A small bell hanging on the door clattered behind Misaki as he stepped inside. He had been in this shop before but today was different. He adjusted the weight of his shoulder bag and started looking around for the manager. There weren't very many customers, just a couple of giggly girls browsing through bouquets.
"What about this, Yuu-chan? They look just like the ones in your hair!"
The smaller blonde girl turned to examine the bundle of white daisies in her companion's hands.
"But, Haruka, they're so plain."
"Yuu-chan! You know I don't have very much money with me."
Misaki spotted a young clerk at the cash register. He put on his most professional smile. He might know where his supervisor was so he could start work. Once the guy was done helping an elderly woman, Misaki approached him.
"Hello, my name is Misaki Takahashi."
The employee snapped his fingers and pointed cartoonishly.
"Yeah! That's right! You're the newbie. The manager, Nowaki Kusama, mentioned that you'd be coming by." He grasped Misaki's hand and shook it firmly. "Unfortunately he's not in right now. He had some big emergency come up with his other job so I'll be showing you the ropes. It's pretty straight forward. My name's Arata Natsuda. My friends call me Natsu." He smiled sheepishly. "Yeah, it's a Fairy Tail reference. I'm pretty into dragons and I have a 'fiery temper'"
Natsu laughed and stepped out from behind the counter. Misaki's first impression of his new coworker was generally positive. He was a little on the chatty side but that was actually a refreshing change of pace. Aside from Keiichi Sumi, no one at school really talked to him. Not outside of the classroom anyhow. Misaki felt weird about being so socially isolated sometimes. Maybe if he kept Usagi-san from picking him up here he could maintain an image of normalcy and make one or two more friends through his job.
Natsu placed a small sign on the counter which read Ring bell for service. He gestured to a door at the rear of the store.
"Shall we go get you punched in and in uniform?"
"Sounds good."
"Awesome! Time to suit up!"
Natsu rolled up his sleeves. Misaki noticed that he had the Fairy Tail emblem tattooed on his right bicep. Looks like his friends aren't the only diehard fans after all.
The store room was chilly and damp. Their overflow stock covered the shelves. A small sprinkler misted them from above at regular intervals.
"This is where we keep much of the merchandise," Natsu explained. "I've got this whole pitch worked out. Let's say two women enter the store. They both want this extravagant lily arrangement for a centerpiece but here's the thing." Natsu paused for effect. "There's only one out front! So the women start bickering over it. They're willing to go to any lengths to get one. That's when yours truly waltzes in and casually mentions he might have seen some more in the back. They're really grateful that I'd go to the trouble for them. I come back here. I find what I'm looking for easily enough but I keep them waiting a tiny bit just so they're on their toes. Here's the best part: I come out with three! I say I managed to find a few extra. They're so relieved I have them on hand that they each leave with two. Now I get to be the hero and I've gotten four sales from one item!"
Natsu grinned triumphantly and patted himself on the back. Misaki stared. So he's more than a little bit nuts.
"You've put a lot of thought into it. Did the manager teach you that?"
"Nowaki? Nah, he's not really crazy about my methods. He says they're 'twisted' and 'center around taking advantage of people.'" Natsu shook his head. "He'll be one hell of a doctor someday but he does not have a head for business."
"What about you?"
"That's easy. When I get together enough money I'm going to open my own place. It'll be even bigger than this dump."
Misaki was caught off guard about how blunt and eccentric he was. However, as he was shown the filing system, the gift wrapping station, and cleaning supplies; he could not deny that Natsu knew what he was talking about. He had a whole battery of tips up his sleeve. Everything from the secret to making perfect ribbon curls to the ideal ratio of solutions to mix when mopping the floor. He must really love flowers or something.
The gentleman glared with annoyance as Misaki fumbled with the cash register.
"I'm so sorry. I'm still getting the hang of this."
The business man was unmoved. He glanced at his watch and sighed loudly. Luckily Natsu jumped in.
"Here, let me take care of that."
With a flick of the wrist he had opened the drawer and provided the harried patron with his change. He bowed deeply as he handed it over with both hands.
"We appreciate your patience."
Once the store was empty they switched the sign from Opento Closed. Misaki let out a long sigh.
"Sorry about that."
"Eh? Oh, don't worry about it. That thing is a dinosaur and it's super temperamental. You'll get it. Good job by the way. I can see why they hired you."
Misaki smiled.
"Thanks. I guess I'll punch out and go home then. I should be able to get back in time to make dinner."
"Have a good night, man. Will you be working tomorrow?"
Misaki thought about it.
"No, Fridays are my day off."
Natsu's face went white as a sheet. His hands hung by his sides. He looked like someone had punched a hole in him.
"Friday? Today was…oh…shit. I am screwed."
Journal entry 80: It is currently 5:30pm. According to the store hours, the other one should be heading home now. He is still in the building talking to that annoying brat. It doesn't matter. Everything is in place. I've waited this long. I can wait a little bit longer.
Usagi rose from the couch with Suzuki tucked under his arm. Normally he tried avoid answering the phone in case it was his pain in the ass editor. Tonight he was on edge. He hoped it was Misaki calling him. He was running late.
"Hello?"
"Hi! Hope I'm not disturbing you."
"Takahiro?"
***In case there was any doubt, that was an allusion to Sakura Trick earlier.***