The next morning, I casually lied to Junpei, stretching my arms as if exhausted from my imaginary apartnt hunt.
"Uncle, I couldn’t find a good place, so I guess I’ll still be living under your roof!" I announced dramatically, placing a hand on my forehead like a damsel in distress. "Please continue to take care of , dear uncle!"
Junpei’s eyes twitched. "Arrrghhh! It’s been two months! Two whole months!" he shouted, clutching his head. He pointed a trembling finger at . "Do you have any idea how much I’ve suffered?! I already promised my girlfriend I'd get my own space two months ago!"
I grinned, enjoying his misery just a little.
"I hope she doesn’t break up with over this… huhuhu…" He suddenly collapsed onto the table, pretending to sob.
I laughed, shaking my head before finally putting him out of his misery. "Relax, Junpei. I found an apartnt."
His head snapped up. "Seriously?!"
I nodded. "I’ll move in two weeks."
"WOHOOOO~ FINALLY!!" Junpei jumped up, spinning in place like he’d just won the lottery.
I chuckled before giving him a sincere smile. "Junpei, I really, really appreciate everything you’ve done for . From the bottom of my heart, you’re my lifesaver. I’ll never forget your kindness." I extended my arms toward him. "Co here, let give you a hug—"
"Stay back, demon!" Junpei recoiled, holding up his hands like I was cursed. "Just say ‘thank you’ like a normal person! Don’t touch , you’re making shiver!"
---
That afternoon, work felt unusually long. My legs ached from yesterday’s apartnt hunt, and I barely had the energy to stand. It was finally break ti, and I had just finished my lunch when Aki plopped down beside .
"You just had a day off yesterday. Why do you look like a zombie?" she asked, eyeing suspiciously.
"I was busy," I replied flatly, rubbing my temples.
Aki smirked. "Ohhh, I get it now. You went on a date yesterday, didn’t you?"
Her voice was way too loud. Before she could continue, I panicked and slapped my hand over her mouth.
"Shhhh! Lower your voice!" I hissed, glancing around.
"Mmmph!" Aki mumbled, her eyes blinking in confusion.
Too late.
"There are custors here. Please lower your voices," a calm yet firm voice interrupted.
I turned to see Keiko standing there with her arms crossed.
"And Ryuko." Her eyes narrowed slightly, and I felt a chill run down my spine.
"Y-Yes?!"
"I know you're excited about your date, but please keep it outside of work."
Wait. What?!
I shot a look at Aki, silently screaming "This is your fault!!" She quickly elbowed in the stomach before bowing her head.
"We’re sorry, Keiko."
I opened my mouth to protest, but another sharp elbow jab from Aki shut up.
Keiko nodded before walking away, leaving fuming inside.
Aki. I swear. You’re dead to .
---
Later in the evening, a man in his 50s walked into the restaurant, looking far too fancy for a casual al. Another man, presumably his assistant, followed closely behind him.
I approached him politely. "Good evening, sir. May I take your order?"
He glanced at from head to toe, his sharp gaze scrutinizing every detail.
"A new girl?" he muttered, more to himself than to .
"I’ve been working here for two months, sir," I replied, maintaining my polite tone.
He seed unimpressed. "Where’s Keiko? I want her to serve ."
I frowned slightly. Who does this guy think he is?
"I’m sorry, but Keiko is on her break at the mont. I’d be happy to—"
"Who do you think you are, new kid?" he interrupted, his voice carrying an air of arrogance.
Before I could respond, Aki suddenly appeared, flashing an unusually bright smile.
"Ahhh, good evening, Boss!" she greeted, her tone overly cheerful. "You want Keiko, right? Please wait a mont."
Wait. Boss?
The man smirked. "Ah, Aki. Good to see you. Please teach this new kid how to talk to properly next ti."
Excuse ?!
Aki quickly grabbed my arm, dragging toward the staff room.
"What the hell was that?!" I whispered.
She sighed. "That’s the owner of Manna’s Kitchen. Our actual boss."
Oh. That explained a lot.
---
Inside the staff room, Keiko was in the middle of eating when Aki called out to her.
"Keiko! The boss is here. He wants you to serve him."
Imdiately, Keiko froze.
She set down her chopsticks, her hands trembling slightly. I could see the tension in her posture, her usual calm deanor cracking.
"Are you okay?" I asked gently.
She took a deep breath, exhaling slowly before nodding. "I’m fine."
No, she wasn’t.
For the first ti, I saw genuine fear in Keiko’s eyes.
What exactly was her history with this man?
And why did she look like she was preparing for battle?
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