Episode 15: Best Friends AND Partners!?
“A… yuri act?”
“Yeah. Group chekis have a lower profit margin per person than solo ones, but you can still charge for them. If those start coming in, I think it’d add up to something pretty significant.”
“That’s true…”
At Sweet Stella, cheki pricing depends on how many maids appear in the photo. Whether or not a customer is also in frame doesn’t change the price.
For a photo with multiple maids, it’s an extra 700 yen per additional cast member. A regular solo cheki is 1000 yen, so it works out about 300 yen cheaper than buying two separate ones.
“Plus, it makes it easier for me to help you out during service. If we’re established as super close, it’ll look natural for me to support you, and honestly, customers might even enjoy watching that dynamic.”
“…B-but wouldn’t that just mean I’m the one benefiting the whole time…?”
Personally, having Sora-san support me would be a huge help, and I’d be genuinely grateful.
But it seemed like a lot of extra effort for her, doing her own job while also propping me up.
“I’ve got something to gain out of it too. Right now, you’re the one pulling in the most cheki sales at Sweet Stella. Basically, you’re our most popular cast member.”
“N-no, that’s, well… guhh.”
“That laugh’s gross.”
“Ow, harsh…!”
“What I’m saying is, I want to ride your popularity a little. And you get supported by me while building an actual character, which makes you even more popular. See? Not a bad deal for either of us.”
Right now, I’m basically getting by on cheki sales purely off my face. The more regulars we build up, the less that’s going to be enough on its own.
Like Sora-san said, building a proper character would make service easier for me too. And running a “yuri act” with her would mean getting support with all of that, character-building included…
However I looked at it, this was a good deal for me too.
“Please, Sora-san! Let’s do it!”
“Then, deal.”
Sora-san smirked and brought our still-interlaced hands up close to her face. Then she took a selfie, framed carefully to make sure our joined hands were clearly visible.
“Mind if I post this on my SNS too?”
“Yes, please!”
“Later, let’s change locations and take one for your account too. We’ll keep uploading photos like this, ones that give off a real close-friends vibe.”
“I see…!”
A lot of customers apparently check the cast’s SNS accounts before ever setting foot in the shop. As a way to run the yuri act on people like that, social media’s probably just as effective as anything we do in person.
Sora-san’s really smart…!
“Oh, and one more thing, since it’d be annoying if you got the wrong idea.”
“Wh-what is it…?”
“This isn’t just about deliberately performing for business. It’s not like we’re ‘pretending to be close’ or something.”
“Eh? Um, so, that means…?”
I couldn’t quite follow what she meant and tilted my head. Sora-san sighed, then said because—! and gripped my hand even tighter.
“I’m saying I actually want to be close with you too, normally!”
“Wh-wha… waaah…!”
Wanting to be friends. Wanting to get close.
Nobody’s ever said words like that to me before, and my chest went haywire.
I tried to force my grinning face back to normal, but it wasn’t happening.
“…You’ve probably noticed already, but I don’t have friends either. So, I mean… you inviting me like this — honestly, I’m kind of thrilled about it.”
“Sora-san…!”
I couldn’t hold back my feelings and threw myself at Sora-san with full force. Nearly losing her balance, she let out a happy-sounding hey! in protest.
My first part-time job. My first friend besides Maria.
I’m leveling up as a human being, big time…!
“Sora-san! From now on, please invite me anytime, as your best friend and partner!”
“…You really do have a thing for that kind of talk, huh.”
Sora-san laughed softly. And somehow, when Sora-san laughs, it makes me happy too.