What kind of place is Momoyo Hall?
A robot in a suit said, "If you mention Momoyo Hall, that would be the famous café."
A corgi carrying a briefcase trotted by. "Momoyo Hall's strawberry jelly is the best."
A shiba inu wearing a kimono added, "There are all kinds of delicious foods, but compared to those, the greatest thing is…"
All three passersby smiled at once and declared in unison,
"Shizuko-tan's adorable smile!"
…What an unbelievably cringy reaction.
My mouth twitched, and I thanked them quickly before leaving. I only wanted to ask for directions, yet I heard this almost every time. It seemed Shizuko was extremely popular around this neighborhood.
Naturally so. Although I had never met Shizuko before, she was also one of my adorable and important students.
Carrying this rising anticipation built from hearsay, I finally arrived at Momoyo Hall.
The moment I stepped inside, a beautiful blonde girl in a red and black kimono approached with a stern expression, bowed ninety degrees on the spot, and greeted me loudly and respectfully.
"Boss! Welcome! Ever since I heard you spared precious time from the busy Schale to visit, I, Pina, have been sincerely awaiting your arrival!"
That really was an unconventional greeting.
It startled me so much I instinctively stepped back half a step.
Before I could form a reply, another cute girl wearing a blend of kimono and maid outfit rushed over in a fluster. "Wait, Pina! Saying it like that will trouble Sensei!"
"Eh, but…" The blonde girl named Pina straightened and looked troubled. "Weren't you the one who said we should welcome Sensei in a way that would shock Sensei?"
My expression grew a little strange.
Shocked I definitely was, but why did I suddenly become the mafia boss of Schale?
If so, when do I get to swagger through Kivotos and bully men and women alike?
"No no no, I meant the first impression a Momoyo Hall staff member should give!"
The cute maid girl, apparently the 'President,' closed her eyes as if entering a fantasy. "We need to leave a cute first impression on Sensei so Sensei's affection level hits 100 right from the start…"
What? She wants my affection that badly?
I had good reason to believe this maid girl might secretly be in love with me.
Even if the card didn't react, an object is still just an object. A little bug wouldn't be strange.
I greeted her warmly. "Hello, you must be Shizuko, right? You're just as cute as the rumors say. Pina too."
Pina bowed deeply again. "To receive the Boss's praise, I am unworthy!"
Boss who? Seriously…
I couldn't help echoing Rin-chan's tone in my thoughts.
Meanwhile, Shizuko, caught completely off guard by my sudden praise, stammered in confusion. "Eh, ah, um, th-thank you for the compliment… No wait! Let me redo it!"
She cleared her throat twice, then switched to her professional smile and voice. "Welcome, Sensei! Welcome to Momoyo Hall! Nyanya!"
She even curled her hands like cat paws beside her cheeks when she meowed.
I was convinced she was trying to seduce me.
"Ehehe, then let me show you around!" Shizuko said as she looked at me, then turned to call out, "Pina, one guest!"
Pina nodded vigorously. "Understood! I, Asahina Pina, will devote myself wholeheartedly to serving the Boss!"
"I told you not to talk to Sensei like that!"
Soon after, under the warm hospitality of Shizuko and Pina, I found myself seated, enjoying the café's signature dishes while chatting with the two girls across from me.
"To think Sensei really came!" Shizuko said, still sounding partly amazed.
"You personally invited me, Shizuko. I obviously had to come."
"…Uwah." Shizuko muttered under her breath. "The real Sensei is completely different from the one on the phone."
Likewise, Ms. Shizuko who clearly likes acting obedient.
Besides, it wasn't my fault my attitude on the phone wasn't great. You interrupted me during something important. If you had started by sending a photo, I'm sure my attitude would have been consistent from start to finish.
"Then allow me to introduce myself properly again. My name is Kawawa Shizuko, a member of Hyakkiyako Alliance Academy and President of the Festival Operations Department, and the owner of our proud traditional café Momoyo Hall!"
Shizuko's dreamy lavender eyes curved with pride. "I am also Momoyo Hall's poster girl, basically everyone's idol! So I am not a stalker!"
How long will she cling to that misunderstanding? Is she overly sensitive because she fancies herself an idol?
"And I am a server at Momoyo Hall!" Pina said. "Chasing the path of a noble gangster, I am Asahina Pina!"
Once the two girls finished their introductions, I nodded politely. "Pleasure to meet you both. I am the boss of Schale. Looking forward to working with you."
Pina's eyes lit up, and she became excited. Shizuko became even more flustered than Pina.
"Wait! Sensei, don't just accept that title!"
"Sorry, sorry," I apologized, then added with a grin, "But it's kind of fun, isn't it?"
Pina nodded. "Yes! Gangster films are the best!"
This girl might actually get along with Aru.
Shizuko sighed in defeat. "…Fine, as long as Sensei is enjoying yourself."
Then she cleared her throat and put on her perfect smile again. "Ahem. So this is Sensei's first time visiting our Hyakkiyako Alliance Academy, right?"
"No."
"Right, so… ah? Not?"
Shizuko stopped mid-sentence, realizing my answer didn't match her expectations. "You've been here before?"
I answered honestly. "Just a few days ago, because I received a related request."
"I see. Then since Sensei already knows something about our school, we can skip that part."
If I said I actually didn't understand anything, would Shizuko get mad?
Without realizing my wicked little thought, Shizuko straightened up again.
"As a member of the Festival Operations Department, let me explain! We are responsible for the largest celebration in Hyakkiyako's tourism industry.
"Although we're called the Festival Operations department, everything from planning to execution and overall management is basically handled by our club! Ahem!"
Shizuko beamed with pride.