Candy Time Episode 4 Nagisa

In the soft morning light of the kitchen, I woke up a bit earlier than usual today.

The reason? The sounds of my sister, Ayame, getting ready next door.

Ever since she moved in, this is how my mornings begin.

"Big brother, good morning!"

Ayame calls out cheerfully from the kitchen.

"Good morning, Ayame. Nice weather today, isn't it?"

I reply while setting up the coffee maker.

The morning sun streaming through the window makes her brown ponytail sparkle.

"Yeah! I’m going to check out a club at university today!"

She continues excitedly while eating breakfast, her eyes shining with anticipation for new experiences.

I was a bit worried after yesterday’s incident, but she seems fine.

"Ah, clubs, huh? Interested in the art club again?" I ask casually.

"Mmm, I want to explore everything since it’s university! Art is cool, but I want to try all sorts of things!"

"Always so curious, aren’t you? You used to jump into anything that caught your eye."

"Ahaha, that's true! Remember when I got obsessed with making mud balls from a YouTube video and started my 'Beautiful Mud Ball Shop'?"

"And that homemade board game that turned family meetings into chaos."

"Yeah, but it was fun!"

Ayame says, her eyes gleaming.

"You also tried playing the guitar and went through a phase of trying to score 100 in karaoke."

"Hehe, I just like trying out lots of things," she says with a shy smile.

"But the one thing you’ve kept up with is drawing, right?"

Drawing has been a hobby of mine, too.

Maybe influenced by me, Ayame still draws from time to time.

"Yeah, drawing is special to me. But trying new things is always fun!"

Watching her, I'm impressed by her constant drive to embrace new challenges, and I’m reminded that I want to continue supporting her.

"Oops, look at the time."

Checking the clock, I realize it’s time to leave.

"I’ll head out first."

"Okay! Have a good day at work!"

(I thought I’d be more comfortable living alone, but...)

I’ve gotten used to having Ayame around.

With her usual cheerful send-off, I head to work.

☆☆☆☆☆

At work, I greet my coworker, Mika.

"Good morning, Mika!"

"Morning. Counting on you today as well."

Seeing Mika's face triggers a flashback of that dream, but the events of yesterday helped me calm down a bit.

(Mika really is beautiful…)

Mika is a stark contrast to the gentle Emi, embodying a strong and cool beauty.

She's the epitome of professionalism, leading our team with excellence.

She's impressively handsome in a way.

And yet, she's supportive, which makes her especially popular among the female staff.

She’s quite popular among the male staff too, though they also find her a bit intimidating.

(And she turns into a mess when she drinks…)

Mika loves her liquor but avoids drinking usually.

She had a major blunder with a client at a drinking session when she was new.

Since then, she’s refrained from drinking at work-related meals.

I recall her venting about the stress of holding back during one of her tipsy rants.

Knowing these little-known facts about Mika gives me a sense of privileged insight.

"Good morning, Haru!" Emi greets me.

"Ah, good morning. Thanks for recommending that great restaurant yesterday."

"You’re welcome!... Was Ayame okay afterward?"

Emi asks, a concerned look on her face.

"She’s fine. Seemed scared yesterday, but she was her usual self this morning."

"That’s good to hear! But since they’re classmates, it might be awkward at school. Hope he doesn’t do anything weird…"

While there are concerns, I’m not too worried.

From what I saw yesterday, it’s unlikely that the boy will try anything with Ayame.

Plus, she knows a bit of martial arts, so any ordinary boy might find himself outmatched.

It’s great that her diverse interests and willingness to try new things give her a sense of security.

Poor kid, though; he’ll have to manage the awkwardness for a while.

"Emi-san! Senpai! Good morning!"

Nagisa greets us in her usual quirky way.

Suzuki Nagisa, our energetic junior by two years, recognizable by her red glasses.

She always seems playful, but I know she’s actually quite serious at heart.

Nagisa was immediately assigned to the same team when she joined the company.

Initially, she had a very reserved demeanor, but somehow she transformed into the kind of junior whose pranks are practically a second skin.

Did I somehow misguide her development?

"Senpai, you're not thinking something rude again, are you?" she asks, skeptically eyeing me while adjusting her glasses.

"It's nothing," I dismiss casually, but then Nagisa throws another question my way.

"By the way, where did you two go last night? I was so worried last night that I could only sleep at night!"

"Seems like you slept just fine. We were just out for a meal and a work meeting."

"Hmm, really now?" she peers over her glasses, giving me a skeptical look.

"I half expected you couldn't resist and whisked someone away!"

"Whoa, Nagisa! That's not it at all! We did go to the hotel district, but..."

The moment those words leave my mouth, I swear her glasses sparkle with mischief.

"Emi...If we don't talk in detail, the misunderstanding will only deepen..."

"Senpai's a wild beast! A pervert! A beast!" she exclaimed, and for some reason she said "the beast" twice.

Wait, not that, I mean—

"It's a misunderstanding! There was just a restaurant next to a hotel..."

"Ohhh... so a premeditated crime, then!"

"No, that's not it! Emi chose the place..."

"What? Emi did? How bold!"

"No, that's not what I meant!"

As I try to clarify, it feels like I'm just digging myself deeper...

"Hmm...it looks like we're having a really fun chat," Mika interjected, a scary smile on his face.

"Ah... Mika-san!"

"If you're talking leisurely, then I guess you've already got the documents I asked for."

Turning to face her, I find Mika standing there with a pleasant smile, though her eyes tell a different story.

Looking around, I notice Nagisa has conveniently disappeared.

"Sorry, not yet," I admit honestly.

This is one of those moments when making excuses only makes things worse.

Mika sighs softly.

"That's fine. While it's important to communicate with your team, you need to manage your tasks as well."

"Yes!"

Phew, just a warning without further consequences, but then...

"Just make sure you don't talk about taking people to hotels or anything indecent loudly in the office."

It was Nagisa's fault... but before I could protest that I might add fuel to the fire, I just nodded in agreement.

☆☆☆☆☆

"Senpai! Let's grab lunch together!" Nagisa calls out after having abandoned me in the morning.

"Hello, Nagisa-san, who left me and ran away."

"Ugh! Ah... that was a tactical withdrawal! Staying would have only increased the damage!"

Ignoring her peculiar justification, I ponder lunch options.

"I think I'll go for a beef bowl today."

After a few days of splurging, I opt for something cheap, quick, and tasty.

"A girl invites you out and you choose a beef bowl place!?"

"Is that a problem?"

"Not at all! Let's go!"

Nagisa's lack of fuss is genuinely refreshing. It's like hanging out with a guy friend—casual and straightforward.

"Alright, let's go then."

"Roger that!"

☆☆☆☆☆

The beef bowl place is bustling with salarymen at lunch. After a quick meal, we head to a nearby park to relax in the spring warmth.

Nagisa runs off to the swings. "Senpai, you should come swing too! It's all free now!"

"No thanks, I'll just relax on the bench."

Watching her, I envy her carefree spirit, and yet, I value her for the easy companionship she offers, a rarity for someone as introverted and socially awkward as myself.

Mika, despite our long acquaintance, isn't someone you can joke easily with—unless she's had a drink.

Emi, my cohort, doesn't make me nervous, but she stirs a different kind of flutter in my heart.

Thinking about it, aside from family, Nagisa might be the only one around whom I don't have to pretend.

(Well, maybe there's one more...)

Lost in thought, I'm suddenly jolted by Nagisa's shout.

"Pervert!"

"Senpai! You were looking at my underwear just now!! You really are a beast!"

"Uh, ah? No?"

Apparently, I'd been staring blankly at her while she swung in her skirt.

"It's not like that. I was just spacing out."

"Really?" She gives me a skeptical look.

"Really, really. Besides, there's not much to see with you, right?"

"Harsh! What do you mean by that? Now I can't get married! You better take responsibility!"

Ignoring her complaints, I note it's time to head back.

"Alright, break's over. Let's go."

"Ahh! Running away again!"

☆☆☆☆☆

"Senpai! Senpai!"

As the day winds down and work is almost done, Nagisa approaches again.

"What's up?"

"You free tonight? Let's go out and have some fun!"

Hmm, I could, but I've been staying out late and spending too much lately.

"Sorry, planning to head home tonight."

"Got something else planned?"

"Not really."

"That's terrible! After what you did with Mika-san two days ago, and Emi yesterday! I'm the only one left out!"

"Hold on! Don't shout about misunderstandings!"

Nagisa theatrically pretends to cry and makes a shocking statement, which earns her co-workers looks at her strangely.

"Okay, let's go! Be quiet!"

"Understood!"

When I agreed, Nagisa's mood immediately improved and she smiled broadly.

He has a good personality...

"So, where are you going?"

“It’s a secret!”

That line feels nostalgic.

She had heard her conversation with Emi yesterday.

Well, there's no need to worry about anything dangerous happening with Nagisa.