When I Picked Up A Stunningly Gorgeous Downer-Type Beauty In Front Of The Entrance. - Chapter 66: My First Errand...No, My First Bill

My First Errand…No, My First Bill

“Your total comes to 1,200 yen.”

“On credit, please.”

“…Sure. Here is your receipt. Thank you very much.”

“Thank you.”

With a light bow, the stylish woman left the cafe. The doorbell jingled softly as she exited.

…She handled that much more smoothly than I expected.

Though her voice was low and quiet and she showed no signs of friendliness, her movements were fluid and efficient. It was hard to believe this was her first time. There was an air of confidence about her.

The employee who had been watching from behind nodded appreciatively, clearly impressed.

“You’re a natural.”

“…Thanks.”

“Have you done customer service before?”

“No.”

“Well, you’re fearless and that’s great. Really great.”

The employee gave her a thumbs-up. Sajou-san, however, seemed unmoved by the praise, responding only with brief acknowledgments.

Watching this exchange, I couldn’t help but let out a breath of admiration. To handle the job so calmly after just a brief explanation was impressive. Most people would be a bit more nervous and worried about making mistakes. Her composure was on another level.

It also highlighted her sharp mind. Despite her unfamiliarity with everyday life—mistaking octopus-shaped sausages for real octopus and thinking that a hamburger with a carrot stuck in it was standard fare—she clearly had a keen intellect.

I recalled how, despite the excellent meals I’ve been enjoying lately, the first bento she made for me had a slightly burnt omelet and oddly shaped side dishes. She probably hadn’t cooked much before. Yet within just a few months, she had honed her cooking skills to near-professional levels. It seems she’s one of those people who can master anything if she sets her mind to it.

Though she occasionally makes quirky mistakes in her cooking, those quirks have their own charm.

While I admired her abilities, it also made me a bit anxious. Midterm exams were coming up in October, and although I attended school regularly, there was a nagging fear that I might score lower than her on the tests. The prospect of losing to her, even in academics, was daunting.

I resolved to study harder.

I took a sip of the now gooey caramel cream cappuccino. So sweet…

Even though I had spent a while watching Sajou-san’s customer service, it was clear that she had the skills to handle it without any issues.

“…I will repeat your order,” she said, smoothly taking orders and delivering food, looking like she had been working there for a long time.

Some high school girls started chatting her up:

“That waiter is so cool.”

“Is she a model? Or maybe in a band?”

“I want to cheer for her!”

“…Have you decided on your order?”

“Let’s give her an order!”

“…I’ll bring your water.”

“Ha ha! So cool!”

Although she was approached by a group of high school girls, it was within the acceptable range. She looks too good and is too cool, so it’s understandable they want to talk to her. It’s not something to get worked up about since it’s just girls. If it were guys, I’d want to get rid of them.

“…In the end, my worries were baseless,” I murmured, realizing how much I had overreacted. Maybe I was acting like a concerned parent… or rather, a concerned roommate? Whatever that means. I pressed my forehead against the cool, condensation-covered glass. So cold.

Despite her somewhat lacking customer service demeanor, there was nothing to worry about. I stayed for about an hour, and no male customers showed up, making it unlikely she’d get hit on. Most of my time was spent watching her work efficiently and thinking, “…She’s really good at this.”

…In retrospect, this whole thing is pretty crazy. I mean, following Sajou-san like a stalker while in drag. I can’t believe how overboard I went, even if I was worried. It made me shudder to think how narrow my focus had become.

…Time to head home.

I downed the melted, shapeless remains of my cappuccino in one gulp. It felt like I had just drunk syrup directly, and it clung to my throat. I gagged a little. The glass was empty, and I didn’t feel like asking for more water, so I decided to tough it out until I got home.

Standing up, I felt the black skirt sway around me, and I tried to walk gracefully, remembering my classmate’s advice to avoid taking large steps. I walked towards the register.

But then I realized the final challenge awaited me.