I (30), Who Works for a Black Company and Died While Regretting My Gloomy Life, Started Over From High School!
Chapter 124: Harukas Level Up (1)

I, Haruka Shijouin, was once again working part-time today.

As the trees gradually turned red, I realized that quite a few days had passed since I started this part-time job.

(Hehe, it’s definitely not easy, but it’s still rewarding.)

I think it’s because Manager Mishima and my fellow part-timers treat me so well… but of course, the presence of Shinichirou is significant.

(Perhaps it’s a bit insensitive to think this way about work… but it’s really fun working with Shinichirou. Sharing things like the popular books and the challenge of making the frappes in the kitchen… it’s really nice.)

While I worked on tasks like tidying up tables and returning forgotten books in the hall, I recalled the lunch break I took with Shinichirou at the open terrace the other day.

Although I’ve been spending more time having tea with Kazamihara and Fudehashi recently… spending time at the cafe with Shinichirou gives a different kind of joy.

Time flies by so quickly when my heart is dancing with joy, just like when I’m engrossed in reading a novel. It’s strange that I can’t get this feeling from spending time with other friends or family.

Really, why is Shinichirou so special?

(But still… he’s aiming to join my father’s company and he’s considering staying near this town for university.)

That was very welcome news for me. Even though I’m currently in a state of great indecision about my own future path, it seems my heart is leaning heavily towards staying local.

(It’s not a good idea to decide my future path based on my friends… but if we end up going to the same university or something…)

As I threw away the collected trash in the hall’s bin, I absentmindedly imagined.

(Taking lectures together, having meals at the cafeteria… and if he gets his license, it would be nice to borrow one of the many cars we have at home and go somewhere. I’d also like to try the alcohol that my father always enjoys.)

In this preparation period for adulthood, the campus life that has moved beyond being just children, Shinichirou is there.

Just thinking about it makes me feel so excited.

I’m at work right now, so I have to keep myself together and not let my face slacken—thinking that, I couldn’t help but smile.

At that moment—

“Hey you there! Hurry up and come over!”

“Huh? Y-yes!”

The one who suddenly called out to me was an elderly woman in her seventies sitting at a nearby table. Her demeanor was very brisk, but her expression seemed very impatient.

“You’re no good at all! The latest installment of the ‘Harry’s Academy’ series was supposed to be released yesterday, but it’s not on the shelves!”

The woman was talking about ‘Harry’s Academy,’ a fantasy novel series originating from England, where a boy living in a difficult environment enrolls in a magical school in a fairytale-like world. (TLN: Lol)

It’s supported by a wide range of ages from children to adults and has become an incredible hit worldwide, even reaching best-seller status.

It seems this elderly lady is also a fan, but—

“I’m really sorry, ma’am… This series is incredibly popular, and all the books were sold out as soon as they were released. Due to similar situations nationwide, the next shipment is completely undecided…”

“Hah?! What’s the meaning of this? To keep the customers waiting like this is a disgrace to the bookstore! Even if it’s popular, you should be able to find at least one somewhere!”

She piled on her words like a hammer, and I broke into a cold sweat all over my body. It’s true that this series’ new release boasts popularity beyond normalcy, and it’s the truth that we have no stock. We’ve received numerous phone inquiries, but since it’s entirely uncertain when new stock will arrive…

“But this store is always terrible! The staff are unfriendly, they don’t have old books, and the prices are high! The other day…”

As she continued to heap on her complaints, I stood there frozen, unable to think of any means to satisfy her and conclude this situation.

“What should I…?”

The first image that flashed in my mind was not Manager Mishima or the other colleagues, but the face of Shinichirou. He can do anything, and he’s especially good at handling these kinds of troubles.

Hoping for that, I turned around to look at Shinichirou, who was currently manning the cash register—

(Oh…?!)

In dealing with my own complaint, I hadn’t noticed, but remarkably, there seemed to be some kind of trouble at the register.

Although I couldn’t quite grasp the situation, for some reason, about twenty university students were gathered at the register. From the struggling expression on Shinichiro’s face as he assisted them, it was clear that they were making some difficult demands.

And due to the overwhelming number of people, the functions around the register were stagnating. Other staff members were trying to cover for this gap.

(I can’t ask anyone for help in this situation…!)

Realizing I was in a helpless situation, I could only feel the cold sweat on my cheeks.

Near the register of Book Cafe Rakujitsu, I, Shinichirou Niihama, felt my own mind falling into a void in the midst of this damn troublesome situation.

“Hey, do something about it! There aren’t many spacious cafes around here!”

“…I’m sorry, ma’am. It’s difficult for us to prepare seating for twenty people right now. Would you consider going to a family restaurant or something?”

“I’m saying there aren’t any of those kinds of places nearby! We’re all on foot, so this is the only option for us!”

(What does that have to do with me…!)

In front of the twenty or so university students, I mentally delivered a sharp retort.

They had suddenly walked in one after the other, and they seemed to be from the local university’s outdoor circle.

Since all the members had attended classes today, they had decided to go for drinks after lectures. However, it was still early in the evening, so they had decided to come here to kill time.

But of course, there was no way we could immediately prepare seating for twenty people, and I politely declined them. Yet, whether they were just exceptionally carefree or not, they all said things like, “Eh!? Come on, do something!” or “It’s fine, just a little!”

“You know, if you just set up tables and chairs, you could make some seats pretty quickly. Come on, let us in already!”

“Well, it’s not really…”

(There’s no way we have the space to add seating for twenty people…! Are these guys really university students?! What’s their entrance exam score?!)

They hadn’t budged at all from this kind of attitude, and I was getting exasperated. After all, their numbers were causing quite a disruption at the register.

Today, we were already short-staffed, and because I was fully occupied with this situation, the other staff members were covering for me.

(Geez, what do I have to say to get them to understand… Hmm?!)

It was at that moment that my eyes happened to fall on Haruka, who was in crisis in the hall. She was being detained by an elderly female customer and was clearly being bombarded with some extremely demanding words in a very overbearing manner.

By all accounts, this was a type of complainer, and Haruka was clearly struggling with this high-pressure presence.

(Haruka…! Damn it, I have to rush over and support her…)

As a staunch believer in the supremacy of Haruka, I reflexively dashed towards her, but just as I was about to do so, I remembered the issue with the idiotic university students right in front of me.

“Hey, are you even listening? We’re customers, so hurry up and do something!”

(Loudmouthed idiots…! Just leave already! Thanks to you, I can’t go help Haruka!)

While wearing a strained smile, I vehemently cursed the annoying horde that was blocking my way to rescue Haruka in my heart.

(TLN) Bonus Chapter 2/6