CH 11

Touma-kun Unintentionally Agree

Translated by AmaLynne

Well, just when I was about to finish my work in 30 minutes, it appeared.

I try to keep my cool for the time being.

Because there are other customers.

What I am about to say is just my personal opinion.

Do you often see this kind of thing happen when a waiter and a customer know each other…?

「Ah! Who are you-san! You used to work there!?」

「Ah! What’s that? Oh, yeah! Ehh! What a coincidence!」

I often see conversations like this…

Well, I think this is fine.

If there are no other customers or if they are not busy, I think it is fine.

Of course, this is only if the manager gives permission.

However, when I see people who are not doing their job well, disturbing other employees, or talking with their friends all the time, I get annoyed.

I think that if you are getting paid to work, you should work hard.

I’m not saying it’s wrong for employees to be friendly with each other.

But they talk all the time or don’t notice when a customer is calling them.

And it’s nothing but a nuisance to those who are eating quietly.

It’s a long story, but that means the action I should take is…

「Two guests, is that correct?」

「Huh? Oh, that’s right. Yes, two guests.」

「Do you know each other, sister?」

「Later, I’m at work.」

Phew…you know what I mean.

I think I leave a good impression just now

「I’ll show you to your seats.」

I show them to the table for four and go back to work.

The two-person table is occupied.

「What’s up? Your friend? She’s pretty cute, isn’t she?」

You look very happy…but…

「…Manager, please do your job.」

「Very Touma-kun-ish right…」

「Yes…」

Why are you so depressed…huh, I can’t help it.

「Manager, I’ll talk to you later.」

「Huh? Alright! Let’s go work hard! And we can talk about it separately!」

What can I say……he’s a person you can’t hate……

After that, as I was working silently, Shimizu raised her hand.

She looks kind of shy…Why is that?

By the way, there are no customers except Shimizu and her friend.

Because it took 20 minutes to order.

「Customer, what would you like to order?」

「Hyai! Yes! Yes!」

Hey, hey…what’s up? You’re blushing.

「Are you a friend of my sister?」

…No customers right now.

Let’s switch modes.

「Oh, yeah. We’re in the same class.」

「A friend of my sister who hates men! I’m Seiya Shimizu. Nice to meet you.」

Mm, he’s a good, polite boy.

I like this kind of biy.

Unlike me, he doesn’t seem to be twisted.

Hhe also looks like a Jane○ type, which is the opposite of me.

「Thank you very much for your kindness. My name is Touma Yoshino. Nice to meet you.」

「Touma-san then! Yes! Yes, please!」

「So, Shimizu? Are you all right?」

「Umm, yes. I’m new to this kind of place…」

「I asked her. Father and mother are out of town for work, and I wanted to eat ramen noodles.」

「I see. So that’s how it is. Is that why it took so long to order?」

「That’s……not really it……」

「Hmm? What do you mean?」

「Nothing! I’ll have…this miso ramen, please.」

「Me too! And the dumplings and fried rice, too!」

「Yes. Then, please wait for a while.」

I go back to the kitchen and tell Tomono-san the order.

「Touma-kun, can you do the fried rice and dumplings?」

「Yes, I will do it.」

First, put oil in a frying pan and leave it on high heat.

Next, put the gyoza in the special machine and set the timer.

Pour rice from the rice cooker and stir in the eggs.

When the oil stops crackling, throw in the eggs! 

Put the rice right in…

Shake the pan and toss the rice and eggs with the ladle!

Then add salt and pepper and shake the pan again!

Next, add the roasted pork and green onions.

Finish by adding a little of the special soy sauce.

Mix lightly and it is done.

After that, drain the water from the dumplings, add oil, and cover with a lid.

「Tomono-san, please check the taste.」

「Hmm…it’s good. It passes the test.」

Good! It’s nice to be praised by someone who rarely praises you, isn’t it!

It’s taken a year, but I’m finally getting more passes.

By the way, if I don’t pass, it’s my food later.

「I think it’s time, right? You want some ramen? It’s my special.」

He says that and raises the corners of his mouth.

He’s so cool.

By the way, the special is something we don’t serve at the restaurant.

It is Tomono-san’s original miso ramen made with a blend of seasonings.

It’s so delicious.

「For real!? I want some!」

「Sure. Then, bring out the gyoza and fried rice.」

「Yes! Thank you very much!」

I was in a good mood and serve the food to Shimizu and the others.

「Go ahead, enjoy.」

「Great! Yoshino-kun! You can make fried rice! I think it’s cool!」

「You’re so cool! My sister can’t cook anything!」

「Wha!?」

「Well, that’s surprising.」

「Geez…Seiya.」

「Isn’t there anything to worry about? Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. It’s boring to be perfect.」

「Yoshino-kun…hehehe, thank you.」

……So frustrating, but she’s cute.

「…Then, take your time. My time is up.」

「Oh, yes. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt you…」

「You’re not interrupting anything. Besides, it was nice of you to compliment me.」

When I went back to the back, the manager was grinning at me.

「Touma-kun, is that your girlfriend? That girl, she’s been watching you all the time you know?」

「No, she’s just a classmate.」

「Eh~? Just a classmate. She’s a maiden in love.」

「Maiden? …Manager, please think about your age……」

I open my locker and change.

「Well, that’s a shame. Touma-kun, you’re a good boy, I think you’ll be popular.」

「No, no, that kind of thing is not popular now. Then, I’m going to eat.」

「I see. Yeah, take your time.」

I went out the back door and came back in through the front door.

Then, Tomono-san comes this way.

「I left the ramen in that seat. What a cute girl, and she seems to have a good personality. Take good care of her, will you?」

With that, he patted my shoulder and went back into the kitchen.

…Tomono-san, you……!

I’m going to be teased for a while…

I had no choice but to take the same seat.

Of course, I sit opposite Shimizu.

「Y-Yoshino-kun! Fried rice is delicious!」

For some reason, Shimizu’s face looks red…Is it my imagination?

「It’s delicious!」

「Well, thanks.」

I replied after sipping my ramen.

I get embarrassed and pat Seiya’s head.

「Wow…awesome, you look like father.」

「Hmm? What do you mean?」

「My dad is on a business trip overseas, so I rarely see him.」

Well, that’s…lonely, isn’t it?

Even if he were alive, you can’t see him…

「But it’s okay. He’s doing his best.」

「I see…You’re doing great, Seiya.」

「Hehe, I’m praised.」

「Thank you, Yoshino-kun…」

After that, we eat in silence.

Because the special ramen will expand after all.

And then I finished eating.

Phew…it’s still as delicious as ever. 

Now, I would listen to any request.

I’m a bit in a lingering mood.

「Look! Touma-kun! Go take her home!」

「I-It’s fine! I don’t want to trouble…」

「No! It’s dangerous! As someone with a daughter, I’m worried.」

What? Even though I’m enjoying the afterglow…

「Manager, you’re being too loud. I don’t know about you, but I should go, right? I’ll go.」

「That’s it, Touma-kun! Well then, good job! I’ll see you soon.」

「Eh? Huh? …It’s okay? Accompany me home…」

「Yay! I want to talk to you more too!」

…What did I just say?

Send her home or something… Oh, that’s what you mean.

It can’t be helped…It’s against my beliefs to go against what I once agreed to.

And now, it seems that I ended up accompanying Shimizu home…