Chapter 215: The Handsome Part-timer
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 215: The Handsome Part-timer
"Great work today!"
Renka and I called out cheerfully.
The owner, accepting our greeting, had a very bright expression. It meant he was satisfied with our work.
All we'd really done was spend our time in the quiet cafe memorizing the recipes for various drinks and the custom orders of the regulars, but I was relieved we seemed to have made a good impression.
At first, I wondered how I'd ever memorize everything, but thankfully, the cafe had a recipe for every drink. All I had to do was follow the instructions, and the custom orders were just a matter of adding options on the POS machine, so it wasn't too difficult.
The real test would begin tomorrow.
The owner had said we were quick learners with a positive attitude and told us to run the place by ourselves tomorrow.
"The owner seems to trust people a little too easily. It might not be my place to say, but he doesn't seem very cautious."
As we walked down the street, Renka nodded in agreement with my words.
"I know, right? I didn't expect him to throw us into the fire starting tomorrow."
"Let's do our best, just the two of us."
"Yeah."
"While we were learning today, what was the hardest drink for you to make? I found the strawberry frappe a bit annoying."
"Hmm... if I had to pick one, the chocochip frappuccino was a little tricky. By the way, do you have somewhere to be? The subway station is this way."
Renka's question was directed at me as I stood at a crosswalk away from the station.
I sniffed my clothes, wondering if they smelled, and answered casually.
"I'm taking the car. You should come too, Captain. I'll give you a ride."
"What...? You brought your car?"
"Yep."
Was she dumbfounded by my nonchalant attitude?
She looked at me as if I were pathetic and shook her head.
"You should have said so...! There's an employee parking lot..."
"I missed the timing to tell him. I was planning on it tomorrow."
"You're like a dense bear. You don't look the type."
"Was that an insult? Are you calling me stupid?"
"Does it sound that way?"
"Hmm."
"D-don't do that!"
Renka flinched instinctively.
I snickered inwardly at her flustered reaction to my little joke; she was completely thrown off balance. I asked with a look of puzzlement.
"Why?"
"It makes you look like you're plotting something sinister...!"
"Plotting something just because I made a sound? Haven't you been reading too many comics?"
"Urk...!"
Hit a nerve, did I? Because you actually have been reading too many?
A meaningful, almost villainous smile crept onto my face. I beckoned with my finger to Renka, who was keeping a certain distance from me.
"Come on. What are you doing over there?"
"....."
Renka cautiously stuck out her right foot.
The way she slowly approached me was like a kitten wary of a stranger.
"Hey..."
"Yes?"
"I think I know what you're thinking... but it's not like that..."
Isn't that the first thing a woman says to a man when she's been caught cheating?
"What isn't?"
"....."
Annoyed by my feigned ignorance, Renka scowled.
Just then, the crosswalk light turned green.
Seeing it, I spoke in an innocent tone.
"Let's go."
"...This is driving me crazy."
You've been muttering to yourself a lot lately. Do you know I can hear everything?
Just keep it in your head. It's pathetic to watch.
* * *
A modern car stood stock-still in front of Renka's traditional-looking house.
Inside, I poked Renka's shoulder with my finger. She was just staring blankly at her front gate, showing no sign of getting out.
"Captain, aren't you getting out?"
Renka flinched and looked at me.
"...Hey."
"Yes."
"Have you ever... on the internet or something... Ah, never mind."
She started to say something in a hushed voice, then trailed off before opening the passenger door and continuing.
"See you tomorrow."
"A thank you would be nice."
"I'm not grateful you drove me."
"Such a contrarian."
"Think what you want. I'm going. Don't get into an accident."
It's funny how she twists her words around just to tell me to drive safe.
I let out a dry laugh watching Renka quickly walk away from the car. Back home, I turned on the heater and took a shower.
Afterward, I flopped down on my futon, fiddling with my phone and about to turn on the TV when I noticed a notification from the AniShare app I had installed.
Wondering what it was, I opened it to find a private message.
It was from Run Ino-chan, Renka's alter ego.
[Hey, MK.]
Has it been a while since I talked to the online version of Renka?
Feeling a strange sense of novelty, I propped one knee up, rested my other leg on it, and tapped the screen in a comfortable position.
[Hello, Run Ino-chan. Did you read the comic I recommended?]
[No. I have something to say.]
The reply was immediate.
She must have been waiting for me.
[What is it?]
[Why are you so rude?]
Why is she suddenly saying that?
Sure, I'd been a bit of an ass when I left reviews for Renka or sent her private messages, but the timing was so out of the blue.
After blocking me for so long, she sends an aggressive message all of a sudden...
I paused for a moment, wondering why Renka was acting this way, then smirked as a picture started to form in my head.
'So she's decided to run an experiment.'
You could say Renka had cast her bait.
She picks a fight, and then the next day, if I mention something during a normal conversation like, 'Something like this happened yesterday and it made me mad,' it would reveal that I'm the same person as MK.
That's how she plans to check.
So that's why she mentioned the internet in the car earlier.
But isn't this experiment a little too timid, leaving so much to chance?
[Me?]
[Yes.]
[I'm sorry if you felt that way.]
[I don't need your apology. Where do you live?]
[Why should I give my personal information to a stranger?]
[Do you live in Tokyo?]
[Maybe. Where do you think I live?]
[Are you a guy? How old are you?]
She's getting obsessive.
I wonder if she's trying to bait me by suggesting we meet up for a fight or something.
[You're scaring me. Why are you being like this?]
[Am I scaring you?]
[Yes. I have things to do, so let's end this here. Go leave a review on the report about training my girlfriend.]
[I don't want to. (｡•̀ ᴖ •́｡)]
What's with the emoticon?
Is she trying to express that she's angry?
It's cute, but it looks so... pathetic that all the tension just drains away.
[Fine, then. Don't read it.]
The read receipt appeared, but there was no immediate reply from Run Ino-chan.
She seemed flustered by my unexpected response.
A scene suddenly played out in my mind.
Renka, having realized I'm MK, takes petty revenge for being flustered by me in real life by sending MK a nasty message...
Lashing out, thinking I don't know her true identity...
Why is that turning me on? I feel like my weird kinks have really been flaring up lately.
[I'm sorry. I was just really stressed out today. I'll read it and leave a review.]
Changed her strategy, has she? This time she's backing down, leaving the door open for another conversation.
Finding her transparent little game of tug-of-war amusing, I ignored her message when a notification from Chinami came in and opened my messaging app instead.
[Junior, is this the kind of picture you wanted?]
Along with the message, a photo of Chinami smiling brightly while wearing Momo-nim's pajamas and a nightcap was sent.
It was a mirror selfie. There was no chest exposure, but the bottom two buttons of her pajamas were undone, revealing her pale stomach...
It was a subtly lewd photo, her belly button just barely visible.
Was that intentional? How does she know these kinds of turn-ons?
As expected, Chinami is a natural-born pervert.
[I'm very satisfied.]
[I'm glad. It was worth thinking about. Oh, I heard from Renka that you're working part-time together now?]
She must have reported in already.
Renka is also surprisingly good at using her time efficiently.
Just like me.
[That's what happened.]
[I was worried because you two were always at each other's throats, but this is great. I hope you two become very, very good friends.]
[As you wish, Master. We'll become very, very good friends.]
[Okay. Well, I'm off to dreamland now.]
[Are there any other pictures?]
[Ah, I'll send you another one tomorrow.]
[Okay. Sleep well.]
[You too, Junior. Good night.]
Chinami sent an emoticon of a peach character bowing its head.
Thinking that the character's gently rounded, pink face looked like Chinami's butt, I ended our conversation and got up from my spot.
I'd heard the front gate open.
Opening the window, I saw Miyuki walking this way, carrying a large plastic bag.
Looks like she went grocery shopping.
I slipped on my sandals, went over to her, and took the plastic bag from her as if snatching it away.
"Why didn't you call? Why just show up?"
"I heard you started work today, so I thought you'd be tired... If I had called, you would have come to pick me up."
"It's not that far... Are you sleeping over tonight?"
"Yeah. But I have to leave early tomorrow."
"Where are you going?"
"My dad said he's redoing the garden. Are you working again tomorrow, Matsuda-kun?"
"Yeah. In the morning."
"That's a shame. It would have been nice if we could have done it together."
I'm disappointed too.
It was a chance to leave my mark on Miyuki's house, and in a visible place, too.
Come to think of it, I need to remodel Miyuki's room to my liking as well...
I'll have to set a date for that on a day off.