My Childhood Friend Is Dangerously Sexy and Cute - 18

Chapter 18: Let’s Get a Part-Time Job

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Squeeze.

It was a morning during Golden Week. I felt something soft, warm, and heavy pressing down over my whole body, especially around my chest, and my consciousness slowly woke up. I opened my eyes.

“Hey, Yuki-san.”

“What is it, Hiro-san?”

“Why are you on top of me?”

Yuki was lying over my body, peering down at my face. Her face was close. Just a little closer, and our lips would be touching.

“Because your sleeping face looked cute, Hiro-san.”

“I see…”

I’d rather not have my sleeping face watched. I don’t even know what kind of face I make. Also, I still had another question.

“And also, why are you wearing a swimsuit maid outfit again?”

Yuki was dressed in the same swimsuit maid outfit she had shown me before. It was way too stimulating to be seeing first thing in the morning. That also explained the unusually soft sensation. Of course it did. There was barely any fabric on her body.

“Because I have a café part-time job today. It’s a sign of my enthusiasm.”

“No café makes you wear something like that!”

At least, no normal café. Wait, the place we’re working at isn’t like that, right?

“Well, I don’t want to wear this in front of other people either. So I’ll only show it to you, Hiro-san.”

With that, Yuki gave a light wink and smiled. I really wished she wouldn’t make that expression first thing in the morning. 

Guys have their limits, you know?

“Anyway, you’re working part-time too, Hiro-san. Hurry up and get ready. Breakfast is already made.”

“…Alright.”

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Today was the memorable first part-time job of my life, and Yuki’s as well. Though it was only for a short term, just today. This was actually Hoshino’s other request. The place she worked was the café Yuki and I had visited before, but apparently they were short on staff during Golden Week. So Yuki and I had been asked to help out. Neither of us had any experience with part-time jobs, but we were interested in trying it, so we agreed.

And now.

Yuki and I were receiving some basic customer service training before opening. The ones teaching us were Hoshino and Kiriko Natsume-san, who was also a senior from our high school.

“Alright, that’s the basic explanation. Let’s try some practice.”

That was Natsume-senpai speaking. She had black hair and a calm, mature atmosphere fitting for an older student. Her gentle smile stood out, lacking any sense of pressure. Somehow, she seemed like the type who’d be popular with other girls.

“First, Asama-kun, could you play the role of a customer?”

“A customer?”

“Yeah. Just enter from the entrance and respond normally, that’s fine.”

“Got it.”

“Then Fujisaki-kun, try serving Asama-kun.”

“Yes.”

I nodded, stepped out of the shop once, then came back in. Now then, what would Yuki’s customer service be like?

“Welcome home, Master.”

“…………”

“Is something wrong, Master?”

It seemed my childhood friend hadn’t listened to a single word of the instructions. It’s “Welcome,” you idiot.

“Master? …Hmm, so words aren’t necessary and you want me to serve you right away. Understood.”

Yuki, who had been peering at me in confusion as I stood there silent, came to a completely nonsensical conclusion.

“This isn’t that kind of place!”

“Funya!”

I lightly chopped Yuki on the head.

“That hurts…”

“That’s because you’re messing around.”

“I’m not messing around. This is my customer service.”

“Match it to the store!”

“Hiro-san. After receiving the training, I realized something.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to serve anyone except you, Hiro-san.”

“…Huh?”

“I don’t have any hospitality for anyone but you. I’m putting everything into you, Hiro-san.”

“Right…”

Why did I bring this childhood friend to a customer service job? What happened to that ‘enthusiasm’?

She’s definitely getting fired. Please go home.

“Hoshino-kun, why did you bring those two here?”

“Eh!? Senpai, you told me to bring cute people!”

“Well, they are cute. I even feel like preparing a maid outfit for her right now. But apparently she won’t serve anyone except Asama-kun?”

“I didn’t expect that either!”

“Hmm… what should we do…”

Watching us, Hoshino and Natsume-senpai whispered to each other. I could hear all of it, though.

Sorry about my childhood friend… But now that she’s said it, she seriously won’t serve anyone…

“Ah, Asama-kun, can you handle customer service?”

“Yeah, I think I’ll be fine if I just do it normally.”

“I see… that’s a relief.”

Natsume-senpai let out a sigh of relief. This was Hoshino’s bad call. Not our fault! Hoshino seemed like she’d have a lot of friends. Couldn’t she have asked someone else? Both Yuki and I weren’t exactly great at communication. We were definitely not suited for customer service jobs.

After discussing it, it was decided that Yuki would help in the kitchen instead. Her cooking skills were solid, so that should be fine. And so, our first-ever part-time job began.

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“Table 8, shortcake and pancakes!”

“Ah, Asama-kun, could you take the order from Table 3? I can’t step away right now!”

“Got it!”

Before we knew it, it was already evening. Around a little past 4 PM, I think. There was no relaxed atmosphere… It was busy. As expected of a café that went viral on social media. With Golden Week, the flow of customers didn’t seem to stop. Still, having gotten through the busiest lunchtime rush, we were able to work with a bit more breathing room. The job lasted until 5 PM, so just a little more to go.

After taking the order Hoshino asked for, a new pair of customers entered. They looked like high school students, a boy and a girl. They stood close to each other, clearly a couple. It almost felt like a sweet aura was drifting over from them. Since Hoshino was closest, I figured she’d handle them, so I turned to other work.

However, Hoshino didn’t move. Natsume-senpai stepped in first. Hoshino stood still. Something felt off. Was she trembling? Feeling unwell? No, was she shaken by something? Hoshino was staring at the couple who had just entered.

“…Hoshino?”

I called out without thinking.

“…Huh?”

Hoshino turned to me, her face pale. What I saw in her expression was anxiety, despair, disappointment… all negative emotions.

“Is something wrong?”

“Ah, no… um… sorry. Can I step into the back for a bit?”

“Yeah, that’s fine… but if you’re not feeling well, maybe you should just rest for today? There’s not much time left anyway.”

“Yeah… thanks.”

With that, Hoshino, clearly not fully present, headed to the back break room.

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After work, Yuki and I left the café together. Apparently, Yuki had done quite well in the kitchen, and they asked her to help again if something came up. I was also told I’d be welcome to return. Hoshino left for home looking exhausted, trudging along. She looked so drained it was honestly worrying.

I managed to hear a little from her. It was the high school couple who had come in during the evening. The reason for Hoshino’s strange behavior wasn’t illness after all, but because of them. One of the couple… the boy. He was the person Hoshino had feelings for. He was the one she had told Yuki and me about.

Apparently, he was  Hoshino’s childhood friend.

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