Chapter 16: 14: Mr. Haruka, won't you really consider Mrs. Harada? (Three s, please support)
It was the end of spring, and the transition from day to night was getting noticeably longer,
The sky at five in the afternoon was only a slight yellow, without having completely dimmed, nor was it clear and cloudless.
The peachy yellow hue adorned the sky, as girls in pleated skirts held up their phones, capturing photos of the seemingly boundless horizon.
The color of the sky was as enchanting as the scenery beneath their skirts.
After repeatedly assuring Mizutani Nozomi that her academics were not a problem, Haruka Yuzan finally prepared to head home.
Over at the student council, Otome Yumeko had everything ready for him, she had even filled out the forms for Haruka, he only needed to show up at the student council tomorrow.
Truth be told, if Otome Yumeko's personality were just a tad more gentle, she would definitely be an excellent girlfriend candidate, but unfortunately...
The cobblestone path on the school campus was quiet and serene, occasionally the spirited "Ha-i!" from a distant club building would echo around,
But once outside the school, all those sounds were left behind.
After sending a message to Reiko Onodera, Haruka Yuzan walked toward the train station,
While having tenant Reiko Onodera meant that he didn't have to worry about money for the time being, Haruka Yuzan still decided not to quit his part-time job at the fitness center.
After all, occasionally lifting weights at the gym was essential for maintaining good health.
Otherwise, he feared his meager physical strength would leave him with intentions but no power!
Since the Homecoming Department had been canceled, at this time of day Haruka would see hardly any students wearing Kanagawa High School uniforms on the streets.
So much so that when the train arrived, there were plenty of free seats to choose from.
The evening breeze through the train window was refreshing, and the people walking on the streets all seemed intent on their destinations,
"Haruka, you're here."
"You stayed late at school today."
The gym was not far from Haruka's house. When he arrived, everyone greeted him warmly.
And Haruka's part-time job was simple: organize the gym equipment, pick up trash, and when there was nothing else to do, work out with the equipment.
That was why Haruka liked this part-time job.
Of course, it wasn't because of those women in yoga pants, looking great and newly married.
The gym was air-conditioned all year round, keeping the temperature comfortable even in a short-sleeved shirt.
Haruka Yuzan changed into the black tank top and shorts he brought and started his part-time work for the day.
He was already well-acquainted with the people at the gym,
Even many of the pretty girls nearby specifically signed up for gym memberships because of Haruka.
As time passed incrementally, the sun also gradually sank, with the twilight eventually shrouding the sky,
And as Haruka Yuzan picked up an empty sports drink bottle and threw it into the trash, his part-time duties for the day were over.
Not bad at all, he only worked for less than ten minutes and spent the rest of the time working out, sweat dampening his forehead, the black tank top clinging to his body, accentuating his attractive physique.
At that moment, a young housewife couldn't resist approaching him, handing over a towel that she had hung around her neck.
"You're the student working part-time here, right?" The young housewife was very pretty, with a look of having been recently married, especially her peach blossom eyes, which were captivating.
Actually, women at this stage are the best, possessing a maturity and knowledge that contrast with their youthful innocence, a beauty that lies in the contrast.
Haruka Yuzan knew her; she had asked for a boy to be her personal trainer when she first came to get a membership at the gym.
But Haruka Yuzan was just a student, and the gym couldn't oblige. They had to explain that the boys were just part-timers, not real employees, and still in school.
After learning this, she decisively turned down other trainers at the gym, coming over every day as if on a fixed schedule, all by herself...
Haruka accepted the towel, which seemed to have been used by the young woman, and even carried a faint scent. After briskly wiping his neck, he thanked her and went off to shower in the gym's bathroom,
While the young woman stood there, sniffing the towel over and over again.
"Miss Hanazawa, my shift is over for today. It was two hours total."
At the front desk,
"Mr. Haruka, are you really not considering Mrs. Harada?"
Hanazawa Otome handed an envelope to Haruka Yuzan, pursed her glossy lips, hesitated for a moment,
"Mrs. Harada is really nice, beautiful, young, and also, also wealthy…"
"Even though I'm poor, as an honorable, ambitious, idealistic young man, taking shortcuts doesn't align with my life principles."
As he took the envelope, squeezing its thickness—it was a thousand yen more than usual—Haruka Yuzan wore a sun-filled smile,
The twilight glow of the setting sun bathed the handsome young man, making his tall frame radiant at that moment, his handsome features looked like those of an unequivocal sports hunk from any angle.
A youth full of righteousness.
Ms. Hanazawa, caught in the throes of springtime, seemed a bit dazed as she watched him, her breath quickening, the tight black tank top and the patch of exposed, snow-white skin rippling up and down.
However, the striking figure of Haruka had already disappeared from sight.
Upon leaving the gym, Haruka Yuzan was without the aura of justice he had just a moment ago.
Darn it, why did Mrs. Harada have to be his best buddy Heisuke Yonchu's aunt???
Otherwise, he could have successfully become a kept man by now!
But it seemed Mrs. Harada was unaware of this fact, he felt embarrassed just thinking about it…