Chapter 6

“There’s no one here…” Tsukiko murmured, gazing out of the cafe. She sat at the bar, Kenji sitting on her left and Amaya on her right, both playing with their phones.

Kenji set his phone down on the desk, turning right to face her. “You’re bored?”

Tsukiko was about to nod, paused, then shook her head. “No…?”

What a terrible liar.

“You should enjoy what little free time you have,” Amaya said. “Things won’t remain like this forever.”

“... It won’t?”

Amaya turned her gaze toward the beach outside. From inside the cafe, they could see some people on the beach. A couple relaxed under the sun, a group of high schoolers played beach volleyball, while a family was in the middle of teaching their son how to swim. Quite a crowd, considering it was before summer vacation.

“I don’t want to scare you, or anything, but Starbeach gets really busy during summer vacation.”

“How busy?” Tsukiko asked.

Amaya turned to her, her expression grim. “Have you ever worked so much that you faint the second the day ends?”

Tsukiko tensed up. “We- Well… I guess that did happen a couple of times at my old job.”

“Oh, you have to prepare yourself, Tsukiko.” Amaya massaged her forehead. “It’s… terrible. You don't understand just how terrible it is.”

Tsukiko straightened up. “It- it's that bad?” 

“Yes… Our former crew… they all... they all left.” Amaya brought her hand over her face, turning her body away. Kenji could barely see the smile hiding beneath her hands. "I... I still... It's all so sudden... I wished I had been a better manager."

Tsukiko gasped. “So- sorry to hear that.”

“Amaya-”

“Yes, I know, Brother. I, too, miss our staff from the Pacific branch. But... after how badly they worked... I don't have the heart to stop them. Every single one of them gave up."

“An- and… that level of intensity... that will happen here?”

“Nope. Probably not.”

Tsukiko’s tension deflated like a balloon. “You made me scared for nothing.”

Amaya turned around, the darkness gone from her face. 

“Yeah, she likes to do that sometimes,” Kenji said, having fallen victim to her tricks. He had gotten good at telling when she was serious, however. An important skill for anyone working with her.

“What happened at the Pacific branch, though? Just how crowded is that place?”

“That's a lie, Tsukiko. We don't have any branches,” Kenji said.

Tsukiko glared at Amaya.

“Can't believe you actually believed me. Thought I sounded ridiculous.”

“You were.”

It was so ridiculous that Kenji thought Tsukiko was simply playing along. Apparently not.

“It’s not like we have some super menu or something. Most people came here to relax, not to wait in line for three hours.”

Had they been at that kind of cafe, Amaya would have hired someone long ago. But with the number of customers they had right now, extra hands weren’t a priority.

The bell rang. Tsukiko got up, about to greet this new customer, but Amaya motioned her to sit down.

“You’re late,” Amaya said. The person scratched his head. 

“Sorry, sorry, was helping my dad with stuff.”

The boy who entered had short black hair and round glasses in front of his eyes. This unremarkable boy was Kenji’s high school classmate, Fukuhara Mamoru.

“Hmm? You finally got a new staff?” Mamoru asked, looking at Tsukiko. Mamoru had seen her before. He already knew, although last time, he had disappeared before introducing himself.

Tsukiko quickly stood up, bowing. “My name is Hakayashi Tsukiko. I’m new here.”

Tsukiko had been repeating this gesture to anyone who seemed casual with either Kenji or Amaya. She must have assumed them as regulars and wanted to be on her best behavior. Most of the regulars wouldn’t mind, however.

“Oh, my name is Fukuhara Mamoru. I’m surprised Amaya hired someone, though. She could be real stingy sometimes.”

“I’m not stingy.” Amaya elbowed the boy, who let out a chuckle.

Kenji nodded in agreement. “That’s my sister, alright.”

“I’m not stingy.” Amaya gave him a light kick. “Anyway, are you here to eat or help?”

“Do you even need my help?” Mamoru looked around. He was the only non-staff member in the building at the moment. “I’ll just grab the classic.”

“Alright.” Amaya went into the kitchen, preparing a meal while Mamoru sat down on the bar, taking Amaya’s spot.

“Umm…” Tsukiko looked around, probably unsure what to do.

Whenever they didn’t have a customer, she would sit, but she tended to stand in case someone needed her. She probably didn’t expect said customer to sit right next to her. Kenji wasn’t sure if it was something taught at her old workplace, but he did know that some places required their staff to remain standing during work hours. Such laws didn’t apply here. While not working, she could choose whichever position she’s most comfortable in.

“Tsukiko, you can just sit down. You don’t have to worry about it too much,” Kenji said.

Tsukiko seemed surprised. “But-”

“Don’t worry about me. I’m not a customer.”

Tsukiko looked even more confused by this statement.

“... Huh?”

“He’s my boyfriend,” Amaya said while bringing out a plate of curry.

“Thanks.”

Mamoru handed over two bills. Amaya took a glance and stuffed it into her wallet. Kenji didn’t have to see the exact amount. He knew Mamoru overpaid.

“... He’s not eating for free?” Tsukiko asked.

“Of course not,” Amaya scoffed. “Even if he’s my husband, he won’t be eating for free.”

“See? Stingy,” Kenji and Mamoru said at the same time.

“It’s not stingy. I expect some love in return. Also, Brother, side with me.”

Surely love doesn’t equal money?

“How about no?”

“Eh, you’re siding with your best friend, Kenji? That’s surprising.”

“Of course not. If anything, I’ll go against you any chance I have. We just happen to agree on the same thing, that’s all.”

“That hurts my heart.” Mamoru held his chest with his left hand; his right continued scooping up the curry.

“Your… best friend?”

Tsukiko left the island when she entered high school, so she wouldn’t know Mamoru. Mamoru was the reverse. He arrived on the island during his first year of high school.

“I wouldn’t call him that.”

“How evil.”

“But yeah, I guess we’re pretty close.”

“So… This is the girl you talked about?” Mamoru asked, his eyes on Kenji.

Kenji tensed up.

“The… girl?” Tsukiko switched her attention to Kenji. Her eyes had been going back and forth between the two of them throughout their conversation.

“N- No… It’s nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

Mamoru gave him a sinister smile. He must talk some sense into him later.