Chapter 47: Beautiful Girl Starts a Part-Time Job (Part 1)

"Sakura Ayumi, right? First year in high school… so this is your first part-time job?"

"Y-yep!"

I bit my tongue halfway through my answer. My ears burned red with embarrassment.

The burly, bearded man who laughed heartily—“Hah-hah-hah!”—was apparently the manager of this restaurant. His intimidating look came from the deep wrinkles on his face, his hawk-like nose, and those sharp eyes. He was pretty well-built too, though his belly stuck out just a little—probably an age thing.

Right now, I’m at a Western-style restaurant called Tamago Ginza. The name doesn’t really make sense, but it’s famous for its egg dishes. Supposedly, the cute uniforms the girls wear are a big hit among certain customers too.

As for how I ended up here… we’ll have to rewind to last night.

The Sunday after we got back from our mini beach trip, I was lying face-down on my bed, flipping through a job magazine.

Sure, I could’ve just searched on my phone, but I’d spotted some free job magazines at the train station on the way home from the beach and grabbed one.

What kind of job can I even do? Maybe a convenience store? But those have so much to handle lately… would I even remember everything?

Thinking that, I kept flipping through the pages. Turns out, there aren’t that many openings for high schoolers. In this magazine, if convenience stores are out, that only leaves family restaurants or cafés. Hmm, a café sounds nice. Kind of stylish, too.

I found a listing that seemed pretty good and kicked my feet on the bed. Maybe I’ll go for this one… though it looks kinda tough.

Oh wait—before that, I need to check if Mom’s okay with me getting a job.

I jumped off the bed, left my room, and headed for the living room.

"Mom!"

Mom, who was sitting on the sofa playing a math puzzle game on her handheld console, jumped and turned toward me.

Next to her, Kaname looked up from the weekly manga he was reading.

"What is it, Ayumi?"

"I wanna get a part-time job! Can I?"

Mom struck a thoughtful pose.

"Where do you want to work? Are you running low on allowance?"

"Aw, if Ayu-nee starts working, she’ll play with me even less!"

Mom asked for my reason, while Kaname complained.

"You’ve got friends to play with, Kaname!"

I brushed him off—otherwise, I’d never get this conversation going. He looked a bit sulky but muttered “Tch…” and went back to his manga.

"Mom, I want a bicycle."

"I could buy you a bicycle, you know… is that all you want?"

Wait—she’ll buy it for me? Sweet! …No, no, that’s not the point.

All the clothes I wear now were either chosen and bought by Mom or bought with her when we went shopping together. I’ve never spent a yen of my own money.

Once you’re in high school, you should earn your own pocket money, right? I mean, five thousand yen a month isn’t nearly enough! It feels wrong to keep asking for more every time I run out. When I was a guy, I barely spent anything—just manga or the occasional arcade run with Ryoji—but lately I’ve been hanging out more, and my wallet’s constantly empty…

"No, I’ve decided. I’m getting a job!"

"My, my, looks like my little girl’s growing up! I’m so proud!" Mom smiled. "So, have you decided where you want to work?"

I told her I hadn’t chosen yet.

"Then let’s look together!"

I sat beside her. Mom was in a great mood today—probably because she’d just solved a tricky puzzle and was feeling good about herself.

Just as she opened the job magazine, Dad came rushing into the living room looking flustered.

"I forbid part-time jobs, young lady!"

And just like that, the proclamation of No Part-Time Jobs Allowed was delivered.

Mom sighed. I was just… stunned.

"Wh-why not?!"

"…Sorry. I’ve just always wanted to say that."

I slumped my shoulders. "Then don’t say it!"

Dad looked oddly satisfied with himself. What’s that smug face supposed to mean?

"Ayumi, listen carefully," he said, suddenly trying to look serious. "It’s only natural for a father to worry. I don’t want my cute daughter doing anything dangerous. If there’s something you want, I’ll buy it for you. Let’s save the part-time job for later."

I gave him the most exasperated look I could muster. That made him panic and backpedal.

Ever since I became a girl, Dad’s gotten really overprotective. Then again, maybe he was always like this and I just didn’t notice because I barely went out before. Still, if he keeps buying me whatever I want, I’ll turn into a spoiled mess.

Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past him to hand me an envelope stuffed with cash and call it a day.

"Then Dad! I want a new game console!"

Kaname seized the moment, sensing an opportunity.

"You can go play tag outside instead."

…And just like that, he got shot down. Dad’s strict with boys—well, strict with Kaname specifically.

Still, playing tag is fun.

"Why can’t I get a job, though?"

"If you start working, you’ll be coming home late sometimes, right? When it’s school, at least you walk home with Ryoji. But for a job, you’d be walking home alone. It’s dangerous for a girl to be out by herself at night."

Grrr… he’s being reasonable about it! But normal girls work part-time all the time. Why am I the only one who can’t?

"Then how about you go pick her up after work?"

While I was struggling to respond, Mom jumped in with that suggestion—throwing me a quick wink, like “You owe me one.”

But Dad’s always home from work super late. How’s that supposed to work?

"I suppose… that’s the only way."

Even so, the fact that Dad was totally ready to come pick me up was honestly impressive. He’s probably making life harder for his coworkers because of it…

And really, I don’t want my parents driving me around everywhere. It’s embarrassing.

"Ayumi, your dad just worries about you, so how about a little compromise? If it ever gets late, just call me on your phone. I’ll come pick you up in the car, okay?"

Mom glanced between Dad—who was clearly torn up about this—and me, sulking in quiet resistance, before offering a compromise.

Well, I guess it’d be easy for Mom to come get me. She’s usually home anyway…

"Mrrgh…"

I pouted. I was finally trying to be independent, to earn my own money, and now I’d have to rely on my family again. It felt kind of disappointing.

Still, walking home alone around ten at night after a shift would be a little scary. This city, Mikawa, isn’t known for being dangerous or anything, but the idea of walking alone at night… yeah, it’s unsettling. You hear stories on the news about high school or even middle school girls getting attacked. I definitely don’t want that happening to me. So fine—I guess this compromise is fair enough.

I agreed to Mom’s idea. Dad looked a little disappointed, while I was still puffing out my cheeks.

"Ayumi, you’re just so cute," Mom said, hugging me tightly.

Even though I was pouting, she said it like it was the most natural thing in the world. Back when I’d first turned into a girl, I used to hate being hugged like this—but lately, I’ve just gotten used to it.

"I wanna hug Ayu-nee too!"

Kaname came charging toward us, but I slipped right out of Mom’s arms, and he ended up tackling straight into Dad instead.

For the record, Dad’s chest isn’t soft. It’s built like steel.

"Kaname… looks like you need some lessons in proper behavior," Dad said, catching him by the shoulders and smirking ominously. "For the record, your father disapproves of both same-sex love and incest."

The grin he gave was pure predator—sharp and terrifying. Kaname looked at me with tearful eyes, silently begging for help, but all I could do was pray for him. It was his own fault for acting up when Dad was around!

I figured this might finally teach him a lesson—but knowing my stubborn little brother, it probably wouldn’t. Meanwhile, Mom had already gone back to flipping through the job listings, completely unfazed.

After Dad and Kaname left the room, I sat down beside her again.

"Ayumi, how about this place? The uniforms are cute, it’s within walking distance, and the pay’s pretty decent too."

And that’s how I ended up here—Tamago Ginza, the restaurant Mom had pointed out.

For a city like Mikawa, where the average wage isn’t exactly high, this place actually paid quite well. Plus, the photos in the ad gave off a nice, welcoming vibe. I thought it’d be kind of stylish to work there, so I decided to give it a shot.

I called the restaurant and managed to set up an interview for today at two in the afternoon.

Honestly, I didn’t expect them to schedule it for the same day. I’d already prepared my résumé before calling, but my heart definitely wasn’t ready yet!

I had a tough time figuring out what to write for my “motivation for applying.” The real reason was “I want spending money,” but there’s no way I could put that down. Well, it’s just a part-time job—maybe they don’t look that closely. I probably didn’t write anything weird. Probably.

After fixing up my hair and outfit, I left the house. The air outside was thick and humid, and sweat started pouring out the moment I stood still.

The restaurant was only about a fifteen-minute walk from home. It was pretty close, yet somehow I’d never noticed it before—probably because I never go out much.

It was tucked away just off the main street, in a spot you’d easily miss if you didn’t know where to look. According to Mom, the food—especially the egg dishes—was really good, and it was popular among her friends. For a hidden little place like this to have such a reputation, the food had to be amazing.

I placed my hand on the door and slowly stepped inside.

"Welcome! Table for one?"

A cheerful girl greeted me at the entrance. She wore a white blouse paired with a black miniskirt, topped with a cream-colored apron that ran from her chest down past her skirt. A red ribbon tied neatly at her collar added a bright accent.

"Just one—ah, no! I’m here for the part-time job interview. Sakura."

I accidentally answered like a customer at first and quickly corrected myself.

"Ah, yes, the manager mentioned you! Please have a seat at the counter while I go get him, okay?"

I was guided by one of the staff girls to a counter seat and sat down.

The café had about five counter seats and around ten four-person tables. Since it was already two in the afternoon and the lunch rush was over, the place was mostly empty except for two tables where groups of housewives were chatting.

“Miss Sakura, please come to the back room.”

The staff girl called out to me, so I followed her toward the back of the shop.

There was a small room tucked away there, with just a desk and a few chairs—it kind of reminded me of our clubroom back at school. It must have been a staff break room or something. A desk that seemed to belong to the manager was piled high with papers, a computer, and other random stuff. Beyond that was a door leading to the changing room.

The manager was sitting at his desk. Between his large build and the small size of the room, his presence was downright overwhelming.

“I’ve brought her, Manager,” the girl said.

“Ah, thanks. You can head back to the floor.”

“Okay!” she replied cheerfully, giving me a quick wink before heading back out front.

And that’s how I ended up coming here for an interview.

As the manager talked, I realized he was already speaking as if I’d been hired. Apparently, they were really short on staff and struggling to keep up.

When he asked when I could start, I said, “I can start right away,” and for some reason, he laughed.

The manager stroked his beard thoughtfully for a moment, then nodded.

“Well then, how about we have you start right now?”

I blinked. “Wait, seriously? Like, right now…?” I mean, I said that, but I thought it was more of a “I’m eager and ready” kind of thing—not a literal you start today situation.

I’d only come expecting an interview, so being thrown straight into work caught me completely off guard. The manager was already rummaging around for a uniform that would fit me, so there wasn’t really any room to say, “Actually, maybe not today.”

Well… I didn’t have any plans anyway, so it was fine.

The manager handed me a uniform, and I changed in the back room. When I returned to the break room, the girl from earlier was waiting there instead of the manager.

“Miss Sakura! I’m Rieko Yazaki. Nice to meet you! I’ll be your senpai today and show you the ropes!”

“N-Nice to meet you!” I replied, a bit nervous.

“Whoa, Sakura-san, you’re so cute! I bet our customer count’s about to skyrocket!”

Yazaki-san exclaimed, admiring how I looked in the café’s uniform.

She seemed quite different from how she’d been out on the floor—much easier to talk to like this.

Apparently, Yazaki-san was a second-year high school student. The café itself wasn’t very big, so they didn’t have many part-timers to begin with, and it seemed that once summer break started, a few of the senior students quit to prepare for entrance exams. That left the place shorthanded, and Yazaki-san had been working nearly nonstop during the day shift. So having a new recruit was a huge relief to her.

“All right! I’ll start by teaching you how to handle customers when they come in, so come on, follow me to the floor!”

She grabbed my hand and pulled me along with surprising energy.

And just like that, my first day of part-time work began—completely out of the blue.