In This World That Favors Men, I... ~Starting a Sweet School Life in a World With a 1:8 Gender Ratio~ - 95

Chapter 95: Saturday – Ren Yuuki Part 1

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“Whoa! It’s super crowded.”

“Why? Is there something up ahead?”

In front of the shop on the shrine grounds, there was a relatively spacious open area, but a line so long that the front couldn’t be seen had formed there. People, people, and more people, as far as the eye could see. It looked just like Comiket, Japan’s biggest doujinshi sales event held every summer and winter.

“We’re guiding everyone in order! The end of the line is over here!”

“They said the end is over there. What do you think? Wanna get in line?”

“Yeah. Let’s get in line for now! There’s got to be something good up ahead. We can check the information sites while we wait.”

“Good idea. Let’s do that!”

While that conversation was happening near the back of the line, at the very front, an electronic beep—beep!—continued to sound almost without pause.

“Please tell me the numbers of the items you’d like to purchase all at once.”

A young male clerk spoke cheerfully to a female customer.

“I-I’d like number one… And number five, please.”

Answering as she double-checked the numbers, the woman looked up at him and blushed. Her voice was slightly trembling. 

“That’s one charm for romantic success and one for passing exams. Is that correct?”

“…Yes.”

Beep, beep Beep

“Please confirm the amount and proceed with payment.”

Beep

“I’ll wrap it up for you, so please wait just a moment.”

The clerk scanned the barcodes of the items, and the customer paid with electronic money.

If it were just one customer, it would have been an entirely ordinary, unremarkable scene.

However, at the wide-fronted shop, four male clerks were currently lined up side by side, and each time one became available, they would serve the next customer in line.

“They’re all so young! Maybe they’re college students?”

“Really? They look even younger. Aren’t they high schoolers?”

The intense gazes of the many women waiting in line poured down on the boys in hakama like a waterfall, sizing them up. They looked just like fans lining up for a handshake event with an idol group, visibly giddy with excitement.

“The one on the far right is so my type!”

“Yeah, totally. He’s got the best face by far. But the one next to him feels more like a little brother type. That makes him look more approachable.”

“Hot, herbivore-type guys in hakama all in one place. I’m so glad I came. Too bad we can’t take pictures.”

Once a customer finished paying, the clerk raised a hand to signal, and the next customer would step up to him. However, there were quite a few people who kept saying, “Go ahead,” passing their turn until they could be served by their preferred clerk.

“Looks like the wait for Yuuki-kun will take a while.”

“Yeah. Getting back in line probably isn’t an option, so maybe we should just directly ask about his break schedule.”

Watching the situation unfold and discussing how to ask Yuuki about his break to make plans were Mika Nabeshima and Saki Tawara from Class 3-A. They had been rejected by him on White Day, but even though they were disheartened, they hadn’t given up yet. Because they believed—no, hoped—that their refusal didn’t happen because Yuuki disliked them. If anything, he might even like them.

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“Huh? Nabeshima and Tahara? You two are here to visit the shrine together?”

“Yeah. We heard Yuuki-kun was working the counter, and we wanted to see what you looked like.”

“Seriously? Then thanks for coming. Well? Did I live up to the hype?”

Yuuki smiled as he spoke. For him, this gesture was unusually friendly. Probably an extension of his professional courtesy. After all, there was the saying ‘the customer is god.’

“Yeah. As expected, you really do look great in that hakama.”

“You totally pull it off. You look super cool.”

“Ahaha. You two are really good at giving compliments.”

“The shop looks crazy busy, but do you get a break?”

“Yeah, I do. Today I switch out just before noon, and then I’ve got a good break after that.”

“Th-then, would you like to go get lunch with us?”

“Ah… Well, in this outfit, changing is kind of a pain. Plus, they provide lunch here.”

“Then how about we buy something too, and eat with you somewhere on the shrine grounds?”

Hearing that, Yuuki tilted his head slightly.

“You two want to eat lunch with me that badly?”

“Yeah. And if possible, we’d like to talk a little too.”

“Could you spare even just a little time of yours?”

Yuuki paused to think for a moment.

“…I see. Sure, let’s meet up later.”

“Yes!”

“Yay!”

“Alright, we better wrap this up. The line behind you is getting intense. Are you buying anything?”

“Uh, yes. I’d like a charm for romantic success, please.”

“Me too!”

“Two number ones, got it. Thank you for your purchase!”

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“Heading off for break now!”

“Going on break!”

If all the male clerks disappeared at once, it was sure to cause a commotion. Hence why the part-timers staggered their lunch breaks in pairs. The one going on break at the same time as Yuuki was Wakisaka.

“Yuuki! Where’s the date with those two gonna be?”

“Ah. You heard that, huh? Well, it’s not really a date or anything though.”

“Dude, I’m right next to you. Of course I heard. Sorry if it bugged you.”

“Nah, don’t worry about it. Actually, it saves me the trouble of explaining. So yeah, I’ll be stepping out for a bit at lunch.”

“Gotcha. I’ll be in the break room eating with the shrine maidens. Have fun on your date.”

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