oregairu-vac2

a2. Where the Faint Black Tea Aroma Lingers in the Air
The lights were turned on. I heard someone sigh. People were rising from their seats and headed to the exit while sharing their impression about the movie. Some people speak like friends, some like lovers. I simply made a deep sigh while staring at the empty screen and finishing my cola, then stood up too. People exited the cinema and wandered off. I saw someone standing near the vending machine and waving to me.
“Heey, Hikki! Heeey!”
Yuigahama and Yukinoshita bot exited before me. Yuigahama was waving, stretching her hand as if trying to get taller. It’s kinda shameful, being waved at like that. I could see zettai ryouiki between her boots and knitted skirt. Hey, I can almost see your thighs, so please stop that.
Without even recognizing it I skipped to their direction.
We did meet after movie, but as to what I was supposed to say, I didn’t know. Moreover, I didn’t know how to behave in such situations in general. So first I nodded as a greeting.  We hadn’t planned the meeting in advance nor hadn’t promised anything. Saying “sorry” or “thanks” wasn’t appropriate, but so wasn’t keeping quiet.  Nodding to me, Yuigahama walked forward, leading us both. Don’t think it would mitigate the silence, though.
Having exited in the street we were greeted by the evening wind. I think my neck just shrinked into the collar by itself. I wrapped up my muffler I held in my hand, put my coat on and headed to the girls. Yuigahama turned to Yukinoshita who stood beside her on the stairs.
“Was so awesome, like ‘Boom!’, right?”
What was that, Slayers? Yuigahama usually doesn’t even bother picking the right words, so sometimes I don’t get her at all. Though Yukinoshita apparently did get her. She smiled gently, like mother would smile to a child.
“Agreed. The effects were good, and the main topic of the movie was amusing. And the acting was so good it was indistinguishable from reality.”
“Mmmm, yeah… Was very pretty!”
That’s the two girls near me discussing a movie. And their opinion was rather even-handed, which was something new to me. So Yuigahama did diligently watch the movie?.. I was astonished. Well, didn’t matter all that much. I heard girls discussing movie for the first time in my life and it all was very interesting. Usually, when me and Zaimokuza discuss movies, our judgement is mostly negative. Maybe this was key difference between boys and girls. Everything’s so bad from the boys’ point of view: the script, the camera work, the acting, the scriptwriter sucks, the book author’s a scum, and all that… Guys, seriously, praise even mediocre works more, their creators will do better next time!
Anyway. The movie was over and I still didn’t know whether we would return home or go out somewhere else. So for now I simply followed Yuigahama and Yukinoshita.
Yuigahama hopped off the stairs and abruptly turned to us.
“Wanna grab something to eat?”
I looked at the sky. Crimson sunset illuminated the western sky. Not exactly the time for a supper yet, but grabbing some snack would be nice. I only drank some cola in the cinema, so my stomach was empty. So it’s up to Yukinoshita who had eaten the caramel popcorn earlier. I turned to her: yes, she was pondering while touching her chin.
“I wouldn’t mind a cup of tea.”
“Oh, Cool! Any places you want to go?” Yuigahama said while looking at me. Don’t. I don’t think I have the right to decide this in such situations. Hachiman-kun, you do remember everyone laughing when you pick something wrong in the cafe. Remember Kaori Orimoto-chan and her friend something-Machi-chan? So I look aside, at Yukinoshita. She, as always, didn’t speak up any preferences, just turned to Yuigahama too.
“I… don’t really care where we go.”
She meekly smiled and tentatively looked at me once more. Here we go again… We won’t ever decide anything this way! Oh well, if they don’t care, I’ll try choosing something. Even if they refuse we’ll still shorten the options available. So I decided  to choose something.
“What about Saize?” I asked and looked at Yuigahama. She simply replied:
“Sure.”
Eh? What? ‘Sure’?! That was really unexpected. I turned to Yukinoshita. Seems like she didn’t mind either since she kept quiet. What, we really can go to Saize? I mean, I do like Saize, so I don’t mind either, but because of Orimoto and something-Machi I thought girls didn’t like Italian food. Wait, this is Yuigahama! She may not recognize ‘Italian’ and come to wrong conclusion. Even though they don’t really make Italian food, but Chibalian. All hail Chiba! They can cooperate with anime producers and cook something horrible under the guise of Italian food. How’s that for a plan, huh? Seriously, consider that.
So I’m not sure if she got me correctly or even if she would like Saize at all. But she said she likes Saize! But that still might sound like some jewelry to her! I don’t know, Shaz-Elize, or Shanzelion!
“You really sure you want to go to Saize?”
“Eh? What, we can’t?‘ Yuigahama said, confused.
“Of course we can. I love Saize, it’s the best.”
Right. Let’s turn to Yukinoshita then.
“It’s just your opinion about Saze being the best. I’ve never been to there, but I don’t have any reasons to object either.” She calmly said while brushing her hair off the shoulder. So, no rejections, all right.
Something stirred in my chest. I coughed.
“Now, wait, wait, wait. Wait a minute. Come to think about it, we don’t need a bar as in a place for drinking. We drank enough while watching the movie. So a hitting cafe would fit better…”
“Hitting?..”
Yuigahama’s face was weird. Something between sadness and discontent. When I was talking about Saize her face was different. Apparently she liked it better. Damn, gotta fix things real quick.
“Oh, sorry. There’s no hitting cafes in Chiba.”
“You’re underestimating Chiba, Hikki! There’s a lot of good cafes here!”
“I don’t understand. You love Chiba but say bad things next moment.”
Sorry! I wanted to apologize, but you… So you like Chiba, huh? I love both its good and bad sides. This is my blind unconditional love. I considered telling about my love of Chiba, but apparently there was no need.
Yukinoshita got my instructions and started thinking while putting her hand on a chin again.
“If you say it that way… I have and idea.”
“You can recommend something? Whooa, so cute!”
Yukinoshita took a quick step back, startled by Yuigahama’s reaction.
“Umm, no, I haven’t been there myself, just passing by. So It picked my curiosity.”
“Sure thing, let’s go see it!”
Yuigahama gave me a questioning stare. Well, if Yukinoshita got an idea, I don’t mind either. I wouldn’t mind even going to Saize. Though, on the other hand, hmmm… Going somewhere new from time to time wouldn’t hurt.
“Why not?”
Yukinoshita politely agreed.
“Sure. Let’s go.”
“Yep!”
“Yuigahama-sam, I have trouble walking...”
And so they walked to the cafe with Yukinoshita trying to pry her hand off Yuigahama. But Winter Gahama-san loves the warmth so much, so it was a futile effort. Seems like she got used to walking like that. Can’t say for sure, I don’t have the necessary experience.
And so the girls were walking ahead in this entangled state. I was following them. Their pretty clothes and accumulated yuri-ness grabbed everyone’s attention. I was too ashamed to walk along. Pretending to be a bystander was one of my powerful skills. I used to deceive my classmate in the past. Yay! Seems like that experience is still with me!
x x x
Further behind the station was a block of expensive condos. This whole district had been built very recently.  Because of this the local cafes and such were immensely popular, and this wasn’t a temporary thing. Yukinoshita lived in one of those condos, by the way. It’s said those are inhabited by the real estate businessmen, both from higher and lower strata of society; sometimes they disagreements occur. Though these all are just some gossip from Hikigaya household maman, and I don’t know the details anyway. Those are just gossip! All Chiba people are friends!
But the district was really nice, with a lot of stylish shops and cafes. And currently Yukinoshita was heading to one of them, confidently and without hesitation.
“Huh, so you’re know the district very well.”
“Your sarcasm is somehow gloomy.”
A smile adorns her face. So you know you’re prone to get lost. Hehe… Err, no, your smile is too cold, so no laughing.
“Hikki...”
Yuigahama looked at me disapprovingly and tugged my sleeve, hinting to apologize.
“Umm, no, that wasn’t sarcasm. I’m amazed and relieved, really.”
I decided to make a menacing smile to mitigate it, but Yukinoshita’s piercing glare hadn’t changed one bit. Not letting your guard down are you...
Actually I’m kinda local too here, you know. I once came here with a family to eat at the restaurant with pasta specialization. The restaurant was bicycle-themed, by the way. I remember liking women who cooked home-styled pasta. so I liked that restaurant very much. Even now I dream of becoming a house-husband who can cook pasta like that. Alas, the restaurant has been closed ever since and I didn’t learn their wonderful recipes.
So I walked down the Valentine street thinking those warm thoughts. The sea at end of this street wasn’t far away when Yukinoshita stopped and anxiously looked at us.
“We’re here.”
“Hmm...”
This was it! The cafe this woman recommended! It occupied the whole first floor of the large building. Modestly decorated interior, barely noticeable black coffee aroma, multicolored sofas for the customers, round stools, potted plants and a whole lots knick-knacks meant for the girls.
[I’m pretty sure it’s Iris cafe several blocks southwest of the Kaihin-Makuhari station. It’s right on Valentine-dori, near the intersection with the coastal highway, and the interior photos mostly fit.  35.638648, 140.040702 ]
Yuigahama approached the large window and peeked inside.
“So pretty!”
“All right. Shall we enter then?”
Yukinoshita, showing visible relief, went for the entrance. We were greeted by the waitstaff and lead to the table in the middle. I let the girls occupy the soft sofa near the wall while sitting on a more hard one. The window showed winter sky with the sun slowly hiding behind the horizon. The air was nice and warm. There were a few groups of customers besides us. Calm comfy atmosphere. Probably a New Year’s influence. Most of the customers were young women. I rarely saw flocks of girls talking while typing something on their MacBook Airs. Oh, got it. Yukinoshita wouldn’t visit the place all too often because of such groups. If I were alone I’d never enter either.
Yukinoshita, who was sitting along with Yuigahama, didn’t look all that lost anymore. This place was known to her, so she behaved more mature. Maybe she’ll be accustomed to visiting here alone. Yuigahama was also comfortable around here and now was behaving just like the normal young girl would in such a cafe. Even more relaxed than in school. So maybe...
“Oh!” She softly exclaimed, leaped from the sofa and briskly walked to the exit. Upon closer inspection she fetched a magazine from one of the shelves and returned back.
“What was that all of a sudden?” I asked taking a closer look at the magazine Yuigahama took. She in turn just smiled.
“Townwork.” She replied, frowning.
“Ah, got it. You just can’t help but pick such magazines around here.”
“Yeah, totally.”
“Hikigaya-kun, does that mean you read job offers magazines? That’s quite strange.” Yukinoshita remarked tilting her head.
“Of course I do. I mean, they’re everywhere. And also job applications, CVs and other related stuff.”
“Oh, yeah, I’ve seen them too!”
Huh, so you read them too, Yuigahama. Good girl!
“Yeah. I read them when I’m free during part-timing.”
“You read at work?!”
“You’re supposed to work, you know...”
Yuigahama moved away from me in shock while Yukinoshita sighed and started massaging her temples. No, seriously, what am I supposed to do when I have no work? I can’t read books or fiddle with my phone, not to mention chatting with the coworkers. All’s left is reading Townwork. I almost considered it another (part-time) job, but the girls apparently held a different opinion. They just looked at me expressionlessly. I was sure every part-timer did that. Does it mean it only was like that at my workplace?
“Ok, anyway, let’s order.”
Yuigahama put the menu over the magazine. In these situations I order blended coffee so I don’t choose for long. The girls on the other hand were eagerly studying the menu. Especially Yuigahama.
“What black tea would you like?”
Yuigahama is overwhelmed by the sheer amount of black tea varieties. She tugged Yukinoshita’s sleeve.
“Well… Assam tea, Ceylon, Earl Grey maybe. Chamomile tea if you want a herbal variety, along with the dog-rose or mint. Sakura petals tea is not bad either, although the taste is slightly strange.” Yukinoshita calmly recounted. Judging by the look on her face Yuigahama was flabbergasted. By the time Yukinoshita finished she was just nodding and staring aside as if tolerating a severe headache.
“What’s with all those incantations?”
“It’s the tea types.” Yukinishita tiredly sighed.
Hey, Yuigahama, the only incantation-like name was only ‘Elohim, Essaim’ which sounded like Assam. Gahama-chan, you don’t mean you gave up in the very beginning, do you?
“Then I’ll leave the tea choice to Yukinon. We can order two different types and then switch.”
“I don’t mind. What tea would you like?”
Previously relaxed Yukinoshita frowned again and gave her full attentiion to the meny. Yep, the girl became very reliable when being asked by Gahama-san.
“I’m calling the waitstaff.”
I thought we’d be choosing till the end of the world, so I raised my hand and called. Besides, no one would probably notice me here so I’ll have some time to choose an order myself.
Except I was noticed pretty quickly. The girl behind the counter saw my hand and quickly walked to us.
“I’m sorry for the wait- oh...”
She nimbly put three glasses of water and then suddenly went silent. So was I. Starchy white shirt and black shorts. Simpl apron on her waist, black curly hair carefully tucked behind. Underneath those hair were a pair of surprised eyes and a kind welcoming smile.
“Hey, it’s Hikigaya! Long time no see! What are you doing here?”
“I’m just a customer.”
“Huh, so you attend such places...”
She smiled and reached for the tablet in her apron pocket. She hadn’t changed one bit. She probably didn’t mean anything wicked but somehow I still heard only “Wow, so Hikigaya can visit an awesome cafe! Hilarious!”
“And I just got a part-time job here.”
She started typing something on her tablet to write down an order and threw a glance at the girls. They clearly recognized each other in an instant. Moreover, they saw each other not under the most favourable circumstances. They first met during that double date with Hayama. We were in the middle of student council elections and the situation in the club wasn’t very good. The second time we met at the recent collaborate Christmas event organized by Soubu and Kaihin-Sogo high schools. I’d rather say it was a battlefield, not an event. That’s why today’s encounter hardly could be called lucky.
The three of them were looking at each other apprehensively without saying a word. Yuigahama managed to smile, though it was somewhat strained. Yukinoshita sent a very direct cold stare. The air was getting cold. Except Orimoto looked at them with curiosity. I felt uneasy. If only we had met under different circumstances… This silence is choking me.
Orimoto sighed.
“Ah, yeah, we hadn’t spoken properly yet. Name’s Kaori Orimoto. I was Hikigaya’s classmate in junior high. Now I’m Kaihin Sogo High student. We had met this Christmas.”
She talked as politely as she could but clearly wasn’t really good at that. Typical Orimoto. Though is better like that: it’s easier to reply that way.
“Umm… Hi. I’m Yui Yuigahama. I’m Hikki… Hikigaya-kun’s classmate, and...”
Though stuttering, Yuigahama managed to reply and introduce herself. Orimoto started shaking.
“Hikki? Ahaha...”
She turned her back to us and started laughing while clutching her stomach. Hey, is this really a laughing matter? Am I missing something?
“Hehehe…”
Seeing Orimoto laugh, Yuigahama politely, but somehow anxiously chuckled too. Orimoto noticed that and stopped laughing, then wiped the teards and explained herself.
“Sorry, sorry. Just never heard anyone call Hikiagaya Hikki. Didn’t mean anything bad.”
I don’t think Orimoto was dishonest. Her words didn’t carry any hidden meanings. But it still was rude and insensitive on her part. Not that I really care what she thought anyway. She was just honest and insensitive. That’s what kind of a person she was.
Very few of those who knew me in junior high could remember my name. They usually called me “Hikkifrog” or something else equally degrading, that’s why to them ‘Hikki’ can be surprising and overly funny. Now whether the nickname itself is degrading  was another matter.
Peoples’ nicknames is a common topic among socialites, but Yuigahama apparently didn’t get that part.
“Well, he is funny sometimes...”
“Yeah...
Yuigahama quietly agreed. I wasn’t overly eager to continue this conversation, but the air of misunderstanding wasn’t good either. Had Yuigahama acquainted Orimoto earlier, she wouldn’t have been so sad right now. They would’ve chat freely and now could be laughing together. Even Miura, who was Yuigahama’s friend, sometimes could be very rude. Or do they get closer that way? Probably so: Orimoto, who was laughing earlier, was now smiling like an idiot, regretting what she had said.
You need to have communication skills to shorten the distance. I don’t know if they ever meet again in the future, but I’m sure they’ll get along. Okay, there’s one person left here.
“And you....”
Orimoto tried to be polite and looked at Yukinoshita. The latter was sitting motionless, same as before, and coldly staring at Orimoto. What’s with this dangerous irises’ color? Stop it, I’m scared!
Orimoto tried to pick the right words, but instead let out a helpless groan. Having heard that Yukinoshita sighed. What was all that? It’s just like two beasts meet and the one who averts its eyes has lost. Yukinoshita calmed down, coughed and looked at Orimoto.
“Yukino Yukinoshita. Hi… Hiki. Hiki….”
Yukinoshita stuttered. Yukinon, did you perchance forget my name. She averted her eyes and muttered:
“Hikki’s… in my club. I’m the president.”
Immediately after her face and neck were shaded deep crimson. We opened out mouths in surprise. Since when have you started calling me like that? Yuigahama hugged her, as if trying to defend.
“Sorry, Yukinon! No need to force yourself if you’re too ashamed!”
“It’s not that I’m forcing myself...”
Even though she still was in Yuigahama’s arms, Yukinoshita’s face was still red. By the way, it was Yuigahama who made up that nickname for me. Yukinoshita either decided to mock it or defend me. Either way the result was clumsy. That’s Yukinoshita for you. Anyway I don’t even know if it’s all about my name, so sorry if it’s not. Well, if Yukinon and Gahama-san are merry and friendly, then let it be so! Orimoto looked at them drinking water and whispered:
“Friendly, huh...”
“As you can see.” I said throwing a glance at her. She looked somehow alienated, watching the girls and smiling sadly. I’m used to that already, but for any stranger two pretty girls hugging is not just “friendly”, but a very attractive thing.
As far as I remember Orimoto was close with several girls, but this hugging in plain sight never occurred. Though I don’t know her all that well to say for sure. Even though they’re all fellow girls their communication culture may be different. Wonder what Orimoto thought about them. I looked at her, waiting for any reaction. She lowered her eyes and sighed.
“Wish I didn’t say that.”
Orimoto sighed again, opened her tablet and raised her eyes once more. Her face now was her usual.
“I’ll make a service discount for you.”
She typed something and looked at Yuigahama.
“Umm… Why?
Of course it was Yuigahama who asked that. She and Yukinoshita were looking at Orimoto suspiciously while still hugging. The latter answered plainly:
“Why not? We’re acquaintances.”
She really didn’t think what she was doing.
“We’re grateful, of course...”
I looked at the girls. Yukinoshita eyed Orimoto with doubt, then shifter her gaze at us.
“It’s just service, right?”
And then immediately averted her eyes again. Just like a feral cat. Well, seeing Yuigahama alternate her gaze between me and Orimoto, people would think she’s a street dog too.
“But you’re Hikki’s friends. It’s alright, we constantly do that here.”т»
Orimoto frantically waved her hands while looking at the feral cat and the street og. I was pleased, really, but was she really allowed to do so? Well, there’s this saying “In Rome do what Romans do”. And also “Takeo Gouda’s height was 2 meters and he weighted 12X kilograms”. Or is there? Nno, there isn’t.
Well, if Orimoto wanted to make a discount, then so be it. If problems occurred, only Orimoto was to blame! No! Not that! Hachiman, you’re horrible! Scum! Though, taking Orimoto’s insensitivity and communications skill, she probably did know the ropes around here.
There is this kind of girls at any workplace. It’s not really clear why they’re so popular, but you keep talking to them constantly at you free time and gradually fall in love with. But the girls themselves only talk to kill some time, so the probability of anything really happening is zero. No, seriously, stop whispering things at work if you don’t feel anything to me. Go do your job. I remembered one unpleasant episode from my previous workplace, after which I resolved to receive the politeness of strangers, but never their friendship. Nope! Never!
So if Orimoto decided to be nice, we’d better accept it just to be safe.
“Thanks! Then, please, blended coffee for me. As for them...” I looked at the girls.
“Ummm… Thank you… a lot.”
Yuigahama tried to thanks Orimoto, but didn’t do it very well. Yukinoshita settled on simply nodding.
“Then montblanc and canelé, and...”
“Can I pick the tea to my liking?”
“Yes, please.”
They were scanning the menu cheek-to-cheek while Orimoto was waiting.
“Our Sachertorte is very tasty,” She said.
“Thanks.”
I noticed Yukinoshita was her normal self again. She hadn’t changed at all… Come to think of it, Orimoto hadn’t changed one bit since junior high. Neither did Hayama since my first meeting, and neither did Yukinoshita’s harsh directness go anywhere. Even the way I communicated with What’s-Her-Name-Machi was still the same.
But Yuigahama surprised me most of all. She was talking to Orimoto almost too politely. I felt a certain distance being established. Even though they’ve met plenty of times, it was not all that much. By the way, of all the people sitting here I’ve met Yuigahama most times, and our distance still hadn’t changed. Except we don’t even meet in that sense! Damn, I’m being dumped preemptively! Oh well, let’s forget about it.
I think Yuigahama is really good at having conversations. Even Orimoto was way more friendly now.  So Yuigahama, humble and friendly as she was, managed to hold a conversation with someone like Orimoto. Though, on the other hand, human communications is one huge mystery. You never guess when people get closer and when they become enemies. Often it’s just you talk to a person, everything’s fine, then you step on a landmine and suddenly you never want to see them again.
I think Yuigahama and Orimoto can be friends given reasonable time. But them not meeting anymore was equally probable.
Yuigahama raised her eyes to me and asked:
“Hikki, ordering anything else?”
“Nope.”
I quickly responded. Orimoto closed the terminal.
“Okay, roger. Please wait.”
She slipped the tablet into her pocket and took the menu. The Townwork magazine was still underneath. Orimoto noticed it.
“Hikigaya, looking for a job? You can work here, we’re just searching for kitched and waitstaff.”
“Nah, don’t need it.”
“Why not? Coulda work just fine.”
Orimoto was disappointed for some reason. Why are you disappointed? It’s like you wanted to work together with me. I didn’t get it. I was thinking about it when I hear laughter nearby. It was Yukinoshita.
“Hikigaya-kun won’t work no matter the job. He doesn’t have the desire to work in general.”
Yukinoshita was smiling while Yuigahama was approvingly nodding. Yeah, that is true, but when someone points out your desire not to work you start feeling like a scum suddenly. It’s hard like that. Anyway, I didn’t plan to work here. Orimoto straightened her hair and made a sad sigh.
“It’s easy to work around here if you have someone you can switch with. It’s just really hard to find the person.”
“Aah, got it.”
That’s why you were miffed earlier. The only question was why a person who’s currently resting should switch with you to go to work. It’s the shop manager’s job or something. It certainly was a good way to raise the staff’s reliability, but then again, what about the manager’s reliability then?
“Oh well. Tell me if you change your mind.” Orimoto said while tapping he shoulder with the menu. Yuigahama smiled politely and replied:
“Nah, Hikki won’t work here. It was me who grabbed the magazine anyway.”
“Oh. Tell me if you wanna work here then, I’ll show you the ropes.”
“Who would want to work here after what you said?”
“Oh, right. Agreed.”
This time it was Orimoto who smiled. Yeah, same way she spoke in junior high. Strange, but I didn’t feel neither nostalgia nor unpleasantness. Orimoto turned her back and headed to put the order.
“Nah, seriously, there’s not much people here, why not apply for a job?”
How long are you going to stand here? I’m waiting for my coffee. Talking about jobs is one thing, but I’m your customer and need to be server. Though I really wouldn’t mind working here, what with few customers and all...
x x x
Some time later our tea and coffee arrived. They were followed by montblanc and canelé desserts Yuigahama ordered.
“Thanks for the wait!”
Orimoto lay the plates with trained motions, tucked the tray, courteously bowed and left. The table now was full of plates with sweets. For a sweet tooth like me this was a staggering sight. I stared and stared, considering what I should taste. Yuigahama put her fork into one of them.
“Here, Hikki!” She said and shoved me one of the plates with different desserts. Think chocolate sauce and fudge was dripping from each slice. Montblanc looked like it was seriously injured and was dropping its intestines, like from Hokuto Shinken technique.  Hm… I always considered dessert the cute things but now they seriously scared me. I knew they were cut wholeheartedly and with good intentions, so I couldn’t complain.
“A, yeah. Thanks!” I said and tentatively took the plate.. There no way the dessert wouldn’t be tasty. No need to worry. Quite the opposite, they’d be even tastier after all the care showed to me. Most probably.
“Here, Yukinon.”
“Thanks you. You should take some too.”
Yukinoshita put some of the desserts back on Yuigahama’s plate. Except her cut Sacher still looked appetizing, even after being cut. Did you really use the same forks?
“Hikigaya-kun likes sweet things, right?” Yukinoshita said, made a vexed sigh and offered me a small piece of sachertorte. I love sachertorte. Of course I love all the other sweets too.
“Yeah, thanks.”
“You’re welcome. Bon appetite.” She replied while pouting tea to herself and Yuigahama. I grabbed the fork and started eating the desserts while taking sips of coffee in between. They all were very tasty. This was a nice cafe. Yukinoshita clearly liked her tea and desserts too. She was actively eating them without saying a word. Yuigahama happily looked at her, then turned a page in her Townwork.
“By the way, are you really looking for job?”
Yuigahama clearly wasn’t reading the magazine out of boredom. She paused with a piece of cake in her fork and looked at me.
“Not right now, but maybe it’ll come in handy. It’s almost January and I didn’t get to do much in Summer.”
“Hm...”
What, didn’t make it somewhere fun because you didn’t have enough money? Well she is a friend of Miura, so they should have a lot of plans for Winter. Snowboards, skateboards, hot springs… So cute. Gotta make an anime and write a song about it.
There was a ski stadium in Chiba some time ago which the youngsters should be frequenting, but it’s long since closed. Now young people have to travel far away to get a snowboard ride, with the prices obviously high. Normalfags sure have it tough, with their pricey entertainment and all.
Yukinoshita peeked into Yuigahama’s magazine while swallowing a piece of cake.
“Found something interesting?”
“Don’t know yet.” Yuigahama answered resting her cheek on her hand.
“It’s hard to find anything just looking in Townwork. Work’s best searched on foot.”
“I think you’ve got it wrong. It’s hard to judge about real situation just by the magazine info.”
“Yeah. You should pick a job right at the place of an offer. It may turn out they’re overstaffed or pay is too low.”
Having listened to me and Yukinoshita, Yuigahama looked at us with shiny sparkling eyes, with something akin to respect and admiration.
“Hikki, you, like, have experience in all this?”
“I’ve avoided work in so many places. I’ve got plenty of experience. So I’m pretty sure I know a thing or two about part-timing.”
“I think you wouldn’t have fled every single one of them if you did have known a thing or two. Now do you really?” Yukinoshita said dismissively and made a sad sigh. How rude! It’s because I’ve skipped work at so many places I’ve got all the experience, and you could say that’s precisely why I’m jobless now.
People constantly fall into traps after judging the book by its cover, illustrations or the fact it’s being adapted into an anime. This way they gain experience, they learn. That’s why the current me is a traps expert. Do you know just how many time I had to spend to become one?..
“Recently I started to realize what details you should pay attention to.” I said with probably more self-importance than needed. Yukinoshita nodded requesting me to proceed.
“FIrst thing to look at is whether the coworkers talk to each others.”
Yukinoshita looked surprised.
“That’s an unexpectedly sound advice coming from you. Indeed, if the employees don’t follow the rules, the work spirit is diminishing.” She said, nodding to her own words. What kind of logical chain was that? Are you a head of the disciplinary committee or something?
“Can’t say anything about their work spirit, but there’ll be some problems I’m certain about.”
Yuigahama turned to us.
“No way? Is it a bad thing to be on good terms?”
“That’s the problem. Their friendliness comes from already established relationships between them. Any newcomer is guaranteed to have trouble fitting in. For me personally it’s impossible.” I harshly said. Yukinoshita put her teacup on the saucer and nodded with a serious face.
“For me too.”
“Yukinon, you too?!”
Not bad, Yukinoshita! Sometimes I think you’re worse at human interactions than I am! Thanks to your support unpleasant memories about my past part-times started to pop up.
“They can demand to tell about the previous work experience or make welcome parties I didn’t ask for.” I tiredly said. Yuigahama wasn’t satisfied.
“So what? That’ cool! Feels like home and stuff!”
“That ‘Feels like home’ of yours only means you were accepted as one of their own. But the newbies can enjoy life on their own.”
I stopped to cough, then continued.
“Try to imagine all the sadness when someone of the older employees approaches you at the party and asks to tell something interesting. If you refuse you’ll be looked down on as a boring person. If you agree you’ll be told you’re boring upfront.  What are you supposed to say in such cases? And tomorrow you have to go work in the resulting hell. Can you comprehend that?”
I said “Imagine” so much I’m like John Lennon now. Yuigahama became sad.
“I kinda changed my mind about working...”
She understood the whole situation and her shoulders sagged. You got what I was saying, good.  Yukinoshita patted her back several times in consolation.
“Hikigaya-kun is good at exaggerating the fears, he’s better at that than most con men. But you do have to learn about your workplace.”
I was please Yukinoshita agreed with me. Though she probably agreed not with me but with her own loneliness. Not that I would say that to her.
Having heard the opinions of two people, Yuigahama contemplated something.
“Got it… I’ll try searching near my neighborhood then.”
“Better not.”
“Eh? Why?”
“If you start slacking in the cafes nearby you may be prohibited from entering. I can’t enter several cafes near my house because of that.”
Slacking is the worst way to quit a job. Of course it’s bad for the employer, but it’s also bad for me too. All my shelves and closet are filled to the brim with the uniform I couldn’t manage to  return. Every time I open the closet I’m overwhelmed with “Sound! Uniform!”
Slacking is a no-no. Returning the uniform in a parcel with recipient paying is a no-no. You have to pay for it yourself!
Yukinoshita started massaging her temples and made a very sad sigh.
“My head starts hurting every single time I hear Hikigaya-kun’s live stories.”
“Ahaha… Sometimes I think like ‘Oh Hikki’ too...”
I couldn’t understand who Yuigahama was taling about too, but somehow I thought “Yep, that’s Gahama-san for you”. You have to feel her words instead of listening to them. Her speech skills are far from perfect anyway. Yukinon too was behaving like the usual Yukinon. She tilted her head, slightly bit her lip and made yet another sad sigh.
“I don’t like to say that but you really don’t need to look for the job.”
She gave up.
Sometimes the line between “give up” and ”admit” is blurred. Yuigahama stared at me while twirling the fork in her fingers.
“Hikki, you say so much things about work but still work in school.”
“Mmm, yeah. You can quit your job at any time but you can’t quit school. That’s why I have to do at least something.” I said trying to find the right words to justify my actions. I don’t think I managed to do it. I probably had very different reasons to do so; I don’t think it would be right to form them into words.
In truth I haven’t found the correct words for my feelings and emotions myself yet. Seemed like their meaning was wrong from the start. That’s why I tried to find an answer that wouldn’t be a complete lie for myself. But Yuigahama-san, why are you still drilling a hole in my skull with your look?
“I don’t think you quit the job just like that.” She finally said waving her hands. Yukinoshita, who was listening to us before, smiled a bit.
“The club is one thing, but I would never work together with you.”
“I could wrap your hands in a ribbon and present them back to you.”
Right, and a gift-wrap too, forgot about that. Yukinoshita as she is is a capable person; she would make a decent employee. She can plan things and work accordingly, as well as solve the problems as they come. But her lifestyle is fatally clumsy. She probably can become a manager, then be promoted even further, but her words will still be sharper than a knife, killing everything around. It was horrible. Yukinoshita too understood what I meant, humphed and averted her eyes.
“We can’t work anyway, since part-timing is against the school regulations.”
“Like I care about the regulations.”
I had worked part-time and I’m sure many students had too. Even if someone learns about them, there’s no actual punishment, and school doesn’t bother look for those people anyway. It’s called letting it slide. A classical example of “it’s not a problem until we make it into one”.
“It’s still not a reason to violate the rules.”
Another good point from Yukinoshita. Probably because she was drinking Ceylon tea.[pun: Ceylon->Seiron(正論)] But it was stated just for the sake of arguing with me. So I ignoredit. If we were outside I’d whistle to show I didn’t care. Yuigahama on the other hand not only didn’t ignore it but decided to accept. She ate the leftover desserts and turned to us.
“But you can get a school permission, right?”
“Well, yeah.”
Suddenly! A normal response from Yuigahama. Yukinoshita stuttered.
“B-but… Um… Yuigahama-san, you don’t have clear reasons to work, so obtaining such permission won’t be easy. Besides, you’re a club member, so Hiratsuka-sensei, being our advisor, won’t allow you to.” Yukinoshita noted while touching her chin. Yuigahama, not being able to hold back anymore, leaped to Yukinoshita and hugged her.
“Don’t worry, Yukinon! Club is still important for me! I won’t hide from you if I find a job.”
“It’s not what I meant...”
Yukinoshita fiercely blushed in Yuigahama’s embrace and tried to say something. My, they were so close. Well, I understood Yuigahama’s feelings, since I felt something similar, even though our thoughts weren’t similar at all.
I don’t think either me or Yuigahama wanted to work all that much. Same probably could be said about Yukinoshita: she treasures the time spent in the club together, and so doesn’t want her to leave for work. I had similar feeling, except for different reasons. I simply didn’t want to multiply the unknown variations in the equation. Of course it was a bad thing. Know everything? How horrible.
Seeing these girls is sweeter than any dessert would ever be. Sitting in a warm cafe on a soft sofa gazing at them, I feel sleep taking over me. That’s why I drank my already lukewarm black coffee in one gulp.