Vol. 1 Chapter 13 – Random Encounter Event

—The day after I made plans to go out with Asahi-san, Sunday afternoon.

I was diligently working at my part-time job at the Western-style restaurant ‘Mizumoritei’.

It’s a small place with only a few counter seats and four tables that seat four each.

Although it was the middle of the long holiday weekend, even with a full house, it wasn’t overwhelmingly busy.

As usual, I guided customers to their seats, took orders, carried dishes, and handled payments.

When I first started helping out in the spring of my first year, I messed up all sorts of things, but now it felt like I was playing a restaurant work simulator.

I could even visualize my current score in the top right of my vision.

And so, after the lunch service ended, while I was cleaning the now-empty restaurant—

“Reiya-ku~n!” (Ichiru)

A drawn-out voice echoed from the kitchen.

“What!?” (Reiya)

I replied, raising my voice slightly so she could hear.

“Could I ask you to run an errand for me right now~?” (Ichiru)
“An errand!?” (Reiya)

When I replied again, a little louder—

“Actually… I broke some just now, and we don’t have enough dishes…” (Ichiru)

Mizumori Ichiru-san, the owner of this Western-style restaurant ‘Mizumoritei’ and also my maternal cousin, peeked out apologetically from behind the counter.

Since she was in the middle of prep work, her long hair was tied back in a ponytail, and she wore a cook coat.

“Again? Including this time, isn’t that the third time since last month? I keep telling you to be careful because they’re not cheap…” (Reiya)
“Uuu… I’m sorry~…” (Ichiru)

When I spoke somewhat sternly, Ichiru-san drooped like a child.

Even setting aside family bias, her cooking skills are outstanding, but she’s a bit… no, quite absent-minded.

Breaking dishes is a daily occurrence, and when she’s running the place alone, mixing up orders isn’t uncommon either.

Initially, I was the one being trained, but now I’m completely in the position of watching out so she doesn’t mess something up.

On the other hand, some might say this small restaurant thrives thanks to that personality.

A slightly ditzy, busty beauty in her twenties who’s good at cooking.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say many of the regulars come specifically for her.

“Well, fine… Should I go pick them up from the usual general store again?” (Reiya)
“Yep, I already called ahead to tell them what we need, so you just have to pick them up.” (Ichiru)
“Roger. Try not to break any more plates while you’re holding down the fort alone.” (Reiya)

Turning my back on Ichiru-san, who was muttering some complaint, I left the restaurant.

Outside the restaurant, just across a single road, the station was visible.

Perhaps because it was midday during the holidays, the area in front of the station bustled with a large crowd.

To get to the general store inside the station building, I had to cut through this throng of people.

I thought it would have been better to change out of my uniform, troublesome as it was, but figuring it couldn’t be helped now, I started walking.

I entered the building, weaving through the festive crowd, likely heading somewhere far away.

The escalator… seemed too conspicuous, so I used the stairs to the third floor.

Arriving at the target chic general store, feeling self-conscious about the gap between the clientele and myself, I received the dishes and quickly left the store.

Errand quests like this with no reward or incident are such crappy game elements.

As I walked along thinking such things, I spotted a familiar face on the other side of the passageway.

Asahi-san was walking through an area lined with stylish boutiques.

It wasn’t strange for her to be here since we live in the same area, but I felt like I’d seen something I shouldn’t have.

She was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with an unknown man.

Even from a distance, I could see his ruggedly handsome features and tall, model-like physique.

Asahi-san is tall for a girl, but he was nearly 20cm taller than her.

He looked slightly older, maybe a university student?

He exuded the aura of a powerful individual I couldn’t hope to beat even if I stood on my head or lived through several lifetimes.

In his hands, he carried a large number of paper bags, indicating they had spent a long time shopping together.

Seeing that, the first emotion that arose was immense, immense relief.

Phew… That was close~!!!
I almost made an outrageous, presumptuous mistake.

Right. Of course.
There’s no way a girl on Asahi-san’s level wouldn’t have a boyfriend or two.
If anything, I’m relieved she does.
If she has such a high-spec boyfriend, it’s only natural she wouldn’t see me as a guy.
I should just be grateful she treats me as a fellow vertebrate.
May divine protection be upon me. Ambasa.

Just as I was sorting out the complex emotions swirling inside me—

…Ah.
Because I had been staring intently, our eyes met.
A moment later, she also recognized me.

“Aah! It’s Kageyama-kun! Hey!” (Hikaru)

As soon as that happened, she waved enthusiastically and rushed over, leaving her companion behind.

“Kageyama-kun, Kageyama-kun! What an amazing coincidence meeting you here!?” (Hikaru)
“Ah, yeah… Yeah, coincidence, coincidence…” (Reiya)
“I mean, it hasn’t even been a full day since we said ‘see you the day after tomorrow’, right? What were you doing here? Is that maybe your work uniform?” (Hikaru)

The moment she reached my side, a barrage of rush attacks was unleashed.

“Yeah… My cousin, the owner, asked me to run a quick errand…” (Reiya)
“Oh, really! That’s tough, working on a Sunday.” (Hikaru)

Asahi-san continued chatting in her usual manner, as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
Does this mean she doesn’t mind being seen with me…?

“Oi, what are you doing, leaving me holding all the bags…” (Brother)

From the direction she came from, the companion in question walked over, looking displeased.

“Ah, sorry, sorry… Wait, they’re all yours, so of course you should carry them!” (Hikaru)
“I said I didn’t need them, but you made me buy them…” (Brother)
“That’s because you wouldn’t buy them yourself otherwise! Always wearing the same things over and over!” (Hikaru)

Just as he caught up, the two started a lover’s quarrel right there.
I felt overwhelmed by the combined imposing aura of the two powerhouses.
They were the type with skills that inflicted debuffs and DoT just by being nearby.

“Tch, shut up… Anyway, who’s this guy…?” (Brother)

Eek… H-He’s scary…
I instinctively flinched at his tone, which was dripping with clear hostility.
Isn’t this a bit too heavy for a random encounter event during an errand quest?

“I-I’m just a speck of dust drifting in the deep sea…” (Reiya)
“Ah… Sorry, Kageyama-kun. I forgot to introduce you.” (Hikaru)
“No, no… Someone like me doesn’t need an introduction, so please continue your da—” (Reiya)
“This is my older brother.” (Hikaru)
“—te… Eh? Older brother?” (Reiya)

…Not her boyfriend?

“Yeah, we don’t look alike at all, right?” (Hikaru)

Asahi-san said cheerfully, laughing.
No, you’re exactly alike in being ridiculously good-looking, I couldn’t say out loud.

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• Ambasa: Likely a reference to “Umbasa,” a phrase from the game Demon’s Souls, often used like “Amen” or invoking divine favor. Kept transliterated with a note.