B's Log January 2025: Short Story

Newly-Produced Short Story Series: Chapter 3

Our First Time

Raimentei -- a Chinese restaurant run by Haruomi of Buraikan -- was hiring part-time workers.
Today, interviews were being held inside the restaurant, but...

Itsuki: I am Itsuki of 1Nm8. I applied because I am seeking work experience. I have never held a part-time job; however, I am confident in the acuity of my memory.
Ryu: Hailing from the Super-Galactic Planet Chinjarosu, it's Ryu-kun, the char siu master! Look forward to working with you~!

Two very unexpected people had shown up as applicants.

Chisei: Ahaha. Looks like we've got some part-timers who are real characters, huh?
Haruomi: Let me tell you out of the gate, this work isn't a game. If you're looking for somewhere to do half-assed work, go somewhere else.
Itsuki: Certainly; message received. I will put forth an utmost effort to ensure that the work I do is appropriate for the compensation I receive for it.
Ryu: Ryu-kun's got the spirit, too! He'll do aaaany job you give him!
Chisei: That so? Well, seems to me like they're real motivated. I think it'd be good to give them a test-hire, yeah?

Chisei had an obviously amused expression on his face, and Haruomi only responded with a small sigh.

Haruomi: ... fine. I'll decide whether or not I hire you based on your performance today.

And so, Itsuki and Ryu entered their trial period working part-time at Raimentei.

Chisei: Well, looks like Haruomi's real busy preparing things, so it'll be up to me to give the newbies a lesson on the basics.
Haruomi: Are you going to be able to teach them anything?
Chisei: Just leave it to me. I've been watching you work from the sidelines for ages.

With a small nod in Haruomi's direction, Chisei spread out the menu on a table.

Chisei: First thing part-timers have got to learn is, you need to memorize Raimentei's menu.
Itsuki: ... it has been memorized.
Chisei: Oh? Ain't that a little fast?
Itsuki: One look is sufficient. If you are uncertain, I am willing to recite all of the menu items and their prices for you.
Chisei: Nah, that's fine. You seem confident enough. No wonder you brought up your memory as a strong point in your interview.
Ryu: Glasses Robot is amazing! Ryu-kun won't be beaten!!

Ryu strode right into the kitchen and took a position standing at the sink.

Ryu: Ryu-kun will be in charge of washing dishes! Master always makes Ryu-kun do it, so it's hard to say whether or not Ryu-kun is good at it!
Itsuki: Would it not be more appropriate to say "You could say I am good at it", rather than "it's hard to say whether or not I'm good at it"?
Ryu Don't worry about the details~! ♪
Chisei: Well, I guess it probably is better for you to stay in the kitchen with Haruomi instead of being out in the dining area, Ryu.

With everyone's roles assigned, soon enough, it was almost time for Raimentei to open.

Haruomi: By the time it gets to lunchtime, things will be insanely busy. Prepare yourselves.
Itsuki: Understood.
Ryu: Aye-aye, sir~!

Just as Haruomi said, around lunchtime, a constant stream of customers were coming into the shop.

Itsuki: Welcome. Allow me to show you to your seat.
Kanata: Hah? What's a dude from 1Nm8 doing here?
Itsuki: I am working here part-time. Please place your order.
Kanata: ... ... it's hard to make a decision when I got someone breathing down my neck the second I sit down.
Itsuki: At the present moment, you are the only person in the store who has not yet decided on what to order. As such, it is optimal for me to stand before you until you order.
Chisei: Hold up, hold up, you don't gotta be that efficient.
Ryu: FULL POWER DISHWASHING! And then HYPER DRYING! The fried rice plates are ready for take off!
Satsuki: Oi, why is there soap suds all over my plate!? And why is Ryu the one washing the dishes!?
Ryu: Mwahaha... well done figuring out my true identity. As a gift, mister Smarty Monkey receives this soy sauce!
Satsuki: I don't want no stinkin' soy sauce!
Haruomi: Ryu, don't give away store equipment without permission.

Although the fellow performers who were regulars at Raimentei were rather surprised by this development, the time passed fairly quickly.

And then, as the lunch rush came to an end--
Itsuki and Ryu sat at the counter, greatly enjoying the meal that Haruomi had prepared for them.

Itsuki: Is there some proprietary ingredient in this mapo tofu? It seems there is a surprising depth of flavor.
Haruomi: Sorry, the recipe's a trade secret.
Ryu: Munch munch... this chimpanzee is sending up deliciousness alarm bells too! Ryu-kun's going to stuff it in his pockets and take it home with him!
Haruomi: It's bàngbàngjī. You're welcome to take it home, but use a takeout container.

In response to Ryu's request, Haruomi brought a plastic container out from the back.

Chisei: The two of you put in more work than I would have thought you would. When you guys came in and asked for part-time jobs, I'd have thought things would've gotten even more hectic.
Haruomi: At any rate. I suppose I wouldn't mind hiring you at this pint... the two of you, how often would you be able to come in?
Ryu: Hmmm. Well, Ryu-kun is super busy in between walks, and taking naps, and the bar, so probably once every fifty years or so?
Itsuki: I must consult with my teammates on that matter. In all likelihood, probably about once a month.
Chisei: Ahh... is that so?
Haruomi: ... ... right now we're looking for part timers who can work at least three days a week. That was written in the job recruitment listing.
Ryu: Ehh!?
Chisei: Just a heads-up, I don't think there are a whole lot of restaurants where you can work once every fifty years, or once a month, either.
Itsuki: ... Is that so? I suppose I was ill-informed.

And so, due to issues with the shift schedule, neither of the two of them was hired...
And Itsuki and Ryu's part-time job experience at Raimentei came to an abrupt end.