B's Log July 2025: Short Story

Newly-Produced Short Story Series: Chapter 9

Our First Time

The members of Akan Yatsura were helping out with a large festival being put on by the local shopping district.
However, circumstances were such that the staff ended up being short-handed, and Dongha from AMPRULE and Allen from BAE ended up being asked to help out.

Zen: Waka! I've got some extra gas cylinders over here!
Allen: This thing is... really heavy... where should I put it?
Iori: Much obliged! Bring it over here.
Dongha: Seriously... why on earth should I have to help out with some commoners' festival?
Iori: Sorry, sorry! It was just a bit much for just the two of us to handle!
Allen: No, I don't mind helping at all...
Zen: Incidentally, may I ask if the two of you like festivals? I wouldn't have expected to see either of you here.
Allen: I came here to record some festival music-- I was thinking I might be able to use it for a track!
Zen: Haha, just what I'd expect from you! What about you, Dongha-kun?
Dongha: ... I am free to go wherever I wish. Don't pry into matters that don't concern you.
Dongha: On the contrary, I have a question for you. Why were you attempting to run a store of this size with only two people? No matter how you try to divide the work, you don't have sufficient manpower.
Allen: Yeah, that's a good point. What about Satsuki and the others?
Iori: They were here at first, but the owner ended up hurtin' his back while he was gettin' the food ready.
Zen: It seemed like he was going to have trouble moving on his own, so we asked the three of them to stay with him at the hospital.
Allen: I see. So because your number of people on-hand decreased, that's why you called us over to help, right?
Iori: Got it in one.
Dongha: When I was dragged in against my will, I was definitely wondering what was going on.
Iori: Sorry, sorry! Ah, look, we got a customer!
Customer A: Can I get two takoyaki?
Dongha: Oi. How much do these cost? 5000 yen?
Iori: No, dummy, it's 500 yen! What're you tryin' to pull here?
Customer A: You guys are funny! Just for that, I'll take an extra two!
Dongha: Oi. Two more.
Allen: Coming right up!
Dongha: ... here. Take this as well.
Customer A: Eh? But I didn't order a juice, though?
Dongha: It is complementary.
Customer A: Well, thanks! That's real generous of you!
Zen: Waka...!
Iori: Don't worry 'bout it. Let him do what he wants.

Dongha took a look around the stall from the outside, and he thought deeply about something.

Dongha: ... the division of labor between cooking and customer service, the flow of customers, and also sales methods all need to be adjusted.
Dongha: You.
Zen: Um, what is it?
Dongha: You are extremely visible and loud. Go spread the word of this establishment to passersby.
Zen: Got it!
Dongha: You and I ought to be able to handle the cooking. And we should add a complimentary soft drink to orders of a two-pack or more, as I did earlier. Word of mouth about the offer will get around.
Iori: Like usin' shrimp to catch sea bream, huh? Well, just as expected, the young master of the Yeon family really is a force to be reckoned with.
Zen: It's hard to believe you're only a middle school student...
Allen: Dongha, what should I do?
Dongha: ... you should also work in promotion.
Zen: Let's do our best together, Sugasano-kun!
Allen: Uh... yeah!

Everyone took up their new positions as assigned by Dongha and resumed business.

Zen: Please come in! Would you like some fresh takoyaki?
Allen: P-please come in...!
Zen: That won't do, Sugasano-kun! Raise your voice a little more...
Customer B: Hey, isn't that Gazen-san from Akan Yatsura?
Customer C: It is! And SUZAKU-kun from BAE and lil EMPERA-kun from AMPRULE, too!?
Iori: I spy a business opportunity! Show 'em a lil hospitality!
Allen: ... c'mon in...
Customer B: Um, can I please get a takoyaki and a photo with you, please?
Allen: Um... the takoyaki...
Customer B: Oh... I'm sorry, am I making an unreasonable request?
Allen: No, it's fine, can you just tell me how many takoyaki you want, first?
Customer C: U-uhm...! I, I'll just have the takoyaki...!
Allen: Ah, uh, sorry...
Iori: Ahh... I kinda forgot that he's not exactly great at social interactions most of the time...
Zen: Even when he was done up in the black uniform at CANDY, the cast were a bit intimidated by him...
Iori: Ah, well! Time to tag out, kid.
Dongha: Disgraceful.
Allen: I'm ashamed...
Zen: Now, now, let's just pull ourselves together and give it another shot!

The group resumed selling takoyaki, and the sales numbers steadily increased.
Just as the crowd had started to thin out, Iori's phone began to ring.

Iori: Hello? Ah, it's you! Yeah, sales are doin' great! You oughta keep restin' up, boss. Yep. Yep. Yep! Okay!
Zen: Is the store owner doing alright?
Iori: Yeah. Sounds like that chiropractor with the golden touch set him straight.
Zen: What a relief! So how about Hokusai and the others?
Iori: Sounds like they're headin' this way now.
Allen: That means...
Dongha: We are free to leave.
Iori: Sure are! We'll figure out the rest from here!
Zen: You really helped us out. Thank you!
Iori: I can't let 'ya leave empty-handed after helping us out.
Iori: Here 'ya go! Thanks for all your hard work! A two-pack for the each of 'ya.
Allen: Takoyaki...?
Dongha: Is this some kind of joke? My labor is worth--
Zen: The takoyaki made with the owner's special batter is really delicious. You should eat them while they're still hot!
Allen: Thanks for all your effort, Dongha. Let's give them a try.

Dongha, reluctantly, put the takoyaki into his mouth.

Dongha: Th... this is...!
Allen: It's delicious!
Iori: Ain't it~? This place's takoyaki are the best in the world!
Dongha: It is entirely too hot.
Zen: Then here you go.
Iori: Some juice for 'ya. You got a two-pack, so they're on the house, yeah?
Dongha: ... hmph.
Allen: Keep up the good work after we leave!
Zen: Yes! Give my regards to Anne-kun and Hajun-kun as well!
Iori: Thanks! See 'ya!

After saying their goodbyes, Allen and Dongha departed from the takoyaki stall.

Allen: By the way, where's BATTLER?
Dongha: Ah. I told him to locate the finest candied apples at this festival. He should be making his rounds around the area right now.
Allen: Oh? But that's kind of surprising. I didn't know you liked stuff like candied apples.
Dongha: ... shut up. I'm leaving now.

And thus the festival eventually came to an end for everyone, and Dongha headed home with the candied apple that he had come for.