Episode 30: I’ll Lend You a Hand as Much as You Want Me To

(TLN: I forgot to mention this during the last chapter, Volume 2 of WN was initially c28, but the illustrations for v2 from where I downloaded it stretched far as early as c25.)

“Haa…”

This time, I was making a program for the first time in a long time, using a language called "Excel V00A" for the Excel program.

In order to reduce Momoi's workload, I decided to create a document that could be automated by the student council, so that they could manually enter values in the fields and create a format at the touch of a button.

...Speaking of which...

I opened the site and looked at the now closed site for making a request to KAI.

There were many names of companies, a brief description of the job, the price, and an email address to contact.

It's a random list of companies when I open it, and I always try to find a job from among them.

The reason for the randomness is that there are so many of them that the first person to post or something like that will be invisible, so I try to keep it even.

But, I’m the only one who can see this.

All the clients could see were the fields and notes.

If the same company submits a request before KAI accepts the request and closes the site again, all requests from that company will be deleted and the site will be unusable until the next time. The reason why is because it would be a hassle if the same thing was posted over and over again, and since a lot of companies use this site, it was to prevent the same companies from opening it and also to reduce the heaviness when browsing the site. Although the announcement only said that it would be displayed randomly, there was actually another way to view it. And that was to be able to sort it from highest to lowest by amount of payment. ...Let me tell you this, all of this was A-san’s idea okay? Shut up… That’s right, at the time I only acted as I was told, just like a puppet… Well, however, since they were entering the amount of money, many companies predicted that they would be looking at the highest order as well. So, for a while after we created this site, there were a lot of people who entered 8 million or something like that. But, over time they slowly disappeared. It’s because I wouldn’t take on the high-paying jobs. There are two reasons for this. The first reason is that if it’s too expensive, the cost will be too high, and KAI’s intervention may be exposed. The second reason is just simply because I don’t want to accept it. ... Because, no matter how you think about it, it just seems annoying… There’s no one who will clear any mistakes of mine if I ever get in trouble, unlike before. That’s why, I ignore those kinds of jobs. It's not that I want to try something difficult, it's just that I want to be able to program. But even so-- the decent ones with normal amounts of money are also poor with lottery tickets! I mean, there are no decent requests being received by KAI at all! No, there are some decent ones every once in a while, but… Such people usually give short deadlines. Well, I can’t help it… And it’s my fault for not showing myself either. Well, that’s also why a rumor spread around KAI in which he would not accept a request if the price was too high. That’s why, when Byodoin Systems asked me to accept their request for 20 million yen, I thought A-san had come back. A-san knows that I can look at the requests in order of the amount of payment. I thought that A-san might’ve been involved because the offered amount of money even though it was well known that I would not accept a request with a higher price, also the request came from Byodoin Systems and the content of the request was to modify the AI anti-virus software that I had created before. The result was-- a complete miss… I just went there to make myself feel uncomfortable… The guy who came out in charge that time was called Shinjo, but it wasn't him. I frankly felt that he was the wrong actor. At least, I don't think he has the power to do that much so that I, a junior high school student, can work. Well, there was another person I came in contact with… Alice Byodoin-- after what happened during our encounter, I thought she was very smart. And the name Alice seems to have a connection with A-san -- Haha, that’s just unlikely. I mean, I was in junior high school at the time. And she’s probably around the same age as me, so I presume that it would be impossible. Because how can a junior high or high school student that I don't even know, approach me as someone from Byodoin Systems? Besides, it must have taken a lot of connections to pull off something like that. Even if she is the daughter of one of Japan's three largest conglomerates, there is no way that a girl who is not yet old enough has those kinds of connections. So, it is reasonable to assume that KAI tried to negotiate an unbeatable price, since they usually do not accept requests to modify programs made by others. ...I would have liked to meet A-san… *knock knock knock-- Ah, she’s here… While I was thinking about A-san, there were knocks on the door. It must be Momoi, who has become a familiar face in this room these days. “Yes?” When I opened the door, Momoi was there dressed as usual after her bath. I still haven’t got used to Momoi’s appearance like this. Or rather, I don’t feel like getting used to it forever. It’s because Momoi's after-bath appearance is so sexy and cute. “Ehehe~, I’ve come again.” Momoi said that to me with a shy smile on her face. …I can’t take this anymore… What’s up with her, she’s too cute… The current Momoi is just as cute as Sakura-chan… not good, yes. For a moment, Sakura-chan's smiling face with sound effects crossed my mind, but I immediately shook off that thought. Well, it’s fine, but I just don’t want Momoi in my room today. “Sorry Momoi, today’s no good.” “Why not?” “No reason.” When I said that, Momoi puffed up her cheeks. ... Hey, can someone do something about this child’s infant-like regression…? My heart can’t take it anymore. (TLN: Same here bro.) “Is it, really no good…?” Momoi looked up at me with an upward glance. “...It’s fine...” “Hooray! When I nodded while being struck by Momoi's cuteness, Momoi jumped up and down with joy. ...This girl, does she think I’ll forgive her for anything as long as she plays cute…? No, well, yeah I forgive her… You know what they say? What’s cute is justice. That’s why, I can’t help but accept it all the time… By no means, it’s not that my feelings are weak. Definitely not! “So, what were you doing just now?” Momoi walked in and sat down in front of the computer, which was now in a fixed position, and asked me. “Hmm? Ah, I’m trying to automate most of the paperwork in the student council as much as I can. When I said that, Momoi opened her mouth with a surprised expression. “But, weren’t you busy with work...?” Momoi asked with an apologetic look on her face. See, this is why I don’t want to let her in my room. I predicted that if she knew that I was making a program for her, she would definitely mind it. Which is why I was planning to make it in secret and give it to her later… Really, what was I doing tens of seconds ago...? This is what happens when you don’t pull yourself together, okay? I really can’t beat Momoi’s cuteness. “I’m sorry…?" Perhaps it was because I was thinking and didn’t respond to her, Momoi looked up then apologized to me. Yeah, it’s impossible. It’s impossible to fight against this. It’s because she’s too cute... No wonder I lost a few dozens of seconds ago... I sat down next to Momoi, thinking to myself. “I’m doing this on my own, you don’t have to worry about it, Momoi.” While sitting next to Momoi, I said that. “But, if you’re doing it for my sake, won’t that make your job harder?” I shook my head towards Momoi. "It doesn't matter what happens to me. I can take care of it later. My priority is to reduce Momoi's workload. I don't want you to stay late at night anymore. Also, if something happens and you have to go home when it’s dark, call me, no matter what time it is. I'll pick you up.” “Eh, but, I feel bad about it... I can go home alone, even if it’s dark.” Momoi replied and shook her head. This girl, she’s really… I was annoyed by Momoi’s words. Which is why, I’ll properly tell her what I think. “You know, do you realize that you’re very cute? When you're walking alone at night, strange men might come to you. That's why you should be worried, right?　Do you understand what I'm saying here?” “Ah, yes…” I said what I was thinking to Momoi while speaking quickly. Momoi looked surprised, but nodded her head at my words. Really... This person has no real sense of danger. She usually comes to a room of a man of the same age everyday in her pajamas after taking a bath… What’s more right now, she sits at a very close distance that our bodies nearly made contact with each other. ...Eh? I’m the one who sat later than her, right? Which means, it's my fault that we're in such close proximity right now, right? Eh, the sense of distance had gone crazy before I realized. Eh, this is bad in all sorts of ways, isn’t it? “Ehe, ehehe~” … Hmm? As I was puzzling over the fact that my sense of distance was getting out of whack, Momoi suddenly started laughing. “What’s wrong?” “Ah, no, it’s nothing!” When I looked at Momoi and asked, she hurriedly waved her hands in front of her face. “Is there something strange in what I just said?” “No no no, I was just laughing at the funny things I remembered today!” “Hee...what things exactly?” I was curious about the incident that was so funny that it made Momoi laugh upon remembering, so I asked her about it. Momoi seemed troubled for a moment, but quickly opened her mouth. “The look on Kanzaki-kun’s face when I chopped you earlier.” “Hey! You're making fun of me! Wait, you were behind me, how did you even see my face…?” “With my mind’s eyes-- Yes, I genuinely saw it with my mind!” “Oh come on, you could’ve told a better lie than that.” “No, no, it’s true! I can see it with my pure mind just like my eyes! It’s just that Kanzaki-kun’s mind is full of dirty stuff to see!” “Oi, how dare you…” “Ahahaha!” Without thinking, Momoi's last words gutted my heart and made me depressed while she just laughed in amusement.

No, it’s not that I took what Momoi said seriously.

I was just shocked because I was aware of how dirty my mind was.

Or rather, that’s not what the eye’s mind means.

It means seeing through the important point of things.

This girl, I’m starting to wonder if she’s actually smart.

Lately, I’ve been thinking that the top rankings on the national examinations are actually a lie.

But when I saw Momoi smiling so happily right now, I thought it didn't matter anymore, so I sighed once and turned back to the computer.

Part 2

As soon as I saw Kanzaki-kun turn his head back to the computer screen, I casted my eyes downward. (TLN: For those who are confused, this is Momoi’s POV now.)

--Did you hear that!?

Hey, did you hear that!?

Just now, Kanzaki-kun said I’m cute!

What’s more, he looked so amazing!

No, no, no!

You’re making me blush!

Because, it’s the first time he ever told me that I’m cute!

But, I’m not good at fooling around during the spur of the moment~...

Just why did I have to say Kanzaki-kun’s face was strange!

I was able to pass it off with a laugh as I said a good joke, but it’s different if he got angry about that!

Thinking back, there’s nothing wrong with his face!

His face had always been so handsome!

But, it’s a shame that I can only see a bit of his eyes!

... I wonder if I would be able to somehow see it all?

How about, why not pretend to fool around, then cut each other’s bangs with scissors!?

... No.

If that ever happens, he’ll probably be furious about it.

If that’s the case, how about lending him my hair clip just like before?

But, there was a good reason for that time…

I’m sure if I lent it to him now, he’ll say something like: “My bangs are in the way? It’s fine, I’m perfectly used to it and can still see anyway.”...

I spent the next hour or so trying to figure out what I could do about Kanzaki-kun's bangs.

Part 3

(TLN: Back to MC’s POV)

After about an hour of me concentrating on my own, I call out to Momoi for a break.

"Momoi, can I talk to you for a minute?

“--Hiii! What, is it?”

For some reason, when I called out to Momoi, she looked very surprised.

Did I just startle her by speaking out to her so suddenly?

But, it seems like she’s kind of awkwardly turning away from me...?

Perhaps, this girl’s…

“Were you planning something just now?”

“W-w-what are you talking about!? I don’t think you should be accusing me of anything!?”

What an obvious person…

I’m really wondering what she was thinking about just now, but well, I don’t want to waste too much time on it.

“For the time being, I’m going to explain to you how this program works, your smartphone-- not fully charged yet… Can I ask you to prepare a notepad right away?

“Ah, yes!”

Momoi nodded at my words and pattered out of the room, returning soon after.

I explained to Momoi how the program works.

The format of the values to be entered for each item and the format of the document can be selected by using a drop-down list where you can select a character to enter. Also, the format of the sheet changes according to the character, and the program runs using the name of the sheet, so don't ever change the name of the sheet.

I was still in the middle of making it, but it was almost time for Momoi to go to bed, so I went ahead and explained faster.

Later on--

“If you want to use the same name for something, don't put the name in the second field, but put the word "same" in it. If you use the same name, it will show up as a different thing when you reformat it.”

“Well, why is that?”

“This way it's easier to add the new changes later on. So if you have any requests, please let me know right away.”

“Umm, but, it gets in the way of your work...”

Momoi said and looked at me apologetically.

Really, this person only cares about others…

I really wish she also thinks about making things easier for herself...

“Like I said before, don’t mind about me. I just want you to have an easier time, Momoi. So that you can get home earlier and we can spend more time together, okay?

“Eh...?

“And since you probably don't know about shortcut keys, I'll tell you that you can use Ctrl+C to copy, A instead of C to select the whole text, X to cut, and V to paste. Just remembering these things will help you work faster. Besides, you can work hard on your own, but if you want--”

--Tap.

“--!”

As I was talking, Momoi put her head on my shoulder.

Eh, what the hell is she doing!?

This isn’t family territory anymore, is it?

“Umm, Momoi...?”

I looked at Momoi fearfully.

Then--

“...zzz--zzz---”

--There, Momoi cutely breathes in her sleep.

... Eh?

She’s sleeping?

How long was she asleep already?

I mean, it’s not like I was talking to myself the entire time...

Well, but…--

I looked again at Momoi’s cute sleeping face.

... She’s probably tired from working so hard…

I want her to stay as she is, but I can’t work like this.

I don’t want to type on the keyboard using only my left hand and also…

Even if I want to take her back to her room to sleep, I can’t just enter without her permission.

It can’t be helped then…

As I finally decided what to do, I lifted Momoi's head off my shoulder for a moment, stood up, put my right hand behind Momoi's knee, and put my left hand around her back and held her.

“--!”

Hmm...?

Just now, did she freak out or something?

“Are you awake?”

I call out to Momoi while being held in my arms.

But then--

“...zzz--zzz--- munyamunya~...”

--There, she was breathing and talking in her sleep, something like that.

... Really now, there’s actually people who go munyamunya in their sleep...

With that in mind, I carried Momoi to my bed and laid her down.

“I’ll wake her up when I'm going to bed, but until then, take your time and sleep. Right then, good night, Momoi.”

--With that said, I put the quilt on Momoi.

Part 4

(Momoi’s POV once again)

“~~~~~~!”

When Kanzaki-kun put me down on the bed and went back to the computer, I writhed on the bed, covering my face with my hands so that he wouldn’t notice.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, he suddenly hugged me like a princess!

I was just pretending to be asleep!

But that's okay, because I’m insanely happy right now!

I mean, he said something about wanting to be with me more, and I couldn't help but indulge him, so I put my head on his shoulder!

That’s why I pretended to be asleep to cover it up...

He was confused, but he didn’t mind at all, right!?

But next time, is it okay if you do it while I’m awake!?

Well, well, let’s see if we’ll have more chances!

More importantly--

“I’m surrounded by Kanzaki-kun’s scent~... I’m so happy~...”

I'm lying in the same bed that Kanzaki-kun always sleeps in!

Yes-- in the bed that is soaked with his scent! (TLN: Ah yes, Momoi awakened her smell fetish.)

But, it doesn’t stink at all!

In fact, he smells so good!

Also, when I’m surrounded by his scent, it feels like I’m surrounded by him too!

... It feels nice…

Because, the only time I can be with him is at night…

Which is why, it’s okay to let off some steam like this once in a while...

Sakura and Saijo-san are so unfair!

No, Sakura is my cute little sister, but still, she manages to go to school with Kanzaki-kun in the morning, eat lunch with him, and even leave school with him!

That’s really unfair!

I want to go to school with him and have lunch with him too!

And I also want to take a detour too on the way home!

It’s also unfair that Saijo-san gets to call Kanzaki-kun as Kaito, very attached to him, and hugs him a lot!

I also want to call him by his name and hug him lots too!

But, I can’t do those things, so moments like this, let’s me cool off!

So please, don’t think of me as a pervert!

... Huh?

Doesn’t this mean, if I just pretend to be asleep when he wakes me up, he’ll have no choice but to sleep with me because there’s no place where he’s able to!?

What’s more is that this isn’t a double-sized bed, which means it’s too small for two people to sleep on unless they hug each other!?

Wow, what’s this!

I wonder if God gave me this reward for working so hard everyday all by myself!?

Ehe, ehehehe~...

Kanzaki-kun, hurry up and come here already…

One hour has passed since then--…

Fufu, it smells so good~.

Ahh, I don’t want to get out of here anymore~.

I still want to enjoy this scent too, so it’s fine if Kanzaki-kun doesn’t come either~.

Two hours passed--...

Is he, still not done yet?

I’ve already enjoyed the smell so much, so it’s fine for you to come now...?

Three hours passed--...

Mouuu...

He’s late…

Are you trying to tease me, Kanzaki-kun...?

It’s not good to make me wait…

I’m not good with waiting, you know?

Hurry up and come here already...

Four hours passed--... (TLN: Damn, I can’t even keep myself awake this long doing nothing)

Eh...

Why aren’t you coming here...?

Could it be, he already knows that I’m awake!?

Well, well, let’s wait a little longer...

Five hours passed--... (TLN: At this point, I just feel bad for Momoi now)

Hey, how long do you intend to stay up!?

It’s already three o’clock!?

I know you finished the program you were working on for me a long time ago, because I heard you talking to yourself.

No, I'm the one who delayed it, and you're still working on it now, I'm sorry!

But, if you don't come soon, I won't be able to take it anymore!

“Haa~, well then, it’s time to wake up Momoi and get some sleep…”

“--!”

C-come!

I have to make sure he doesn’t know I’m awake!

“Oiii~, wake up~...”

“.....”

“Momoi, oiii~...”

“.....”

“Hey, it’s time for you to get up and return to your room.”

Perhaps because I didn’t wake up with words, Kanzaki-kun tried to shook my body.

But, I still never got up.

“I’m in trouble... She’s not waking up at all... What should I do?”

Finally, Kanzaki-kun gave up on shaking me.

Fufufu~...

I knew Kanzaki-kun was going to give up soon, so I waited with excitement and felt thrilled.

“What am I supposed to do in this situation…? Oh, I should just tickle her.”

“--!”

Wait, that’s not good!

I’m not good with tickles!

... Wait?

Maybe, if Kanzaki-kun does it, it could probably be good?

Rather, you’re uerukamu! (TLN: yes, it’s like this in the raws which is welcome)

“Actually no, I wouldn’t want her to get mad or hate me for doing that though…”

No, no, no, no, I won’t get mad or hate you though!?

So give it a try, okay!?

“Haaa~... Looks like I have no choice…”

Ehh?

Did he give up on tickling?

Then come on, get under the covers! (TLN: Damn, this girl is so wild.)

Perhaps my thoughts had gotten through to him, because Kanzaki-kun grabbed the quilt.

Finally, he’s coming!

I braced myself, hoping that this time…

But then--

“Hey-- Momoi, it’s okay to work hard alone, but don’t overdo it, okay? I’ll always do my best for you if you want me to... Well then, good night.”

Kanzaki-kun whispered softly in my ear and gently pulled the covers back up to my shoulders, which had shifted due to my giggling.

After that, he immediately left the room.

“...That’s just unfair…”

I muttered to myself when he was gone.

“That’s very, very, very, very, very sly of you!”

Then I jittered in his bed, holding my face with my hands.

Like, who wouldn’t fall in love with someone who said something like that to them?

Why does he always make me squirm in agony!

I want to make him writhe once in a while too!

B, but--... when you said that, that means you care about me a little bit, right?

Mouu~... Is it fine if I call you Kaito-kun now?

Or do you prefer just Kaito?

Uuuu~... this is so troubling…

Besides, my birthday, July 7th, will soon be here.

I want the date I promised to play with him before to be on that day.

Because it's great to be able to go on a date with the person you love on your birthday, isn't it?

You promised a day to play with me by ourselves, but since it’s a man and a woman playing together, it’s already a date!

I won’t allow any objections!

Ehehe, Kanzaki-kun, I hope you remember my birthday…

Well, with that said, let me just say this--

“--Why do you go away when the girl is all ready and waiting for you in your own bed, you spineless mannnnnnnnnnnn!” Haaaaa~...

--End.

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