Slow Start ch18

p43
>Hannen Hiroe. 20 years old.
>A university ronin.
>Currently stuck at a crossroad.

>...

>Inside?
>Or Outside?
>Kh...
>No helping it.
>>Tokura Eiko.

p44
>Hello?
>Hiroe-san?
>E-
>Eiko-san...

>Good day to you.
>You doing okay?
>It's been a while.
>Y-Yeah.
>Um, I need your advice on something.

>Do you stuff it inside?
>Or do you prefer to let it go outside?
>Huh

>Ah, well.
>This is about the shirt and skirt you picked out for me a few days ago...
>Oh, that's what it was.

>It should be fine either way.
>Just pick between in and out.
>It'll look cute either way.
>That's what I'm troubled about!

>You pick for me, Eiko-san!!!
>Inside!?
>Outside!?
>Eh...

>Whatever the person in question likes is probably the best.
>Be it inside
>or out.
>Excuse me, my ice-cream's melting.
>Gotta go.
>W-Wait!
>Eiko-san!
>Eiko-san!!!

p45
>H-
>Hana-chan...

>Ah, Hiroe-san.
>What's up?

>Eh?
>H-Hiroe-san!?

>E-
>Eiko-san...
>Waah
>What did Eiko-chan do!?

>Th-
>That's what you meant.
>You surprised me...
>Uuuh
>Sorry for scaring you.

>So
>about this blouse.
>Yes?

>Could you decide for me
>whether to tuck it in or leave it hanging out?
>Eeeh!?

p46
>I-I'm not
>good with those kinds of decisions either...
>Let alone other people's...
>There must be something you can do!
>You're the only one I can count on, Hana-chan!

>Decide for me! Inside?
>Or out?
>Eeeeh?

>O-Oh?
>What happened?
>Hweeeeh
>Waaah

>Hm.
>I wonder.

>I think tucked in is probably cuter.
>An immediate responde.
>Amazing.
>That's amazing, Shion-chan!

>I'm amazing?
>Thank you, manager!
>Now I can finally head out!

>Good for you, Hiroe-san!
>Which convenience store are you heading to today?
>No.
>I wasn't thinking of going to a convenience store.

p47
>Actually...

>I thought I'd try
>apply for a summer course at a prep school.

>I was gonna get the papers today...
>Amazing!
>That's amazing, Hiroe-san!

>From convenience stores to prep school!
>That's a huge step up!
>Wow!
>No.
>It doesn't sound that amazing.

>Ah.

>Oh yeah, I also
>have something I wanted your advice on, Hiroe-san.
>Hm?
>What is it?

>Eiko-chan's birthday is coming up soon.
>I was wondering what present I should get her.
>Hm...

>To be honest, no matter how you look at it, I'm very much unfit to be answering that question.
>Are you prepared for that?
>Even if it's something vague
>I'm begging you!
>That hurts in a way!

p48
>Hmm.
>Something for Eiko-san, huh...

>I can't even imagine what to choose for a spectacular person like that...
>Yeah...

>H-
>How about a gemstone...?
>Ah
>That sounds good!

>O-
>Or a car...
>Ooh
>Nice!

>M-Maybe a brand name bad!
>Or a luxury resort!
>Or a private helicopter!
>Or a villa!

>Kh.
>It's like Eiko-san is trying to take money from us...
>What should we do? I don't have that much money...

>What's wrong?
>I wonder.
>It feels like someone's spreading baseless rumors about me...

p49
>Oh my.
>So you
>came back to me, huh?

>Eisuke-chan would be happy with anything you choose for her, don't you think?
>E-
>Even if you say anything
>Erm...

>Anything
>Anything

>Ah.
>How about a collar to match with her dog?
>With Maresuke!
>Sorry, maybe not "anything".
>Calm down for a bit, Hana-chan.

>Hmm, let's see...
>If it's for Eisuke-chan...

>How about this?
>Oooh!

>Amazing!
>Amazing, Shion-chan!
>Aah, that's our manager!
>What a wonderful point of view!
>Oh my!
>I'm that great?

>If I'm so great, why can't I get a job...?

p50
>Regadless, I'm glad we made a decision.
>Yeah.

>Would it be alright if I paid for half of it?
>Eiko-chan has been taking care of me too.
>Eh?
>You sure about that?

>Yeah.
>I should have enough money for it.
>Okay.
>Thank you so much.

>So
>which convenience store are we buying it from?
>No.
>We're not going to a convenience store.

>The next day.
>It's almost Eiko-chan's birthday.
>Have you decided on a present, Hana-chan?
>Ah, yes.
>For the time being.

>Just kidding.
>I've actually got it sorted perfectly.
>Everyone will be so proud of me.

>t's perfect...
>So you're gonna get her a hairpin too, right, Hana-chan?
>That's the safe bet, after all.

p51
>Now then.
>I need to make sure to go apply for the summer course.

>O Month X Day
>It's raining today. I'll go tomorrow.

>O Month V Day
>It's too sunny today.
>Better play it safe and go another day.

>Looks like it'll be good weather today.

>...No.
>Today's an unlucky day, so...
>Y'know...
>Hiroe-san...

p52
>I'll do it. I'll do it. Tomorrow, I'll do it.