4/22 Fri
Walking to school the next day, I notice some students talking by the outdoors vending machines.
“The school store’s always out of yakisoba pan, no matter what time I go.” Complains a student who clearly loves food. “I haven’t been able to get any, even once.”
“Oh, don’t you know?” His friend asks, sounding more informed than the food lover. “It’s always sold out on Mondays, but there’s usually some left over on Fridays.”
“Are you serious!?” The food lover asks. “I’ll finally be able to get some yakisoba pan today!” He exclaims happily.
“Huh, I guess there’s a lot in this world you can only get during certain times…” Abigale says, popping out of my bag.
“Now I want some, too.” I say, hungry after that guy hyped it up.
“Do you want to try to get some? I’ll come with you.” Abigale says, as I head to class.
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After class, I take a moment to decide what to do. As I’m heading out, having decided to study a bit more, I hear a couple students talking.
“It’s rare to see Bēru in class. She usually disappears right away.” An easygoing looking guy says. “But man, she’s really cute… If she were my girlfriend, I’d brag about it all the time.”
“Forget it, dumbass. Besides, dating her would be too much trouble.” A lighthearted guy states. “She kinda of gives off a bad vibe, and all the girls ignore her. And she is Kikku’s girl, remember?” With that conversation losing my interest, I head out to study.
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“Back again? It’s much more busy this time.” Abigale notices, as we sit in the diner. When the waitress comes for my order, I grab coffee again.
“You’re drinking coffee again? That can’t be good for you…” Abigale mutters, as I focus on my studying. After a few hours, I finish. “Wow, I still can’t believe you can spend all that time with just coffee. Pretty guts, Hexan.”
“Anyway, we should be done for today. Let’s go home.” She says, as I pack up to leave.
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“...So. Gettin’ used to the city?” Roast-san asks as I walk in.
“A bit, but it’s a big place.” I reply.
“...I see.” He says. “ You’re the only one here at night, so I’m not gonna bother setting a curfew or anything like that.”
“So long as you’re taking school seriously, I don’t mind if you stroll the streets at night.” He says. “But only around these parts, got it? You go back on your word, and you’re out the door.” When he is done talking, he goes back to cleaning up. After a moment, I decide to join him, walking up to the counter.
“No work, no food. Ever heard that idiom?” He asks. “If you’re up for it, why don’t you learn how to work here…”
“Sure, I’ll help out.” I agree.
“You really got things figured out. All right, put your stuff down and come back here.” He orders. “It’s about time one of my regulars arrives. She’s a talkative one…”
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“Now then, since you’re gonna be working in my store, I’ll need to hammer home the basics…” Roast-san says, once I’m dressed in an apron. “You know what I’m talking about, right?”
“While I want to joke that it’s picking up girls, I know it’s making coffee.” I reply, getting a small smirk.
“It’s good to see that you understand this as well as you do.” He agrees. “This store’s not the busiest around, but I’m real particular about how we make coffee here.”
“And I’ll kick you right out no questions if you serve a bad cup.” He finishes.
“Let me tell you, Spicy definitely does things right with his coffee.” A somewhat gaudy woman says, while eating some curry. “It goes so well with his special curry, I can’t help but order the set meal every time.”
“What can I say, each of my regulars gets an experience personally tailored to them.” Roast-san replies.
“Can you tell me the key to that wonderful flavor, Ro-chan? I’d love to make it at home sometime.” The woman asks sweetly.
“Sorry, that’s a trade secret. You’re free to try and guess based on the taste though.” He replies.
“Cheapskate. Keeping secrets from me even though you know your food’s already stolen my heart…” The woman mutters.
“How about a nice dessert then? It’s only three hundred yen.” Roast-san offers. After her dessert, the woman pays and heads out.
“When you run a shop, you get to know all sorts of customers. Knowing their personalities is absolutely vital.” He instructs. “That’s what being in food service is all about.” I nod, as someone else comes in.
“Welco-” Roast-san goes to say, before stopping. “You…” He says, sounding both shocked and a bit mad.
“Hello there! It’s been quite a while, Roast-san!” The cheerful man says, though it sounds fake. “I heard you opened up a shop, so here I am! It wouldn’t have hurt to mention it to me though.”
“Huh, you’ve got a real nice location here. Right by the station and everything.” He continues.
“Your order?” Roast-san asks.
“No small talk? That’s cold.” The man continues. “Oh, but this smell… Sure brings back memories! You’re still making that curry, huh?”
“I guess you still haven’t gotten over her yet…” He verbally prods.
“Your order, sir?” Roast-san says, staying cool, and not rising to the bait.
“Haha, so pushy, I just stopped in to say hi today… but I’ll be back again soon! Bye.” The man says, before leaving.
“Ugh… I don’t know where he caught wind of this place.” Roast-san mutters.
“I don’t know who he was, but I got a bad feel from him. Like a walking mud pile.” I suggest, getting a chuckle from him.
“Heh, I guess you have an eye for some things after all.” He says. “Anyway, if you have time for questions, you have time to be learning about bean types.”
“You’re not gonna be any use to me if you can’t pick up on the ABCs sometime soon.” He continues. “Besides, ladies love a guy who knows his coffee. This isn’t such a bad deal for you.”
“Having the ladies like me wouldn’t be bad at all.” I agree, nodding.
“Heh, if only you were this obedient all the time.” He says, with a chuckle. “Either way, I’m gonna teach you right. That way I’ll be able to sit back and relax while you work. With that done, he passes me what appears to be an above average coffee recipe. ‘Seems kinda complicated, but doable.’ I think to myself. Then the clock goes off.
“...Oh, is it that time already?” He asks himself. “Let’s start closing up. And no slacking off, you got it?” With that, we’re done for today, and I head to be.