Chapter 77 – The Hopeless Takasu Ryuji
"Asakura, is there any part-time job you think would suit me?"
During PE, after running around, Takasu Ryuji sat beneath a tree and asked Kaede beside him.
Asakura took a swig of water and said, "Depends what you want out of it. If you just want to toughen up and don't care about pay, any busy fast-food place will do. But with those fierce eyes of yours, you'll need a manager with nerves of steel to hire you."
"W-what if I want better pay too?"
Takasu pressed, and Asakura glanced at him, unsurprised—Ryuji's family wasn't well-off; his mother, Takasu Yasuko, supported them alone. She really was a remarkable woman.
With that silent sigh, Asakura grinned. "If you want both money and self-training, there's one perfect job—and the pay can be huge if you're good."
Not only Ryuji, but even Kitamura Yusaku, who'd just come off the court, was curious.
"Oh? What job is that? Spill it!"
Asakura flashed a mischievous smile. "A host."
"..."
"..."
Ryuji and Kitamura froze, wordlessly staring at him.
Asakura shrugged at their expressions. "Hey, don't think it's easy. You have to handle all kinds of women, keep them happy—why else would they throw cash at you? The muscle-bound pretty boys are bottom-tier; the top hosts make ladies fight to hand over money just by talking. It's a skill."
Though caught off-guard, Kitamura nodded with a laugh. "True, I've read articles—tough gig. But isn't that a stretch for Takasu?"
"I don't think so," Asakura said, eyeing Ryuji. "He's good-looking, and those eyes could be the club's trademark—some customers go for that."
"..."
Ryuji wiped sweat from his brow. "Quit teasing. Something impossible for me. A simple weekend restaurant gig is fine—I've housework and studying to do. And no club's hiring a minor for that anyway."
Asakura and Kitamura exchanged glances and shrugged. "Anyone who says this guy's gullible is lying. He knows exactly what's what."
"Who're you calling gullible? It's common knowledge—this isn't some other country; hosts are everywhere!"
Clapping Ryuji's shoulder, Asakura glanced at two figures playing badminton. "Enough. Stick to restaurants. When you land a job, Kitamura and I'll drop by to cheer you on. But first, let's do some 'training' today."
He grabbed Ryuji's arm and pulled him along.
Ryuji knew who waited ahead—today's PE class combined C and E sections. "Hey, don't do anything weird!"
"What's weird?" Asakura smiled. "First steps are always hard. Even I've chatted with Kushieda-san a few times; you're just stalling. Even if romance's off the table, friends are good. Man, you really are hopeless."
Though nervous, Ryuji gave a grateful nod. "All right, let's try."
"OK. Spare rackets over there. I'll break the ice."
Each grabbing a racket, they walked up to Kushieda Minori and Oosaka Taiga.
Normally, with Minori's outgoing, sporty vibe, guys would swarm to join when classes merged—and she'd rarely refuse.
Trouble was, the Taiga stood beside her, the same girl who once floored a second-year kendo club Senpai.
Even after a lecture from the dean and a written apology, Taiga still carried her wooden sword daily—Asakura had seen it himself.
Their classmate who'd been playing had already stepped out, exhausted, and even E-class boys hesitated to approach Taiga.
The Taiga's fearsome rep had spread across Toyosaki.
Word was the kendo captain wanted to recruit her—why invite trouble?
Asakura stepped up. "Kushieda-san, care for a doubles match? Two-on-two is more fun, right?"
Minori turned, smiling. "Oh, Asakura-kun—and Takasu-kun, right? Sure, the more the merrier!"
Ryuji blinked; Minori knew his name though they'd barely met off-campus.
He gave a shy grin. "Nice to play with you."
Taiga, eager for real competition, said, "Minori, let's team up—we'll crush them!"
Minori laughed. "Come on, Taiga, it's just for fun."
Asakura shrugged. "A little rivalry spices things up. So, Taiga, how about a wager? Makes it interesting."
"Don't call me Taiga! I'll kick you!"
Still, having met him before, Taiga only scowled and asked, "What wager?"
"Most points before the bell rings wins; losers buy juice—deal?"
"No problem, it's a deal!"
Oosaka Taiga, who never thought she and Kushieda Minori would lose, readily agreed and pulled her friend to the side.
Kitamura Yusaku, who loved excitement, also ran over and became the referee.