My stepmother's burden is my ex-girlfriend.

Page 189

"Uh... well, I didn't expect so many female customers to come."

"Yeah, yeah, because it's mostly women promoting the products. Thanks to that, the store has become a space with more women than men, and the problems I was worried about with people hitting on me haven't happened even once—"

Furthermore, entry is by invitation only, and the information shared by that system isn't as much as expected. In the end, it might end up like Irito's unfounded worries.

"—You've finally arrived, Irito…!"

Several boys walked into the staff area, whimpering. They were all dressed in scholar's clothes, just like Irito, and worked as front-of-house staff.

"The girls who were drawn to us were whispering among themselves... saying things like, 'Why doesn't it look quite right?' and 'That guy from before was more handsome'...!"

"Do we really need them to explain? Ordinary high school boys can't become scholarly anyway!"

"You have to take responsibility! Make your presence felt to overshadow us! So that our hearts won't be hurt any further!"

How pathetic...

It seems that the guys are having a tough time because they can't use glamorous colors to cover up their flaws like we girls do. Originally, it was supposed to be just acquaintances who would come and make jokes that only friends would know about, and everyone would just be happy. But if anyone's to blame, it's the Erito siblings for being such a great advertisement, which has actually attracted some new customers.

When several boys were relentlessly pressuring Irito, Kawanami, who was gradually gaining popularity with his moderately humorous and flippant attitude, chuckled and said:

"The customers are all eagerly awaiting your arrival. Go and give them some fan service, Irito."

"……well……"

Irito sighed sadly.

Even his sighs are stylish; he's certainly cunning.

"Okay, I understand. But I'll just follow the work rules when serving customers."

"That's enough. You can easily handle it."

Kawaba made way for Irito.

I also nudged the woman's back and said:

"Yui, go quickly too! Don't worry, even if you make a mistake, I'll protect you!"

"I...I'll do my best...!"

We pushed the nervous-looking Yui and the student Irito, who had her school cap pulled low, to the outer area together.

In an instant...

"Over here, over here, over here—!" "I want to order—!" "I want a refill—!"

All the guests raised their hands at the same time.

Wow~ This is definitely just them being teased on purpose.

Faced with a surge of orders that instantly exceeded her processing limits, Jie was completely flustered and at a loss.

"What...what should we do...!"

"Start with the seats that are closest! We'll take care of the others! Here, this is the order menu!"

I handed the menu to Jie and led her to a nearby table. It was a group of three young women. I'd assumed they'd be easier to serve than men or adult customers, but...

"Wow! You're still just as beautiful up close!" "How did you do your hair? Your hair care is so professional!" "Hey, can I take a picture? I want to upload it to my Stories!"

"Uh, oh, uh, that..."

"Alright, alright! Ladies and gentlemen! Please order quickly! A Polaroid photo costs 100,000 yen!"

Seeing the girls' overwhelming barrage of words leave Jie unable to defend herself, I stepped in to help. Several girls exclaimed, "Too expensive!" "Unscrupulous businessman!" "The boss is giving us a discount—!" laughing heartily. This wasn't a real shop, so being casual with customers like this was actually just right.

"Xiao, Xiaoyue, thank you so much!..."

"You're welcome. It's not like you're actually working at the store, so relax! I'll look out for you again!"

"Waaah, I'm so useless..."

She's so earnest! That's what makes her so adorable!

As for Irito-san, it's like this—

"One serving of coffee and one serving of iced black tea (without sugar), is this order correct?"

"Yes, that's correct..." "Excuse me, may I take a picture or...?"

"We are very sorry, but photography is not allowed in this store..."

He gave an embarrassed, shy smile and said, "Ooh...!" "No, it's okay..." which made the female customers faint one by one.

What a surprise. I thought he would greet customers mechanically with a blank expression, but I didn't expect him to be so good at putting on a professional smile.

"If Irito-san is determined, she can do it. I don't understand what that usual cold attitude means."

"It seems like he resorts to social media whenever it's official business. He was mostly like that when he was on the executive committee..."

"……What’s wrong with you?"

I glanced at Jie Nu's face and noticed that the corners of her mouth were slightly upturned, yet she was pouting, her expression quite complicated.

The girl shyly covered her mouth with the order menu and said:

"...I'm glad that others appreciate Mizuto's good points, but...the way he smiles at other girls makes me a little...uncomfortable..."

"........."

Isn't this girl a little too cute?!

"Hey! Irito! Come here for a second!"

Kawabata, who was nearby, suddenly called Irito over.

After Irito came over with a surprised look, Kawanami stared at him and said:

"Your hospitality... could be any more cold-blooded."

"How can you train a newbie like that?"

"Stop arguing with me! Didn't you learn in training that a smile shouldn't be sold cheaply?!"

"Do you think you're McDonald's that has fallen to the dark side?"

Irito calmly retorted, "Heh!" which made Yui burst out laughing quietly.

11:55 AM ■ My friends at work are completely different from usual.

They made a surprise appearance.

I am Higashito Izana, and I have arrived.

I heard that Mizuto and Yui would be taking turns working from this time, so I went to Class 7 of the first year to check out the legendary Taisho Romantic Cafe, and what I found was quite unexpected...

"Wow, so popular..."

There was a long queue at the entrance! It looked like a misdo during a promotional event.

Well, although I never had the guts to go into the store alone, not to mention that a coffee shop is too difficult for me, I didn't expect it to be so popular.

Well, I was a little embarrassed, so I just peeked through the window. Anyway, there were other people curiously peering into the store when they saw the queue, so I joined them…

"……ah……"

We've found Mizuto and Yui!

Mizuto already saw it, and I didn't expect Yui to look so pretty in it... Sigh... They dated when they were in middle school... Wow—my heart is starting to race.

The way he greets customers is quite charming. When I first saw Mizuto, I thought he was just "wearing special clothes," but seeing him work, he seems like a real scholar... although I also think that a real scholar wouldn't work in a coffee shop.

"Is this all you need for the meal?"

"Yes, yes...!" "Just that! Yes! Thank you!"

"Please wait a moment, have a good time."

...It should be said...

I feel like... the aura that Mizuto is exuding is softer than usual, or perhaps I should say gentler?

What's going on? That all-smiling face! Where did Mizuto go, the one who never even raised an eyebrow no matter how much I touched her, the one with such a cold attitude?! She's only so friendly to guests! How cunning!

Even if I begged him, he definitely wouldn't show it to me—…I didn't have the guts to go into the store, and I didn't have any money, so I could only peek at it with frustration and resentment. See, this is the truth about what everyone says about Mizuto's girlfriend.

"—Huh? Dongtou-kun?"

"Ouch!"

Nan suddenly popped her head out and appeared in front of me. I was so startled that I leaned back.

Nan was also wearing hakama, just like Yui, and adorned her ponytail with a large Japanese-style ribbon. Oh, I never imagined that just changing the ribbon pattern would completely change her whole aura.

"What are you doing there? Why don't you come in?"

"I...I don't have the guts...besides, the line is so long..."

"Oh, I see... You were too scared to come in alone, so you peeked at Irito-san through the window? How did it go? What are your thoughts?"

"...It's like he's not Mizuto-kun anymore. Just looking at him makes my heart race..."

"Oh, that's a good reaction. Dongtou, I didn't know you still had some girlish heart."

"Of course! I'm practically dying inside every day while still just being friends with him!"

"What's the difference between that and a girlfriend...?"

Nan, with her eyes half-open, politely declined. The difference was that Mizuto seemed completely unmoved.

"Anyway, do you want to come in first and then we can talk? I can let you in using your friend privileges."

"No, no need! It would be too kind to the people in line!"

"I see. Hmm... Ah, I've got it. Are you free later?"

"Huh? Oh, I'm free. I'm free until Mizuto and the others finish their work..."

"Okay, okay, it won't be long. My shift is almost over, and I'll be free soon—keep me company! ...I need your help with something, okay?"

"Oh...that's possible..."

But you want my help? You're asking me for help when I haven't even helped with the class presentation?

"Okay, Dongtou, wait for me a moment. I need to change my clothes!"

Nan, with a sly grin, walked away from me. She went to Jie and said something like, "Hey, can I borrow that?" Jie said, "Huh?... Oh, I see. You can have it then." Then she looked at me, a similarly eerie smile on her face.

Huh...? What's going on? What are they planning...?

At that moment, ignoring my confusion, I heard whispers coming from around me.

"She said east end..." "You forgot? It's the one rumored to be Irito-san's..." "Ah! That's her...!"

...Mmm--

Although I've decided to stop caring about what others think, I still feel awkward sometimes; the two things aren't comparable. I'd die if I got any more attention, so even though I was reluctant, I left the window and kept some distance from Class 7's classroom.

What exactly is Nan planning to do...? It's making my heart race!

12:16 PM ■ You can forget the past, but you can't escape the cycle of reincarnation.

Lunch break was approaching, so we temporarily stopped queuing. Only after serving everyone in line could we finally rest. We had already arranged to go to the cultural festival with Yui and Isana in the afternoon, so I could finally get rid of that awkward, professional smile.

...Unexpectedly.

At the very last moment, a troublesome assassin appeared.

"Hey, Irito. Someone's looking for you outside."

Kawanami looked surprised and came to the staff area to call me.

"Looking for someone outside? Who?"

"I don't know, just a pretty older woman with an elementary school student. She said that if she just came to tell you, you would know... What's your relationship with her?"

Eldest sister.

Of all the people I know, there is only one person who might be called that.

"...Okay. I'll be right back..."

"Look at that face of yours, you look like you're really looking for trouble."

"Is that even a question? You'd have the same expression if a relative visited your workplace."

"...Oh──..."