Episode 10: Sora-chan
“Oh, right! Ruri-chan, let’s show off the greeting we practiced together for the customer! Sora will go first — Master, will you listen to Sora’s greeting?”
Sora-san asked with an upward glance, and the customer who’d been lecturing me a moment ago suddenly softened, nodding with a smitten look.
“Okay, here I go! Sora flew down from the kingdom of the sky just to meet Master! Twin tails are my trademark, and I’m a maid who’s just a little bit of a glutton — that’s me!”
She delivered the whole greeting flawlessly, complete with adorable little gestures.
That’s it, that’s what I wanted! the customer nodded, satisfied.
“Okay, Ruri-chan, your turn now.”
“Eh, ah…”
What do I do!? We never practiced any greeting together, and besides, I don’t even have one like that…!
“Master, Ruri-chan’s a little nervous, so if you don’t mind, please cheer her on together with Sora, okay?”
Sora-san said it with a smile, then leaned in and whispered quietly in my ear.
“…Just say what I say.”
She nudged my back gently, careful not to let the customer see.
She’s helping me… then I need to give this at least a little effort too.
I took a breath and inhaled deeply. Looking the customer straight in the eye, I put everything I had into making my voice as cute as possible.
“An impossibly cute little doll — a jewel of a face — that’s me, Ruri! I started serving here at Sweet Stella to learn about the human heart!”
I tried my best to force a smile, though it might’ve come out a little strained. Still, the older man clapped, looking genuinely impressed.
“I see. So it’s a whole ‘doll’ concept, huh.”
Wh-what’s going on, but he bought it!?
“That’s right! From here on, she’ll grow more and more human, with more and more smiles, so any Master who starts rooting for her now is sure to be a lucky one!”
“Sora-chan, you’re good at this sales pitch stuff, huh.”
The customer smiled at Sora-san, then turned that same smile my way too.
“Alright then, one cheki each for you two, plus a two-shot together. And a black tea to drink.”
“Yaaay! Thank you so much, Master! I’m so happy to get a cheki with my good friend Ruri-chan!”
Sora-san threw her arms around me, bubbling with excitement. She smelled faintly sweet, like shortcake.
Wait, since when did we become good friends!?
Or maybe… maybe I’ve just been misreading things this whole time, and she actually likes me a fair bit!?
I couldn’t help grinning, and Sora-san leaned in to whisper in my ear.
“That laugh’s gross, stop it.”
“…Yes, ma’am.”
Sorry for getting ahead of myself. Typical introvert, getting carried away the second someone’s nice to her.
◆
The first day of business wrapped up safely, and we all changed back into our regular clothes in the staff room.
“Okay, Riri and I will handle closing up, so Hayashi-chan, you can head home.”
The shop runs until 10pm. Since Hayashi-san and I are both still in high school, we’re not allowed to help with closing.
“Okay. Excuse me, then.”
“…Ah, um, um!”
I stumbled over my words. Stumbled, but at least I got a sound out.
Hayashi-san turned around and tilted her head, puzzled. I got the sense she might be silently glaring at me, like hurry up, I want to go home, but I couldn’t let this go.
Because I still hadn’t thanked her for helping me today…!
If Hayashi-san hadn’t stepped in, there’s no way I could’ve handled that difficult customer on my own.
She helped me. So I want to properly say thank you.
“Um, that, that’s… ah! Um, I’ll, I’ll walk you to the station! I, I was just about to go to the convenience store anyway…”
“Is that right?”
“Y-yes ma’am!”
“…Well then, coming?”
Thank goodness. She didn’t say something like I don’t want to walk next to an introvert like you.
I waved goodbye to Möbius-san and Miyuki-san, and Hayashi-san and I left the shop together.
Akihabara at night was still lively, but dark enough to feel a little intimidating anyway.
And more than anything, the person walking next to me was Hayashi-san…
“…Um, ah, H-Hayashi-san.”
“What?”
“T-today, thank you so much. Because of you I was saved, so… I, I needed to properly tell you thank you.”
She stopped walking abruptly and stared at me, looking a little surprised.
“…You’re more polite than I expected, huh.”
“Eh, ah, hehe… thank you.”
“No, I don’t think that was actually a compliment…”
I’m an introvert. But that’s no reason not to properly thank Hayashi-san for helping me.
—Besides, I decided I’d try, this time.
And that doesn’t just mean trying hard at the part-time job.
It means becoming someone who can hold her head up high, instead of the hopeless person I’ve always been.
“…Hey.”
“Y-yes?”
“Today, in your own way, you actually tried hard. I could tell.”
She smiled for just a second, then suddenly reached out and patted my head.
“…Let’s get along from here on, Ruri.”
“Yes! Hayashi-s— I mean, S-Sora… chan.”
“Voice is too quiet.”
Sora-chan shook my hand.
I’d thought she might be scary, but maybe she’s actually kind underneath it all.
We’re the same age, too. I hope we can become good friends.