Someone Who Believes They Can Live Normally in a World Where Chastity Is Reversed (Did You Think You Could Live Normally in a World With a Male-To-Female Ratio of 1:5?) - Chapter 51: Toast With Tsundere OL

“Number one?”

“Yeah! Yusei and Yusuke are really going at it to see who’s on top.”

On a certain Friday at the end of the month, as I was changing in the locker room of the boys’ bar “Festa,” the seniors brought up such a topic.

A male host’s salary varies depending on how much they contribute to the sales, in addition to their hourly wage. The price paid by customers does not include the cost of the host’s drinks. The bar’s business model relies on customers paying for the host’s drinks, thus contributing to the bar’s revenue.

The host who earns the highest sales for the month becomes the “number one” at the bar. Becoming number one doesn’t necessarily mean a raise in salary, but the sales figures are posted, and regular customers are aware of them. It seems to be a kind of industry term.

“It’s not a big deal to be number one.”

“Are you sure you don’t care? You’re conscious of it, right?”

Yusei-san, who arrived late, said with a wry smile.

Yusei-san wasn’t exactly a perfect beauty, but he was popular because he was good at conversation.

“Masato, why don’t you aim for it once you can drink alcohol?”

“No, that’s impossible for me.”

Even if I reached the legal drinking age, I doubt I could handle situations like Yusei-san does. My conversations weren’t that interesting… If I want to earn more, I guess I’ll have to study those skills.

“Alright, let’s start the meeting!”

“Okay!”

As I pondered over these thoughts, it seemed like it was already time to open.

The seniors seemed concerned about sales, but I focused on my work without much worry.

—

“Good evening, Seira-san. You’re here again today.”

“Well… didn’t I tell you I was coming?”

Today, Seira-san came to the bar again. In fact, she hasn’t missed a Friday since we met.

Her smile exuded the grace of a mature woman. She looks wonderful when she smiles!

I took Seira-san’s suit jacket and escorted her to her seat. As I dropped a few ice cubes into her glass, they made a pleasant clinking sound.

After a few minutes of small talk, Seira-san looked around and said, “It’s quite lively today.”

Indeed, voices like ‘I’ll have a drink’ or ‘I’ll have champagne’ have been occasionally heard in the store since earlier.

“Yes, probably because it’s the end of the month.”

“Is there a connection?”

“We manage sales on a monthly basis, so maybe everyone wants to boost this month’s numbers?”

I feel like everyone paid more attention to numbers around this time each month.

“Well, everyone’s impressive. I’ve never worked thinking it’s for the company…”

“But isn’t that the same? In a way, everyone is working hard to increase their own salary… And maybe some people also want to become number one?”

“Number one?”

Seira-san reacted to the term “number one” and looked me in the eye.

“Is it like whoever had the highest sales for the month becomes number one?”  

“I see… What about you, Masato?”  

“Huh? Me? It’s completely irrelevant for me. I’m probably at the bottom. Plus, I only work once a week.”  

It was naturally expected. Since I only work once a week and can’t drink alcohol, and considering Seira-san was the only one that requested me, I couldn’t possibly compete with those who serve many customers. My seniors understand my situation, and they never bring up sales discussions. They’re all good people.  

“At the bottom?”  

Seira-san stopped abruptly. Something seemed to have caught her attention as she lowered her gaze. Was it about sales?  

“I’m the only one who works once a week, and besides, I can’t drink alcohol in the first place, so isn’t it natural…?”

“It’s unacceptable.”  

“Huh?”  

She uttered a low voice, dripping with pressure. I involuntarily recoiled from Seira-san’s mysterious intimidation.  

“Masato being at the bottom is unacceptable. Very well. This is a challenge to me…  “

“Wait, I think it’s probably not like that…”  

I felt like she was going in an entirely different direction!   I hurriedly stopped Seira-san, who was pulling out her wallet.  

“I can’t drink alcohol in the first place! No matter how expensive the alcohol is, I can’t drink it!”  

“It’s okay… This is an investment in the future… Please open and drink it when you can.”  

“How long do you plan to store a bottle of champagne?”  

I’ve heard that alcoholic beverages last longer if stored properly, but… that’s not the issue here.  

“But it’s frustrating! My Masato is the lowest in the shop!”  

“You said ‘my’ quite casually there, didn’t you? Don’t think I didn’t notice!”  

“Let me be like that only in this store!”

“Too desperate.”  

With flushed cheeks from the alcohol, Seira-san was vehemently arguing. It seemed like she wouldn’t compromise on this matter.  

After making Seira-san put down her hand that was ready to order expensive alcohol,  

“I understand, I understand! I’ll check with the staff at the shop!”  

“Go ahead and pick an expensive one without any hesitation. Since I’m the only one paying anyway.”

This person was hopeless; her eyes were completely sparkling.

—-

After going back to check with the staff, I found Aika-san, who was about to go out the back door with cigarettes in hand.  

“Aika-san, sorry to bother you, but one of our regulars wants to order expensive alcohol…”  

“Oh. That’s good, isn’t it? I think there’s a list over there, so you can choose the most expensive one–”  

“No, no, no, but I still can’t drink!”  

“It’s fine, isn’t it? Just casually say you’ll drink it next time~”  

“That, that’s true, but…”  

This is bad. Aika-san is also a manager. Of course, it’s better to have expensive alcohol if it brings in money to the shop… but then again…  

As I was pondering, Aika-san chuckled.  

“Well, I thought that’s what you would say. It’s just a joke. Here, take this.”  

She said and handed me a laminated menu.  

At the top was written ‘Non-alcoholic Cocktails’.  

“Thank you so much!”  

“Well, don’t overdo it. Don’t get too close. Remember that you’re ‘entertaining’ her.”  

“Yes!”  

With the menu in hand, I returned to Seira-san’s table.  

With this, it’s a reasonable price, and I can drink too! Seira-san should be satisfied with this.  

“Do you really understand what I’m saying…?”  

Aika-san mumbled with a cigarette in her mouth. I couldn’t hear her voice, but it sounded exasperated yet gentle.

—

“Seira-san, if you choose from this, I can drink too!” 

I handed the menu to her, who was waiting at the table. 

Alright, alright. With this, I can fulfill Seira-san’s desire to spend money, and I won’t feel guilty either. Isn’t it perfect?

As I smiled, I watched Seira-san, who was next to me, carefully examining the menu.

“…There are no bottles here, right?”

“Huh? …That’s right, I don’t think there are. It’s not champagne or anything.”

“…Cheap.”

“Huh?”

I felt like I heard an unbelievable word. Maybe I misheard…

“Too cheap…”

Yeah, there’s no way I misheard that.

“No, no, no! Seira-san, this is quite expensive! Your sense of money is totally messed up!”

The cocktails lined up on the menu were all reasonably priced. As a college student, these were prices I couldn’t easily afford.

“At this rate, Masato won’t be able to be number one…”

“Seira-san, that’s impossible, so please give up…”

The people competing for the top spot were working a lot and handling a considerable amount of customers.

Trying to compete with them was fundamentally impossible.

“Understood. For now, let’s go with these.”

“…I don’t understand what ‘for now’ means at all…”

She pointed out five cocktails. Altogether, it would be quite expensive.

As I glanced up from the menu, I met the gaze of large bluish purple eyes.

“I’ll give up on making you  number one. It can’t be helped. But I still don’t like that you are at the bottom.”

“I-I’m happy for the sentiment…!”

Even though we’re supposed to be adults doing things that make sense, her serious expression makes it difficult to react.

Recently, Seira-san has been coming at me straightforwardly, so I’m feeling a bit thrown off.

“For now, let’s just go with these. Masato, let’s drink together!”

“I can’t drink all of these, you know?!”

I ordered the designated cocktails and had them brought over.

“Come on, let’s make a toast.”

“Y-Yeah, let’s toast…”

Clink! The glasses made a pleasant sound as they touched.

As I sipped from the glass, the citrusy taste passing through my throat, I realized I would have to drink a fair amount, given that there were still four more left…

I drank about half and placed the glass on the table.

Seira-san, watching my actions, was smiling very happily and seemed to be in a good mood.

—-

“Whew! That was fun! I’m looking forward to drinking with you when you can drink!”

“Please be gentle with me when that time comes…”

Taking Seira-san’s arm as she put on her coat, we headed to the checkout.

I haven’t looked at the bill since midway. Is this really okay…?

Handing the slip to the senior boy at the register, Seira-san said something incredible.

“Excuse me, did Masato’s sales increase a little with this?”

“Huh? Oh! It’s amazing that you’re even worried about something like that, Masato! You’ve got a good customer, huh?”

“Y-Yeah, haha…”

While pounding the register, the senior laughed briskly.

Seira-san seemed embarrassed to be called a good customer, and what’s going on…

The senior handed me the receipt and said,

“Masato’s sales increased thanks to you, miss! Well, he’s still a newbie, so he needs to attract more new ladies, you know!”

At the mention of “new ladies,” Seira-san, who had been embarrassed, froze.

Uh-oh, I have a really bad feeling about this…

“In that case, please put in the most expensive bottle of champagne. I’ll pay with my card.”

“Seira-san! Thank you very much for today! We look forward to your next visit!!”

In a panic, I pushed Seira-san, who had taken out her credit card with determined eyes, out of the store.