My Beautiful Childhood Friend Is Working in a Maid Cafe For Some Reason - Chapter 19-20

Chapter 19: The Person Who Is Waiting for Me After Work Was My Childhood Friend (1)

It’s been a few days since I discovered that Yukina has developed the troublesome condition of being a tsundere queen.

Since then, Yukina and I haven’t really interacted, so the whole issue has turned into a new rumor that we’re “really just two people who have nothing to do with each other.” …Still, I sometimes find strange letters in my shoe locker that I don’t even want to think about. It’s really unsettling.

Despite that, I’m still living my life, taking care of myself.

Oh, I’m just talking about school life. It’s not like I’m actually in any life-or-death situation. If someone did try to kill me, I’d want to tell them they’re just a pathetic fool who committed murder over a misunderstanding. Life’s not worth losing over that!

“Haru, here, take this.”

I handed a brochure to Haru.

“What’s this?”

“It’s a coupon from my part-time job. You can get a burger set at half price, so why not use it with your girlfriend?”

“Half price, huh… but wait, this is only for one person!”

“Yeah, so why not just use it for yourself and let your girlfriend enjoy the discount?”

“Why? If you’re going to give it to me, at least give me two so we can both get a discount.”

“There was only one left, so it can’t be helped.”

This half-off coupon was something I got from my manager yesterday after my shift. He said it was extra, so he gave it to me.

But somehow, I just didn’t feel like using a coupon from the place I work at, so I decided to give it to Haru instead.

“If you don’t want it, feel free to throw it away or give it to someone else.”

“…Are you sure it’s okay?”

“Yeah, I’m not going to use it anyway.”

Honestly, when I want to eat a burger set, I can just get it cheaper as part of my employee meal.

“Alright, I’ll gladly take it. But don’t complain about whatever happens afterward, okay?”

“…What do you think I am?”

…Wait, what is he planning to do with it?

That sly smile of his is kind of scary…

“You’re so stubborn.”

“I don’t get what you mean…”

“And clueless.”

Clueless? Yukina also got mad at me, calling me “clueless!” What part of me is so clueless?

Wait, could it be because the coupon is only for one person, so Haru’s girlfriend might feel awkward? I didn’t think that far ahead. Yeah, I guess I am clueless.

“Sorry, Haru. Next time, I’ll make sure to get two coupons for both you and your girlfriend.”

“…Yeah, that’s exactly what I mean.”

“Thank you very much!”

Phew, it’s getting busy since it’s dinner time.

Burger shops like this never stop getting customers. And it’s especially busy during dinner time, with families, students, and salarymen coming in to eat.

I have to work hard and earn my pay today too!

It’s not like I’m in desperate need of money.

Since my parents suggested I live alone, they cover my rent and food expenses. So, technically, I don’t really need to work.

But I didn’t like the idea of relying on my parents for everything, so I took on this part-time job as a way to learn about society and earn some pocket money.

Plus, the more money I have, the better. I need to earn enough to visit maid cafes and buy maid-related games and books!

“Welcome—”

I greeted the customer with a smile.

This was the first thing I was taught when I started working here. It’s essential.

“Greeting customers with a smile is the most important part of the job.”

That’s what my manager always says.

So today, I put on my smile and greeted customers as usual.

I knew I had to greet the new customer who just walked in with the same smile. …In my head, at least.

But my face refused to cooperate. Actually, it wasn’t so much refusing as it was frozen in place.

“One burger set, please.”

After all, the new customer was Yukina.

—

Chapter 20: The Person Who Is Waiting for Me After Work Was My Childhood Friend (2)

…Why is Yukina here?

Seeing Yukina alone in her school uniform made my mind go blank for a moment.

No, it’s not like there’s anything unusual about Yukina coming to a burger shop. After all, I work at one of the popular chain stores.

But still, why today?!

In the two years I’ve been working here, this is the first time Yukina has ever come in!

“Hey, are you listening?”

“Huh? Oh, yes. One burger set, right? Thank you. Will you be eating here or taking it to go?”

Please take it to go… Please take it to go!

“I’ll eat here.”

“Eat… here, right? Would you like a drink with that?”

“Cola.”

She chose cola without hesitation! Is that really okay for a high school girl? Well, not that it matters.

“One cola. That’ll be—”

“This.”

I couldn’t believe my eyes.

The coupon Yukina handed me was the same one I gave to Haru earlier today.

Well, I guess it’s just a coincidence. They’ve been handing those out everywhere, and Yukina must have gotten one too. She probably decided to eat here today because it’s cheaper.

“Thank you for your purchase. Your total is—”

Yukina paid the exact amount, without needing change, almost like she was prepared for this.

“Please wait at the counter next to this one.”

After finishing the transaction with Yukina, I told her to wait by the counter until her order was ready.

Someone else would handle giving Yukina her order, so my role here was done. I turned my attention to the next customer.

“Welcome!”

While the next customer was deciding what to order, I happened to make eye contact with Yukina, who was standing nearby.

The moment our eyes met, Yukina quickly looked away, but I thought I saw a slight blush on her cheeks.

Maybe she’s hot… I should turn the temperature down a bit later.

…But still, it feels a little strange to have a classmate, who’s also my childhood friend, see me working. I don’t really need to hide it, but I feel like I want to… It’s embarrassing. I think I can understand now why Yukina acted that way at the maid café.

Yukina, having received her burger set, sat at a counter seat and started eating her fries.

Honestly, seeing a high school girl eating alone like this is kind of sad, but she looks satisfied, so… whatever.

I need to focus and not let her distract me!

…Or so I thought, but—

I kept feeling like Yukina was glancing at me every few minutes.

I can’t focus at all…

Of course, I can’t be sure she’s really looking at me. Every time I felt her gaze and looked over, she was fiddling with her phone, looking down.

It must be my imagination… But seriously, if she’s done eating, why doesn’t she just go home already?! How long is she planning to stay here?

In front of Yukina were a crumpled burger wrapper, an empty fries container, and… I couldn’t tell if her cola was finished or not.

Go home… Just go home already…!

As I silently willed her to leave, Yukina suddenly stood up from her seat.

Oh, finally heading home?

Or so I thought, but she came right back to the counter in front of me.

“One medium fries and one medium cola.”

She’s ordering more… She’s going to gain weight.

“Thank you…”

A while later, Yukina returned to her seat with her fries and cola, happily eating again.

“Hey, about that girl…”

“Whoa! You scared me! Don’t sneak up on me like that, Manager.”

While I was watching Yukina, the middle-aged man who suddenly appeared was none other than my manager, Mr. Imada.

“Haha, sorry, sorry.”

Mr. Imada laughed like a kid.

It’s hard to believe he’s over forty with that smile.

“So, that girl… She’s wearing the same school uniform as you, so she must be a high school student, right?”

“Well, yeah, I guess so.”

“Then, you can tell her later, but make sure she leaves by ten o’clock.”

“Uh… n-no, you tell her, Manager!”

“Why’s that?”

“B-because, what if she gets mad at me?!”

Plus, I don’t want to deal with Yukina!

“If I try to tell her, she’ll argue back, and I’ll lose.”

“Even so…”

“Please, Manager! I don’t even need to get paid today, just handle this for me!”

I pleaded with all my might.

It’s a shame to lose a day’s pay… But if it means I won’t have to deal with Yukina… I have no regrets.

“…Alright, fine. I don’t usually get the chance to talk to such a cute high school girl anyway, so I’ll go.”

The way he said that sounded a bit off, but… Manager, you’re the best!

“Thank you so much! I’m counting on you!”

“Alright, I’ll go talk to her right away.”

Mr. Imada walked over to Yukina with a slight spring in his step.

This place has a rule that anyone under university age needs a guardian to be here after 10 PM.

So, once she’s done eating, she should just leave.

But why is the Manager grinning so much?

Oh, is he done talking to her?

After a brief conversation with Yukina, Mr. Imada came back to me, still smiling.

“Yusuke, you can clock out early today.”

“Wait, but I still have thirty minutes left…”

“Yusuke, you sly dog!”

He started playfully smacking my back.

It hurt, and it was annoying…

“That girl… she’s your girlfriend, isn’t she? So, clock out early and walk her home!”

“…Huh?!”

Yukina… What did you say?!