Chapter 237: Request to a Friend (1/2)

“Eh, I’ll ask the owner. They said they’re lacking manpower, so I think it should be fine.”

Amane hurriedly contacted Kido, whose number he exchanged with during the preparation of the cultural festival. She in turn gave an intrigued voice.

Amane did not intend for Mahiru to hear, for he wanted to give her a surprise, so he said this at the apartments entrance. He had assumed she would be troubled as this was too sudden a request, but he instead was troubled as it went unexpectedly smoothly.

“No, but is there an interview or something?”

“Probably, since some vetting’s needed. My recommendation means that you’re fine, personality-wise, but is Shiina-san fine with that?  We do serve our staff well, but will Shiina-san get jealous?”

“Erm, well…”

A few female customers approached Amane during the cultural festival, asking for his contact, and Mahiru got jealous. Amane did not wish that Mahiru would be worried about his actions. Of course, he was not one to cast his eyes aside, and she probably trusted him, but her feelings were  different matter.

“And anyway, why did you suddenly want to work?”

Amane clammed up the moment this simple question was asked.

If he shared his secret with Kido, she would not mention it to Mahiru, but it was still embarrassing of him to mention that he was saving money to buy her a ring.

Everyone he knew already understood how much he doted on Mahiru, and he knew that, but it was not easy to profess that he was going to buy a ring.

But Kido might not accept his reason if he did not say so. As the one recommending work for him, it would not be good to hide the reason.

“…Erm, it’s like this. Mind if you don’t tell anyone else? Especially Mahiru.”

“Ah, I understand. You want to give her a gift, right? A Christmas present or something.”

“N-not that…it’s about next year. I-I want to give her a ring…”

Amane’s voice got softer, and by the time he was done, silence beckoned.

You’re still a student, aren’t you being too impatient? Amane anxiously awaited Kido’s response, but after a long silence of ten seconds or so, it’s blinding over the phone, she muttered so.

“I see. Better not work at my place then. You’re working hard for Shiina-san, but if a boyfriend’s going to work at a place where he’s constantly harassed by the women, she’s not going to be happy.”

It was reasonable, of course, so he replied so, and started thinking of other plans, like searching for a recruitment site once he got home. How about this, however, the voice came,

“I can recommend another cafe to you. There’s one opened by my aunt. It’s quieter, and might suit your personality better.”

“Sounds good…but you never worked there?”

“Ah, actually, I can’t really handle her…”

“And you’re recommending me to her? I’m sorry to trouble you.”

“No no no, I don’t mean that. My aunt doesn’t have kids, so she really dotes on me. I’m just worried that she spoils me too much that I can’t be independent.”

Kido sounded conflicted rather than annoyed. The way her aunt treated her might be similar to how Shihoko treated Mahiru, but Shihoko clearly saw how reliable Mahiru was, and wanted to dote, which made things a little different.

“I’ll check with my aunt. How about you make a visit there once I’m done? You’ll feel more at ease working there then.”

“Thanks for that…but won’t I trouble you too much?”