The four of them from the apartment had all decided to head to the restaurant. Sekai and Sayu were naturally going. Setsuna, with nothing else to do, chose to tag along. As for Haruto, he felt partly responsible for everything, so he quietly joined them as well.
Meeting Yoko alone was out of the question for Haruto. The woman was just too enthusiastic—he wasn't sure he could handle her intensity.
If he went to see her by himself, he'd probably end up bedridden for two or three days, just trying to recover from the encounter.
They boarded the subway together. On the way to the restaurant, Sekai began explaining a few things about her family's place to Sayu—what kind of place it was, and what she should keep in mind while helping out. Her gaze swept over Sayu's appearance. No nail polish, minimal makeup. It didn't look like there'd be any major issues.
She just seems like a normal girl… Why would someone like her leave home and end up living in a stranger's apartment?
Sekai pondered it for a long while, but no clear answer came to mind. It wasn't really her business, so she didn't push the thought any further.
To her, a girl with such a vague background wasn't someone Haruto would be interested in.
She didn't deny that Sayu was cute—but only mildly so. On a ten-point scale, maybe a 6.5 at best. Just about average.
Both she and Setsuna—who were, objectively, more attractive—had failed to fully capture Haruto's heart. Could this mysterious girl really succeed so easily?
Sayu listened carefully to Sekai's instructions and nodded along, trying to remember the key points. Then, as if naturally, her eyes drifted toward Haruto—and the girl sitting beside him: Setsuna.
Neither of them seemed all that concerned about her. Somehow, that made Sayu feel… a little disappointed. A tiny crack opened in her heart, one she hadn't expected.
If the first person I met had been Kiyoura-san instead… would things have turned out differently?
When they arrived at the station, the group of four exited the subway together and walked a short distance until they reached the Saionji family's restaurant. Yoko had been waiting in the lobby, and the moment her eyes landed on Haruto, they sparkled ever so slightly. However, when she noticed Setsuna, a hint of confusion crossed her face—though she quickly masked it with a welcoming smile as she stepped forward to greet them.
"It's summer break now, so we're in our busy season. The afternoons are still manageable, but the evenings tend to get hectic. We've been short-staffed lately, so having some help is perfect timing. Haruto, are you here for a part-time stint to get material for one of your stories?"
As she glanced over the group with her usual squinty-eyed smile, her attention paused on the unfamiliar girl in their midst. A quiet assumption formed in her heart: Ah, so the girl is probably the one coming to work here. But instead of pressing the issue, she chose to bring up Haruto instead.
"No, not me," Haruto said calmly. "I've got other commitments. I attend cram school every day, so I don't really have time for part-time work."
"Oh, what a shame," Yoko said, visibly disappointed.
Haruto remained composed on the surface, but internally, he couldn't help but mutter to himself: If I really did agree to work here, she'd probably squeeze every ounce of energy out of me like a tube of mayonnaise.
Knowing full well that Haruto was always a little wary of her, Youko wasn't surprised by his answer. Her gaze shifted to the others.
She didn't expect Setsuna to work at the restaurant unless Sekai was also working. Which, today, she wasn't.
"Aunt Yoko," Setsuna said.
"…It's been a while, Setsuna. Still as cute as ever, I see."
Yoko's eye twitched slightly at being called "Aunt," but she held back her irritation and kept smiling.
"Well then, that means the one here to work must be… you?" she asked, turning to Sayu.
"I'm Sayu Ogiwara. You can just call me Sayu," the girl replied politely.
"How long do you plan to work with us?"
"I'm not really sure... however long is fine. I haven't decided on anything specific yet."
Yoko studied the girl for a moment. There was something a little uneasy in her demeanor, as if she were hiding something. But since it was just a part-time job, there was no need to pry. Taking orders and serving food weren't exactly complicated tasks.
"That's fine. We often have temporary staff come and go—some only stay for a portion of the break. All I ask is that you give me a heads-up before you leave, so I can plan accordingly."
"Okay!"
"In that case, let's get started. First, try on the uniform. Sekai, you'll be showing her the ropes."
"Eh? Me?"
"You're not busy, are you?"
"…Fine."
Sekai sighed in mild protest but ultimately nodded, motioning for Sayu to follow her to the staff changing area. Inside were racks of uniforms in various sizes and styles.
"Do you two want to try on uniforms too?" Yoko asked, looking at Haruto and Setsuna.
"I'll pass. I'm a bit tired today. I'll just rest and see how well she adjusts to the job."
"All right then. Suit yourself. I've got to get back to work."
"Thanks, Miss Yoko."
"Oh, don't mention it. You're all helping me out by covering the staff shortage—I should be thanking you."
Yoko gave him a sideways glance, clearly hoping for a more interesting reaction, but his expression remained unreadable. With a small wave, she turned and headed into her office. Haruto and Setsuna took a seat in the main hall.
"…Are you serious about letting her live at your place?"
"…Do you not want me to?"
"You don't even have a spare room. Isn't it dangerous to have her stay?"
"And it's safer at your house?" Haruto replied calmly. "I'm a guy, sure—but that also means I can handle things if something happens. You live with your mother. Just the two of you. That's not exactly secure either."
Setsuna fell silent.
Meanwhile, in the changing room, Sayu was trying on uniforms with Sekai's help. Sekai had quickly pulled out several outfits of varying sizes and handed them to Sayu.
After a few tries, they found one that fit her perfectly. The design was a bit old-fashioned compared to modern uniforms, but it gave off a nostalgic charm that might appeal to certain customers.
Sayu looked down at herself in the uniform, then up at Sekai, giving a small nod.
"It fits well. The size is just right, no issues."
"Good. You can choose any open locker and store your uniform there from now on."
"Got it."
"Okay, let's head out to the hall. I'll explain what you need to do."
"Okay."
They rejoined Haruto and Setsuna in the main hall.
As Haruto was discussing things with Setsuna—like whether it really made sense for Sayu to stay at her house—Sekai and Sayu approached.
"Well? Doesn't it suit her?" Sekai asked, looking between the two.
Haruto gave Sayu a once-over and nodded. "Looks like it fits well. Nothing strange about it. Are you going to teach her how to serve customers now?"
"Yeah. There's no one else here right now, so you guys can help her get used to the routine."
"I don't mind," Haruto said.
Setsuna also nodded in agreement.
Sekai then turned to Sayu. "Watch closely."
She walked over to Haruto and started demonstrating the steps—greeting customers, taking orders, interacting professionally. Sayu observed everything in silence, carefully memorizing the process.
As the afternoon wore on, the restaurant gradually grew busier. After a bit of practice with Haruto and Setsuna, Sayu began serving customers on her own. Sekai observed her from a distance and saw no major issues.
The four of them stayed at the restaurant until late into the evening. When it was time to close, Yoko handed Sayu a small wage envelope and allowed her to leave early.
"That'll be it for today. I'll prepare a shift schedule tomorrow. Do you have a phone number?"
"She doesn't have one right now," Haruto interjected. "If you need to reach her, contact me."
Yoko's eyes lingered on him for a moment. She glanced at her daughter and at Setsuna before choosing not to press further.
"All right. I'll reach out to you then."
With that, the three left the restaurant. Sekai stayed behind to help her mother close for the night.
Watching them go, Yoko turned to her daughter.
"I don't know the details, but I heard that girl—Sayu—ran away from home. She's staying with Haruto for now."
"Helping a runaway girl, huh? Sounds romantic. But… are you sure this is okay?"
"What?"
"…Nothing."
Yoko smiled faintly and didn't press the matter further. She returned to her office.
"Get back to work. We'll go home together later."
"…Working for family—is that just unpaid labor?"
Sekai sighed internally, but returned to her duties and began serving customers once more.
Meanwhile, Sayu walked with Haruto and Setsuna away from the restaurant. She kept one hand over her pocket, where her modest earnings from the day rested—just a few thousand yen. Not much, but it meant something. It was hers—earned by her own effort.
She couldn't understand why Haruto was going this far to help her. Her mind was filled with questions—thinking back to the night they met, and everything that had happened since.
"You'll stay at my place again tonight," Haruto said.
His words brought Sayu out of her thoughts. She looked at him in surprise, then turned to glance at Setsuna.
"Setsuna still has family at home. It's not ideal for you to stay there. I live alone. It's more… flexible."
Haruto observed her reaction carefully.
"If you have any concerns, just tell me."
"No… It's fine."
Sayu lowered her head, but inside, she felt herself slowly sinking—like she was being swallowed by a deep, murky swamp. Her smile began to falter.
Haruto noticed something was off, but didn't press her about it.
The three returned to his apartment. After a short rest, Setsuna went home, leaving Sayu alone in Haruto's room.
"There's not much to do here. If you get bored, I've got some books. Or…" Haruto gestured toward his computer. "You can use my PC to go online. Do you know how?"
"Yes."
"Great. Then it's all good."
Haruto sat down at his desk and opened a document—getting back to work.
"I'll be at cram school tomorrow. I'll leave my phone here. If Miss Yoko calls, just pick it up and go meet her."
"You're leaving your phone… with me?" Sayu asked, stunned by his trust.
Staring at his back, she couldn't quite grasp what he was thinking.
~~~~~~~~~~
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