Chapter 408, Working
Three days after deciding to work part-time, Zhuo received a message from the store manager Yui, saying that she had prepared the uniform and the future schedule had been finalized.

After discussion, Zhuo's schedule was set to four days a week, three weekdays and Saturday. Now Zhuo is in his third year of high school and must start preparing for the entrance exam. This schedule will not affect his studies and is similar to those of students who join club activities.

Generally speaking, club activities would start and end in the second half of the semester, and Zhuo also planned to finish his part-time job during that period, and had no intention of neglecting his studies. There shouldn't be any problem with such working hours.

(Even with this consideration, it is still very difficult to cover every aspect.)
In addition to the ordinary student life, there are also exam preparation, physical exercise, self-improvement, and now a part-time job. For Zhuo, who had nothing to do before meeting Ling, such a plan is unimaginably fulfilling.

The reason why I don't think it's hard is because I have a clear goal and I am willing to work hard for it. Although it's a bit busy, I feel more fulfilled.

He wrote down his future plans on his calendar, muttering "good" with great enthusiasm.

……

"Then I have to start working today, you go back first."

After school on the first day of his part-time job, Zhuo said this to Ling, and then he saw her standing at the school gate, looking at him without moving.

That lonely look made Zhuo feel distressed for a moment, but he could only bear it in his heart. After all, this was the only thing he could not do about it, and he was working for better memories.

Although Ling didn't know the reason why he was working part-time, he could understand that this was something Zhuo had done after making up his mind, so he didn't shake his decision, but showed respect for his personal will.

However, the obedient look on his face made Zhuo feel uneasy.

(Don't be so obedient.)
Although Ling is a stubborn person, there is always a loophole in her stubbornness. This loophole is the special case she leaves for someone. She will observe this person carefully, take everything about this person into consideration, and make any concessions based on his situation.

Although this kind of personality cannot be said to be good or bad, it has become the main reason for me to accumulate stress without realizing it. Therefore, after starting to work, Zhuo plans to pay more attention to Ling's situation.

"Ah~ Zhuo, are you starting your part-time job today? Good luck~"

Zhuo looked at Ling with some guilt, who was still looking up at him but had no intention of moving. At this time, Kanda, who came out of the school gate, casually said something encouraging.

By the way, the ace of the soccer club is too busy with club activities, so of course he won't go home too early. Although the soccer club of this school does not advocate a theory of passionate perseverance, it will conduct relaxed training based on reasonable judgment. If you don't rest on weekdays and overwork your body, you will not be able to bear it physically. If Zhuo stood in Kanda's position, he would never do that.

So Kanda probably planned to rest today.

"I know, go away--"

"Why are you treating me like this?"

"Don't ask me."

Zhuo was already conspicuous enough standing outside the school gate with Ling. Because of Kanda's appearance, some boys and girls were so jealous that they exuded amazing courage, as if they had the fantasy of a ferocious beast appearing behind them. However, it was not Kanda's fault, so he'd better not delve into it too deeply.

I heard that after Kanda entered Class A with excellent grades, his classmates' jealousy and competition for Kanda became much more restrained, but Kanda was still pursued fiercely by girls from other classes who had a crush on him.

Zhuo once again personally experienced this atmosphere and realized even more deeply the value of being "popular".

Ignoring Kanda for now, facing Ling who seemed ready to stand at the school gate and watch him leave, Zhuo scratched his cheek, then raised his hand and touched her soft light golden hair.

Zhuo stared at her eyes, which widened slightly because she seemed to be surprised at what Zhuo would do in front of everyone, and smiled. When Ling saw this, he retracted his emotion and spoke in his usual calm tone. "I will go home early... but I will wait for you no matter how late it is. You have to come back early."

"I know. I'll try while I look forward to dinner."

All the classmates at school knew that the two of them were dating, but it was a bit embarrassing for everyone to hear them saying "go home" as if it was a matter of course, so they said these words in a low voice.

However, Kanda, who was listening closely, covered his eyes with an embarrassed expression, and looked in this direction with the gaps between his fingertips, which were full of smiles.

In short, Zhuo only gave Kanda one backhand punch.

Kanda screamed in pain and stumbled two steps, backing away step by step, but was startled by the action of the girl behind him rushing over to support him, and quickly stood at attention. Looking at his expression, the word "frightened" seems to be very appropriate.

Zhuo couldn't help laughing when he saw his appearance. Since Ling, who was paying attention to Zhuo, saw him laughing, he also looked at Kanda, which made Kanda a little embarrassed, so he poked Zhuo's side in counterattack.

Just like that, after reluctantly ending the pleasant exchange with everyone, Zhuo left the school and went to his part-time job.

Considering that this was the first day, Zhuo didn't plan to go late, so he went to the station early.

You don't necessarily need to take the train to go to your part-time job, but you can get there in two stops from the station near the school. In fact, Zhuo's home is quite far away. After finishing my part-time job, I should be able to get home as soon as possible.

My workplace is not far from the station, so commuting shouldn't be inconvenient.

……

"Eh? Utsunomiya, is it okay for you to walk to school from your house?"

After walking out of the subway, Yui, who didn't expect to appear here, spotted him the first time and asked.

Zhuo didn't have a monthly pass, so he was asked this question when he was seen filling up his IC card.

"Well, my apartment isn't far away."

"Is that so? That's great. If I live close to school, I can sleep longer."

"Ah."

Zhuo didn't tell others that his home was nearby, not for any other purpose. Today was his first day at work, so he chose to take the train early. If he told others that he didn't take the train on weekdays but took it for work, Yui might feel a little guilty.

As for the idea of ​​sleeping a little longer, Zhuo did not object.

I don't know when it started, but Zhuo has developed the ability to wake up by smelling the scent. Since Ling moved into his house, he naturally wakes up earlier, giving himself some buffer time to get up.

But he had a little willful thought in his heart. He wanted to hear Zero's voice to wake him up for a childish moment, so he always asked Zero to come back to the bedroom to wake him up after cooking.

(End of this chapter)