01 - China Girl, China Boy

Note: The POVs switch in the middle of the chapter~ The waitresses of the restaurant wear any kind of traditional dress (cheongsam, kimono, etc.) as their uniform.

"Grrr." I wiped the stains on the table to vent out my anger.

I was completely fed up with the food service industry. No matter how bad a day I was having I was forced to put a smile on my face and serve customers. It was especially bad during that time of the month. It was a good thing that my uniform was a red cheongsam, or else I'd also have to worry about bleeding through the fabric.

I used even more force to wipe away the stupid ketchup stain on the table to distract me from the pain.

"Kagura-chan, what did that poor table ever do to you? The owner's still angry over the plates you dropped the other day. I don't think you want to add a broken table to the list."

I looked up to see Soyo-chan smiling at me then down at the table where a slight crack had formed where I scrubbed.

"Ah. Damn. I won't say anything if you don't."

"Don't worry. I got chu." Soyo wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "Listen, I'll be off my shift in five minutes. Could you handle the customer that just came in?"

She nodded towards a table near the entrance of the restaurant and I followed her gaze. There was only one customer at the table, a young man with black hair.

"Sure." I agreed. "Go ahead and leave me here to die. You never really loved me anyway."

I clutched my chest, pretending to have a heart attack.

"Oh. Stop being so dramatic. You'll be fine. There's only two more hours left on your shift anyway. But if you really do die, I promise to make you look pretty in your casket."

We looked at each other then started laughing. While wiping away the tears that formed at the corner of my eyes, I spotted my brother at the door.

"Ah. You should get going. Onii-chan's already here."

"I'll head to the locker room first. Take care."

"You too."

Then, I made my way to Kamui-nii to tell him that Soyo was just getting changed and taking her stuff from the back.

"Isn't it about time you take my order?" A voice interrupted us. "Or is it more important that you flirt with your boyfriend right now?"

"We don't serve rude customers here. It's a new policy. I'll need to ask you to leave." I told him off while pointing to the exit.

He exhaled.

"Where's your manager? Don't you know that saying-'customers are always right'?"

Who does this guy think he is?

"Ahahaha. Really funny sir. Don't you know that saying-'waitresses aren't your slave'?" I pulled out a punch near his face, but the man didn't even blink.

His deep red eyes still remained calm as if my fist wasn't half an inch away from making contact with his right cheek. Then, the man finally revealed an expression on his deadpan face. It was a small smile. An amused smile.

"Why don't I give you a second chance, China girl? If you can memorize my order without writing it down and serve it to me properly, then I won't complain to your manager. Deal?"

"Deal!" I didn't even hesitate. I wasn't someone to back off from a fight. I grew up in the streets after all.

"Good."

I handed the menu to him and he started listing off the dishes he wanted.

Oh, Kami-sama! He just listed half of the menu.

"Got it?"

"Just wait. You'll eat your words." I walked off to the kitchen to list off all the dishes he mentioned.

"Nice wig." I watched China boy tip his chin towards my wig.

I frowned, looking at the permanent smile on his face. He looked like the male version of the China girl who just took my order, hence, I dubbed him 'China boy'.

"What? Are you a fan?" I mocked him.

I watched the two slits on his face widen into a pair of sinister blue eyes.

"Listen here kid. It's fine if I bully my sister, but no one else can. You wouldn't want to lose that pretty mouth of yours, now would you?"

Before I could respond, a lady with long black hair appeared in casual clothes. Even without the traditional dress that serves as this place's uniform, I recognized her face as one of the waitresses that was fooling around with that hot-headed China girl earlier.

"What are you up to?" Her eyes narrowed as she looked at China boy sitting across from me.

"Ah. Hime-sama. I was just entertaining a customer."

She raised an eyebrow at the two of us.

"I highly doubt that. But, if you'd like to cheat on me with him, I approve. You've got good taste, Mu-chan." She teased.

"As if." He opposed.

I rolled my eyes, not bothering to comment at the idiotic couple in front of me.

"Ah!" I heard China girl exclaim like she just won the lottery. "Now, I get why you were so mad at me earlier. You thought I was taking away your target. Don't worry. Kamui-nii's all yours."

Unbelievable. How did you even conclude that?

"Well, I hate to interrupt your date, onii-chan. But, I've brought all of this sadist's orders. I got all of the chefs working extra hard just for you. I hope you two enjoy it."

She had pulled out enough carts to surround the table.

"What would you two like to start with first?"

I eyed all of the plates on the carts and found that she surprisingly managed to remember all of the orders I placed.

Working with her should be more interesting than the last girl.

"No need." I got up from the table. "You passed. You can enjoy the meal by yourselves. Just put it on my tab."

I walked towards the entrance when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Wait, you sadist! What's your name?"

I leaned in close enough so the whole restaurant wouldn't go into a frenzy at my identity being revealed and mouthed out the syllables of my name. "O-ki-ta. Sou-go."

I watched her freeze up. I could imagine the gears in her head trying to process the information. I smirked. I think this was a good time to leave.

A few minutes after I left the restaurant, there was a loud yell that followed.

Such a late reaction.

It was too bad I didn't have more time to spare today. She proved to be more interesting than I initially thought.