''So... Yoru.'' Kobeni's voice surprises Yoru, who until then was focused on her own thoughts.
''What is it, Kobeni-san?'' Yoru asks, irritated at being interrupted.
''That boy came again...'' Kobeni says, with his usual nervousness.
''You and Power can help him.. I'm... busy.'' Yoru says, but she clearly wasn't doing anything.
''Power is cleaning the kitchen. I don't know what to do, because he just demands that you answer him.'' Kobeni says, sweating at Yoru's reaction.
Yoru sighs, she couldn't wait for Kobeni to deal with this, she didn't have the courage for it.
Surely, it must sound wrong not to report an inefficient employee. But Poder and Yoru understand the difficulty of finding a job on Kobeni's part, and therefore the two fulfill the functions that Kobeni has difficulties with (Which is a large number, if I may comment).
And once again, Yoru takes responsibility.
''I'm going there, Kobeni. But only because you don't know how to deal with this guy.''
''Th-thank you, Yoru-chan.'' Kobeni says, almost bowing.
And another tiring day begins.
....
Yoru is soon at the store's cash register, already wearing the franchise's black and white uniform, along with the characteristic smiling cap. Yoru was good at pretending to be something she wasn't, she could be as smiling as the emoji symbol of the franchise's brand.
But not with a certain man... speaking of the devil
It was at a table close to the window, but clearly visible to those at the register.
Yoru, sigh and go to him
''Hello sir. What do you want today?'' Yoru says, cordially but without pretending to be happy. She wasn't willing to wear 'masks' with this guy, it just made everything more tiring.
The redheaded boy's face lights up subtly when he sees her, his smile is remarkable. ''Oh, why the discouragement? I would say you should practice smiling more. Like this.'' He says, pulling his own lips to form a smile.
''I didn't have a good day, don't demand that of me.'' Yoru replies.
''... Or is it because I arrived?'' The boy says, the irritating smile eternalized on his features. ''Most girls don't have that reaction.''
''Have you ever stopped to think that I'm not like the others?'' Yoru says, bitterly
''Oh I know... I like my women to be different.'' The boy says. Having a satisfying laugh.
Yoru doesn't respond, she didn't have the energy to discuss it.
''What do you want?'' Yoru says, taking a small handful of small leaves.
''An coffee...'' Makima says.
Yoru takes note, and then gets ready to turn around. ''Okay, it will be ready in a few min...''
''...And a cake.'' Makima's sudden interruption draws a sigh from Yoru.
Unpredictable. As usual.
''Anything else, gentleman?'' Yoru says, after taking the second order.
''Maybe a kiss.'' He says, pouting.
Yoru's face reddens, shy and irritated. Saying ''Your orders will be made in a few minutes, go to the cashier when they are ready.''
All she manages to get from him is a smile, he was clearly having fun.
Generally, treatment is not recommended for people with high financial status, for their specific job it was almost a violation of an unofficial rule
.But it wasn't for Yoru's lack of trying, Makima was simply intolerable.
Egocentric, and acted as if he had everything in control. As if everything were a game. He was known for his huge reputation with women, his exes called him either too controlling or too possessive or too indifferent. But these rumors did not tarnish his image.
He was still extremely desired and coveted by many women, even with certain rumors; only Yoru was indifferent to his charms and allure.
And this made Yoru considered strange among the girls, but fascinating to Makima.
....
Yoru arrives in the kitchen. Sighing, already grumpy.
''A cake and a coffee.'' Yoru says.
''Did he specify the cake?'' Kobeni says.
''No.''
''Oh, it's going to have to be one of the cakes we already have.'' Power says, interrupting some of the conversation.
''What flavor do we have?'' Kobeni asks.
''Strawberry cake.'' Power says
''Didn't we have chocolate cake?'' Yoru asks, curious.
''Himeno took the last one for a delivery.'' Power says.
''I'll take the strawberry one. And now the coffee?'' Yoru says.
''I know how to make coffee, don't worry, I'll deliver it in less than 9 minutes.'' Kobeni goes to the kitchen.
Yoru doesn't have time to question her. And ends up going to the cashier, while Power starts looking for the trash to remove.
She serves a few more customers, taking orders. And sending them to Aki, who is ready to prepare them
After a few minutes, the coffee is ready. Yoru places the coffee and cake on a tray, in a visually inviting way.
Yoru announces the order, letting it pass on the screen. The customer gets up and walks towards the cashier, his smile expands when he notices that it is Yoru who is answering.
''And your order is ready.'' Yoru says, lightly touching the tray.
Makima stares at the tray for a few seconds.
Yoru assumes it's some level of distrust, so she feels the responsibility to encourage him to eat.
''Believe me, it's more delicious than the eyes can judge.''
''In fact, experimentation is the best way to judge something. But don't underestimate what the eyes can tell about something...''
''... The eyes can measure the hotness of something, with exquisite perfection. If I may say so.'' Makima ends his discussion.
Yoru thinks for a few minutes trying to understand. But give up.
''When you finish eating, I'll offer you the check.'' Yoru says.
Makima takes the tray and comments vaguely. ''Do you want... to eat with me?''
''I don't have that permission.''
''Well, if it looks bad to you now I can provide you with a good place to go out at night...''
''A restaurant, a luxury hotel... my mansion, if you want. But just you and me... alone, that's all I ask.'' Makima clicks her tongue as she completes the sentence.
''Go eat. I'll give you the bill.'' Yoru says, changing the subject; Makima doesn't question it and goes to her table.
Yoru had never received an invitation to such a luxurious place.
Most of them weren't very pleasant places, and they barely disguised their desire to sleep with Yoru (not that Makima does much). But a meeting like this would be worthy for Yoru. She didn't necessarily need to accept Makima in the end.
But Yoru didn't like the idea of using other people's emotions as something for her benefit. As weapons for achieving personal achievements.
....
The boy had finished eating. As promised, Yoru approached to collect payment and collect the tray and waste.
''I must say, I was great. I recognize from the details that it wasn't made by Mr. Hayakawa, but it's a decent meal.'' Makima says, smiling. Wiping your mouth with a tissue.
''Impressive taste buds you have.'' Yoru says, serious but trying to sound pleasant.
''Thank you, but my real merit is my sense of smell.'' He says, pointing to his nose.
''Well, the coffee cost 90 yen.'' Yoru says, putting in the bill.
''The cake cost 100 yen.'' She finishes.''I imagine in this case... take it.'' Makima hands the payment to Yoru. A quick calculation and she realizes that he paid 5x the amount.
''You paid a lot.'' Yoru says.
''I insist that you keep the money.'' Makima says, refusing the return.
''That's not in Family's rules.'' Yoru insists.
''The Family franchise is so flexible that it doesn't hold you back. They love money, you know.'' Makima says.
Yoru accepts this, and then sets the table. Calmly, to be more efficient.
When Yoru picks up the tray and prepares to leave, Makima grabs her shoulder.
Yoru's reaction is one of obvious surprise. She avoids moving abruptly to avoid dropping things.
''What happened?'' Yoru asks.
''Can you at least... think a little about my proposal from earlier?'' Makima's expression softens to something more serene and vulnerable.
Seeing this expression on Makima's face surprises her.
''Makima... I...'' Yoru says, having difficulty finding words.
''I only ask for one opportunity... please.'' Makima insists.
''I'll think about it... I promise, just give me time.'' Yoru says.
The answer seems to calm Makima, who releases her and then gets up. Fixing his suit and looking around.
''Your consideration in this matter makes me happy. I'll be back soon to get my answer.'' Makima walks away.
....
Yoru is thoughtful, she will definitely feel guilty if she plays with his emotions. But her ambitions for a dating idea to feel valued still persist.
No. She was stronger than that.
All she needed was to gather the strength to say no.
It wouldn't be that difficult, would it?
