The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten

Chapter 197: Cultural Festival and Service Practice

Preparations for the cultural festival proceeded successfully under Itsukis lead.

Part of the reason was that it was their second year doing so, and everyone was used to it. More importantly, the boys and girls of this class were clearly united for selfish purposes.

They were naturally busy, as they had to tend to their studies and prepare for the festival, but Amane was numb to the hustle, and felt strangely fulfilled.

Oy, theres a mistake on the flyer. Redo it before it gets sent for printing. How can we make a mistake on the school address?

Wheres the tablecloths? I heard theyre bought but I cant find them!

Our profits will drop if we buy it at usual price

The students finished their assignments, and Amane and others heard the buzz while being guided on how to serve their customers.

Fujimiya-kun, erm, smile.

Smile.

Too stiff, too stiff.

The girl in charge was a part-timer at a cafe, Ayaka Kido, and she was giving a wry smile at Amane, who was giving a fake smile.

It was not that Amane could not smile, but to her, his smile was a little rigid.

Hmmm, just smile as you usually do. A forced smile makes it stiff and unnatural. Relax a little more.

But thats how I am since Ill be serving customers.

Just think of the customers as potatoes.

Potatoes

Amane-kun, you can assume them as eggs.

Mahiru, who too was being guided, quipped jokingly.

She understood that Amane liked eggs, given their interactions over the past year or so, but Amane did not want to smile at customers like they were egg dishes, and it did not matter to him.

This isnt the problem, so Amane thought, but he deliberately chose not to retort since Mahiru looked so happy, and scratched his cheek.

Anyway, many people say that its better for you not to force a smile, make it normal. Try and get him to relax.

Who said I look better when I look natural?

The girls in our class? I heard thats the feeling they get whenever they see you with Shiina-san.

I dont feel comfortable to be seen.

Youre not flexing?

Im not.

Hows that deliberate? Amane glared at Itsuki, who stared back dumbfounded with a this guy has no self-awareness implication. Shut up. Amane retorted.

Mahiru blushed a little, and showed a faint smile. She gave him a comforting, bashful look, and her face was a little redder, so it seemed she had some self-awareness. To be precise, she might have finally noticed it, given her personality.

The other girls led by Kido started nodding away.

I think youre most relaxed when youre with Shiina-san, Fujimiya-kun.

Whats that about?

Well, the aura or sort.

Hm?

Sometimes it feels like that.

Amane was clueless, but it seemed Mahiru had some inkling as she tried to hide her own shame.

Her eyes contained some shame, and along with some uneasiness. Kido noticed it, and started laughing, waving her hands to deny it.

Dont worry dont worry Shiina-san, I have a boyfriend. Im not interested in stealing someone elses.

Th-this is not what I am worried about

You dont have have to hide it. Youre worried that your boyfriend is attracting attention, right? Im more interested in muscular ones though, and Fujimiya-kun is too skinny for me to consider.

Youre making it sound like Im a beansprout.

Amane assumed that he had gained some muscle mass, so the too skinny left him in some despair. Itsuki had once boasted that Amane had more muscles, but it might be hyperbole compared to how the latter was once like.

A-Amane-kun is not a beansprout. His skin is a little whitebut ermo-once he removes his clotheshe does have some muscle.

Oh, so he looks amazing when he strips?

Youre making it sound wrong! Dont say anything that theyll misunderstand, Mahiru!

But they are sturdy.

Alright now, youll be the one embarrassed later.

Amane hoped that she would realize that whatever she said would have implications, that she had seen and touched his body.

In fact, they merely clung onto each other in swimsuits, and it was nothing indecent per say, but it would not be strange for these words to be understood as something else. Mahiru did mention that Amane was gentlemanly, and everyone probably knew that they did not do it.

Mahiru quieted down once Amane said so. Feeling relieved, Amane looked around, and there were warm stares around. Tch, he clicked his tongue, mainly at Itsuki.

Eh, why are you giving me that look?

Your smile annoys me.

Youre pushing too much blame onto me. Alright, stop flirting and start practicing.

Amane left his issues aside, and clicked his tongue at Itsuki again as the latter prompted him once again. He then gave Kido a displeased look, and Kido laughed.

I know you two are really close, dont worry. Just smile and serve the customers. Your gestures are gentlemanly anyway, so you should be fine as long as you follow what I taught you.

I dont think Im ever elegant.

He did not think he was a brute, but he did not feel that he was elegant anyway. He was perplexed to hear her say this, but Mahiru smiled understandingly.

I suppose it is because of your parents influence, Amane-kun. They are very graceful.

I cant call mom that, but she doesnt do anything to cause discomfort.

So you spent time with Fujimiya-kuns family, Shiina-san

K-Kido-san

Sorry sorry.

Amane frowned at a giggling Kido, which caused her more amusement. Thus, he and Mahiru ended up basked in the warm smiles of many the entire time.