According to her, she is an F cup, but being an F cup at this age means there is still potential for further growth.

If that is the case, this girl will probably be two sizes bigger by the time she graduates. I have such feeling.

Well, I am also pretty big when I grow up too, but still...

"Anyway, understood ja. I will let the manager know. The road is well-lit, but be careful not to get attacked by any thugs."

"No problem. I have bodyguards!"

"... That does make sense."

"It gives me a completely different sense of security."

Indeed.

Rich people are amazing.

◇◆◇

And so, we walked together part of the way (I was carried), and when we arrived at my destination, I parted ways with them for the time being.

They have gone home for now and will come back when the time comes.

"Hmm... I hope I do not cause a fuss."

I muttered that to myself in front of the entrance and went inside.

When the bell rings, a female shop assistant comes over.

"Welcome! Oh, what are you doing here? Are you waiting for your mom and dad?"

She said that to me while making eye contact.

...Well, I am a little girl right now, so... 'Tis only natural that she would react like this.

'Tis a sad thing.

"Uh, no, I am not a customer, I am just a part-time worker."

"……Eh!?"

When I told the female employee in front of me that I worked here part-time, she was visibly surprised.

Of course.

"Oh, come on now. You shouldn't tease older people, okay?"

"I'm not trying to tease of you or anything. Anyway, could you get the manager—Manager Tsuzuri—for now? I've already spoken to him ja."

"O-oh, really? Well, then for now... Manager Tsuzuri! It seems like a little child is calling you!"

Wait, you are calling him here?

I think you could just go to the back like normal though...

"Oh! What's up, Tokino... wait, huh? Did this little kid call me?"

When my colleague Tokino called out, a large man appeared from the back.

His physique is so well-built that the phrase "muscular and powerful" perfectly describes him.

He has a shaved head and a stern face. In fact, he looks so intimidating that he could easily be mistaken for a yakuza member.

His arms, peeking out from his short sleeves, were incredibly muscular and shiny.

A very thick neck. Thick legs and bulging pectoral muscles.

Those muscles are still amazing as always ja.

"Yes, that's right. Apparently, she said she's working here part-time..."

"A part-time job? ...Could it be you, Mahiro-kun?"

"That is right."

"What?! M-Mahiro-kun?! No way?!"

"I am not lying ja. A lot of things happened. Anyway, manager."

"What is it?"

"...That apron still does not suit you at all."

"Haha! Isn't this great? I worked really hard to make it. I'm proud of it!"

"...I see."

When I saw the apron the store manager was wearing, I gave him a warm, sympathetic look.

The store manager is a giant of a man, nearly two meters tall, with a shaved head, a beard, and a muscular build, so he is often mistaken for a yakuza or a professional wrestler.

However, this man's hobbies are actually quite different.

Those are cooking and sewing.

No, seriously. Really.

As proof of this, the apron the store manager is wearing has a cute rabbit embroidered on it, and the fabric of the apron is light pink.

This alone already looked ill-fitting, but there was some writing on it as a focal point, and it was the store manager's name. And what is more, it was written in a round, feminine style.

This store manager is incredibly feminine.

People often say, "Don't judge a book by its cover," but I think this is a prime example of that.

By the way, besides cooking and sewing, hos other hobbies include creating flower gardens, making potpourri, and going to the gym.

Too strong.

"Hey, manager, is this girl really Mahiro-kun? She doesn't look like him at all..."

"This is the first time I've seen him too, but it's really him! I've confirmed it! Well, if you don't believe it, Mahiro-kun, show us your student ID."

"That is a good idea. Got it. ...Here is my student ID ja."

I took my student ID card from the inside pocket of my blazer and showed it to Tokino.

Tokino hesitantly accepted the student ID card, and was stunned when she saw my profile written on it.

"How is it?"

"...It's Mahiro-kun!"

"Did you believe me?"

That is good, that is good.

Looks like everything is fine now ja.

That is what I was thinking when,

"E-EVERYONE!! MAHIRO-KUN HAS TURNED INTO THE MOST BEAUTIFUL LITTLE GIRL IN THE WOOOOOOOORLD――――――――――!!!"

"""W-WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT!?"""

Tokino shouted at the top of her lungs, and all the employees currently working in the store came out from the back.

And if you looked more closely, even the customers of the shop came over to us.

"It has been a long time. 'Tis me ja."

"""He's turned into a nojaloliiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii?!"""

"""What is this, it's soooooooooooo cuuuuuuute!!"""

It seems everyone reacts differently...

...Umu, this is troublesome.

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