My Daily Life as the Reliable Best Friend of a Dense Rom-Com Protagonist Childhood Friend Is Way Too Much Like a Nukige - Chapter 53 & 54 & 55 & 56

Chapter 53: “Beautiful Girl with Glasses and the Student Council (Past Arc)” (Final Part) ♡

I gently pushed Yukibuki-senpai down onto the long desk. While glancing at her flushed face as she clasped her hands over her stomach and breathed heavily, I started unbuttoning her blouse one by one.

“…You’re pretty used to this.”

“Does it bother you?”

“No… It’s my first time, so… I’d be happy if you take the lead.”

Senpai gave an awkward smile. She was probably trying to make sure I didn’t feel guilty. What a kind person.

When I opened her blouse, her modest white bra without any decorations came into view, covering her twin hills. It suited the pure and proper Yukibuki-senpai perfectly. This is exactly how it should be, I thought.

“Sorry… mine aren’t very big.”

“They’re perfect because they’re yours, Senpai. Size isn’t what matters.”

“What’s that supposed to mean? Tomohito-kun, do you like me?”

“I do like you. You’re a senpai I respect.”

My true main heroine is still my childhood friend Shiina. But that’s one thing, and this is another. Men are creatures who want to sleep with as many good women as possible.

Yukibuki-senpai wasn’t particularly curvaceous, and like her personality, her chest was modest too. But she was an incredibly attractive girl whom I respected from the bottom of my heart. Now I was about to embrace such a girl. A sense of guilt, like trampling fresh snow with muddy shoes, ran through me. Naturally, my cock was rock hard.

“Ah.”

I unhooked her bra and exposed her breasts. They were small enough to fit in my palms, with beautiful cherry-colored nipples that looked incredibly delicious. I gently cupped them and kneaded them softly.

“Nn♡ Haa… haa♡ I’m… having my breasts touched by a boy… by my underclassman…”

“Senpai, you make such lewd sounds. I can’t hold back.”

“Nn♡ No, don’t pinch my nipples… Nnn♡♡”

Every time I played with her hardened nipples, Senpai turned her face away and let out muffled moans. She was insanely cute. Like I thought — glasses really are a buff. Her beautiful eyes seen through the lenses were captivating. I felt like I could get sucked in.

“No. Your first kiss… I want it to be with you, Senpai.”

“Right…”

She covered her mouth with both hands. For a moment I wondered what would happen if I forced a kiss on her anyway, but I suppressed the dark impulse and slipped my hand under her skirt.

――Guju!

“Whoa, Senpai, you’re soaked. Your panties are completely drenched.”

“Don’t say that… Nn♡ This is… because of the hypnosis♡”

“Hypnosis isn’t magic. This is your hidden sexual desire coming to the surface.”

So Senpai was a closet pervert. She was so wet that foreplay barely seemed necessary. She looked ready to take it.

“Senpai, is it okay?”

When I whispered in her ear, she nodded firmly. I pulled down my pants, took a condom from my pocket, and rolled it onto my penis. Then I smoothly slid her panties off, hooked them around her ankle, spread her legs, and pressed the tip against her untouched, pale pink slit.

“…Senpai, I’m sorry.”

“!”

My heart pounded hard at her hoarse voice. What was this feeling? Even though Yukibuki-senpai had never dated anyone, it felt like I was stealing her. I wasn’t supposed to have that kind of fetish.

With a tingling pleasure running down my spine, I pushed my cock into her pussy.

――Jyupu! Zununu!

“Oh… Ooh. Damn. It’s swallowing me.”

“Nnnnn♡♡ We’re doing it♡ Having sex with my underclassman♡”

My cock slid all the way in without much resistance. Senpai trembled all over, breathing erratically as she squirmed.

“It feels good…♡ My belly is being pressed… Nn♡♡ It’s hitting places I can’t reach myself♡”

“That’s quite the erotic way to put it. I’m losing control.”

I couldn’t hold back and started thrusting rhythmically. Her small breasts bounced cutely, and a thick female scent rose from where we were joined.

“Nn… nn♡♡ Haa… haa♡♡ It feels… so good♡♡ My belly keeps going ton ton♡ Nn♡ I might like this♡”

“Senpai, you’re so cute! I don’t think I can last long!”

“It’s okay♡ Cum whenever you want♡ Feel really good for me♡”

Even though it was her first time, Senpai seemed composed. I was the one who was overwhelmed. Was this her包容力 (capacity to accept others)? The contrast between her usual reserved self and the lewd smile she was showing me right now made my mind flicker. My painfully hard cock was already at its limit. Feeling like a virgin, I desperately devoured Senpai’s body.

“Kh, I’m gonna cum! Senpai, I’m cumming!”

“Nn♡ Yeah♡ Me too… I’m cumming…♡♡”

――Biku biku biku! Biku!

Senpai’s body convulsed violently. At the same time, her inner walls writhed and squeezed my cock tightly. Shit. I can’t hold it.

――Byuku byuku! Byurururu!!

“Ooh… Damn. I came already.”

My cock pulsed inside Senpai’s vagina. Thick semen filled the condom. I wanted to enjoy it longer, but I finished embarrassingly quickly. What a pathetic virgin moment. I fell into self-loathing.

“It felt good, didn’t it?”

Senpai held my cheeks with her palms and smiled gently. The sight of her sweaty cheeks with strands of hair sticking to them was incredibly seductive. Damn, Senpai, you’ve got some serious sex appeal. Aso-senpai didn’t stand a chance.

I cleaned up after the act. Senpai sat on the pipe chair, curled her back, and readjusted her bra with a flushed face. This moment might have been the most erotic of all.

“…This stays between the two of us… okay?”

“Yes.”

I nodded. I had no intention of telling anyone anyway. It was a secret just between Senpai and me.

I opened the window to let in fresh air. The breeze that blew in was slightly cold and carried the hint of autumn.

　　　　　◯

The next day, during break, I was walking aimlessly down the hallway when I noticed it was unusually noisy. A crowd had gathered. In the center was — Yukibuki-senpai.

“Huh? Yukibuki-senpai?”

“Is that the student council one? Her impression totally changed.”

“She was that cute? Damn, why didn’t I notice before!”

Senpai had dyed her hair flax-colored. Her once plain bob now had soft waves. And above all, she wasn’t wearing glasses.

When she noticed me, she smiled brightly.

“Tomohito-kun! Hello.”

“…Hey. You did a full image change, huh.”

“I’m the type who starts with appearance. Strangely, I feel like I’ve become a brighter version of myself.”

Senpai was surrounded by people. She still seemed a little awkward, but I could tell this would eventually become her natural self.

She waved lightly and walked away.

“Come visit the student council room again sometime.”

I waved back lightly, turned around, shoved my hands in my pockets, and muttered:

“Geez. I told you not to take the glasses off.”

――Not long after, in the election, Yukibuki-senpai was chosen as the new student council president. These days she displays leadership like a completely different person and is apparently quite the capable leader.

For some reason, I stopped going to the student council room. Many of the members had changed after the election, so it felt awkward, and facing Senpai felt strange too. Even when I heard through the grapevine that she and Aso-senpai had started dating, I didn’t feel much.

…………

……

――And now, right in front of me stands Yukibuki-senpai, who spent a full year leading the students as the leader of this school. She feels so far away now.

Senpai clasped her hands behind her back and peered into my face.

“Tomohito-kun, want to come drink coffee again sometime? I’ve passed your brewing method on to the underclassmen.”

“Yeah… Well, maybe if I feel like it.”

I scratched my head awkwardly and laughed vaguely. It felt a bit embarrassing.

“Muu…”

For some reason, Shiina was puffing her cheeks while looking back and forth between me and Yukibuki-senpai. What’s up with her?

“Are things going well with Aso-senpai?”

When I asked, Yukibuki-senpai grinned, showing her teeth.

“Of course! We’re super lovey-dovey♡”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

I smiled back. For the first time in a while, I felt like I could genuinely smile in front of Senpai.

Yukibuki-senpai looked down, took my hand, and said:

“I was able to change thanks to you, Tomohito-kun. Maybe your hypnosis is still working.”

Then she spun on her heel and walked away with confident steps, leaving behind the words “Thank you.”

I shrugged my shoulders.

“Hypnosis doesn’t have that kind of lasting effect, you know.”

Senpai changed through her own power. I’m sure that’s something to celebrate. But I wonder why I also feel a little lonely. It’s my own heart, yet I don’t really understand it.

――Not long after that, Yukibuki-senpai completed her term to the regret of many students and retired as student council president. I think she was a wonderful president who surpassed even Aso-senpai.

Then came the student council election. Today, the results were announced and the new president was introduced in the gymnasium.

Looks like the results are out. Time for the new president’s debut.

“…Hm? Come to think of it, the strong candidate for the next president was…”

At that moment, greeted by loud applause, the new president stepped onto the stage. Smiling confidently in front of the microphone, “she” introduced herself.

“I have been elected as the new student council president. I’m Chayamachi Miko, a second-year. Nice to meet you all♪”

I clutched my head.

“This school is done for.”

Chapter 54: “Golden-Haired, Blue-Eyed Beautiful Girl and Friends”

The customer base at the café “Smatabucks” is quite varied, but at this time of day, it’s mostly students coming back from club activities and salarymen who just got off work. During the daytime, it’s mostly housewives and older customers, so it’s surprising how much the crowd changes depending on the time.

“Sorry to keep you waiting. Here’s your ordered Unanpako Pako Penis-chino.”

“Thanks!”

“Been working hard with club lately? Think you can make it to the Inter-High?”

“There’s no Inter-High for the Art Club!”

The short-haired male high school student laughed cheerfully. He’s been a regular since his middle school days.

“By the way, I got a girlfriend recently. She’s seriously cute and the best!”

“Huh? Bragging, are we? Wish you eternal happiness and then explode.”

“Thanks!”

Right after he left, a worn-out OL came up to the counter.

“Store guy, listen~ My boss is doing power harassment and the customers are doing customer harassment, it’s all falling apart~”

“Yeah, yeah. I’ll brew you something really bitter. You should quit and find a new job soon.”

While skillfully handling customers and listening to their bragging and complaints, the doorbell rang again. It’s been unusually busy today.

“Welco— Oh?”

“Tomo!”

It was Ati in her school uniform. She ran over to me with a big smile.

“What’s up? You haven’t gone home yet?”

“I went to watch Shii-chan’s club practice! It was amazing. She was effortlessly returning super fast balls. I thought it was really, really incredible!”

“Vocabulary.”

So that’s why she’s so late. Shiina’s working hard too, huh.

“So, what’s the blonde delinquent girl doing instead of going home?”

“Fufufu. I’m challenging myself to go to a café alone after school. Pretty adult, right?”

“But you’re still adding milk, aren’t you?”

“Of course. Coffee without milk is just bitter juice.”

She’s still such a kid in these ways. Well, I won’t say it out loud.

“So, cute young lady. What would you like to order?”

“Let’s see… Then I’ll have the store clerk’s recommendation please!”

“What a cheeky order.”

Well, whatever. For Ati, something she can enjoy would be—

Right then, the doorbell rang again. How many customers are coming today?

“Welcome.”

‘Ah.’

“Ah.”

Ati turned around and froze. The ones who entered were two female high school students in different school uniforms. For a moment, time seemed to stop as Ati and the two girls stared at each other.

“Ati…chan.”

“…Ati.”

The gentle-looking girl with pigtails and the strong-willed-looking short-haired girl called Ati’s name.

“Tama-chan… Azusa-chan…”

Ati called their names too. This must be—

　　　　　◯

The three of them sat facing each other in a booth. As expected, the two girls were Ati’s friends from elementary school. What a way to have a reunion.

For a while, silence hung over them, but the pigtails girl called “Tama-chan” spoke first.

“Um, Ati-chan. You seemed really close with the store clerk.”

“Y-Yes. Tomo is my classmate at school… and a friend.”

“I see. You’re doing well, huh.”

I thought the mood might warm up, but—

“Hmm. So you managed to go to school again. You didn’t come to middle school even once after that… Even though we were so worried.”

The strong-willed “Azusa-chan” spoke in a low voice. Ati hung her head and stayed silent.

――Yeah, this atmosphere is heavy. This isn’t the vibe of a happy reunion between old friends.

Ati was trembling like she was about to cry. I couldn’t just watch.

…Can’t be helped.

“Here you go, customers. These are cold drinks.”

When I placed glasses of cold water on the table, all three tilted their heads in confusion.

“Um… We already got cold water earlier.”

“Come on, you can never have too much cold water, right?”

“Tomo…?”

The mood became incredibly awkward, but this is where I show my skills.

I raised my index finger.

“I’m going to show you all a little ‘magic’ now.”

‘Magic??’

“Yes. The magic where this ice-cold water stops being cold. In fact, it becomes quite warm.”

The three of them looked at each other.

Azusa-chan glared at me with a frown.

“Huh? There’s no way you can do that.”

“Just watch.”

I gathered their attention on my index finger and spoke the magic words.

“‘The cold water here is not cold. In fact, it is very warm.’”

――Snap.

“Now, try drinking it.”

“…Haa.”

Azusa-chan took a sip with a suspicious look, then her eyes widened.

“…Eh? It’s not cold… Actually, wait? It’s kind of warm…!”

‘Eh?’

Ati and Tama-chan also sipped theirs and their eyes went wide.

“Amazing! It really is warm!”

“Tomo, are you a wizard!?”

“Hahaha.”

Not a wizard, a hypnotist. The three excitedly asked how I did it. The atmosphere had improved a lot.

“Ati.”

When I tapped her shoulder, Ati came back to herself, looked at her old friends, and bowed deeply.

“Tama-chan. Azusa-chan. I’m sorry. Even though you both encouraged me so much, I couldn’t find the courage… I made you both sad.”

“…Ati-chan.”

“…………”

Tama-chan looked at Ati with gentle eyes. Azusa-chan looked away with a complicated expression.

I placed a hand on Ati’s shoulder and spoke to the two girls.

“Ati gave a speech in front of the entire school, you know. In English.”

“Eh? In English?”

“Y-Yes…! Tomo helped me.”

“She worked incredibly hard. And now she’s popular with everyone. She really did her best.”

After I backed her up, I heard loud sniffling.

“Hic… Uguu… I’m so glad… Really! I’m so glad…!”

The one crying hard was Azusa-chan. Wait, you’re the one crying?

Well, she’s Ati’s friend. Both of them are really good girls.

“Tama-chan. Azusa-chan…!”

Ati took out her “Friends Notebook” from her bag. When she opened it, there were way more names written in it compared to when we first met.

With her face covered in tears, Ati held the notebook out to them.

“I want to be friends with both of you again…!”

“Yeah. Us too.”

“Let’s be friends again, Ati!”

The two of them wrote their names in the notebook once more. Then they looked at each other and smiled. Timing it right, I brought over their coffees.

I figured it would be tactless to listen any further, so I left the table. I could still hear the three of them happily chatting from the counter.

…………

……

“See you later, Ati-chan!”

“Make sure you contact us too.”

“Yes! Let’s hang out together again sometime!”

Tama-chan and Azusa-chan left the store first. Ati kept glancing at me.

I gently patted her head.

“I’m glad it worked out.”

“Yes… Thank you, Tomo.”

“I only showed them some magic though?”

“Fufu.”

Ati giggled and took my hand.

“Tomo, you might actually be a real wizard.”

“Don’t say embarrassing things.”

I’m fully aware I did something pretty cringey. Seriously, I shouldn’t do things I’m not used to.

“Tomo.”

“Hm?”

“Chu♡”

A soft sensation touched my cheek. Ati had kissed me on the cheek.

She took a little step back and smiled brightly.

“See you at school, Tomo… My best friend♡”

Ati left the store with light, dancing steps. Left behind, I scratched my cheek.

“Seriously. If I were still a virgin, I might’ve misunderstood that.”

Remembering I was still on the job, I went back to work.

All kinds of customers visit the café “Smatabucks.” Each has their own background, and sometimes drama is born, sometimes it isn’t.

Somehow or another, I genuinely enjoy this part-time job.

Chapter 55: “Childhood Friend♀ and the Golden-Haired, Blue-Eyed Beautiful Girl’s First Part-Time Job” (Part 1)

Shiina and Ati stopped by my place after school. They had bought some fresh Japanese sweets on the way, so I brewed coffee and we ended up having an elegant tea party.

Shiina took a big bite of her cream puff and broke into a smile.

“This cream puff is so good~ It’s been pretty popular among the girls in my class lately, and I totally get why!”

“Yeah. The sweetness is just right and it pairs perfectly with coffee.”

Even I, who can be picky about sweets, thought these were excellent. I was really enjoying them.

“But the problem with cream puffs is that the cream inside always tries to squish out and make a mess. That part’s a bit difficult for me.”

Ati held her cream puff with both hands, eyebrows furrowed in worry. A classic struggle.

“In that case, you suck in a little bit of the cream right as you bite into it. That way it won’t spill out.”

“That sounds… kind of lewd!”

“Ati? It’s not lewd at all.”

Since it was just the three of us who were comfortable with each other, the conversation flowed naturally. I genuinely thought this kind of relationship was really comfortable. In Ati’s words, we’re best friends.

Then I remembered something I wanted to tell them.

“By the way, my café is going to be recruiting for some short-term part-time help soon.”

“Eh? Really?”

As expected, Shiina showed interest. I nodded.

“Yeah. The manager hurt his back, so they need some temporary staff until he’s back to normal.”

“Whoa, poor guy. Did he throw it out?”

“Yep. Apparently it happened while he was brushing his teeth in the morning. Piki.”

“Can you really get a thrown-out back that easily? That’s scary…”

“Apparently it can happen to anyone if you put weird strain on your lower back. Let’s be careful.”

Anyway, the back talk isn’t important. The main topic is the part-time job.

“Shiina, you were looking for a job, right? Why don’t you try interviewing?”

“Yeah… Thanks, but that place seems like it has a really high bar. Do you think I’d pass?”

Since it was her first job, Shiina seemed unusually nervous. I figured a sociable pretty girl like Shiina would pass any interview, but still.

“You don’t have to worry about the competition. They’re not even posting the job publicly.”

“Eh? What do you mean?”

Shiina’s eyes went wide. I took a sip of coffee and exhaled.

“They’re only recruiting within personal connections. Like asking friends or acquaintances of current staff to introduce people.”

“So it’s connection-based hiring!”

“Ati?”

“Yes, sorry. My usual slip of the tongue.”

“Well, to be honest, it is connection-based hiring.”

“You’re being too honest.”

This kind of thing happens a lot. The really good part-time jobs never get posted on Hello Work or Town Work. They’re kept completely within personal networks, and because they’re genuinely good, no one quits, so positions rarely open up. Looking at it that way, I was pretty lucky to have gotten in when a spot happened to open.

“Connection hiring has its advantages. Since they’re connected to current staff, they’re trustworthy and there’s no worry of them suddenly disappearing.”

“What does ‘disappearing’ mean?”

“It means ghosting the job / running away.”

The manager once complained about it. Even when he worked in corporate HR, the biggest damage came from people who quit right after being hired. It’s basically throwing away all the costs of recruiting and training.

“So, what do you think? If you want to interview, I’ll put in a word.”

“Yeah. I’ll do it. Ati-chan, want to try together?”

“Eh!? M-Me too?”

“It’s easier when you have a friend with you. It’s fine, right, Okayu?”

“Yeah, I don’t mind at all.”

The real question was how Ati felt. She looked down and thought for a moment, then suddenly raised her head.

“I’ll do it! Please let me interview!”

“Let’s do our best, Ati-chan!”

“Yes!”

Shiina and Ati firmly shook hands. You two really get along well.

“Well, even though it’s through connections, there will still be an interview. Make sure you prepare properly.”

“What kind of questions do they ask in interviews?”

“Mainly three things: motivation for applying, self-PR, and how many shifts you can work. Since this is short-term, you don’t need to worry about the last one.”

“Just for reference, what did you say, Okayu?”

“I want to know too!”

Both Shiina and Ati looked at me with expectant eyes. This is kind of embarrassing.

“I didn’t say anything special. My reasons were just ‘It’s close to home’ and ‘I like coffee’.”

“You can pass with something that simple?”

“I thought you needed some wonderful, moving episode to impress the interviewer.”

“Hey, don’t make stuff up. Listen, don’t overreach in interviews. Just be yourself.”

After giving them that piece of soulful advice, Shiina and Ati looked at each other.

“If you get hired by pretending to be someone you’re not, you’ll just struggle later. Show them the real you and let the interviewer decide.”

This is seriously important. I’ve never had a real job, but for part-time interviews, I think being honest is the most important thing.

“By the way, for self-PR, I said ‘I can talk to anyone without getting nervous’.”

“Amazing…! I have confidence that I’d be shy even with babies. Do you think I’ll pass…?”

“You have natural charm, so just show that and you’ll be fine.”

I patted Ati’s head. She looked ticklish but happy.

Shiina tilted her head curiously.

“You two seem even closer than before, huh?”

“Well, a few things happened.”

“Ehehe. We’re really good friends♡”

“Muu. I’m good friends with her too!”

“Kyaa♡”

Shiina openly showed her rivalry and hugged Ati. Ati looked incredibly happy. Hey, is this yuri? Let me join in lol.

As a final piece of advice, I added one more thing.

“In the end, whether you get hired or not comes down to whether the interviewer thinks ‘I want to work with this person.’ Personality naturally comes through. Just relax.”

――And so, on the day of the interview. In the back room of Smatabucks, Shiina and Ati were sitting nervously on pipe chairs. I entered the room with deliberate steps.

“I will be conducting today’s interview. My name is Kamioka. Nice to meet you.”

“Okayu!?”

“Tomo!?”

Shiina and Ati shot up from their seats with wide eyes. I cleared my throat. They quickly straightened their backs in a panic.

“The manager asked me to handle the interviews. Even though you’re acquaintances, I won’t show any favoritism.”

‘Please take care of us!’

The two bowed deeply. This was my first time being an interviewer, but it felt pretty good. I could get addicted to this.

At my prompting, they sat back down.

“Alright, Shiina. Tell me your motivation for applying.”

“Yes. I heard from a friend that this is a nice workplace with a good atmosphere, and since I already love this shop, I wanted to work here.”

Shiina answered smoothly, but Ati was extremely tense.

I grinned, showing my teeth.

“Ati. It’s okay to be nervous. Just tell me about yourself.”

Ati looked at me in surprise, then slowly nodded.

“…I’m not good at talking with people. But I also really love people. I applied because I wanted to spend time with my precious best friend who accepted someone like me, and with warm customers.”

“I see.”

I nodded deeply.

“That was basically a self-PR.”

“Ah! Uuu…”

“But it was cute so it’s fine!”

I stood up and clapped my hands together.

“With that, both of you pass.”

Shiina and Ati stared at me blankly.

“Eh? You’re deciding that easily?”

“I messed up a bit though.”

I burst out laughing.

“To be honest, this was pretty much a formality. I know your personalities better than anyone. I want to work with you both. That’s reason enough to pass you, right?”

The two finally seemed to process it and hugged each other in joy. I watched them with a benevolent smile and gave a big nod.

“It’s only for a short time, but let’s work well together.”

Both of them nodded with bright smiles.

‘Yes! Please take care of us!’

Just between us, the real reason was obviously that there was no way I’d reject two girls with such good personalities and cute faces.

Chapter 56: “Childhood Friend♀ and the Golden-Haired, Blue-Eyed Beautiful Girl’s First Part-Time Job” (Final Part)

“Sorry to keep you waiting! Here is your ordered Panpan Hamehame Manmanchino! Enjoy♪”

“Ah, thank you very much…!”

“That outfit looks wonderful on you♪”

“Hauaa…”

The tired-looking salaryman who was served by Shiina instantly regained his energy and left the store humming. Was it okay to have his soul completely taken like that??

As expected, Shiina adapted to the store at an incredible speed — almost like a veteran employee. She already had the aura of the shop’s idol. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call her the store’s mascot.

On the other hand, Ati was—

“Sorry for the wait. Here is your cake set.”

“My my, what an adorable young lady.”

“She looks just like a doll!”

“Here’s some candy. Eat it later.”

“Y-Yes! I’ll have it during my break!”

——She had turned into an idol for middle-aged and older customers. Her lovely appearance and earnest, slightly clumsy service completely captured the hearts of the uncles and aunties. Some customers even came specifically to see Ati. Just like she said in the interview, she was shy with strangers, but once she opened up, she showed a delicate, beautiful smile. It made sense that she gained so many repeat customers.

I, the one who got them hired, stood in the back with my arms crossed like a proud boyfriend, wearing a benevolent smile.

“Having young people really is great~ The whole shop feels so much brighter.”

Runa-senpai narrowed her eyes as if looking at something dazzling. Where should I even start with that comment?

“Senpai, aren’t college students plenty young too?”

“No no. There’s a huge generational gap between college students and high schoolers. I don’t even understand what high schoolers like these days.”

“Well, I don’t understand what middle schoolers like nowadays either.”

Generational gaps aren’t just for old people. Young people also get confused by the differences between generations. In fact, because trends come and go so quickly thanks to the internet, it might be the youth who feel the most disconnected.

“From my perspective, all you young people look like aliens.”

“Manager, how’s your back?”

“I can finally stand and walk without the corset.”

The manager, who had been resting, walked over to the counter with stiff, careful steps. It had already been a week since he threw out his back, yet it still wasn’t fully healed. For something with such a cute name like “thrown-out back,” it was surprisingly vicious.

“Is a corset really that important?”

When I asked, the manager nodded while holding his lower back and groaning.

“When you throw out your back, your back stops doing its job as a back. The corset acts as a replacement, so I can finally stand.”

“Ah, I get it. Humans look like they stand on their legs, but it’s actually the waist that supports everything.”

“So Runa-senpai has experience with back pain too?”

“I’ve never thrown mine out, but dancing and back pain are inseparable.”

“The waist is really important.”

The manager and Runa-senpai shared a knowing look. I felt a bit left out.

“Going back to the topic — what were you doing when you were around our age, Manager?”

“Other than the fact that there was no internet or smartphones, pretty much the same as you guys.”

“Isn’t that basically a different world?”

No wonder we looked like aliens to him. For a generation that grew up with the internet and smartphones from birth, life without them was unimaginable. I wonder how they even stayed in contact back then.

“Okayu, it’s finally calming down.”

“Tomo! I got some candy. Ehehe♪”

Even Shiina and Ati came over. It was getting lively.

I looked the two of them up and down, from the top of their heads to their toes.

“Still, that uniform really suits you both. The chic design is a perfect match.”

“W-What’s with the sudden compliment… It’s embarrassing~”

“Thank you♪ I really like it too.”

Shiina was obviously flustered, while Ati happily accepted the praise. Their reactions were completely opposite, but both were cute.

Come to think of it, the uniforms they were wearing had a different design from Runa-senpai’s. Senpai wore a tight skirt, while theirs were long skirts.

“This uniform brings back memories. We pulled out the old design from before the renewal.”

The manager gently stroked his chin and narrowed his eyes. Well, they couldn’t exactly make new uniforms just for short-term part-timers.

“How many years has this shop been open?”

“It’s been about 20 years now. I started it after quitting my company job. The first few years were in the red.”

The manager had gone through a lot. Working part-time really makes you realize that every person walking around has their own life story.

The manager looked at each of us in turn and smiled warmly, the deep wrinkles on his face softening.

“Surrounded by the scent of the coffee I love and young people like you, every day feels very fulfilling.”

We looked at each other and naturally smiled.

――One more week passed after that. The days flew by, and it was finally the last day of the girls’ part-time work. Without any major incidents, they finished their regular duties and moved on to closing tasks.

“Thank you for everything during this short time. I learned so much!”

“It was really fun. I’ve come to love this shop even more.”

“Thank you both. I’m really glad it was you two who came.”

The fully recovered manager listened as the two expressed their gratitude. He looked at them with the gentle eyes of a grandfather watching his grandchildren.

“Now then, this is your pay. I could have transferred it, but handing it over directly feels nicer, right?”

The manager handed them brown envelopes. Shiina and Ati accepted them respectfully and checked the contents.

“Eh? Is it really okay to receive this much?”

“Yeah. You two really helped me out.”

“I’m so happy. Earning money yourself feels this good, huh.”

“Yeah. What should we spend it on?”

“I’m thinking of buying presents for Mom and Dad.”

“I’ll do that too. Even then, there’ll still be quite a bit left over.”

Shiina and Ati were visibly excited. From where I was standing, I could see the manager had given them a generous bonus.

I patted both of them on the shoulder and grinned.

“Since it’s a special occasion, let’s go eat something delicious next time!”

The two looked at each other and broke into wide smiles.

“Yeah!”

“Yes♪”

――And so, the two girls’ first part-time job ended without any issues.