Carry Me (Ushijima x Reader AU)

Chapter 08

"Would you be willing to work for us?"

"... Huh?" Ushijima's question came so unexpectedly for you that you had no intelligible answer.

"During summer break. I can use some help." He explained further, yet seemed to give you as little information as he could at the same time.

"You mean at that multi-billion yen farming business your family owns?" You asked, trying to make him see the folly in asking you for such an important job.

"You wouldn't be working on the farm. Unless that's what you prefer?" He spoke, still not giving you any real information.

"I really can't give you an answer unless you explain to me from the start what it is you're asking from me." You said, hoping to make him give you some details at least.

You watched him put his thoughts in order and followed him as he took a seat on a bench a little further down the hall. He motioned for you to sit down next to him and you did so without a second thought.

"The Ushijima farm is a produce farm, we grow all kinds of vegetables. But I've always been interested in keeping livestock." He started. "Last year I purchased a piece of our land that wasn't being used for farming and started keeping a few cows."

You decided to keep the many questions you already had regarding this new information to yourself until he was done speaking.

"I have two stablehands who take care of things when I'm here, at school. They get time off in the school vacations, but together with the farm, it's too much for me to handle on my own. I've had students from the agriculture club help me out before. It's paid and looks good on their college applications." He paused for a moment before continuing. 

"This time I wanted to ask you instead of someone from the agriculture club because I've been thinking of branching out into horses next to the cows. I could use someone who knows about them to get everything up and running." He finished his explanation.

"And you're willing to trust me with that?" You asked, not believing your ears.

"I wouldn't have asked otherwise." He simply replied.

"I still have a lot of questions before I can give you an answer though. And I'll have to ask my parents as well..." You already started imagining their response but couldn't come to a conclusion if it would be good or bad.

"You can ask me anything you want." He told you expectantly.

"Oh uh..." So you guessed you were doing this here and now. Not that you should have expected any differently, with him always being so straight to the point. 

"Well, first of all, I don't even know where the farm is. I'll probably have to get up at 4 am or something to get there on time." You didn't really like admitting you knew so little of the business he had just invited you to work at but, as you had explained before, it wasn't like you were specifically interested in the farming industry or anything.

"You won't have to commute, you can stay in one of the stablehand's studios." He simply stated, leaving you at a loss for words once more.

Well, that just cut the chance your parents would agree in half... It also brought up even more questions.

"Is there a supermarket in the neighborhood? Can I wash my clothes? Do I have to-" You were interrupted by Ushijima placing his hand on your shoulder. 

"You don't have to worry about anything, everything will be provided." He eased a lot of your worries.

"Well, I still have to ask my parents anyway, so I'll ask you my other questions later. If we discuss the details now, it could be a waste of both of our times if they won't allow it." You told him, painfully aware of his hand still resting on your shoulder.