When I Grabbed a Cute Girl’s Weakness, I Threatened Her to Be My Girlfriend, But She’s Too Wholesome

Chapter 32 – She Who Has Grown Strong

The school we go to doesn’t allow part-time work.

It was because of this school rule that I was able to threaten Kotone-chan, who works part-time at a maid cafe, to become my girlfriend.

But if people really found out, it would be a big problem. That’s why it was a story that could be used as a threat. That’s why it was a fact that must not be exposed.

“It was rumored in my class, too.”

“Seriously!?”

I heard from Ide that it was rumored that Kotone-chan had a part-time job, but she herself seemed completely indifferent about it.

“Well, I know the person who started the rumor~”

“Seriously!?”

It was a new fact for me.

“W-Who did it? Why did they start this rumor in the first place?”

And why is the person who is exposed to such a dangerous fact not in a hurry?

“Well, let me explain from the ground up.”

With a wry smile, Kotone-chan told me the details of what had happened.

Yes, this issue is something that has already happened.

Just the other day, a boy came to the maid cafe where Kotone-chan works part-time.

The boy was a student at the same school. Furthermore, he was in the same year as Kotone-chan, although they were in different classes.

“I was in the same elective class with that person, and we knew each other, but he soon found out that it was me.”

The moment they encountered each other, it was a big problem.

“Then he approached me and said, ‘I need to talk to you, give me some time.'”

“So, did you follow him?”

“Yeah, well… I went there.”

This again! Kotone-chan, you’re so naive!

A man who has the weakness of a beautiful girl can easily turn into a beast. Men are a real scum of the earth.

“So, he started the conversation and said, ‘If you don’t want your part-time job to be exposed, become my obedient slave.'”

“He was a real rogue!”

What a monstrous person. Even I am surprised. They must have been born in the wrong world.

If they had at least said ‘Please be my girlfriend!’ it would have been somewhat cute. I could have forgiven him with just a smile and a right straight punch.

“Um… So, what did Kotone-chan say back?”

“I reported it to the manager.”

“You reported it!?”

Well, given the devilishness of the other person, it would’ve been a bad idea to face him alone.

However, it’s true that he had Kotone-chan in a vulnerable position. Despite that, she was quick to ask for help.

“The manager had a discussion with the person, and he left immediately. The manager also said, ‘We had a good discussion. It’s okay now’, so I was relieved.”

The manager is nice enough to cover for his employee, but he’s a bit stuffy. I expect he’s a middle-aged man with a kind of sweaty, scowl on his face.

“Maybe because I refused. He told some people that I was working part-time.”

“This is seriously bad.”

“So I used my sister.”

“Hmm?”

According to Kotone-chan, she used Fujisaki Ayane’s name.

Even the word “tremendous” is not enough to describe the influence of the school idol. In this school, if Fujisaki-san says something is white, even if it’s black, it’s white. Well, she has never done anything so outrageous.

“So the bad person who’s trying to bring me down, that person’s reputation has gone down the drain.”

Moreover, I heard that he was heavily scolded by the life guidance teacher. His fangs, which had been constantly criticized by those around him, seem to have been completely broken.

It’s a relief that Kotone-chan no longer has a poisonous fang aimed at her. However, I feel like Kotone-chan had some pretty villainous moves. Please, at least stop making a shady face.

“But it doesn’t change the fact that he has your weakness, does it? He knows where you work, you don’t know what he’s going to do to you again.”

“If it’s that, it’s fine.”

Kotone-chan said confidently. Does she have a secret plan?

“Because the day I met that person was the last day I was working part-time.”

…Hmm?

“Kotone-chan, Kotone-chan.”

“What is it, Yuji-senpai?”

“Just now, I think Kotone-chan said it was the last time she was working part-time.”

“Yes. I quit my part-time job.”

“Eh, what’s with that? I haven’t heard about it.”

“I haven’t told you.”

Eh? Hmm? Eh…?

I was confused, and Kotone-chan’s cheeks turned red. Why?

“Because I don’t need to work part-time anymore.”

The reason why Kotone-chan was working a part-time job prohibited by school rules was because…

It was because it was hard for her to stay at home. She found it hard to be part of her circle of friends. Then she wanted to be independent and move out as soon as possible.

Kotone-chan laughed and called herself shallow. All her actions were driven by her complex towards her older sister, and there is no guarantee that she will be able to escape from it even as an adult.

“I see.”

So, if Kotone-chan quit her part-time job, something must have changed inside her.

She probably reached a point where she could tell herself that it’s okay not to push herself too hard or do anything unreasonable.

“Still, it’s amazing. How did you manage to deal with someone who was threatening you all by yourself?”

So the information from Ide was delayed. In the meantime, Ide has been taking care of the rumors that are left over. For the first time, I appreciated my friend’s ability.

Hmm? I didn’t really do anything this time. Rather, I’d say Ide was more helpful. I’m losing my raison d’etre.

“Fufu, because it’s not the first time I’ve been threatened. Besides, I have a very strong backing.”

“Hmm? By backing, do you mean Fujisaki-san?”

“No, I mean Yuji-senpai.”

Her eyes were staring straight at me. My face was reflected in them.

“That’s… Isn’t  that a flimsy shield?”

“For me, it’s a large, hard, thick, sturdy, splendid…wonderful shield.”

It’s a big trust. It’s the first time someone has trusted me. I’ve realized for the first time how embarrassing it is to have someone entrust their heart to me.

I feel like I’m about to turn my face away from these strong emotions. More than that, I wanted to keep looking at her.

For that, I have to say something.

“Hey, I need to talk to you…”

Kotone-chan stared at me. I cleared my throat and continued.

“Be my girlfriend. When I first said that, I said it was only for a limited time. That it would only be until the start of summer holiday…”

It’s already July.

The final exams are over and the summer holiday is just around the corner. On the contrary, Kotone-chan has quit her job at the maid cafe. That means there’s nothing left for me to threaten her with.

Even so, I have something to tell her.

“Um, about the thing where I asked you to be my girlfriend, not just for a limited time…but would you consider making it indefinite?”

My voice was shaking so badly I couldn’t even hear myself.

However, the feeling of wanting to be chosen by someone who had once given up on it. It was inevitable that it would sprout again. No, it wasn’t someone random, but I truly thought that I wanted to be chosen by Kotone-chan.

So I couldn’t help saying it. I knew I was being brazen, but I wanted Kotone-chan.