Are you the one that loves me? (Yōu x MC)

Chapter 19

"He passed, so thank you very much for giving up your time to help. I'll see you in a few weeks."  

Yōu Watanabe hung up the phone and prayed a silent prayer of relief. After all of that, he better have passed. Otherwise, she might've ended up in Tokyo after all. 

She quickly dialed Sumio, wondering if he had heard the news yet. 

"The person you have dialed, is not available right now. If you'd like to leave a message, please wait for the beep." an automated voice message repeated to her.

She waited for sound before she spoke, "Answer your phone idiot." before hanging up.

It was officially the first day of winter break. Her father and mother were currently out, probably at the shop.

Since Yōu's father was the captain of a ferry most of his jobs were in the summer, but since it was winter business wasn't exactly booming. 

So when Yōu was born he needed a way to make money to provide for the family. Leading him to open up a small conveniece store.

Together with Yōu and her mom, the three of them ran the shop.

However, they definitely needed help as it was hard to do everything with just the three of them.

And a couple weeks ago, her father put up a help wanted sign in order to hire people to work.

Yōu did her best to do work when she could (which is why she couldn't hang around after school sometimes), but it was clear help was needed.

She quickly got dressed before heading off to the store. Even though it was winter break, she could hardly call it a break. Being the daughter of the owner, she had her fair share of hours to work and today was no different.

After a quick breakfast, she dashed off to the store making sure to close the door behind her.

"I'm off!"

Sumio Kobayashi groggily turned off his phone alarm. "Why the hell is it going off! It's break right?!"

"'Nii-chan you're gonna be late!" Haru Kobayashi called to him.

"Late for what? It's winter break!"

"You said you had a job interview today!" She shook her head at the basketball star who was now racing to throw on some clothes.

"Thanks for reminding me!" He said before taking off.

"Be safe." Was all he heard before he sprinted towards the location of his interview.

He had been pretty short on cash recently (mostly due to treating Yōu to ramen), so he had to find some way to make sure he had something in his pocket.

Luckily, there was somewhere that was offering a job and it was pretty close by.

He'd always come by this store back in middle school with Tsuki in Shintaro. So he was ecstatic when he saw the sign.

And so he applied for the job interview scheduled for today.

He quickly walked inside the store. "Welcome-" a voice paused as the cashier stared at Sumio.

"This has to be some sort of joke..." Her blue eyes clashed with his dark brown.

"Why are you here?!"

That's right ladies and gentlemen, Yōu Watanabe and Sumio Kobayashi just cannot stay away from each other.

"Um... I'm here for..."

Yōu prayed it wasn't a job interview and that he just wanted a drink or something.

"-a job interview." She collapsed on the ground in defeat.

"You've got to be kidding me." she said causing him to  stare at her confused. 

"Wait, you work here?" 

"It is my family's shop after all." Yōu sat at the cash register. "If I were you, I'd leave now. Papa isn't gonna hire you after what you did last time."

"I didn't do anything!" Sumio pointed out, "He was the one who chased me!"

"Either way, you should hurry, he's almost back." 

"But I really need the money!" the door opened just then.

"Shoot." Yōu said quietly "Pretend your buying something before it's too late."

"Hello sir, I'm here for a job interview." Sumio quickly said as Yōu face palmed.

Her father took a good look at him. "Have I seen you somewhere?" 

It was over. Her dad would find out who he was, trample the whole store trying to kill him, and everything would be destroyed.

"You've probably seen me working hard somewhere..." Sumio said smoothly.

"I like this guy!" the sailor grinned. "You're hired! You start today! You'll be working here with my daughter Yōu! Say hi to him please princess." he proudly introduced her.

"Hi." she said gritting her teeth. 

Was her father stupid? How could he not tell who this guy was?! And what was even more annoying was the toothy grin Sumio was shooting at her. 

"Well, I'll leave this to you two. Yōu please show him around, I'm going to go order some more things I'll be back around three got it?" he saluted.

"'Kay." she waved displaying a fake smile on her face to convince her father. As soon as the door shut she turned to Sumio. "You son of a-"

He put his hands behind his head, "See? He doesn't remember. So it's a win."

"No! It's not a win! I'm not trying to work with you." she was attempting to hide the fact that if her father ever found out, he'd make sure they never met again which was something she didn't want.

"It's not exactly your choice is it?" he said suavely causing Yōu's face to flush with anger.

"I'm trying to help you out!" she explained.

"If this about your pops, relax... We're going to make sure that nothing bad happens."

"And how are we going to do that?"

"Just make sure he has no idea that I'm that same person. Easy." 

She sighed in defeat. "Fine. But you better not slip up anywhere got it?" 

"Yeah yeah... so what do I do first boss?" 

As she showed him how to stock shelves, work the register, and not lose their mind during their shift she realized something. 

Another day with just her and Sumio...

Guilt came upon her just then. She was supposed to be helping Riko. Plus, he already had someone he liked right? That's what he said right?

The thoughts clouded her mind and made her feel sick. She was not only betraying her best friend, but also attempting to figure out who Sumio liked. 

Was it her? Did she want him to like her? Did she like him? 

The questions were endless. But every time she tried to stare at him to figure something out. All she'd see looking back at her was a grinning idiot.

This was hopeless...

Yo! Sorry I haven't been active recently, school is a pain. But here's a new chapter anyways!

Hopefully you all enjoyed! I'm trying to think of different ways to make the story different from my other ones, but who knows...

Anyways as always...

Be safe! Mask up! Don't be stupid!

-Kazuya