CH 75

It’s been a week since I decided to go and find a part-time job.

I had already signed up for an interview, and today’s the day it was scheduled, a saturday.  

A ten minute walk away from my house stood a coffee shop, and that’s where I was heading.

It’s in the opposite direction from the school, so getting there might be a bit of a hassle but it’s still acceptable.

The sound of the chirping birds echoed when I opened the door. I entered a retro style world. 

This was not a modern style cafe, but an old fashioned coffee shop.

I applied here because I feel like I’d prefer the atmosphere of this shop over others.

The restaurant was quite spacious and since it’s the afternoon there weren’t many customers.

“Welcome.”

A man who looked around 50 approached me with a gentle smile.

“I’m Tsukasa Hisamura, I’m here for the interview today.”

“Oh, So it’s you, Wonderful. Come on in, Come on in.”

“Un.”

He didn’t give me a signature-like business smile, but instead a very genuine one that made the corner of his eyes wrinkle. I followed him to the back of the shop.

Ahh, I haven’t done a part-time job interview in ages, I’m so nervous…

I entered a room with all the stock and lockers and sat opposite the old man.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Saito, the manager of this shop.”

“Nice to meet you, I’m Tsukasa Hisamura. A pleasure to meet you.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Don’t be too nervous. I’ll just be having a look at your CV and have a chat with you.”

“Yes, um. Here’s my CV.”

“Ah, Thank you… Oh you go to Tojoin High. It’s nice to be so close, you can commute very easily.”

“Yes, it’s only a ten minute walk away from my house.”

“Ahh, I see, It’s good that I don’t have to pay for transport.”

The interview started with a light heater manner so it felt more like a simple chat rather than an intense interview.

The last part-time place I had worked at was a chain restaurant so the interview was a bit serious, maybe since this shop was privately owned the interview was way more relaxing.

I’m actually more satisfied and happy this way.

“What inspired you to start working part-time?”

“To be honest, it’s because I want to make some money.”

“Fufu, part-time jobs are like that. When you’re a high school student, you want to have fun. It’s a totally normal and healthy reason to apply for one.”

“A-Ah thank you.”

“Are you involved in any clubs?”

“No, I’m not, so I can come in at around 4.”

“I see, I’m glad to hear that. Are you free later today?”

“Eh? Ah, yes, there’s nothing for me to do at home anyways.”

“So you can work immediately after this then?”

“Eh?”

Will I be able to work immediately after this? Does this mean I got the job?

“Uhh, does that mean I pass the interview?”

“Nn? Yeah.. I’ve been looking for a part-timer and Hisamura-kun seems like a nice kid. I’d like for you to join me as a part-timer, is that alright?”

“O-Of course! I look forward to working with you.”

Ahh, I passed.

I already told Sei-chan and Rinke I’m working a part-time job, so it would be awkward if I failed the interview.

“So, can we start now?”

“Ahh, yes!”

“I see. That’s good. Of course you’ll be paid for today. You don’t need to be so uptight, I just need you to learn the basics and customer service today.”

“Got it, thank you.”

“Here’s your uniform. You can change into it here when you start, I don’t have any pants for you so you can just use the shorts you’re wearing right now. Hisamura-kun.”

“Yes, got it.”

After giving me the uniform, the manager left. 

The uniform was a navy colored shirt with a black tie.

The ties aren’t the type that you can wear easily but a bonafide one where you’re supposed to tie it yourself.

I also got a brown apron for the waist and below. I believe it was called a sommelier apron.

The overall colour theme of the restaurant was on the darker side, but I think it fits the atmosphere surprising well. It’s also really calming.

Okay, I passed the interview and got a part-time job. It’s time to work hard!

I started to undress and change when I heard the tinkling sound of the bell.

Maybe a customer had arrived, it’s almost lunchtime after all.

Ahh, yeah. I need to tell Rie that I had passed the interview and that I don’t need lunch for today.

I took out my phone with my shirt off and was about to send Rie a message,

when the door to the back opened.

“Eh?”

“Hmm?”

I thought it was the manager who had walked in but rather it was a beautiful woman.

Her long flaxen air curled slightly at the edge giving her a gentle appearance.

Her face consisted of large droopy eyes. She gave off a gentle older sister vibe, the one that spoils you plenty.

Hmm? I feel like I’ve seen her before, what’s this Deja vu?

Wait… Why am I calmly analysing this beauty whilst being shirtless?!

I’m in the middle of changing clothes right now!

“Ahh, is it possible that you’re the new part-timer?”

I was getting kind of antsy inside but the woman didn’t seem to care and just began talking to me.

“Eh, ah, uh. Yes.”

“I knew it! I’ve only joined recently so I don’t feel like a senpai much. I’m nineteen this year, a sophomore in University, what grade are you in?”

“Ah, I’m a high school sophomore.”

“Oh really? You seem so mature. I thought we were the same age.”

We were having a totally normal conversation, except for the fact that I was completely shirtless at the moment.

Something about this woman makes her not particularly bothered about it, I guess she’s fine with seeing a man topless.

I froze and immediately went to wear my shirt.

“Excuse me, I’ve never met you before and I’m in the middle of getting dressed.”

“Hmm? This is the staff room right? Isn’t it natural to be changing? I’m going to change too then.”

“I’m glad we’re on the same page… wait what?!”

You want to change now?!

Wait, I mean, we are supposed to change here, but…

As I was organising my thoughts she suddenly started stripping.

“O-Oi, why are you changing your clothes in front of me.”

I panicked and looked in a different direction.

She seemed to be wearing a shirt, so she started to open it from the front button, which meant that her underwear wasn’t visible, but her ample cleavage definitely was.

“Eh? Because this is the place where you change your clothes, no?”

“I’m a boy, so please wait for me to change first.”

Why is she so defenseless?!

“I already finished changing so I’ll head outside.”

“Ahh, sorry for making you uncomfortable.”

I left the room with my tie and apron.

Haah, what’s with that woman?

“Ahh, Hisamura-kun. So you met your colleague?”

“Yes, although I was surprised when she suddenly walked in.”

“Sorry, I forgot to tell her about Hisamura-kun.‘

Manager Saito apologised to me briefly.

“No, it’s fine.”

“I’ll introduce you to her again when she gets dressed and comes out.”

So after a few minutes, as I was putting on my tie and learning how to clock in, she arrived.

“Manager, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Ahh, Tobise-san, nice timing.”

Tobise..?

Where have I heard that name before?

I remember seeing her before. I’ve definitely seen her somewhere before.

“This is Tsukasa Hisamura-kun, he will be joining us today onwards.”

“N-Nice to meet you, I’m Tsukasa Hisamura.” [TLN: Tsukasa greeted her the way in which they introduce themselves to someone they’ve never met before.]

Maybe I’m just misunderstanding something, so I’ll just greet her normally for now.

“Didn’t we meet before though?”

“Ehh? E-Excuse me, Did I meet you somewhere already?”

“Didn’t we just meet behind the staff room? Did you forget about me already?”

“Ahh… yes.”

I know that I’ve seen her before, but why can’t I put my finger on it…

But there’s something about her that gives me the feeling of deja vu.

“So Tsukasa Hisamura-kun, this is Marino Tobise who joined us just about a week ago.”

“Marino, Tobise…?!”

When I heard that name I gasped.

Yes this girl is…

We haven’t met before.

But I know her.

Because—-

“I’m Marino Tobise, nice to meet you.”

—-It’s because she was another heroine from Ojojama.