Active JK Idol Seems to be Interested in Me Who is a Free Person. - Chapter 40 English

 Chapter 40 - JK Idol's Father Seems Interested in the Candy Shop

"After this, I'll go for a walk with him."

Kazunari-san said that to the driver and requested the waiting pick-up car at the hotel to depart.

"Eh, go for a walk with me...?"

"Himahara-kun, can you teach me how to play like you taught Nako?"

"Even if you say that..."

"Please, I'm begging you!"

Kazunari-san sincerely bowed his head.

"Please, don't bow like that!"

"Well, I know you won't refuse."

Even though he forced me.

I felt nervous, and my stomach kept feeling uneasy.

Finally, Kazunari-san and I left the hotel and headed into town.

An odd scene, walking around town with the father of my classmate.

"What do you usually talk about with Nako?"

"Uh... usually about places we want to visit or foods we want to try. Basically, Nako does most of the talking, and I just listen."

"Ah, I see. Nako likes to talk, so it must be challenging for you."

"Well, not really. Nako's stories are quite interesting."

"Oh, I see. Well, that's good then."

After that, Kazunari-san kept wondering if Sakurazaki had done anything inappropriate.

I kept reassuring him that there was no problem because I found it easier to interact with her when she was being himself.

Instead, I asked about something that had been bothering me.

"... Uh, you often say that you've raised Nako strictly. Have there been times when Nako rebelled or went through puberty?"

"Puberty. Since she regarded strictness as something normal in her socialization process, there was hardly any rebellion until she became a high school student. That's why I was so surprised when she suddenly handed me that letter when she became a high school student."

"I heard about it from her mother. It seemed to be about changing schools."

"Ah, I was extremely surprised at that time. I was always busy with work, so I never thought that she felt isolated."

"I was also surprised when I first met her and talked to her. I thought if she's active in the entertainment world, she must have many friends."

"Maybe we men can't understand those values."

At that moment, Kazunari-san suddenly stopped in front of a certain shop.

"Himahara-kun, I've always wanted to go to a shop like this since I was a kid."

The place indicated by Ishinari-san was a candy shop.

The shop was located on a quiet street near the busy downtown area filled with buildings.

"A candy shop, huh?"

"Yeah. Himahara-kun, I want you to teach me many things."

"Eh, but is this to your liking?"

"It doesn't matter. Come on, can you accompany me like you do with Nako?"

"Well, alright."

We entered the shop and looked around.

The shop was a regular candy store, with various candies that used to be commonly sold here and there.

The shop owner, an old man, was slightly surprised by the sudden arrival of customers but smiled and greeted us with a "welcome."

"... So, this is a candy shop. All these candies are sold at very cheap prices."

"Yeah, that's right."

After Kazunari-san entered the shop, he wandered around, his eyes sparkling as he looked at the items inside.

"Himahara-kun, what's this?"

First, Kazunari-san became interested in a particular game.

"Oh, this is a game where you can win shopping coupons for this candy store."

"Ah, I see."

By inserting ten yen from the top left, you pull a lever to move the ten yen coins left and right, trying to avoid falling into the hole in the middle and reach the goal at the bottom.

"Shopping coupon?"

"Yes. If you win this game, you can get a shopping coupon worth fifty yen that can be used in this store."

"Fifty yen? Are people playing this just for fifty yen?"

"For children, they enjoy playing with ten yen and are happy if they can get fifty yen."

"Oh... So, how do you play?"

I took out ten yen from my wallet and started playing.

"You insert ten yen like this, then try to avoid falling into the hole and aim to reach the goal."

"Ah, I see."

I continued skillfully and carefully pushing the ten yen down.

"Himahara-kun, now you just have to reach the goal."

"Yes. But it's quite difficult."

With focus, I directed the ten yen towards the final challenge.

However, at the last second, the ten yen fell into another hole and didn't reach the goal.

"Well, that's how it goes."

"Alright, now it's my turn, but... Himahara-kun, I'm embarrassed to say that I only carry a credit card."

I understood immediately.

I took ten yen from my wallet again and handed it to Kazunari-san.

"I'll return it to you ten thousand times over someday, so don't worry."

"I don't need it! Why are you trying to give such a large amount of money to a high school student like me?"

Ishinari-san continued to enjoy the game with an innocent childlike expression.

I didn't know for sure, but perhaps Kazunari-san had harbored a desire to play in a candy store since he was young.

Parents often limit various things for the sake of their children's well-being.

However, never forget that it takes away the child's freedom.

I live freely and make choices freely because I have no parents to control me, and I still live that way.

But many people are not as free, and through Sakurazaki and Kazunari-san, I learned about that.

This was Kazunari-san's tenth time playing this game.

"Himahara-kun! We finally reached the final stage!"

"Be careful."

"I understand."

Kazunari-san skillfully maneuvered the ten yen and successfully reached the goal with a brilliant move.

"Yay!"

"Wow, that's awesome!"

The two men rejoiced in the corner of the small candy store.

I wondered how others would view us if they saw us.

"Himahara-kun, I really feel the weight of this fifty-yen shopping coupon now."

"Oh, I see."

Well, the cost spent to obtain it is actually double the value of the coupon itself.

After that, he eagerly enjoyed the candy store with a fresh reaction.

Both of us played like children until the sunset.

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"The most exciting part is guessing whether a fox or a raccoon dog will come out of the wheel of fortune. And there are also small, strangely colored mochi that look unhealthy. They are delicious, I want to buy them in a big box someday. Oh, and also..."

As we walked back, Kazunari-san was still in a childlike mood, excited like a child.

I felt that it was also similar to Sakurazaki, or you could say it was Kazunari-san's gene that made her like that.

"Himahara-kun, today was fun. I felt like playing with my son."

"....I also felt that way. I imagined that's what it feels like to have a father."

"...I'm waiting for the day when you become my own son."

"Father..."

As we spoke, we arrived at the station. Kazunari-san got into the waiting car and rolled down the window.

"I would greatly appreciate it if you could join again next time."

"Ah, yes. I understand."

"And... even though she's foolish and like a clueless child who doesn't know much about the world, I hope you can take care of Nako from now on."

"....Yes!"

The car started moving, and finally, the tiring day came to an end... I thought.

"Hi-ma-ha-ra-kun!"

I was tapped from the side, and I immediately turned around.

There, she stood wearing her usual jersey and fake glasses.

"I saw the location of Dad, and came here."

"...Sakurazaki."

This time, it's her.

"I came because I knew Himahara-kun would feel lonely after I said we wouldn't meet during the summer vacation."

"Oh, well, it's okay. I'm tired and want to go home."

Sakurazaki forcefully grabbed my arm and started walking.

"After the lesson, I want to eat something sweet."

"Eh, seriously, why are you always so forceful..."

"Yes, that's how it is!"

Sakurazaki stood in front of me.

"Actually... I'm the one who feels lonely..."

As she said that while bowing her head, Sakurazaki whispered.

After hearing that, I sighed and started searching on my phone.

"Himahara-kun?"

"Is there a sweets store around here? I'll look for it now, so wait a moment."

"...Yay!"

Yes, it's similar to the smile I saw earlier.

(Summer vacation arc ends)

Next Chapter Preview:

"What were you talking about with Father?"

"Oh, that, just a conversation between men."

"Wow, tell me!"

"...Uh, about sons and stuff."

"A conversation between men... sons... Himahara-kun, you shouldn't get involved in lewd conversations like that with Dad."

"For now, you should hurry up and get through your puberty."

Next, "JK Idol-san Wants to Talk at School Too".

Translator: Janaka

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This is the end of arc 1. See you again in arc 2.