Slow Start Anthology ch11: Slow Smart

p91
>Today, I've made plans
>to have tea with Hiroe-san.
>We're heading to a nearby café...

>Fufu Hana-chan
>you seem to be worried.
>Eh?
>Th-That's because...

>Don't worry! It's my first time here
>but I've read up on the internet!
>This shop uses a ticket system so it's easy to come in...

>>Out of Order: Please place your order with the clerk.

p92
>Ah.
>Now she's the one who's worried...

>Hah...
>...I'm sorry, Hana-chan.
>I thought it'd be okay since we were together...

>Don't be!
>This place is really stylish!
>It's a convenience store eat-in counter, though...


p93
>...I've been putting in a bit of effort
>into expanding my range of activities...

>For example, the other day...
>I want to have yakiniku by myself.
>Yakinuki alone!?
>You did, Hiroe-san!?

>...No need to worry.
>All the ordering seems to be done via touch panels...
>Welcome, madam.

>Table for one?
>Y-
>Yeah.
>So far so good.
>Well then...

>Smoking
>or non-smoking.
>Which would you like?

p94
>...
>...Wh-
>Whichever's fine...
>Eh?
>Madam?

>Eh?
>Hiroe-san...
>You smoke?
>I don't smoke.
>That's not the problem...

>That kind of communication was more of an assault than I

expected!
>The interaction is the problem here!
>I've never been asked that for!!
>I kinda get it but I kinda don't.

>You don't normally
>talk to people about that kinda thing...
>Haha...
>Ah.
>The mood's gotten heavy...

p95
>I guess I'm gonna...
>stay this way forever, huh...

>...

>Th-
>That's not true!

>I mean...
>just a while ago, Hiroe-san
>you were confined to your apartment...

>But now you're together with me
>having tea at a convenience store!

p96
>The way you're trying so hard
>isn't "staying the way you are" at all, Hiroe-san!

>Hah.
>Wait.

>S-S-S-Sorry!
>I just kinda...
>N-N-No no
>It's no big deal.

>Thanks.

>...You're right.
>I'll keep trying a little longer.

p97
>And then
>on a later day.

>Hiroe-san.
>This arrived for you.
>Shion-chan was holding onto it.
>Ooh!
>Thank you as always.

>...
>...Oh yeah!

>Hana-chan
>do you mind if I show you something?
>?
>I guess I can...

>...What's this?
>A speaker?
>Fufu.
>This is no mere speaker.
>For example, if I do this...

p98
>"Please order some chocolate."
>Understood.
>Wah!
>I can use this to do shopping.

>Amazing!
>But why this all of a sudden...?
>Fufu
>Allow me to explain...

>If I keep using this
>I'll get used to talking with people!
>...Huh?
>This is how you're trying hard?

>Okay!
>I'm gonna do my best!
>...

>Lately
>I'm hearing some rather happy-sounding voices coming from the

second floor.
>I wonder if she's made a new friend?
>Happy-sounding,
>you say...
>I have conflicted feelings about this.