Ch.33 The Restaurant is Extremly Busy. Is Shuraba About to Happen?

"What can I do for you ja?"

I was in the middle of talking with Tokino when a customer called me out. As soon as I got to the table where the voice came from, I asked that question.

If this were a regular family restaurant, the way I just spoke would definitely warrant a lecture, but 'tis acceptable in this place.

Or rather, 'tis the manager's policy.

"As long as there's consideration and thoughtfulness, your language can be natural! In fact, that's somehow more appealing. Especially for Mahiro-kun."

That's what I heard ja.

Customers apparently say things like, "The old man's way of speaking is refreshing, so it's totally fine. In fact, please don't change it!"

I do not know if 'tis because they are broad-minded or simply stupid, but as long as I can do things as usual, I am able to approach my work in a relaxed state.

By the way, the name of this shop is "Kissaten Yūai" (TL: Coffee Shop Friendship).

'Tis a name you wouldn't expect from the store manager's appearance, right? Even I still think it does not suit him.

However, this is in line with the restaurant's policy.

The concept is something like providing friendly, almost like-minded customer service. That seems to be what is making this place popular.

So, that is why I talked as usual, but...

"Hmm? What is the matter noja? Customers?"

As soon as they saw me, they all froze for some reason.

There were three customers.　

Probably around 30 to 40 years old.

...Well, they are regulars. I know them by sight. Or rather, are these the eccentric people that Takahata was talking about earlier, who came to see me?

Fumu.

"Ah, sorry to interrupt you while you are frozen in place, but 'tis me, Ouka Mahiro ja."

"""EHH!?"""

Having roughly figured out the reason for their stunned state, I told them the truth.

"Oh, you finally moved. See, here is the thing ja. 'Tis 'TSF Syndrome.' I developed. As a result, I look like this now. So, from now on, please accept me in this form."

"W-wait, really? You're *that* Mahiro-kun?"

"That's a lie! I mean, Mahiro-kun was that lazy femboy, wasn't he?"

"That's right. Mahiro-kun has messy black hair and black eyes, right? And to think just by contracting that legendary disease, he turns into such an incredibly cute little girl..."

"""Yeah, no way."""

"...'Tis not a lie. 'Tis me ja. Or rather, you guys should already know that I am the only clerk who talks like this."

Actually, I am probably the only one in this shop who speaks in a relatively distinctive way.

Everyone else are speaking normally.

"Hmm... Now that you mention it, you're right!"

"Yeah! Well, people often say that they're confused when someone they know suddenly gets sick because they don't have anyone close to them who has the disease, I totally get how it feels now! This is definitely confusing!"

"A boy who talks like an old man becoming a nojaloli? Your attributes have changed too much! Mahiro-kun is the best!"

"The absolute best!"

"...Good grief. What a bunch of opportunistic people ja."

"Hahaha!" I watched the three regulars laughing heartily, and a smile spread across my face.

Everyone who comes to this shop is like this, so there is probably nothing to worry about.

If there are no complications, there should not be any particular problem.

"So, what can I do for you ja? Judging from the table, you want to order?"

"Oh, that's right. I'll have the hamburger steak set meal and coffee. Oh, and black coffee, please."

"Today's recommendation and chamomile tea for me."

"Omurice with hayashi sauce and ginger ale."

"Umu. One hamburger steak set meal, one black coffee, one chamomile tea, one today's special, one omurice with Hayashi sauce and one ginger ale, correct? Understood ja. Please wait a moment."

I wrote the items on the order form, smiled slightly, and said that before retreating into the kitchen.

◇◆◇

"Wow, Mahiro-kun with the 'nojaloli' look is just too cute."

"I bet regular customers who are fans of Mahiro-kun will be absolutely thrilled, right?"

"Yeah, that's right. But for now, let's just watch from the sidelines. We don't want to cause any trouble!"

""That's right!""

What a loved trope, Nojaloli is.

◇◆◇

"Excuse me! Could you please help me too?"

"Oh, me too!"

"Could I have another glass of water, please?"

"W-what is happening ja?! Why am I so busy noja?!"

Today is incredibly busy.

Seriously, what is with all this busyness?!

Suddenly, a lot of people started showing up!

Ugh, this is surprisingly tough for just three people to manage the hall!

"Mahiro-kun, I'll take care of cleaning up over there, so could you bring this order over there?"

"L-leave it to me! I will figure something out!"

"Ouka-senpai! It looks like someone at table number 6 spilled some water!"

"Seriously?! W-we are really short-handed! Manager! We need help! We need some help!"

"Okay, then I'll call for backup, so hold out until they arrive."

"Tell them to come as quickly as possible!"

"Okay."

Damn, he acts like 'tis none of his business, acting so carefree...!

Well, as long as he calls for backup, that is enough. Right now, the three of us just have to get through this ridiculously busy situation!

◇◆◇

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaa... This is impossible. Seriously, impossibleeee..."

"E-even me, I-I'm really tired too..."

"............"

"Is Mahiro-kun oka—wait, Mahiro-kun!? You look kind of limp! Or rather, you're turning pale!?"

"Heh, heh heh... Grandpa, is that the way? Is that the way I should go...? Ha, I am coming now, Grandpa... We will live here forever together—"

Wow... This is quite a beautiful flower field...

So, Grandpa really did live in a wonderful place, huh? I must go as well...

"Wait, Ouka-senpai, hold on! I mean, if you go that way you'll die! You'll definitely die!"

"Mahiro-kun, wake up, wake up! You'll die if you go that way!"

"Hah! W-what did I...?"

"Oh, thank goodness... You suddenly started talking about your deceased grandfather. I was really surprised."

At times like that, I could see the relief on their faces.

If I look closely, I can see that Takahata is also breathing a sigh of relief.

"...What, was it all a dream?"

However, I was disappointed.

"Why are you so obviously disappointed?! I mean, just how much do you love your grandpa?!"

"To me, Grandpa was like a parent... My parents were rarely around, so Grandpa took good care of me."

Because of that, it would not be strange for me to like him.

In a way, he was more of a parent than my actual parents were.

"You love him that much, huh."

"I do not really care what anyone says... But today has been incredibly busy. I was running around like crazy until the backup arrived. As a result, I am practically completely exhausted."

"Yeah, I guess so. I wonder if Mahiro-kun is the cause after all?"

“Me?”

"Yeah, I'm absolutely certain. Because Ouka-senpai has really turned into a cute little girl. You've become the talk among the regulars."

"Really? In that case, the reason I felt like I was getting a lot of stares when I was serving customers was..."

"Well, that's the reason. As I said earlier, senpai was already quite popular before. If someone that popular turns into a loli, of course it's going to become a topic of conversation."

"...I see."

Certainly, there is some truth to what Takahata is saying.

As I have said many times before, my appearance is the embodiment of my ideal woman.

Many Japanese people are big fans of subculture. If they have a favorite character in anime or games, they will generally project that character onto their ideal self.

If that is the case, then my appearance is actually quite appealing for a lot of people here as well.

Even I, when I look in the mirror, think, "Hmm. Well, I guess I am reasonably cute." Of course, that is to be expected since this is my ideal.

Incidentally, if this appearance was not mine, I am confident I would have fallen in love at first sight.

"That is a shame for those helpers... I am sure they did not expect it to be this busy once they come here to help us. I will buy them some drinks later."

Watching my colleague frantically running around the hall looking so pitiful, I made my decision.

It would be better to do that much.

"Ouka-senpai is surprisingly kind, aren't you?"

"What do you mean, 'surprisingly'? I have always been a kind person, you know?"

"No, someone who considers themselves kind wouldn't teach in such a harsh, Spartan way..."

"Hmm? Is it really as Spartan as you say? If you are giving up so easily, you still have a long way to go."

"No, no, no, no! That's Spartan! You will always electrocute me for just one wrong answer! And the questions you gave me are on a whole other level! Plus, senpai and I go to completely different schools, and your school has a higher academic ranking, so it's really awful! Did you know? I'm actually developing a strange tolerance for electricity!"

Now that he mentioned it, that was my study method, was it not?

This guy was incredibly stupid, so I had to do that much.

Moreover, he gets sleepy very quickly and even dozes off.

That is when I came up with the idea of ​​studying using electric shocks.

Whenever he started to fall asleep or made a mistake in solving a problem, he would receive an electric shock.

I do not think that level of damage is much of a problem though.

"Oh, that is good to hear. Well, next time I teach you, I will have to use a stronger current."

However, if he has developed a tolerance, then that is a different story.

Let me increase the power a bit.

"See, you're not kind after all! I'm gonna die!"

"You shall not worry. I am not a demon either."

"That's definitely a lie!"

"'Tis not a lie ja. I am just applying an electric current that is just barely tolerable to the human body."

"You're a demon! That's practically like hovering between life and death! Are you trying to kill me?!"

"You will not master your studies unless you do it with the determination to die for it. Especially in your case."

"Damn it... I can't talk back...!"

Takahata gritted his teeth in frustration and clenched his fist.

"When you're going to beat someone up, you have to beat them down with logic, after all."

"...Senpai, you definitely hate me, right?"

"That is not the case."

"...Really?"

"Yes. I think you are an incredibly... fun junior to tease."

"That's just awful!"

Hmph, this exchange is really quite enjoyable...

That is how Takahata should be.

"Hahaha! You two really do get along well. It makes me kind of jealous."

"Hold on a second, Tokino! What was there to be jealous of?!"

"Hmm... The part where you get one-on-one tutoring?"

In response to Takahata's retort, Tokino put her finger to her chin as if thinking, then smiled and said:

"...You're weird too!"

"Really? But I don't think I'm as weird as manager-san."

"That is true. The manager is a bit eccentric, after all. Tokino is just a normal, cute high school girl, right?"

"Oh, you're saying I'm cute."

"Well, Tokino is cute, after all. I was just stating the obvious."

"I-I see. Um, t-thank you..."

"Mu? Why is your face red?"

"I-I think I might be catching a bit of a cold!"

"Fumu. Let me see."

Seeing Tokino's flustered state, I reached out and placed my palm on Tokino's forehead as she sat.

"Fue!?"

"...Umu. Seems fine. I do not think you have a cold."

The moment I touched her, she let out a rather cute little cry, but I ignored it and continued measuring.

However, since I did not feel like she had a fever, I nodded and let go of my hand.

"But your face is red... Tokino, I think you should not push yourself too hard. They say a cold is the root of all illnesses. I would be worried if it turned into something serious."

"You're worried...? Well, then, hypothetically, if I asked Mahiro-kun to take care of me when I'm sick, would you do it?"

"Well, I have no problem with it. I like you, after all. Besides, even putting aside the fact that you are a colleague, I am still worried about you."

"...Oh, really? Ehehe..."　

Mu? Why did she look so shy?

Fuumu. She occasionally makes gestures like this, but I wonder what they mean?

One possibility that comes to mind is... that she might like me? But, well, that is probably not the case.

This girl seems like the type to show this side of herself to people she is close to.

I do not know for sure though.

"...Am I being a third wheel here?"

Putting that aside, what on earth is this guy talking about?

◇◆◇

And so, my busy part-time job, my first in a while, came to an end, and I changed into my casual clothes.

"Thank you for your hard work ja."

"Thanks for your hard work!"

"Good work."

"Good job!"

If you greet them as usual, the others will return the greeting.

Umu umu. This kind of homey atmosphere is really nice, is it not...?

Well, they should be arriving any time now.

I emerge from the back to the front and search for the people I am looking for.

Surprisingly, I found them quite easily.

As I trot closer, they immediately noticed me and their faces lit up with smiles.

"Good work, Mahiro."

"Thank you for your hard work, Mahiro-chan."

"Umu. Phew... I am hungry..."

"Judging from the looks of it, quite a lot of customers have come."

"'Twas really tough. Being a popular woman is hard."

"It sounds like a joke when you say it."

"Right?"

Engaging in this kind of lighthearted banter is somehow calming.

As expected of Miho.

"How many have been coming here today?"

"According to the manager, this is the highest number of customers we have ever had at this time of day."

"Wow, it looks like a lot of customers have come in."

"Thanks to that, we ended up having to call in off-duty colleagues too."

I brought them some drinks earlier, so I think there will not be any problems.

They smirked at me though.

"Let's eat quickly too. We need to order something."

"Umu."

"Well then, let's go right awa—"

When Mizuki started to say something,

"……Eh?"

I heard a thud as something fell to the floor.

'Tis from a place quite close to where we are sitting.

Curious about the sound, we turn to look in the direction of the noise. And there we see...

"Mahiro-kun, um, who... Are those two over there...?"

Tokino asked, with a bewildered expression on her face.

...W-what is with this atmosphere ja? Could it be...a shuraba?!

Previous | ToC | Next