“WHAT. IS. HAPPENING?!”
The sharp voice cracked through the air like a whip.
I turned my head so fast I probably pulled a neck muscle.
It was Ruka.
Not just any Ruka either — this was “I-will-end-you-if-you-ruin-my-kitchen” Ruka.
She stood at the kitchen doorway with that sa terrifying glare she usually reserved for chefs who overcooked the rice. And behind her? Miko peeking out like a curious raccoon, holding a ladle like she was ready to defend herself if necessary.
Oh. God. Damn you, Junpei.
Even Keiko’s face twitched.
“Sorry if we’re too loud, Ruka! But it’s nothing — problem handled!” I jumped in, trying to neutralize the situation like a bomb squad diffusing a live grenade.
“Who’s we?” Aki’s smug voice imdiately cut in.
This little gremlin.
I swear one day I’m gonna yeet her into the nearest trash bin.
Aki stood there with her teasing grin, hands on hips, eyebrow raised like so annoying side character whose sole purpose was to ruin your social cover.
“Nu-uh-uh, Ryuko. What’s going on here?”
She was practically wagging her finger at .
I ntally scread.
God, take now.
Ruka really gave that look.
You know the one. The “are-you-causing-another-ss-because-I-swear-I’ll-shove-you-in-the-dishwasher” look.
“We’re good, Ruka, don’t worry,” Keiko said smoothly with her classic calm smile, saving my sorry butt yet again.
Ah… my beloved.
I unconsciously threw a tiny heart sign at her.
And right on cue, Keiko visibly shivered like she just got hit with a winter draft and shot a death glare.
“Stop doing that,” she hissed.
I grinned. Totally worth it.
anwhile — you wanna know where Junpei was during this high-stakes restaurant drama?
Being an idiot, as always.
I glanced over… and there he was, sitting at his table with this dumb, dopey grin, totally zoned out.
What was he looking at?
I followed his line of sight and my soul imdiately left my body.
Oh for the love of— it was Ruka’s boobs.
I could practically see the sparkles in his eyes. The man was practically drooling.
“Hey… Ju— I an, uncle.” I hissed, snapping him out of his hormone-induced trance.
He didn’t even flinch.
“Uhh… miss… what’s your na?” He called toward Ruka.
I swear I heard a thunderclap in the distance.
Keiko imdiately coughed loudly and stepped in, voice sharp as a kitchen knife.
“Sorry, sir, we’re in the middle of work. Everyone, back to your stations.”
God bless this woman.
Ruka’s eyes stayed on like a sniper with a bead on their target. I gave her a nervous thumbs up, praying to every deity in existence.
And Aki? That little nace leaned close and whispered, “How was it, ninja girl?”
I wanted to throw a chair at her.
---
Ti passed.
Junpei’s friends all left one by one, but this guy…
HE STAYED.
What is he, a stubborn cockroach?!
The restaurant was practically empty except for him, smiling like a lunatic and sipping water.
I kept wiping tables, pretending he didn’t exist.
“Psstt.”
Nope.
“Pssttt… hey… don’t ignore , asshole.”
For the love of—
“Sorry sir, but we’re closing soon. Last orders already announced. Please visit us again next ti!” I said with the fakest custor service smile I could summon.
But then ca the cursed word.
“Ryuseiiiii~” His voice was soft but carried like a damn siren.
I bolted over like lightning, slapped my hand over his mouth and hissed, “Didn’t I tell you not to say that here?!”
He pouted like a five-year-old.
“You ignored .”
I sighed.
“Okay, what the hell do you want?”
And like a proud middle schooler with a crush, he pointed his thumb at the kitchen and whispered, “Introduce to Ruka. That’s your job now, bestie.”
Bestie?!
I didn’t rember signing up for this friendship.
“Junpei, no. Just— no.”
“Why?! Isn’t she your co-worker? Don’t be a petty little punk, man. I even told you my tragic ex stories!”
“It’s not like I don’t want to… it’s just… complicated.”
I side-eyed the kitchen and muttered, “I’m kinda not on good terms with her right now.”
His eyes lit up.
“Aha! You’re perving on her, aren’t yo— OWWW!”
I whacked him upside the head before he finished that sentence.
“No, you idiot. She found out about . You know, -. The past .”
He paled.
“Whoa… did not see that coming.”
“Yeah, well, neither did I.”
Just then, Aki’s voice cut through the air.
“Oi, Ryuko! Stop flirting with the old dude and help with closing!”
Flirting?!
I was about to hurl a salt shaker at his head.
“Look, now’s not the ti. Go ho, Junpei. I’ll… talk to Keiko later or sothing.”
He grinned and pointed a finger at like so cheap ani character. “Okay. But promise . I have a big interest in that girl. Seriously. Promise .”
“Fine, fine.”
I wanted to just crawl into the freezer and stay there forever.
“Promise !” He yelled at .
“I promise, now get the hell out.”
“Love you, my adorable niece!” He called out way too loudly, waving like a maniac.
Everyone stared.
Aki was grinning.
I just deadpanned at the ceiling.
---
As I wiped down the last table, I let out the deepest sigh of my life.
God, give strength. Junpei’s got a crush, Aki’s an agent of chaos, Ruka wants to murder , and Keiko’s probably deducting my sanity points.
I could already hear Aki snickering in the background and probably plotting another round of teasing.
Tomorrow’s shift’s gonna be hell.
I can feel it.
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