Royal Road
Chapter 123: Open Terrace during Break Time.
Chapter 123: Open Terrace during Break Time.
Hmm, its delicious! The food at our store is really tasty!
During the break time for the part-timers, in the open terrace of Book Cafe Rakunichi, Haruka and I were enjoying coffee, roast beef sandwiches, and scones.
Its unusual in Japan for employees to take their break in the customer area, but its recommended only during times when there are few customers, with the condition that they eat quickly and without their aprons.
Yeah, its really good. And the fact that its free makes it even better.
As I savored the combination of soft bread and what seemed to be gravy-seasoned roast beef, I replied.
The employees of this store have the perk of free coffee, and theyre also allowed to eat or take away soon-to-be discarded light snacks during their break time, though only when its not busy.
But still having lunch together like this in a caf, it feels like a date or something
In reality, it was just a lunch break between co-workers, but it felt like Haruka and I were enjoying a casual lunch on a holiday.
Hehe, having lunch on an open terrace like this on such a sunny day feels really nice! I might even forget that Im at work!
With a beaming smile, Haruka munched on her sandwich, showing a pure joy akin to a child whos come camping for the first time.
While I think a lunch in a humble caf like this would be considered modest for a super-rich young lady like Haruka, she finds joy in every little thing and smiles happily.
Geez, youre working quite hard, Haruka. Are you sure youre okay? I mean, I cant really say much, but youre really taking on a lot of shifts. You dont need to push yourself so much, you know?
Haruka, who had started working as a form of social study, had already worked quite a bit this month.
Thanks to her youth as a high school student, she could overlook a certain amount of fatigue, which is why I was worried.
Well, actually, Ive been having some bad dreams lately, and I wake up in the middle of the night several times. So, mornings have been a bit tough for me
Huh are you having scary dreams or something?
Im not really sure, the details are kind of vague. Its like being trapped in a completely dark space with nothing around, and even though it should be really scary, I dont feel anything. My thoughts just stop.
I was quite shocked by what Haruka was saying. The content was way more intense than I had imagined.
Thats definitely not okay! You should definitely talk to Misima-san later and get your shifts reduced! Thats really not good for you!
Uh, do you really think so? I mean, its not that hard for me
Yes, its a no-go! Even if you think youre okay consciously, subconsciously youre accumulating fatigue. Its your first job, so maybe take it a bit easier Huh?
As I was going on, Haruka giggled lightly. Her unexpected response left me a bit deflated.
Ah, Im sorry. It just reminded me of something The first time you walked me home from school, you were so worried and earnestly said many things to me, didnt you?
Ah, yeah That feels like it was so long ago now
Back then, on the day I started my part-time job, I had advised Haruka quite a bit to correct her self-punishing thoughts.
Looking back from that time, it felt like wed come a long way, casually calling each other by name.
I always feel like youre thinking about me, Shinichirou I cant help but smile naturally
I-I see
As Haruka, just as usual, confessed her feelings openly, she smiled happily as if she were a child.
And I, as always, could only be captivated by that refreshing smile.
I did get a bit too carried away. Ill talk to Misima-san and reduce my shifts later.
Yeah, please do. No matter how much we say were high schoolers, we dont have unlimited energy or stamina, right?
Having successfully put the brakes on the overly diligent girl, I heaved a sigh of relief.
Misima-san was quite considerate of the employees, so shed likely be flexible with shift adjustments.
Speaking of which, Misima-san has been acting a bit strange lately She seems distant towards me, and there are times when she even uses formal language
Yes, it was akin to handling something very fragile, like touching the heir of an executive who got the job through connections
Well, you see when my father and you were having a very serious conversation, it seems like Misima-san got the wrong idea
Huh?
When I inquired with a puzzled expression, Haruka explained why Misima-sans attitude had changed, looking a little troubled.
Huh?
She thought I was from an elite family, as if I were the son of an executive who had gotten the job through connections, and believed I was going to become an executive or even the president of Chiaki-rou Bookstore in the future?
Well, I mean, it must have been quite a strange sight for Misima-san to see a part-timer having such a serious conversation with the president but isnt that a bit of an overreach?
Yes, I told her the same thing but she said something like, You dont have to hide it, Haruka-san. I understand it must be difficult for you with your parents decisions, but its wonderful that you both have feelings for each other, or something I didnt quite understand
I really dont get it
I pictured the somewhat scatterbrained store manager, who, while competent, had a slightly quirky thought process, and Haruka and I exchanged bewildered looks.
By the way, both Misima-san and her subordinates, the full-time employees, seemed very busy.
The reason for this was that Tokimune-san had announced the activation of a major reform plan in line with the declared change in management policy from the day after the incident. Chiaki-rou Bookstores headquarters was currently in the midst of turmoil.
After all, the flagship store designated for the promotion and acceleration of the Book Cafe business, Book Cafe Rakunichi, had decided on significant expansion, including a large increase in staff, an expansion of the advertising strategy, and the introduction of new business plans.
With this, a new store manager was bound to arrive soon, and Misima-san was happily thinking shed be relieved of her duties
However, Misima-san, who had protected the stores sales up until today, was unexpectedly appointed as the official store manager instead of an interim position, and she cried out in despair:
Why on eaaaaaarth!?
Well, considering how she had managed the caf business so successfully despite being a mere employee of a bookstore company and even improved the performance recently, it wasnt surprising that the headquarters trusted her.
If you show your capability, youll be given the job. Thats the norm in the salaryman society.
Since Chiaki-rou Bookstore was a white company, they were even more fortunate, as they received a decent salary increase along with the responsibility.
By the way Shinichirou-kun, are you seriously planning to work at Chiaki-rou Bookstore? After my fathers invitation, he seemed really delighted
Recalling Misima-sans cry, I was brought back to reality by Harukas voice.
Yeah, I did get pretty excited after that Id finally obtained my ticket to the white company Id set as a goal for this life, and since then, my smile hasnt faded. Ive been dancing for joy whenever I get the chance.
Because of that, it seemed like Mom, Kanako, and even Fudehashi and Kazamihara thought Id gone crazy, but it was such a happy event for me.
I see. Its a strange feeling thinking that you, Shinichirou-kun, will be at my fathers company. Of course, its wonderful that you two have become so close, but more than that
Here, Haruka paused and, with a faint blush on her cheeks, continued speaking.
Thinking that you, Shinichirou-kun, will be spending a long time close to me, I felt so elated and warm inside.
Seriously, does this girl plan on piercing my heart with a love arrow a hundred times over?
Even though my intention to work at Harukas fathers company doesnt directly concern her, she takes joy in this fact as if savoring it. She found it genuinely heartwarming that our lives would be getting closer.
? Whats wrong, Shinichirou-kun? You seem a bit red
N-No, its nothing
The girl still didnt seem to grasp the destructive power of her own words and asked in wonder, leaving me to respond with my usual lie while suppressing my inner turmoil.
Im currently at work, and this is by no means a lunch date at a caf. I kept telling myself that, but embarrassment and love continued to overflow from my chest.
The cafs boasted coffee, as I currently had it, was as sweet as if it had been mixed with sugar and syrup, completely losing its original bitterness.
Incidentallyafter this lunch break, I was summoned by Misima-san.
Before I could even recover from the shock of hearing that there were complaints from other part-timers, I was presented with a complaint I never anticipated.
The contents were:
- Niihama and Shijou-sans lovey-dovey-ness is too much, and we cant take breaks around that area.
- I dont think its good to flaunt that youre popular.
- The sugary atmosphere is so thick that even customers find it hard to sit around.
- Why do I have to have my heart pierced by this guy when Im just here for a part-time job?
- Dont go on a date during your break, you damn animal.
- Do it at home.
With so many complaints, all I could do was say, Um Im sorry with an apologetic look.
(TLN) The complaints LOL
(TLN) We got a huge dono from atacostand! Thanks to that, we have 5 bonus chapters coming! That means a total of 6 chapters today, though to be honest, I cant promise all of them in one day but Im going to try my best! 1/6
Ko-fi members, I wont be dropping these chapters on the ko-fi as I will be putting them out directly as I finish them. The ones I queue for the week however, will be posted there.