(Extra) Friends, Work and Balance

"So Yoshu... Turns out you have a part-time job." Mayu said sternly, over the phone.

"I don't know how you found out, but you're right, I work part-time at the local 7-11 near my home."

It was a Saturday morning. Receiving a call from Mayu early in the morning, I woke up unpleasantly but talked with her anyway. Apparently, she had organized an evening party for Yuta and booked a room at school in advance. Why? It was his birthday, something I wasn't even aware about.

Yet the issue is, I have a part-time job. I'm required to be at the store on Wednesdays and Saturdays, so the issue right now would be me being unable to attend his birthday party.

"You should've told me earlier! Now not everyone I invited is going to be there..." Mayu said, sulkingly.

"Relax, it's fine. I'll head to work early today, and then head to school after that; or the other way round. How long do we have the room booked for? And for what time period?"

"Hmm... I had it booked from six to eight at in the evening today; would you be able to make that?"

"That works fine. It clashes a bit with my working hours, but I think it should be generally fine. I'll head over at the designated time, and head to work at 7:30 . It shouldn't pose too large of a problem."

My schedule for part-time was 6:30 PM to 11 PM, which would be 4.5 hours at work. It wasn't too much of a hindrance in my life, as it was a good way to earn some income. I'd head to sleep after returning home immediately as well, so I wouldn't miss out on any sleep.

"I'll check up with my boss to see if he'll let me off for the day as well. It honestly shouldn't be an issue, but it's always good to be an upstanding and responsible member of society." I said, half-jokingly.

"Are you suggesting that you aren't a good and upstanding individual? You can be really harsh to yourself sometimes, you know." Mayu said, sighing.

"It's fine. I'll be heading off for now. Have a nice day." I said, hanging up the phone.

Guess I should call my manager/ boss figure now. I did say I was going to consult him in changing my schedule slightly. 

But before I could, another voice was yelling for me. This time, it was Satsuki who was waving at me through my window.

"Oi! I'm coming in, big brother!"

I swear, she doesn't call me that at school. She only calls me "big brother" whenever she's alone with me. Is this behavior conducted to embarrass me? I wonder.

Heading to the front door to greet her, I see that she had already let herself in and made herself at home.

"Yo, big brother!" Satsuki said, patting me on the shoulder.

"Didn't I tell you not to call me that?"

"It's much easier to manage with compared to your long-ass name. Maybe I'll start calling you that at school..."

"Please, refrain from doing so; at home and at school."

"Hahaha! I guess that is pretty embarrassing. Anyway, what are you up to?" Satsuki said, going over the things that I had in my closet. "God, this place is kind of untidy."

"You think an IB student like me has any time to properly clean up the area?"

"Nah, you're just lazy. Hand me the cleaning supplies, I'll do some handiwork for you." Satsuki said, pointing at the basket of cleaning utilities in the bathroom.

"I guess I will, maiden of the apartment."

"Hehehe. That's right, I'm the boss around here now!" Satsuki said, holding her head up high and asserting her dominance.

We then cleaned up my apartment. It was tidier than it had ever been, and I'm honestly kind of glad that someone like her knows how to do housework.

"You'd make a great wife." I said, jokingly.

"Then hurry up and marry me so I can legally live in this house!"

"Stop joking around." I said, with an unpleasant expression.

"Hehehehe, you should've seen how flustered you were." Satsuki said, laughing to herself.

"It's noon already. I'll go make us some lunch."

"Go on ahead, masterchef." Satsuki said, already sitting down at the small dining table I have.

I went into the kitchen to then prepare some Udon that I had leftover from before. It was about time that I finished the remnants within the pack. Hopefully I won't screw up the broth like I did last time. There's only one stove, and if I slip up, it'd be some time before I could use it again.

While I was preparing, I consulted Satsuki in the upcoming party Mayu was holding.

"Ehh? It's Yuta's birthday today?" 

"Apparently. I was informed just this morning. Did Mayu not tell you?"

"I didn't get a call this morning. Maybe I wasn't invited." Satsuki said, with a gloomy expression.

"Don't be down. Maybe she'll call you later."

Just as I said that, Satsuki's phone rang. It was Mayu who called.

"It's fine Mayu. I know about Yuta's birthday, and since you've invited me, I'll be going too. Oh! Where am I right now?" Satsuki said, looking at me. She then put her phone on speaker.

I swear to god, if this woman says something kinky again...

"I'm in bed, next to Yoshimitsu~" Satsuki said, seductively.

For a moment, I could hear the silence that followed after she said that. It was deafening.

"Ahahaha... No you're not. You're not sleeping with Yoshu, there's just no way." Mayu said, half-jokingly.

"Yeah you're right. I was joking. Anyways, what got you interested?" Satsuki said, sipping on the tea I poured for her.

"I was merely curious. Anyways, see you at school this evening!" Mayu said, hanging up.

"I'm so glad that I didn't make a sound. Otherwise, knowing Mayu's nature, she might've jumped to conclusions." I said, wiping the sweat from my forehead.

"You're no fun, big brother." Satsuki said, taking another sip from her tea.

"Just shut up and let me cook." I said, returning to my duties.

After that, I finished up on cooking the udon and served it to Satsuki.

"Let's dig in!" Satsuki said, proceeding to slurp up all the broth and udon.

"You should eat more slowly..."

"Schrew dat! Dis shtuff is delishious!" Satsuki said, with her mouth full of udon.

"You remind me of how Yuta eats; it bears quite a resemblance."

"Hmph!"

Satsuki then went back to eating, and after talking about all sorts of things with her, we finished lunch and she left to go home. I was left behind to clean up all the stuff, but then again, it's my apartment so I guess it's my duty.

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Oh, time sure flies by quickly.

It was already the evening. Other than spending the afternoon to complete some assignments and play some games, I didn't really have anything that was necessary to go over. I guess I should get changed in preparation for Yuta's party.

I'll also have to bring my work clothing to get changed when I directly head there later.

"Oh wait, I forgot. I have to inform my manager." I went to check my phone, and dialed the number for the store's manager. I needed to inform him about the birthday party I'm attending, after all.

"Hello? Is this Suzuki?"

"Yeah, it's me boss. I have a request to ask of you, just for today."

"Oh? What is it, Suzuki? Got something urgent?"

"Well, kind of. My friend's throwing a birthday party, and I can't really skip out on it. Is it alright if I show up late to work today?"

"Hmm... The thing is, your co-worker is kind of sick today, so we'd be a bit short on hands. I'm afraid you'll have to come on time today."

That's the first time I've ever got a request declined. I guess the store needs me today.

"Ah, oh well. I guess I'll head over on time then."

"Sorry Suzuki; normally I'd let you go to your party, it's just that your co-worker just so happens to be sick today..." My boss said, sighing.

"Nothing we can do much about. I'll be there at 6:30 PM then."

"Work hard, Suzuki!"

With that I hung up. What was I supposed to tell Mayu? That I could only attend the party for 30 minutes? But it takes at least 15 minutes for me to go to school, so even if I did go, I'd be unable to arrive back on time. I guess I'll have to tell her that I can't make it.

Man, I really am a disappointing individual. I can't even make time for a friend. I tell myself that sustaining a proper income is more important, as working at the convenience store is my main source of monetary requirements, but at the same time, I realize that fulfilling a friend's wish is just as important as money; you support friends, and they support you back. I'll leave a horrible image if I didn't attend this party.

What do I do? What should I do? Which do I prioritize?

"I'm sorry, everyone. I really did want to attend, it's just that my job's more important..." I uttered to myself, as I pulled out my phone and got ready to dial for Mayu. 

Yet before I could, Yuta called me. I guess I should inform him

"Hi Yoshimitsu! You faring well?" Yuta said, energetically.

"Yeah, though I do have to inform you of something about attending your birthday party..."

"Oh right! You have a part-time job right? Well then, we'll just host it at where you work! Surely there are some tables there, right?"

"Huh? That could work, but it would not be as free as the classroom. You sure about heading over?"

"Me and the girls have been wanting to watch you work for a while now. We figured that we might also try get part-time jobs, so that we can go on more leisure trips together." Yuta said passionately. I guess he's serious about it. "I've already informed everyone, so we'll be meeting up there at the store, and if permitted, we'll go for a party overnight at your place! Satsuki said that your parents don't live here after all. It'd be a great chance to go wild!"

Well for one I'm glad I could attend the party this way, but would the boss permit them? Also, what would become of my home?

"That would work I guess, but I'll have to confront my boss first. I'll text you later to tell you the details. See you later." I said, hanging up.

"I guess I will attend after all. I guess I'll also call my boss now." I said to myself, while dialing the boss's number again.

"Boss? Is it alright if my friends came over for the party? To the store, I mean."

"Well, I wouldn't be there, so as long as they pay for what they buy and they don't cause too much of a racket, that's fine. You'd get to attend as well, wouldn't you?"

"Yeah, but I'd be standing at the counter most of the time."

"Hahaha! That's not an issue, my dear boy. They would purposely buy stuff to talk to you then, wouldn't they?" My boss said to me, chuckling.

Wow, I did not think my boss was that kind of person.

"In any case, have fun tonight— at work and with your friends." He then hung up, and so with a sigh of relief, I got myself ready for work and for the party.

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"Happy birthday, Yuta!" We all said, clapping as Yuta blew his candles.

A while after I arrived at work, my friends followed and were all prepared. It was late, yet everyone was happily celebrating over at the tables of the convenience store. For once, I'm glad that this 7-11 branch was a large one.

"God, you're an actual adult now. Congrats, you 18-year old man." I said, while clapping my hands. "I'm gonna head back to the counter to work now. If you need anything, just come and talk, but not while there are customers."

"Sounds good! Let's all observe him as he does his work, guys!" Yuta said, prompting everyone to stare at me.

It doesn't feel nice, to be stared down by 5 people. Then again, I suppose this technically is just our usual friend group, so it works I suppose. There are other people, but I bet they tagged along as Yuta's buddies for the cake, as they seemed to be enjoying themselves over at the far side.

It was night time, so the rate of customers declined by quite a bit, meaning that I have more time to clean up the shop.

"Hey, hey! Is it possible for me to try being the cashier?" Satsuki said, putting on the uniform.

"I don't think you can do that without permission—"

Just as I finished that sentence, more customers came in and lined up for checking out their items. With a cheery expression, Satsuki had made every customer's smile brighter, interacting with them as she checked out their items. She just went to work, without needing my expertise or guidance or permission to do anything.

What a free woman. She makes me envious.

"Let me get back to work as well." I took the other counter, and also got to scanning. Soon enough, the store was empty again.

"I make a pretty good cashier, don't I?" Satsuki said, stuffing the money into the cash register.

"I guess you do."

Seeing that there weren't anymore customers, I went over to the table to finish up my slice of cake.

"Why didn't you just get someone else to code it for you, moderator?" Darpan asked me, in his obscure language once more.

"That's cause I don't moderate, I work properly as the cashier." 

"That's boring though smh."

"Enjoying yourself so far, Yuta?" I said, eating my slice of the cake.

"Sure am! I'm glad you all took time out to do this." Yuta responded, in which he then proceeded to eat a huge slice of cake.

"The heat is really starting to kick in though," Mayu said. "I guess we are approaching mid summer, so it would be natural for the weather to shift."

"It's hard to believe that a month has passed already. We need to prepare for our mid year exams as well!" Satsuki said, returning to the tables after hanging up the work uniform. I'm a bit worried that she'll work here for real.

"That's true. I guess time will tell what happens next."

"You're always thinking so deeply, aren't you Yoshu?" Mayu said, chewing on her slice of cake.

"Well you're right about that."

"I hope that everyone here will continue to assist each other and work towards each of our dreams. It is my utmost desire for the best to be wished to everyone here." Carol said, standing up.

"Yeah bro I still need Liam to help me code it" Darpan said, muttering random things again.

"I've said multiple times that I'm not Liam, haven't I?" I said, slapping him over the back of his head.

"Ow! That hurt, moderator!"

Oh whatever.

"Well it's getting late. I think I'll head home now. Thanks for throwing this party, Mayu!" Satsuki said, packing her things.

"I'm heading off as well, it's getting quite late. Come on boys, let's go!" Yuta said eccentrically, and everyone else left after him.

"Well, I'll be going with Carol then. See you on Monday, Yoshu!" Mayu said, as she left through the front.

Again, I was left alone with no one else at the store. It was already 9 30 PM, and there weren't any customers the past hour, so I guess I'll just be at the counter.

"Man, why does no one ever clean up the mess they leave?"

I wonder what would become of the days that follow today.