Chapter 10 A Page of Youth Begins with the Everyday

A Page of Youth Begins with the Everyday

Changes in daily life.

They come suddenly, one day without warning.

However, every change has its signs and causes.

There’s always some kind of precursor. In other words, it’s not coincidence but inevitability.

If nothing happens, then change cannot occur.

…Yes, if nothing happens.

“Director, I’m heading out! I left the report in the lounge!”

“Thanks for your hard work. I appreciate it, as always.”

“No problem at all~! I really enjoy working here. Oh, let’s grab a drink again sometime! I’ll clear my schedule whenever!”

“Alright. I’ll send over some potential dates.”

“Thanks! Oh, and Director…”

“…Yeah?”

“I don’t have any prejudice or anything… I mean… I’m really rooting for you!”

“…?”

“Alright, see ya!”

Strange… those warm, watchful gazes and interactions.

Including the part-timer who just left, I’ve been hearing similar things today.

…What’s behind this attitude?

My relationship with the part-timers is pretty good, I’d say.

There haven’t been any particular problems, and the part-timers usually quit when they find a job, so there are no unusual mid-term resignations.

When I first took this position, there were only a handful of part-timers, and the situation was dire. Now, there are about twenty.

The fact that none of them have quit proves it’s a good environment, so there shouldn’t be any issues, but… hmm.

“Ariga-cchi~! Great work!!”

A cheerful voice reached my ears, followed by something cold pressing against my cheek.

Startled by the cool sensation, I frowned and looked at her.

Kanade, meeting my gaze, smiled carefree and held out a pudding.

“Here, have this.”

“Ah, thanks.”

Nothing much has changed in my relationship with Kanade since that day.

She’s as friendly as ever.

Well, her naturally caring nature might have intensified slightly, but only a little.

That said, the reason she often comes over is to use my place for her reports and assignments, cooking as payment for the space.

According to Kanade, “Since you’re letting me use your space, I’ll cook for you! That makes us even, right?”

That’s probably the biggest change since my divorce.

If I were still married, I definitely wouldn’t have let her into my home.

When it comes to my ex-wife… Well, I only filled out some paperwork because Kanade told me to, so I wasn’t directly involved.

It was almost like I’d been brainwashed, honestly.

I absolutely don’t want to go through another mess with my ex-wife, so leaving it to the professionals is best.

So, I can’t thank Kanade enough for introducing me to them.

“Good job with work today. You were on top form, as always.”

“Totally~! Oh, you should eat that pudding soon! It’s best when cold!”

“Alright, I’ll eat it right away.”

“Me too~!”

The once-bustling classrooms were now quiet, with all the students and part-timers gone.

The faint sound of a spoon clinking against a plastic container quietly echoed in the calm.

Kanade stretched with a satisfied groan before bringing the pudding to her mouth.

With every bite, she looked blissfully happy.

Her expression reminded me vaguely of a small animal.

Like a squirrel munching away contentedly, perhaps?

“Today was so much fun~. Talking with younger folks is great! It even energizes me.”

“You’re part of the younger crowd too, Kanade.”

“You think so~? Grandpa?”

“Don’t make people look old without their consent.”

“Hehe, sorry, sorry~.”

She stuck out her tongue in a playful apology.

It may seem like a cunning action, but I guess I can forgive her because it’s her.

If my ex-wife had done the same thing…

Yeah, I’d feel nothing but disgust.

Maybe I would’ve seen it differently in the past… But since that day, any lingering regrets have completely vanished.

“I should be grateful.”

“Hehe, this again? If you keep repeating yourself, people will really call you a grandpa, you know?”

“Who cares? It’s the truth. I feel like I’ve been freed, after all.”

How had I managed to endure it for so long?

Now, I don’t even understand anymore.

Just confiding in Kanade made me feel so much lighter…

She’s really a great listener.

As I thought about that, smirking wryly, Kanade leaned in to look at my face.

“Hey, Ariga-cchi. Can I come over again? I can focus so much better at your place than at home~.”

“Really?”

“Yup! It reminds me of being a student, and I get so much done! Sooo, pleeease?”

“Stop shaking me! If you’re coming, make sure to get permission first. Your parents must be worried.”

“Eh~? I’m already 20, so it’s fine, right? I’m free to do what I want~.”

“It’s not fine! You’re still being supported, aren’t you?”

“Then why don’t you support me, Ariga-cchi~?”

“I’ve had my fill of one-sided support, thanks.”

“But with me, it’s not one-sided; there are perks too, you know?”

“I’ll pass.”

“Hey! You didn’t even hear what I was going to say!”

“You were going to say, ‘The perk is me!’ or something like that, weren’t you? I’m not falling for it.”

“Grrr~…”

This is the first time I’ve ever seen someone actually say “grrr” in real life…

Seriously, don’t undervalue yourself like that.

Even Kanade’s mom told me, “Please take care of my reckless daughter!” I can’t let temptation get the better of me.

I’ve already failed once, so I’ve become cautious… maybe even too much so.

Sighing, I looked at Kanade.

Trying to change the subject, I decided to bring up something else.

“Hey, Kanade. Did you say anything to the others today?”

“Hmm? I didn’t say anything… Why do you ask?”

“No, it’s fine if you didn’t.”

I thought it might’ve been Kanade, but…

Honestly, she has a knack for stirring up misunderstandings.

“Well, I did talk to them, but it wasn’t anything weird—just the truth.”

“I have a really bad feeling about this…”

“Oh? I just mentioned stuff like ‘I’m studying at Ariga-cchi’s place’ or ‘we drank until morning.’ Isn’t that normal for all-nighters?”

“Oh no…”

“What? Is that bad?”

“Of course it is! If people find out you’re hanging out at my place every day, they’ll start jumping to conclusions… A young woman spending so much time at a man’s house? That’s already a bad look.”

“I think you’re overthinking it. Besides, nothing is actually happening, so isn’t it fine?”

“It’s not fine! You’re cute and popular, so if rumors start, it could cause problems at work or elsewhere—”

“Ehehe~. Did you just call me cute?”

“You’re not even listening…”

She touched her cheek and made a sloppy, silly expression.

Seriously, she has such a playful personality.

I placed my hand on Kanade’s head and ruffled her hair. She narrowed her eyes like a cat and laughed innocently, saying, “Nyahehe.”

Her adult-like appearance made that expression all the more striking, making my heart race.

To hide my reaction, I cleared my throat.

“…By the way, about the other day…”

“The other day? When we drank?”

“Yeah. You mentioned something about youth… What exactly did you mean? I don’t really get it.”

“Hmm? No need to overthink it. For example, isn’t this moment right now also youth?”

I tilted my head at her words.

Kanade, as if mimicking me, tilted her head too, as if to say, “Why don’t you get it?”

“Explain it in a way an adult who’s past his youth can understand.”

“Um, let’s see… Like, when you’re having fun and talking aimlessly, someone might ask, ‘Isn’t this a waste of time?’ But you’d think, ‘No, it’s not.’ It feels important—something like that?”

“That’s pretty abstract…”

“Yeah, ‘youth’ as a concept is kind of vague, isn’t it?”

“Ah!” Kanade clapped her hands as if she’d had an idea.

She then grabbed a notebook and pen from my bag without permission and started writing something.

When I looked at what she’d written, I saw an embarrassing phrase in the memo section: [What I think youth is…]

…What is this?

“Alright, I’m giving you homework, like the kind you used to give me back in school. This time, it’s from me to you!”

“What kind of homework is that…?”

“Hehe. Who cares? Ariga-cchi, just tell me what kind of youth you want to have! I’m really looking forward to it~. By the way, it’s 100 pages on report paper.”

“Is that a thesis?!”

Smiling mischievously, Kanade shoved a spoon into my mouth.

“Is it good…?”

“Yeah, pretty good.”

“Thought so~.”

Watching her happy smile, I felt my mood lighten naturally.

Leisurely days spent peacefully.

Even though I have work… there’s nothing chasing me, nothing weighing me down.

Could even this mundane life be called youth?