Chapter 48: Beautiful Girl Starts a Part-Time Job (Part 2)

"Right, when a customer comes in, greet them with a big smile. After that, ask how many people are in their party and then guide them to their seats!"

"Y-Yes, ma’am!"

"Aww, you bit your tongue! So cute! Don’t worry too much—you’ll be fine. I mean, even if you mess up, the moment you smile, they’ll already be charmed, Sakura-chan!"

If only all customers were that easy to please… With how plain and awkward I am, if I mess up, some grumpy old man will definitely snap, “This isn’t some kid’s playhouse!” Ugh, I really am clumsy. I shouldn’t be thinking this after getting hired, but I’m so nervous. Even if I try to smile, it’ll probably end up stiff and twitchy.

"Well, it’s fine to be nervous. When I first started, I spilled a whole plate of omurice on a salaryman’s face! But I apologized, and he didn’t even yell at me!"

That’s probably because he didn’t have the energy left to yell after that, not because she apologized…

W-Well, mistakes happen to everyone, right?

My senior at work, Yazaki-san, is always cheerful and doesn’t seem like the type to sweat the small stuff. Actually, she doesn’t seem to sweat anything—small or not.

She’s a second-year in high school, one year ahead of me, though we go to different schools.

"Okay! When the next customer comes in, try greeting and seating them yourself, alright? Oh, and you don’t need to take their order yet. If they try to order, just call me over."

"Y-Yes!"

The next customer would be my very first. It was already well past lunchtime, so I had no idea when someone might actually come in.

By the way, the group of housewives that had been here before my interview had already left by the time I got back to the floor.

The restaurant was completely empty. Yazaki-san was busy restocking condiments.

As for me—well, I had no idea what I should be doing. I was basically just getting paid to stand around.

"Yazaki-san! Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Hmm, let’s see… I’d ask you to clean outside, but then you wouldn’t be able to practice greeting customers."

She pressed a finger to her chin, thinking.

"Oh! Never mind—looks like a customer came in faster than I expected. Go for it, Sakura-chan!"

She gave me a firm pat on the back, sending me toward the entrance. My heart pounded as I waited to see who it was.

The shadow behind the door grew larger, stopping right in front of it—then the door opened. Alright, smile, smile! Give it your all! …Wait, what does it even mean to smile seriously?

"Welcome!"

Yes! I didn’t stutter! And I nailed the smile! Perfect score!

Alright, next—ask how many in the party.

I finally looked at the customer’s face.

"Ah—Ayumu!?"

It was a familiar face.

What’s Ryoji doing here…? Sure, it’s close to my house, so it’s close to his too, but why now of all times?!

"Table for one, sir? Please follow me this way."

My voice went completely flat by the end as I led him inside.

"Wait—seriously, you’re just gonna ignore me? Ayumu-san!"

"This way, please—the counter seat is open!"

I practically forced Ryoji onto the stool and darted back behind the counter. Mission complete.

"Hey, Sakura-chan, you know Ryoji?"

Yazaki-san greeted me with a grin as I came back. Wait—“Ryoji”? That means…

"Yazaki-san, you know Ryoji?"

"Me? Yeah, totally. He lives in my neighborhood! We used to hang out a lot when we were kids. Not so much after middle school, though. But funny story—when I started working here, we ran into each other again! Apparently, he was already a regular before I joined."

I nodded along as she talked. So he’s been coming here for a while, huh…? Great, I’ve stumbled right into his territory without even realizing it.

"So, you’re friends then?"

"Yes. We’ve been friends since middle school."

"Ah, I see!" Yazaki-san nodded, then suddenly clapped her hands as if something had just clicked.

"Aaah! So you’re the super cute girl Ryoji’s been talking about lately! That makes so much sense now!"

Wait—he’s been talking about me behind my back!? Part of me wants to know what he said… but also kind of doesn’t.

Yazaki-san marched straight over to Ryoji’s seat.

"Ryoji! That cute girl you mentioned—you said her name was ‘Ayumu,’ but it’s Ayumi-chan, right? If you’re gonna gush about her, at least remember her name!"

Ryoji glanced at me nervously.

"Uh, no, see, there’s a reason for that…"

"Getting someone’s name wrong is still rude!"

"Like I said, there’s a reason! I know what her real name is!"

"Knowing it and getting it wrong on purpose is even worse! Poor girl!"

Yazaki-san bulldozed every excuse he tried to make. Her energy was overwhelming.

Of course, the truth is, he actually didn’t get it wrong… but there’s no way she’d believe that even if I said so.

Eventually, Ryoji went completely blank—defeated—and Yazaki-san returned to me.

"Sorry about that! He’s just so stubborn sometimes. Always been that way—stubborn, dumb, and a total perv."

That last part had nothing to do with the situation… but somehow, it all felt absolutely true, so I couldn’t say anything.

I decided to just play along.

"Right? I really wish he’d stop being such a pervert."

"Wait, what? Sakura-chan, did he do something to you!?"

Things took an unexpected turn, and poor Ryoji got caught in the crossfire. After being grilled by Yazaki-san about everything that had happened, she simply said, “I’ll deal with him later.”

Sorry, Ryoji. Round Two looks like it’s going to be brutal.

Well… it is kind of your fault, so… yeah.

…Still, sorry. The way Yazaki-san was cracking her knuckles, I can already feel something terrifying coming.

"So, Mr. Super Pervert Ryoji, what’ll you be having? Raw egg?"

"That’s not even a meal!"

The two of them started bickering right away.

I stood back and watched them argue, thinking how close they seemed. When it’s your friend and your friend’s friend talking, it’s hard to find a place to jump in. For someone like me, who’s not great at being assertive, that’s a pretty high hurdle.

But still, seeing him having fun with someone I barely know… made me feel a little left out.

Not that I’m lonely or anything! Nope! And besides, we’re not supposed to chat while on the job anyway! Even if there are no customers right now… and all the prep for the evening rush is already done…

"Hey, Ayumu, this lady looks like she’s only willing to serve me raw eggs. Mind putting my order in instead?"

Ryoji suddenly tossed the conversation my way.

He could’ve just kept chatting with her!

"I can’t take orders yet!"

I turned away sharply.

"Uh… are you mad?"

"N-Not at all!"

Okay, maybe just a little. It felt like being left out of a game, and it made me grumpy—like a kid whose toy just got taken away.

In the end, Ryoji somehow managed to get Yazaki-san to take his order for him.

While the manager was busy cooking in the kitchen, I started wiping glasses to keep myself occupied. The clock was nearing four.

"Hey, Sakura-san, after you deliver this, you can clock out for today. I just wanted you to get a small taste of what the job’s like."

The manager’s voice came from the back as he finished up.

Sitting on the counter was a beautiful omelet—soft, golden, and perfectly shaped. It smelled so good my mouth started watering just looking at it. I cook sometimes too, but I could never make something this perfect. Probably not even Mom could. So this is what real professional skill looks like…

If Ryoji comes here often to eat food like this, his taste must be way more refined than I thought. He’s always snacking on my homemade lunches or eating what I make in the cooking club, saying it’s delicious—but compared to this, I’ve got a long way to go. I want to improve. To train.
…Wait, do I actually want to work in the kitchen instead of the dining area?
Not that it matters—the kitchen positions aren’t even open right now.

I carried the plate to Ryoji’s seat at the counter. Yazaki-san stood beside me, saying she’d watch to make sure I handled things properly, even if it was just with a friend.

"Here’s your order, sir."

"Ah, thanks… though hearing you say it like that feels kinda weird."

I placed the receipt next to him.

Beside me, Yazaki-san gave an approving thumbs-up.

"Alright, Sakura-chan, that’s it for you today. Sorry for dragging you into this—today was supposed to be just an interview, but the manager got a little spontaneous."

"No, it’s fine! I got a bit of experience out of it, so I’m glad. I’ll be heading out then!"

I bowed politely to Yazaki-san.

She watched me for a moment, then suddenly reached out and patted my head.

"Ah, sorry! I just really wanted to pat your head for some reason. No idea why."

I have no idea either… but people seem to love patting my head way too often.

"Huh, you’re heading out already, Ayumu? Then how about sitting next to me for a bit?"

"Eh? You mean just sitting there watching you eat?"

"…It would be my honor to treat you, ma’am."

"Wait, what!? I didn’t mean it like that!"

I was planning to leave—just watching someone eat sounded boring, and I didn’t want to make him uncomfortable by staring at him while he ate… but if he’s offering to pay, well… maybe I’ll stay a little.

"Then let’s get Sakura-chan our shop’s special dessert—our famous custard pudding!"

Yazaki-san smiled brightly at us.

"Ugh, Rie-nee, that one’s expensive…"

I peeked at the menu on the counter. Wow—Ryoji’s omelet was 700 yen, but the pudding was 450 yen!

That’s kind of pricey by my allowance standards. And since Ryoji doesn’t have a job, I figured his budget isn’t much different from mine. Then again, he probably helps out at his family’s crepe shop sometimes.

Still, making him pay just so we can walk home together feels kind of wrong.

"Ryoji, you don’t have to pay. I’ll cover it."

"For real? That’d be—"

Ryoji looked a little relieved at my suggestion and was about to thank me—but Yazaki-san cut him off with a sly grin.

"Oh my, oh my. Ryoji, you make your cute little lady friend wait, and now you’re going to make her pay, too?"

What a wicked smile. She kept grinning at him, eyes locked on his the whole time.

Ryoji ground his teeth in frustration. Honestly, it’s just pudding—we don’t have to make such a big deal out of who’s paying.

"I’ll treat Ayumu, okay? Just wipe that creepy grin off your face."

"Then go get changed, Sakura-chan. I’ll tell the manager to bring out two puddings."

"Two?! That’s more expensive than my omelet!"

"Did I ever say one? Our pudding’s delicious, so let her have two."

Ryoji was completely at Yazaki-san’s mercy. Usually, I’m the one who gets teased, so watching him squirm for once felt kind of refreshing.

I started heading toward the back of the café. Yazaki-san was still saying something to Ryoji, so I paused mid-step and listened for a second.

"I heard you’ve been getting handsy with Sakura-chan? Don’t worry, I’ll wrap you up in a straw mat and float you down the river later. Just wait for me at home, okay?"

Ryoji… sorry. Looks like it’s going to be a rough day for you.

Apologizing silently in my head, I continued on to the changing room.

When I came back out after changing, two puddings were already waiting on the counter. She really did bring two.

"Ryoji, are you sure about this? I can pay for mine."

But Ryoji just stared blankly into space.

"Ryoji?"

"Huh? Oh, no, it’s fine. I was just… thinking about what’s going to happen when I get home."

I doubt she’d actually roll him up and dump him in a river—but judging from that serious look on his face, maybe something close to it wasn’t off the table.

Feeling a little sorry for him, I turned my attention to the pudding instead. The glossy yellow custard, covered in caramel sauce, gave off a sweet aroma that could make anyone happy just by smelling it.

I scooped a spoonful—soft and silky—and as soon as it touched my tongue, the rich sweetness and eggy fragrance spread through my mouth.

I can’t believe pudding this good exists! I couldn’t help pressing my hands to my cheeks as a smile crept across my face. You can’t help but smile when something tastes this good.

"Having such a cute girl in your class, huh? I’m jealous. Maybe I should’ve gone to Mikawa High too!"

"Yeah, sure. But with your grades, Rie-neechan, you wouldn’t have made it in."

"Ryoji! Weren’t you the one stuck in remedial classes? Who’s the idiot now?"

"Shut up."

By the time I finished my pudding, Ryoji had cleaned his plate, too. Even though I’d offered to pay, he really did treat me.

When we stepped outside, the sun was already sinking, but the air was still heavy and humid.

"Can’t believe you actually started working part-time, Ayumu. And at my regular café, no less."

We walked side by side. Technically, Ryoji’s house was in the opposite direction, but he said he’d walk me home.

"I was the one surprised! I just happened to take this job, and suddenly you show up. And you seem close with the staff, too."

"Close? Nah. We just go way back. Haven’t really seen each other since middle school."

"Hm. If you say so."

"What’s that supposed to mean? Come on, she’s cute, isn’t she?"

We strolled down the main street together. Come to think of it, I hadn’t seen him since the start of summer break—it’d been a while.

"Are you planning to keep working there, Ayumu?"

"Yeah, that’s the plan."

Ryoji looked genuinely happy at that.

"Nice. Now I’ve got even more reason to drop by. You’ll have to tell me your shifts."

"Ehh, I don’t know. Having someone I know show up while I’m working is kind of awkward…"

"Aw, don’t be like that."

"Ugh… Oh! I forgot to tell the manager I’ll be gone for two days for the camp. I need to call later!"

We chatted like that all the way home.

At the door, I waved goodbye to Ryoji and went inside. When I told Mom what had happened today, she listened with a delighted smile.

Back in my room, I went over the day’s events. New experiences are fun, and meeting new people is exciting, too.

Working at that café seems like it’ll be a lot of fun. I might’ve said I didn’t like the idea, but honestly, I don’t really mind if Ryoji drops by once in a while.

I’ll work hard during summer break! I pumped myself up with a little burst of determination right there in my room.