Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 20: Interlude – Part-Time Job ②
(This section is written in third person, incorporating the perspectives of Himeji and Asuka.)
It was the day when Atsumu-kun went to a job interview and ended up getting hired on the spot.
On that same day, two girls with the same goal had gathered.
(It’s his first day at the job… Is it weird to go right away? N-No, but I go to that café all the time, so it’s not strange if I go today too, right?)
From her stunning beauty, she was known at school as the “Ice Queen,” and she also had a secret identity as the popular Vtuber “Hoshizuki Kaguya” — Himeji Tsukiyo.
As Himeji walked, passersby stopped in their tracks to look back at her.
(That Go-kun… I told him today was my day off and asked if he wanted to hang out, and what does he say? “I’m working a part-time job at a café.” Can you believe he turned me down? Fine! Then I’ll just go see for myself!)
The center of the ultra-popular idol group Asterisk, Ashiya Asuka, whose upcoming PV teaser had been making waves lately.
Even in disguise, her beauty couldn’t be hidden, and she became the center of attention wherever she went.
Each girl had the same goal in mind.
(To see Sakasegawa-kun…)
(To see Go-kun…)
(To see him working at the café!!)
The two walked toward their shared destination, completely unconcerned with the people around them.
(Should be arriving soon.)
(If I remember correctly, this is the place.)
“Ah.”
And there, in front of the café, the two encountered each other.
“Himeji-san? What are you doing here?”
“T-This happens to be my favorite café. What about you, Ashiya-san?”
“M-Me? I’m off today, so I just happened to be walking around town and stumbled upon what looked like a nice café?”
Though each of them was being vague, they both knew exactly why the other was there.
A strange tension filled the air.
“Hey, why don’t we go in together?”
“Sure, sounds good!”
It might have looked like a friendly exchange… but it was anything but.
(No way I’m letting you steal a march on me!!)
Both girls, wary of the other, decided to go in together to keep watch on each other.
And so, the two of them stepped through the café door.
○ ●
“Welco—me?”
The one to greet them, with a refreshing smile, was none other than Itsuki.
Himeji and Asuka froze upon seeing him.
(H-He’s got his bangs up, and I can see Sakasegawa-kun’s big, sparkly eyes—and that smile is blinding!!)
(That café server look totally suits him—he looks so earnest and handsome!!)
(So precious!!)
“Oh, you both came already! That makes me really happy. I didn’t know you were friends though. Also… why are you both standing there with your hands pressed together like you’re praying?”
Completely unaware of what his appearance had done to them, Itsuki smiled and spoke to them.
“I-I don’t know why… It just felt like I had to…”
“My hands just moved on their own…”
“Haha, that’s a weird thing to say. Well then, let me show you to your seats. How about this table by the window?”
Go-kun gently guided the dazed girls to their table.
“Please call me when you’re ready to order. Excuse me.”
With that, Go-kun walked away.
As soon as he was out of earshot, Asuka turned to Himeji.
“Himeji-san, he said you were acting weird, you know.”
“That’s funny, Ashiya-san. I could’ve sworn he was talking about you.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
The two glared at each other, their eyes locked in an intense staredown.
The air around the table grew heavier by the second.
“Hah… forget it. Today’s my day off. I came here to relax and be healed by Go-kun’s face.”
“Oh? I thought you just happened to find a nice-looking café? Is that what you said earlier? Hm?”
Noticing the contradiction, Himeji for once took the opportunity to tease her.
Asuka’s face twisted into a I messed up expression.
“Grr… Fine, I’ll admit it! Go-kun said he was working here, so I came to see him! And you—you said it was your favorite café, but really you came to see him too, didn’t you?!”
“It is one of my favorite cafés… but I can’t deny that seeing Sakasegawa-kun was also part of the reason…”
Asuka had honestly confessed, and seeing that, Himeji felt bad being the only one hiding her intentions. She also decided to come clean.
“Then we have the same goal, don’t we? Let’s not fight and enjoy ourselves instead.”
“Yes, I want to imprint the image of Sakasegawa-kun in his uniform into my memory for as long as I can.”
“In that case, let’s start by ordering. Rather than looking at the menu, I think I’ll ask Go-kun for his recommendation… Go-kun, we’d like to order.”
Asuka raised her hand and called Go over.
“Yes, thank you for waiting. What would you like to order?”
“Tell me your recommendation, Go-kun.”
“Well, how about coffee? I’ll brew it myself.”
(They said I could brew coffee for the next customer, and since I know these two, this is perfect.)
“Wh-What!? Then I’ll have that, please!”
(If Go-kun is the one making it, it’s basically like homemade coffee!)
Hearing that he would be brewing it himself, Asuka immediately made her decision.
“I-I’ll have coffee too, please!”
“Eh, Himeji-san too? It’s bitter, are you sure you’ll be okay?”
“I’ll be fine!!”
(I’m not good with bitter things, but if Sakasegawa-kun is making it, then I’ll manage!)
Not to be outdone, Himeji also ordered.
“Alright, two coffees then. Please wait a moment.”
“That outfit of Go-kun’s is so unfair. I was shocked when I walked in and saw him.”
“Right? That overwhelming charm. He’s cute but still gives off a serious vibe—it’s so lovable.”
“Yes, exactly! Watching him work so hard with that adorable face just squeezes your heart. One time on set…”
“I know what you mean. And it’s great that he’s strong despite his appearance—like when he saved me before…”
While waiting for their coffee, the two chatted animatedly about Go.
While praising him, they also subtly tried to one-up each other with personal memories.
“Grr, you’re pretty good. That was a nice story.”
“Grr, you too. I’m glad I got to know a side of Sakasegawa-kun I didn’t know.”
For some reason, a sense of camaraderie grew between them, and they firmly shook hands.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Huh? You two are shaking hands? You must really get along. Did you find something in common?”
“Ahhh! Go-kun, did you hear what we were talking about just now?”
“W-Wait! Sakasegawa-kun, you didn’t hear that, right?”
“Hm? Nope, nothing.”
(Phew, thank goodness—if he’d heard us, it’d be way too embarrassing!!)
“Alright, here’s your coffee. Himeji-san, feel free to use sugar and milk. Please enjoy.”
With that, Go placed the cups down and walked away.
“So this is the coffee Go-kun made… I wonder how good it is.”
“If Sakasegawa-kun made it, I’ll drink it black to savor the taste as it is…”
They each picked up their cups and took a sip.
“Oh.”
“Oh.”
“Deliciousssssssssss!!”
Their loud voices echoed through the café, drawing attention from the other customers.
“What is this?! I’ve had coffee made by famous baristas on TV shows, but this is way better!”
“It’s so smooth and mellow, and the aftertaste is clean. Even I, who don’t like bitter things, can drink this easily! I didn’t know coffee could taste this good…”
They both quickly gulped down the rest of their coffee and set their cups down.
“Refill, please!”
“Eh? You already finished? I’m glad you liked it! Alright, I’ll make a second round!”
(Thanks to my gourmet sister Mika, who never allowed instant coffee, I’ve brewed so much coffee at home and on set. I was a bit confident in my coffee skills, and I’m glad it made them happy.)
The second round was also quickly finished, and the girls kept ordering more refills.
Seeing this, the other customers began ordering coffee too, and the café became lively.
“Go! What’s going on?! I was checking inventory in the back, and now it’s suddenly crazy busy out here!”
“Well, Acchan, those two by the window kept getting coffee refills, and the other customers followed their lead…”
“Wait, what? Also—is there a line forming outside the store?!”
“Oh! Since they’re sitting by the window, maybe Asuka’s fans or people who recognized Himeji-san followed them here!?”
“Ehhhh!? What do we do?!”
“W-We just have to hang in there!!”
After that, Go- and Akane worked together to calm the chaos and serve the increasing number of customers.
That day, the café hit its highest daily sales ever.
Also, because Asuka from Asterisk frequented the place, the café went viral, and it became known as the shop visited by a beautiful, traditional black-haired girl.
A rumor also spread that a small, cute boy made incredibly good coffee.
And thus, Go’s first day on the job came to a dramatic close.