Ch.65 How They Met. Aristia's Story - First Half

"Now that we have finished talking about Mashiron, who has the most emotionally heavy past, 'tis time for the next one ja. There are three left: Mizuki, Aria, and Yui-nee... Who would it be now?"

"Well... I know a little bit about how Mizuki and Mahiro first met, but it's really just a little bit. Although, it seems Mizuki herself remembered every single word Mahiro said at the time."

"Of course, those were my first love's pick-up lines!"

"No, I do not have any intention to pick you up noja..."

Wait, so I am your first love?

...Well, considering Mizuki's fetish, or rather, her type, that makes sense.

"Well, I suppose yours was the most meaningless one, so let us save Mizuki's story for last."

"Why?!"

"I just said 'twas meaningless ja."

"It's not meaningless at all! That was the biggest runaway of my life!"

"That is not something to brag about."

What is the point of bragging about running away from home?

"So, next up is either Alice or Yui-san."

"Miho? Why are you acknowledging that I should be the last one?"

"Huh? But, in reality, it's kind meaningless, isn't it?"

"...It's not...it's not that meaningless mon..."

Wow, when Mizuki says "mon," it sounds really cute.

(TL: I usually translated "mon" As "after all" Or just not include it when it's not necessary, but this time I'll leave it as is for obvious reason)

As expected of my husband.

"So, shall I go next?"

"Hmm, well, let us gi with that. So, next is Aria. Aria is—"

With that said, I began to tell the story of how Aria and I first met.

◇◆◇

That was around May of last year.

"Thanks for the meal, manager. It was delicious again today."

"Ou, thanks as always, Mahiro-kun!"

"'Tis nothing. I quite like this cafe. I will leave the money here. Well then."

That day, I was at the usual cafe, "Cafe Yūai," for dinner.

As usual, I ate my meal, paid the bill, and got up to go home, when-

"Ah, wait a minute, Mahiro-kun."

The store manager stopped me.

"Mu? What is wrong noja?"

"Well, actually, I have a favor to ask of you."

"A favor?"

"Yeah. Ever since you started coming to this shop, we've been getting a decent number of customers."

"Seems like it ja, it seems like business has been pretty good lately."

Even from my perspective as a regular customer, that is a good thing ja.

The food at this cafe is delicious. The coffee and tea are good too.

When I first walked in, I was surprised by the manager's intimidating face, but I quickly adapted.

This place used to be deserted, but for some reason, people have started coming in now.

The manager claims 'tis all thanks to me, but honestly, the food and interior of the cafe were good, so I thought it was just that customers who appreciated that came in and it spread by word of mouth. But the manager stubbornly insists 'tis all thanks to me. I wonder why.

Anyway, that is beside the point, but I am really happy to see this shop thriving.

"But so what?"

"Well, I'm happy that business is booming, but we're short-staffed."

"...Ah, now that you mention it, there are no part-time workers here."

Well, I can probably guess the reason ja.

"But even when we advertise for applicants, nobody shows up. We do have the option of hiring full-time employees, though. I wonder what's wrong? We even provide meals."

"..."

I initially thought it was because of his intimidating, mafia-like appearance and the ridiculously cute apron that didn't suit his face at all, but I decided not to say anything.

I feel sorry for him ja.

"So, I have a question for you, Mahiro-kun. Would you be interested in working part-time for us?"

"Huh? Me?"

"Yes, you."

"I have only been in high school for a month, you know?"

"I don't think it's weird for students to start part-time jobs from April, you see?"

"...I am not exactly short on money ja."

"It will be a valuable social experience."

"...Besides, I am not very good at using polite language ja, see?"

"You can speak however you like. In the end, if you have a spirit of hospitality, the tone of voice is a minor detail! Besides, a waiter who speaks like an old man is actually pretty interesting."

...Well, it might be interesting, I suppose.

"Even if I were to work alone, there are some things I just cannot do, right?"

"That's true. But if you don't understand something, you just have to memorize it!"

...Well, all my deflection are useless now ja.

But, a part-time job, huh?

To be honest, I have thought about wanting to work a part-time job. 'Tis because of the influence of reading manga and light novels.

I have been asking "What kind of thing is it?"

Besides, I am on good terms with the manager, so it does not seem like it will be too much trouble.

It might be busy during peak hours, but that is just part of the package.

"Of course, I'll pay you well for your part-time job, okay?"

"Fumu... How much ja?"

"Hmm, since it's just Mahiro-kun for now... how about 1,000 yen during the training period? After that, how about 1,100 yen? Oh, of course, I'll consider raising the hourly wage as well."

"I am on!"

I am not short on money, but I would say the treatment I receive is still quite good.

Even during the training period, I got paid 1,000 yen an hour. That is a pretty good amount, and once that js over, it will be 1,100 yen. Plus, considering the possibility of an hourly wage increase, it might be a pretty good deal.

...Well, the work seems a bit troublesome, but so are most jobs.

"Yossha! If Mahiro-kun says he'll work part-time, we might be able to get even more people! And if possible, I'd love to have some cute people join us too."

"Well, if there is a cute waitress, men will come in just to see her."

Men are simple creatures, you see.

After all, if there is a cute waitress, they are more likely to become a regular customer.

I am not very interested in it, though.

"That's right. But there's nobody right now, see? So, if even one part-timer would join us, maybe someone would come along and say, 'I want to work here!' Of course, I'd like some male staff too!"

"There is no way we can run this place with just female staff after all. Plus, if we do anything wrong, we risk getting into trouble with unruly customers."

"That's how it is."

In that case, we need a strong-looking person for that...

Well, let us have some expectations regarding that.

"But even if I worked there, I am not sure if we could find other staff..."

"No, I'm sure it'll be fine if Mahiro-kun's here. You're popular with girls, after all."

"What are you talking about noja? I am not particularly popular with women. I have never even been confessed to."

"...Huh, seriously?"

"I am serious though?"

Why does this guy look like a pigeon that has been shot with a pea shooter?

Do I really look like I would be that popular with women?

"Ah, I see... so that's it... No wonder some girls gave up..."

"Gave up?"

"No, don't worry about it. ...Anyway, as for work... how about starting next Monday?"

"Fine with me. What about my uniform?"

"It's already been made! In fact, a uniform tailored to Mahiro-kun's body has already been completed."

"When on earth did you take those measurements?!"

"Heh, believe it or not, I can tell a person's body size just by looking at them!"

"...Manager, do NOT do that to women."

I mean, what is the point of that useless ability?

This manager seems a little inhuman...

"No, I don't particularly like younger women, so it doesn't really matter to me."

"That is not the point."

For women, the idea that someone knows the measurements of every part of their body without their knowledge is a little terrifying, is it not?

"Well, I'll be careful. ...Anyway, the contract's finalized! Let's work together starting next week! Oh, and come straight to me after school."

"Understood ja. Looking forward to it."

Well, that is how it turned out.

◇

And so, as per the contract, I started working part-time at "Cafe Yūai" the following Monday.

"Ouka Mahiro ja. I started working part-time today. Please remember me."

Since 'tis my first part-time job, I will make sure to say hello to the regulars.

Incidentally, I was given permission to speak in my usual tone.

I was worried that the customers would get angry, but-

"A waiter who speaks like an old man... Since it's interesting, I'd say it's okay!"

I received such kind words.

By the way, regarding my hair, I was told it would be problematic to wear it down at work, so I tie it back. something like a low ponytail.

Also, since my facial features are somewhat more feminine, people I meet for the first time often...

"Huh? Why are you wearing a waiter's uniform when you're a waitress?"

They said that to me seriously.

...I explained each time that I was a man.

They all were surprised.

Incidentally, the manager burst into laughter every time.

Get working.

...So, despite those initial issues, I managed to get the job done fairly smoothly.

'Twas about a week and 3 days after I started working.

"Ah, a new part-timer is coming, so please take good care of them."

"Hmm, understood ja... wait, what did you say!?"

As usual, I changed in the locker room and was about to head into the cafe when the manager suddenly told me that a new part-timer has come.

Even I was surprised by that.

"Hey, why are you so surprised?"

"No, why would I not be?! There are no other part-timers in this place besides me, and besides, the fact that the intimidating-looking manager is the one conducting the interview should give you an idea of ​​why I am surprised, right?!"

"You're really merciless towards me!"

"H-how much was it ja? How much did you pay for it noja?!"

"I'm not involved in human trafficking! Don't say such terrible things!"

"B-but, if you did not do that, no one will ever be a part-time worker at this store...!"

"You're being really rude!"

The manager became furious.

But what on earth is going on?

Looking at the manager, he is not exactly the kind of person one would want to work for...

"By the way, what kind of person is he? Is he perhaps a super muscular macho man?"

"Why do you have such a distinctive image in mind?"

"Even just looking at the manager, that is the only kind of guy who would want to work there part-time for you."

"...You can be really rude when you're being rude."

"'Tis your imagination ja."

I am actually being quite considerate, you see.

"Well, fine... The new recruits is a high school girl."

"...You should only sleep talk in your sleep, you know?"

"It's real. By the way, she's a beautiful girl who's half-Japanese and a returnee from abroad. Also, she's the same age as you."

"N-No way ja...! There is no way any girl would not be scared of the manager...!"

"If you say anything more, I'll cut your salary!"

"No, but 'tis true, is it not? After all, there are no other part-timers besides me."

"Ugh... Don't hit me where it hurts...!"

The manager has a tough-looking face, does he not...?

So, 'tis no wonder that a lot of people get scared when they go for a part-time job interview.

To be honest, I think 'tis also bad that he has such a tough-looking face but wears a cute apron.

"So, what kind of persuasive skills did you use to cleverly persuade her? Was it that technique you honed in your past job as a scout for the nightlife industry? That is not good, is it? She is a high school girl, and a returnee from abroad, is she not? Go on, you should better turn yourself in to the police."

"I didn't do that! In fact, I've never worked as a scout! Besides, that girl had a perfectly good reason and said she would do it voluntarily!"

"What ja... so you were not threatening her..."

"I'm seriously going to punch you!"

"If that happens, I will report it to the police and say I was assaulted."

"Damn it, taking advantage of the fact that I've been stopped and questioned by the police so many times and wrongly arrested, making such cowardly threats...!"

"Did something like that really happen?"

As expected of a tough-looking manager.

But what exactly happened?

As I pondered this question, he spoke to me with a faraway look in his eyes.

"Well, actually, I've been falsely accused of molestation, been mistaken for a kidnapper when trying to help find the parents of a lost child, been arrested for some reason when going to a specialty shop to buy knives for my business, and even been mistaken for a drug dealer."

"......Sorry, manager."

The situation was so pitiful that I could not help but apologize.

No, as expected that is a bit much...

"Hey, stop with the serious apology! And why are you looking at me with such pity, like I've never seen you look before!"

"No, 'twas just too pitiful."

"Don't pity me! It makes me sad!"

"I see. Well, I will stop then."

"That would be a great help. ...Anyway, please teach the new part-timer a few things. Like Japanese language skills and the job details."

"That may be true, but I cannot speak English, you know? I can only manage simple greetings, and besides, I have only just started this job, you know?"

I do not believe someone with just over a week of part-time work experience can handle taking care of a returnee.

"Oh, don't worry about that. Apparently, she can speak Japanese at a conversational level."

"Oh, really?"

"Yeah. She'll start the day after tomorrow, so I'll be counting on you then."

"Understood ja."

Now, I wonder what kind of person will show up.

◇

2 days later.

"Good morning ja—!"

As usual, I entered the back room with a casual greeting, and there I found a girl looking nervous and hesitant.

Blonde hair, blue eyes, and female.

And she is a beautiful girl, too.

"Ah, um..."

The girl, upon seeing me, seemed a little nervous as she approached me and spoke to me.

"So you are the returnee from abroad the manager was talking about? I am Ouka Mahiro ja, nice to meet you."

"I am, Tokino C. Aristia. I-it is nice to, meet you..."

"... Fumu. I see. It seems you are indeed quite capable at everyday conversational level. The manager asked me to look after you, but...are you sure I am the right person? I hate to say it, but I am not much help as a reference. My speaking style is far from normal ja."

There does not seem to be any particular problem, but I wonder if I am really the right person to be in charge of taking care of her.

If only there were other part-timers besides me...especially women.

That way, they could do it without feeling awkward, but unfortunately, 'tis just me and the manager in this shop.

However, before meeting her, I thought this will be a pain, but from what I have seen, her personality seems fine.

Well, you canbot judge a book by its cover, so 'tis not really a good idea to trust someone based solely on their appearance.

Fuumu, I am not very good at teaching, though...

What is more, this shop is run by just me and the manager, 2 men, which makes it even more pathetic. A single female employee in a dreary shop like this.

I am a little worried ja.

"I-it is, alright. Um, Ooka-san, is fine."

(TL: She's speaking in broken Japanese, so I'm trying to emulate that)

"I see."

If that is okay with her, then I can only reply with a slight smile.

Then, I felt as if the tension and wariness surrounding the girl in front of me had eased a little.

"Hmm, for now, can I just call you Tokino?"

"I-it is, alright."

"Thanks. ...Now, Tokino yo. You willl be working here from today ja... But first, let me tell you this."

"B-bring it, on."

"There is no need to be so nervous. ...That is all I have to say ja. Do not push yourself too hard, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me or the manager."

"U, mm..."

Tokino seemed a little confused, perhaps because she did not quite understand what I was saying.

"I mean it exactly as it sounds, you know?"

"...I...I might...fail..."

Ah, I see. she understood my words, but that is what she is worried about.

"Do not fret. If you could do the job perfectly right away, you would be a monster. Well, I suppose there are people like that out there, but... I do not think you are one of them. After all, 'tis a customer service job where you are unfamiliar with the language. 'Tis okay to make mistakes. I will cover for you."

"Are you, okay?"

"Yes, 'tis fine by me ja. ...And if there is anything you do not understand about the language, feel free to ask. You will be learning the language along with your work, but...do not push yourself too hard, go at your own pace."

"Yes."

"Okay, then let me get started with explaining the job."

For now, this seems to be okay.

◇

And so, that is how "Cafe Yūai" became a shop run by 3 people.

At first, Tokino failed, but she did not make the same mistake twice.

Also, I was grateful that she is a quick learner and was able to handle the work relatively quickly.

To be honest, 'twas tough running the hall by myself.

This should lighten my burden a little.

However, I canot put any undue pressure on Tokino, so I am still the one who bears more responsibility.

I do not mind that at all.

Actually, I would be more concerned if she collapsed from work.

So, Tokino, being unfamiliar with Japanese and doing an unfamiliar job, made mistakes, but her earnest and hardworking attitude resonated with the customers.

She had an aura that made you want to cheer her on, and she was simply cute, so... she was popular with the male customers.

Nowadays, she is almost like an idol.

Or perhaps "poster girl" is a more accurate description.

Moreover, she had evolved considerably after about a month.

"Ouka-san, please do this for me!"

"Understood ja."

It seems like her Japanese has improved at an incredible speed.

To be honest, I am the one teaching Tokino Japanese at her request.

Apparently, she wanted to be able to speak fluently quickly or something like that.

Well, a positive attitude is a good thing, so I readily agreed.

Seeing her working so hard is somehow heartwarming.

Moreover, she absorbed them incredibly quickly.

She has pretty much mastered it perfectly in just one month.

I am genuinely surprised.

I wonder if being half-Japanese has something to do with it?

That said, I am genuinely happy that communication has become smoother, so all is good. It must be a testament to the tremendous effort the person herself put in.

◇

More time passed.

Summer had already arrived.

"'Tis so hooooot... I am meltiiiiing..."

"Haha, Mahiro-kun is totally limp."

"...Well, 'tis really hot outside. I can tolerate winter, but I really cannot stand summer ja..."

Heat is the enemy of sleep, after all.

When 'tis hot, 'tis hard to sleep and it feels very uncomfortable, but when 'tis cold, I can sleep soundly because the blankets are warm.

"Japanese summers are really hot, after all."

"Seriously... I hear that places like Italy are more comfortable because they have less humidity, but Japan is ridiculously humid... 'TIs tough..."

And so, the slightly stiff way she spoke at the beginning had completely disappeared, and now she spoke fluently.

Before I knew it, she became fluent.

I think that is really amazing.

Around that time, perhaps because she had almost perfected her language skills, she began to feel more at ease and started to laugh more often.

As a result, the number of customers doubled again.

As a result, the number of part-time workers has also increased, and now a fair number of people work at this cafe.

Perhaps the manager's meticulously designed uniforms have resonated with high school and college girls, as this store has more female than male employees.

Tokino is a girl, and what is more, she told me that she now has a junior.

If that were the case, you would expect the girls to be the ones grouping together...

"Why do you always come to me noja? I thought you would have more fun with someone of the same sex."

"I think I have more fun when I'm with Mahiro-kun. Of course, I enjoy being with the girls too."

She says it with an innocent smile.

Honestly, this is making me feel embarrassed.

Furthermore, our shifts almost always overlap.

'Tis almost as if they are doing it on purpose, because it happens so often on the same day and at the same time.

Well, I am having fun too, so all is fine, I suppose.

Tokino is really attached to me...

Perhaps, because I was her first colleague, she is treating me with a certain degree of special favor?

Or perhaps 'tis because I am a friend from another school.

I do not understand what is so good about me.

"But, your way of speaking has really changed. I never thought you would start talking like a perfectly normal high school girl."

"I'm a high school girl, you know?"

"Well, yes ja, but..."

The high school Tokino attends is a public high school located a short distance from Minazuki Academy.

'Tis a school located in the same town, after all.

"In the beginning, you were speaking broken Japanese like, 'It is, alright,' you know."

"Hehehe, I worked hard too! I wanted to have a fun chat with Mahiro-kun, so I did my best!"

"With me? Hahaha, what is so fun about talking to someone like me? I am just an ordinary guy you can find anywhere, you know?"

(((That's not true)))

Mu? I think I just heard my colleagues in the store make a similar comment.

Must be my imagination.

"To me, Mahiro-kun is a benefactor."

"Benefactor? Did I do something?"

"Yeah. When I first came into this cafe, you said things that put me at ease because I was feeling anxious, and you also helped me when I was accosted by a weirdo."

"A weirdo? ...Oh, you mean that time you got into trouble with a guy who looked like a delinquent?"

"Yeah, that person. I had just started the part-time job back then, so I was scared."

"I suppose so."

Now that she mentions it, I remember something like that happening.

I think that happened when she had just started working as a waitress. A rough-looking guy came into the cafe, took notice of Tokino, and tried to hit on her... or rather, he was a pervert who grabbed her arm and tried to touch her in inappropriate places.

Incidentally, the solution was simple: I intervened the moment he tried to touch Tokino's chest.

Even though 'twas someone of the same sex, being touched like that felt incredibly disgusting, and I wanted to kill him, but I reported it to the manager instead.

As a result, that delinquent turned into a studious student the next day.

What exactly did the manager do ja?

Incidentally, immediately after saving Tokino, she inexplicably hugged me.

"But now I've gotten used to dealing with people like that, so I can handle it on my own!"

Tokino said this with great energy and confidence.

"Do not let your guard down. You are certainly pretty, so 'tis not impossible that you might incur the wrath of several people and get attacked. If you get involved with any troublesome people like that, rely on me, the manager, or any of the other male employees. I would be worried if something happened to you."

"O-oh? Could it be that you're genuinely worried about me?"

If I have to say what I think, it would be-

"That is a matter of course ja. You are my first junior at the part-time job, and a friend from another school, so of course I would be worried."

"Oh, really? ...I totally thought you'd say, 'Okay, then I'm relieved!'"

"What do you think I am noja? Well, if you were a man, I might think that, but you are a woman ja. If something were to happen to you, I would not be able to sleep peacefully."

Well, that said, I cannot exactly say that I do not worry about my male friends either.

"..."

"Mu ? What is wrong? Your face is red. Heatstroke?"

"Ah, no, it's nothing. I'm just a little hot."

She fanned my face with her hands.

Hot, is it?

"I see. Make sure you take in plenty of fluids and salt. Even in an air-conditioned room, you could still get heatstroke if you do not take in enough fluids and salt."

"...You kind of sound like Mama."

"I am a man ja."

I am definitely not a Mama.

Well, people close to me sometimes say I have a motherly side though.

"But thank you for worrying about me. Mahiro-kun, you're a really nice person."

"Well, that is because 'tis me."

Basically, I am known as a kind guy, you know.

"Alright everyone, we're about to open, so get into position!"

"""Ye-s!"""

Wow, we really have gotten more part-time worker here.

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