The restaurant's 6-month anniversary

The days and weeks flew by, and before anyone knew it, the restaurant's 6-month anniversary arrived. Rika and Masaru stood before the outdoor pool and nice indoor gym that had been renovated next to the restaurant's second floor seating area.

"We're quite lucky the Ginkawas have given us so much business. Otherwise, the pool and gym you pushed to have might not have been possible," Masaru stated.

"Hey, this place was originally a mall, might as well renovate the whole place," Rika grinned.

"Rika, it's not possible to turn an entire abandoned mall into a singular restaurant."

"But if the mall were revived, we'd get alot more business and could even just walk over to see a movie after closing."

"You're still pushing for the theater? Rika, we agreed that the pool would be the new amenity for the restaurant's 6-month anniversary. The gym was unplanned, but thanks to the Ginkawas, we now have a gym as well."

"I get it. Well, since it's Ryokoma's 6-month anniversary today, that means both are now officially opened. Now we can officially have poolside seating and swimming," Rika smiled.

...

As soon as Rika was given a break, she went up to check on the gym.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAH!!"

The Kuramori's were naturally giving the machines a workout, with the exception of poor Emeri who was slumped over on a bench. Her hoodie was down, exposing her now smooth shiny bald head.

"What's with the chrome dome?" Rika asked.

"Swim season, UGH!" Emeri groaned as she covered her head with her hood.

"Going bald makes ya swim faster," Eika chuckled.

"But I look like a freak! I hate getting laughed at, especially when I come in last too! UGH!"

"It'll grow back along with your eyebrows once swim season's done."

"Yeah, and by the time it grows back, it'll be swim season again and I'll be kicking and screaming again as I'm shaved again!"

"Ya could just wax and laser it all off like I did," Koki grinned.

"HELL NO!" Emeri shouted as she attempted to storm out, but was too tired to do so.

Rika sighed and decided to save the poor damsel in distress.

"Why are you carrying me like a princess?" Emeri groaned as her face went red.

"Most efficient way. You don't look that bad bald either," Rika replied as she carried Emeri out.

"It gets 10 times worse at school. My parents shave me down to the follicle on the delusion that I'll somehow get faster; then when I flop into the pool, I get a distant last and everyone laughs at me. Worst of all its shave, flop, repeat until swim season's over. My hair takes FOREVER to grow back! And when it does, I'm tied up and shaved bald again for swim season. I hate swim season, SO MUCH!"

"You're more the esports athlete right?"

"Hmm, guess in a sense. Though I don't really play any of the major esports games, nor do I have friends to team up with."

"Well, since you don't seem to enjoy the gym and probably don't want to be anywhere near a pool, how about the arcade?"

"Arcade?"

"Yeah, it's been here since the restaurant's 3-month anniversary. Even has a laser tag section," Rika stated as she entered the arcade. She then plopped Emeri down on a motorcycle arcade game. "Wanna race?" she asked as she hopped on the one next to her.

"Game," Emeri replied.

...

"Rika, you've been gone for hours," Masaru glared.

"I- er, got invested," Rika nervously laughed as Masaru dragged her away from the arcade machine.

"Guess that's it. I'm not sore anymore," Emeri smiled as she hopped off and looked at her phone.

"What are you looking at?"

"Motorcycles. I think I found a new hobby," Emeri grinned as her eyes lit up.

"Glad you did," Rika smiled as Masaru dragged her away.

The next day, a girl wearing a motorcycle helmet entered the restaurant and approached Rika.

"So who are you?" Rika asked.

"Me," the girl replied.

"Emeri!? So I guess this replaces the hoodie?"

"Yeah. Easier to talk with strangers with this on too. Can't wear it at school though," Emeri sighed.

"Speaking of which, you've gotten a lot more comfortable speaking with me."

"Guess I have. You've been registered as friendly so I can talk more easily with you."

"Glad to hear that," Rika smiled.