I think everyone has those moments when they just fall silent. For example, when you're thrown into a group of strangers or people you're not particularly close with. Or sometimes right after a seat change at school, when it feels like it’s just "me versus the world." It usually takes a fair amount of time before you can speak naturally again.
"……"
"……"
Was I in a back-alley sauna? If there were a sauna stove here, I’d be dousing the hot stones with water right about now. Though I was certain Ichinose-san had never even been to one.
"Take a break," the Old man had said, sounding like some big-shot CEO as he led us to the living room in the back. But Old man, it was rough being left alone with her when there was nothing to do. I sat in the middle of one side of the table, and she went and sat at the very edge of the opposite side. My heart was shredded; I was almost tempted to laugh.
The reason both Ichinose and I weren't doing anything was that the Old man had left after telling us to "deepen our friendship." If I were to pull out my smartphone here, he’d definitely scold me. Ichinose probably had a rough idea of the Old man's personality by now, too.
Ichinose was a bookworm. If that was the case, I should probably talk to her about books, but she always kept a book cover on them… What if it was some mushy romance novel? That would just be awkward. Even if it was a light novel, she didn't seem like the type who could confidently tell people about it—or maybe it was the kind of thing she couldn't tell anyone at all…
Ah, but if there was anything Ichinose wanted to do, it was probably reading books.
"U-Um, Ichinose-san."
"! Y-Yes…?"
"You can go ahead and read your book."
"B-But…"
"Don't worry about the Manager. I'm going to check my phone, anyway."
"O-Okay…"
The one thing I could say for sure about this situation was that I was also "bad at talking." If that was the case, I figured we’d both be happier doing what we liked rather than trying to force a conversation. Look at her—Ichinose-san busily pulled out a novel-looking thing from her pouch. Maybe she forgot she’d pinned her bangs back; she actually looked happy.
I guess I'll play a game app or something—oh, I had a message.
[It's not a punishment, but I want to see Ai-chan!]
[R-Really…?]
You guys… flirting behind my back again… Good, do it more! Sajou is always watching over you! Seriously, this group chat was something else. It was basically a place for me to peep on your "thing."
[My club stuff ends at noon today, so maybe I'll head over after I shower!]
[Yeah! I'm waiting!]
Did you hear that, everyone? She said, "Yeah! I'm waiting!" That's one of the top phrases a guy wants a girl to say! You guys… Seriously, you guys…! Ashida! You better know what happens if you keep her waiting!
"——Hey! Why are the two of you entering your own worlds?!"
"Whoa!?"
"……!?"
I recoiled at the sudden shouting. Startled, I looked up to see the Old man looking down at us with a huff. Apparently, he was dissatisfied that we weren't deepening our friendship.
Come on, Manager.
"Even so, Manager. It's asking too much for us to suddenly be left alone and start talking like best friends. This is just the result of us reading the room and finding a comfortable space for each other."
"Mu…"
That's right, that's right! It was the fault of the person who left two people who have barely spoken to each other alone! …I barked in agreement with myself in my mind. Even at an arranged marriage meeting, you need a matchmaker, right? And then they say, "I'll leave the young people to it…" Does anyone actually say that in real life?
"Well… now that our break is over, let's get back to work."
"……"
I stood up to change the subject. This might have been the first time Ichinose and I were of one mind. She quickly tucked the ribbon of her Shiori into the book and put it in her pouch before hurriedly standing up. I remembered that ribbon was called a "Spin"; I only learned that after starting this part-time job.
"I'll make sure to teach her everything she needs to know, so leave it to me."
"Well… if you can manage to get along…"
The Old man reluctantly accepted it. Not everyone is destined to hit it off immediately. For Ichinose and me, this distance was probably the sweet spot.
As I stepped out of the living room first, Ichinose-san came pitter-pattering up to me. Wait, what was that? She's adorable, I thought, but just as I did, she seemed to realize what she was doing and took two or three steps back. I found myself thinking it was a bit of a shame. I couldn't help it…! Every guy wants a cute girl to come close to him, right?!
I couldn't hide a wry smile at her blatant wariness. Since I roughly understood Ichinose-san's evaluation of me, I didn't let it bother me and tried acting like a senior.
"To be honest, I've taught you the basic tasks, so now you just need to get used to customer service. There aren't many customers anyway, so let's try a little practice."
"Eh…"
It was a practice method I’d used during my convenience store job over spring break: the "Role." A training method where you pretend to be a clerk and serve a virtual customer. It would be cruel to make her do it out of the blue, so I explained things to some extent beforehand.
"—So, guiding them like that is probably the safest bet. If you really don't know, it's fine to say, 'I'll check with the Manager, so please wait a moment.' Do you think you can do it?"
"Y-Yes…"
"Okay, then I'll play the customer, so stand right there."
"E-Eh…"
I stepped out to the front of the shop, confirmed there were no customers approaching, and then turned back toward the store. I told myself there was no need to be nervous since I was just playing the customer, and stepped past the automatic doors toward the clerk, Ichinose-san.
"Excuse me, do you have Summer Storm by Kawashima Reiji?"
"Ah… u-um… well… that is…"
"……"
I waited in silence for a moment. I’d expected as much, but Ichinose-san couldn't give a proper response; she just stood there, looking like a deer in headlights. But since I’d just taught her the stock phrases for this situation, it shouldn't have been impossible. If she could just squeeze the words out…
"Um… that is……"
"……"
Ichinose-san fidgeted. Her eyes darted up and down, and every time our eyes met, she flinched and looked away, continuing the cycle of awkward squirming. The words I’d taught her were nowhere to be found.
Wait, what was this feeling? It was more than just awkward; it felt like I was doing something I shouldn't be doing… What was this emotion? (Excitement)
"………Uuuh."
"A-And you're out!"
No, not "you're out." That wasn't a "you're out" tone at all. Wasn't I supposed to be annoyed? Instead, this indescribable flutter was attacking me. Could she please stop fidgeting? My heart was pounding like a drum—tuk-tuk-tuk-tuk.
"Ichinose-san…? The thing I taught you just now…?"
"………I-I'm sorry…"
C-Calm down, me…! It might be fine for me, but there will definitely be customers who find this unpleasant! I can't spoil her…! I have to harden my heart—no, I have to become Ashura! Yes, I have become a God!
"I-Is it… Summer Storm… by Kawashima Reiji?"
"O-Oh, yes, that's it."
There was a bit of a gap, but I decided to see it through for now. I pretended to be the customer again and replied. Ichinose-san tended to look down, but I could feel her earnestness. Well, a customer probably wouldn't find this unpleasant…
"I-It's this way……"
Her eyes swimming, Ichinose-san spun around and began to lead the way. If this were a manga, there would be a depiction of sweat popping off the top of her head. What was this protective instinct…? I was confident I had the kindest eyes of my life right now.
"U-Umm… well… is-is this what you were looking for?"
"Pass."
"E-Eh…!?"
Crap. I’d passed her by reflex. Ichinose-san's small-animal aura was so powerful that I’d spoiled her without thinking. I decided to count it as a passing grade for now and just point out the flaws.
"Your earnestness comes across, so I think a customer would be fine with it. Just make sure not to give the wrong directions. If you don't know, just call the Manager right away."
"Y-Yes, sir!"
I think the customer would feel like, "Ah, she's really trying her best," so in terms of their mood, it should be fine. You see, when people see someone more flustered than themselves, they actually become calmer. They'll probably be broad-minded. Ashura grants forgiveness.
"Oh?"
"……!"
While I was thinking that, the sound of a bell echoed from the automatic doors. It was the signal that a customer had entered.
"Let's head to the register, Ichinose-san."
"Y-Yes!"
That was a more reliable response than I expected. Well, we're both part-timers, so maybe just having the motivation and not running away was enough. Most high school part-time jobs are just simple things, anyway. Thinking about it that way, the convenience store job might have been the highest difficulty.
For now, I had her stand in front of the register. In the meantime, I’d organize the bottom of the shelves. It felt like I was leaving Ichinose-san to fend for herself, but even just looking at the layout of the buttons on the register would be meaningful for now.
"H-Hau……"
"……?"
While I was organizing the wrapping paper under the shelf, I heard an incredibly weak voice from above. I looked up to see a slender, lanky person. He had a checkered shirt tucked into his jeans and was wearing square glasses.
He placed two books on the register counter, his glasses glinting as he shot a sharp look at Ichinose-san. Wait, you're actually buying books?
"To not even have Yukio Mishima… you can hardly call yourself a secondhand bookstore."
We aren't even a secondhand bookstore. And damn, a real "character" had just walked in.
Here he comes.