Sakurakoji Talent took a moment to observe her performance and couldn't help being impressed. Even if he brought over the real maids from his own household, they might not perform as well as she did.
This was talent. Sakurakoji Talent nodded to himself in approval.
If Nijika's musical career ever hit a roadblock and she was interested, he would fully support her becoming a professional maid at his home.
As for why Ichiji Hoshika had immediately produced a Maid Outfit that perfectly matched Ichiji Nijika's measurements after Nijika and Yamada Ryo expressed their desire to work part-time here, he decided not to comment on it.
"Hello, here's your fruit tea and Coffee Jelly. Please take them."
"Here's your coffee and two tiramisus. That'll be 2,500 yen."
"Hello, what would you like..."
"..."
While Ichiji Nijika was still selling tickets, Sakurakoji Talent could only handle customers placing orders and man the register while skillfully packaging the goods.
Then, at one moment, his movements stopped. Through his mask, his eyes fixed intently on the person before him.
Petite, White Hair, cute, heterochromatic eyes... Whose Persian cat had gotten lost?
Image: "Heterochromatic Persian Cat", location: "Images/1753897335-100446961-113661965.jpg"
Author: The moment you mention cats, everyone knows who it is. That's reputation for you!
The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: You're Not the Person I Thought You Were!
Though surprised to see her suddenly appear here, after a brief pause, he continued smiling as he asked her:
"Hello, what would you like?"
"Matcha Parfaits! Two! And to drink... Earl Grey Tea!"
"Alright, two Matcha Parfaits and one Black tea. That comes to 2,900 yen."
"Ugh!"
Hearing the price, the little silver-haired cat's body trembled, and a pained look appeared on her face.
Including the ticket, she had spent over 4,000 yen in such a short time. At this rate, her allowance might not last very long.
But in the end, desire defeated reason. After a brief slump, she took two bills and several coins from her pocket.
"Alright, I've received the exact amount. Are you alone?"
"Yes."
After Sakurakoji Talent asked, the Heterochromatic Girl nodded.
"Then I'll hold onto the second Matcha Parfait for you. Once you finish the first one, come back to the counter and I'll prepare it for you."
"Here is your order. Please be careful."
As he spoke, he placed a steaming drink and a green dessert decorated with an abundance of fruit and cream before the girl.
"Mm."
The girl's eyes remained fixed on the exquisitely presented dessert before her. The surface was smooth and free of even a single bubble, the fruit decorations seemed perfectly natural, even carrying a certain aesthetic beauty, and the matcha was vibrant without any dull sediment... From her experience, it was definitely top-quality!
Satisfied, she carried away her two precious treats without looking back.
Watching her retreating figure, Sakurakoji Talent confidently grinned and gave a soft snort. Once she had eaten his food, she was one of his people from now on.
He was confident that his cooking skills were no worse than those people who drugged others and blew their clothes off.
As long as someone was a genuine foodie, after tasting his food, they would basically become a regularly returning NPC. Though limited by the ingredients, the finished products at Starry were only decent, but they should be enough.
Not long afterward, Ichiji Nijika finished selling tickets and ran over to help.
"Sorry for the wait, Mr. Talent! I'm here to help!"
"Alright, then sorry for the trouble, could you handle the register?"
"Leave it to me!"
With her joining in, the line moved even faster. Soon, the food sales were over, leaving only drinks to be served.
"Whew, it's finally over!"
Ichiji Nijika wiped the tiny beads of sweat from her forehead. Her triangular Ahoge swayed lightly as she let out a long breath.
Sakurakoji Talent handed her a cup of slightly cooled Black tea. "Thanks for the effort."
"Thank you!"
Ichiji Nijika happily accepted it and took two huge gulps. The tea flowed down as her smooth throat moved, and then she planted her hands on her hips and let out a relieved cry.
"Ah! I'm alive again!"
"What are you, some old lady?"
Seeing her outdated, exaggerated expression like someone drinking milk after a bath at a public bathhouse, Sakurakoji Talent couldn't help teasing her.
That joke was way too old. Nobody used it anymore.
"By the way, Mr. Talent, you're really amazing. You handled so many customers so easily in such a short time."
"If you play instruments, you need stamina."
As he cleaned the countertops and machines in the back kitchen, Sakurakoji Talent gave an explanation that barely counted as one.
Next, he would just wait until it was over before doing a thorough cleaning.
Not long after, Yamada Ryo arrived as well.
"No drinks?"
The moment she arrived, she gave Sakurakoji Talent an expectant look.
She had been cleaning and tidying up in the main hall, and only returned to the counter after the performance started.
"Make it yourself, make it yourself."
"Huh? But you clearly prepared one for Nijika earlier!"
"...Were you even working seriously?"
"Without question."
Yamada Ryo lifted her chest and raised her head, smiling confidently. Clearly, she was very satisfied with her own efforts.
"I really can't do anything with you."
Sakurakoji Talent showed a hint of helplessness and could only get her a cup as well.
"This is it—the ultimate pleasure after hard work. It's truly addictive!" Making the same gesture and expression as Nijika, Yamada Ryo sighed in satisfaction.
After chatting idly with the two of them for a few moments, a patch of silver-white suddenly appeared in his field of vision. Looking over, he saw that the little cat from earlier had returned.
"Finished already?"
"Mm!"
"You want the second one now?"
"Mm!"
"How does it taste?"
"Very, very good!"
He asked one question, and she answered one question. She was extremely sparing with words throughout the entire exchange. When asked about the taste, she unusually revealed a cheerful expression and spread her Hands wide in an exaggerated gesture.
"Thank you for the compliment."
"Eep!"
Seeing a bit of matcha residue at the corner of her mouth, Sakurakoji Talent took out a pristine white tissue and wiped it away for her.
Caught off guard, the Heterochromatic Girl's adorable face scrunched up slightly, and she instinctively closed her eyes. Only after he pulled his hand away did she realize what had happened, a faint blush rising on her face.
"Thank you."
"You're welcome. What do you think of the atmosphere of the performances here?"
"It's an interesting place, though not as good as Grandma's."
The girl glanced at the lively stage behind them and gave her assessment.
"Does your grandmother run a live house too?"
"Mm! But the original one closed, and now she has two different ones."
As she said that, her expression became somewhat dejected. There seemed to be some hidden story behind it.
Sakurakoji Talent didn't press further. He merely pushed the other prepared dessert in front of her.
"Here, this is your second one. But you shouldn't eat too much in one day, okay? It could give you a stomachache."
"You made this?"
"Mm, I made it."
"Your Matcha Parfaits are delicious. I'll come again."
With that, she dashed away, returning beneath the viewing stands and leaving only her back behind.
Faced with this little girl who acted in such a brisk, headstrong manner, Sakurakoji Talent could only shake his head helplessly.
He turned to continue gossiping with Yamada Ryo and the others, only to find the two girls staring at him with strange expressions.
"...What?"
"Mr. Talent, I never thought you were that kind of person!"
"We misjudged you!"
The two looked heartbroken, clutching their foreheads and chests as if they had suffered a major blow and refused to accept reality.
"What are you talking about?" Sakurakoji Talent looked utterly baffled.
Image: "Give Me a Bookmark, You Bastards", location: "Images/1753970488-100446961-113665208.jpg"
The Daily Life of Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Invited by an Idol
"Playing dumb won't work. We saw everything!" Yamada Ryo declared with certainty.
"Mr. Talent, there's no need to be embarrassed. I think there are quite a lot of people like that nowadays." Ichiji Nijika blushed, twirling a strand of hair around her fingers as she spoke bashfully.
"Even if we don't understand it, we respect it."
"So what exactly did you see?"
Sakurakoji Talent felt utterly speechless. How had the two of them suddenly become like this after he merely turned his head?
Yamada Ryo stepped forward, placing a hand on his back with a malicious grin. "Actually, you're a lolicon, aren't you?"
"Huh? Nani?!" Sakurakoji Talent was stunned by her statement.
"If you want us to keep your secret... you know what to do, right?" Yamada Ryo made a gesture for money.
"Sorry, we didn't mean to see it!" Ichiji Nijika bowed deeply and apologized with her head lowered.
Sakurakoji Talent slapped a hand against his forehead. His vision darkened, and he felt like life had lost all meaning. "How did you even reach that conclusion?"
"Because... Mr. Talent, you seemed very close to that child just now."
"And the two of you seemed to be having such a pleasant conversation."
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