The Story Where I, the Strongest Mercenary, Was Reincarnated as a Bullied Introverted High School Student ~ When I Was Freely Enjoying My School Life, for Some Reason the Girls Around Me Started Glancing at Me~ - Chapter 21: We're Accomplices Now

(So this is Jinta’s workplace, ‘Kuroyagitei’.)

A 10-minute run from home, it was a Japanese fusion cuisine restaurant. “Fusion cuisine” was putting it nicely, in the end, it was just an unprincipled shop that served any delicious food.

When I arrived at my workplace, I began preparing ingredients for cooking. From Jinta’s years of experience, I roughly knew which dishes sold well and which ones took time to prepare. It wasn’t opening time yet, nor was it my shift time. However, Fushimi Jinta came alone at this time every day to prep ingredients. If he didn’t, they wouldn’t be able to serve food on time.

(So Jinta did this every time. Yet instead of being thanked, he was cursed at by his coworkers and never talked back… Was he that afraid of Dojima?)

Following the previous Fushimi Jinta’s example, I prepped dish after dish. They were now in a state where they just needed a bit more work before being served. I also snacked a little while working… just about 5 servings’ worth.

Eventually, one of the high school girl hall staff members came in. It was Kanai Chiyo. She was the only girl who talked to Jinta. However, her expression looked poor and her complexion was bad.

“Hey, good morning.”

“…What is it, Fushimi. Wait, did you cut your hair?”

“More importantly, what’s wrong? You don’t seem well…”

“I had a big fight with my parents this morning. That’s all… leave me alone.”

After saying just that, Kanai went to the changing room looking displeased. Ten minutes later, when Kanai came out in her work uniform, I beckoned her over. Kanai tilted her head but came over to me.

“Did you eat breakfast properly? If not, eat this.”

Saying that, I prepared a simple breakfast set using the store’s ingredients. If she had a big fight in the morning, there was a chance she ran out of the house without eating. And that guess was probably right. When Kanai saw the food, her stomach made a cute gurgling sound. Her face turned bright red as she frantically pressed her hands to her stomach.

“If we get caught snacking, that bald manager will scold us terribly, you know?”

“Hmm.”

I ate a piece of the sliced bread that was on the breakfast set plate in front of her.

“We’re accomplices now. It’d be troublesome if you collapsed while working. No one will notice behind the kitchen, so eat up.”

When I said that and smiled, Kanai’s face turned even redder.

“Th-thank you…”

Kanai obediently went behind the kitchen to eat. Good, now Kanai was also an accomplice in my snacking on 5 servings’ worth.

Eventually, the other high school hall staff members also arrived at the store one after another for their shifts.

“Oh, Fushimi cut his hair~”

“This guy’s face isn’t bad, you know~”

“Everything else about him is bad though. Wait, didn’t his look in his eyes get worse too? Lol.”

“Ahaha, that’s too much~ but it’s true~ Lol.”

The high school staff members made fun of me while chatting. Kanai, who had been eating breakfast behind the kitchen, came out and raised her voice.

“You guys, stop the trash talk and go get changed!”

“Ah, Kanai-chan was here already~”

“Yes yes, you’re so serious and admirable~”

“But wait, Kanai always talks bad about Fushimi too~”

“It’s because pathetic loner Fushimi is bad~”

Saying that, everyone went to the changing room. I couldn’t help but look at Kanai.

“Kanai… you…”

“Wh-what? It’s not for your sake! The store’s about to open, so I was just making them hurry!”

Kanai said that and turned away embarrassedly.

“You have bread crumbs on your cheek…”

“What, really!?”

“Just kidding.”

“…I hate you.”

“Was it delicious?”

“…It was delicious. Thank you. I feel a bit better now. Even though it’s from Fushimi… it helped.”

Kanai said that and smiled. It looked like she’d work hard today too.

◇◇◇

And then, just before opening time.

The hired manager Saida, who knew nothing about Fushimi Jinta’s prep work struggles, came stomping into the store. He plopped down heavily in a customer seat and gave me orders.

“Hey, Fushimi~ I got tired coming here, so massage my legs first~”

I smiled nicely at Saida.

“Don’t get cocky, you bald fatass.”