Chapter 121 The Ice Cream of Happiness

The Ice Cream of Happiness

“Well, I’ll email you for more details. Aono-san, can we have an online meeting? I know it’ll be hard for you to find time in the future, so let’s plan to do it there if possible. I’ll send you instructions on how to access and install the application.”

The editor says with pleasure.

“Understood. I look forward to working with you in the future.”

The next meeting should be arranged by email. I feel like I have suddenly entered the adult world.

After saying goodbye to the editor, I sent a message to Ichijo-san.

She says she is at an ice cream shop in front of the station.

The place is about a minute away from here. I was able to get there in a short time. …

“Senpai!!!”

She was inside, noticed me, and waved to me.

When I got there, I went to my seat and put my stuff down.

“I think I’ll have some ice cream too.”

“Hey, didn’t Senpai drink something at the meeting?”

“I did, but I was so nervous that I couldn’t taste it. I wanted to cool off with some ice cream.”

She giggles when I say this. Ichijo-san had orange sorbet and strawberry ice cream.

I ordered a double scoop of vanilla and rum raisin.

I take a bite and it comes alive with sweetness and coldness.

Ichijo-san, sitting in front of me, smiled happily.

“Senpai, you like ice cream, right?”

“Who doesn’t like ice cream?”

“Indeed.”

It’s a casual conversation, but it becomes pleasant. It’s a really comfortable atmosphere.

“Hey, Senpai, can I make one of my dreams come true again?”

A sweet voice reached me with a shy smile.

“Yes?”

“Actually, I’ve always wanted to share ice cream at times like this. Besides, I’ve never had rum raisin before. Can I have a bite? Let’s trade for my orange sorbet.”

It was a very cute suggestion, and I couldn’t help but laugh. After all, having grown up like a young lady with deep windows, I guess she longs for this kind of casual communication.

“Are you making fun of me for being childish?”

She puffs up her cheeks a little and smiles devilishly. I can’t help but be taken aback by her gesture, which most high school boys would have misunderstood. No, she’s a very cautious girl, so it’s almost a miracle that I can hear such a squeak.

“Yes, please.”

I use my spoon to put a bite of rum raisin in her cup.

“That’s an indirect kiss, isn’t it …”

Ichijo-san responds in a low voice.

I gratefully take a bite of the orange sorbet. Wait, I’m not ready yet.

But I put the ice cream in my mouth, feeling bad for having come this far.

The cool sorbet and the sourness of the orange flavor blew away the lingering heat of the still-hot September.

“Oh my, Senpai no baka.” Embarrassed, she took a bite of the ice cream, looking alternately at the rum raisin and at me.

“Delicious!”

Her eyes widened involuntarily, and I chuckled inwardly at her reaction to the taste as I popped the rum raisin ice cream into my mouth.

The ice cream was sweet, but somehow wrapped in the adult scent of rum, a mysterious flavor that brought us even closer together.

Manager’s PoV

Disappointed, I opened my phone. There was a message from a junior member of my club.

[Manager, you’re okay, right? The soccer team is in trouble.]

You should think about that yourself. I don’t have time for that.

Frustrated, I look at her continuing messages.

[I will keep the club members in the dark for now. If we don’t talk, they’ll never know!]

When I read the message, I accidentally yelled at her on the street.

“I told you, this is not the time for that!”

Nearby passersby looked at me and flinched. Even that made me feel humiliated as I fled home.