Chapter 261
Local time, 20 00.
It was the closing time for the evening at the gallery cafe [Gold coin].
Well, it may be a little longer because we cant turn away customers at exactly the closing time
Theres also, cleaning and tidying up.
Some shitty customers in this world dont want to leave even when its closing time, but apparently, most of the customers here have a lot of common sense and generally leave within 10 minutes before closing time.
And for some reason, the regulars are kicking out the remaining stubborn customers by saying,
Im thankful for that
They live here, so its not like the girls will have to walk home alone late at night, but the later the store closes, the greater the chance of being robbed.
The longer they finish their work, the more dangerous it becomes since the closing procedures cannot be done because the last customer refuses to leave, so the staff will be left vulnerable in the store.
But once thats done, the shutters will be lowered, several heinous security devices will be set up, and the lights in the store will be turned off, so they wont suddenly become a victim of a break-in.
Its impossible to get upstairs in the dark since you have to clear the first floor of the building and go up the stairs without tripping the security system.
This place is pretty close to the police station, but just because I chose to live in such a location, it doesnt mean that the danger is completely gone.
I cant help but think that the government has its hands in it and is protecting us from the shadows, but since I didnt ask for it, I dont know if there really is a secret security detail or not. So, Im not stupid enough to assume that there are such things.
Well, lets just say Im blessed with a good group of regulars. Im so grateful for that.
One of these days, we can come up with something like customer appreciation days, tickets, discount coupons, point cards, and so on.
But we cant invite them to our first-anniversary party or anything like that.
Its suicide for the business to give special treatment to only a few customers or certain regulars.
Those who are given special treatment tend to get carried away and will start acting like they own the place. They would enter the counter without permission and try to help, or give instructions to other customers as if they belonged to the store.
And of course, it wont be fun for those who werent given special treatment.
Besides, these two girls are the only ones that work there. There are bound to be people who will misunderstand or think crazy things.
Yeah, the line between the customer and the staff should never be crossed.
I told Rudina and Shirua to go upstairs when they had finished cleaning up everything in the store.
And since tomorrow is a regular holiday, theres no need to prepare anything. So they should be able to finish earlier than usual.
Now then, it will take a little longer for them to come upstairs, so
Kon Kon(TN: Knocking sfx)
Kita kita!*(TN: Theyre here)
[Come on in!]Mitsuha
Rudina turns the doorknob and steps into the room, and Shirua stands behind her.
Panpan, Pa ~ n!
[Kya~]Rudina
At the sound of the party popper, Rudina was shocked in surprise, Shirua reflexively crouched and put her right hand inside her skirt, then she looked at my face and slowly pulled her
No
No no no no no no no no no!
What was she trying to do just now? Wait, this girl, what was she trying to
She suddenly put her right hand inside her skirt, right?
Thats the same place Im equipping my Walther PPS, right?
And, in a position where Rudina is exactly sandwiched between me and Shirua
Im scared right now!!
[A, ah,ano, ha, haha, Happy Birthday! Its Shiruas birthday today, so I thought Id wish her a happy birthday]Mitsuha
Yes, Im an employer. So, of course, I have the personal records of my employees. Thats why I know their birthdays.
Well, they both say that they dont know
It seems their actual age is unknown, but since infants ages dont deviate that much, its probably around a year or so at most. Its not a big problem.
Anyway, no matter what the truth may be, today is Shiruas 18th birthday here at the Gallery Cafe
Whats with that reaction?
Shirua becomes solidified and wont move
[Birthday?]Shirua
Shiruas stupid vacant face is unusual.
I mean, Ive never seen that expression of hers before.
But its not as if she doesnt know the word
[Birthday]Shirua
There are foods, cake, and drinks lined up on the table Not the 1-liter paper carton for 98 yen that I always buy, but a luxury item that costs 198 yenHowever,Shirua just keeps repeating the word birthday.
Eh
No, is she okay?
[]Shirua
Shirua, who looks like her soul had left her body, was being guided by Rudina and sat her down to a chair.
That looks severe
Whats with this situation?.
[Ah,youve never been to a
Shirua, who still looked strange, nodded her head.
[What about Rudina?]Mitsuha
[Ah, Im at the orphanage. Everyone whose birthday was in the same month will be celebrated together in one day. There was only one extra dish for dinner, but we got songs to celebrate and handmade dolls were given to us
Oh, orphanages seem to do such things as well, dont they? A few fun and events should never be neglected for the sake of the children, right?
Thats why they never expect such an event in [Gold Coin].
In this country, though, when you turn 15, youre considered an adult.
Well, that doesnt matter.
Ive prepared a proper gift for her.
Lets have some fun with Shirua today when she comes back to her senses.
Oh right, Shirua is 18 years old, but the oldest of the three is me, who is 19 years old.
However, I would appear to be the youngest from anyones perspective.
Where do they look to determine that?(TC: Her chest.)
Shut up!!(TC: Okay)
Translators Note:
*Kita kita.= Mitsuhas favorite line so I kept it like that.
And thats the end of the [Birthday Arc]
After 3 more chapters, a new war begins.