Inside the STARRY bar, Uchiha Ryo turned to look at the Kessoku Band chatting over there. Good grief, the four of them couldn't even scrounge up one head of black hair.
Kita Ikuyo: "I'm so sorry for leaving suddenly that day! If possible, I'll do anything to make it up to you!"
Ijichi Nijika: "Well, I can't really think of anything off the top of my head."
Ijichi Seika from behind the bar, however, said directly, "Then just work here at the STARRY live house for a day. We're short-staffed right now."
"After all, this isn't a gathering place for children."
Uchiha Ryo silently drank his cola. She's definitely not talking about me.
Shirosaki Haruka stroked her cheek. "Work is so hard. What's wrong with coming here for a few drinks?"
Ijichi Seika glanced at Shirosaki Haruka, then at Shirosaki Hana, who had run over to play with Nijika.
"This is a music bar, you know. Is it really okay for you to bring an elementary schooler here? And that part-timer over there, go change your clothes."
Kita Ikuyo nodded, then patted Hana-chan's head beside her.
"I'll do my best!"
Kita Ikuyo finished changing. Uchiha Ryo stroked his chin and nodded. "Store Manager, you have pretty good taste."
Ijichi Seika chuckled. "Although she's just a temporary worker, that kid is doing a pretty good job. And the maid outfit suits her well."
Gotou Hitori didn't dare to speak. What's going on? Why did Kita-san suddenly change into a maid outfit? Why does Uchiha-kun look so interested?
Ijichi Nijika: "Kita-san cleans so thoroughly. People who do their work without hesitation are the best."
Gotou Hitori's head sank even lower! That's right... Kita-san is the complete opposite of me!
Yamada Ryo, who was dozing off on the other side, also nodded. "Just working for one day? We should just keep Kita. That way, we can rest every day."
Uchiha Ryo looked at Ijichi Seika. "Store Manager, do you have any more maid outfits? I think Bocchi-chan can also handle this job. Plus, it'll be good training for her."
Gotou Hitori: "!!!"
Ijichi Seika: "Sure. Then you go change too!"
Inside STARRY, the maid Kita was happily bustling about, while the maid Bocchi was fumbling all over the place, forcing Ijichi Nijika to follow her around.
Uchiha Ryo: "Tsk, tsk, tsk. She still needs practice."
On the other side, Shirosaki Haruka, watching the cheerful atmosphere in the bar, suddenly looked at Ijichi Seika and asked.
"Um... are you free anytime soon?"
Ijichi Seika looked at Shirosaki Haruka in confusion. "For what? Don't be fooled by how idle I look now. I have to watch the store almost every day. I don't want to go anywhere for the time being."
Shirosaki Haruka: "That's good. Being in the store is fine, too. What I mean is.... can you help me watch my kid for three days?"
Ijichi Seika: "Huh?!"
She glanced at Shirosaki Hana, who was over there eating snacks with Yamada Ryo, and shook her head.
"I don't want to."
Shirosaki Haruka put her hands together. "Please! You just have to send her to school in the morning and pick her up back at the store in the afternoon! Hana-chan will be very good!"
Ijichi Seika still shook her head, then gave a meaningful look at Ijichi Nijika, who was following Bocchi-chan.
"I still refuse. I don't want to raise a child again. I finally raised one, and you want to throw another one at me?"
Shirosaki Haruka: "Just for three days—!"
Seeing that Ijichi Seika had no intention of listening to her, Shirosaki Haruka suddenly said.
"How about.... I let Shizu-chan watch her for three days? She's a teacher, right? She should be good with kids."
Ijichi Seika chuckled. "You'd really dare to let her, who's never raised a child, take care of Hana-chan... You'll regret it in three days."
Hiratsuka Shizuka taking care of a child... Shirosaki Haruka smiled, and dismissed the thought.
"Eh? Does your Nijika have time!"
Ijichi Seika pointed at the four girls over there. "Their band is just starting out. You don't want to disturb them, do you?"
Uchiha Ryo cleared his throat. "Another juice, please. Thank you."
Shirosaki Haruka thought of something. "That's right! Young Master Ryo! You're Shizu-chan's student, right? Are your parents busy with work?"
"Ah? Me... my family isn't busy."
Shirosaki Haruka stood up and bowed to Uchiha Ryo. "Could you help me take care of Hana-chan? Please! I'll definitely pay you afterward."
Although Uchiha Ryo was a boy, this Young Master Ryo's interests were... well, like the butler Herthaka's. So Shirosaki Haruka was very relieved to entrust her child to him.
And as a guest who could come and go from the Shinomiya residence, as a guest of the Shinomiya young lady, his status meant he wouldn't mistreat Hana-chan.
Uchiha Ryo looked at Shirosaki Hana not far away. "Are all of Haruka-san's other friends unwilling?"
Shirosaki Haruka let out a long sigh. "They're either busy with their careers, or they're already taking care of one at home. I can't just go and ask my male friends.... So Young Master Ryo! Is it possible for just three days? Please help me take care of Hana-chan."
"Hana-chan, come here for a moment."
At this moment, Shirosaki Hana was standing by the trash can, watching the pink-haired sister in the trash can play the guitar. Hearing her mother's voice, she immediately ran over.
"What do you think, Young Master Ryo?"
Uchiha Ryo thought for a moment.
"Alright then. I'll let Hana-chan stay at my place for three days."
Shirosaki Hana looked at her mother blankly, then at this big brother who was very good at making snacks.
Shirosaki Haruka clapped her hands. "That's great! Hana-chan... Mom has to stay at her workplace for three days starting tomorrow, so I can't pick you up and take you home. Um... is it okay if you temporarily stay at this Ryo-oniichan's house for three days?"
Shirosaki Haruka looked at her daughter. She was very worried that Hana-chan would be reluctant to leave her. What if Hana-chan suddenly hugged her and said, "Mommy, don't go!" What would she do then?!
On one hand, it was the precious job at the Shinomiya family. On the other, it was her beloved daughter. Shirosaki Haruka suddenly couldn't bear to leave her with someone else.
As long as Hana-chan says 'Mommy, don't go,' I'll immediately call the butler and say that I can't do my maid work tomorrow! Even if I'm fired by the Shinomiya family, I have to be with my child!
Shirosaki Hana blinked. Mom has to go to work again. I could go to Hinata's house to play. But Hinata's sister is very strange. But this big brother who made snacks at Gotou Futari's house!
"Mhm! Mom, you can go to work without worrying. I'll take good care of myself."
Shirosaki Hana nodded at her mother, then ran to stand in front of Uchiha Ryo.
"Ryo-oniichan, I'll be in your care for these three days."