“Yuzuru-san… um… I’d like to try getting a part-time job.”
“…A part-time job?”
Yuzuru tilted his head at Arisa’s sudden remark.
“I’d like to try a part-time job.”
Taken at face value, it simply meant she wanted to work—but in reality, there were two ways to interpret it.
“Do you mean you want money? Or… you want the experience of working?”
In Yuzuru’s case, it was definitely the latter.
…He’d never truly struggled for money, and likely never would.
“Well… I suppose… I want to follow your example, Yuzuru-san, and try working a little.”
“Hmm…”
“…Is that not allowed?”
“No, it’s not that it isn’t allowed, but…”
Yuzuru folded his arms and thought for a moment before answering.
“This might not be the nicest way to put it, but… at the end of the day, it’s just a part-time job. There’s not that much you can really learn from it… and it’s something you’ll have to learn sooner or later once you enter society anyway. It’s not like starting in university would be too late.”
A student’s main duty was their studies.
In high school, one should focus on academics—especially entrance exams—and club activities.
“But you’re working, Yuzuru-san, aren’t you?”
“It’s more like a hobby.”
His parents had more than enough money to cover rent, utilities, and living expenses.
To begin with, Yuzuru could have simply commuted from home.
So why go as far as living alone and working part-time?
Simply put—it was for fun.
Yuzuru himself was fully aware of that.
Meanwhile, as for Arisa—
“Um… to be honest, it’s more that I want money… or rather, there’s something I want to buy.”
At last, she spoke her true feelings rather than a polite excuse.
At that, Yuzuru recalled how her household handled allowances.
Arisa’s family operated on a per-purpose basis.
In other words, she didn’t receive a fixed monthly allowance—she was given money whenever she had something she wanted, based on the amount needed.
For a child good at asking, it was practically unlimited allowance.
But considering Arisa’s position and personality, it was more like a system where she could only obtain the bare necessities.
It seemed she wasn’t in as disadvantageous a position as before…
But that didn’t necessarily make it easier to ask.
Or perhaps—
(…Something she can’t exactly say out loud?)
For example, something like “thin books” “Thin books” refers to doujinshi—often fan-made, sometimes explicit manga/novels/ would be awkward to request from one’s parents.
He wanted to believe Arisa wouldn’t be interested in such things—but he also knew she was far from perfect.
It wouldn’t be strange if she had one or two odd things she wanted to buy.
“So, what is it you want to buy?”
When Yuzuru asked out of curiosity—
Arisa suddenly shook her head vigorously.
“N-No! It’s just… it’s nothing major—well, it’s not that it’s nothing, but… um… it’s a secret, Yuzuru-san!”
“…I see. I won’t pry, then.”
The more flustered she got, the more curious he became.
(…Some incredibly provocative underwear?)
Yuzuru briefly imagined Arisa wearing something extremely risqué—then quickly shook his head to dispel the thought.
That wasn’t a prediction anymore. It was a wish.
Besides, buying underwear didn’t require a part-time job.
She could simply list it as “clothing expenses” to her guardians.
(Well… maybe a birthday present for me, or a Christmas gift… something like that?)
With that assumption in mind, he continued.
“So about the job… are you asking me to introduce you somewhere?”
“Yes. If it’s not a bother…”
“I see.”
Yuzuru nodded.
To be honest, his own jobs largely came through his parents’ connections—it wasn’t something he could decide on his own.
There were also legal restrictions on high school students’ shifts, which made hiring them more of a burden.
However—
“U-Um… if it’s difficult, that’s fine! I’ll look for something myself…”
Yuzuru stared intently at Arisa.
Her beautiful flaxen hair, jade-green eyes.
Porcelain-like skin, soft lips, long lashes, and perfectly balanced features.
Her slender limbs, and her full, feminine figure.
…In every way, she was an attractive fiancée.
Could he really send such a lovely fiancée off to a workplace beyond his sight?
No—of course not.
There were plenty of bad people in the world.
A girl as pretty as Arisa would attract unwanted attention even if she did nothing.
And if she were ever hurt because of it… Yuzuru would never forgive himself.
If possible, he wanted to keep her somewhere within his reach.
“…Arisa!”
“Eek! W-What is it!?”
Yuzuru spread his arms wide and pulled her into an embrace.
Caught off guard, Arisa blinked in confusion.
“Out of the jobs I do… I can probably introduce you to the restaurant. They’re short on kitchen staff right now… if you’re alright with that.”
“Really?! Yes, please!”
Arisa’s voice lit up with delight.
But Yuzuru tightened his hold on her.
“…However, I have a request.”
“…A request?”
He loosened his arms slightly and looked straight into her face.
Arisa, flustered under his gaze, blushed and looked away.
“W-What is it…?”
Her eyes glistened slightly, her lips trembling.
Her pale throat shifted faintly with tension.
“Don’t take a part-time job somewhere I don’t know about.”
“…Huh?”
“I mean it—don’t go and secretly work somewhere on your own without telling me.”
Caught off guard by the unexpected demand, Arisa stared at him blankly.
Yuzuru continued.
“And try to match your shifts with mine as much as possible. Keep that in mind.”
“U-Um… y-yes. Understood…”
She nodded quietly.
Then she asked—
“Um… could it be… you’re worried about me?”
“…Well, yes. That’s part of it…”
“And…?”
Arisa prompted him.
Yuzuru thought for a moment before answering.
“Possessiveness… I guess?”
“P-Possessiveness…”
“I don’t like the idea of you talking to people—men I don’t know—in places I’m not aware of. …You’re my fiancée. Mine alone.”
At his words, Arisa’s cheeks flushed bright red.
Even her ears turned crimson as she lowered her head shyly, then gave a small nod.
“Y-Yes… I understand. I am… your fiancée, Yuzuru-san. Yours alone.”
Then she looked up at him.
There was something almost longing in her expression as she gazed at him intently.
“…What is it, Arisa?”
“N-No… it’s nothing…”
She looked away, seeming both relieved—and a little disappointed.
In response, Yuzuru—
“…Ah.”
Pressed his lips against hers.
Their lips met softly.
“Was that what you wanted?”
“…I don’t know.”
Arisa puffed out her cheeks, sulking just a little.
