Chapter 20 - Gratitude for the Mob Heroine's Existence
In the afternoon, just as promised, I arrived at Mogami-san's house.
(I wanted to bring alcohol as a gift, but I couldn’t buy any since I am still a minor...)
Maybe it was a habit left over from my pre-reincarnation days working in sales, but I just couldn’t visit someone’s home without bringing a gift. When visiting rural clients, I used to bring famous products from the city. When visiting city clients, I brought local specialties instead. Just that small act of consideration made future communication go so much more smoothly. And since working-age men often appreciated alcohol, bringing a local sake usually made them happy.
Well, her father was a local here, so local sake probably wouldn’t have been anything special. Besides, it would’ve been weird to receive that from a high schooler anyway. So, I went with something more ‘age appropriate,’ which was some fancy confections from a well-known shop. Though… I'm not totally sure if a high school guy bringing fancy confections as a gift is all that 'age-appropriate'. Oh well. I was an adult in my past life, so I hope she'll forgive the slight disconnect.
“Welcome, Sato-kun. Oh, is that a gift? Wow, these sweets look delicious... you really shouldn't have! Thank you!"
Fortunately, Mogami-san seemed genuinely happy, so I decided that was good enough.
"Pardon the intrusion. So, where's your room, Mogami-san?"
"I-It's on the second floor... but you can't come in! It's messy! Let's just stay in the living room—"
“I see...”
“Eh? U-um... I was going to suggest the living room, but... would you rather be in my room?”
The second I pretended to be disappointed, Mogami-san caved in. She was far too meek and obedient. You could even say she's a total pushover. It makes me worried that some bad guy might try and take advantage of her. I really hope Sanada will take good care of her.
But putting that aside for a moment.
“Nah, it’s your private space, so don’t worry. Let’s go to the living room.”
"Yeah! I was already getting ready for you in the living room anyway, so that's perfect. I even got some snacks... and if they're not sweet, you should be able to eat them, right, Sato-kun?"
"Of course. Sorry to make you go to all that trouble."
"No, no, it's fine! My mom's the one who got all excited and bought a bunch of stuff, anyway."
“I appreciate it.”
I was also relieved she'd actually told her mom I was coming. I felt a little bad about just showing up without the actual 'owner of the house' knowing. That's part of the reason I brought the gift, honestly.
After that, she led me into the living room. Mogami-san's house is super normal, so it's actually kind of hard to describe. The living room is about eight tatami mats wide, with a small sofa for two and a TV... It just has that standard, everyday family home vibe.
It felt... homey.
In my past life, I was always on business trips and never stayed in one place for long. That's exactly why I like... 'warm' homes like this. It reminds me of my childhood. Though, since I got reincarnated, I guess I'm actually a kid right now, anyway.
"Help yourself to the snacks, okay?"
"Thanks. So, Mogami-san..."
"Hm? What is it?"
"How come you're not in your uniform?"
Now that the small talk was over, it was time to address the real reason I came here. Actually, I’d been wondering that ever since she opened the front door.
“I came here to see you in your uniform and smile like an idiot about it.”
“S-smile like an idiot... Sato-kun, you’re so blunt sometimes!”
It's just, if I'm not super clear, it doesn't get through to her. She's brightened up a bit, sure, but she's still super negative. She has a bad habit of taking things the wrong way, so I have to be this blunt just to make sure she doesn't misunderstand me.
Things like... "You're cute."
Or, "I like this about you."
Or, "It's not your fault."
Of course, sometimes I feel like expressing excessive affection, so I have to rein myself in.
Besides, when I say stuff like that, she’d always seem happy. Even just now, she didn't seem to think my comment was creepy. She just got all flustered and fidgety.
“W-well, I got a little nervous... okay, I’ll go put it on now, so wait here, okay?”
“Got it. I’m looking forward to it.”
With that, she left the living room. I heard her footsteps going up the stairs, so she must have gone to her room on the second floor.
A few minutes later, as I was nibbling on some snacks, she quietly, very quietly, tiptoed back toward the living room, as if afraid to be seen.
“H-how do I look?”
Finally, the moment I'd been waiting for. Mogami-san, in her school uniform.
And when I saw her—
(S-she’s just as cute as I thought!)
—I literally forgot to breathe for a moment.
It was her first time wearing her uniform since her haircut.
Of course, there were still a few details I wanted to fix. For example, why was she still wearing her tracksuit? And as expected, her skirt was still far too long.
But, for now, none of that changed the fact that she was... just undeniably cute. So, I just clapped my hands and complimented her first.
"Thank you for existing in this world."
“S-so exaggerated!?”
No, I’m not exaggerating, Mogami-san. That is exactly how grateful I am for your existence. Because I truly, from the bottom of my heart, think that you are cute.
