The Story of Waking up With My Beautiful Childhood Friend and Realizing We Had Spent the Night Together - Chapter 11

Chapter 11: It’s Over… by Iori

“Employment.”

…The moment I brought Mizuki to the store, those were the words the manager said.

It was after the store had closed.

I had talked to the manager, and we were going to conduct the interview today.

We had prepared for the expected questions… or so I thought.

But all of that became useless just now.

“…No, um, shouldn’t we have some kind of Q&A or something?”

“No need.”

“But still, this is supposed to be an interview…”

“Then let me ask you, Amano Iori-kun.”

With an exaggerated gesture, the manager quickly clasped his fingers.

“—If you were the manager, would you reject her employment?”

“Instant decision.”

“I knew it.”

I was speechless.

I glanced at Mizuki, who looked a bit unsure beside me.

Her delicate skin. Her big eyes. Her sharp nose and small, shiny lips.

Her long black hair was glossy and clearly well taken care of.

She was over 170 cm tall, and her figure was just like that of a model.

…She’s beautiful. Even though she’s my childhood friend, I can’t help but think, if she’s not beautiful, then who is?

If she were to be the one doing the service here, there’s no doubt she’d become the unbeatable shop assistant.

“You did well to bring her here. I’ll raise your hourly wage.”

“Wait, what? What about all the work I’ve done so far?”

“Of course, I’m factoring that in too.”

The manager grabbed my hand firmly.

With a slightly complicated feeling, I returned the handshake.

Then, Mizuki, who had been fidgeting nervously beside me, spoke.

“Um, so, I… I mean, I…”

“Oh, right. Of course, you’re hired. You can start training tomorrow, no, today.”

“Y-Yes.”

“Iori-kun, you’re the one who’ll be teaching her. Teach her well.”

“…Okay.”

Well, that makes sense.

This store used to be run by the manager alone, and then I joined, making it the two of us.

Since there aren’t many seats, it’s been running just fine with just the two of us.

The manager’s busy, so when it comes to teaching, I’m the only one who can do it.

“Alright, then… Good luck.”

“Yeah… Oh, okay.”

She smiled happily and corrected herself.

…Wait a second, aren’t you enjoying this situation, Mizuki?

“Oh, by the way.”

At that moment, the manager turned around as if he’d forgotten something.

“Huh? Yes?”

“I have a sense of what your relationship is, but… keep it in check while you’re at work.”

“Eh…?”

Apparently, he saw through us instantly.

Is it really that obvious, like with that lady? Are we that easy to read?

…Is this going to be okay at school?

I’m starting to feel a little anxious.

…

I glanced sideways, and Mizuki was looking down, embarrassed.

…It’s unfair how even a face like that looks like a beautiful painting.

“Well, then. For today, let’s start by memorizing the menu and learning the basics of taking orders.”

“Mm, okay.”

We proceeded with some simple training.

Mizuki, despite her usual blank expression, had a somehow contented look on her face.

“…So, how about it? Do you think you can do it?”

“Yeah. I think I’ll be fine.”

“I see. Then, pretend I’m a customer and give it a try.”

We started with the greeting when a customer enters.

I stepped outside the store for a moment.

After a few seconds… Alright.

Click.

“—Welcome.”

“…Fughh?!”

“Fugh?”

I almost screamed by accident.

What an incredible impact. Even a simple greeting, said by someone else, makes such a difference…

When the store opens, I get greeted by a breathtaking beauty.

…Is this really okay? Won’t this store become ridiculously popular?

“This is beyond what I expected…”

The manager, who had quietly approached, muttered to himself.

“Manager. This is bad. We should cancel the hiring right now.”

“Huh?”

“No, we might need to double her pay, actually.”

The manager said this with a completely serious face.

I’ve been working here for a year and a half, though? Isn’t that a little unfair?

“That’s not what I mean! At this rate, the ‘Nocturne’ we love is going to turn into a different store!”

“Hey, hey, it won’t change that fast… Probably, surely.”

His confidence seemed lacking.

No, this is bad. At this rate, the ‘beautiful new staff’ craze will get posted on social media, and young people will flock here.

I like the quiet, calm atmosphere of this store.

I have to make sure that doesn’t happen!

“…Iori?”

“…Huh?”

“Should I… not work here?”

“Guh!“

She asked with a sad look, her eyebrows lowered.

Please don’t. Don’t make that face.

Also, manager, stop with that scary expression. When did you learn to look like that? I never knew.

Okay, I get it. I understand.

“…N-No way.”

I said, my face awkwardly stiffened.

One week had passed.

Mizuki, who was quick to pick things up, learned the job right away, and I was able to entrust the work in the hall to her without any issues.

“—Is everything in your order ready?”

“Y-Yes…”

The regular old man seemed a bit taken aback by the sudden appearance of the beautiful staff.

The old lady next to him elbowed him.

“Ugh!?” he let out a startled noise, but Mizuki, without any sign of hesitation, came over to take the order.

“Two blends, a cheesecake, and a Mont Blanc, please.”

“Yes…”

“Thank you. You’ve really gotten the hang of things.”

“…No.”

She was modest, but the air around her was that of a seasoned pro.

It was hard to tell since she doesn’t change her expression easily, but she showed no signs of nervousness.

A perfectly crafted, beautiful signboard girl had been born.

Even the manager was smiling contentedly.

(…However.)

I looked around the store.

The number of customers had increased, but the customer base hadn’t changed much.

The young crowd hadn’t rushed in just because of the beautiful staff, and that was a relief.

…Thinking that was probably the flag that led to what happened next.

“—So why do I have to go out with you, Kashiwagi?”

“Don’t say that, I’m just trying to make up for the pain Iori caused me…”

“If you say that again, I’ll punch you.”

“O-Okay, okay. But hey, this store? Word’s been spreading that a ridiculously beautiful new staff member started, you know? But it’s a little awkward for just one guy to go in, right?”

“…Sigh. I knew it.”

…Clink.

“Oh, it’s a nice atmosphere—”

“…What’s going on—”

“Ah, welcome—”

“…”

“…”

“…”

“—Eh?”