"Nice to meet you! I'm En! I've been working here for about a month now, so I think I've leveled up from a Newbie to an Apprentice Shop Clerk... maybe?"
"You're doing a great job; I'd say you're already Full-fledged! At least, that's what I think."
"I'm still a long way from that! The Master even scolded me today!"
"...You two are certainly close. You haven't known each other that long, have you?"
Yugo let out a small smile as he watched the two girls chatting happily, sensing how close they had become. When he voiced his observation, En replied with a bright grin.
"The timing was just right. I had just started working here, and Melt had just arrived to transfer into Luminous Academy... we were both feeling anxious about our new lives, so we really hit it off."
"I see. It’s definitely easier to bond when you're the same age and in similar situations. Melt has great social skills and she's a good person, so it makes sense she’d make friends fast."
"Exactly! She's visited frequently since the first time we met and always orders something... Melt really is a good girl. Don't you think so too, Yugo?"
"A-Ah? How do you know my name? I don't believe I've introduced myself yet...?"
Yugo’s reaction was a mix of surprise and confusion. He wondered if she had been eavesdropping on his conversation with Melt earlier, but En simply giggled and provided the answer.
"Fufufu! Crimson hair and a slightly scary face—you're exactly as Melt described you. Honestly, I was the one who was surprised to see you."
"Oh, so that's it. By the way, how exactly did Melt describe me?"
"Hmm, let's see... she said you're a Reliable Partner who's a bit airheaded but is a cool guy. I can't say any more than that, so I think you should hear the rest from her yourself!"
"Wait, En! Don't go saying weird things!"
Melt interjected, her face turning beet-red as En spoke to Yugo with a mischievous glint in her eyes. En let out a muffled giggle and leaned in close to Melt's ear, whispering in a voice Yugo couldn't catch.
"His face is scary, but he's a kind, honest boyfriend. I think you two are a perfect match."
"W-We aren't in that kind of relationship yet...!!"
"If you're saying 'yet,' that means you're planning for it to happen eventually, right? Melt, you get the face of a Maiden in Love whenever you talk about him. It's useless to try and hide it!"
"Mghhhhhh!!"
Melt's face turned even redder, though for a different reason than before. En gave a hearty laugh at her friend's reaction—which could have been interpreted as either embarrassment or indignation—before the Master called for her, and she hurried into the back.
"Hey, what were you two talking about just now?"
"It was nothing! It has nothing to do with you, Yugo, so don't worry about it! More importantly, let's eat before the food gets cold! It won't taste good if we wait. Yes, let's do that! Decision made!"
"O-Oh...?"
Yugo, who hadn't realized in the slightest that the girls were talking about him, tilted his head at Melt's frantic behavior. However, he agreed that delicious food should be enjoyed while it was fresh. He took a bite of the pasta that had been served and his eyes widened.
"Whoa! This is amazing!"
He practically shouted his praise. Melt, looking thoroughly satisfied that he had reacted even more enthusiastically than she had expected, nodded in agreement as she ate.
"Right? The Master here isn't just a first-class coffee brewer; his cooking skills are top-tier too! He's quite burly and scary, just like a certain someone, but he's a wonderful person."
"Who's this 'certain someone'? I feel like that was a dig at me, hey."
"Now, I wonder who? Anyway, eat up, eat up!"
Melt continued to tease him, masking her jokes with a cute smile as she enjoyed her meal. Yugo gave a wry smile, realizing he was being played like a fiddle, but he didn't really mind. Just as he went to take another bite, it happened.
"No! That's not right! It wasn't me!"
A tragic scream echoed from the back of the shop. Recognizing the voice as En's, Yugo and Melt shared a look, immediately sensing that something was wrong.
"What was that? Did something happen?"
"...Sorry, Yugo. I'm going to go check on her."
"Ah!? Hey, Melt!"
Worried about her friend, Melt stood up and rushed toward the passage En had used. A panicked Yugo followed closely behind her. When they reached the back, they saw En caught in a heated argument with several adults wearing familiar uniforms.