"Thank you so much! I feel like I'm bursting with energy now!!" Maou struck a bodybuilder pose, though his somewhat lanky frame didn't exactly project much power.
"Don't mention it. It's all for a better tomorrow," Sū ěr said modestly.
'Chicken soup actually works...' Sū ěr thought with the cynicism of an old veteran, seeing the young man's renewed vigor.
[It seems he hasn't had much "chicken soup" in his life. As they say, the more ignorant someone is, the more effective it is.]
Through her long life with Sū ěr, Think had learned the meaning of modern slang like "Chicken Soup for the Soul." She was currently observing the young man through Sū ěr eyes.
[Don't you find him a bit strange?]
'You mean that feeling of being out of place?' Sū ěr wasn't an idiot; he guessed what Think was getting at. However, he didn't pay it much mind. 'It's actually quite normal. People coming from remote mountains to big cities are often like this. They don't know anything, they have to relearn everything—they're no different from infants.'
'Actually, this state isn't much different from someone transmigrating from another world. But he couldn't possibly be a transmigrator, right? Haha. What are the odds of him running into a real transmigrator like me?' Even as he spoke to Think in his mind, Sū ěr didn't believe the odds. The chances were lower than a meteorite hitting the Earth. He couldn't help but laugh.
"Well then, I'm going back to the job hunt! I saw a flyer saying that legendary fast-food chain, MgRonald's, is hiring. I feel like I might have a chance!" Oblivious to Sū ěr internal dialogue, Maou pulled a flyer from his back pocket and pointed excitedly at a line of text. "Want to come try with me?!"
"...No thanks, I think I'll rest for a bit," Sū ěr waved a hand and leaned back against the wall. This guy had too much energy. "Go ahead and try. Good luck!"
"I see... that makes sense. Hum—ahem! Anyway, it's only natural to lack stamina!" Maou seemingly filled in a reason for Sū ěr, nodding understandingly. He pulled out a flip phone that looked like a relic from his pocket. "Mmh, how do people say it? Want to exchange contact info? If I find a job, I can ask around for you."
Maou didn't know much about Sū ěr, but he felt a kinship with this man who was also struggling in the job market. He felt the urge to help... even though he himself was currently jobless.
"Ah, then I'll say thanks in advance, haha," Sū ěr chuckled. It wasn't a malicious laugh; he was simply amused by the man's sincerity and kindness.
People are always drawn to what is good.
[Are you going to keep looking for a job?]
Think asked casually as they watched Maou jog away and disappear into the crowd.
"Of course," Sū ěr replied without hesitation. "The word 'defeat' isn't in my dictionary... even when facing the God of War."
The amount of money didn't matter. He was getting a steady job!
To recognize the difficulties ahead, and then rack his brains and put forth all his effort to overcome them—the joy and satisfaction of that moment were beyond words.
Strangely, Sū ěr felt like he could finally understand Jibril a little bit.
"Certainly~ One new promotional burger, a medium fry, and a medium Coke. Will there be anything else today?" Sū ěr said with a smile, his fingers dancing across the touch-screen menu as the receipt printed out bit by bit.
"And... a smile?"
A shy voice. A shy expression.
The customer was so bashful she could barely finish her sentence. The woman at the counter gripped her hat and pulled it down so low that it completely covered her eyes. She shifted her weight, her body twisting into a pose reminiscent of a Venus statue—if Venus had two extra arms.
(*￣︶￣)
"Of course. Here is your smile... Anything else?"
"Mmh-hmm~~~~ That's all~ Thank you so much!"
That voice! It was pure decadence!
Also! Your eyes are covered by your hat! How did you even see my smile?! Psionic powers? X-ray vision?!
Sū ěr was beyond words.
"Certainly. Please wait for your order on the right. Thank you for visiting."
Maintaining a calm, unruffled exterior, Sū ěr acted as if he hadn't heard the strange noise, keeping his professional smile as he directed the customer.
Behind this customer with the odd request, a long line had formed. Ninety-nine percent of them were women. Compared to Sū ěr line, the one in front of Sadao Maou next to him was barely a third as long, consisting mostly of men.
Even if he felt dead inside, Sū ěr face remained fixed in a perfect service-industry smile.
"Next, please~ What can I get for you? Have you considered trying our new promotional burger?"
Two voices spoke in unison.
For food service workers, the busiest times were breakfast, lunch, and dinner. When most people were at work or school, it was their quietest time. Even though they still had to prep ingredients, clean, and serve occasional customers, it was a breeze compared to the rush.
Sū ěr had adapted to the part-time life. He had to admit that once basic survival needs were removed, and work was treated as a hobby or a game, even the work itself became interesting... if you ignored the inexplicable "smile" requests.
He didn't know when or with whom it started, but by the time Sū ěr realized it, it had become a regular occurrence for female customers to order their food and then "buy" a smile from him.
According to what the other employees had heard, word had spread throughout the surrounding blocks that there was an incredibly handsome guy at this MgRonald's, and you could "buy" a smile from him just by asking. People from other neighborhoods were even making special trips. For a time, the shop's business was booming like never before.
Sū ěr: The MgRonald's Hero.