Chapter 58: Beautiful Girl, at Her Part-Time Job

"Welcome! How many in your party today?"

During the busy lunch rush, I darted all around the restaurant, my tied-up hair bouncing with every step.

Since the place is a small, privately run shop and we’re short on staff, I barely got any training. After one or two quick practice runs, I was thrown straight into the field. Even now, I’m working through the chaos of lunchtime.

My clubmates are supposed to drop by today, so I’d been a little nervous before my shift started… but once it did, I got so busy I didn’t even have time to think about it anymore.

"Sakura-chan, could you clear table four, please?"

"Yes!"

Even though I’ve been thrown right into the action, there’s still a huge gap between what I can handle and what my senior, Yazaki-san, can do. It’s a little frustrating.

I hurried to table four and began placing the empty dishes onto my tray.

"Excuse me, could I place an order?"

Just as I started cleaning up, a man in a business suit called out to me. We’ve been told to always prioritize customers when they call, so I set the tray down and turned to him immediately.

After taking his order and relaying it to the manager, I returned to my cleaning duties.

Working sure is tiring… I could really feel that sinking in.

But there’s no time to zone out and think about things like that in the battlefield that is lunchtime. Students might be on summer break right now, but for working adults, it’s just another weekday. Because of that, this place—Tamago Ginza—gets packed at noon. And since it’s just me and Yazaki-san running the floor, I’m practically spinning in circles.

"Sakura-chan, seat the new customers at table six!"

"Y-yes!"

"Sakura-chan, I’ll take their order, so bring the food to table one, okay? While you’re at it, check the other tables and refill their water glasses."

"Got it!"

"Sakura-chan, could you ask table two if they’re ready for dessert?"

"R-right away!"

It’s like Yazaki-san has eyes everywhere—she knows exactly what’s happening in the whole dining area and gives me directions accordingly. When it’s not busy, she usually lets me handle things on my own, but during rush hour, that would just slow everything down. So this system works. And while she’s giving me orders, she’s also doing even more work herself. She’s amazing.

"Sakura-chan, check out the customer at the register!"

The moment I finished serving dessert to table two, Yazaki-san called out again. And as soon as she did, she grabbed two plates and rushed off toward the dining area. Wow… she moves so fast.

Motivated by her energy, I hurried over to the register.

"Your total is 1,100 yen!"

It was the same businessman I’d taken the order from earlier. When I get to handle a customer from start to finish like this, it gives me a real sense of accomplishment. Without even thinking, a genuine smile spread across my face—not the forced kind you put on for work.

The man paused, hand halfway to his wallet, his face turning slightly red.

…Huh? Did I mess something up?

"Keep it up, okay? I’ll come again."

He smiled as he said that.

He praised me! I couldn’t help but feel happy. Getting complimented by a customer really does make my day.

"Thank you very much!"

When I first started this job, I wasn’t sure I could handle it, but now that I’m getting the hang of things, it’s actually kind of fun.

"Sakura-chan, you’re doing great!"

Yazaki-san’s voice sounded genuinely pleased.

"Actually, when you’re not here at lunchtime, some customers ask, ‘Oh, is Sakura-chan not working today?’ It’s amazing—you’ve only worked a few shifts, and already people are noticing! Thanks to you, our customer count’s up!"

"Haha, that’s an exaggeration."

Even if it’s just flattery, hearing that made me smile without meaning to.

"Aaah, seriously, you’re just too cute. Having a junior like you—I’m so blessed! I’m really glad I didn’t quit when we were short on staff!"

Yazaki-san’s the type to say exactly what’s on her mind.

Still, if she had quit, the shop probably would’ve had to close during lunch hours. Now we have a few more people who can cover daytime shifts, but when I first started, it was really just her. I still can’t believe she managed it all alone.

Once the lunchtime rush ended, the restaurant grew quiet. We took advantage of the lull to tidy up trash and refill condiments on the tables.

That’s when they arrived.

Four figures appeared outside the shop. They really came… I thought to myself. What could possibly motivate them this much…? The pudding, maybe? Sure, the pudding here is amazing—I love it too—but they didn’t have to come while I’m working! N-not that I’m jealous of them eating pudding, okay?! …Well, I did get scolded once for staring at a customer’s pudding too long…

"Y-Yazaki-san!"

"Yeah? What’s up?"

She looked surprised when I suddenly called out, but she stopped refilling the condiments and turned to listen.

"Um, s-so… I have some friends coming soon. Could I ask you to handle their table?"

"Eh? Wouldn’t it be better if you served them yourself, since they’re your friends?"

"B-but… it’s embarrassing…"

My face went hot with embarrassment, and I pressed my hands to my cheeks to hide it.

"Whoa, that face is seriously too cute. Don’t go awakening that side of me, okay?"

That side? What side…?

As I watched Yazaki-san turn her back to me and take a deep breath, I couldn’t help but wonder.

"Alright then! If that’s how you feel, I’ll handle seating them. But you should at least take their order, okay? I’m sure your friends want to see you working hard!"

"Ugh… okay…"

If possible, I’d love to leave everything to her…

But there’s no way I could ever say, “You handle it all.” Especially when Yazaki-san’s even busier than I am. I should be grateful she’s agreeing to help at all…

"Since there aren’t any customers right now, chatting a little should be fine. Just not when new customers come in, okay?"

Saying that, Yazaki-san put down the condiment bottle she’d been holding and went to get ready near the entrance.

I started preparing glasses of water.

The door slowly opened—and, as expected, the ones who entered were Ryoji and his group of four.

Yazaki-san greeted them and guided them to their seats. She actually knows Ryoji herself, but you’d never tell from how naturally she handled it, completely unfazed. Ryoji’s dropped by a few times during my shifts before, but every time, it’s just… embarrassing to serve him. Regular customers are total strangers, so that’s fine—but when it’s someone I know, it’s a whole different kind of awkward.

"Sakura-chan, I seated them at table three. They’re all yours!"

"Y-yes!"

Once Yazaki-san returned, I balanced the glasses of water on a tray and headed to the dining area.

Ahh, why am I so nervous? Delivering water to them feels way more stressful than to any regular customer.

Table three was a window-side booth. As I approached, Moeka-chan—who was sitting on the aisle side—noticed me and waved enthusiastically. Seeing that, Sakurako-chan, who was also on the aisle, turned around and waved too.

"Welcome!"

I gave a small bow and started placing a glass of water in front of each of them.

I could feel their eyes on me—all four of them. My smile nearly twitched, and even my hand holding the glass trembled slightly.

"Once you’re ready to order, please call for me!"

I somehow managed to get through the line and breathed a small sigh of relief. Just as I was about to turn around and leave, Moeka-chan called out to me.

"Ayumi-chan! Ayumi-chan! Hi there!"

It’s hard to just ignore someone talking to you like that.

Well, Yazaki-san did say a little chatting is fine as long as there aren’t any customers around, so… maybe just for a moment.

"Y-yeah. Hi! …You guys really came, huh?"

"Of course! How could we not come when we can see such an adorable waitress in action?"

Sakurako-chan replied, beaming from ear to ear.

"Ugh, please don’t stare too much. It’s embarrassing…"

The more they looked at me, the hotter my face grew. I hugged the tray against my chest, trying to hide behind it.

"Wait! Wait! That move is cheating! Look, Tougo’s already out of commission!"

Cheating? What does that even mean?

I glanced at Tougo and saw him completely frozen, mouth slightly open as he stared at me.

"Ayumi, that’s a perfect score!"

Ryoji gave a broad grin and stuck his thumb up, his teeth gleaming like he was in some commercial.

What’s even supposed to be a perfect score here?!

"A-anyway, I should get back. Once you’ve decided your order, call for me or my senior, okay?"

Any longer and I’d seriously die of embarrassment, so I blurted it out all at once and bolted straight back toward Yazaki-san.

She greeted me with a mischievous grin.

"That was quite a reaction! I bet your friends were thrilled."

"Mmh… more like they were teasing me!"

Yazaki-san burst out laughing.

"Hahaha! Well, you are cute, Sakura-chan. I can’t really blame Ryoji and his friends for wanting to tease you!"

"Yazaki-san, not you too! Geez!"

I turned away with a pout.

"Mm. You know, the fact that you can pull off that kind of gesture so naturally and not make it seem annoying—that’s honestly impressive," said Yazaki-san, sounding genuinely impressed.

Apparently, our little commotion had reached the back of the shop, because the manager came out.

"What’s all the noise? Did Sakura-chan bring her friends today, not just that usual guy?"

By “that usual guy,” he meant Ryoji. He’d been coming here pretty often even before I started working, so the manager already knew his face.

"That’s right, boss. They said they came all the way here just to see Sakura-chan in action," Yazaki-san explained cheerfully.

The manager gave a small nod.

"Alright then. Once you finish taking this order, go ahead and take a short break. You can chat with your friends for a bit. Oh, but make sure you change first, of course."

"Eh? Really?"

I glanced toward Yazaki-san. It didn’t feel right to take a break when she was still working.

"Oh, me? Don’t worry about it. I’ll rest after Sakura-chan’s done with her break," she said easily.

I still felt a little bad about going first, but in the end, I decided to take her up on the offer.

Just as we finished talking, the customer call button beeped, so I headed back to the group.

"Have you decided on your order?" I asked.

"One of the waitress’s smiles, please," Ryoji said, flashing a grin and giving a thumbs-up.

"Have you decided on your order?" I repeated flatly.

…I ignored him. No way was I humoring that kind of teasing!

"Ayumi-chan, four puddings, please!" said Moeka-chan brightly.

"Got it," I replied.

Of course it was pudding. The shop had several desserts, but pudding was easily the best. The manager often let us sample them, so I’d tried everything on the menu—but the pudding, made with the same care as our egg dishes, was unbeatable. As expected of Ryoji, the regular—everyone made a great choice.

I glanced toward Tougo. Earlier, he’d looked kind of out of it, but now he seemed fine. Ah, our eyes met.

"A-Ayu-chan... you look really good," he said, a bit flustered.

"Thanks," I replied, smiling shyly.

He was so straightforward that it actually made me blush a little.

"Oh, right. Once I tell the kitchen your order, I’ll be on break. Mind if I sit with you all?"

"Of course! ♪ Then we’ll need to make it five puddings instead!" Moeka-chan said with her usual cheerful smile.

"Alright, give me a minute then," I said, heading back toward the kitchen.

I passed the order to the manager, told Yazaki-san I was going on break, and went to the changing room.

When I returned and sat down at the table, Yazaki-san brought over the puddings. "These are on the house—manager’s treat," she said with a wink.

Everyone cheered in delight. The manager really was generous.

"But only this once, okay!" Yazaki-san quickly added, flustered by their reactions.