The wind poured in through the half-open window, lifting the hem of the girl's uniform skirt.
The crisp crack of a baseball bat came from the sports field, and the setting sun streamed through the side window, bathing her in a honey-colored cascade of light, her shadow stretching long and slanted.
Komari Chika stepped down from the podium and neatly straightened the haphazard desks one by one. As she flipped her chair onto a desk, she suddenly noticed a collection of waka poetry left in the desk's compartment. She picked up the book, nostalgia flickering across her face.
"I… I want to change myself," the girl murmured.
She didn't know when it started, but she had become like this—gloomy, timid, insecure, sensitive, always alone, even needing to hide in the restroom to eat in peace.
Things were a bit better in middle school; people would invite her to join their small groups. But because she had to go home to take care of her younger siblings after school, she gradually drifted away from them. Her social circle grew smaller and smaller.
"It's all the world's fault…" Komari grumbled under her breath. Then, as if remembering something, she hugged the book in her hands. Her usually gloomy expression slowly brightened.
"But… I also have my own Prince Charming."
That person was Tamaki, the club president—the current head of the Literature Club.
On a day when she hated school so much she nearly skipped, it was Tamaki who warmly struck up a conversation, recommended books, and invited her to join the Literature Club. From then on, she found a small sanctuary at school…
Tamaki shone on her like a warm sun.
Because of him, she was able to keep attending school.
She was filled with longing for Tamaki—perhaps the gratitude of someone who'd been saved, or the fantasy of a lonely person finally being understood.
Komari wanted to stand closer to him.
So she wanted to change.
Change enough to speak normally with Tamaki. Change enough to bravely express her feelings.
"That's what simulations are for, right?" Komari said with newfound conviction.
"I've thought of a way to train: I'll work part-time at a restaurant. Not only can I earn living expenses for my family, I can also practice speaking and toughen my nerves. I—I'm truly a genius…" The gloomy girl let out two foolish chuckles.
She packed her schoolbag, mentally reviewing the restaurants she'd considered, and finally settled on a target.
That's the one!
"Everyone, please pause what you're doing. I have an important announcement!" In the staff office, Big Sister—the supervisor—clapped her hands. Her clear voice drew everyone's attention as the room gradually quieted.
"Little senior, what do you think it is? Is our salary going up?" Yanami, standing beside Kiyono, nudged him with her elbow and whispered.
"That's the one thing that's impossible…" Kiyono muttered back.
Big Sister inexplicably turned her gaze to Kiyono and Yanami, drawing out the end of her sentence: "This important news is… we've hired a new person! And she's a student from the same school as Anna!"
After a brief silence, the office erupted in enthusiastic applause. Even Yanami and Kiyono clapped vigorously—a new unlucky soul joining meant their workload would be a bit lighter. They genuinely welcomed her!
"Come say hello to everyone." Big Sister stepped aside. Only then did Kiyono notice someone hidden behind her. When he saw the girl's face, both his and Yanami's eyes widened in surprise.
It's her?
She was rather petite. Her beautiful wine-red hair was slightly disheveled, subtly covering her right eyebrow and eye. She wore a school uniform that covered her knees completely, revealing only a small sliver of skin. Coupled with her shy, evasive gaze and gloomy demeanor, she looked remarkably like… Hitori Gotoh.
Although her first impression could be described as "bad," a closer look revealed fair, delicate—almost snow-white—skin, and well-proportioned, cute features: a standard hidden beauty from a GALGAME.
"H-hello, everyone… I'm Komari Chika. P-p-please be kind…" The girl bowed her head deeply, her voice stammering and faint, like the soft chirping of a young bird. By the end, she covered her mouth, her face ghastly pale—it seemed she was so nervous she almost threw up.
"It really is her…" Kiyono muttered. This shy girl was the last major member of the Loser Alliance. But why would she specifically come here?
Someone with social anxiety dares to work part-time at a restaurant?
Beside him, Yanami lifted an eyebrow. "It really is Komari."
"You know her?" Kiyono asked.
"She's in the Literature Club, but we're not particularly close…"
As the two spoke, Komari, bathed in everyone's gaze, felt her eyes turning into spirals. Her body swayed, as if she might faint at any moment.
Big Sister quickly stepped forward, a hint of helplessness in her tone. "I'm sorry, this child is a bit shy, so it would be best if a gentle and attentive senior could guide her…"
Everyone present nodded in agreement.
Then Kiyono felt everyone's gaze slide, in unison, to his face.
"???" Why are you looking at me!
A bad premonition prickled at Kiyono's spine.
Big Sister looked at him with a fond, entrusting expression, her tone as gentle as a parent: "We're very confident in Kiyono's abilities and personality—and you're both the same age…"
The seniors unanimously approved, almost ready to give him another round of applause.
Kiyono's eye twitched. This isn't a shelter for losers!
The decision was about to be finalized—until, at the brink of his despair, a blue-haired hero appeared.
"I object!" The girl's bright voice dispelled the gloom like sunlight, and her presence was as valiant as a divine general.
Old Ba… you… Kiyono stared blankly at Yanami, then suddenly put his hands together and piously muttered to himself, "I am truly grateful to you, Yanami-sama. Tomorrow I'll surely offer your favorite tribute."
Yanami glanced at Kiyono, smiled, and shot him a thumbs-up that said "no problem." Then, facing Big Sister, she declared with a sense of duty, "Kiyono already has a lot of work. If we make him take care of a new person, he might get overwhelmed. So let me handle the job of guiding Komari!"
"That… isn't entirely out of the question," Big Sister hummed, hesitant. "But… Komari's job is in the back kitchen, isn't it? You're not at the same workstation…"
Eh? Yanami's smile froze. She was a waitress.
"P-please take care of me… senior." Komari barely lifted her head before quickly lowering it again, speaking weakly. Now that only three peers were left in the office, she finally felt like she could breathe.
"Hello, I'm Kiyono. Nice to meet you." He nodded. After experience with two other losers, facing yet another, his mindset had become much calmer—and sturdier.
As long as he handled it correctly, having a normal interaction with Miss Loser was totally fine!
Compared to their unfamiliar, polite greetings, Yanami was far more enthusiastic—excessively so. Kiyono even found himself pushed to the side.
"Komari, now we're co-workers! Let me, your senior, teach you all about work!" The blue-haired girl leaned in close, radiating a bright glow as if she'd found a long-lost sister.
She—she's a normie! And the super-friendly kind!
Komari felt like she was going to be blinded, but… Yanami seemed genuinely nice?
She snuck a glance at Yanami's smile and felt relief wash over her. For someone with social anxiety, she'd been wound tight since earlier; the few words she'd forced out were agonizing. Now, encountering such a cheerful person who took the lead in warming the atmosphere made her feel as if her whole body were soaking in a hot spring.
It's so great that Yanami is a good person!
The first step to changing herself was a great success!
…
Although Kiyono had nominally gained another "junior," he was more leisurely than usual—Yanami eagerly took on all the work of guiding the newcomer, afraid of tiring him even a little.
She's been so gentle with me lately. Is it because of the submission?
Kiyono felt a little overwhelmed by the unexpected favor. Looking at Yanami's faint smile, he grew even more puzzled. Teaching someone is also work—what's there to be so happy about?
"What are you smiling about?" he couldn't help asking.
Yanami, brushing sauce on skewers, was startled. Her gloved hand instinctively went to her lips as if to check whether she was smiling—smearing sauce across her face.
"T-this is because I'm happy to meet a classmate!"
"Is that so?" Kiyono nodded. He pulled a tissue from the table and handed it to her. "Wipe your face."
The blue-haired girl blinked but didn't take it. Instead, she raised her sauce-covered glove to show him and, with a bright grin, said, "I'm busy right now; why don't you wipe it for me?" Yanami stared straight at him, her eyes shimmering.
Kiyono didn't react as she expected. He rolled his eyes and set the tissue beside her. "Just take off your glove—that's a small thing you can do yourself!" Yanami turned her face away and pouted.
As time went on, more and more customers arrived. Yanami had to leave the back kitchen to take orders and clear tables. In the end, it became a situation where the two of them faced each other.
Kiyono handled the ingredients with practiced ease while watching Komari, ready to correct her mistakes at any moment—working in the back kitchen had a learning curve. Then again, anything worth doing is hard to do well.
His impression of the girl was still stuck on labels like "Fastest Loser Legend," "Gloomy Literature Girl," and "Brave Hitori Gotoh." He hesitated over how to interact with her.
Komari was different from Yanami—completely opposite in personality. He couldn't be too casual or too familiar when talking to her; otherwise, he might scare her.
But to his surprise, Komari's tasks were handled with impressive skill: grating heaps of daikon, slicing onions, deveining shrimp, deboning fish… her movements were fluid and precise. Kiyono walked over for a closer look. Aside from being a bit slow, there was nothing wrong. That spoke not only of skill but of meticulousness. He couldn't help asking, curious, "Did you learn to cook before?"
"Eek!" The introverted girl flinched, glancing up at him like a small animal. Shyly, she whispered, "I—I often cook for my family, so… I slowly learned."
"I see. You're really doing great. If there's anything you don't know, you can always ask me." Kiyono smiled. Any man would like a girl who took good care of her home. He felt a little more warmth toward her, and his attitude softened.
Relieved, he turned his focus back to work.
At the same time, Komari was secretly observing him.
If anyone in this restaurant stood out most, it was undoubtedly Kiyono. Although younger than her, he was deeply trusted by the adults. His every word and action showed good character; he worked diligently and spoke gently, never making her feel awkward… If only she could become like that!
She stared at Kiyono, while he felt a strange prickle of being watched from behind. Occasionally, when he turned around, a pair of dark eyes were fixed on him. If they weren't in a steamy back kitchen, he might have thought he'd seen a ghost.
"What's wrong, Komari-chan?" he asked, head beginning to ache.
"Studying—studying work…" The girl dropped her gaze again.
Kiyono was speechless. If you want to learn, learn openly! It's not like I won't teach you! But he was busy, sweating profusely, and couldn't constantly mind her. If she wanted to watch, then let her watch.
Komari didn't have the leisure to keep observing anyway. The back kitchen had turned into a legendary battlefield. The clanging of woks rattled like heavy rain on a tin roof; the dull thud of knives on cutting boards pounded like drums. Everyone's face flushed with anxious heat.
"Newbie! Plate these combo meals and take them to the customers! Remember to check the receipts!" the chef shouted, making Komari's body tense.
"Yes!"