V2C4 Part4

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The 2nd day of the school festival.

It was naïve of me thinking that because there were fewer events today that managing the shop would be a little easier.\n“Ticket numbers 26 through 28 may now enter!”\nAt my behest, the group of customers rushed into the store.

“Hello! Sir please sit over ‘ere first, I’ll be with you shortly~”\nShinoaki guides the the customers to their tables with a cute smile. The customers were all male. And being one, they were all enthralled as they were lead to their seats one by one.\n“What would you like to order sir? We have a wide variety of food and beverages.”\nNanako takes the orders without a hitch with a smile. The customers at the table looked at them in awe.

“Ye’ like some food with that drink sir? Ya bet it tastes as good at it looks!”

Even the old woman in the body of a young girl surprisingly had her own fair share of fans. There were also non-customers peering at the maids through the windows. But the elegant appearance of the room belies the scene of death the staff in the backstage were once again experiencing.\n“Hashiba-kun! We’ve already run out of flour!”\nHiyama-san screams out the report.\n“For real!? We’ve already swept through the bags we had from just this morning!?”\n“I hate to say this since we’ve received orders for it but~ Should I just deny flour-based food requests?”

“Ah t-tell them to wait for a bit Nanako! ….Hashiba-kun, Go to the place written on this note you’ll find a guy named Tajima, he should have what we need.”\n“Yes….wait, isn’t this the arts and crafts lab?”

“Yeah, there should be a stockpile of flour meant for research purposes and students. We’ll just plow through this with a wad of cash.”\nThis is staring to get out of hand.

“Ok then, I’ll be going off. Though I have to say, even that would not be enough.”\n“You have a point……What more could we do though?”\n “Hmmm…..Oh, That’s right, there’s a milller by the industrial area in Minami Kawachi right?”\n“Yeah down by the river’s edge. Why?”\n“I’ll call and ask them if whether I can buy flour there.”\n“Can you really even get one there? And even if you did, there’s the problem of getting it here…..”\n“I’ve got it covered. I can do it. I’ve asked a friend to bring a car.’

“…….Kyouya-kun, your skills are wasted at this university.”

Hiyama-san is dead serious.

Well, I was already a functioning member of society and really a 30 year old man on the inside though….

“Kyouya-kuun, we’ve spent the last of the coffee powder too~.”

“Eh Shinoaki, seriously now! Hold off the customers for a while! I’ll scout out for vendors in the mean time….. Ah crap, It’s hard to search for them on the phone!”\n“But you know, it’s a great time we live in ,you don’t need to ask for directory assistance anymore. It’s convenient.”\nSenpai….ten years from now, it will be much much better.\n“I called in a reservation, and as soon as I finished I voiced out-\n“I’m going off shopping!”

I came back from my shopping trip and sorted through the ingredients.  Unfortunately, we didn’t have that much flour at hand. We’ve only gotten just enough on the other inventory too.

“We won’t last the whole day at this rate…..”\n“Then let’s just take a crack at it till noon. Let’s worry about it then ok?”\nI nodded at Hiyama-san’s suggestion.\n“Hashiba-kun, it looks like the customer at table number 4 is having some kind of trouble.”

A dapper looking elderly gentleman seems to be looking about for someone to attend him. The other maid’s have their own business to take care of so I fill the role in their stead.

“I’ll talk to him.”\nI hurry down the hall.\n“How can I serve you master?”\nThough It looks like Nanako managed to talk to him first.

“Yes, if it’s that event we’re talking about you need to pass through building no. 8-“\nThe school pamphlet’s map was spread out gently and courteously.\nIt was already a given that she looked great in her American-style maid outfit, but looking at her now, it’s clear to me that isn’t the only reason why she’s popular. She’s good at handling customers, and has a refreshing smile. There’s also no sense of snobbishness from her minute body languages as she looks like she’s genuinely enjoying talking to the customers.

“I totally get it………..”\nWhile I was mumbling to myself, Nanako turned towards me.\n“H-hey What’s with the gaze Kyouya? It’s  embarassing you know……?”\n“S-sorry”\nI got caught looking.\n“You’re just so good at handling customers that I couldn’t help but just stare.”\n“N-no I’m really not as good as you think. I just got a bit used to it because of my part-time job. It’s not that special…..”\nMaybe due to the embarrassment of being praised? Her cheeks slightly blushed red and she restlessly squirms her body around with a bashful smile. Even those actions reeked of perfection. Because of that, I wanted to do a little prank.\n“C-can you humor me a little bit….? Like saying- “Welcome home, Master””

I couldn’t stop myself from asking.\n“H-Huuuh!? There’s no way I’m doing it, it’s embarassing!”

As expected Nanako refused, waving her hands in refusal.

“I’m not a customer so I can’t see that charming side of yours,Nanako. I honestly think it’s a shame….so please.”\n“Saying it like that…….”\nNanako is still confused.\n“F-fine then, I’ll do it just 1 time….ok?”

Making up her mind, she first turned around to the side, took a deep breath, and turned around to face me.\n“Welcome home, Master”\nWith a gorgeous smile she gave a lovely, flawless greeting. This was invigorating. If my 28 year old self knew that a shop with a girl like this existed, I would have asked for a stamp coupon, an annual pass, and a membership card all on the same day no questions asked.\n(TN-I don’t blame him. Nanako too precious <3)

“Wow…that was wonderful”\nI blurted it out reflexively. Nanako is once again filled with embarrassment, and blushed even more so than before.\n“H-hey now… Let’s just get back to work now! Get a move on!”

She forcefully drived me away to go back to my station\n…..But, that was a sight to be hold. I’m blessed.\n“Ahh”

“Kya”\nI almost bumped into Shinoaki who is came back from getting the food.

“Sorry Shinoaki, Are you hurt?”\n“I’m A-Ok, I know that if anything ‘ere happens, Kyouya-kun‘ll be right on down to  help me. No worries.”

Shinoaki looks at me with a deep sense of trust. It’s the same thing yesterday back at the house. I could feel this tender look more than ever before. The air has this somewhat happy and uneasy feeling at the same time.\n“Hahaha”\n“Hahaha”

Then, as we looked at each other, we laughed.\n“Hey ya two why are you flirting with each other!? Can ya handle the next customer now?”\nKeiko-san’s grabbing my attention snapped me back.\n“Ah, Sorry for that! Let’s go back to the usual pace, Shinoaki!”\n “O~k, Welcome home Master~!”

With Shinoaki’s energetic voice at my back I departed to the back of the store.\n\n