Chapter 137: SIDE STORY – A Bit of Time Off

 

 

Mari's Perspective 

 

Today Saitou-bucho told me to cut some hours. So, to waste time outside of work, I decided to drive around town until Ayumi was off. As I turned the corner, wasting my gas as I did, my phone started ringing.

“Hello?”

“Mari-san…mom told me you got out a little early today.”

I didn’t check before picking up, but her sweet voice melted into my ears. With a hint of concern pouring from her shaky voice, I straightened my back.

“Is everything alright, Madoka-san?”

 

 

“Yeah…well no, it’s not. I did something stupid and left my essay on my desk in my room.”

I could hear her groan with embarrassment. It was beyond adorable by this point. I loved this side of Madoka-san...

“You want me to go alllll theeeee waaaaay home to get a stack of papers?”

“Argg…Yes! Yes! I need you to!”

I scratched my nose as a stupid smile rose on my face.

“Is that the way you ask for something? Geez, what has Ayumi been teaching you.”

Weakly, my Madoka took a deep breath. She paused then suddenly a slightly higher-pitched sound like music dancing in my ear came out. 

“Would you please help me, Mari-san?”

Like small needles touched my heart with each syllable, she stabbed my soul with her sugary words.

“Geez, how can I say no to that?”

Strangely enough, I was already on my way home before she asked.

“I know it’s a pain…and…”

“Stop right there, Madoka-san.”

I put my hand up like she was actually in front of me.

“You have no idea how happy I am to help you with something. It makes me happy.”

“…Oh stop…”

She sounded like she was at a loss for words.

“Are you at lunch, Madoka-san?”

“Yeah, I have around twenty minutes or so left, Mari-san. Ah…would you like to chat while you drive.”

I wanted to jump, but I calmed myself down.

“Sure! Well, yesterday I saw this bright pink dress in the Shiva catalog.”

“Ohh, you mean the one that goes with the Magenta hairpiece?! I would love that so much!”

I giggled.

“Yeah, you lend me 400,000 yen, and I’ll get you it for Christmas!”

“Are you crazy?! It’s 600,000 yen with the hairpiece.”

“What’s 200,000 yen more when it comes to you being happy?”

She stopped for a moment with a cute hick of her voice. My face went warm as I made my way on the highway.

“Hey…you already do a lot to make me happy. I wouldn’t want you going bankrupt now.”

“Well, if I go broke our entire family could be on the streets, so it might not be the best idea.”

I shrugged letting reality settle in. She paused for a bit before asking a strange question.

“Hmm, if it was just the two of us and we were stranded on a desert island, what 3 objects would you bring?”

I had to think suddenly. Of course, survival was key…but also boring. So, I decided to shake it up a bit.

“A generator that powers off the sun, my TV with the blue-ray player and, the entire collection of Born Free?”

She literally spat as she pushed her phone away from the phone. 

“Geez! You’re going to die out there!”

“Well, if you bring the blankets, a few pillows, and a canopy for when it rains, we can die happily.”

The snarkiness exploded from her.

“Oh, who said I would bring that? I want to survive here.”

“Hm, you wouldn’t want to at least have a night with an open fire and watch Born Free with me?”

I stepped out of the car and walked inside now. I did my best to guilt-trip her with a puppy dog tone.

“…Why are you making survival so dang hard…Yes! I would love to…spend my final moments watching Born Free... I-I haven’t even finished the last volume.”

That day came back to mind. The one when it was just me and her…now that I thought about it…it was like we were stranded on an island that day. Sadly…she didn’t feel the same way for me back then, and I ended up creeping her out. But with things now, I doubt we’d ever finish it together. 

Instead of letting it get to me, I closed my chest and smiled.

“Hehe, nice. We’d be super unprepared but it would be fun, Madoka-san.

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As I made my way up the steps, she whispered into the phone.

“You really are a dumbass. Are you home yet?”

“Yeah, yeah, I’m here.”

I stepped into her room and looked around.

“It’s on my desk…you see it?”

“Wow, you leave your underwear lying around?”

“Huh?! I don’t do anything like that! I’m not you, mom and Hana-chan! I fold all my clothing!”

I crossed my arms.

“Great, you caught me. Tried to trip you up…neat freak.”

I teased, putting her papers in my hand.

“I’m not a neat freak…idiot.”

Her voice melted my chest. How I had the overwhelming urge to poke her cheeks as I used to in the past. 

“Is this all?”

“Yeah, that’s it. Don’t touch anything else in there! I-I mean it.”

“I’m leaving now-"

That’s when I saw it…the case of her Shiva necklace. It was mounted in a beautiful case that I had no idea she used. It sparkled and looked as good as new. When I touched it, the memory of that day in the Red Roses came to mind. It reminded me that she wore it every day, didn’t she?

“Are you still in there?”

“Oh…yeah…just looking through your clothing.”

“Didn’t I tell you not to?!”

“You really like this chocolate coat. I told you before, but it looks great on you.”

“…Mari-san. T-Thanks.”

I touched the outline of it. As I closed my eyes, I imagined holding her as she wore this. Lately, temptations like these have been assaulting me.

“Hey…are you leaving soon? The break is nearly over...”

“Yeah…just looking at your endless collection of blue-striped panties and bras.”

“WHAT! GET OUT OF THERE NOW.”

 

“Madoka-san, relax, I’m in the car!”

I confessed as I closed the house door.

“How did you know about my…panties then?”

“Ah…we live in the same house. Madoka-san, I’ve washed your clothes more times than not.”

“….Aaaawwww…That’s actually so embarrassing. You seriously need to stop bullying me...”

“I only wash your panties because I care.”

I wished we could see each other right now. I wanted to see that embarrassing look on her face. So I had to settle for a mental image instead.

When I finally reached the gates, her brown hair bounced as she made her way to my car. With a tilt of her beautiful head, she reached in.

 

“Thanks, Mari-san. You’re a lifesaver but a dumbass.”

“Hehe, sorry for teasing you.”

For a brief moment, her cheeks went bright red. I was only kidding, and I probably took it too far around ten minutes ago, but this look was well beyond worth it. Suspiciously, she looked around, dived her head on the car, and gave me a tight hug.

 

“Seriously, you’re too kind for doing this…thank you so much, Mari-san.”

She sighed.

“…No, don’t mention it.”

In this strange embrace, we waited there for a moment when suddenly my phone began to ring.

“Hm? Oh, it’s Ayumi.”

She let go and put her hands behind her back.

“Guess I’ll see you at home?”

“Yeah…”

Madoka groaned before speaking…

 

“And…I’ve been waiting for you to ask me to finish Born Free…you know? Let’s do it again sometime.”

Her eyes gazed into me as my heart warmed up. Sadly, it wouldn’t be the same now, and we both knew it. So I waved and rolled up my window. 

I breathed a sigh as my chest felt like it was tightening. I couldn’t think clearly as I made my way back to work...

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