Episode 42: The Event, Underway!
Today’s finally the big day — Sweet Stella’s event.
On top of our unusual costumes, there’ll be four “event stage” dance performances scattered throughout the day.
If a customer buys a 1000-yen filming permission tag, they’re allowed to record video during the dances.
There’s also a limited-time drink and food menu just for today.
I’ve worked hard for this, and put in real time preparing for it. This morning, everyone even pitched in decorating the shop together.
Which is exactly why I’m so nervous. Precisely because I’ve genuinely worked hard for this, I can’t stop worrying about what happens if it all falls apart.
“I—I might actually faint from nerves…”
“You really can’t afford to faint right now.”
Sora-san let out an exasperated sigh.
Ever since the day of the kiss, the distance between me and Sora-san has only shrunk further. So looking purely at the outcome, I do think kissing Sora-san was a good thing.
Maybe it wasn’t the right thing to do… but I don’t regret it. For now, I think that’s enough.
“Riri-chan, Cosmo-chan!”
Miyuki-san, who’d stepped out of the locker room ahead of us, came back in with a bright smile. Today, unlike usual, her hair was up in a ponytail — and it looked really cute.
Apparently she specifically wanted a ponytail for dancing, since it looks cute in motion.
“There’s already a huge line of customers outside. Oh, there was a little bit of trouble too — Möbius-chan said it might be something we need to figure out for next time.”
“Trouble?”
Sora-san’s expression shifted instantly. Being able to snap into concern the second she hears the word “trouble” is one of Sora-san’s good qualities.
“Yeah. See, we never really set clear rules about how many minutes before opening people are allowed to start lining up, right?”
“Ah…”
Sweet Stella’s still a pretty new shop, so there are still details that haven’t been fully worked out yet.
Right now there’s no reservation system, and no set rule for how many hours ahead people can start queueing.
Even so, it’s never actually caused a problem before…
“Apparently some people were lined up from really early on, and it turns out they were paid line-standers.”
“Line-standers?”
At my nod, Miyuki-san shot me an uncomfortable glance.
“Your friend from school who’s been coming a lot lately, and your childhood friend. Apparently they hired people to stand in line for them with money, and it kind of turned into a bit of a problem with the other customers.”
“Ah, ah… I—I’m so sorry!”
“No, no, it’s not something you need to apologize for, Riri-chan. Möbius-chan said we should probably think about a numbered-ticket system going forward. More importantly, you two, come on, let’s get moving!”
I bowed my head again anyway, sorry.
It might not technically be my fault, but I can’t exactly say I bear no responsibility for it either.
Being wealthy really does mean everyone at school tries to solve everything with money…
I need to talk to Möbius-san about how to handle this going forward, I thought, and, steeling myself, left the locker room.
◆
“Alright! Let’s open up the shop!”
Möbius-san shouted it with a big grin. Today, unusually, she’d styled her hair into twin space buns — apparently chosen for a more “idol” feel.
As for me, I’m matching Sora-san with twin tails today.
Möbius-san walked up to the entrance and opened the door. The moment the bell rang, she and the rest of us called out together, all smiles.
“Welcome home, Master!!”