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Volume 2, Chapter 24: I hired a new employee.

The next morning, Helena sighed in relief upon seeing Risa full of energy again. Then she immediately asked, “Miss Risa, is it true you’re going out with Mister Zeke now?!”

“Wha- why do you know, Helena?!”

“My father went to the royal palace with the daily bread today and you were all anyone talked about. You were even officially approved by Her Majesty?!”

“Queen Adele…”

Was she spreading the word so she could fulfill her promise that she wouldn’t let anyone get in their way? Risa wanted to hold her head in her hands. She had only just become aware of her feelings towards Zeke, and now everything else was rushing away from her. Risa tried to look at it positively. She was quite passive when it came to love, so maybe it would be good for the people around her to be excited for her.

“How did this happen?! Tell me more, tell me everything!”

Helena leaned in towards Risa, curiosity written all over her face.

“Uhm, Helena…”

Just when Risa held her at arm’s length to stop her, the doorbell rang.

Zeke, at this timing?!

The two of them swung around, Risa in a panic and Helena honing in on her new target, only to see that it wasn’t him.

“Excuse me~”

A scrawny young man stood at the door. He had a head of curly, greenish brown hair and large, bright brown eyes.

“Uh, we haven’t opened yet…”

Risa said as she walked towards him, assuming he was a customer, when the young man suddenly bowed to her.

“Please make me your disciple!”

“What?!”

Risa and Helena looked at each other.

Risa had been asked every once in a while to teach someone how to cook, but this was the first time someone said it so straightforwardly. Although she had always turned them down, the café was looking for employees right now, so Risa decided to hear him out first.

“What’s going on?”

“Ah, Zeke.”

Zeke peeked in from behind the young man, who was blocking the entrance. The young man straightened himself as suddenly as he had bowed and swiveled to face Zeke.

“Mister Zeke!”

“Huh? You’re from the royal palace…”

“Yes! Thank you for all the pointers yesterday!”

He happily thanked Zeke. Risa wondered if it was just her or if the young man looked like an excited dog that was greeting their master…

“Zeke, do you know him?”

“Yes, we worked together for a bit yesterday at the royal kitchen… Why are you here?”

“I came to become your disciple, Mister Zeke!”

“…Hah?”

“I made sure to get the Head Chef’s approval, too!”

He said, taking out a piece of paper from his pocket to show Zeke. Risa went up to them and looked at it too.

I hereby recommend Alan Trail as a novice chef at Café Omusubi.

—Feliformia Kingdom Royal Head Chef Ian McKinnies

So the young man’s name was Alan Trail. Although it was short and concise, the recommendation from the head chef looked genuine. Risa looked up from the paper and spoke to the young man who was watching their reactions.

“Alan, was it? How old are you?”

“I just became eighteen this year!”

Despite appearing to be younger than Helena, he was one year older than her. He wasn’t short, but his scrawny stature didn’t inspire much confidence, and he seemed much younger than Zeke… perhaps because Zeke also looked incredibly mature for his age.

Risa puzzled over what to do and glanced at Zeke, who readily nodded.

“I think he would be good.”

He said, and Alan’s face instantly shone. Risa couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“I don’t know what happened yesterday, but he really likes you. Alan, it might be a bit much to ask, but could you start working today then?”

“Yes! Please take care of me!”

“Zeke, why don’t you show him the ropes?”

“Eh, me?”

“I mean…”

Risa and Zeke looked at Alan and could almost see a wagging tail behind his back.

“I understand.”

“Great. Let’s get ready to open then!”

Risa said and clapped her hands together. On that signal, Risa, Zeke, Helena, and the new rookie, Alan, scattered to work.

_______________________________________________________________

The work at the café was easier than Risa expected after her long vacation.

Although Alan seemed unreliable at a glance, he moved quickly and efficiently and was good with his hands. No wonder Head Chef McKinnies recommended him.

Helena also moved faster than before, helping Alan as he struggled in the hall on his first time serving customers.

Above all else, Zeke was incredibly reliable as he gave orders to Alan while skillfully making food. He must have worked especially hard while Risa was out, as he noticed more details than before.

Risa watched over her employees while leisurely making tea at the bar counter or catching up with their regulars.

To be honest, she remembered the events with Zeke from yesterday before she went to work, and had been anxious about how to face him. However, her anxiety was blown away with Alan’s sudden appearance.

Even Helena, who had put her on the hot seat the second they met, seemed to have completely forgotten about it.

At any rate, Café Omusubi ran smoothly again, this time with a new member on the team.