"W-W-what are you talking about, Father?!" I shouted, my gaze trembling at the mere thought. If I don't have that funding, how can I continue with my addi—hobby!? "Surely you jest! Come on now, jokes aren't suited for you."
I laughed awkwardly, hoping this was some kind of bad joke he decided to tell his poor unsuspecting son. Only to be looked at with a gaze of confusion and seriousness, a look that made me want to sob.
My father turned to me, a hand behind his head, scratching at a spot that never even itched. "Look, son…"
He let out a soft sigh before continuing. I waited patiently for his words, desperate to know the purpose behind this—what could possibly warrant such a drastic act?! He took his time pulling out the sword from the stab wound he'd already caused with his words. Commit to it, damn it! I need to know!
"You're spending way too much—" he finally muttered, the truth crashing down on my shoulders. "I know we're rich, but even we aren't made of money, kiddo."
I fell to my knees, the thought of blood gushing from the blade of truth. I wallowed on the floor, my hands digging at the pristine wood panels, painted over with a clear finish that reflected the light from the dim fireplace.
"Aren't you overreacting a tad—" he insisted, taking another blow while I'm down! Such cowardice! How can I even call you my father in good faith now?!
"Look, I'm all for you buying whatever you want, but-" He crossed his arms looking down at my pitiful state, "You're going to need to learn restraint."
"Money isn't just something you can spend willy-nilly— I fear when it comes a time where me and your mother part ways with this world, you'll spend all your inheritance at the drop of a hat!"
I sat up, wiping the tears from my eyes, bracing myself to look up to the man that stabbed me in the back so callously.
"So to gain our trust, and put our minds at ease, you're going to have to learn the value of the money I work so hard to provide," I couldn't help but click my tongue at his words. What's the point of money if you can't even use it on food, or maid figures, or anime? What are you even saving it for then, it's just pieces of metal.
"I'm sorry to say this, but you're going to have to get a J*b son—" I could hardly keep consciousness at the multiple blows he landed at once, this was unfair, totally unfair. "If this keeps up, I'm afraid I'll have to write you out of our will."
My hand reached up to my mouth as I prepared to gag…
"You'll work in the maid cafe business, just like your old man," He spoke with a shred of pride, his eyes closed like he was practically envisioning it already.
I shot up to his words, my sickness completely forgotten, maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel, maybe this is my chance to finally get into my dream job since entering this new world?!
"T-then, will I be working with Café Velvaria, father?!" I asked, maybe a bit too eager.
"Nope, you'll be making it completely from the ground up," He grinned, almost proud of his antics, and expected me to smile too as he crushed my hopes and dreams, as if he sniffed the hope in my words he shot me down without a second thought, the bastard hates me!
[He actually had this planned from the start.]
I stared at him, slack-jawed."Build it…? From scratch…?"My voice cracked like a shattered teacup. My soul floated above my body, staring down at the pitiful husk I left behind.
"But—Father! Do you even understand how much permits cost?! Or branding?! Or hiring cute enough staff that can perfectly say 'Okaerinasaimase, Goshujin-sama~' without breaking character!?"
He nodded solemnly, as if I'd just listed the requirements to become some sort of village chief!
"I do. That's why it'll build character," he said, with that same wicked glint in his eyes nobles must have had when they sent peasants off to war.
"Besides, you won't be completely alone," He smiled. I opened my mouth to protest but I could tell it was pointless at this rate, I hung my head in defeat, muttering bitter words of thanks to my father despite my feelings.
"Thank you very much for the experience…"
"So this is the place…" I muttered, looking up to a cheaply drawn sign that loosely hung on the wooden walls that tried so desperately to support it. The canopy was torn, though it was probably for the best given its tacky red and white polka-dot design. Wished they went the extra mile and tore it down though…
The tables under the canopy were a mess, water stains, food stains and bugs crawled all over it, the only thing that remained decent was the outside of the café itself—a small one-story wooden building, not even bothered to be painted over.
Well at least some part of my father's words were true, instead of making me start from scratch, he sent me here, to one of his clients that won't grow. So the setting up is already covered…
I took a deep breath and walked up to the door, my hand reaching for the handle hesitantly. I felt a force pulling me back as it shook intensely above the metal handle.
The only thing I have to worry about… Is advertisement, food, and most importantly—
My Adam's apple bobbed as I forced my hand down upon the metal bar with all the force I could muster! Entering quickly, barging in before I had a chance to change my mind!
"A pleasure to meet you all!" I shouted, my eyes closed, too afraid to meet who was on the other side. "I will be your new manager from now on! Haru Mishamiya, a pleasure to meet you all!"
The maids…