“Music, that masterpiece expressing the sweetness of the flesh! To claim the title of a bookstore while omitting the one who transformed forbidden trysts into sublime art... it is a deed most egregious!”
“Auuh...”
Whoa, creepy—creepy, creepy, creepy. What is this old guy even talking about? And is it just me, or is his perfectly trimmed long hair actually gleaming? No, this is a disaster; he’s completely blown past Ichinose-san’s capacity. Besides, I only intended to have her watch me work the register at first.
I stood up immediately, sliding into Ichinose-san’s spot and snatching up the paperbacks from the counter. I fixed my gaze as flatly as possible on those restless eyes that reeked of some self-styled “Higher Idle,” putting just enough strength into my look to be firm without actually glaring.
“Sup. These two, right?”
“Hm...?!”
“Ah...”
I didn’t really get what he was saying, but he’d brought items to the register, so the goal was to give him the standard response and get him out of here as fast as possible. Should I lean into the “chara” persona? I had to at least seize control of the atmosphere.
“Need book covers for these?”
“Ugh... I—I suppose I shall request them.”
“Gotcha. Two hundred and twenty yen for the pair.”
“U-Umu...”
Mystery Customer X ripped open his wallet—the kind with the loud velcro—and unzipped the compartment. He scattered a thousand-yen bill and two ten-yen coins directly onto the counter instead of putting them in the coin tray. Normally, that would’ve ticked me off, but right now, I didn’t care. I just wanted to end this interaction.
I handed him the bag with the handles facing him, being even more polite than usual. As I took the change from the register, I met his eyes once more. You can manage customers like this as long as you don't show any openings. Though, with a delinquent, this would probably backfire.
“Eight hundred back to you. Thanks a bunch.”
“...I have received it.”
With a dramatic swish of his long hair, the guy turned on his heel and marched straight out of the store. I was so startled by the chime of the bell as the automatic doors opened that I practically did a side-step. Wow, his movements were surprisingly agile...
I wasn't quite sure how, but it seemed I’d managed to handle him.
“...That was one hell of a customer.”
“...”
“Wait, Ichinose-san?”
“............Fweh.”
“Eh...?”
Ichinose-san was frozen, her eyes wide. When I spoke to her, there was no reply. I leaned in to check on her, and she let out a tiny, thin sound as her shoulders began to tremble.
O-Oh? Wait... is this what I think it is? Hey, hey, hey, hold on, calm down! This isn't even a matter of her capacity anymore! It’s bad to leave her like this!
“Ichinose-san! U-Umm, did you push yourself too hard? Let’s go to the living room for a bit. Let's take a break, okay?”
Without touching her, leaning in too close, or meeting her eyes, I used my arms to guide her toward the back like a waiter at a gala. Trying not to look at the shimmering, transparent droplets in her eyes, I let her go first and somehow managed to get her seated on the tatami in the living room. I placed the tissue box from the table in front of her and hurried toward the Old man, who was busy in the storage room.
“Manager, could you watch the register? I need to call your Wife.”
“What is it? What’s happened?”
“We ran into a difficult customer. To be blunt, Ichinose-san is crying.”
“What?! Where is Mina-chan?!”
“She’s resting in the living room, but please don't go back there, Manager. A woman’s touch is better for this.”
“Hm, y-yes, I suppose so... Understood. I’ll watch the register. I’m counting on you.”
“Thanks.”
I went up to the second floor and found the Wife, who was tapping away at a computer keyboard with her index fingers. When I explained the situation, she simply said, “I see,” in her flat tone and headed down to Ichinose-san. I was worried, but she was a better choice than the Old man.
“............She actually cried.”
Well, I couldn't really blame her. If someone like that showed up on my first day of work, I might not cry, but I’d definitely be rattled. Heck, I might have called the police.
“...”
I thought about it seriously. Even if she was inexperienced, Ichinose-san’s reaction wasn't just nerves; it was fear and anxiety born from extreme mental fragility. Even if this specific incident was unavoidable, there was no shortage of difficult or nitpicky customers in the world. I felt bad for the Old man, but many of the regulars here seemed to be the literary type—to put it bluntly, people who were very good with words. If things stayed as they were, they would just keep trampling all over her.
She was always alone at school. Even when Ashida and I were being noisy right next to her, she probably only ever stole a few glances. I didn't intend to criticize her “wall for self-protection,” but she was like that even with classmates. Would Ichinose-san ever be able to handle customer service? Forget customer service, she was struggling with basic communication between employees like the Wife and me...
“...Maybe I jumped the gun...”
I’d try talking to the Old man first; he was the Manager, after all. As her senior at work, I probably had an obligation to report on Ichinose-san’s performance anyway. Maybe he’d have a better idea.
◆
As I passed the living room, I saw the Wife consoling Ichinose-san with her arm around her shoulders. Apparently, she really was kind to girls in distress. I didn't have the courage to barge into that scene, so I headed to the Manager at the register.
“Manager, thanks. I think Ichinose-san will be okay now that your Wife is looking after her.”
“I see... Sajou-kun, what kind of customer was he?”
“The typical literary type—spoke way too fast and kept rattling off philosophical nonsense. But honestly, I deal with someone like that about once every three days.”
“Hm... that sort. I have an interest in old literature myself... To be honest, I can actually understand some of what they say.”
“Wait, for real?”
I could tell the guy was flaunting his knowledge, but since I didn't know anything, it just sounded like a series of gibberish incantations to me. I wondered if I’d understand it if I became a literary boy too... though hearing how fast he talked, it felt like you’d need the brains to digest the content on top of the knowledge, or it’d be pointless.
“Um... Manager. For this job, customer service—or rather, the skill to deflect people like that is a requirement, right?”
Personally, I didn't think it was that hard. Even if I said “deflect,” most customers would back down if you just kept your hands moving like a machine. I only ended up like that because my face didn't fit the role and it was obvious I was putting on an act... The problem was whether Ichinose-san could even do that much.
“True... Yes, you're right.”
“Yeah...”
After I left... even if it was a low-stress job, we couldn't have the Manager handle all the customer service while Ichinose-san did everything else. That wouldn't be fulfilling her duties as an employee. It would be coddling. It was simply unacceptable.
I’m going to say it.
“Manager. I don’t think Ichinose-san is cut out for this.”
“What?! You, judging that girl based on a single—!”
“No, then why don’t you watch her yourself, Manager? If you try to say you’ll take over all the register work, I doubt your Wife will stay silent about it.”
“......”
I found myself speaking with a surprisingly sharp tone. It was a blessing there were no customers around; I was a bit startled by how unlike myself I was being. That customer might have been nasty, but I realized I was more frustrated with Ichinose-san than I’d thought. We really were a terrible match. Or maybe I was just being narrow-minded.
I understood intellectually that everyone has things they’re suited for and things they aren't. But I felt an indescribable impatience at the idea of having to hold her hand through the most basic of conversations from start to finish. Was I the only one who felt this way?
If I was wrong, the thought of the Old man actually taking my argument seriously felt terrifying.
“Mina-chan is...”
“?”
“Mina-chan is... a cute regular of this shop.”
“...”
I looked at the Old man’s face in shock. He looked like he was at a total loss. It felt as if he was telling me, “I can’t do anything about this myself.”
“...Uhh.”
Seeing the Old man’s vulnerable side for the first time made me waver. I’d always thought of him as a strong, reliable person, so I honestly didn't want to believe it. While his stubbornness was annoying, it was also something I relied on. I’d expected him to have an answer for a problem like this too.
“...What about your Wife—?”
I stopped myself. She was the one who had tried to forcibly cut Ichinose-san’s bangs. She likely had plenty of life experience, but I didn't think she could truly “read” someone like Ichinose-san. Just because they were both women didn't mean she could automatically empathize with her.
“...Um, I’ll try talking to Ichinose-san for a bit.”
“R-Really...?”
He turned a pleading gaze toward me. It was the first time I’d ever had someone that much older look at me like that. It made me realize just how much of a “youngest child” I’d been until now. Is being relied on this much of a burden? I hate it. I really hate it. This is exactly why I didn't want to join the Student Council or the Disciplinary Committee.
“I’m sorry, but... please don’t expect too much.”
“......Understood.”
Ichinose-san was always alone at school. There was no way a place like that could be a refuge for her. But at the very least, this secondhand bookstore and the Old man who cared about her were undoubtedly her safe havens. Otherwise, she wouldn't have become a regular.
It couldn't happen—she shouldn't be made to hate this place. For the Old man’s sake, as well.
In that case... this isn't the time to be worrying about whether Ichinose-san is shy or not. If someone has to step up and say, “It’ll be fine no matter what happens,” then it has to be me.